Sekai Kōkyōkyoku: Umarekawatta Ryōiki (World Symphony: A Realm Reborn)

Capitulo VI: The Untold

A storm was brewing overhead. Thunder rolled across the hills. A hazy curtain of rain was coming in the church's direction. I was certain that it wasn't like this an hour ago.

Ro, together with Rio and Asaki, went inside the chapel to discuss about a matter. On their way, their faces were grim.

Something is happening, I thought. The sudden darkening of the sky wasn't coincidental. It had something to do with the 'matter' they were to discuss.

I was standing in a hallway at the east tower of the church. From where I was standing, I could see the dark clouds coming toward the church. They seemed to have a difficult time reaching the church, as if the wind was pushing them away.

"Red-kun." Reiko stood beside me. She was also eyeing the sky. "It isn't just a storm, is it? What's happening?"

"Wakarimasen." I murmured. "All I know is..."

It was a bad news.

***

The day was like night, dark and cold. At daybreak, the dormitory where I was staying called for lights out. I jumped to my bed earlier. Right after I closed my eyes, I dozed off.

As expected, a nightmare hunted me. It was different from the dream I usually had. This time, I was a kid standing in front of a statue. The statue was a huge image of a skeleton wearing a cloak. On his right bony hand was a scythe with an inscription I couldn't understand. Little by little, I was stepping backward. The aura was so scary, alright? But when I stepped my left foot, it bumped against something. I turned around. A bishop was standing in front of me. He patted my head and smiled, driving my fears away.

I woke up. The sun was still at the horizons. Ibetter get ready.  I was all set when the ground shook. It stopped after some minutes. I realized that it was getting serious so I bolted out the room and searched for the bishops or anyone. Fortunately, I found someone when I checked the chapel. Unfortunately, I found Ro. Jeez. Of all people, why him? I had no choice but to approach him. He was kneeling at the altar. I stood beside him and saw that his eyes were closed. He was praying? Maybe.

"The shadows are eating us..." He almost whispered, eyes still shut. "It's using us to pull itself up from the sea of misery."

"What is?" I asked.

He remained silent for a while. He looked up at me and said, "Darkness. Be prepared, Red. We believe he's coming for you."

I felt my heart pounding as if it understood what Ro just said. I opened my mouth to speak just as an explosion stopped me.

I woke up, breathless. I was soaking wet because of sweat. I sat up and wiped my forehead. Was it all just a dream? Several knock on the door took my attention. I was praying that it must be something I shouldn't worry about as I stood up and opened it. Ro was there, wearing the usual cassock. His expression was cold, the way it was when he was serious.

"Is anything... wrong?" I asked.

"Come with me." He said seriously.