The Talla

The Coin

The man stood tall, he kept gaze as he went closer towards Crest and Paul. As he got closer, his white hair became apparent and his glasses began to show as the light from the lamp post covered him. He was an old man with wrinckles on his forehead and the look of a typical grandfather persumanbly the guy that runs the place but the two weren't so sure.

Crest looked up on his face for intruding on their converstion. He felt something weird about the man as if he had some sort of mystery in him.

"Who are you?" asked Crest trying to sound sober

"Sorry to intude you lads but I couldn't help but overhear the conversation you just had." the man answered

"Well it's none of your business. What do you want?" asked Paul 

"Oh, I'm just here to offer you boys a chance to gain what you've lost." said the man

Intrigued by this man's proposal, the two looked at the man skeptically. There's no way this old man could recover Crest's impossible loss. He'd have to be some kind of wizard or a god.

"And how are you supposed to do that?" asked Crest pointing his finger at the man drunkenly

"Well, we are at the Monastery of Saint Argensus, if you deem a wish, the place might grant it." said the man as he approached closer pulling out a coin in his pocket with written inscriptions on it. "As long as you plead from your innocent heart, of course." 

"This is a Talla, one of the few coins St. Argensus had in his lifetime. This object has something special on it." the man added, holding up the coin with his two fingers showing them the front and back

"Whoa, really?" exclaimed Crest trying to sound sarcastic, opening his eyes wide like a moron 

"I don't believe you." Paul added

"My boy, I'll give this to you." the old man said as he knelt down while he hands the coin to Crest's hand.

 "So, how does this thing work?" asked Crest trying to mess with the old man

"Oh, it's as simple as praying my boy." said the old man as he smiles at Crest

"You see, that item you have in  your hand once belonged to a man who had more than just faith." the old man added

"And what would a Saint have other than his faith?" asked Crest

"He had magic, my lad." the old man grinned "The magic to grant wishes."

"Oh really." said Crest "Then this would grant me anything I want?" he asked

"Yes." the old man answered.

"But only if you believe that your plea is something of the innocent heart." he added

"Gee, thanks." said Crest turning to Paul who went silent by the thought of this old man being crazy

"Alright boys, I better get going." said the old man as he stands up trying to get himself ground

"I still have a lot of things to take care of." he added as he walks away from Crest to the gate leading outside.

"You lads now have fun."

"Sure thing sir!" said Crest smiling at the old man

"We'll have fun talking to this coin as it grants us our wish." Crest  whispered to Paul

The man walked straight ahead the gate as he waves goodbye to the two. The wind blew strongly as if a gust from a storm passed by. Leaves began rustling and darkness covered the man so evenly that all you can see is a silhoutte. The man just passed through the gate as if it wasn't there. Paul noticed this and rubbed his eyes thinking this was an illusion. First the crazy talk then this. The alcohol must've hit him real hard. Crest hardly bat an eye since he was busy looking at the coin the man just gave him.

"You... think the old man.... was telling the truth?" asked Paul shakingly

"Pssh.. No, like this old coin could bring back Cyndia." said Crest as he makes fun of the coin by waving it around  "Even a drunk guy like me wouldn't believe him."

"Crest, I don't think that guy was just some ordinary old man." said Paul "He just passed through a titanium gate like he was some ghost or something

"Nah, don't think so. All this is a ploy, man, this Monastary is going bankrupt. They think their cheap tricks can fool us into being believers of their faith here."  said Crest as he smiles like a know-it-all 

"No. This is something man, we have to get out of here. Leave that coin here." Paul demanded

Crest laughed at Paul's reaction and started closing his eyes and uttered: "St. Argensus, great and mighty saint of this chapel. Benevolent and great, grant my innocent heart's plea."

The wind roared loudly. The bushes around them started waving. Paul got frightened and wanted to run but he couldn't leave Crest alone. So he hit Crest's hand and made the coin fly off towards the ground. 

The wind stopped.

Relieved, Paul let out a deep breath and looked at Crest.

"What the hell man!" Paul exclaimed 

Crest just laughed and proceeded to pick up the coin 

Paul tried to stop him but sadly he just wasn't fast enough for Crest.

Crest held it near his lips and uttered: "I wish to see Cyndia again,"

Scared, Paul grabbed Crest back his seat and looked around if something happened.

Only that nothing really did.

"I honestly thought it would work." said Crest as he looked at the coin in his palm

Paul felt relieved as if a boulder was lifted off his back and relaxed at the bench a bit thinking that the old man they met was just a lunatic.

"You know what, this coin is useless." said Crest as he throws it to his back

"I feel sleepy. I think I should just take a tiny rest here." said Crest as he lays his head on Paul's lap.

Paul tried to wake him up but Crest wouldn't even budge. Everytime he tries to wiggle his legs to get free, Crest would just lay tighter on him. Paul felt woozie afterwards. Knowing he was too drunk to even bring themselves back to the inn, he also fell asleep.

"Goodnight Paul." said the sleepy Crest as he drools on Paul's lap.

The night went by like a breeze. Nothing was heard other than the rustling of the breeze and the sound of crickets.