The Princess of Wrath

Chapter 6 - Part III: Towards the Berelith Temple

"Ah, Princess!" Asura jumped back when she opened the door of her room and found Silas standing in the middle of the partially lit hallway. She was able to retain an insult in time that would have made even that terrifying Wraith blush. "I was hoping I could exchange a few words with you before your departure. I'll be quick."

She was ready: she had wiped away the tears and washed off the ruined makeup, leftover from her violent argument with her mother, and she had eaten enough to keep her stomach full until nightfall.

Despite hating the Gods, with her heart in her mouth and glaring at the terrifyingly masked man, she begged them in the privacy of her mind that he was not the Wraith who was going to accompany her to the Berelith Temple.

"Alright. Walk with me."

The Wraith's footsteps were completely silent to the point that it was as if Asura was walking through the palace in solitude, at least until he began to speak in that supernaturally creepy tone of voice of his.

"It's been over five years since the last time you visited the temple on the Black Ice Mountain, Princess. The road down the eastern slope has become infamous for groups of bandits intercepting the pilgrims, and with the recent growth in the presence of Zarosian fanatics in the region, the level of danger has become even higher," he explained. "Fortunately, with the protection that Lady Belmont and my novice will offer, you will be at very low risk."

"You mean...?" Asura was about to name Lucy but retracted on time. She was glad to know that she was going to accompany her on the trip, but she did not want to make it so obvious. "Are you talking about the Wraith who was supposed to protect my brother?"

"That girl shows more enthusiasm and diligence in protecting you than the young Prince, which is obviously unacceptable... I apologize for that. I want you to know that the punishment she received for leaving the young Prince unprotected was a very bloody and painful experience for her," he told her with cruelty and sadism imprinted in his deep, dark voice.

Without commenting back, Asura trembled in fear and felt sorry for Lucy... She decided that once they could speak privately, she was going to let her know that she wished there was no ill-will between them and that she was sorry about her punishment.

"Although protocols and security measures have already been established, it is my duty to ask you if you want more security on your trip," Silas continued. "With the absence of your bodyguard, I am ready to readjust the measures and accompany you personally, if you don't feel safe alone with Lady Belmont and my novice."

"No, I appreciate it. I think Diana and your apprentice are enough for this secret assignment," she hastened to say. The last thing she needed, aside from visions of cosmic monsters, was to endure Silas and his devilish mask through the entire journey.

"As you wish. I hope you have a pleasant experience, Princess," he wished as he stopped in front of the doors that led to the Garden of Thorns. He opened them and invited Asura to go outside but without accompanying her. "I am confident that you will return with renewed energy."

"Thank you, Master Wraith. Keep up the good work."

Silas closed the doors behind him, and Asura had at her disposal a panoramic scene that was to be etched forever in her mind: under the shadow of the great old tree, Diana was dressed in her new uniform with dark steel plates and red cape, helping Jul walk with a beautiful and patient smile on her face as Urza and Jocelyn watched. Her younger brotherlooked happy despite how painful the effort he made to increase the strength ofhis weak legs was every day.

"Sura!" she heard Jul exclaim, making the three women aware of her presence. Diana looked up and the smile on her face instantly filled with so much affection that it made the Princess' heart tremble with cloying joy. In another circumstance, she would have run into the arms of her beloved to embrace her with all her strengths without caring about all that armor she had on her; she controlled her emotions and advanced towards them giving them a harmoniously serene look.