REMEMBRANCE CROSS

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

When the sky breaks and threatens to fall,

When all seems lost to darkness,

May he be reminded of his birth, may he realize his prowess,

Neither demon, nor angel, he will answer destiny's call.

War woke up with a start. The first rays of dawn shone weakly through the window that was opened ever so slightly.

What the hell? This isn't funny, thought War as he held his head in his hands rubbing his temples. For five years he had woken up to the same dream. He couldn't understand why though. Whatever it was, it was extremely irritating to War. Were the 'deities of dreaming' playing a trick on him? He felt like laughing.

But seriously, is this like some kind of prophecy? Is this the part where I'm supposed to go 'Oh! I feel powerful all of a sudden, I'm unearthly!'? Really..what the hell? Anyway, I guess..I should just ignore the dream like I always have. '

Later in the afternoon War and Theban sat in the courtyard talking in low tones.

'My lord, have you found any clues on where this remembrance cross might be?'

'Theban, you don't have to call me my lord. We are friends, are we not? Moreover, about the cross, I have no bloody idea where to find it. Honestly, couldn't the old man have done better?' said War, rolling his eyes.

War thought back to that night all over again. Master Lionel, the old priest who raised him and taught him all about the sword, the trident and archery. That night..

Master Lionel, covered in blood was lying in War's arms. Tear-stricken War kept talking, knowing he was powerless to do anything else.

'Master Lionel? What is wrong? Why did those scary looking people attack you? You couldn't have done anything wrong!'

Lionel coughed up blood.

'NO! Don't leave me, please! You are all I have left. NO! First father, then mother..and..and now, you. I cannot lose you! Please hang on..please...'

'War, calm down -' more blood spurted out of his mouth 'calm down, my child..please lis- listen to me..will you?'

War nodded, wide - eyed and broken. He went numb.

'War, you are not who you think you are. The memories that you have are the transient memories that God chose to store in you temporarily. The real truth lies elsewhere..'

War kept shaking his head, he was not understanding a word of what Lionel was trying to tell him. But, right now, he must listen to him.

'You are special. You are above all. Those scary looking people do not belong to  this world. They were demons and they had come here, not for me, but for you. You are in grave danger. But you can face it all. Look within you, you are stronger than you think. I cannot tell you much, I am but a mortal..' Lionel heaved and struggled to breathe.

'To know the truth of all that you are, you must find the remembrance cross..someone in this world has it...' and Lionel breathed his last. He fell back, eyeballs rolling upwards. He was lost.

War went mad with anger and outrage. The world was unfair, ruthless. So what? He found the secret of survival. The world gave him pain, he would give the world pain. He was all alone.

'War, do you hear me? War?!'

War started, like awakened from a trance.

'Theban, yes?' he blinked.

Theban chuckled. 'You went into dreamland just now. Could it be?' and he widened his eyes for dramatic effect '...a woman?'

War threw a small pebble right at Theban's head and glared at his friend.

'No way! Why would I fall in love? Nay, I don't have that much time' said War with a straight face.

Theban laughed 'I know, Mr.Serious, I was pulling your leg.'

'Anyway, Master Lionel told me that the cross is with someone in this world..where do I go search for it now?'

'You know what? Let us just keep raiding different parts of the world like we have always been doing. We have no other way. We just have to hope that we will find it soon in this way' said Theban.

'Hope..eh?' said War pessimistically. 'Okay then. Where would be our next destination then?'

'Well, we are lacking in lady attendants. Half of them were shot dead by our soldiers when they tried to run away.' said Theban as if he was giving the statistical results of a hunting competition.

'Okay then, where to?' asked War.

'Well, there is this temple dedicated to the goddess Rena in the outskirts of the town. The priests there have raised girls and boys alike. Let us go raid it. I am sure we will find both riches and slaves alike.'

War nodded. He thought:

Raiding a temple, huh? I will probably go to hell for this. But, it's not like I have been living in heaven till now. I wonder what I will find there..

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I thank everybody who has been following my story uptil now! :)

Please do read 'The Sapphire of Ismira' by preetirajamannar, I'm sure you will love it! 

And also, 'Waterfield Road' by jemslayer. It has an awesome storyline!

Thank you!!