#we are indeed making a very bold and dangerous prayer | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

tiramisiyu · 3 years ago

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Tears of Themis: Xia Yan/Luke 【昼夜余想】 Wishes Between Day and Night - Date Translation

Translation Masterlist | Xia Yan Masterlist | Unsubbed Video

Transcript below cut:

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Part 1

Empire

On the empty, desolate street, only the night wind whistled past my ears.

MC: …

I walked forward carefully. Plates full of food had been placed similarly in front of the tightly-shut doors of the residences.

MC: … I hope nothing goes wrong.

It was the Wag Festival tonight.

According to the legends, the spirits who were venerated by their families would make their way towards the afterlife, while the spirits who had no one to remember them could only go around begging.

*Note: This festival did indeed exist in Ancient Egypt, and was dedicated to the death of Osiris.

Thus, kindly members of the populace would place offerings at their doorways, dedicated to the lonely dead. This was originally a holiday of commemoration, but things weren’t so peaceful recently…

Several people had disappeared strangely during the night. People said that terrible curses brought by the dead were spreading all over the town…

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Discussion Hall

Not long ago, I had reported this issue to the pharaoh.

But as he sat upright in his high seat, he merely looked indifferently ahead, his mood hard to discern.

Pharaoh: A curse…

Pharaoh: As the respected oracle priestess of the dynasty, you only need to convey the will of the gods. Just observe for any other situational changes for now.

MC: But Pharaoh… more and more people keep disappearing these days, and the people are very panicked. The temple keeps receiving more prayers every day.

MC: If this really is the work of evil magic, the legends in the future will include a Wag Festival plagued by wandering spirits, and we’ll find ourselves with even more victims…

The pharaoh merely waved his hand at my suggestion that came from a spurt of courage.

Pharaoh: I have my own ways of dealing with this.

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Though the pharaoh had said that he had ways to deal with this, I couldn’t just sit around and watch.

As the oracle priestess, listening to the prayers of the people, maintaining order, and protecting the empire were my duties, to begin with.

Thus, I decided to act secretly at night.

MC: (Based on the rumours… the ones who disappeared before last appeared at night, on the streets…)

MC: …

I grasped tight at the amulet in my hands. The golden scarab beetle shone with a cold luster under the bright moonlight.

Feeling reinvigorated, I walked deeper into the street. Right then…

Unknown Man: Aaahhh—

MC: !!!

After freezing momentarily, I immediately sprinted towards the source of the shrieks.

Unknown Man: Save me! Someone save…

Suddenly, the cries for help stopped.

In the small, dusky alley, just a few steps away, a man was lying motionlessly on the floor.

MC: Are you alright?!

I rushed over, preparing to check his body for injuries. However…

MC: !!!

A frigid aura emanated from behind me. I instinctively stopped moving.

MC: (Wait… I think someone else is here…)

I looked towards the shadows in the corner.

MC: !!!

???: …

The moment our gazes met, the person stopped hiding and walked out slowly.

In the dead silence, I held my breath.

???: Sometimes, being too sharp isn’t a good thing.

The owner of the voice held a dagger as he looked from a distance at me.

Half of his face had been covered by a black jackal mask, and the slender eye slits were full of a crimson colour.

As I faced this person who was dressed strikingly like an assassin, I couldn’t help feeling the slightest bit of apprehension and surprise.

MC: A person…

MC: (Wait…)

I thought back on those disappearance rumours from before, and suddenly came up with a bold guess after connecting them to the scene before my eyes…

MC: (Does this mean that he’s the one behind all the disappearances in the city…)

???: Piece of advice: you shouldn’t be zoning out at a time like this.

Without giving me a chance to think more, the person in front of me spoke again.

He glanced at the talisman in my hand. His voice was relaxed, as if this were a normal, everyday conversation.

???: … So you believe in the gods, huh.

???: Too bad, though – it doesn’t seem like the gods will be protecting you.

I hadn’t even reacted when I saw him close in on me rapidly.

???: …

Time seemed to stagnate.

At a close distance, he muttered ponderously to himself, and the dagger he was holding stopped a few centimetres away.

???: You’re…

He seemed to be staring at me through the slits of the mask.

I could smell a faint aroma, and despite the urgent situation, it left me unexpectedly mesmerized.

MC: (Is this some sort of perfume’s scent? I think it’s coming from him…)

After I calmed down, I lifted my head and met his gaze.

MC: … It sounds like you recognize me?

He paused for a moment, then spoke.

???: Based on your appearance… if I’m not mistaken, you must be the oracle priestess of Ayana Temple?

MC: I am…

???: If so, then it can’t be helped.

He retracted his dagger, seeming to have given up.

I let out a long sigh, relieved from being released from my dangerous situation. But when I saw him walk towards the corner where the collapsed man was, I grew agitated again.

>Stay and observe >Try to save the man

MC: (I shouldn’t do anything foolish if I haven’t confirmed that it’s safe.)

Bearing this thought in mind, I carefully tried to talk to him.

MC: What are you planning to do with him? Is he still… alive?

???: Worry about yourself before concerning yourself with others.

MC: … What do you mean?

???: You’re more likely to run into someone wicked than a dead spirit, wandering around town in the middle of the night.

???: On your return, make sure to watch your back.

>Stay and observe >Try to save the man

MC: (Maybe he still can be saved…)

The moment he turned around, I silently picked up a wooden baton used for the vendors’ stands.

After making up my mind, I closed in and brought it down on his head-

MC: !!!

He hadn’t turned around, yet he was able to precisely grab the baton and yank it forward, ripping it out of my hands.

???: I think it’s best that you do not worry about saving others while your hands are full.

???: Otherwise, you might not even be able to return yourself.

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I couldn’t help shivering from his words.

MC: …

???: Why aren’t you talking?

???: You’ve probably already guessed, but…

???: I hope you’ll be able to keep your mouth shut when you get back, just like now.

I stared at him wordlessly without reacting. He paid no attention to that, instead glancing back at me meaningfully.

???: This is for your own good, too. After all, no one will listen to you, no matter who you tell.

MC: Why…

He hoisted up the man before I’d even finished speaking, walking into the depths of the alley. Even my doubts were taken into the soundless darkness.

After, I attempted holding an audience with the pharaoh again… But each time, he avoided me with various excuses. Even my submitted documentation received no response.

I also secretly ordered people to investigate the masked man, but due to us lacking in manpower, we never received any results.

At the same time, more and more people kept disappearing, and the people’s panic grew worse every day…

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Ayana Temple

Person A: When will the curse issue be solved?! Are you just going to watch as we all die off?!

Person B: Exactly! A neighbour of mine disappeared in the past few days… where’s the high priestess?! I want to see the high priestess!

On the day of prayer, it was even more chaotic than I had imagined on the temple courtyards.

The people who had come to pray had crowded together, such that the temple bodyguards had to block them to maintain some control over the riot.

MC: People of Ayana Empire…

Person A: It’s the high priestess!

As if they were grabbing onto their final chance of salvation, the jostling crowd all swarmed in around me after I entered the courtyard.

Right when the guards were on the verge of being broken through, a familiar voice suddenly came from above.

???: Chief Guard, how long are you planning to watch this go on?

Part 2

Ayana Temple

???: Chief Guard, how long are you planning to watch this go on?

The originally panicky crowd stopped their steps forward for a moment.

Like them, I turned my gaze to the heights of the building behind us. Though the owner of the voice was hidden, there was no way I’d mistaken who it was.

MC: (The one from that night…)

He had just spoken when a troop of fully-armed soldiers burst into the temple courtyard.

Based on their clothing, they were the Pharaoh’s trusted Imperial Army.

Chief Guard: Silence!

After the commander handled the crowd control, the chief guard in front held up the documents in his hand and stood in the center.

Chief Guard: People of the Empire, fear not. I speak on the Pharaoh’s behalf with this oracle-

Chief Guard: “In seven days, I shall personally preside over a prayer ritual, where all curses will be broken.”

MC: (Breaking the curses…)

When the pharaoh said that he had ways to deal with this, was he talking about this prayer ritual?

But based on what I had seen that night, the man who’d disappeared had been attacked and taken away, and the curses didn’t exist at all…

Right when I was about to refute these words, the chief guard swept his gaze over, his expression solemn.

Chief Guard: The high priestess will also play a major role in this ritual.

Chief Guard: So, please come with us.

MC: ???

Person A: That’s great! If the high priestess is there, everything will be fine…

Person B: Indeed, the high priestess is sure to protect us and Ayana Empire!

MC: (… I haven’t heard about this at all.)

Confused, I looked at the crowd, jubilant as they were in their relief.

Seeing my motionlessness, the chief guard ordered his men to come “help me along”.

MC: What are you doing?!

I instinctively retreated one step.

Simultaneously, a dagger flew past the tips of their ears, embedding itself on the ground.

???: No need to trouble yourselves. Leave that to me.

The chief guard lifted his gaze towards the building behind us, looking at the corner that was blocked by a colonnade.

After a several-minute stalemate, he finally gave in, gesturing for me to head to the high platform.

Chief Guard: Please make your way over then, high priestess.

MC: Understood…

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The temple was built on the heights of the empire, as the place that was closest to the sky and the sun god.

Birds – the messengers of the gods – flew under the blazing sun, distracting me from the silhouette hidden in the shadows.

MC: What exactly are you aiming for…

The pitch-black jackal mask had been casually placed on the ground. The assassin who’d taken off his disguise stared off into the distance against the wall, looking utterly unperturbed by my arrival.

He looked calmly at me, even smiling a bit.

???: My aim is very simple. Per the pharaoh’s orders, I am to bring the high priestess to the desert shrine and carry out the final preparations for the ritual.

???: For convenience, just call me Luke.

MC: Luke?

I looked carefully over his face.

In stark contrast to the fiendish appearance I had imagined, his features were clean and delicate, his eyes clear and captivating.

Luke: Are you staring at me because you think I look weird?

MC: No, you just look a bit different from what I imagined.

He frowned slightly in response.

Luke: Never relax your guard just because you’ve judged a book by its cover.

Luke: If I wanted to, I could have you decapitated and scattered right now for seeing my true face.

He waved the dagger in his hand slightly. I met his gaze, refusing to concede.

MC: You wouldn’t dare.

MC: If you really do obey the pharaoh, you wouldn’t do anything to me – just like that night.

Luke: …

Unlike the confrontation he had earlier with the chief guard, this time, he quickly ceded, then smiled again.

Luke: Yep, you’re right. I wouldn’t actually do anything to you.

Luke: It’s just that it’s rare for me to get looked down on, so I wanted to mess with you a little…

Luke stood up and walked towards the temple interior.

He walked slowly up to me, but due to the presence of the Imperial Army, the guards outside the temple didn’t dare do anything foolish to him.

Luke: High priestess, do you know why I told you that no one would listen if you told them about the truth of the “curse”?

MC: …

Luke: Because he knows better than anyone where those who have gone missing are…

Luke: Adorning them with charges based on nothing and having them executed were his orders, to begin with.

MC: No way… the pharaoh has no reason to do this sort of thing.

Luke: Is that what you think?

Luke shook his head, in apparent exasperation at my stubbornness.

But I couldn’t understand at all, because my impression of the pharaoh was that he was a benevolent person, one who cared for the people.

Ordering the execution of innocent civilians, causing panic-inducing rumours… it really was hard for me to believe if I only heard one side of the story.

MC: I must go see the pharaoh.

Luke: He won’t see you.

MC: Why?

Luke: …

His only response to my direct questioning was silence. Thus, I could only change my question.

MC: Based on the oracle just now, the pharaoh will be personally presiding over the ritual in seven days, right?

Luke: Correct.

MC: Will the so-called “curses” really disappear after the ritual?

Luke: Yes.

MC: If so, I’ll personally verify all this on the day of the ritual with the pharaoh.

Luke: You mean, you’re still willing to go with me under these suspicious circumstances?

Luke frowned slightly, his mood hard to discern.

Though I knew nothing of the ceremony, I could only nod at him in consideration of the situation’s severity.

MC: The people are all looking forward to the ceremony.

MC: Regardless of the curse’s veracity, this is the only way to contain the panic in the town…

MC: Now that the pharaoh’s oracle is out, no one will believe me if I say what I saw without evidence.

MC: Sometimes, the truth won’t be able to change anything, and as the empire’s priestess, I have to prioritize how the people feel.

Luke sighed after he heard me.

Luke: Can’t be helped, then.

Right then, a maidservant came in with perfect timing. She placed a cup of fine wine on the table.

Maidservant: High priestess, please have the sacrament wine.

Luke: Wine?

MC: Sacrament wine is part of our typical rites. The pharaoh says that we need this to reach a higher level of consciousness and build a connection with the gods.

Luke: The pharaoh again.

He muttered in discontent, then poured the precious wine on the ground when the maidservant left.

MC: You…!

Luke: These sorts of things are bad for you. Plus, you’re better off not drinking wine during a critical time like this.

Luke: I haven’t prepared any fancy carriage for you, after all, so you’ll have to walk with me to the shrine.

MC: W-walk?

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The market in the afternoon was as bustling as ever, with the sounds of hawking mixed in with the joyful laughs of children, creating a ruckus that was completely different from the night.

I followed behind Xia Yan, hurriedly replying to the enthusiastic greetings of the people.

Person A: The high priestess! I can’t believe I was able to see the high priestess in the market!

Person B: Hello, priestess! Hope you have a great day…

Facing the surprised reactions from the crowd, Luke looked back at me curiously.

Luke: Have you never come out before?

MC: Yes… These are the temple rules. Aside from the necessary trips during typical sacrificial rites, that time on the Wag Festival was my first.

Luke: No wonder.

He smiled, looking up at the circling birds in the sky, and suddenly asked me a question.

Luke: Do you know why we worship the birds?

MC: Because they can fly freely to the world of the gods?

Luke: Yes. So, high priestess, the one who boasts the title of gods’ messenger – why do you shut yourself up in a little cage?

Luke: To me, you should be able to go to more, greater places without any worries.

Luke looked seriously at me, his voice earnest.

He was smiling slightly, so unlike the coldness he displayed on our first meeting…

His eyes reflected the vast sky behind me, seeming to contain so many things I had never considered before.

MC: ???

His expression left me somewhat confounded…

MC: (Why is he asking this…)

MC: (I don’t think anyone has ever asked me this…)

During my moment of distraction, my stomach, which hadn’t received food ever since the morning, made its complaint.

MC: …

Luke: Haha, can’t be helped – in reward for walking so far with me, I’ll treat you to something.

A few minutes later, Luke held out some biscuit-like things placed on leaves in front of me.

Luke: Here, try them. They’re freshly-fried bean balls.

MC: Huh?

I looked bewilderedly at the fried things in front of me.

The food and drink in the temple had always been light, so it was my first time dealing with food like this.

Meanwhile, he seemed to have misunderstood what I meant…

Luke: Sorry, I almost forgot.

Luke: As the high priestess, you probably had maidservants helping you with your clothes and food in the temple…

Luke: But I don’t have this sort of experience, so could you just put up with it?

Luke stuck a toothpick in the fried bean ball and carefully held it up in front of my mouth.

MC: It’s not because of this…

Luke: Is it because of the rules again?

Luke: This isn’t the temple, so doing some improper things should be alright…

Luke: If the gods truly were to lay blame onto someone, then don’t I deserve even more blame for this sin, as the one who encouraged you to do this?

He took on all the guilt, candidly stating a bold and reckless proposal.

MC: (Blame for this sin…)

Merely tasting a snack in the city didn’t seem to be bad enough to be called a “sin”.

MC: … The gods wouldn’t be that petty.

Luke: If so, then it’s fine.

MC: …

I stared up close into those perpetually unfathomable eyes, and vaguely felt for a moment that he meant something else.

Luke: … Here, open your mouth.

A tempting aroma wafted from the food near my mouth. I couldn’t help gulping as he patiently guided me.

Finally, I couldn’t resist taking a bite.

MC: Whoa… it’s really delicious!

The bean-made food and the vegetables had been mixed in with a perfectly-adjusted spice, and was fragrant and crispy from frying.

Luke: See, I knew you’d like it.

Luke: …Slow down, don’t burn yourself.

As he looked at me amusedly, I took several bites.

MC: (So delicious…)

MC: ???

Strangely, though this was the first time I’d tried this, the taste in my mouth made me feel faintly wistful…

Part 3

Outer Edges of Empire

Under Luke’s lead, we made our intermittently-halting trip onwards, approaching the shrine outside the city.

MC: (That should be our target destination…)

My field of vision gradually expanded. I could faintly see the ancient buildings towering amid the boundless golden sand.

Unlike the market, there were mostly caravans outside the city.

Apparently, their wares were specialties from various different towns – some were even foreign goods.

MC: It smells really nice…

I looked all around as I walked, stopping when I stepped by a little mobile stand.

MC: …

Luke: What’s the matter?

Luke keenly noticed that I’d stopped and followed my gaze.

Luke: Go check it out if you’re interested.

MC: Huh? No, it’s already getting late, so we should probably head on our way instead…

Luke: It’s fine – we’re almost there anyways.

Luke: You probably won’t be getting much of these chances after the ritual, so how about you take it as a chance to make a memory?

He walked up to the stand as he spoke, and I rushed to catch up.

Exquisite incense boxes of various kinds of workmanship were piled densely on the wooden car, glittering so vividly under the sun that they looked like they’d been divinely blessed.

Stand Owner: Whoa, the high priestess, aren’t you! I just heard that you’d appeared in the market for once, but I sure didn’t expect to run into you myself.

Stand Owner: Go ahead, look to your heart’s content. Tell me if there’s a scent that you prefer – I’ll help you pick it out!

In consideration of this rarely-experienced kindness, I looked down at the dazzling lineup of incense boxes.

MC: A scent I prefer…

The rites in the temple were specific and set, and all of the incenses used had never once changed in years.

Over time, I didn’t bother with considering my own “preferences”…

If I had to come up with something now, the only one I could remember, the freshest memory of a scent that I had was…

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[Flashback]

He seemed to be staring at me through the slits of his mask.

I could smell a faint aroma, and despite the urgent situation, it left me unexpectedly mesmerized.

MC: (Is this some sort of perfume’s scent? I think it’s coming from him…)

[Flashback end]

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But thanks to how serious the situation had been back then, I couldn’t really remember it all too well anymore.

Both the elegant scent of water lilies and the rich fragrance of roses didn’t seem to quite match up with it.

Luke: What’s the matter? What are you thinking about now?

Apparently having noticed my hesitation, Luke rushed to comfort me.

Luke: Don’t worry, just pick as you wish. No need to worry about anything.

MC: Okay…

I nodded in response.

MC: (But… how do I figure out what that scent was…)

>Get close and sniff >Ask him directly

MC: Excuse me, I just want to confirm…

I grabbed his wrist and took a light sniff of it.

Luke: !!!

Luke: W-what are you doing…

For once, he looked at a loss from my sudden actions.

MC: I don’t know what I like, so I want to buy an incense that’s like the scent on your body.

Luke: … No, stop smelling it. What’s so good about being like me?

He anxiously withdrew his hand, covering his face with his arm to hide his expression.

>Get close and sniff >Ask him directly

MC: Then, boss, could I get an incense that smells like the scent on his body?

Luke: The scent on my body?

Luke quickly recovered from his surprise, looking at me seriously before the stand owner could speak.

Luke: No. You can’t just say something like that on whim…

MC: Why?

Luke: … No reason.

Luke: Stop staring at me…

He retreated away from me, a slight blush appearing on his face as he dodged my gaze.

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Seeing him look so unexpectedly helpless, I couldn’t help feeling surprised, and immediately apologized with my head lowered.

MC: I’m sorry…

Luke: You don’t need to apologize. It’s got nothing to do with you…

He withdrew several steps as he spoke, increasing the distance between us.

Seeing how awkward things had become, the shop owner helpfully started to market his wares to me.

Stand Owner: If you aren’t sure which to get, high priestess, how about trying this incense called Kyphi?

Stand Owner: It uses sixteen ingredients, including cinnamon and muskroot, and is made after soaking it in high-quality honey and grape wine…

MC: Kyphi?

Stand Owner: Indeed. This name even has a special meaning – “welcome to a place beside the gods”.

Stand Owner: This scent best suits the people of Ayana, who live in the state protected by the pharaoh, the incarnation of the gods.

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Welcome to a place beside the gods…

With the incense called Kyphi in my hands, I slowly walked with Luke through the desert, towards those majestic ruins.

MC: (Everyone says that Ayana Empire is protected by the gods…)

MC: (But if Luke is telling the truth, the pharaoh had those missing people executed…)

MC: (As the incarnation of the gods, is the pharaoh truly protecting this place?)

MC: !!!

This sudden, absurd thought left me somewhat astonished.

But before I could think further, I heard a shout approaching behind us-

Worn-out Man: People… people over there, wait…

Worn-out Man: Could… could you give me some water… I’m in a hurry, and I can’t hold on anymore…

The owner of the voice was a man in ragged clothes, covered in sand. His skin had been severely tanned after years spent working under the sun.

He staggered up to us, looking like he was on the verge of collapsing.

MC: Are you alright?!

I was almost about to run up and support him when Luke held me back.

Luke: Don’t. I’ll deal with it.

MC: Huh?

Luke looked the man up and down. After pausing for several seconds, he threw over the water pouch he was holding.

Luke: Here.

Worn-out Man: Th-thank you!

The man took several loud gulps of water, finally calming down somewhat.

Luke remained on guard the whole time, watching the man’s movements closely.

Doubts gradually popped up in my head as I followed his gaze.

MC: (Why is he alone in the desert… and why does he look so worn-out…)

MC: (Is he a refugee? But… there haven’t been any battles under this dynasty for a long while. We should be in the middle of an age of prosperity…)

Right as I went over my suspicions, I heard Luke’s voice again, sounding pressing this time.

Luke: Are you almost done?

Worn-out Man: Yes, th-thank you both! I’ll be off…

Luke: … Hold on.

Luke frigidly called that man to a halt as he was about to make his hasty departure.

The moment he took his water pouch, he yanked at the man’s wrist and pressed him onto the ground.

Worn-out Man: Aaaaahhh- w-what are you doing?!

Luke: Rather than leaving, shouldn’t you be returning to where you should be?

Luke: Based on your clothes and condition, you must be a construction worker for the pyramids. Why are you here?

MC: …Worker?

Worn-out Man: No! I won’t go back… I won’t go back! I want to go home!

Worn-out Man: I beg you, great sun god, please save me!

As the man prayed to the sun, I looked towards the edges of the desert that I hadn’t noticed before.

Several unfinished pyramids rose from the ground on the horizon. Many antlike, black dots surrounded the area, toting stone blocks around.

A shiver ran down my back under the blazing sun.

MC: Can’t we let him go?

Luke: He’ll get caught soon even if we do.

Luke: He’s better off submitting obediently – he’ll still be able to live, at least.

Just as he said, supervisors on their way to catch him soon came running over.

After a respectful salute to Luke, they immediately dragged the man roughly back to the barren-looking pyramids.

MC: Does the will of the pharaoh also include building pyramids all over the place…

These were a display of the pharaoh’s power and the structure that would connect him to the heavens for immortality after he passed away. It should have been an incomparably holy thing.

And yet, I couldn’t help shivering as I looked at them.

Luke: They’re living people, yet they’re busy all day with death-related work. High priestess, don’t you find this quite ironic?

MC: …

Luke looked seriously at me in silence.

MC: I…

Before I could respond, he changed the topic, his expression changing along with it.

Luke: Remember, this is a reverse example.

MC: ???

Luke: … Before escaping, make sure to deal with all the threats behind you, or else all of your efforts will go up in smoke eventually.

MC: Why are you telling me this?

Luke: To make sure you don’t waste your efforts in the future, of course.

I didn’t understand what he meant at this critical moment.

Only as we gradually approached the desert shrine did I gain a faint understanding of his meaning.

Part 4

Desert Shrine

Luke: Have something to eat.

Luke closed the stone door shut and walked slowly up to me, leaned down, and smiled resignedly.

Warmth still emanated from the dish full of fried bean balls, but I had no appetite whatsoever.

MC: …

One day had already passed since we entered this place.

No matter how much I was unwilling to believe it all, I gradually found myself noticing lots of abnormalities. This location, where the prayer ritual was to be, wasn’t situated in the heights closest to the gods. Rather, it was buried deep underground… The interior of the dark shrine was cold and hollow and had no sacrificial tools whatsoever – only weak candlelights that flickered discomfortingly.

I looked at Luke, recalling what he had told me when we had first entered this desert shrine again-

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[Flashback]

Luke: Here’s our destination.

MC: Destination… so this is where the prayer ritual will be held?

Luke: Yes. Rest first and get used to your surroundings. I’ve prepared all your daily necessities for the next few days…

Luke: I’ll tell you everything about the ritual after.

Luke: Because you’ll be completely severed from the outside world from now on, starting from when you enter this place.

[Flashback end]

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MC: Is this ritual really a “curse”-dispelling prayer ritual?

Luke: Based on the results, you could say that.

Luke held up the container he’d just brought over, set down a cup, and poured a cup of water for me.

Luke: But its true purpose isn’t that simple.

Luke: The pharaoh wants to use this ritual to win over the people and solidify his authority.

MC: …

I received the cup of water, setting it aside on a stone table, as I didn’t feel thirsty at all.

MC: What do you mean by solidify his authority?

Luke: The current pharaoh did not receive his position through inheritance, like it would be usually. The process that this happened in is pretty complex…

Luke: Such that even though the people trust that the pharaoh is the gods’ incarnation, his prestige is far below that of you, the high priestess.

Luke: These conditions are disadvantageous for long-term authority. Plus, the people are starting to question things, with the increasingly burdensome work they do…

Luke: Which is why the pharaoh urgently needs this ritual to strengthen the trust that everyone has in him.

MC: !!!

My back broke into a cold sweat, hearing his low voice resounding off the cold, hollow stone.

Luke: The pharaoh’s methods are very simple…

Luke: First, use fear to force the people into submission, then save them himself, and finally, give them some far-fetched hope.

Luke: In this process, the “fear” is the curse, the “saving” is this curse-dispelling ritual, and the final “hope”…

Luke: Is you.

MC: Me?

Luke: Correct. You, the high priestess who is deeply revered by the people, who is a major threat to the pharaoh.

Luke: He will bestow you the right to enter Aaru* before the populace, and vow that this honour will be given hereafter to the most faithful of followers.

*Note: Aaru literally means “Field of Reeds”, which is what the Chinese text says.

MC: Aaru…

In the myths, the deceased would enter “The House of Osiris” after judgment. That lush, leafy heaven was called Aaru.

Though I had a faint hunch already, I still asked my question…

MC: What must be done to enter Aaru?

Luke stared at me, a sliver of pity in his eyes.

Luke: Come with me.

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

Luke brought me through a winding corridor to the underground shrine.

Luke: Aside from the terrible missions I do for the pharaoh, this is also one of my duties.

MC: This is…

As we got deeper, a familiar scent grew stronger. It was the scent I had smelled before from Luke, but its source was different this time.

Luke: You seemed to like this scent a lot before…

A bed carved from alabaster had been placed in the middle of the massive room.

The scent came from the containers on the nearby round table, from which the incense I had been so curious about probably came from.

But…

Luke: But will you still feel the same after this?

Luke walked up to the round table. On it, aside from the incense, there was a row of sharp tools.

Luke: The legends say that the soul will remain attached to the body after death. If the proper antiseptic preservation methods are performed, they can come back to life one day…

Luke: This is how one enters Aaru.

MC: Mummies…

This was the tradition handed down from the ancient times of the dynasty.

As the procedure was cumbersome, only the pharaoh or the royal family would receive this honour, and also…

MC: Typically, this is only done after the person has died…

Luke: Yes. So, for the pharaoh, the other purpose of this ritual is to get rid of you.

MC: … Get rid of me?

I instinctively shook my head.

MC: No – according to the legends, the dead can reach the afterlife under the guidance of their patron god Anubis…

MC: I don’t think there’s anything that different compared to when they’re alive…

Luke: Is that what you really think?

Luke held up the chisel on the table. I shouldn’t have been scared, with my enduring belief in the gods, but my body couldn’t help trembling.

Luke: This process is not as simple as you think.

He gripped my wrist and stuffed the chisel into my hand, pointing it at his forehead.

Luke: First in the antiseptic procedure… this will be scooped out.

As if he was trying to make me experience all of this…

He ignored the pale red marks, watching me seriously with his unfathomable eyes. The tip of the chisel glided over his skin, down his nose, neck, chest, and abdomen.

Luke: Next, the other organs in the body are taken out from the cut on the abdomen.

Luke: All that is left in the end is the heart…

Luke: As everyone generally considers the heart to be the symbol of intelligence, and that it is needed on the path to the afterlife.

As Luke went on with his slow narration, an overwhelming fear grew like a whirlpool in my heart.

Ding-

My hand had released the chisel, and it clattered on the floor.

MC: …

I opened my mouth, but I had no idea what to say.

Finally, he held up my hand, slowly placing it over his heart.

Luke: But after all these procedures end and the heart is left, do you think that it could ever beat again?

Luke: The afterlife, Aaru, the gods… do these truly exist?

Luke: Do you believe in them?

The warmth and the forceful beats – everything that I felt under my palm – were the greatest proof of life.

After this, Luke released me.

I lowered my hand slowly, feeling nothing but a biting coldness and an infinite emptiness.

Luke: High priestess, though you have no way out anymore…

Luke: I hope that you can at least see all this clearly in your remaining time.

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

For as far as I could remember, I lived in Ayana Temple and worshipped the gods piously.

Even if I had my doubts now, what could I even do at this point?

I tossed and turned for a long time that night…

Amid my never-ending unease, I dreamed – something that I had not done in a long while.

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

[Flashback]

In the resplendent Ayana Temple, the pharaoh, in place of the former priest who had died from illness, kindly bestowed the title of succession on me.

He then handed the splendid cup full of sacrament wine to me.

Pharaoh: Gods bless you.

I held my hand out to accept it, but the cup suddenly fell to the ground. There was now no one in the sacrificial room.

Only a boy dressed in finery stood behind the curtain, speaking earnestly-

Boy: If you want to live, then run.

[Flashback end]

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

MC: !!!

I suddenly woke right when he finished speaking.

The incense box placed at the headboard fell off the stone bed from my movements, making a clinking sound in the silent, empty room.

MC: This dream is…

I leaned down and picked up that incense box, and was suddenly reminded of what that stand owner outside the town had told me.

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

[Flashback]

Stand Owner: Oh right, one other thing…

Stand Owner: This Kyphi incense was once used in various rituals.

Stand Owner: So, these complicated ingredients include some that have slight anaesthetic and hallucinogenic effects…

Stand Owner: High priestess, be careful that you do not overuse or ingest it when using it.

[Flashback end]

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

The leftover fried bean balls were placed beside the bed.

Though I felt that it tasted completely different from before no matter how much I tried it…

But another serving would be sent tomorrow, assuming nothing went wrong…

MC: If so…

I clenched the incense box in my hand and made up my mind.

MC: Just like he said before…

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

[Flashback]

Luke: Remember, this is a reverse example.

Luke: … Before escaping, make sure to deal with all the threats behind you, or else all of your efforts will go up in smoke eventually.

[Flashback end]

Part 5

Desert Shrine

As expected, Luke had people send over freshly fried bean balls the next day.

While no one was around, I added some of the incense source from the box into its filling.

After, I coaxed Luke to eat them, and he did so without any hesitation or doubt.

Luke: …

The anesthetic aspect soon took effect.

I heard his quiet, low groans as he held his forehead, his eyes gradually becoming hazier.

MC: Are you alright?

Luke: … Huh? You…!

I snatched the moment he fell into a daze…

Bam-

After pushing Luke down onto the ground, I rapidly grabbed the cloth strips behind me that I’d made from the bedding, tying his hands up tight.

After ensuring that I was safe, I lowered my body and stared at him.

Maybe it was because of the effects of the incense, or maybe because his current, troubled state left him flustered…

Luke’s breathing in his tied-up state was rapid and his chest heaved violently, almost as if I could hear his heartbeat.

Luke: You… don’t get so close…

MC: Are you scared? I was also scared before… and those innocent, victimized people probably were too.

MC: Do you now know what it feels like?

Luke: …

His eyes no longer shifted away. Instead, they met mine directly.

I looked into those crystalline, penetrating eyes, and to my surprise, I saw a trace of evident apology in them.

Luke: … I’m sorry.

Luke: I know it must not have been easy for you to do this much…

His voice was gentle. Despite his current situation, I couldn’t hear the slightest bit of resentment.

This sudden consolation left me frozen for a moment.

But before I could soften, I forced myself to stay on guard, in case he was planning to escape.

MC: Pretty words won’t help you. I won’t let you go.

Luke: I wasn’t asking for you to let me go.

MC: Back on topic – where is the key to the door? How do I get out?

Luke: There is no key.

MC: If you won’t tell the truth, I really won’t hold back…

I slowly got closer to him, trying to display a threatening sort of pressure.

And his breathing did indeed become panicky again.

Luke: … I’m telling the truth.

Luke: Those doors don’t have locks, and they don’t even have guards set there. You only don’t know because you never tried.

MC: !!!

Just like he said, I had never thought of escaping, as if I had been bound here.

But things were different now…

Right when I was planning to get up, he called out to me.

Luke: Wait.

Luke: I told you before - make sure to deal with all the threats behind you, or else all of your efforts will go up in smoke eventually.

Luke: So… aren’t you going to do anything?

Luke looked at me searchingly, his expression calm.

He was bound up, yet I felt like he was in the active position right now, dominating the entire situation.

MC: … No need. That would only cause a greater commotion. Either way, the guards won’t find you for now, so I have enough time to escape.

MC: After this, someone will punish you for your mistake.

Luke: Is that so…

He smiled faintly at me as if he were moved, the emotion in his eyes indescribable.

Luke: After you escape, remember to not be so softhearted ever again.

MC: …

I suppressed the mixed feelings in my heart, getting up without replying to him.

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

Everything became quiet again as the footsteps faded off, leaving only the faint sounds of the flickering candles.

Luke did not call for help. He applied a slight force with his wrists, easily breaking free of his bindings.

He stood up by supporting himself against the wall, then released a gratified sigh towards the direction that the girl had vanished in.

Luke: As it should be…

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

After I was fortunately able to leave that underground shrine through a secret path, I had originally prepared myself to have to rough it…

But, beyond my expectations, this death-escaping journey was much smoother than I’d expected.

As I wandered aimlessly, a caravan headed for foreign lands suddenly appeared in the desolate desert, just like a mirage.

They said that they were going to the oasis country across the sea…

Where resources and people abounded, where it was as overflowing with culture as it was here – a fertile land that drew many to it.

In the night, the salty, wet sea wind blew in my face, making me feel as if everything I’d experienced was an entire lifetime ago.

Caravan Member: Get ready to board the boat – we’re about to set off.

MC: Mhmm…

I looked at the merchant boat floating beside the shore. For some reason, I felt an inexplicable restlessness.

Caravan Member: Don’t worry, young lady. We’re honorable businesspeople – no human trafficking whatsoever.

Caravan Member: And since you’ve promised to help us with miscellaneous work, it’s a transaction where both sides benefit, so you don’t need to feel like you owe us…

Caravan Member: If you’re still worried, I’ve got a self-defense dagger here for you. You can keep it on you at all times on the trip.

MC: … Thank you.

I took the dagger that he held out to me, but that feeling of distress still didn’t dispel.

Seeing that the sailors were beginning to retrieve the anchor, I could only follow him onto the wooden board that connected the shore to the merchant boat.

But right before I boarded…

MC: !!!

MC: He’s…

Right when I was halfway there, I suddenly saw a familiar silhouette on deck.

Though we didn’t know each other, I remembered his face clearly, because on that night…

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

[Flashback]

In the little, dusky alley, just a few steps away, a man was lying motionlessly on the floor.

MC: Are you alright?!

I rushed over, preparing to check his body for injuries. However…

MC: !!!

A frigid aura emanated from behind me. I instinctively stopped moving.

???: Sometimes, being too sharp isn’t a good thing.

[Flashback end]

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

MC: (Shouldn’t he already be…)

MC: (Plus, isn’t it way too coincidental for him to be boarding the same merchant boat that’s escaping across the sea as me…)

I finally seemed to have sorted through my originally messy emotions…

Right then, I recalled the various minor details that I had ignored before.

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

[Flashback]

Luke: Do you know why we worship the birds?

MC: Because they can fly freely to the world of the gods?

Luke: Yes. So, high priestess, the one who boasts the title of the gods’ messenger – why do you shut yourself up in a little cage?

Luke: In my opinion, you should be able to go to more, greater places without any worries.

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

Luke: This isn’t the temple, so doing some improper things should be alright…

Luke: If the gods truly were to lay blame onto someone, then don’t I deserve even more blame for this sin, as the one who encouraged you to do this?

[Flashback end]

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

Encouraged… I repeated this word in my head.

Those strange emotions, those inexplicable words – the answer seemed to be within reach after I painstakingly pondered over them.

Nearby, the sailors were urging people onboard. There was no more time for me to speak with that man on the deck.

Caravan Member: Get aboard, young lady! Get aboard!

All I had left were these final seconds.

I knew right then that this was a critical decision in changing my fate. I should have gone for the more reliable option, but…

“After you escape, remember to not be so softhearted ever again.”

But this time, I wouldn’t do as he wanted.

MC: (There must be a better way to solve this than doing nothing and escaping alone…)

The waves surged in the night wind. Finally, I ended up returning to the shore, against the blowing wind.

I returned to that shrine one day later.

The ritual was imminent. I gripped the dagger that the caravan member had given me and carefully made my way through the winding secret path…

In the former grand hall, there now stood another person aside from Luke.

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

Chief Guard: So you really were playing little tricks.

Chief Guard: I specifically had people investigate after that day – the so-called grave pile doesn’t have any skeletons at all.

Chief Guard: Where exactly did the people that the pharaoh had you deal with go?

I held my breath, lying low silently in the corner.

The chief guard was a devoted follower of the pharaoh. He was as hostile as he had been that day, pointing his sword straight at Luke.

Chief Guard: And the high priestess – where is she?

Luke was completely unarmed, seeming like he’d lost his will to live as he lowered his neck to the sword blade.

Luke: None of your business.

Chief Guard: If you’re going to be so pigheaded, then on behalf of the pharaoh…

When I saw the chief guard swing his sword, I sprinted out and stabbed him in the back-

MC: !!!

I thought that I’d landed the mark… But he reacted with shocking speed, changing his direction of force as he backhandedly parried my attack.

With the clinking of metal, the dagger was sent flying into the corner.

Luke: Careful!!!

I heard Luke shout anxiously. Right then, my mind was completely blank as my ability to think evaporated.

Time seemed to stagnate. I watched wide-eyed as the chief guard swung his sword at me…

MC: …

But right after, my body spontaneously reacted.

A fierce wind blasted in my face as I saw the blade sweep past my hair. I instinctively retreated one step, rolling to the altar as I dodged the slash.

Chief Guard: !!!

Under the chief guard’s astonished stare, I got up and grabbed the two chisels on the round table. Then, I threw one of them at him before he could react…

Clang-

Using the moment that he deflected it with his sword, I sped forward. After this feint, I met his shocked, widened eyes as I adjusted my center of gravity, stabbing him at his weak point on his side-

Bang!

When I came back to my senses, the chief guard had already fallen.

The sharp chisel was embedded in his back waist as a crimson liquid flowed out unceasingly from the wound, dyeing the ground in red.

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

Luke: Are you alright?!

Luke ran staggeringly over to me. Only when I had indicated that I was fine did he release a breath.

After he wiped the stains off the back of my hand, he blocked my view of the chief guard.

Luke: Don’t worry, he’s still alive… just leave the rest to me.

MC: I… I…

The crisis had been averted and my rationality had returned, yet a greater fear flooded over me.

MC: H-how did that happen… just now… my movements…

I had always lived in the temple, praying daily to the gods.

But the memories that were growing clearer in my mind told me that both the instinctive fighting skills just now and the scene before my eyes…

Were not my first encounter with them.

Part 6

Ayana Temple

I could vaguely remember seeing these brutal scenes often, back during candidate training.

I once snuck into the temple and prayed to the gods, not as a priestess, but as a pathetic seeker of help.

Boy: I finally get to see you again. I thought you weren’t going to ever return.

Boy: Are these things on the altar… the offerings you brought?

“Yes, these are the leftover fried bean balls from what the uncle in the city was selling… please try some.”

Boy: You look like you’ve been injured again… does it hurt? Come over – I’ll apply some medicine for you.

“I’m alright – at least I still can feel things. But there are some children who couldn’t hold on, who won’t ever get up again after lying down.”

“So, esteemed high priest, there is something that I would like to request you help me bring to God…”

“… I have prayed for a long time, but it seems like he has always ignored my wish.”

Boy: I’m still learning from my teacher, so I’m not an official priest yet.

Boy: But since you chat with me all the time, and because of the fried bean balls you brought, I’ll do my best to help you.

Boy: Tell me, what’s your wish?

“I don’t want to do things for the new pharaoh. I only want to… continue living peacefully…”

Boy: … I got it.

Boy: If you want to live, then escape.

“But they run much faster than I do. I’m sure they’d catch me instantly…”

Boy: They won’t.

“Why?”

Boy: Because God just told me that he heard your wish, so he will protect you.

Boy: Plus… he also wants you to live on peacefully.

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

That night, I mustered the courage to leave the empire.

I didn’t dare stop running until I was thoroughly exhausted, in fear of the chasing soldiers behind me.

Finally, I collapsed in the desert. When I woke again, I was in the temple.

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

The high priest sat on the bedside, stroking my head gently.

Former Priest: From now onwards, this will be your residence. You can study here with me without worry.

I asked him “why” many times, but the only answer I ever received was a sigh, as well as those never-changing words-

Former Priest: Because the gods favor you.

The gods favor me…

But after that, I never saw that boy in the temple, and the high priest never said a word about him.

I continued praying devoutly to the gods, praying that I would be able to see him again.

During those days of prayer, I even suspected that the one person who had heard my wish might have been a god himself.

After the aged high priest passed away, the pharaoh gave me sacrament wine during the succession ceremony.

This was the only way to reach higher levels of consciousness and build a connection with the gods.

Gradually, I forgot what my goal in all this was.

Amid the never-ending prayers, only a deep belief in the gods became rooted firmly in my heart.

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

Desert Shrine

MC: Luke…

After dealing with the unconscious chief guard’s wound, Luke looked back at me from his place in a hard-to-detect corner.

He looked completely worn-out, yet he looked extremely similar to that finely-dressed, holy boy of my memories.

MC: The pharaoh messed with the sacrament wine… at the temple before, did you knock it over on purpose?

MC: I did forget what happened, but you’ve always remembered…

After a moment of dumbfoundedness, Luke smiled resignedly.

Luke: Before, I thought that forgetting the past and starting anew was a good thing.

Luke: But now, I feel that it’s better to remember some things, such as… a past desire to live.

MC: …

Only then did I completely understand that the so-called gods had never favored me.

It was Luke… he was supposed to be the empire’s oracle priest revered by the populace, and he traded his fate with me.

MC: … But why did you help me?

Luke: Because I stopped believing in the gods, starting from that day.

Luke swept calmly past the protective Anubis statues on the two sides.

To him, those probably weren’t the revered ancient gods at all – instead, they were two worthless rocks.

Finally, his gaze fell on me, his mood hard to describe.

Luke: I couldn’t understand – if the gods truly existed, why did they never help you despite all of your many prayers?

Luke: Were you not sincere enough, or were they not benevolent enough? Or – maybe the gods don’t exist at all.

Luke: I deliberated over this unsolvable problem many times, and ultimately made a decision.

Luke: Regardless if they had heard your wish, I, at least, had heard it. So I would be the one to fulfill it.

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

[Flashback]

Former Priest: You want to save her, but how will you do so?

Former Priest: Those children were selected by the pharaoh from many places. Though it is difficult to distinguish who they are from the masks that they typically wear…

Former Priest: But the numbers are rigorously counted every day. They’ll know instantly if one is missing.

Boy: Then I’ll replace her.

Boy: Our ages are similar, and even if our genders are different, there are several hundred candidates. No one will care that much.

Former Priest: …Ridiculous! I did not train you for this sort of purpose!

Boy: But, high priest…

Boy: If I leave this alone and she really does die from injury in training one day…

Boy: Not only would I stop believing in the gods – I’d even start hating them… in that case, I would not be able to serve as your successor.

Boy: So, I beg you…

[Flashback end]

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

Luke smiled lightly after his explanation.

Luke: Maybe because I was very fit with particular talent…

Luke: Though I started training late, I still was able to hold on until the end, thanks to a surpassing will to live.

He spoke so simply about a process that must have nearly killed him many times.

I faced him, a bitterness that I couldn’t swallow in my throat.

MC: Will to live… then why were you willing to be defeated by the chief guard?

Luke: …

Luke: If I knew that I’d be able to see you again, I would have definitely resisted.

Luke let out a deep sigh, then looked back at me seriously.

Luke: There is still some time until the ritual, so run now. Hide by the seashore for the next while, and wait for the next…

MC: I won’t run.

Luke: Don’t joke around! You…

He was just about to admonish me when the sounds of footsteps sounded from the far end of the corridor.

Luke picked up the chisel that had just been taken off the chief guard’s body in response.

Luke: I’ll deal with this.

MC: Wait. Don’t make a big ruckus out of this.

I grabbed his hand, wiping the red stains on his body with my clothes.

Luke understood my intentions quickly.

He frowned, knowing that time was tight, and could only pull aside the curtain before the altar as I wanted…

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

The moment I reclined on the altar, the reporting guard also rushed in, a few steps away from us behind the curtain.

Guard: The pharaoh will be here soon – may I ask how much longer you need…

Luke: … I’m already preparing.

Guard: The high priestess…

The guard stepped up to check on the situation as he spoke…

Luke: The high priestess has already gone to rest. Do not disturb her.

Right after, Luke threw the chisel he was holding past the curtain, embedding it beside his foot.

The curtain fluttered gently, revealing half of my hanging arm.

Guard: Y-yes…

Startled by Luke’s angry sullenness, the guard retreated from the stone room.

When everything quieted down again, he released a breath, planning to help me up from the altar…

While he was off-guard, I reached up, pulling him down by the nape of his neck.

This sudden action gave him no time to react, and with his unstable center of gravity, he could only prop himself up in front of me…

Luke: What are you doing…!

His breathing grew panicked from my movements.

He could’ve easily broken free, but he let me approach his ear as I placed my head in the hollow of his neck.

Luke: … Stop smelling it. Don’t you find it dirty?

Luke: I already told you that this incense’s scent comes from my antiseptic work…

MC: It’s not dirty at all. I like your scent a lot.

I inhaled gently. My exhale blew over his ear and neck, trembling slightly.

MC: You ensure that the souls of the deceased can rest peacefully, and you give living people new chances.

MC: You’ve saved so many people, including me… to me, you are more worthy of reverence than those imaginary gods.

MC: So, Luke, let’s find a way that can save both others and ourselves this time.

Luke: Do you mean…

MC: Fake it until the end, just like earlier – then, deal with the pharaoh using the ritual.

If only Luke made a move, he was sure to be executed after being charged with severe crimes.

But if I, who was thought to have gone to “Aaru” already, suddenly “resurrected” and imposed punishment on the pharaoh for the “gods”…

We might gain the trust of the people and have a chance at living.

Luke: This is too risky for you…

Luke: I’m worried…

He seemed to have realized that I wouldn’t change my mind, powerlessly lowering his head as he spoke, his trembling voice full of worry and distress.

MC: Based on our customs, the priest will write protective incantations on papyrus paper and place it in the tomb of the deceased, to bless them so that they will live peacefully in the afterlife.

MC: If you’re worried, Luke, write some prayers for me too.

Luke: … That’s bad luck. You’re still alive.

MC: The blessing intent remains the same, though.

Unable to persuade me, Luke could only hum an affirmative.

Luke: I’ve already thought of what to write. I’ll do it in a moment.

MC: What is it?

Luke: I’ll tell you after it ends, so… you must get out of this safe and sound.

We plotted a plan that was basically blasphemy against the gods, clinging together on the holy altar.

Before he finished carefully preparing my body as if for a corpse and covered me with a blanket… he kissed my forehead, as if in blessing.

In the faintly flickering candlelight, I looked into those perfectly clear eyes, praying reverently that the lights in them would never be extinguished…

… Simultaneously, giving that kiss a more fervent response.

Finally, this curse-dispelling, empire-stirring prayer ritual came to an end with the death of the pharaoh.

Opinions varied on the entire course of events, leaving a heavy, bright mark on the history of the dynasty.

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

Palace

One month after the new pharaoh succeeded to the throne.

Chief Guard: I will bring the young pharaoh back then, high priestess. There is still much that he must study – if he hadn’t been clamoring about coming to the temple…

Chief Guard: Ah, forget it.

I nodded, preparing to rise and send him off.

Before he left, I couldn’t resist calling out to that eternally straight-backed chief guard, who was intimidating even when he merely stood there.

MC: Even if the people believed my words that day, you must have known the reason behind it all, chief guard…

MC: You have always only obeyed the pharaoh, so why have you still not made a move?

Chief Guard: High priestess, I don’t understand what you mean.

Chief Guard: I still obey to the “pharaoh” – otherwise, I would not have brought him to you today to play.

MC: … That is true.

Chief Guard: If you are trusted as the will of the people, then the reason why the former pharaoh – the incarnation of the gods – died so easily, may have been the will of the heavens.

Chief Guard: This isn’t something I can do anything about… especially since the true offender has long died in prison, so there is nothing to go over seriously about.

Chief Guard: As time is tight, I will head off first.

MC: Take care.

Just as the chief guard said, the person who dealt the lethal blow to the pharaoh and cut off his head was not me, but Luke.

He was subsequently imprisoned… although…

Luke: Ugh, that chief guard really sounds satisfied with my “death in prison”.

Luke popped in through the window, sighing annoyedly.

MC: On the other hand, that’s a good thing – if even the chief guard believes that, no one will probably suspect anything…

MC: … Sorry that this was the only way to let you let you escape unscathed.

Luke: It’s alright – I’m perfectly fine, right? Just that…

Luke: You should deal less with that chief guard and that ignorant, incompetent little pharaoh from now on.

Luke: Who knows when they might come up with crooked ideas to set you up…

MC: It’s alright – you’re here, after all.

Luke: That’s true. Then, remember to rely on me more in the future, like right now…

MC: !!!

Luke embraced me from behind, bringing me to recline together on the long couch.

Luke: You’ve been dealing with the messes left by the former pharaoh for all of last night. You didn’t even get a wink of sleep.

Luke: Take an afternoon nap, now that you have time for once… I’ll be with you.

MC: … Okay.

I was just about to close my eyes when a sudden breeze blew in from the window, blowing the papyrus scrolls on the table onto the ground.

MC: Ah!

Luke: Don’t move… I’ll pick those scrolls up in a moment. Let them do whatever for now.

MC: They’re not documents, though. They’re what you wrote for me…

Realizing that Luke wasn’t going to let go, I could only mumble an explanation, burying my head in embarrassment into his chest.

Those papyrus scrolls were the prayers that he had written for me before that prayer ceremony.

Luke: … I didn’t think you’d keep them.

MC: Of course I did.

Luke still didn’t let me go, instead reclining his head on my shoulder. Like the hair coiling around my neck, I heard a few comfortable hums, making me feel slightly tingly.

He then spoke.

Luke: When everything settles down, let’s go to a country across the sea where no one recognizes us.

MC: Mhmm, okay.

Perhaps that oasis country across the sea was my true “Aaru”.

Embracing a hope for the future, a sleepiness gradually descended on me…

As I fell asleep, I seemed to hear him gently reciting that prayer written on the papyrus scrolls by my ear-

Luke: “I pray that you will continue to live bravely onwards, as you had described.”

Luke: “When you are exhausted, I too will cease, and sink with you into an eternal slumber.”

Aftertalk

Done with work? Looks like I finally have the chance to be with you alone.

>Intimate interactions >Fried bean balls…

>Select ankh

MC: (According to the legends, this is a possession of the gods with disaster- and illness-preventing effects. It represents the repeating nature of life, rebirth, and eternity.)

Luke: You’ve been staring at my chest for a while. Are you curious about the pendant?

MC: A little… if I recall correctly, you don’t believe in this stuff, so why would you wear an amulet like that?

Luke: I don’t use this to protect myself – I only wore it before as part of the prayers for the deceased, and then I just got used to it.

Luke: Although, it’s pretty pointless at this point. Maybe I should take it off…

MC: Huh? Don’t take it off… I think it looks pretty good as normal jewelry. Just keep it on.

Luke: Is that so? If you like seeing me wear it, then I won’t take it off.

>Select upper-left

MC: (The new pharaoh is still young and requires a lot of support from the temple…)

MC: (This place has been receiving an endless stream of guests all day recently. It’s so rare for me to have time to talk to Luke.)

>Select head

MC: Luke, have you been wearing that mask these days?

Luke: Sometimes I wear it when going out, so my face doesn’t get seen… although, that’s not necessary with you.

MC: Indeed – I can’t see your expression when you’re wearing a mask. This is much better.

>Intimate interactions >Fried bean balls…

MC: Weird, these fried bean balls have a distinct taste compared to the ones we ate before…

Luke: I knew that I couldn’t hide this from you. I made this secretly in the kitchen while no one was there.

Luke: Since I can’t appear in the market now under my current conditions – it would be bad if my identity were exposed.

MC: Is that so….

MC: (Before, I announced that Luke had died in prison. Though he was able to avoid execution thanks to this, his freedom is still limited.)

Luke: What’s the matter? Based on your expression… does it taste bad?

MC: Not at all! It doesn’t taste bad! I’m just worried that you might find your lifestyle right now really boring…

MC: If you want, you can leave the empire for a while, so you wouldn’t need to be so careful.

Luke: I don’t want that, because… not only do I not find it boring, but I also feel like this isn’t too bad, the way things are.

MC: Really?

Luke: Yep, really. Since no one knows that I’m alive, I don’t have to bother with some unnecessary dealings too.

Luke: Plus, it’s because that I’m alone that you’ll worry about me from time to time, just like now, right?

Luke: No matter where you are or who you’re talking to, you’ll remember that I’m waiting for you. That’s enough to satisfy me.

MC: Luke, don’t be so easily satisfied…

MC: Even if we go elsewhere in the future where you don’t need to conceal yourself, I’ll always be thinking of you.

Luke: Then, when time comes, I’ll be able to monopolize you openly… and beat off anyone who bothers us.

MC: Pfft, isn’t that a little too childish?

Luke: I’ve been holding back for so long, so it should be justifiable for me to be a bit childish…

Luke: Plus, I’m also hoping that after you shed the responsibility you bear, you can be more childish and reckless in front of me, okay?

MC: Okay… I’ll try.

#Tears of Themis #tears of themis translations #xia yan #luke pearce #tot spoilers #未定事件簿 #tot luke #finallyyyyyyyy wow this was a whole project

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animachristii · 3 years ago

Quote

He poured himself out. That is what the scriptures tell us is the mind of Christ, the soul of Christ, the principle of human life of Christ. And so, when we pray: "Anima Christi, sanctifica me", we are indeed making a very bold and dangerous prayer, a tremendously exacting prayer. We are saying that we want to be emptied out, to experience our own kenosis as Christ experienced his, totally given, totally spent. "Soul of Christ, sanctify me." It will not be painless. No passion ever was.

Mother Mary Francis, P.C.C., “Anima Christi: Soul of Christ”

#Christianity #Catholicism #catholic #christian #prayer #anima christi

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ibijau · 4 years ago

Text

You’re a marked man, brother

A new ghost king emerges, and promptly marries a god A martial god's temples are being targeted by the Magpie King and it is up to Lan Xichen to deal with all this trouble

I am 100% blaming the xisang discord for this, since a large part of the plot was brought up by other people

This is a tgcf AU, not a crossover, so while I'm using some of the same settings and general rules, the characters front tgcf won't appear. I also don't think it's all that necessary to have read tgcf to enjoy and understand the story (I'm personally still just going through book 3) but since this is inspired by a certain arc in the novel, I guess this could count as spoilers.

Also on AO3

The news that a new ghost king had emerged from Tonglu mountain, thirteen years after its gates had last opened, spread like wildfire among ghosts and gods. Everyone stood anxiously to the side, waiting to see what this new Devastation would be like, especially when the Magpie King was already out there, causing all sorts of trouble whenever the mood struck him. Everyone watched as this new ghost king went to settle into the eerie Burial Mounds of Yiling and established himself there. Although nothing terrible seemed to happen at first, everyone who had breath still held it, waiting and waiting. A number of bold ghosts and demons went to Yiling to offer their service to this new king, or to beg for his protection. Some he accepted into his new domain, others he rejected, all according to criteria that no one could understand.

It was almost a relief when, nearly a year after rising from Tonglu mountain, the Yiling Patriarch created trouble and destroyed some temples belonging to a martial god. Finally, the new ghost king was living up to everyone’s expectations, acting with the sort of evil intent everyone had expected, and the world made sense again.

As far as Lan Xichen was concerned, it would have been better if the Yiling Patriarch had remained quiet. It had already been upsetting to see that Devastation take root so close to his own territory, but then the Yiling Patriarch was obviously trying to cause trouble for Lan Xichen personally with these attacks. Although the damaged temples were not his own, in some ways it would have been less troublesome if they had been. There were only a few temples dedicated to his friend Nie Mingjue on the lands Lan Xichen was responsible for, but these had been the targets of the Yiling Patriarch, which seemed a clear attempt to create strife between them.

Nie Mingjue, whose domain was up in the North, was a god with a short temper who did not take well to insult. He would have barged into the Burial Mounds without hesitation if Lan Xichen had not asked him for a chance to investigate the matter before making judgements against the Yiling Patriarch. After all, just by existing a ghost king would attract enemies, Lan Xichen argued, and it wouldn’t be impossible for some lesser ghosts to try to get rid of him by sicking a heavenly official on him before he could become too powerful. After the initial burst of burning anger, Nie Mingjue agreed that it would only be just to investigate this matter, and allowed Lan Xichen to take matters in his own hands.

As usual for matters concerning the mortal world, Lan Xichen sent his brother to check on this matter. Although Lan Wangji was only part of the Middle Court, he excelled at dealing with this sort of thing, always finding the heart of chaos and untangling whatever mess he encountered while being careful of the well-being of any mortals involved. Lan Xichen could not have asked for a better deputy than his brother, and still hoped that in due time, being involved in chaos this way would give his brother a chance to ascend on his own.

Nearly a month passed after Lan Wangji was sent down to earth to investigate, and no news came from him. Lan Xichen, at first, did not worry. It was not unusual for his brother to get caught up with things and not update anyone on what he was doing. After two weeks, this was only mildly concerning. After three, it was odd. After four, Lan Xichen started to fear for his brother’s safety. It ought to have been just a quick investigation after all, and Lan Wangji had been ordered to report to his brother without attempting to handle the situation on his own, since Nie Mingjue would probably wish to punish the culprit himself. Besides, although Lan Wangji liked the mortal world too well and could be wilful at times, he simply never disappeared so long, not once in the several hundred years he had been around.

Terrified that some evil had befallen his brother, Lan Xichen decided to start his own investigation, helped (or hindered perhaps) by his husband who he thought needed a break from his official duties. Jin Guangyao complained at length about this, pointing to the piles of work he had to do, information to collect and organise, prayers to answer, outstanding mortals to check. He also pointed out that anything which might have caused trouble for someone like Lan Wangji would pose great danger, and being a civil god rather than a martial one, he would be of little help. To this, Lan Xichen countered that Jin Guangyao was an expert in collecting information, and thus would surely help finding what had happened to Lan Wangji. As for the danger, Lan Xichen was a martial god, so he could take care of it all and keep his husband sage. Jin Guangyao, knowing how stubborn Lan Xichen could be when he’d decided they were overdue a vacation in the human world, gave in and agreed to come along.

Their first stop, of course, was the dreaded Burial Mounds of Yiling.

It was also their last one.

At the foot of the Mounds, a ghost village of sorts had sprung, where those who had been refused access to the Yiling Patriarch’s domain mingled with those who had just arrived to demand such a favour. It was a grim place, filled with the unresting spirits of criminals, demons on the lookout for their next devious plan, and a number of lost souls too hurt to move on and rejoin the circle of reincarnation. And it was there, among those miserable creatures, that Lan Xichen found his brother hanging out with the ghost of a young man toiling over a nefarious looking pot of soup.

Much as Lan Xichen wished to run to his brother, something about the scene stopped him. There was something not quite right about it, though he couldn’t find what until Jin Guangyao, equally stunned, pointed it out for him.

“I believe it’s the first time I see your brother smile,” Jin Guangyao said. “Do you think he might have been cursed?”

And that was the oddity, of course. Lan Xichen, who knew his brother better than anyone, could recognise the signs of an implied smile on Lan Wangji’s stern face, but to anyone else Lan Wangji appeared impassible and colder than ice. To see him smile outwardly was something entirely unheard of. Then, to make it worse, the young man in black and red said something that Lan Xichen couldn’t hear, and Lan Wangji laughed.

It wasn’t a boisterous laughter, nor indeed a very loud one, but even at a distance there was no mistake possible when seeing the slight shake in Lan Wangji’s shoulders: he was laughing.

Seeing this, Lan Xichen could no longer stay away. He walked toward his brother, Jin Guangyao just one step behind him. Lan Wangji stood a little straighter upon seeing him, while his companion grinned at them and waved his hand.

“You’re not the sort of people we usually get here,” the young man said, distractedly mixing his pot of soup. “I’m guessing you’re here for Lan Zhan? Ah, gongzi, could you perhaps be his brother? You do look the same.”

Hearing his brother and him be referred to so casually, Lan Xichen had to fight a smile, especially when Lan Wangji, usually so formal, didn’t protest in the least.

“I am his older brother indeed,” Lan Xichen confirmed. “I had asked him to take care of a certain business for me, but instead I find him here with you. Might I be so rude as to enquire about your name, gongzi?”

“Where are my manners?” the ghost gasped, just a touch too dramatic. He let go of his ladle, and bowed. “My name is Wei Wuxian, and I am most honoured to meet you. Am I right in guessing you two must be Lan Xichen and Jin Guangyao?”

Both gods instantly tensed upon hearing that name.

There were a number of ghosts who didn’t use their name, and preferred a scary sounding title that would strike terror in the heart of enemies and future victims. Even after several hundreds of years, nobody knew who the Magpie King was, and so it had been initially expected that the Yiling Patriarch would do the same. But the Yiling Patriarch liked to do things his own way, and was well known to dislike this title he hadn’t chosen, and to prefer introducing himself under his true name: Wei Wuxian.

It was a shock for this power ghost king to be this sort of a casual looking young man dressed in plain dark robes. Certainly Wei Wuxian was very handsome, but neither his face nor his easy going aura fit what Lan Xichen would have expected from a ghost capable of rising to the rank of Devastation. And yet, it wasn’t a complete surprise either. All the other ghosts and demons around were keeping their distance from Lan Xichen and Jin Guangyao, instantly guessing they were heavenly officials, and thus a danger to them, but Wei Wuxian didn’t appear particularly impressed with them.

“I imagine you’re here for that business with Nie Mingjue’s temples?” Wei Wuxian asked, his attention going back to his devilish stew. “I’ve already told Lan Zhan when he came here, this had nothing to do with me. I’m not interested in making trouble, and I’d prefer to keep away from Heaven’s business.”

Lan Wangji nodded firmly to this, so earnest looking that Lan Xichen couldn’t help smiling again.

“Then Wangji should have come home right away and given me his report on the situation.”

As expected, although Lan Wangji’s face remained impassible, there was just the slightest hint of pink on his ears. He looked away, while next to him Wei Wuxian burst out laughing.

“Well, that one is my fault!” he exclaimed. “See, Lan Zhan and I met when I was still alive, and then again a few times here and there after I died, and we became good friends.”

“Good friends indeed,” Lan Xichen noted with amusement, while his brother’s ears turned a bright red. Lan Xichen exchanged a glance with Jin Guangyao who was also struggling not to grin now that he understood the situation.

“Maybe more than good friends,” Wei Wuxian admitted without shame. “Poor Lan Zhan was very worried that I’d disappeared for a few years in Tonglu Mountain, and so now that I’m back, he decided he doesn’t want to lose sight of me again in case I do more stupid things; And that’s how we got married. I really thought he’d warned you,” Wei Wuxian added, lightly slapping Lan Wangji’s arm. “How rude. I didn’t think I’d married someone so rude.”

“Being around the Burial Mounds makes it difficult to contact Heavens,” Lan Wangji said.

“Then you could have gone away for a little bit, send your message, and returned!”

Lan Wangji shook his head. “Where Wei Ying is, I am as well.”

That simple declaration had Wei Wuxian groaning and whining as if he’d been mortally pierced through by a blade, and he complained heavily that Lan Wangji was unreasonable and unkind and quite clearly trying to murder him with words too sweet.

Lan Xichen, at first, was shocked and disappointed to learn that his brother had married in secret, but ultimately decided that the decision made sense. Although he was only from the Middle Court, Lan Wangji was still a heavenly official, and so for him to marry not just a ghost, but one of such a dangerous level, was really scandalous. Lan Xichen dearly wished he could have been present for such an important moment of his brother’s life, but it would have been complicated to organise, and his own reputation would have suffered. Not that he cared too much about his reputation compared to his brother’s happiness, but Lan Wangji had probably wanted to be kind in leaving him in the dark.

As for the rest, if Lan Wangji believed that Wei Wuxian really was innocent of that incident with Nie Mingjue, it had to be true. Knowing Lan Wangji, if he liked a person he would stay at their side no matter what they did, but he wouldn’t close his eyes to their fault. If anything, had Wei Wuxian really been in disagreement with Nie Mingjue, Lan Wangji would have immediately said so to Lan Xichen so he could try to act as a peacemaker and resolve the situation.

“Will you be staying here then?” Jin Guangyao asked Lan Wangji.

Lan Wangji nodded. “Hm.”

“Then we would do well to find a way to explain your prolonged absence,” Jin Guangyao mused. “Let’s avoid creating trouble for everyone. If Xichen agrees, I will go back and prepare an assignment asking you to keep a close eye on the Yiling Patriarch for an undetermined period of time. That way, no matter what others say, it won’t be a lie to say that you are here on official business.”

Lan Wangji nodded again, but it was clear he did not care much what others said about his decisions. Even after so many centuries in Heavens, he still had the firm belief that a person’s actions should be the only thing they should be judged on, regardless of gossip or social expectations. Lan Xichen found that trait charming and infuriating in turns, and so was deeply grateful to his husband for giving Lan Wangji some protection against those who would speak ill of him.

Having decided this, Jin Guangyao promptly left so he could take care of this, while Lan Xichen chose to linger a little while longer and learn more about his new brother-in-law. Since he had such an esteemed guest to entertain, Wei Wuxian abandoned his stew and the ghost village, offering that they continue this conversation inside the Burial Mounds. He’d only come to the ghost village because some of those who resided inside the Mounds had complained at length against his cooking and he didn’t want to bother anyone who didn’t deserve it.

"Then you are kinder than I might have been led to expect," Lan Xichen remarked as they traversed the village. "I suppose your mounting reputation might have more to do with memories of the Magpie King's early days than your own actions."

"Is he really so bad then?" Wei Wuxian asked. "I think I've met him once or twice over the years, he didn't seem so bad. That is, if it was even him. He never introduced himself, eh?"

Lan Xichen refrained a grimace. "If he likes a person, he'll make their life easier. If he dislikes them, they'd better start praying to every gods in the Heavens because the Magpie King will stop at nothing to destroy his enemies."

In fact, even heavenly officials weren't quite safe. Right after reaching the rank of Devastation, the Magpie King had taken a sudden dislike to a few minor civil gods and ruined their reputation so thoroughly that their own followers, ashamed of ever praying to them, had torn down their temples and burned their broken fondations. Since those gods had all been revealed to be corrupt nobody had really missed them in the end, but civic gods had lived in fear for years after that. Even the most upright of gods had secrets they didn't want to see revealed. Lan Xichen still remembered that Jin Guangyao had been terrified his origins would be revealed, and that his followers would turn away from him if they discovered he'd been born the son of a prostitute.

"Maybe it wasn't him I met then," Wei Wuxian mused. "The person in question helped me quite a bit back then, and I've always made enemies of the wrong people. If I'd met the Magpie King, he'd have hated me for sure, ahah!"

"Maybe yes, maybe not," Lan Xichen replied. "Nobody knows why he chooses to like this person and hate that one, so it's possible…"

Someone caught Lan Xichen's attention as they were about to exit the ghost village, a silhouette not far that sent his heart racing. Without thinking he abandoned the other two and ran toward the person, a young man leaning against a tree and deep in conversation with a headless monster. With trembling hands, Lan Xichen grabbed the man's shoulder, roughly forcing him to turn around so he could see his face.

"A-Sang?"

Assaulted this way, and by a high ranking god no less, the poor ghost shrieked and nearly fainted on the spot. He'd been given that fright for nothing, too. Although from the back the silhouette and posture had seemed to match, from the front it was clear that there had been a mistake.

"My deepest apologies," Lan Xichen said, bowing to the terrified ghost. "I mistook you for someone else."

"Are you looking for someone?" Wei Wuxian asked, coming closer. "An evil ghost maybe? We're family now, so I don't mind helping out."

"No, the matter is a personal one," Lan Xichen confessed, his cheeks burning at having behaved this way in public.

"Then all the more reason to tell me!" Wei Wuxian insisted. "Who are you looking for? An enemy? An old rival?"

"A friend."

Wei Wuxian looked surprised, though less so than Lan Wangji who had never heard of his brother having any missing friends. Of course he wouldn't have, when Lan Xichen had kept this matter to himself. Even Nie Mingjue and Jin Guangyao had never been told about this, so it would have been foolish to tell this stranger Wei Wuxian. And yet, if there was just a slim chance…

"Back when before I ascended, I had a very dear friend," Lan Xichen explained. "A few years younger than me, but we got along wonderfully and made plans to travel together someday. I remember he particularly wanted to go see the stone pillars in Wulingyuan. Before this could be done, I had to return home and deal with some things there, but as it happened, I ascended shortly after. I offered my friend a chance to join the Middle Court, but he declined for the present because there was no one else in his family to take care of his parents. He said he would gladly join me once they had passed away, but for now he was happier in the mortal world."

Lan Xichen sighed. To this day, he still regretted not having insisted some more.

"A little while after that, someone slaughtered the entire household," he lamented. "Even the children and the elderly were all killed to the last, there was no survivor."

Lan Wangji took a sharp breath, to which Lan Xichen answered by a sad smile.

"I know what you're thinking, Wangji, and you're right. It is the same as what happened to Nie Mingjue’s family after he ascended. It even happened around the same time, and the city was the same as well, so I think the two crimes were linked. And as for my friend, his soul was not among those put to rest after, so I believe he might have become a ghost."

"What was his name?" Wei Wuxian asked.

Lan Xichen laughed awkwardly.

"For how dear to me he was, I actually don't know," he admitted. "I only knew him as A-Sang. For some reason, I didn't even learn his last name either. As you can imagine, it has made it nearly impossible to look for him. Perhaps it's for the best anyway." Lan Xichen sighed. "What would I even say to him anyway? After so long, 'sorry' is a pitiful word, and anyway I am married to another now, someone who was fated for me. Still, I wish we could have had a proper goodbye."

Lan Xichen sighed again, in spite of himself. He knew it was selfish to still miss this person, and surely Jin Guangyao would have been hurt to know his husband couldn't fully get over that old flame, even after centuries. It was why Lan Xichen had never told him, nor Nie Mingjue who would have been upset on his brother's behalf. But maybe he should have said something, because sharing this secret made him feel a little lighter.

Still, this was a very grim topic to discuss with newlyweds, so Lan Xichen forced himself to smile more warmly and quickly changed the subject. Although the others were clearly curious, they understood this was painful for him and dropped the matter.

Aside from that brief incident, the rest of the day was pleasant enough. Wei Wuxian was an eccentric character, and maybe a little self centered, but ultimately Lan Xichen figured this new ghost king should cause as many problems as the first one. Wei Wuxian seemed more interested in experimenting with his new power than in causing chaos, and apparently his goal with those powers was mostly to see if the notoriously nefarious Burial Mounds could be purified. That, and shamelessly flirting with Lan Wangji, seemed to be Wei Wuxian's only preoccupation.

Still, a Devastation remained a Devastation. Although Wei Wuxian was friendly, it would be best to keep an eye on him.

As night started falling, Lan Xichen took his leave. He promised to come visit again, and at Wei Wuxian's insistence he swore he would try to bring his husband, though it would be an arduous task. Jin Guangyao wasn't found of leaving his work behind, and had little taste for ghosts.

All in all, Lan Xichen was in an excellent mood when he walked away from the Burial Mounds. But as soon as he was out of that place's area of influence, a panicked voice into his mind as Jin Guangyao shouted into their private communication array.

"I'm here," Lan Xichen said, surprised that his husband had lost his calm so thoroughly. "Were you worried because you couldn't get in touch?"

"Indeed I was," Jin Guangyao replied, already calming down now that he'd gotten an answer. "Xichen, you must return at once, the situation is urgent. More of da-ge's temple have been attacked, in his own territory, and this time the culprit signed his crime so da-ge went to confront him!"

That didn't sound like something to panic over, Lan Xichen thought at first. Out of all the martial gods in the Heavenly Court, Nie Mingjue was the most powerful by far. Ghosts, demons, mortals, or other gods, there was nobody he couldn't defeat.

Not unless the battle wasn't just a physical one.

"A-Yao, the person who attacked his temples, could it be…"

Jin Guangyao let out a deep sigh.

"Yes, Xichen, it is. Da-ge went off to fight the Magpie King."

#xisang #wangxian #there's xiyao so be warned but they're not endgame #mo dao zu shi #mdzs #jau writes #marked man au

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arsnovacadenza · 4 years ago

Text

Day 7- Un Paradis Perdu

Characters: Napoleon, Jean, Duke of Wellington

Words : 2748

Ao3 Link : Here

Made for @kissmetwicekissmedeadly‘s Napoleon Birthday Prompt 2020

fangs

"Fuck!" The emperor spat in Jean's ear. "There's no other way to go is there?"

They were leaning dangerously close over the railing of the platform. The wind whipped furiously, drowning shouts from within the passenger car.

Wellington's men were closing in.

With no weapon in hand, how were they able to fend off their captors? Napoleon was too bold, too bold!— to grab Jean by force and create a commotion on a heavily guarded train. And with the metal beast traveling at breakneck speed, it was a foregone conclusion that whatever Napoleon had in mind would fail.

Jean was too shocked to push the other man off him, instead quietly stuttering words of prayer he hadn't uttered in a very long while.

"There they are!" He could hear Wellington cry above the mayhem. "Close in on them while you can."

Jean didn't have time to flinch when Napoleon's head suddenly pressed against his own.

"Forgive me." The other man whispered, cradling Jean's skull protectively.

Napoleon threw themselves over the railing, plunging them both from the moving train and away from the roar of the engine and the clamor of Wellington's guards—

And to the river down below.

Jean had long stopped believing in miracles.

His mind was devoid of praises of gratitude as he laid on the river bank where he'd been washed ashore. The sun was crawling towards the sky, signifying that some time had passed after their fall.

Or maybe it's the day after. Jean mused. After spending so many days held captive, he couldn't find it in himself to care about the passage of time. He didn't even remember how many months it'd been since he left the mansion to answer Wellington's call, which led to his confinement.

Jean even resigned himself to the possible fate of becoming His Grace's guest for all eternity. At least there was a certainty of permanent disposal once he outlived his usefulness.

But that would also mean spending the rest of his second life with the insufferable loudmouth of a friend.

The man had once been his mentor too. The thought sent him reeling back to the unfortunate circumstances that led him to believe that the dreaded conqueror of Europe was indeed as atrocious as the stories had come.

He promised to show me the new face of France. Jean rolled onto his stomach and took in his surroundings. Well, this is a side of France I've yet to see.

With little difficulty, he rose to look for his missing companion. Although it was tempting to walk away and rid himself of the boisterous ruler's presence, Jean concluded that it would do him more harm than good to traverse this unknown area with an enemy force hot on his trail.

And then there's the fact that Napoleon was a demi-human who could very well die.

I’m not one to abandon my comrades, Jean thought as he began his search.

Jean didn't realize that he had been holding his breath when he found the emperor downstream, alive.

Warily, he checked the other man's pulse and scanned him for cuts and bruises, which thankfully weren't many. The fall ought to hurt him more than me. After all, he shielded my body when we entered the water.

A shiver ran up his spine upon considering that he might have to resuscitate the unconscious man with his mouth. He'd heard of such practices from Sebastian, but now with the opportunity presenting itself, he couldn't bear the thought of locking lips with Napoleon.

Of all the deeds I can do to repay him, and this is what fate has thrust upon me.

In the end, he opted to shake him awake. "Oi," he called.

No response.

Jean's composure was dwindling. He pressed his fingers to Napoleon's shoulder with a little more force. "Bonaparte, Napoleon Bonapa—"

He withdrew his hands as the man roused, coughing and sputtering on his side. Jean moved back to give him some space.

"I—what." Napoleon looked around dazedly until his eyes landed on the other Frenchman. "Jean, you're alive. I'm alive. We made it."

"So it seems."

"Thank the stars! But," Napoleon finally took better notice of their surroundings. "Where are we?"

"I'm just as lost as you are."

"Ah-hem! Shit, this is horrible," Napoleon coughed up some more to clear the water out of his lungs. "We're lucky to escape from Wellington's clutches, but—"

Jean kept his distance as he tore off his drenched shoes and tousled his wet hair, hacking all the while.

"You're in better shape than I am," Napoleon protested. "That's hardly fair."

Jean could go on about how different lesser vampires were in terms of strength and endurance in comparison to a demi-vampire and remind Napoleon that he was still part human. But he decided to let the question drop.

"We need to move."

The sun was high up in the air when the moon decided to sit under a tree not far from the river and let their top and outer garb dry. Jean stared at the coats and shirts Wellington lent out to them, a far cry from the extravagant attire they wore back at the mansion.

"Are you not going to take off that eye patch?"

Beside him, Napoleon leaned back on the trunk, looking the most lethargic Jean had ever seen of him. Momentarily, he took a glimpse of the aged, battle-worn commander buried underneath the boyish facade.

"No." He answered curtly and turned his attention back to the clothes laid out on the nearby fence, wishing that sleep would overcome either of them.

We haven't talked much since that night in Smolensk.

His train of thought was rudely interrupted by a loud growl from his companion. Napoleon grinned at him apologetically.

"Well, it looks like I'm still craving for food after all," he laughed. "At least I'm still human."

Wordlessly, Jean took to his feet and walked towards the river.

"Where are you going?"

"Looking for fish," Jean replied without turning back. "I saw plenty of them."

"You know how to catch fish with your bare hands?"

The eye patched soldier faced Napoleon with a humorless look.

"I was taught by my brother." He retorted without thinking. "In our village, we—"

Jean's words came to a halt. Napoleon sighed, smiling despite the ensuing awkwardness.

"Thank you," his voice was gentle, as it should've been. "I'll be waiting."

Napoleon offered to light them a bonfire in exchange.

The sky was clear that night. The stars above made for a romantic ambiance, but it was clear neither men had the desire to talk. The moon was nowhere in sight.

Jean hugged his knees, contemplating the flame in front of him with subdued emotion. The recent incidents had reduced his long-standing trauma of fire into nothing.

Meanwhile, Napoleon poked at the fire with the sticks he used for cooking dinner. Jean obediently gathered him enough fish to last him the entire day, without partaking in the feast.

While listening to the chirp of crickets, Napoleon quietly pondered the best way to broach the subject that was lingering on his mind without offending Jean.

"Jean, you..." he murmured.

"Yes?"

His one eye bore down heavily on Napoleon, although that didn't deter him from advancing. "There must be a way for me to thank you."

"No need." Jean promptly replied, looking away and showing Napoleon his profile, radiant against the warm glow of the fire.

"I'm saying," the emperor repeated sternly. "You haven't fed at all."

Contrary to his fears, however, Jean merely regarded him with an unreadable gaze. Then, as he did this morning, Jean rose to his feet and slowly walked away.

"Wait, Jean! I didn't mean to—" Napoleon called frantically.

"I was thinking of hunting for small animals." Jean glanced back at him. "They should suffice."

"No, that's no—" It was a sound idea, especially considering Jean's aversion to feeding on humans, but to Napoleon, it was hardly sustainable. "You can't. Assuming you're able to hunt down every animal within this area, it won't sustain you in the long run. Eventually, you'll have to return to feeding on humans."

Jean flinched at the mention of humans, but he continued listening nonetheless.

"We can't walk back to Paris and have you attack some stranger along the way out of hunger," Napoleon argued. "But I know how to prevent you from starving."

"And what do you propose we should do?"

Napoleon's chest heaved as he prepared to make his offer. "Feed on me."

"What?"

"Feed on me."

The emperor's features remained obstinate despite his daring proposal. It was a precarious bid, one that Jean would loath to refuse or accept.

Ignoring the hesitance he sensed from the man, Napoleon pressed on.

"We have no one to rely on but each other," he asserted. "Think of this as an exchange; I'll give you my blood, and you can protect me while I'm resting or help me find food."

"I can rely on you for strength," Napoleon spoke carefully. "And I can get you through any situation where we need to interact with people."

He was correct to lay down his trump card as Jean's lone eye widened in realization.

"If you think I'm hesitating," Napoleon declared once more. "Then believe me when I tell you that I'm willing to do the unspeakable. I'm not, and will never be, afraid of taking whatever lengths to ensure we overcome this."

"So we can go back home to the mansion. Together."

Napoleon watched Jean intently, convinced that he had triumphantly swayed the other man.

"I understand." Jean conceded. "How should we proceed?"

"So," Napoleon rolled his sleeves. "Where do vampires usually do it?"

"I beg your pardon."

"I mean, which parts of the body do you usually sink your teeth into?"

Jean scrutinized his companion, clad in only his pants and thin undershirt, the collar remained unbuttoned, as always.

I can't help but feel unsettled with how much his chest reminds me of a woman's. The soldier squinted. What's the point of parading them?

The man, he thought, must be very proud of this new body he was inhabiting.

"Something the matter, Jean?" Napoleon noticed that he spacing.

"Never mind."

They sat facing each other by the campfire. The proximity allowed Jean to discern the lines of exhaustion etched on Napoleon's visage. His face was no different than the marble statues of his original self, chiseled by misfortune and eroding as time passed by.

When was the last time we had been this close?

That 'last time' had become a distant memory, during their mansion days before the ensuing estrangement. Long before this entire episode with Wellington.

"How about my neck? Or my shoulder? Isn't that where vampires usually bite their victims?"

"Don't be obscene." Jean flatly rejected, imagining himself digging himself into the thick muscles around Napoleon's neck.

"Then, my wrist?" Napoleon rubbed his pulse point.

"Are you sure it won't hurt? My fangs may sink deep."

Napoleon tugged at the white tips of his hair in frustration.

"Where else can I let you feed? My leg? There's plenty of skin for you to bite —oh."

Napoleon cleared his throat awkwardly.

"How about my neck? Or my shoulder? Isn't that where vampires usually bite their victims?"

"Don't be obscene." Jean flatly rejected, imagining himself digging himself into the thick muscles around Napoleon's neck.

"Then, my wrist?" Napoleon rubbed his pulse point.

"Are you sure it won't hurt? My fangs may sink deep."

Napoleon tugged at the white tips of his hair in frustration. "Where else can I let you feed? My leg? There's plenty of skin for you to bite —oh."

He showed the inside of his forearm.

"This part should be safe, I think." He tapped on an area near the bend of his elbow.

Jean was hesitant but grabbed Napoleon's wrist anyway and examined the patch of skin which Napoleon pointed.

"Once you've offered yourself to me, there's no turning back." the lesser vampire warned. "And don't thrash when I bite you."

"I'll be fine," Napoleon reassured him. "Just do what you must."

Jean nodded and dragged Napoleon's arm closer to his mouth.

"I will have to lick you. It's only customary."

"I don't mind. Take your time."

And thus, Jean darted his tongue across that tiny bit of skin. Napoleon could handle the ticklishness, but not the other sensation that was both pleasant and unpleasant at the same time.

"Can I do it now?" Jean inquired one last time.

Napoleon gulped. He knew his nervousness was anything unlike those of prey animals awaiting their death in their predator's jaws. There was no relinquishment of power, and there was no question of who had been stronger and who had been weaker.

As he had done countless times in his previous lifetime, he was gambling his trust in another man. Few put his life as collateral.

"Roll your hand into a fist," Jean instructed, his voice deep and oddly tranquilizing.

Napoleon closed his eyes as he felt sharp teeth piercing his skin. The fangs pushed down further, attempting to extract more blood from his veins.

His fingers grabbed the sand underneath them as he fought not to writhe even as the initial pain receded. His body recoiled as a different sensation invaded his senses.

Heat coursed through his entire being as the lesser vampire continued to suck on broken skin. The sound of Jean slurping and drinking grew distant as he surrendered to the all-encompassing delirium.

Losing himself in the grip of passion, Napoleon let out a stifled moan that ought to reach Jean's sensitive ears. Yet he refused to let go and kept latching onto his benefactor's arm.

Napoleon became acutely aware of Jean's fingerpad pressing on his skin. It would leave bruises the next morning, he knew.

All reason left Napoleon as he imagined the bite scarring, leaving a mark from Jean and this deed that would plunge them both into certain damnation.

The implications of this sick, perverted act were entirely lost to him as his mind screamed more, more more—

Jean withdrew his fangs and loosened his grip on Napoleon.

"I've had enough of my fill," Jean breathed laboriously. The deed drained him as much as it did Napoleon.

But his victim was too deep in his frenzy to notice that he'd stopped feeding. "Napoleon," he called.

At his friend's lack of response, Jean grabbed Napoleon's shoulder and shook it. "Napoleon!"

The man finally jolted and his eyes landed on Jean's still face. It was only centimeters away from his own.

"Are you alright?" the stoic man asked him cautiously. "Your skin is feverish."

"Am I?" Napoleon started, wiping his face. He realized that he was, indeed, sweating profusely.

"Was it too hard on you?" Jean's concerned voice was barely audible to the dazed former emperor. "The wounds will need tending. If we don't stop the bleeding, you might—"

"Jean, I'm fine!" Napoleon snapped, unintentionally shoving the other man away. "I'm a vampire too! They should heal in no time, so if you just leave them that way—"

"You're not a full vampire, unlike us." Jean pulled his arm gingerly. "At the very least, allow me to dress them."

In the end, Napoleon obeyed. The two men silently sat as Jean started to rip some of their outer clothes apart.

"There," Jean patted Napoleon's arm as he finished wrapping the makeshift bandages. "Too tight?"

"No, it's perfect." Napoleon hurriedly replied. "Thank you."

He didn't wait for Jean to respond and retreated to his spot. Napoleon knew his behavior looked strange to the soldier, but he batted such thoughts away and laid down.

Napoleon knew he couldn't urge himself to sleep, especially since the feeding left certain parts of his body excited.

Cazzo. So this is what they mean when they say vampires possess the ability to seduce both men and women, regardless of their sex.

It was made worse by the fact that Jean was one of the most beautiful creatures he had ever encountered in both lifetimes.

Damnelu tuttu. How do I get this down—

"Bonne Nuit."

Jean quietly bid Napoleon good night, saving him from the panicked whirring of his mind.

"...you too." He piped.

Napoleon forcefully shut his eyes and waited for drowsiness to claim him. It had been a long day, and so will be the days ahead.

Both needed their rest before setting out on the road home, enduring the awkwardness and questions yet unspoken between them.

Uhhh thanks for sticking until the end. This long-ass fic is part of my Napoleon & Jean 1860s Tour de France AU, in which Jean kinda replaces the MC in Napoleon's route. There's a lot of kidnapping, violence, man-to-man bonding, and all that good stuff. .

Tagging @kisara-16, @thedollarstoresatan, @delicateikemenmemes, @ikesensrandomninjagirl24, @ashavazesa, @hokkaido-fox, @nuclearwinterexe, @lulu-the-hedgehog, @longingkisses, @weird-profiterole, @nafeary, @thesirenwashere (please notify me through DM if I missed anyone)

#ikemen vampire #ikevam fic #ikevam napoleon #ikevam jean #napo route spoilers #riri tries ikevam

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sinner-as-saint · 5 years ago

Text

By Your Side.

Mob! Seb AU

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 MASTERLIST

Part 7.

Run-through: The mob boss had never thought that he’d be so broken one day. Without you, his world was falling apart. And there was nothing he could do about it.

Themes: ANGST, Gore elements, violence, death

A/N: I’m sorry babies, but there is no smut in this one… forgive me. I know this is getting long and tiring but I promise, this series will be finished soon! ILY!!

Also, all Tag Lists are still open.

When Sebastian’s tears finally ceased, Chris told his heartbroken friend what had happened to you.

All the poison and heavy medication had taken a toll on you. Your body couldn’t handle all the chemicals and toxins so you shut down.

The doctors had told Chris and Liana that you were in a comatose state, and that you were critical. Your heart was weak and Sebastian’s heart broke with each word Chris said.

He couldn’t wrap his head around the idea of losing you. He simply couldn’t bear it.

Hours later, the doctors decided that it would be wise if they talked to Sebastian in person.

“She is in a very critical state, Mr. Stan. We’re doing our best to stabilize her, and when she does, there is a chance that she wakes up. If not, then she has four weeks until she moves in what we call the vegetative state,” one of them spoke.

Sebastian listened; his heart broke in the process. His eyes remained focused on the floor and on his shoes. He couldn’t face the doctors. He was scared that he might punch them for not being able to save you, even if he knew that they were doing their best.

He simply didn’t trust himself while you were in danger.

“The vegetative state can last for a long while, and it is torturous. It is painful, because the patient cannot move, however some of the senses are alert during that stage. Unfortunately, very few people make it back from there,” the other, faceless doctor spoke.

Sebastian kept listening, his back against the wall and hands in his pocket. He felt a fatigue taking over him. Or maybe it was just heartache.

“We’re trying everything we can, let’s pray she makes it through,”

Sebastian didn’t realize when the doctors had walked away or when he stepped outside, or Chris and Liana made their way to him. He was lost, his reality distorted.

The sky was getting darker now, his world was getting darker without you in it. He looked up and sighed.

“She couldn’t fight it, Sebastian. But she’s no one to give up, you know that. She’ll come back,” Liana spoke from behind him, placing her hand on his shoulder.

He was broken, she could tell.

He was almost never this quiet. He wasn’t angry either. Just, silently experiencing a nightmare.

Sebastian had absolutely no emotion on his face, nor in his eyes.

He was, blank.

He chuckled, out of nowhere. And Liana froze to the ground when he did so.

“Hey, it’s okay. She’s here, she just… needs to come back, okay? We’re here for you, it’s not-,”

Liana’s words came to a halt as Sebastian grabbed her harshly and pushed her against the brick wall, wrapping his hands around her throat and applying enough pressure to restrict her airflow. Her body made contact with a force which made her wince.

Yet, she was quiet. Shocked.

She stared in his blue eyes in shock, they were cruel and with absolutely no hint of showing any mercy.

She clawed at his hand around her throat, scratched his skin but he didn’t let her go. Chris tried to get him off her but he didn’t move a bit.

The more they tried to push him off, the more pressure he applied on his grip at her throat.

“Why did you betray me, you little bitch? I trusted you, Y/N trusted you, why did you do this?” as soon as he said those words, Chris’ grip on Sebastian loosened.

He was taken aback.

Chris was shocked at the sight in front of him, and at the words which just came out of Sebastian’s mouth.

“What?” Chris asked in confusion.

Sebastian chuckled again, darkly. Turns out, he wasn’t losing his mind, but he was piecing the puzzle together. And once he got a view of the bigger picture, he understood it all.

He had been betrayed, and your emotions had been toyed with again.

“That’s right, this bitch thought she was playing me. It took me some time, Liana, but I figured it out. I couldn’t say anything earlier because Y/N had blind faith in you. I did too for a while, but I see it now. I see the betrayal,” he finally released her just before she passes out.

Liana fell to the ground and coughed violently. Her face was red due to the lack of air and her neck hurt. She was scared. She, of all people, knew how brutal Sebastian could get. And she was now terrified, and regretted some of her actions. But she couldn’t let the fear show.

“What- can any of you tell me what’s happening?” Chris asked again as he couldn’t believe what just happened.

“Liana was working for Connor this whole time. She never interrogated Dylan, because my men were beating the shit of him already by the time she got here. I wanted to see how she’d react. Then I figured it out. She thought that Dylan told us the truth, but he didn’t,”

Sebastian spoke, as Liana gasped on the concrete ground.

Chris’ face frowned in confusion.

“I never wanted to get him to talk because I knew Liana was stupid enough to spill everything on her own, I just needed to get him in a state where he couldn’t speak. Liana walked upstairs and spilled the truth herself. She gave away the tactic Connor used to get to my girl. I still had my doubts, but then she cleared it up herself. She hesitated when I asked her to finish off Dylan. And that was it, that’s when I knew this bitch was scheming behind my back,”

“She didn’t even finish Dylan off, my men did it for her,”

“You never got to talk to Dylan, did you, Liana? No, because when you got to him, I made sure he was unconscious. You got scared, then you revealed everything. The day Connor’s men broke in to replace Y/N’s medicine, you knew. You knew everything. You called yourself her friend yet you silently watched her as she slowly… poisoned herself,”

Chris couldn’t believe the words which came out of his friend’s mouth.

“Why did you do it, Liana?” Sebastian asked, in a voice so calm that it scare the other two who were present there.

The pace at which his moods would switch was terrifying, even to Chris.

Liana knew she was in trouble, she was walking on thin ice this whole time. She knew he’d find out eventually. With you coming into his life, he did indeed slow down, but the mob boss wasn’t stupid.

She had nothing to say but the truth now.

“I got tired of seeing everybody worshiping at her altar. I mean, what is so special about her anyways? She’s dumb, can barely handle herself on her own, always needs to be saved, to be scooped up and protected like a helpless dog. I-,”

“Just answer the question, why the fuck did you do it? Spare us your sob story,” Chris’ patience was running low.

Sebastian was calm again, not mentally, but at least he wasn’t choking the life out of anyone. He just listened.

Liana took a deep breath to calm her racing heart.

“The same reason all you fuckers do what you do. Money,” she replied like it was the easiest question ever asked.

She, of course, wasn’t wrong. But given the situation, the mob boss’ blood boiled at the reply.

“Connor has been paying me twice as much as you do. It’s really not a tough choice Sebastian, money or that damsel who’s always in distress’ friendship, I believe you already know which one I chose,” Liana spoke nonchalantly. Her words were bold, yet Sebastian took note of the fear in her eyes.

This Liana was so much more different than the one who was just crying upstairs when she had heard the news of your critical condition.

Sebastian stared at her with nothing but disbelief and anger in his eyes. Chris subtly stood in between Sebastian and Liana, who was struggling to stand up. Chris was ready for any action. He knew what the mob boss was capable of when it came to you, and despite how much he wanted it, he simply couldn’t allow Sebastian to murder Liana right there on the hospital grounds.

They needed a plan first.

Sebastian was never one to feel hurt by betrayal, however, he was hurt this one time because he knew that eventually, he would have to break it to you that the one close friend you had, turned out to be no better than the rest of the heartless fucks in this world.

Even now, all he cared about was you.

“Get out of here, and run to him. Tell him he’s gonna pay for all that he did,” Chris spoke instead of Sebastian.

The latter was silent, scheming, and hurting. Sebastian knew all he had to do was go over to Connor’s, kill the bastard, and be over with it.

Yet, none of that would bring you back to him. What if he does all that and you never wake up?

What if you leave him?

He wouldn’t be able to live with the fact that the last memory he would have of you would be you looking up at him, with tears in your eyes as you struggled to breathe and held on to him, desperately not wanting to let go.

“Connor’s not scared to die, Sebastian. You had his son killed, you took away the one person he loved the most. And he did the same to you. Throw your hopes and your prayers away, Y/N is not going to survive this, and you know that. Both of you do. Even if you kill Connor with your bare hands, you’re still gonna be the one to lose this time,” Liana spoke, her voice shaky and her words pierced Sebastian’s chest like a hundred daggers at the same time.

Sebastian scoffed.

“I wish you would realize that this is so much more than just a game. This concerns the woman I love, I’m gonna give Connor a slow, painful death. I’m gonna make him crave for a quick death, and I’m gonna make sure you watch all of it, before I kill you too,”

Sebastian meant each and every word he said.

“Get the fuck of here, now,” Sebastian’s tone had a hint of defeat in it already, and Chris was concerned. He had never seen someone so broken, definitely not a man of Sebastian’s caliber.

Liana walked away as fast as she could. She had a smug look on her face as she walked away from the two, disturbed, men.

Chris was worried.

He approached his friend and placed a hand on his shoulder, giving it a light squeeze.

“Hey man, we’re gonna figure this out, okay? You stay with Y/N, I’ll handle Connor and h-,”

“No. Y/N will be fine. I’m sure she’ll come back to me, soon. I need to deal with Connor first,” Sebastian spoke, and Chris nodded.

The two dealt with the hospital paper work, and Sebastian had his men over, in disguise; to keep an eye in case someone tried to harm you.

Two of his men were by your door while some more were in the parking lot; keeping an eye on every activity of the grounds.

Sebastian did question their loyalty for a moment, keeping in mind the stunt pulled by Liana. But Chris was quick to reassure him that there was nothing to worry about.

Chris had his people hack into the security cameras of the hospital, just so he and Sebastian could keep an eye on the situation while they took Connor out.

Sebastian wanted to see you one last time before going after Connor, but the thought of seeing you connected with wires and tubes and machines was scarier to him than anything.

So he watched you from outside, through the glass, and whispered a quiet prayer as he eyes filled with tears with the brief sight of you in pain, and as broken as he was.

---

The ride to Connor’s house was a blur to him. He was so focused on you that Chris had to nudge him in the arm to get his attention.

Sebastian sighed, and once again told Chris that this wasn’t his fight and that he should just drive home. But Chris refused to let his friend deal with this all alone.

In the dark of the night, Sebastian found himself at Connor’s doorstep. His men broke the door down and Sebastian was filled with rage and pain as he stepped inside.

His gun in his hand, another spare on the inside pocket of his suit. Chris beside him, his gun loaded as well.

His loyal men were scattered around him.

Connor’s men were nowhere to be seen, so he was definitely outnumbered. Even if he wasn’t, the mob boss had made up his mind. He had a plan, and all of his timing was perfect.

Connor’s house was pitch black, not even one single light was on. He was there though, Chris had his people track him down earlier, and they were dead sure that he was at his place.

Liana must be here too. Sebastian though. And just as he did, he heard footsteps approaching.

The room illuminated right as the sound of a switch being flicked was heard.

The light allowed him to see the two other people who had joined them.

Connor and Liana. Each with guns pointed at Sebastian.

Sebastian smirked, as several guns belonging to his guys cocked at the sight of these two pathetic people.

Connor looked horrible. He looked like a true mess, but despite it all, he had this irritating, taunting look on his face.

“God, I have been waiting for this moment for a while now. Sebastian, cheer up son, why do you look so sad? Oh right, my niece is on the verge of losing her life and let me guess, you cannot deal with the fact that you weren’t able to protect her, isn’t it?”

Connor smirked, knowing perfectly well how to get under Sebastian’s skin.

The latter just stared at him with no expression on his face.

“Sucks, doesn’t it? All the promises you must’ve made to her, talked about keeping her safe and I know for a fact, being the fool she is, that she must’ve have trusted you. But you failed her Sebastian, look at her now, fighting for her life despite all your promises,”

Connor continued despite having more than ten guns pointed at him. Sebastian just stared at him. He tried fighting it, but he couldn’t help the subtle guilt which washed over him.

“Go ahead Sebastian, kill me. All I ever wanted was to see her suffer, and you, just like both your pathetic fathers made me. I desperately wanted to see defeat on your face, and I’ve seen it.”

Connor finally stopped talking and smirked.

Sebastian chuckled, taking a few steps forward. Not towards Connor or Liana, but towards the spacious couch in the room.

He sat down and placed his gun next to him on the black, leather surface.

Connor’s confusion could clearly be seen. Liana, however, was scared. Though double-faced, she had spent quite some time with Sebastian. And she knew that Sebastian was always this calm and comfortable only in two instances.

The first, when everything goes as planned and he is truly content – which wasn’t the case here, obviously.

The second, when he was a few steps ahead of the one facing him – definitely the case here.

Liana’s breathing quickened as Sebastian smirked, looking at the two beings he loathed the most in the world.

“Oh I will kill you all right, and just so you know, right about now,” Sebastian checked his very expensive, gold plated watch on his wrist and continued, “One of my men just slit your wife’s throat. You thought it was safe for her to be at your club, blending with the crowd, but really, she’s just bleeding to death on the floor at this very moment,”

Sebastian’s words erased the smirk off Connor’s face. Liana’s doubt cleared. She was now certain that Sebastian was a lot more steps ahead of them.

“Oh and your other son, you know the one you kept so hidden and so safe from all the dangers of this life, yeah, something tells me you’ll never see him again as well. Sucks, doesn’t it? Promising someone that you’ll keep them safe, and having someone drop in and hurt them so mercilessly. I’m sure you did your best to protect them, Connor,”

Sebastian’s words caused Connor’s blood to run cold.

“Your son did nothing, Connor, he can still have a chance at life. For that, I’m gonna need you to ask your men to come out of wherever they are, because this little hide and seek game is over,”

As soon as Sebastian finished talking, a number of footsteps could be heard. There weren’t many of them, and since the rest of the house was dark, he couldn’t really see their sorry faces as they walked out of the house like the obedient pets they were.

“Now, let’s talk about killing you,” Sebastian smirked again when he saw the look of pure terror in Connor’s eyes.

---

Dragging Connor and Liana into the black van wasn’t hard to do. Sebastian’s men tied them up and threw them in the back of the van.

They were to be taken to the dungeon where all his dirty work was usually carried out. Instead of beating them to death, Sebastian had ordered for his men to break their limbs and then he called David and asked him to inject them with the same poison that Connor used to poison you.

Chris had seen brutality in his life, yet none quite like this. Sebastian always gave people he didn’t like quick deaths, but this time was different– he wanted to take his time and make a scene out of this.

Sebastian’s men and David obeyed without questioning his authority. Bones were broken, and poison was injected.

Both traitors were being killed slowly, painfully. And just like Sebastian had said, they craved death with each passing moment as they were left unattended in their agony.

Sebastian went to see them after some days. They were both bleeding, like you were. And they apologized relentlessly; begging for a swift end to their miserable lives.

Sebastian just smirked and left, not granting them the satisfaction.

With your life in question, the mob boss was even more heartless than ever.

---

Days passed by painfully.

Sebastian visited you every day, and spent hours by your side. To be honest, he only ever left to attend extremely important business related meetings. He only ever went home to shower, or eat once or twice daily.

Without you, his house didn’t feel like home anymore. And he was craving to hear your laughter echo in his house again, but all you gave him was silence.

Chris could tell that his friend was slowly becoming more and more low-spirited with each day he spent without you.

Sebastian’s days consisted of sitting by your bed and talking to you for hours. He’d tell you about his day, or what the doctors said about your health and sometimes, he even cried.

He would often fall asleep on the couch, not far away from your bed. The beeps from the heart beat monitor attached to you acted like his lullaby and his nightmares consisted of the monitor flat lining.

His under eyes were darker now, and his beard and hair had gotten longer – unmaintained. He barely took care of his own health and if it wasn’t for Chris, he would go by missing countless meals.

---

By the second week, Sebastian was a true mess. He was counting days as you neared the 4th week the doctors had told him about.

Day 13. And you still hadn’t woken up.

They were keeping you alive through more chemicals, medicines and other liquids. They injected you with something or other each day – tearing through your skin while you silently bore the pain.

Day 13. Sebastian had spent all morning with you that day. By your side, as usual.

“Hey baby,” he sniffled, as he held your cold hand in his large, warm one. His thumb caressed your dry skin and he brought your knuckles to his lips and placed a soft kiss on them.

He sniffled again.

His lips lingered on your skin and he admitted that he missed your usual sweet, floral perfume which reminded him of what roaming through a rose garden on a sunny day would feel like.

“I asked the nurse to put your hair in a braid today, I know how much you like it like that. It looks pretty, you look beautiful, as always,”

His eyes flicked to the heart monitor and he saw the steady, bumpy line which brought him solace in a weird way. It was almost comforting to see your heart’s electrical activity; it reminded him that even in the silence, you were still here with him.

“Chris was here earlier, I’m sure you heard him, he brought news. Connor and Liana are… gone,”

Sebastian spared you the gruesome details of how he asked his people to drop their bleeding, dead bodies at the bottom of separate lakes in remote areas.

He had told you all about Liana and her betrayal a week ago. He could tell you were hurt because even though you couldn’t properly react, a single tear fell out of your closed lid when he told you what she had done.

Ever since then, Sebastian was certain that you could hear him all right, and he spent even more time talking to you and filling you in.

Sebastian discretely wiped a tear which was rolling down his cheek. He sniffled again.

He tightened his grip around your hand and inched closer to you, extending his arm to touch your face. His knuckles hovered over your cheek and he sniffled again.

“They’re gone baby, they won’t hurt you anymore. I know I failed you so many times before, but I’m gonna promise you again that I will not let anyone hurt you from now on. I just need you to get better, okay? I need you to wake up,”

He was crying, silently.

This was a daily occurrence. Him, holding your hand and crying; hoping you would wake up and wipe his tears and tell him that everything will be fine.

But you never did.

You didn’t wake up.

---

Day 15.

Sebastian hadn’t been beside you all morning because he had something to deal with which needed immediate attention.

Even during the meeting, he couldn’t focus like he normally would. He was having a rough day.

Then again, every day was a rough day when you weren’t there with him.

Sebastian didn’t remember what it was like before you came in his life. And it hurt him more than anything that you weren’t with him now.

Chris noticed his friend’s unsteady state of mind and asked him to go back to you, and that he would handle it from here.

Sebastian didn’t protest even once. Having not seen you all morning, he was unstable.

At 2 in the afternoon, Sebastian walked into your room; apologizing as soon as he stepped in. He sat at the end of your bed and filled you in on his morning.

He replaced the flowers found in the vase by the window of your room. He brought you flowers often. The woman at the flower shop once told him, given that he had become a frequent client, that his partner is really lucky. Sebastian smiled, and he didn’t have the heart to tell her that he wasn’t fortunate enough to even get a smile out of you.

“You know, I never realized how boring my job is, you know. All I do is sit through meetings, sign papers, yell at people through the phone,”

He chuckled, and looked at your sleeping frame. It hurt, seeing you so inanimate.

“The best part of my day used to be coming home to you, and complain about my day while you listened and laughed, and told me that I was too grumpy,”

His eyes lowered to his hands in his lap as he reminisced the times when he’d come home to you.

The tears formed in his eyes again.

“I miss you, babe. Just, please come back. I know you hear me, I just need you to find your way back to me, okay?”

And as usual, he got no reply back.

All he heard back was your steady breathing, and the beeps from the monitor attached to you.

His tears fell silently that night as well while he sat on the couch which was just a few feet away from your bed.

He didn’t remember falling asleep, all he knew was that the last thing he heard was the steady beeping from the heart monitor.

---

Day 18.

The third week came by, and Sebastian still hadn’t lost hope. He kept firmly believing that you would wake up soon.

He was by your side again, looking at you with tired eyes, and holding your cold hand in his warm one. Today was no different than the rest.

He had spent the last hour telling you about how Chris was literally the only one he could trust now, and how much he was helping him around with his work, business and everything.

He whispered that he missed you for probably the millionth time this week.

“You know, I heard the doctors talking earlier. They were saying that you weren’t strong enough, and that you were getting weaker. They’re saying that you can’t fight for long. But I refuse to believe that you’re gonna give up on me. Not now, not when you know that you’re my everything,”

Sebastian spoke from beside you, tucking a strand of your hair behind your ear. Your face was slightly thinner, and you looked weak.

His fingers lingered on your cheek, and he sighed.

“I’m gonna be really angry if you give up on me. I’m sorry I failed you, baby. I should’ve been more careful. I’m sorry,”

His bottom lip trembled. He refused to cry. He wasn’t giving up on his hopes yet.

Sebastian bent down and placed a soft kiss on the side of your mouth. Normally, you used to blush whenever he kissed you, but today, he got no reaction out of you. And it hurt, a lot.

---

Day 22.

Sebastian was miserable. The doctors had given up, because you were no longer as responsive as you used to be.

Everyone around him, except for Chris, told him that there was no use of holding on to hope anymore. Cases like these usually resulted in, well, the patient leaving for good.

The mob boss was losing his sanity at the bare thought of you dying. He couldn’t bear it.

He cried, as the heartache got more and more intolerable.

The sound of him sniffling constantly could be heard as he sat by your bed, late at night, holding your hand and talking to you; begging you not to leave him here alone.

“Everyone says you’re not gonna make it,”

He sniffled again, pressing his finger to his tear duct and wiping away the tear which formed before it fell.

He couldn’t even imagine a world with you gone.

The thought of it felt like a nightmare being replayed on a loop.

“But I know you’re not gone. I can hear you breathing, babe. I see your heart beating. You’re still here, just come back to me. Please, come back to me, I can’t- I can’t do this without you,”

He caressed your face and held back a sob.

He was broken. For so long he had been cold as a stone, he never showed much emotion before he met you. You were the warmth, the light; the missing piece he needed.

With you, he felt like he was more than just a criminal. He felt, normal.

Yet, even after giving him everything, here you were – on the verge of drifting away from him.

For the first time in many days, he couldn’t stay with you that night. Something came up, and he, reluctantly, had to leave. Chris was out of town for a day or two, and they was no one else he could trust to handle his business.

So, even though it hurt, he left and promised to be back early the next morning.

What he didn’t see though, was that as soon as he turned his back on you and walked away; a silent tear escaped your closed eye lid.

---

The next day, Sebastian walked down the hospital hallway and made his way to your room like he normally would, except this time, he heard several muffled voices as he approached your door.

Familiar emotions washed over him as he sped up towards the spotless, white door of your room; confusion, anger, irritation and sadness altogether.

He pushed the door opened and came face to face with a sight which flooded his heart with melancholy, fear and regret.

He regretted that he left you all alone last night; unattended…

Life had, yet again, played a cruel joke on him.

Tag List for this series:

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fuwafuwamedb · 5 years ago

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Cursed G Pt 18 (Gilgamesh, Hakuno)

Previous Part: One - HakuPOV / GilPOV, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17

_____

The morning began with a shower.

More accurately, it began with her body still feeling sensitive from his incessant cuddling and rubbing against her. She’d thought, perhaps a shower, but then found him behind her. Showering had turned to his looking more deeply into her blowdryer. The blowdrying had turned into more pampering. Pampering turned into them hurrying to get dressed. Getting dressed had turned into a dispute about her plain panties versus the more scandalous articles she owned…

But finally, finally, they were able to get out of the house. Plus, they had been able to stop for coffee.

She was getting used to him, she thought vaguely, sipping at her drink as they headed towards class. His hand rested in hers as they both enjoyed their drinks. He read while the teachers lectured this time, reviewing and tapping at her shoulder here and there when he found words he didn’t understand. His cards were swapped for her tablet with a digital copy of a dictionary.

A poor one, she’d noted, but they were dealing with some language that hadn’t really been enacted in thousands of years.

It was bound to be a bit lacking.

It wasn’t until her last class that she noticed.

She was being cuddly back.

Not kind of, sort of, cuddly- she was actually holding his hand when they were at classrooms with tables. His fingers would stroke at the back of her hand as she wrote things down onto her papers. She would find him scooting a piece of candy from her bag at her whenever she answered questions for the class and would glance her way when others answered.

It was the hand holding she noticed in her class.

Then it had been the bribery.

Saying something would disrupt class.

Saying nothing- well- she wasn’t really sure what she would say anyway.

Instead of saying anything, she let it slide, simply settling in at her seat until class released.

Her hand remained trapped in his despite their getting up, leaving her to surrender to the inevitable and simply carry her things in hand, including her coat. She could feel that strong grip remaining in place as they wandered the halls. His attention elsewhere as he held his coat over his shoulder and led the way today.

Prayers were sent out.

She really didn’t want the others noting the ring on her finger, making a fuss about her engagement to this man or making any remarks about their hand holding. He was just here until she could see him home. He wasn’t going to be actually married to her.

They were just…

Those red eyes glanced her way, leaving her to stumble a bit.

“You’re carrying too much,” he complained.

Note he merely complained. That didn’t make him stop their path to the cafeteria nor did it mean he was going to carry her things for her. She still ended up holding her belongings a bit closer and picking up her pace.

They settled into a corner of the cafeteria as they noticed the others hadn’t arrived, with Hakuno thanking her gods.

“Are you-“

“I’ll grab us lunch if you want to wait here a moment.”

The man waved her off.

If only I could get him to head home that easily.

Even as she thought that, selecting lunch at random, she knew it wasn’t that simple. Nothing was ever quite that simple.

Such thoughts were too dangerous to ponder.

The room was still filling with people as she returned to their table. The king barely sipped at his drink before he pulled her chair closer and pushed a book before her. She found his chin resting on her shoulder as he leaned in close and showed her the text.

“This author is frivolous, and their beliefs are mockable, but their methods have promise. We should try creating a dimensional rift. This book has the best details about how to manage these interdimensional time holes.”

“Oh?”

This looked like fiction.

She glanced at the cover, finding it to indeed be a work of fiction.

However, she was engaged to a king from ancient Uruk so…

“We’ll look into it later. Maybe-“

Any continuation of that was stopped the moment she caught sight of the woman from before.

Gaudy makeup, atrocious clothing; the woman looked like she’d walked off the runway and into the cafeteria. She was laughing with a few boys, twirling her hair and beginning to look around at the room. It seemed like she was just giving a glance to the room, but…

She is looking for Gil.

Her hands yanked up Gil’s hood, covering his hair.

“Hakuno-“

She climbed onto Gil’s lap immediately, thinking nothing as she turned his head away from the woman’s direction and wrapped her arms around him.

Shit.

Was she looking randomly now? Did she suspect them?

If her home had been a poor location for the two to encounter one another, then the cafeteria filled with unsuspecting humans was even worse. Any kind of argument would be documented. Any kind of death or fighting would mean arrests and police.

Shit-

The king’s arms were pulling her in, an amused snort came a moment before she felt his hands delving into her hair. He leaned in closer, ducking further to lean in close to her face.

“How bold of you,” he purred. “I suppose I can indulge you this time, Hakuno.”

His mouth moved against hers, deeply and thoroughly taking her. She could feel him pulling his coat around her person, doing her in. She could see the woman in the corner of her eye, glancing their way a moment before turning and heading off. It didn’t seem she’d thought a thing about them.

Another second and Hakuno found herself simply giving in.

Gilgamesh was stealing her every breath. His person…

But she was getting used to this kissing business between them.

It was so easy to get caught up in him doing this.

A soft sound escaped her lips as she found herself hiding away the room. There was no longer a room to consider with the taste of him on her lips and the lightheadedness from worrying and from having her breath taken away.

Someone coughed nearby, requesting with a tap to their shoulder that they move their actions to another room.

Ishtar could be waiting…

“Gil,” Hakuno glanced up at him. “…I think I want to head home.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m a bit tired.”

“…Damn,” Cu’s voice came from nearby, making her freeze. “Hey, Rin-“

“Don’t even think about it. It’s bad enough you fell asleep in class today, Cu.”

She could sense the others nearby, glancing at the two of them. Naturally, it wouldn’t be when they had been sitting politely at the table. It would be when she was straddling Gilgamesh’s lap and busy kissing him.

She couldn’t look the others in the face. She slid off Gil’s lap and kept her gaze near but not directed at them.

“I…”

Gilgamesh laughed, pulling her onto his lap and smirking at the others. “Is it truly that surprising? She is my spouse, after all. It’s only natural that she has interest in climbing onto my lap when the opportunity is available.”

No, it was not right.

It wasn’t right at all.

Rin and Rani both sighed, settling at the table and glancing at the book.

“Fiction?”

Cu settled next to them, laughing a bit. “Looks like one of Sakura’s romance novels.”

“It’s Gil’s.”

Cu threw her a smirk at the nickname.

She could feel the man behind her leaning in. As the others started a conversation about the morning classes and about readings, she could feel a hand snaking around her waist.

“We will finish our moment later,” he murmured.

Or they could avoid that.

It had been to keep Ishtar away. If he was buried under his hood and kissing her, then it meant that no one could really see his face. No one would be able to know that the king was holding her and busy kissing the life from her.

What her kiss hadn’t been about was getting closer to him. She was already close enough. Too close, actually; they were becoming very quickly attached at the hip.

“Hakuno?”

“Hmm?”

“When’s your wedding?”

All she could do was stare at Rin, watching the woman pull out her planner and flip through pages.

“I just need to put it in my planner for later.”

“What’s customary for here?” Gilgamesh held her tighter, moving closer to Rin and Cu nearby.

“Depends on how soon you want a wedding. I know some choose a month, but-“

“It’ll be in a month’s time then.”

What about going home, was on the tip of her tongue, but Gilgamesh was looking at the planner and pointing to a date that was empty.

“We’ll have it then.”

“You’re going to have it in a month? Do you both have attire?”

“I’m sure Hakuno was planning to get it with her close friend. She’s spoken highly of your taste,” Gilgamesh shrugged. “If you don’t want to…”

“Hakuno, you’re making the best choice!” Rin smirked, slamming her pen down. Every facet of her being was radiating light. The room looked dim in comparison to that smile. “You couldn’t have chosen a better maid of honor! Naturally, someone like myself would be easily able to select the best things for your wedding! We can easily find-“

“You, woman.” Gil turned to Rani. “You may be better suited.”

“You’re going to earn me an early death. I refuse,” Rani told the man simply.

Rin was still prattling on. The woman motioned to several dates, going a mile a minute on plans and getting Cu to move so she could sit closer.

“We need to find you a wedding dress. I’m guessing you’ll do a western wedding instead of a wedding like we do here.”

She needed to pull Rin aside and explain this.

She needed a plan on how to explain Gilgamesh so she could pull Rin aside and explain this. She wasn’t going to be actually marrying him. It was just a thing to make him happy until he was home and she could get back to-

“Whichever is more amusing,” Gilgamesh countered.

“Western then. As Hakuno’s closest friend, I need to make sure Hakuno gets the best option. She and I can go out this weekend and look into wedding dresses. I’m sure Cu and you both could amuse one another.”

“Are you still working on that building?” Gil asked.

“It’ll be a few months, so yeah.”

“Then we’ll be fine.”

This was not fine. Hakuno opened her mouth to argue, but Sakura and Emiya were coming over. She found herself pulled closer as Rin began to take notes for finding magazines later.

“We need style ideas. We don’t have much time.”

They had so much time.

All the time, actually. In fact, she was quite happy to postpone the wedding until well after she was gone and taking up residence with that underworld goddess Ereshkigal.

The conversation around the table was building though. Sakura and Rani were talking about a trip to look at cakes. Emiya was talking about something with Cu, earning Gil’s much unwanted input on the matter.

Everyone was chattering away quite enough that she couldn’t think straight. She’d never been happier to look at her phone and point out the time.

They all scrambled to hurry, minus Gil who simply stood up and brushed himself off. His books were back in his bag, his bag back over his shoulder before she found him holding that hand out.

She didn’t take it.

“We have to go,” she told him.

Each second felt like an hour.

Each minute felt like a day.

Her eyes drifted over to Gil’s person as the afternoon lecture began. Her hand felt so empty. She felt so restless sitting next to him.

“Kishinami?”

Hakuno looked up at the front, pausing as she realized a question had been asked.

I really need to-

A piece of paper moved a bit closer.

“…I disagree.”

The teacher nodded.

A piece of candy was slid her way.

Damn it all, but she ate the candy since she’d not really eaten much at all during lunch. Her hand went to his, lacing their fingers together only for the man to smirk and resume his readings.

He was working her over this way.

Slowly but surely, she found she liked his hand there. She liked having rewards for her efforts. She liked the attention and the attachment. It was easily addictive. She could get used to seeing his face within short distance to her own.

It had to be all the cuddling.

That was it.

A couple days after he headed home, she would be alright.

She wasn’t getting used to him, she told herself as class ended and they headed out of the room.

She wasn’t really running into a marriage, she reminded herself as Rin called her phone and talked to Gilgamesh on the way back to the house.

His arms were around her while she cooked, reading aloud the passage about wormholes from one of his books. He was pouring more of his belongings into the house now, throwing aside her cushions and pillows for an endless stream of his own.

I don’t have feelings for him.

They moved dinner time to the living room, turning on the television and the king stealing the first bite of her food. She ate the first bite of his own in return.

I don’t care about King Gilgamesh other than to see him home.

He laughed at her stealing the first few sips of his wine, pulling her in roughly before he was holding the glass to her lips.

She wasn’t sure what the show was about that was on the television.

I don’t have feelings for Gilgamesh.

Her arms wrapped around the king’s neck as she was carried back to her room. Their clothes were pulled before they climbed into the shower.

Rather than drying off, they simply climbed into bed, one of the man’s legs slipping between hers.

I don’t…

She cuddled against him before he had the lights off. Her face pressed against his chest a moment before she found his arms pulling her against him. Solid muscle and strength met her touch. Her mouth was pressed to his once again.

Hakuno found herself falling asleep in her husband’s arms before she could do anything to stop herself.

What was she to do about a husband who would soon disappear?

#drabble #drabbles

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cooltrainererika · 5 years ago

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Alt-talia: Child of the Groves

So this is another entry for @aphlithuaniaweek2020! This time it’s for the Nature prompt!

I just wanted to expand more on the Baltic mythology after “The Fiery One”, though this is a different interpretation than that one, in which the communication is less direct, and also exploring how pagan/nature-worshipping beliefs form. It’s actually really fitting that they form through, in nation terms, the innocent eyes of a child.

Also, due to that this fic might kind of imply that Liet has been around since even before the birth of the Lithuanian state? Maybe the usual interpretation of when he was born in Alt-talia and canon could still fit, but it might make more sense if he’s actually even older than that just in this one case. After all, there was one tribe apparently called the “Lithuanians”... I guess it’s a similar case with the Polans and Poland in which they were the most major tribe or the one Mindaugas ruled?

It’s late here again, so not spending too much time on this Author’s Note. Let’s go.

Child of the Groves

Shrouded in forest and bogs, rain and low hills, a young boy was born. When he came to for the first time, some time everyone forgot for that was not important, that was all he knew.

The sky was infinite, neverending, all-encompassing. He didn’t speak, for all He had to be was to be present, constantly watching over all.

Days started when the sun showed its face. It was gentle, warm… like a mother.

She was the mother of children without one of their own. Maybe that included him as well. She was at Her strongest after the harsh, dreadful winters came to an end.

But when she left, the moon took Her place, so that he may not be cloaked in complete darkness. As if together, they repelled the demons and evil spirits that lurked in the dark away.

If Saulė was the mother, Menuo was the father, he thought.

His light was not as warm or strong, but it was refreshing, calming as he went to sleep. He would wax and wane, but always, He was reborn.

Together, they nurtured the fields of rye that nourished him.

And if they were the mother and father, the stars must have been his sisters, comforting him on dark nights even when Menuo was awaiting revival.

Often, rain fell from the endless sky. It fell so often, he became known for its abundance.

During these storms was when it struck with a deafening flash, crashing, deafening, shattering the air around it.

The young boy could only cower, shivering in awe as it displayed its mighty power. He was terrifying, forceful… bold, strong, powerful. Strict, but with it He inspired respect.

And where He struck, warm flames, like pieces of the sun, were left behind. She could be destructive, yet warm, protective, removing the toxins from and softening the flesh of the creatures of the forest and cattle, protecting the home from darkness consuming it all. Which she would choose to be was unreadable, but it was possible to appease Her.

The cows nourished the peoples here; and he had found snakes around them. Where the cows went, they followed, and when the cows were bountiful, so were they, watching over them with their unblinking eyes. So, he assumed, they brought wealth. And for they foretold of spring and basked in the sun, they must have served Her.

So if he spotted one, he was sure to offer it milk. His young eyes lit up when one followed him home, where he hand-fed it frogs.

Other welcome guests of spring among the many were the storks; despite their size, taller than even he, they were nothing to fear, though they were quick to chastise him if he were to play too rough with their chicks. The smaller birds serenaded them with their adorable lovely songs every spring, making their presence known even if they were less keen to be seen.

And most of all, most omnipresent, were the forests extending as far as he knew. They were everywhere, and he merely lived among them, much like they merely grew below the World Tree supporting the heavens. They were bountiful and his playground, where he foraged and hunted. Inside the trees waited the spirits of the people who had left this existence, upon them bees built their nests where they produced sweet, delectable honey, and somewhere among them was nestled the legendary fern flower that grew every Midsummer.

But they were also dark, mysterious, dangerous. There were groves he was to never enter or defile if there was no intention to bring prayer. Every variety of tree was left by a divine being as their presence on this plane of existence, and were therefore sacred. Even when childish curiosity pulled at him he knew never to step foot. While surely, the Lauma who dwelled within would spare a child, even they had their limits; and a less merciful spirit could take him to another world, or take his life. Or at least, it would if he were anyone else, but he did not wish to know what they would do to an immortal entity like he. If a rabbit crossed his path, he knew it was a warning from above to leave. And the bears and wolves would be nowhere as merciful. Even on a mundane walk, he needed to be alert for a devil’s mischievous tricks.

It was only when they welcomed him did he explore further; if he was in danger, he could vanish into their depths and let them take care of those who dared to threaten him.

They could be fickle; that was why sacrifice was needed, just to bargain with them, even if even such things were not always heeded. He was at their mercy, for good or bad.

They were not entirely like parents, but not entirely beasts. He never had seen them, but everywhere around him, evidence of their existence lurked, from the golden pieces of stone that washed onto shore, to the very trees in the woods.

The sun rose and fell in turn with the moon, the seasons came and went. For time was a cycle with no start or end.

That was how the child rationalized the world around him, for that was all he knew.

—————

The birds chirped that morning as the last leaves from last autumn crunched under Lithuania’s feet.

The man grumbled to himself, rubbing his forehead trying to fend off a hangover, regretting thinking that treating himself with his first binge drinking session in a while wouldn’t be a big deal.

“Augh my head… At least I can walk straight without throwing up I guess. That’s an improvement.”

Small animals rustled through the foliage as he took a deep breath of the clear air. The trees loomed above him, silently observing the lone man on his morning walk. He no longer feared the forest, so all that was left was it beckoning him further.

Crunch, crunch.

Another deep breath.

Steadily, he thought he felt his nausea and headache subside.

He wandered without particular aim, stopping every so often to pick berries and mushrooms, for once in his life not worrying where he was heading, bathed in the warm morning sunlight, producing an almost trace-like state, letting himself sink into the past. Here, he felt his troubled mind at peace, restful, more than he had ever been even when he called such woods home.

A rabbit ran by his feet, and he let it pass by.

He saw the forest clear in his view; then, a building, an old church.

The forest opened back into neatly maintained grass, and further a parking lot, into civilization, albeit with few here at this time.

He continued to walk towards the red wooden church, near which an old, large, twisted oak stood, protected from defilement by tall fencing, surrounding it in a large circle.

He stared up at it; now old, aging, tired-looking, exhausted and kept alive by caring locals, while he continued to appear not much past his prime. The one family there, or anyone for that matter, would have never suspected this man remembered when this tree was young and fresh. But even he knew nothing about how long it had been here; it was most likely older than even he.

Here, the god of Thunder was worshipped. And mere meters apart, the small church stood. Yet, it felt strangely fitting.

“Oh, you’se were here?”

He turned; just off the platform stood Latvia, his mop of dark blond hair just now entering his vision, his pet grass snake taking a ride in his hoodie and poking its head out.

“You were here too?”

“We’s were thinkin’ the sames things, it looks like.”

Latvia joined him on the observation platform, leaning his lanky body on the railing.

“I’m wonderin’s if there’s really a path to a different world in there… I’ve never gone theres, even if I was always tempted to…”

Lithuania raised an eyebrow.

“Wouldn’t count on it.”

“You haven’t beens in there, right?”

“If you haven’t, I haven’t either. Would make a good movie premise though, wouldn’t it?”

“Wonder since when it’s beens here… Wonder whats it’s seens…”

Maybe within, there was indeed a different world; one he had known, and never completely lost.

That morning, the two reminisced over berries for breakfast, his hangover a distant memory.

#aphlietweek2020 #hws lithuania #aph lithuania #hws latvia #aph latvia #baltic mythology #alt-talia

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sophiechoir · 5 years ago

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Thoughts from Mass 5/17/20 (6th Sunday of Easter)

@ St. Teresa of Avila’s <3

Today’s theme: Courage

Canticle of the Son (opening song)

One body in faith - plagued

Fr. Chris is taking the approach of making direct, intense eye contact with the camera for the entire duration of Mass. *blush*

“with one accord, the crowds paid attention” miracle indeed

a joyous city - paradox? nah, that’s just the cynicism talking

acceptance and baptism not enough to receive the Holy Spirit (so confirmation is in fact something more than either of those sacraments, and necessarily so)

sanctify Christ (hm - sanctify Him according to ourselves, maybe) -> in your hearts

*** “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence...” ***

>an explanation, not an attack or defense - your hope, not your persecution or aggressive proselytizing - they should want to learn from you, and you should teach instead of wound - many keyboard warriors could stand to take these words to heart

err on the side of martyrdom

“If you *love* me, you will keep my commandments”

The Spirit of Truth, apparently male (vs Wisdom - female?)

“The world will no longer see me, but you will see me”

love love love <3

“Whoever loves me will be loved by the Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” ***sequence

>begin with love for Christ specifically. Christ the gate

>but can’t one approach God without necessarily knowing or fully knowing Christ? even here it says that after one is loved by the Father, one them comes to fully see Christ - Christ reveals himself. either way, love and trust before knowledge

churches reopening!! oh thank God - well, in Indiana, at least

>hm, smaller churches might have more difficult time getting supplies necessary to reopen? I wonder how that will shift the church’s demographics

the confidence of a priest secure in his vocation - that must be the best feeling. that must be like being in love

I’m sick of homilies reflecting on COVID-related anxieties. The most comforting homily right now would be something very academic/theological/more separated from this bog of reality

>(but then again, I’m a coward lol)

The Son loves us as the Father loves Him

Roll back the stone from the tomb! Open the churches!

“Jesus promised the disciples he would not leave them orphans.”

Upper room at Passover vs at Pentecost - look up details (?)

The Lord doesn’t take away the danger or fear or trials, but instead gives us what we need for the next step

Spirit in life, in truth (life = truth)

*** “Courage is using what you’ve been given in the moment that it’s needed the most.” *** (not quite the usual cliche - lovely)

We can’t exercise any of the virtues if we don’t have courage (CS Lewis)

*** Trust over fear. Trust over fear. Trust over fear. ***

“Hope does not disappoint.” A bold statement, Fr. Chris. I want to believe it - can I believe it?

I wonder if anyone’s studied the “Masses” held by children who grew up to be priests. What sort of spiritual value or power do they have? What an amazing phenomenon

You are My All in All (song)

Spiritual Challenge: Look up Thomas Merton’s “Prayer of Abandonment and Trust”:

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me.

I cannot know for certain where it will end.

Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you and I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing.

And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road although I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death, I will not fear, for you are ever with me and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

#thoughts from mass #thoughts #prose #courage #i want to learn how to pray like Merton #his prayer made me cry #i never know how to address God like that #simply and fully #without adornment #yet with such emotion #such confidence (in both senses of the word)#anyways sorry for the incoming flood of thoughts from mass #trying to finally type up this backlog

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iris-writes-things · 6 years ago

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Temple of Lions

Read on AO3, FF.net or under the cut!

In the late 1920s, after months of pestering locals about coordinates, a team archaeologists stumble upon a a completely intact temple for Sekhmet, where they awaken an ancient being that sends them on the adventure of a lifetime.

Written for @timelessvoltronzine

Art by @xxkaseixx

Chapters: 1/1 Status: Completed Total length: 2303 words Adventure/historical

“Oh my goodness, this is it.” Historian Takashi Shirogane mumbled in sheer awe as he wafted his torch around, taking in the giant hall and its intricate murals and statues. “The temple of Sekhmet.” The professor could barely contain his excitement. He and his team had just struck literal gold by uncovering this previously undisturbed temple, dedicated to the ancient Egyptian goddess of war, Sekhmet.

The many ancient works of art depicted the goddess of war herself, a woman with the head of a lioness, along with five lions running around, and six humans that. He almost dropped his torch when his eyes fell on five giant stone lions at the back of the massive hall. Takashi wasn’t quite sure what to make of it just yet. He was too overwhelmed by the beautiful pieces, but even more than that, by how well-preserved they were. If he had to put a stamp on it now, this previously sealed temple must have been at least five thousand years old, and there was barely a speck of dust on them. It was a miracle people with worse intentions hadn’t found it before them.

Lance, the archaeologist sighed. “I don’t know. The people at home want mummies. We usually catch more money for tombs, too. What's so different about this temple, anyway?” He complained to no one in particular.

"I don't know, but the locals sure didn't want us to find this one. It took me four whole months to get the exact coordinates of this place." Keith, the explorer, bemoaned.

"He’s right, you know. That alone suggests there has to be something important here." Hunk, the team's expert on ancient structures mused. "I mean, everyone back in town apparently knows it's here, and yet, nobody has ever been inside."

"Yeah, because they didn't want to be in for an eternity of boredom.” Lance rolled his eyes. “Can’t we go on a big adventure or something? Then I’ll write a best selling novel about it and retire at 35." He huffed, crossing his arms.

"Really, I'm beginning to think you're in this for the wrong reasons." Katie Holt, professor Shirogane’s student and protégé said as she adjusted her glasses.

"I'm with her." Keith nodded in agreement. "I've always been under the impression that archaeologists are in this business to learn about ancient civilizations. Not to make a quick buck."

"Well excuse you, if you think going into a relatively lucrative business to support a giant Spanish family is 'the wrong reasons', you can kindly stick that torch where the sun don't--"

The archaeologist was cut off by the gasps of his teammates as the entire temple lit up; the torches lining the walls flickered to life, gleaming gold and glittering gems only further reflecting the light throughout the temple. It was a beautiful sight to behold, had it not been for the fact that the fires lit themselves.

"Uh… Boys?" Professor Shirogane stammered. He looked concerned. Scared, even. "Are you seeing what I'm seeing?"

The group reluctantly followed his gaze. At the center of the giant hall stood a young woman with brown skin and pearly white hair. She was clothed in a flowing linen dress and was embellished with beautiful golden jewelry, encrusted with lapis lazuli. They had seen this woman before, and they didn't even have to think back too far, as thewoman who stood before them, in the flesh, appeared in most of the murals surrounding them.

"Welcome." She spoke in a language they somehow all understood. The way her angelic voice bounced off the walls, surrounding the 'visitors’, made her feel omnipresent, and slightly intimidating in spite of her welcoming tone.

"I… Uh, we apologize for trespassing, but we thank you for your hospitality, kind lady." Takashi spoke for the five of them. "If I may be so bold to ask… who are you?"

The woman chuckled. "Of course you may, Takashi Shirogane." She said, single handedly sending a chill down all of their spines. "I am high priestess Allura. I oversee all offerings and prayers to our goddess of war, Sekhmet."

"Alright, another question." Hunk spoke up firmly, though his voice shook with nervosity. "How did you know his name?"

"Actually, I know all of your names, Hunk Garrett. I have been waiting for you all."

Katie frowned behind her glasses. How could they be so sure that they were somehow talking to a living, breathing, genuine priestess of Egypt’s old pantheon? This might still be one of the townspeople, playing an elaborate prank on them. "Alright… Then I’m sure you can tell us how and why you’ve been waiting for us for, what, three millennia?"

"It doesn't matter for how long I've waited or how I did it. What matters is that you are here now. The world needs you, after all."

"Looks like you're finally getting that big adventure you wanted." Keith smirked smugly, elbowing Lance in his side, only to be hushed by professor Shirogane.

“All due respect, your Holiness, but what could you, or, you know, the world, possibly need us for?” Hunk asked, frowning at the tall woman.

Allura fell silent and looked away, turning her gaze toward the floor of the temple. For the first time, her look of serene optimism was replaced by something else. Pain. Disgust. Sorrow. All came and went as, what the team presumed to be, painful memories flashed before her eyes. She took a deep, shaking breath before speaking again.

“Five thousand years ago, a Pharaoh ruled over this land. His name was Zarkon. He was a kind man, and a benevolent leader, but when his wife fell ill and died… there was a change. He couldn’t let go of the loss of his wife and began to take his anger out on his people; exploiting them, hurting them… It went on for years. Eventually, all this negative energy began to manifest in magic. A curse that wouldn’t let him go. It made him mad with power.

So… his people and I prayed to Sekhmet. We brought her all offerings we could, and not much later, she granted these five lions, to people in the kingdom that were pure of heart and would not abuse their might. These Paladins were the only people for whom the lions would move. During the day, they simply looked like statues, and so Zarkon always thought of them as such. But what he didn’t know, was that at night, the lions could combine into a champion of good, that would defeat all evil. ‘Voltron’, our goddess named it.

It was a long and intense battle, only made more difficult by the magical powers the curse had granted Pharaoh Zarkon, but in the end, the Paladins managed to seal him away in a tomb we had secretly excavated not far from here, where he could never harm another human being.

However, I woke a few days ago. Which means the seal of Zarkon’s tomb must have been broken, and the world is in grave danger once again. It is no coincidence that you came here together. It was destiny. I look at you, and I see the Paladins of old in you. I know that together, we can defeat him once again.”

“Wait, hold on. How ‘not far from here’ is that tomb? My brother is digging at a site that’s barely a mile away from here!” Katie demanded, her voice raising in panic.

Professor Shirogane gently squeezed her shoulder in an attempt to calm her down. “It’s okay, Katie. Matt will be fine. Right, miss Allura?”

However, the way she bit her lip and looked away was more than enough of an answer. “There definitely is a risk to his well being, but he might be alright. Your brother is almost certainly digging near Zarkon’s tomb, but that’s not to say that he can’t get away from there in time.”

“In that case, we’ll do it. We’ll fight that guy.” Katie told Allura, full of newfound determination. To Hell with it if this turned out to be a prank from the townspeople. She was not risking her brother’s life on some dumb skepticism.

“How?” Hunk thought out loud. “We can barely work together as a unit as is, and that’s with no pressure whatsoever. What happens when we get into a fight when the fate of the world depends on us?!”

“Trust me when I tell you that you will learn to work together. Our previous Paladins were strangers to each other before they were chosen. You already have the advantage of having worked together before becoming Paladins. If they could do it, I’m sure you can, too.”

For a time, it was quiet. Allura’s story was a lot to take in. They came to this temple, looking for knowledge and treasure, and now, they were supposed to fight an ancient Pharaoh with magical powers using stone lions as weapons. And not only that, but they had been destined to do this for thousands of years? This did indeed seem like one of those adventure novels Lance seemed to value so much. And not a very good one, at that.

It was during this profound silence that Keith’s curiosity got the better of him. “Okay, so how do we do this? How do we know which one of us controls which lion?” He asked, intently looking up at the lions as he walked towards towards them.

"Well, which one do you feel drawn to?" Allura asked. "The lion chooses you as much as you choose the lion."

"Okay, if you say so." Keith smiled, slowly walking by each lion. He paused for a second in front of the largest lion in the middle before ultimately walking on and settling in front of the first lion to its right. "This one. Definitely."

"Voltron's right hand." Allura smiled encouragingly. "That makes you the second in command to your leader."

"Yeah, I'm more than comfortable with that." Keith told her with a confident smile gracing his features.

"Dibs on that other one!" Katie shouted as she ran to the lion left of the one in the middle, her eyes filled with childlike wonder.

"Enthusiastic, aren't you?" Professor Shirogane chuckled.

"Yeah, I guess you could say I'm your best and brightest for a good reason." She said proudly.

Hunk was the next one to pick a lion as he quietly walked to the one on Katie's left.

"So I'm guessing this lion is for the most handsome one of the lot who gets the beautiful priestess at the very end of the adventure?" Lance boasted, swaggering to the most right lion with an air of overconfidence.

"Actually, no..." The priestess said, her tone thoroughly unimpressed. "You and Hunk are the legs of Voltron. Supportive and well-balanced. It would do you well to be your genuine self, rather than… well, this."

Keith and Katie burst into a fit of giggles, and even Hunk snorted at Lance's deflated expression.

"Guys, come on, don't laugh." Professor Shirogane said in Lance's defense. "Though, I have to admit, that's some solid advice. I'd take it seriously if I were you, Lance."

"Yes sir..." Lance mumbled.

"Besides, as much as I might come to like all of you, I must return here after this whole ordeal is over, should a new generation of Paladins require my guidance in the future." Allura said, smiling sadly.

"Hey, prof, looks like you get the final lion!" Lance noted, quickly changing the subject in an attempt to brighten up everyone’s mood.

"Exactly. That would make you the leader, Takashi." Allura piped up, smiling more genuinely this time. "Having a scholar as the decisive head of Voltron and the leader of the Paladins couldn't be more fitting."

His breath hitched as he looked up at the lion, the very largest one. He stood there, frozen in what could only be described as fear. He heard the calling of the lion in the depths of his mind, but was he really ready to take on something this big? Was he capable enough as a leader to not only be responsible for the lives of these youngsters, but also for the fate of the world as they knew it? It was only then can that a small voice snapped him out of his train of thought. Katie.

"Professor, do you remember what you told my parents when they objected to me coming to Egypt with you and Matt?"

He thought for a second, chuckling and shaking his head when the words came to him. "If you worry too much about what could go wrong, you might miss the chance of doing something great..."

"Those are words to live by." The priestess said, placing an encouraging hand on Takashi's shoulder. "You can do this. I know it in my heart."

A deep, shaking breath escaped the professor. "You ladies sure can be persuasive." He laughed nervously before making his way to the final lion, placing a gentle hand on the course sandstone of its paw.

He, along with the others, jumped in surprise as a low, rumbling sound filled the room. The lions rose to their feet for the first time in millennia, their sandstone disguise crumbling off to reveal shiny, brightly coloured metal underneath. They looked like robots, but much sleeker in design and more advanced than anyone in the west even dared to imagine. So many questions popped into his head. Was this kind of technology commonplace in ancient times? Was it limited to gifts from the gods? Where did the lions come from? What were they made of? How were they built? But all of that would have to wait.

"Guys, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" The professor asked, earning a unified nod from the rest of his team.

"Let's form Voltron."

#Voltron #Voltron legendary defender #collab #historical AU #fanfic

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mrlnsfrt · 6 years ago

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Thankful by Faith

I was reminded of this story when I read it from a children’s bible story book for my kids as I was getting them ready for bed. I put them to bed and got out my Bible to read the full version. I fell in love with this story all over again and decided to write a second post on it.

On this post, we will be studying 2 Chronicles 20 and learning not only how to deal with humanly unsurmountable challenges but more importantly how to be thankful and to praise God by faith.

The Problem

It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat. Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi). 2 Chronicles 20:1-2 NKJV (bold mine)

So what do you do when you’re just going about life and minding your own business and suddenly a great multitude is coming to attack you? Okay, maybe not literally, but I believe many of you who are reading this have felt like this was happening in your life correct? When unexpectedly you become overwhelmed by what feels like a great multitude of things coming to destroy you, to take away your peace, your health, your family, your money, your house or possessions or even your very life?

Life can be pretty intense, and nowadays many suffer from anxiety. The sad truth is that the problem does not even have to materialize in order to affect us, just the possibility of the enemy attack is often enough to cause us to suffer.

The Reaction

And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord. - 2 Chronicles 20:3-4 NKJV

I believe we can all learn from King Jehoshaphat and how he handled this crisis. Jehoshaphat was scared so he sought the Lord, but not by himself, he called all of Judah together to ask God for help. We can all come to God individually and we should, throughout the day we should be in God’s presence prayerfully considering each decision we make. However, there is something special about corporately coming together to seek the Lord.

Knowing God

5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, 6 and said: “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? 7 Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? 8 And they dwell in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name, saying, 9 ‘If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.’ 10 And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir—whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them— 11 here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit. 12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

- 2 Chronicles 20:5-12 NKJV (bold mine)

In this prayer, we see the importance of knowing God. Jehoshaphat was aware of who God is and what He is capable of. Jehoshaphat is also familiar with God’s promises and he claims them. Jehoshaphat also recognizes that he is unable to handle this situation and had no idea what to do other than look to God for help.

Standing

Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the Lord. 2 Chronicles 20:13 NKJV

This is so challenging is it not? To get everyone together and stand before the Lord? My church members probably wonder why I promote prayer meeting so much. What could possibly be gained from coming together to pray and wait in God’s presence?

So often I am eager to do something for God. I like being busy for the Lord, and in my busyness, I am constantly in danger of neglecting my personal relationship with God. How many of us pray but fail to wait upon Him? How difficult it can be to just stand in the presence of the Lord.

The Spirit of the Lord came

14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15 And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” - 2 Chronicles 20:14-17 NKJV (bold mine)

We are not told how long they stood before the Lord, but imagine how they must have cheered when they heard the message from God! I have many of these verses underlined in my Bible. How wonderful it is to have a God who delivers his children from the attack of the enemy. How incredible to serve a God who says this battle is mine, just stand and watch Me save you. How different challenges look when you know God is with you.

Worship

And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with voices loud and high. - 2 Chronicles 20:18-19 NKJV

How did everyone react? First, they bowed before God in an act of worship, then the praise leaders got up and led the people in worship and they praised God with voices loud and high. In worship, there are times for quiet and somber, but there are also times for loud and joyful praise! How else do you react, or what would be a proper reaction to hearing from God that He will take care of what was coming to destroy you? When we become aware of what God saves us from, sometimes it brings out more than a halfhearted “amen.”

Trust

So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” - 2 Chronicles 20:20 NKJV (bold mine)

Salvation not based on works but on trust, or faith. Trust in God, believe in His prophets. Trust God, claim His promises, and everything will turn out great. Just a quick note that in order to believe in God’s prophets you need to familiarize yourself with what they said, this would mean studying the Bible.

Battle Formation

And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:

“Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever.”

- 2 Chronicles 20:21 NKJV (bold mine)

The kings checks with the people and everyone is in agreement, and he assembles the choir, the song leaders who will praise the beauty of holiness, and have them go ahead of the army singing praises to God because His mercy/love endures forever. The Hebrew word translated here as mercy is חֶסֶד (hesed) which is very difficult to translate because it means so many things (I describe it further on my post “Love Is”).

They begin to sing because of who God is. They begin to sing because of the words of the prophet. They begin to sing because they believe, they trust, in their God. The choir begins to sing before they see any evidence that God has indeed done for them what He promised to do, but for them, the promise is a good an evidence as anything else could be.

Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable. You will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. - 2 Peter 1:19 New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

They begin to praise God before they are able to tell if God has indeed done anything for them. They praise and thank God by faith. Faith in who God is and what He has done for them in the past and what He promised to do for them.

When they began to sing

Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated. For the people of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. And when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another. - 2 Chronicles 20:22-23 NKJV (bold mine)

When they began to sing and praise God delivered them.

Just let that truth sink in for a bit.

Could it be that we don’t experience more of God’s power in our lives because we are not willing to believe and to praise Him before we have any “evidence” of his power at work? How many times to hear Jesus says something along the lines of “your faith has made you whole”? (Mark 5:34,) Or something along the lines of “everything is possible to one who has faith” (Mark 9:23-24). Could it be that having more praise in our lives would increase our faith which would, in turn, unleash God’s power to work in our lives?

Think of the story of Gideon and how having too many men in the army was a problem because they would think they had saved themselves.

And the Lord said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me. - Judges 7:2 NKJV

When I recognize my inability to save myself and turn to God He can come and save in a mighty way.

Witnessing what God has done

So when Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and there were their dead bodies, fallen on the earth. No one had escaped. - 2 Chronicles 20:24 NKJV

When the people finally come to a place where they can see what God has done they realize that God had thoroughly destroyed their enemies. No one who had wanted to harm God’s children survived. Just a note on God’s judgment: The armies God destroyed had intentionally come to attack and destroy God’s people, they were not ignorant and this was not a mistake, this was pre-meditated, and God destroyed them completely.

The final outcome

25 When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away their spoil, they found among them an abundance of valuables on the dead bodies, and precious jewelry, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away; and they were three days gathering the spoil because there was so much. 26 And on the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berachah, for there they blessed the Lord; therefore the name of that place was called The Valley of Berachah until this day. 27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord had made them rejoice over their enemies. 28 So they came to Jerusalem, with stringed instruments and harps and trumpets, to the house of the Lord. 29 And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 Then the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around. - 2 Chronicles 20:25-30 NKJV (bold mine)

God gave them spoils form their enemies. The people praised and worshiped God even more. God causes them to rejoice over their enemies. They had peace, they had no fear because they knew their God loved them and would protect them and provide for them.

God gave them rest.

Takeaway

It is understandable to be apprehensive about the future. There are so many uncertainties in the world we live in. Health, relationships, finances, politics, etc. There are so many uncertainties all around us. Yet, we have a choice, we can choose to familiarize ourselves with God’s promises and claim them and praise Him. We can start praising God today for delivering us from all the things that threaten to destroy us.

So we have two options. We can worry, which won’t help at all. Or we can come before God, claim his promises, spend time standing before Him, and praise Him for what He promises to do for us.

If you would like a list of promises I have some listed on my post “Some of my Favorite Bible Verses for Prayer”

#Faith #thanksgiving #God #Old Testament #victory

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thewahookid · 3 years ago

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Wisdom from Mother Mary Francis, PCC

And so, when we pray: ‘Anima Christi, sanctifica me,’ we are indeed making a very bold and dangerous prayer, a tremendously exacting prayer. We are saying that we want to be emptied out, to experience our own kenosis as Christ experienced his, totally given, totally spent. ‘Soul of Christ, sanctify me.’ It will not be painless. No passion ever was.

— Mother Mary Francis, PCC From her book Anima Christi

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the-christian-walk · 3 years ago

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THE LORD IS WITH US

Can I pray for you in any way?

Send any prayer requests to [email protected] In Christ, Mark

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** Follow The Christian Walk on Twitter @ThChristianWalk

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”

So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

Acts 18:9-11

This ends today’s reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

As Jesus was on the brink of His ascension where He would sit at God’s right hand in authority over everything in heaven and on earth, He gave His disciples their marching orders. You may remember these words that He spoke:

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20

And then, He added these very important words that I believe people forget:

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 18:20

Yes, Jesus was issuing a great commission, a tasker regarding the way He expected the Gospel to be shared by His followers. He had already shared earlier that the work would not be without peril, warning His disciples that they would be despised, mistreated, and hated by others just as He had been. Indeed, being an evangelist is not for the faint of heart.

This is why Jesus’ final words in chapter 28 of Matthew are so critical for us to remember. He isn’t sending us off to do His work alone. He isn’t sending the sheep of His flock into slaughter while standing off and doing nothing. Rather, He is with us and for us during every step of every path He places us on in accordance with His will and way. We need to be assured and comforted by this truth.

As we continue to look at Acts 18, we know that Paul has arrived in Corinth from Athens, taking up residence with two Jewish tent makers who had recently relocated from Rome. We also know that Silas and Timothy reunited with Paul after being in Macedonia and their arrival freed Paul up to exclusively devote himself to preaching as he sought to reason with the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.

In yesterday’s message, we saw where his efforts with the Jews didn’t go well. Paul was rejected and even abused by his fellow people and so he rebuked them and vowed to take the Gospel to a household of Gentiles who lived next to the synagogue. We read where the household gladly received the good news of Jesus and were baptized.

So, there was hope in Corinth for at least some people to be saved by Paul’s work but of course the threat of danger always loomed large. For it seemed as if rejection morphed into desires of murder in many places Paul had visited in the past and there was no guarantee that Corinth would be any different.

That is until the Lord intervened.

For as we turn to our scriptures for today, we find the Lord doing what He does best. Letting His people know where He wants them to be and what He wants them to do. And in the midst of Paul’s possible uncertainty as to whether he should remain in Corinth or move on, the Lord comes to him in a vision with the following guidance:

“Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” Acts 18:9-10

Put yourself in Paul’s place. Imagine how much consolation these words would have brought.

Here the Lord is giving Paul a pep talk, like a good coach on the sidelines urging his player on in the midst of doubt. The exhortations are concise, bold, and commanding.

“Do not be afraid.”

“Keep on speaking.”

“Do not be silent.”

And just in case Paul still had reservations, the Lord guarantees that He is with him, serving as his great Protector. No one would be able to attack or harm Paul because he had the Lord on his side. It’s little wonder why Paul wrote these words in his epistle to the Romans:

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31

Friends, the Lord is with us and through Him, we can do all things. All we need to do is trust in His promises like Paul who embraced the Lord’s assurance and “stayed in Corinth for a year and a half” to teach the Corinthians the word of God.

Paul was where the Lord wanted him to be to do what the Lord wanted him to do. I encourage you to take that approach to not just this day but every day for the Lord is with us and we are purposed to carry out great work in His name and in accordance with His will.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it. Send any prayer requests to [email protected]

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littlelightshilly · 6 years ago

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Battling the Darkness

(Part 3 with ITALICS being the voice of the dagger and BOLD being Shilly’s inner voice. Just in case anyone got confused. )

Her walk in the city helped a great deal and being able to chat with Zabra about anything else was good as well. Dalaran was always so full of people and life, the sounds of tradesmen working their craft while various heroes rested between missions. A few times she had been asked to help speed someone’s healing along and she always gladly helped. The sigh of relief as pain was removed, as wounds stopped aching, or as tension was relieved reminded Shilly about why she was training so hard to be a healer. Why she needed to have that dagger release her.

Zabra could tell she had resolved herself and was proud to see how she walked confidently into the Temple, chin raised and shoulders squared. Her fear was still there and her hands shook a little as she greeted Alonsus but she was prepared now.

The circle had been made of candles and was surrounded by priests of every race, each wearing an expression of concern or curiosity. This sort of thing had never been attempted before but everyone was made aware of how strong a hold the dagger had on Shilly. In their center was a table with a large, heavily warded and blessed box waiting for the dagger.

Taking her place, Shilly breathed in slowly as she allowed the shadows within her to emerge. For someone who was always a bright ray of sunshine she soon had tendrils of darkness covering the entire circle while her own form was partially see-through. In her hand was the dagger, a palpable presence oozing from it that made Zabra nervous. This was an Old God, contained in a piece of metal and held by someone he saw as his niece. An Old God that manipulated and twisted her so easily and he swore the damn thing mocked him as he curled a tendril around her tiny wrist. Alonsus stood beside him and nodded, the undead High Priest scowling even deeper in mirror of Zabra’s expression.

“We begin. Shilly, all you need to do is breathe and try to push against the shadows.” For all his scowling, Alonsus was still gentle with the human woman and made sure his voice was free of any harshness. “Let us handle the rest.”

She nodded and took a seat, the dagger on the stones in front of her with a web of tendrils stretching from it to her. Closing her eyes, she did as Sa’ara had told her and looked within for all the negative emotions that were normal for humans. For a little bit, she needed to be more than human. Around her the priests began their prayers as they gathered Light within the circle. Even though she couldn’t see it, she could feel the weaker tendrils releasing her arms and legs.

First it was fear. That was her biggest challenge, she thought. Fear of not being good enough. Fear of not being strong enough. Fear of not being -enough- to save people. Fear that the dagger was going to use her to kill again. Like weights, these had been building up and dragging her deeper and deeper into anxiety and no amount of Light was going to cure her of them. But she could accept them. Sort of.

Fear of not being good enough? She had been studying non-stop since making the Deal. Alonsus was so proud of her and had nothing but praise for her ability to heal quickly and almost painlessly. Fear of not being strong enough? Zabra and even Highlord Falkieri had told her time and time again she had more Light in her heart than anyone else they knew. That should be proof enough that she was indeed strong enough to help.

Or they’re lying to make you feel better. You know they pamper you, coddle you, protect you from all the real danger. You’re a pretty little doll they don’t want hurt.

**Shut it. Falkieri doesn’t lie. Even if Zabra has lied to me, Falkieri hasn’t. Even if they protect me it’s because I’m valuable to them. That alone should be enough! I’m -needed- and you aren’t. Shut it. **

The Light around her was so much stronger now, her skin felt warm and she could hear the chiming of the Na’aru that were helping. Some of the larger tendrils of darkness were forced to retreat back into the dagger but she could still feel the way they squirmed under her skin. The way they gripped her heart grew stronger and a hand went to her chest as she coughed a few times.

Fear is something that lives within everyone’s heart. They fear you even now. Why else would they work so hard to separate us? Together we can do so much. Together we could -be- so much more!

Shut. Up. I don’t want you. I never did! Yes, I’m afraid of you, too, but that ends today. You won’t be my problem anymore. You won’t be in my dreams and whispering to me. That’s most of my fear already being taken away!

There was no reply from the dagger for that so Shilly chalked up herself a mental point and moved to the next big emotion she needed to face. The Light around her was being condensed and it felt like she was in a bubble of safety, but that also meant it was almost time for the hard part.

Jealousy … Sa’ara said that jealousy was man’s first great sin and the hardest to let go. How do I face mine though. A deep breath, her eyes squeezed shut more, she bowed her head under the weight of realization.** I’m jealous of everyone else’s happiness. That makes sense. I’ve been struggling so long with fear and responsibility that I haven’t had time for me. Rand would pick on me so bad if he found out I was jealous of his freedom. **

Just his freedom? Or his love, too. You sit alone while they all have another. I’m the only one that has stayed with you through all of this. I’m the only one who knows and understands you. You’re right. They would pick and tease you if they knew how much you loved and yet were rejected. No one will love you like I do.

Her eyes snapped open and hands clutched at her robes as it felt like the dagger squeezed her very heart. Barely able to gasp, she leaned forward and struggled to breath as the Priests began to channel the Light into her.

Everything Burned. Her skin was too hot, she blood was beginning to boil, her breath stolen by the darkness coiling around her heart. From the corners of her eyes she could see Alonsus on one side and Zabra the other, fear and concern etched into their faces as they watched her struggle.

Why would you get rid of the only voice that says I Love You. The only one that knows you. I know all your darkest desires and I still Love you.

#lorethcrow wrote a thing!#World of Warcraft #Moon Guard #alliance rp

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updcbc · 6 years ago

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July 15, 2018 - “The Daring Commitment” Nehemiah 2:1-20

Click KEEP READING to read the full sermon.

Introduction

Ms. Raissa E. Robles risked her life through the might of a pen. Her book Marcos Martial Law: Never Again is a historic account of the oppressive regime of Marcos dictatorship. It won the prestigious National Book Awards in 2017. Ms. Robles made her message clear.

“On September 22, 1972, President Ferdinand Marcos imposed Martial Law through Proclamation 1081. Claiming the government was in mortal danger of being overthrown by a widespread Communist conspiracy and armed rebellion, Marcos gave himself emergency powers that put the military and police at his personal beck and call. With the stroke of a pen, the Philippines’ 10th president destroyed democracy, concentrating executive, legislative and judiciary powers in his person, removing institutional checks and balances, accountability and the citizen’s rights and liberties. For the next 14 years he would rule as he pleased by issuing decrees (which took the place of laws) that he wrote himself accountable to no one. Overnight, Filipinos lost freedom they had enjoyed for generations.” (Ibid., p. 12)

The fight for our democracy cost the bloodshed of countless Filipinos. Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr., an exile in the United States, was warned that once he returned to his homeland he will surely die. At the tarmac in the airport before making a step in his own land, he was assassinated. He was true to his word, “The Filipino is worth dying for.” And we regained our freedom through a peaceful revolution. Never again to dictatorship!

Nehemiah was a Jewish exile in Persia. In his great love for his people he decided to go back to his homeland. He was committed to restore the wall of Jerusalem and rebuild the fallen Israel. And he dared to present his plan before the Persian king (2:1-3). God moved the heart of the king (2:4-8). So the building of the wall began with divine blessing (2:9-20).

A. The Fearsome Bravery (2:1-3)

Nehemiah was the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia. As a trustworthy royal official, his life was in great danger to foil any assassination plot to poison the king. Nehemiah faced a greater danger when he decisively appeared before the king to present his plan to build the wall of Jerusalem. This was a matter of life and death. The rebuilding of the wall could be taken by the king as a rebellion against his empire. Yet Nehemiah dared to face death to rebuild his own nation.

1. The Malady of Heart

The devastating news about the destruction of the wall of Jerusalem reached Nehemiah on the month of Nisan (November – December). He mourned, fasted and prayed as he pleaded before God for his divine favor. He made up his mind to appear before the Persian king.

“In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before; so the king asked me, ‘Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.’” (2:1-2a)

The Jewish month of Nisan is from March to April. It took Nehemiah at least three months to painfully wrestle with God in prayer until he courageously braced himself in taking all the risks of disclosing his breaking heart to the great king of Persia about his deep concern for his Jewish countrymen in his homeland in Israel. The day when Nehemiah attended to his duty for the daily provision of wine to the king, Artaxerxes noticed his very unusual sad countenance. King Artaxerxes knew Nehemiah as a faithful and delightful cupbearer. The king was greatly surprised for his servant to appear to him with a somber look on his face though he was physically well and healthy. The king pointedly described the unexplained inward agony of his servant, “This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” And he was definitely right!

Nehemiah is one among us. When we have an inner agony it manifests in our facial countenance. Since Nehemiah heard about the sad news, initially he was able to manage his own composure before the king. Yet as he internalized the suffering of his countrymen and he was consumed in his passion of rebuilding his fallen nation, it eventually worn him out until he could no longer hide the malady of his heart. The king himself confirmed it. Likewise, the people who closely know us will see and feel the great difference when we are under much stress despite all our efforts to hide and cover up our struggle within. If we are sensitive to the pain of others, a careful look to one’s face can uncover a grieving heart.

2. The Unnerving Fear

Nehemiah inwardly trembled before the great king. In great fear he remained calm and composed.

“I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, ‘May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?’” (2:2b-3)

Nehemiah resolutely stepped out of his comfort zone. He could have chosen to remain silent for personal security and self convenience. But he was heartbroken and restless until he could do something on behalf of his own people. The time had come for him to disclose his heart and deliver his message to the king. In the kingdom of Persia, the word of the king was an irreversible law. Nehemiah knew it well that whatever the king would say could spell for his life or death.

I wonder if we, like Nehemiah, have the unbreakable will to embrace the invaluable cost to stand for what is true, right and just in rebuilding the breaking principled walls of our motherland. Rebuilding a fallen nation is an offering of life for one’s own people. The brave-heart stands up!

B. The Divine Favor (2:4-8)

Nehemiah, as a trustworthy cupbearer, was greatly esteemed by the royal king. The king trusted his loyal servant. The close bond between them made a great difference on how the king wisely and carefully addressed the bewildering and destabilizing personal concern of Nehemiah for Israel before the majestic royal officials of the kingdom.

1. The Imperial Inquiry

King Artaxerxes asked Nehemiah a direct question about his problem. In great fear, Nehemiah laid down his plan before the king. And no one could ever help Nehemiah but the LORD who is sovereign over all.

“The king said to me, ‘What is it you want?’ Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, ‘If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it.’” (2:4-5)

The idea to rebuild the city of Jerusalem was no ordinary thing. Among all the kingdoms which the Babylonians and Persians had conquered, the nation of Israel was known as a formidable and powerful people. Joshua, David and Solomon had ruled kings and conquered kingdoms in the past generations. The political foothold of Israel was indeed a potential threat to the Persian Empire. In rebuilding Jerusalem, Nehemiah was courting his own death and the national disaster for his own Hebrew people. As Nehemiah stood before the king in great fear, he entrusted his life and nation to the LORD, “Then I prayed to the God of heaven.”

2. The Comprehensive Plan

And the LORD God moved the heart of King Artaxerxes. He honored the petition of Nehemiah and inquired of his personal movements. In the sight and hearing of the king, Nehemiah laid down his detailed plan.

“Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, ‘How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?’ It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time. I also said to him, ‘If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king's forest, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?’” (2:6a-8a)

First, Nehemiah set the timetable in his governance over Judah. Based on his narrative account, he had spent twelve years as the governor of Judah (5:14) then he returned to the citadel of Susa on the 32nd year rule of King Artaxerxes (13:6). Definitely, this was the time set by Nehemiah before the king. And he had kept his word. If not, the Persian Empire could have had destroyed Nehemiah and his people because of rebellion.

Second, Nehemiah asked for safe-conduct in his travel to Jerusalem. An imperial letter sealed by the signet ring of the king would ensure for his safe travel from the unfriendly governors of the Trans-Euphrates. The peoples beyond the Euphrates River in the Palestine region were hostile against the Jews and were enemies of the Israelites. In the time of the Persian kingdom, anyone who would disregard the letter of the king would mean capital punishment.

Third, Nehemiah asked to avail of the natural resources for his great project. An authorization letter from the king to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest would give him access in securing timber for the temple, his residence as governor and the wall of Jerusalem. All the forest and the natural resources within the kingdom belonged to the kingdom. And no one could access to them without the authorization of the king.

3. The Divine Intervention

The daring plan and the bold petitions of Nehemiah were miraculously approved. “And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests” (2:8b). This was the sovereign work of God!

C. The Great Project (2:9-20)

Under the sovereignty and grace of God, Nehemiah made his journey toward Jerusalem. The people in the region were greatly alarmed and sought for effective measures to oppose him and destroy his plan for the welfare of Israel. Nehemiah made a careful assessment of his great project to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. The Jews embraced the project. And the rebuilding of the wall began under the blessing of God.

1. The Alarming Opposition

The presence of Nehemiah unsettled the people in Trans-Euphrates.

“So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king's letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me. When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites.” (2:9-10)

King Artaxerxes ensured the safety of Nehemiah. With the letter of the king in his hand, army officers and cavalry accompanied him. Such formidable imperial safe-conduct for Nehemiah stirred the enemies of the Jews led by Sanballat and Tobiah. The designation of Sanballat as the Horonite probably indicated the town of his origin, possibly Horonaim of Moab (Is. 15:5; Jer. 48:3, 5, 34) or Beth Horon in Ephraim near Jerusalem (2 Chr. 8:5). In papyri documents found at the Jewish settlement in Elephantine, Egypt, Sanballat is called the governor of Samaria. Tobiah was an Ammonite official who made a close alliance with Sanballat against Nehemiah and the Jewish people. The Ammonites came from the descendants of Lot the nephew of Abraham. In the time of the Exodus, God instructed Israel not to associate with the Ammonites (Deut. 23:3) who were hostile to Israel and became her enemies. Sanballat and Tobiah resisted Nehemiah because he came to promote the welfare of the people they hated—the Hebrew people.

We should not be surprised if we meet great opposition in our advocacy in restoring the breaking walls of truth, righteousness and justice in rebuilding our failing nation. There will always be people who will use all their authorities, powers and resources to oppose our noble cause in upholding our sovereignty, preserving our democracy and advancing the kingdom of God in our homeland. Unfortunately, there are fellow-Filipinos who seem to be patriots but prove to be enemies of the state. Like Nehemiah, we pray to the God of heaven over our homeland.

2. The Night Surveillance

The coming of Nehemiah in Jerusalem with the edict of King Artaxerxes compelled the Jews to respect Nehemiah as a man of great authority and power to govern over his own people. Nehemiah has yet to disclose his agenda as he settled down in Judah. The first thing he did was a thorough assessment on the ruined wall of Jerusalem. And he did it himself secretly at night with few trusted associates he could have chosen to be respected elders and reputable leaders among the people.

“I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days I set out during the night with a few men. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on. By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King's Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate. The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work.” (2:11-16)

Nehemiah possessed the acumen of a great architect, the skill of a strong builder, the courage of an effective administrator and the dignity of a transformational leader. Above all, he humbly feared God and fully yielded to his sovereign rule. Undoubtedly, under the grace of God, he covered the daring project of rebuilding the wall in earnest intercession.

3. The Project Began

The time came for Nehemiah to unveil the great project to his people.

“Then I said to them, ‘You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.’ I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, ‘Let us start rebuilding.’ So they began this good work. (2:17-18)

Nehemiah carefully presented the vision to build Israel by focusing on the great trouble and disgrace of his people. Then he persuaded them to embrace the mission of building the wall of Jerusalem by reinforcing it with the divine intervention of God who moved the heart of the Persian king. And the Jewish leaders with the support of the people listened to the message of Nehemiah and heeded to his call. With one voice they declared, “Let us start rebuilding.” And the good work began. This was the sovereign and gracious movement of the LORD God of Israel. Like the Israelites, if we deeply share our suffering with one another and see our need to help each other, then we nurture our solidarity by working together. As a community, we are accountable to serve one another.

4. The Divine Blessing

The enemies of the Jewish community were unhappy.

“But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. ‘What is this you are doing?’ they asked. ‘Are you rebelling against the king?’ I answered them by saying, ‘The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.’” (2:19-20)

Sanballat, Tobia and Geshem solidified their alliance and mocked the Jews. For them the wall project was rebellion against the king. For Nehemiah, it was the work of God. The enemies of the Jews had no historic and ancestral right to it whatsoever. And the great work began.

Conclusion

Nehemiah stood in great fear before the king and presented his plan to restore the broken wall of Jerusalem. King Artaxerxes extended his favor to his loyal servant. The king gave him his imperial authority, secured for his safety and provided for his needs. Sanballat, Tobias and Geshem were greatly alarmed and opposed Nehemiah to deliver his service for the welfare of the Jewish people. But the LORD God was with Nehemiah to bless his dream in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. So the great work began. The legacy of Nehemiah guides our mission to restore our broken walls in rebuilding our nation. We join our hearts and hands together.

We love our homeland. Nehemiah wrestled with God concerning the great trouble and disgrace of his Hebrew countrymen. He stood before the king in the LORD’s name, “Then I prayed to the God of heaven.” We enthrone God in the heart of our Filipino people. Inscribed in our peso bill is the great truth in the Holy Scriptures, “Pinagpala ang bayan na ang Diyos ay ang Panginoon.” That is the solid foundation of our nation.

We embrace our noble dream. Israel cherished the dream of Nehemiah to build the wall of Jerusalem. The Jewish people stood on their ground, “Let us start rebuilding.” And they worked as one people, “So they began this good work.” As a Filipino nation, our dream to build our land is born out of our pain as a people. In our great trouble and disgrace we nurture our solidarity to offer our lives for the welfare of our countrymen.

We plead for divine blessing. Nehemiah anchored his confidence in the LORD, “The God of heaven will give us success.” Unless the LORD builds our nation our labors would be in vain. What then is our response to all the evils in the land and the disgrace in our beloved motherland? Enough is enough! We choose a stronger word, “Never again!”

#sermon #sermons #nehemiah #jerusalem #israelites #Christian #God #worship #worshipservice #Jesus #divineintervention

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