I watched them as they all sat in a circle, praying to the God of Numen. The moon was fully out tonight, and the stars lit up the sky. Amber stone stood in the middle of all of them, casting a light red hue.
'Shouldn't be long.' I stared at them. They didn't tell me what they were planning to offer, but I didn't want to pry too hard. It seemed something of too much importance to do so.
Distacted by my peripheral vision, I turned at the sight of snowfall outside the cafeteria. Watching it fall off gently, it reminded me of back home. Just as it does, I started to reminisce about the wastelands.
Freezing, I huddled around the fireplace in the living room. My mother was making food. Today was supposed to be special; it was my birthday. We couldn't afford to make anything expensive, but the idea of having a meal with my mother was more than enough. Bringing out stew made of different plants found in the wastelands, along with food brought from inside the walls. To the side was a piece of broken bread; she placed it in front of me.
"Thank you," I smiled at her.
She tucked her white hair behind her ear and sat down next to me. "Of course." She smiled back at me, her eyes staring at the fire. She may have smiled, but something felt off.
"Something wrong?" I asked her.
"No, nothing." She turned to look at me.
"Mom, you don't need to hide anything from me."
She didn't say anything for a moment. "I just wish he were here." She turned to look at a photo of my father on the wall. "And now that you're about to leave, I don't know, it just brings out some emotions in me."
"Mom..." I said, trying to empathize with her, but found it hard to say anything.
"I know you're leaving so we can have a better life, but I just wish we could have provided that for you. Sometimes I feel like I failed as a mother." I could see eyes become glassy.
"You're not a failure, you did your best. If anyone is to blame, it's the world." I looked toward the stew, "Being able to take care of a child as a single mother in this world is hard, and look how I turned out. This is more than I can ask for." I looked back at her, "Just let me take care of the rest from now on."
She sat and stared at me, "You shouldn't have to do that. I should be the one taking care of you."
"It's what I want to do." I smiled, "Either way, the food is getting cold, let's eat it."
"Wait, wait, before you eat, let me sing you happy birthday."
I could still hear the singing of her voice lingering in my head as the moment faded.
'I wish I could say one last goodbye to her...' I thought, feeling a sense of regret.
I wanted to hold her tight and let her know I was alright, that her one and only son was still living. That I will continue to live no matter what.
The bitter taste of it all stayed with me. It hasn't been long since learning about my mother's death, but even then, I didn't want to accept it. I knew I couldn't change the fact, but to learn that I was living in a world where she didn't exist pained me to my soul.
I tilted my head back, sitting down in one of the chairs near the counter as I closed my eyes. Releasing a sigh, I said something: "Soon... soon, I will change this world."
The snow outside grew heavier, causing me to tilt my head towards the door.
'Huh?' I thought.
I got up, and I started making my way to the doors. I could see the storm's chaotic rampage as the doors shuttered. I looked back at the group, and they all seemed to be in deep slumber, concentrating on their prayers, mumbling to themselves.
I could start to hear the wind roar turning my attention back to the door. When I did, I saw something; in the distance, I saw eyes glowing—eight of them in a deep blue. The eyes stared at me as it emerged from the shadows, appearing in the moonlight. The moose followed me.
'Shit.' I thought.
I turned to look back at the group once more. They couldn't get interrupted, especially not right now. If they were, they would be brought out of their sanctuaries without a pact constructed. Our whole plan was riding on the completion of their pacts. I didn't know how much longer it would be before they were out, but I had to do something.
I clenched my hands, looked back at my wounds from earlier, which were barely healing. I had one shallow cut on my leg, and was bruised on my stomach. The light absorption was doing its job, but not quickly enough. I walked forward, walking past our bags. When I did, I picked up a knife from the floor—one which Amiel seemed to have sharpened.
Twirling it around my hand, I put it in a reverse grip. Moments later, I picked up my coat and swigged it around me, putting it on, now standing in front of the door.
"Round 2, huh? You can't get enough of me, it seems like."
Taking a fighting position, I get ready.
The moose let out a roar, shaking the academy.