"Years ago, the demons were killed and burned by humans as they had committed a treachery against them. The infamous demon castle located in Aetheroin was taken over by King Louis, who was also the hero the nation" or so the story goes.
I placed the history book beside me and layed down on the sitting desk of the library. There were pretty much no windows, thus it was hard for sunlight to enter this small building, the books were dusty and placed on the bookshelves, there weren't many in the first place.
I sighed.
I had read many history books of Aetheroin, they all had the same story. But they never mentioned what treachery those demons committed. I wonder what mistake they actually made for humans to turn against them, it is said that the demons once ruled over this land but they didn't oppress other races, they had given freedom of speech and expression and liberation, but King Louis, the first human king of Aetheroin had slayed the demon king Lazarus and took over this land, making it a human territory.
Atleast, that's how this 300 year old story goes, I had never seen a demon in this land since I was reincarnated to this place.
It was hard for me to believe and adjust to this world at the beginning, but gradually I grew familiar. My early years as a baby were troublesome, my body didn't support for stable movement and it felt like shit, laying in the same position for almost a year.
As I was lying down the desk I moved my legs in to and fro motion, it was a boring day just like any other for me. I was actually an orphan, left outside the orphanage run by the Church of the God of Light, when I was born. Surprisingly, even though I was reincarnated in this body, I only had consciousness after I was inside the orphanage. It arises a lot of doubts and questions to wonder, why was I even abandoned?.
But it wasn't that surprising, surviving in the Eastern state Lunia of Aetheroin, this was one of state which has the highest poverty rate. Thus if you are from a poor family, fostering a child is very hard.
The day I was born was also the day I was abandoned, 12th of July 1011. It's a pretty old world, but i was surprised to see many developments in such short amount of period. Well not exactly short either.
This church also had a school for orphans and I am currently studying here, this library too was a property of the church. It didn't have much of funding, it wasn't a big church unlike the main ones which were located in major cities like Luminara, Inothia and Rinova.
I was given the name 'Alan' by Father Ricardus, I was currently 12 years old, soon to be 13 in 3 months. Since I didn't have a family, I didn't have a surname. I was surprised to find that I'm blonde, in my previous life I had brown hairs and I didnt actually like blonde hairs, but I guess it suits my gray eyes, do I don't dislike it as much I used to do.
I was looking at the ceiling and was having thoughts about many things. I got tired of doing that, I sat up, stretching my arms and yawning. I placed the book in the bookshelf and thanked Emma before going outside.
Emma was a old lady who worked as the librarian, she is very kind and helps me pick books for me to read and also gives me knowledge about the outside world other than this city. She was transferred to here 3 years ago, she and I had become good friends.
As I stepped outside, I could fell the humidity in the air. The rain was pretty early this year, I like the humid climate and the cloudy environment but I hate rain, it makes the mud sticky and it sticks to my shoes. I had carefully walked over dry places to avoid such things. I could see puddles of mud here and there.
These shoes were used by someone else once, people donated a lot of used things to the church an we were provided with clothes, thanks to them.
It was almost lunch time, so I had to go to the church and get some bread. I didn't like bread, but it's not like I had much of a choice. To the library's left was the church, to the right was the school and to the front was the garden where Sister Lily had grew potatoes and betroots.
As I entered a church, I saw all other kids in their seats. I went ahead and took the front seat, that was the only one which was empty. Nobody talked to me for some reason nor did I.
"Did you read what you wanted to read?" I heard Father Ricardus's voice, he was an old man and his face was wrinkled. His hair was withered to white, he had the book of Light in his hand. It's basically like a Bible.
I nodded my head and bowed a bit infront of his presence.
"Yes Father"
He smiled and ruffled my hair, "Keep working hard Alan, Knowledge is power, you might get a job in Church or if you work hard enouhh, you can get a job in the government".
I wasn't still used to his kindness, it felt weird. I was actually 23 when I died, so these kind of things made me feel awkward, still wasn't used to this. Father Ricardus is kind to everyone.
I nodded my head and smiled,
"Yes Father, I will keep working hard".
He just smiled and went up to the stage, the statue of God of Light was behind him. The statue had no face, it was that of a man sitting on a throne and holding a with both of his hand, surprisingly the man had long hairs even though no face was to be seen. People didn't know the true name of the God.
I wonder why a God needs a sword, ofcourse to fight, but from what I heard the God of Light is supposed to be so strong that he can destroy a city with just a chant.
Father Ricardus cleared his throat as he opened the book,
"Children, stand up"
At his word everyone stood up, I was already standing up and I came into the position of the prayer. It was a daily routine before lunch, before school and before bed and I was used to this.
The prayer begun.
" O God of Light, whose glow drives away the darkness,
I come to you with a humble heart,
Guide me through the dark nights,
Illuminate my path with your light.
Enlighten me with your light,
Shine your warmth on my doubts and fears,
Guide me to the true path shedding your brightness,
A beacon in all dark corners of the world "
As the prayer ended, everyone bowed to the statue including the Father and the Sister and me too ofcourse.
" Be thankful for him as he provides us with shelter and food, May the blessings of God be with you" said Father Ricardus as he traced a cross over his chest.