Vronial: Book I of the Endowed

By Clever Reynolds

Vronial: Book I of the Endowed, offers an entertaining universe that contains fantasy greatness while providing suspenseful drama, action and a quick thickening plot.
Born into a world where gods endow humans, dragons talk and flying without wings is normal, Vronial emerges as an unexpected hero. Orphaned at birth and undertrained by her lifetime overseer, she finds herself the Messiah of an organization dedicated to warring against those that murder the innocent and disenfranchised, through the powers of twin gods. Her abilities, though reach a level many cannot, are juvenile and her mindset unsure of the truth behind the efforts of the group she supports and those who oppose her. As fate would have it, her greatest foe, a dark hearted apathetic king with a track record of ruthless murder, abides in the same nation, and they both, set forth on two separate missions that will reach an inevitable intersection.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Mar 20, 2014
• ISBN: 9781304958754

Book preview

Vronial: Book I of the Endowed

Vronial: Book I of the Endowed

By

Clever Reynolds

Copyright © 2014, Clever Reynolds

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

Dedication:

This novel is dedicated to my friends, family and associates who encouraged me to continue my mission to become an author. Above all, it is in the honor and memory of my mother who believed in me when I didn’t believe in anything. Thank you for telling me everything is going to be alright even when I didn’t accept it and generating the confidence I needed to pursue my dreams: Love you forever. 

1958-2013

Glossary

Natish

Iyt- No

Gy, Xediphanx!- Bring boar!

Nuck- Eat

Opp, tyu huris blandn, A-heck to-ma! - Now that he’s here, let’s celebrate with dinner!

Xtraf - Attack

Xediphanx-Boar; Pig

Xephlanx-Cyrabae; Great Dog

Tilean:

Agena Penial: Mark of Good.

Aujni!-Enjoy

Deid nemuw, ryua hteid llow tun ib on noev. Tsir wun.- Dead woman, your death will not be in vain. Rest now.

Diips"- Speed

Donwi-Wind

Giyd- Dung; feces

Heid- Death

Iblosume- Impossible!

Igniv- Revenge

Ilbomuyh-Humble

Ilbosovno - Invisible

Imuc- Come! (Demandingly).

Irof- Fire!

Isrivir- Reverse!

Lorena Penial: Mark of Vile

"Numed"-To damn; curse

Nipu- Open

Nugerd- Dragon

O does ilbomuy!- I said humble!

Ristem- Master

Ristem fu Itolis- Master of Elites

Seht se ilbosume- This is impossible

Tehw so iht rittem?- What is the matter?

Tohs- Shit (Profane for feces).

Trivnuc- Convert

Uh ire yua?-Who are you?

Wub- Bow

Wun- Now

Wins Igner- Snow Range: Section of the Xephlanx Mountain Range.

Wabankan:

"Vusi stra ko!"- Get back here!

Pronunciation

People

Vronial-(Vraw-nee-ul)

Abaddon-(A-buh-don)

Wetea-(Wuh-tay-uh)

Banera-(Buh-nare-uh)

Manoui-(maa-no-e) *Long e sound like in evil.

Geegershai-(Gee-ger-shy) G is pronounced like in goat or goal.

Guishen- (Goo-eee-shen) G is pronounced like in goat or goal.

Vanedo- (vuh-nay-doh)

Coreiv- (ko-rev)

Skisoa-(ske-so-uh)

Gridelza- (gri-dell-zuh)

Places: Cities are normal, capitals are italicized and countries are bolded and places have an asterisk.

Binde-(Bend)

Olivusha-(O-lee-voo-shuh)

Sailex- (Say-lex)

Bagare- (Buh-gair) g is pronounced like in goat or goal

Somok-(So-mok)

*Wuns-Igner-(Wuns-ig-neer)

Wabank-(wuh-bank)

Tellurina- (Tell-uh-reen-uh)

Things: This constitutes animals, mythological creatures and supernatural beings

Daegl-(die-uh-gull)

Cyrabae-(sare-uh-bay)

Xediphanx ( Zeh-de-faanks)

Xuphend- (Zoo-fend)

Constra- (Con-struh)

Trugon- (Troo-gon)

Xephlanx- (Ze-flanks)

Without further ado I present to all, Vronial: Book I of the Endowed.  Aujni!

Ch. 1 Destiny

Why in Constra’s name is this taking so long! Remoria yelled in anguish. The pain of childbirth was not new, but the travail she was experiencing with this one was particularly agonizing, as if the unborn child was trying to cause its mother pain. She felt around feebly for something to quell the locking contractions, but the only thing she latched on to was the hair of the midwife. The decrepit woman recoiled in protest, releasing her greased locks from the queen’s grip.

Not much longer My Queen! The head is surfacing! screeched the mid wife as she caressed the matrix with her bony hands. Using a damp cloth, she dabbed the dripping sweat from the queen’s head. She curiously glanced out at the balcony. In that fraction of a second, she could’ve sworn there was a woman peeping in, but wasn’t sure. Her age and cataracts worked against her.

Ohhhh, the baby is coming! she said happily as the child’s head emerged from the mother’s womb. It looked normal save his skin was a dark, golden bronze appearing almost statuesque. The midwife reached in, and pulled the baby out the rest of the way. Queen Remoria let out a sigh of relief as the midwife cut the umbilical cord.

Pop!

In an unsettling instance, a woman with blue curly hair appeared out of nowhere. Remoria and the mid-wife were too flabbergasted to comprehend anything. The women’s sudden appearance barred all suspect notions as she produced a small dagger no longer than a cooking knife from her fingertips.  Fluidly, she drove the weapon into the child as he howled out in infantile echolalia. The mid-wife and Queen Remoria gasped in horror. The woman turned, attempting to teleport, but was unsuccessful. Notwithstanding her predicament, Queen Remoria watched helplessly as the blue haired woman departed out the door and down the hall.

Kill her!

Queen Remoria screamed, immediately attempting to remove the dagger before it its incision caused irreversible damage. Amazingly, the blade did not faze the babe. The infant forced the dagger out causing it to exit in reverse from his abdomen. It jetted, stabbing the midwife square between the eyes. The old woman fell over dead as blood pooled around her impaled skull.

It serves you right for not protecting your Queen. Remoria yelled hugging her crying child.

There, there, my little one she coaxed. The child’s cry, in reality, seemed more of a demonic laugh. Remoria looked down adoringly at her newborn son. She couldn’t have felt more accomplished than she did in those new moments, despite her haggard appearance and tired body. In another surprising moment, the child began to shake and seize. Alarmed, the queen held him away from her. What she was waiting for began to happen as something began to throb inside his forehead.

In a disastrous entrance, four beams of blinding light erupted from under the castle and infiltrated the room. They paraded around, creating an aurora of beauty and destruction as they moved. After bouncing off the walls and ceiling the beams of light grasped the child. The excitement was overwhelming for the Queen. Not only was she proud for birthing a male, a proper heir to her crown, but the male. He, she could feel in herself, could mark the dawn of the end: The true and irrevocable resurrection of Constra.

The lights abducted the child and levitated him in the air. The silver light encircled the babe, while the brown, red and blue entered and exited him as if he were a sea sponge. Soon, they caused a blackened aura upon the infant and he transformed into a miniature beast that resembled a small, skinless headed komodo dragon with fur, tiny wings and horns protruding from his skinless forehead. Then, as quickly as it started, the blue, red and brown lights reversed out of the child’s body, quickly joined by the orbiting silver one, and went back down into the earth. The skin rewrapped itself around the child’s anatomy and snapped shut at his back.

Remoria looked down at her baby. On his forehead, she saw it. The unmistakable, age old marker was now there. It was the same she bore, as well as her father and grandfather. It was, the Mark of Vile, the signet of one’s inner and most ferocious supernatural incarnation manifested into a recognizable symbol; The Lorena Penial. Without question, she knew officially Constra was on him.

This was marvelous. Not only would the nation have a King, but one endowed by Constra.

Remoria smiled as she wrapped her child in swaddling clothes and placed him in the makeshift crib assembled by some random attendant days prior. Since her husband, King Palanvain perished she found it difficult to concentrate on much; but this provided her with a substantial contrast of emotion. Her elation was unparalled. The arrival of her baby lent happiness to her torn world. Her late mortal husband was hardly able to produce, but he, in his latter days, gave her the son she wanted for two hundred years. It was providence.  A remarkable testament that this one almost miracle child, would change the universe.

*                                                               *                                                                    *

Stop her! bellowed a guard. His attention piqued as a curly haired woman barreled past him. A gust of wind pursued leaving a whirlwind of confusion in her wake.

She never looked back to see who was chasing her. There was no one in her immediate rear and it didn’t seem like there was anyone stirring elsewhere. The long hallway of red and white carpet went on forever to her left and she surely wasn’t going to wait for someone to show up. Thinking quickly she ran on.

She couldn’t believe it. It really hadn’t worked. The one thing she could do to stop the prophecy of the Ancient Scrolls failed.

"Myota may have been correct."

All the effort expended into this mission turned out fruitless. Who would’ve thought an infant, as powerful as he was destined to become, would be that invulnerable to normal means of murder already? It was impossible to even wrap one’s head around the idea. Beyond that, what cancelled her teleportation? The Ordinance surrounding the city was lifted over the last hour, (a fact she put effort into discovering) and wasn’t supposed to go back into effect until later. When knowledge that the queen was preparing to give birth came out, all nobles and lords from around the kingdom had to fly, teleport and in some cases, ride in on horseback. Her goal was concise and simple, yet it seemed impossible to execute. However, since her plans failed, she had to run. Run because her life literally depended on it.

She reached a stair well where roughly twenty marksmen were untimely positioned, boasting crossbows loaded with large metallic arrows.

Intruder! Impede your pace or we’ll be forced to slaughter you!

She stopped and pretended to listen to their offer. Pausing, she closed her eyes, seeming to acquiesce to their threat.

Well, intruder? What’s your decision? questioned what she guessed was the Captain, bringing his heavy crossbow a little more direct with her head. The multicolored tassels that baroque across his chest and helmet were inadvertent giveaways.

She took a relaxing breath and her mind’s eye shot out like a laser, scanning the aura of every one of the marksmen in the blink of an eye. She smiled happily on the inside.

"Not a one of them! Finally, a way out!"

She couldn’t believe her fortune! Of the tens of soldiers that now stood before her, not one bore the Lorena Penial!  Remoria was probably so boastful with her abilities that she saw no need for any endowed to guard her.

I think I’ll take a side exit! she exclaimed noticing the window above their heads. She rushed the guard as they fired their arrows mercilessly at her. Each archer’s bow released two arrows, all of which missed as she finessed her way through the barrage with the ease of one who is endowed.

Mortified, the warriors disengaged. She glared at the distraught men as they tried to comprehend the truth of the matter. She knew she had nothing to fear.

Is that all? she said with a smile.  The warriors retreated as she edged closer toward them.

Like hell it is! a voice exclaimed. From the thick of the crowd burst a chubby man holding an enormous bow. Before she could identify what was going on, a speeding arrow crashed clean into her chest and she fell to the ground.

Perimeter clear! screamed the Captain standing over her lifeless body. The owner of the fatal arrow reached for his arrow and was stopped by a hand. He jumped in surprise. It was the woman’s.

Have to thank Trugon for Her Majesty’s pride! she yelled jumping up and removing the arrow with a suction sound allowing her flesh to regenerate.

All the guards stood motionless save the Captain.

She’s Trugon endowed! Sweet Olivusha, she’s Trugon endowed! Send in the Special Forces Unit! he looked to his fellow guard members aghast. Three or four started to retreat scarily into the hall behind them. They all knew their efforts useless to one endowed by one of the twin gods.

Hold fire! Our attacks are useless! Stand guard! the captain screeched as the guards formed a blockade four deep in five rows.

Not wanting to ruminate on her failure any longer, she took flight out the window, breaking free of the glass and into the night sky toward the east.

She’s escaped! The intruder escaped! the captain bellowed as he and his guard scrambled to the Queen’s chambers.

*                                                          *                                                                   *

Push Herlexa! I’m sure they’re just a little late! screamed Gridelza trying to calm the woman down.

No! I’m not pushing unless Maron and Vanter are back! The baby will have to wait she exclaimed fighting back tears of pain that clouded her eyes as she tried to hold the arriving child.

Dearest! It is unhealthy to impede birth! It can kill you. Gridelza cooed. Herlexa’s action could cause her own demise. She continued clamping her legs closed while Gridelza had to work tirelessly to keep them open.

Without warning, there was a random thump on the roof and the entire foundation shook.

Listen! They’re back! Vanter and Maron are back! Push darling, push for your husband! she said in another attempt to get her to go on with the birth.

Herlexa shook her head in disapproval.

Not until he gets in here! I want to see his face before I go on. I promised him! she cried barely in control anymore. The baby was becoming too much of a burden to hold in. It was like a fly trying to keep back water from a running faucet.

Maron! yelled Gridelza as he came, tattered and worn, his luggage over his shoulder.

Come in! Tell Vanter... Gridelza stopped mid sentence when she saw Maron shushing her. Something was wrong. He looked as if he was about to cry. Becoming somber herself, she moved from Herlexa and joined Maron in the hall. She closed the door behind her. By the time she turned back around, Maron burst into tears.

In an attempt to console him, she placed her hands on his broad shoulders and rubbed. It looked rather odd: An elderly woman stroking the back of a monstrous, burly man, bawling like a baby. But it was Maron. He was rough and intimidating on the outside, but internally, he had a heart larger than his person.

My dear, what’s the matter? she asked sincerely. She didn’t want Herlexa to become obsessed with his catharsis.

For awhile, Maron was completely incoherent. He tried to talk but his cries continuously interrupted him and forced him to restart. By the time he sobered up, his eyes were heavier and his disposition a lot less pleasing. He looked like an abominable kid, big and teary eyed.

Va-Vanter died. Maron said with his head down. Maron’s eyes closed, as silent tears of pain rolled down his face.

Gridelza looked horrified. A look of disbelief struck her and she too felt a lunge in her chest.

H-H-How? You weren’t able to revive him?

Not like this. He was murdered. I-I-I tried everything. I healed his wounds, but, he just, just... he grumbled loudly through a sudden bout of intervallic sobs. Gridelza put her index finger to his lip, signaling him to hush.

They looked into the room. Outside of being in labor Herlexa seemed fine. Gridelza nodded quickly, allowing Maron to continue.

You didn’t reach him in time? she asked in shock.

Maron shook his head, and tears appeared in his eyes once more.

I’ve never seen a creature like that before. I was hardly able to destroy it and by the time I got Vanter free, he was…he was…dead! he burst into another fit that was too loud to control.

Where’s my husband? Herlexa bellowed like a raging animal from the other room. From her last peaceful minutes, they almost forgot she was there.

Gridelza told Maron to stay put and she went in alone.

Herlexa, calm down; have the baby!

No! she yelled. The pressure of her scream forced the child’s head through her womb. Putting aside a frivolous argument, Gridelza dipped her hands in the cleaner, and delivered her grandchild. As she cut the umbilical cord, Herlexa grabbed her mother’s hand gently and looked her in the eye, scaring her. The newborn, crying obnoxiously was almost deterred from her arms.

Is Vanter dead? she asked sweetly, like a toddler talking to their parent.

Gridelza grew misty eyed and turned her head away. The question was asked too direct, but she couldn’t bring herself to answer her daughter. Herlexa cusped Gridelza’s hands.

Tell me. Is my husband dead? she asked as her voice cracked.

Gridelza opened her mouth, but not a sound came out. She barely managed to nod her head, her grip was so strong. As soon as she received confirmation, Herlexa fainted.

Maron, come quick! Gridelza screamed. The big man ran through the door and rushed to her side.

Hold the child! Herlexa’s fainted! she said attempting to put a cloth on her head. He wrapped the babe in the swaddling clothes already set out and placed her in the crib before attending to Herlexa. Doing all he could to revive the incapacitated woman, he recited some words over her but nothing worked. After a two more failed attempts at revitalization, she fell over, limp and immobile. A white mist left her body and floated to the heavens.

Neither Gridelza nor Maron were idiots. They both knew Herlexa was dead. Every time an Innocent died peacefully, their soul left that way. As grim as the previous moments were, they both knew there was not a thing they could do to bring Herlexa back to life.

Gridelza looked at Maron and bawled in the same fashion he did a few moments ago. While she cried, Maron consoled her closely. This poor child, not even five minutes old was already orphaned. Destiny, it seemed, dealt her a hand almost too horrific to fathom, only moments before and after her birth.

While Maron consoled Gridelza, there was a sound like thunder. Alarmed, Gridelza and Maron broke embrace and noticed something incredibly remarkable. The baby, still hollering like a banshee, began to glow white. The light became so brilliant; it was almost blinding to behold. The light sustained her like a feather caught in the breeze. It began to weave itself in and out of her and became a barrier separating her from the rest of the room. Amazingly, this soothed the infant, abating her cries and lulling her to sleep. Quickly, only for a few seconds, she transfigured into an angelic being with six wings and two halos over her head. After this, the lights diffused and eased her back into the carriage.

Maron and Gridelza rushed to her side and peered in.

On her head, just above the bridge of her tiny nose it sat. The most amazing, yet terrifying astonishment now compelled this child into a world of difference and an unsettling feud. The Agena Penial.  The two halos of gold and blue were unmistakable. Trugon seemed to have already claimed her. The lights, the beautiful spangled display came as an undoubted revelation to them both. The Mark of Good, allowed them to breathe a little easier.

She’s endowed of Trugon! They chanted in unison. In spite of the heartache experienced that night, this was one joy and happiness that relieved them both. Gridelza picked the baby up and kissed her forehead.

My dear baby girl!

Maron looked at her and a sudden realization flushed over him.

She looks just like Vanter! Look at those beautiful green eyes. he exclaimed.

She’s is beautiful, my wonderful grandchild! Gridelza cooed lovingly over her. The baby carried a look of awkwardness on her face and then the child began to cry again. It was welcomed by Gridelza. This baby was one piece of her lineage that was still here. Her parent’s deaths were almost bearable from the happiness she started to feel

There there, precious. It’s okay! It’s okay! I am here and I will let nothing hurt you. Gridelza coaxed. As if her voice had the remedial properties of Motrin, the baby immediately quieted. 

Maron stared unblinkingly at the child. Gridelza understood why. He too was endowed of Trugon and in all his years, had never witnessed the birth of another. She knew she had never seen one and only heard of it. Endowed, from what she heard, were always birthed with miraculous entrances. Apparently, her granddaughter was no different. Now half asleep, placed the baby into the crib that Vanter made before he left.

Vanter was a sweet, caring individual. He hardly ever raised his voice and scarcely was found in a bad mood. When he and Herlexa wed, it made Gridelza happier than ever. There were never a couple more perfect and great for one another than they. Now, in a paradoxical chain of events, both of them passed. Neither, as wonderful as they were, lived to meet their first and last child.

Gridelza looked dishearteningly at the crib and then at Herlexa’s corpse. Tears began to well in her eyes as reality settled in and she placed a white sheet over the body. Her grandchild, innocent and new as the morning, was orphaned. The very thought, as truthful as it was, gave her a sinister feeling. Gridelza took another distant look out the window over her family’s farm. She could see the sign reading: RUIKEN FARM. From there, her eyes returned to the baby lying asleep in the crib. This caused her to reminisce. Vanter and Maron had been friends a long time and when Herlexa took a liking to Vanter, it was as if she acquired Maron too. The men were inseparable friends. It increased when they married. Inevitably, Maron moved on the farm. Being endowed, Maron’s true age never showed, but he and Vanter stayed close. Now, both Herlexa and Vanter were gone and only Maron remained. She strained her neck and glanced in the other room where Maron sat with his head in his hands.  Just as she was about to make her way into the next room, there was an unexpected knock on the door. Maron shot up and looked to Gridelza with questioning eyes. She shrugged and nodded to the door. Hesitantly, she went over and opened it.

Ch. 2 Visitors

Standing stolidly in the doorway was a woman. The woman’s eyes were serenely blue. They were passionate and fierce simultaneously, giving one the impression she was seeing right through them. She looked at Gridelza with a broad smile that almost seemed inhuman. Gridelza became speechless looking at her visitors. Gridelza returned her gleeful demeanor with a smile, finally finding her voice, though it came out much raspier than usual.

Hello.

The woman extended her elegant hand.

Hello Mrs. Helishen. I am Wetea Hodgens, Leader of T.A.O.S. I know I may be intruding upon you and your family at this wondrous time of new birth but I wanted to know if… at that moment Maron stepped into the room. She met his gaze and he hers and there was an unnerving silence. Suddenly, the woman exploded with glee and raced over and embraced him. Still somber from losing his two best friends, he sheepishly returned the hug. She looked back at him, her eyes alive with gayness.

Maron! I didn’t even know you moved to Olivusha! Is this where you’ve been all this time? she asked sincerely. Gridelza looked at him with an unknown knowledge and then an arbitrary glance at Wetea.

Yeah, I’ve been here. A while ago I befriended an Innocent and, he placed an arm around Gridelza, the rest is history. He said, allowing an almost convincing smile. Wetea mused this with utter disbelief.

I just can’t believe that I’d find you here, I mean I came to announce the arrival of … she suddenly grew quiet and still. Her blonde silky hair stood as stiff as her voice trailed off. At that moment, another man stepped in from the open door. He was as tall as Maron and wore a black tunic overlaid with a deep oak colored robe. His eyes were brown and unlike Wetea’s, were truly fierce. Gridelza was a little affrighted as he breezed in and stood next to Wetea. She looked back to acknowledge him and then to Gridelza.

"I know, since Maron’s here, that you already have figured that your grandchild is endowed by Trugon, but what you may not know is that she is more than endowed. Your grandchild, we believe wholeheartedly, is the Messiah." Wetea said plainly. It was as if someone had diffused the air out of the room. Maron’s arm fell heavily off Gridelza who too seemed as if she had been bowled over. She had a vague idea of what Wetea spoke of, but she presumed the lot of nonsense about it to be strictly legendary. To fathom that one human being could be capable of abilities of even that magnitude was asinine! Gridelza looked back to Maron. He too still stood in disbelief.

I understand this may be hard to get and almost harder to explain, but I believe so. I could feel the transformation as I arrived. Wetea said happily.

The man at the door, Guishen, stood ominously as a cool wind rushed in. He turned to face the door and blinked his eyes. The oak screeched on its hinges before finally giving way to his telekinetic thwart and closed. Both Maron and Gridelza were speechless for a few seconds, but Gridelza found her voice first.

I-I always assumed the tales in the Ancient Scrolls of the Beast and Messiah to be nothing but childhood banter, never to be seriously taken into account. People have been born endowed for years! It seems too ludicrous to believe there was to be an end to it! Gridelza said flowingly. Her motherly instincts gave her voice a boost of needed confidence. Wetea bit her lip in silence while contemplating her words.

That is true, to an Innocent. I understand the concept that there would one day raise a savior to both sides who could change the balance of the universe in its entirety is quite unbelievable. I must assure that it is consummately valid and that your grandchild is indeed the Messiah. Wetea said bravely.

That is why we have come: To announce the arrival of the Messiah and to begin their training, starting by coming with us to Tellurina this night. Guishen barked. His voice was void of affection and his tone meant business. Maron embraced Gridelza who grew mortified. The inevitable thought that her one and only grandchild had to be ripped from her was overwhelming. Though she opposed her granddaughter being taken solely for these purposes, there wasn’t much she could say or do. For countless years the endowed warred on this planet, and up until a few minutes ago, she was untimely persuaded to believe that an end to the insidious feud wasn’t a myth. The battling and unscrupulous killing had and has a definite end. Gridelza looked over at the baby, wrapped up and asleep in her crib, and then to Wetea, building another whirl of confidence before she spoke.

Ch. 3 Eighteen Year Promise

Wetea, I understand that you and, and Gwishen,

Goo-ee-shen, ma’am. Guishen. Guishen interrupted perturbed. He looked to Gridelza angrily. She gave an apologetic smile.

Sorry. Like I was saying, I understand you both have a job to do and the world will need my granddaughter one day, but I implore you to wait. I just lost my children, meaning I’m the only living relative she has. So I ask you, from deep within your hearts, to try to find a spot that will allow you to let me keep her for some time before she has to leave. Please. Gridelza said desperately. Her glossy eyes became saturated at once. She wasn’t attempting to cry to gain edge, but the tears could not be stopped. Maron offered his arm again, but she refused with a wave of her own. She didn’t need consoling, she needed Wetea to understand.

Wetea looked as if she had been ran over by a train. The expressionless visage that once held her cool demeanor in place began to falter as a smile tugged at the edge of her eyes. She looked to Guishen who looked as if he had just lost his favorite toy and frowned viciously. Maron looked quizzically from Wetea to Guishen as if he didn’t understand. With the wave of her hand, Wetea spoke.

Terrific! I knew from the moment Maron lived on this farm with you the bond between you two and your family, Mrs. Helishen, was great. I knew right away that I wouldn’t need to impress upon on you the seriousness or the necessity for me to bring her with me. However, I have come to a more fruitful conclusion that will allow your grandchild to receive proper training and stay here and get to know and love her grandmother. Wetea said happily. Gridelza looked at Guishen and Wetea with grand shock. Guishen though, still looked disappointed, but Wetea paid him no attention. Cupping her hands together under her chin, Gridelza began smile as tears of joy, instead of desperation flowed from her eyes. Maron looked slightly repugnant, but relieved.

Maron, I need you. Wetea said rather pleasantly, deflating the tension that had started to swell. Maron shot a warm smile to Wetea at the mention of his name. Wetea looked absolutely thrilled. She must have something courageously wonderful in mind from the spritely split of her lips.

I propose that you train her until her eighteenth birthday. Is that something you feel you can handle? Wetea asked strongly. With a slight head nod, Maron reverentially accepted. Gridelza hugged him tightly, letting some of the fresh tears from her eyes stain his already matted tunic. Gridelza refrained from the embrace as Wetea cleared her throat attentively.

Now, I do have a few stipulations that must be dictated to her before I can fully approve. Gridelza and Maron now both faced Wetea like astute pupils, anxious for instruction from their teacher.

First, eighteen years is the maximum time. I understand that you’re love is going to be strong and will be solidly indivisible by that time, but I need you to promise me, no matter the strain, no matter the circumstance, when I return in eighteen years, she will leave with me, but I can be mostly assured that she will have many knowledgeable things under her belt by that time, she paused, looking expectantly at Maron, who returned the gaze with equivocating vigor, and will have mastered the Four Aspects in which endowism is manifested in humans and be a competent speaker of Tilean. Wetea concluded. Gridelza had no idea what they spoke of but Maron kept nodding informally, completely sound of everything Wetea mentioned. The room fell silent once more before Guishen spoke.

"Nay, I say that shouldn’t solely be the reason. I add a contest between the both of you, to test his competency, My Lady." Guishen said with a rather broad grin as he glared at Maron. Disregarding his brash behavior Maron sighed and looked to Wetea, who looked as if she was mulling the idea over. Her face crunched and she licked her lips before speaking.

That sounds like a wonderful idea. Maron let loose a sound that wasn’t dissimilar from a grunt, filling the room with an awkward silence. Despite her concurrence to the bout, Wetea appeared apprehensive. All three looked at her.

The child’s mother, is she the Innocent I sense? Wetea asked solemnly. Gridelza nodded, along with a slight yes from Maron. Wetea grabbed her hands to her face and stalked into the other room where Helexa’s dead corpse lie under the white linen sheet. She crouched down next to the body and carefully, removed the covers from her. Gridelza reached out in silent protest, and withdrew her head into Maron’s chest as Wetea examined her. Wetea rubbed her fingers over her hair like a wash cloth, dabbing the spots where the beads of sweat were still cold on her face.

"Deid nemuw, ryua heid low tun ib on noev. Sir wun." Wetea whispered softly over her body. As if her remains transfigured into water, her body liquefied and evaporated into a misty, silver vapor that went through the ceiling and invisibly toward Phylisonda, in the realm of the supernatural.

Wetea bowed her head reverentially and looked to the crib where the child lay. Gridelza, Maron and Guishen were deathly silent. They looked into the room where Wetea picked something from her legging pocket and placed it around the child’s neck. For a split second, her eyes lit up off-white and six transparent wings and a halo became holographic around her, illuminating the Agena Penial on her forehead. Placing the child back into her crib, Wetea went quietly back into her room. Maron and Gridelza both looked at her strangely as she undid the metallic clasp letting her long blonde hair fall to her waist sides. Guishen scoffed and looked to Maron with eager eyes.

Well, eighteen years is the deal. You okay with it, right? she asked once more for full clarity. Maron agreed with a head nod. Guishen smiled and so did Wetea.

Have you thought of a name yet? Wetea asked Gridelza.

The question, as innocent as it was, carried a plethora of confounding issues. Her parents, though happily married and ready for their child, had never mentioned a name. Gridelza didn’t ever think the events that transpired in the last two hours would ever happen, but she herself would never come up with one. An orphan at thirty minutes old was ludicrous.

Gridelza mulled it over some more, going through many different names and titles she thought the baby would fit, but none did. Perplexed she finally faced Wetea.

No, actually, I haven’t thought of… Gridelza said, stopping mid-sentence. The letters started flowing into her head, perfect and audible as if a god was speaking them into her brain. Using this small epiphany as a preamble to the name, she smiled.

I know what to name her.

What name? Wetea asked. Maron and Guishen too were listening. Gridelza seemed ready to explode with happiness. This name, whatever it was would belong to the Messiah. Something that the world over, some day, would celebrate.

Vronial. Vronial Helishen. Gridelza smiled, looking affectionately to the baby’s crib. The other three members of the farmhouse smiled, including Guishen. Something about her name seemed to bring an inexplicable peace to them all.

I have a feeling that is supposed to be her name, Mrs. Helishen. Excellent choice. Wetea said. In an almost religious fashion, Guishen returned to normal.

Ch. 4 Sparring Match

"My Lady, time is of the essence. This contest must get underway immediately. We do have other business" He rumbled.  Wetea, seeming to come down from her euphoric high nodded in concurrence.

Perfect! Ready for the match, Maron? she asked shaking her hair as it sparkled in the diaphanous moonlight. Maron exhaled regrettably as he thought about the predicament they were about to get into. Wetea and Guishen bowed to Gridelza, who returned their salutation with a hand wave. With that, he, Guishen and Wetea teleported simultaneously as if their exit was rehearsed, leaving Gridelza alone to attend her granddaughter.

It was going to be a strain on Maron and he realized it ever more as he, Wetea and Guishen left out the door. Returning from the fight with that weird beast was hard enough and now he had to face Wetea? He could feel the fatigue aching in his heavy limbs, but decided trudged on.

"For the messiah" he chanted to himself, keeping his mind directed on the battle ahead.

The very thought of fighting again exhausted him. Already, he could feel his muscles tightening up and sleep lulling him into an incapacitated state. Even though he knew he would fight as long as he needed to, it did nothing for him currently. Battling the Leader of Trugon’s Army of Soldiers? He knew that even at full capacity, he would struggle immensely to fight evenly abreast with the person who carried this