It was a small climb as the church sat on a small hill built by stones of antiquity in front our modern eyed standards. The church''s surrounding had a small hedge surrounding it. With the small tress here and there, the sea of grass surrounding it gave small cover to the few squirrels that spurted away from us. Though it sat high on the small hill it was small and shy. It''s height must be around two story high. Unlike the decorated and colorful churches back home, any decorations it has were just a few statues of woman garbed with silk dress were painted, not by colours, but by divinity. The ancient oaken door, are a few feet bigger than Roland who was six feet. It groaned in grace as the priestess pushed it open. Greeted us where rows of logs carved into seats have molds of insignias decorated on their ends. They minded no one and just concentrated at the humble wooden pedestal on the center.


    The only thing that was prideful inside were the one single red rose that was placed near a window that faced east of us.


    The single dew drop straddles for its life as it shimmers on its lavish petals as we sat on the fore front.


    "Now then,"


    Serafina spoke when we were all settled.


    "I''m sure by now that you four have already guesses what is your purpose here."


    "Of course. "


    Said Neil as he laid his back on the seat.


    "I mean if there is a demon lord, or tyrant that threatens the humans of this world..."


    I added and looked at Allan since I know he is the most knowledgeable in this subject.


    "That means we have clean it up."


    "A pawn in the chess board of the gods."


    "A pawn in the chess board of the gods."


    Roland and Neil uttered in Sync and disgust.


    "I once saw it heroic when I was young but now it feels like were cannon fodder."


    Grumbled Allan.


    "Nay!"


    Bursted out May, who stood up, looked at me and then at the priestess.


    "Serafina... Your holiness. Surely, Elfien is a blessing; an answered prayer for her loyal servant -- not a weapon."


    She said with some smiles that faded quick. She sweated and body quaking as Serafina, I noticed, looking away from her worried eyes.


    "I dearly... hope so."


    Serafina silently replied with slowly turning her head to the red petals.


    "No, no, no!"


    The innkeeper then scurried


    towards Serafina where the two began talking where as it unfolds further, it seems like Serafina was just nodding to what the frantic innkeeper is saying.


    "I''ve just realized..."


    Whisper Neil at us.


    "The inn keeper looks like Cherry''s mother."


    "I have a name!"


    I strafed my eyes at Neil.


    "What? Nonsense."


    Continued Allan, completely ignoring me, with a his left eyebrow raised.


    "I mean, she does resemble like her, but her hair is... off."


    Roland speculated.


    I stopped these speculation when I told them it is her, an exact replica of her. If you just remove those brown hair and replace in a coal dark hair then... Down size a bit her chest then there wouldn''t be any denial. Not mention her face has that same theme of youthful regret my original mother has as she languished at the priestess who was looking away at her now.


    "No... No, No, No!!! Elfien cannot leave! He''s just thirteen!"


    Her voice then boomed out that returned our whole attention.


    "Looks like you''re age just got demoted."


    Chuckled Roland which I replied that I am very tall for a thirteen year old.


    "It is the the goddess''s choice to make, May, that''s why I must attempt to convene with the goddess."


    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.Serafina put her palm on her forehead as she pursed her lips.


    “But please, May... You have to understand that there must be another reason as to why Elfien was brought back."


    Serafina then held both of the innkeeper''s shoulder.


    "But my prayers... My battles for her... Was it all for naught? "


    "Never think that! Of course you''re servitude for the divine is not in question. I have no doubt that your prayer is the cause for Elfien to be brought back to life."


    "Then why are you taking him away from me!?"


    Both of their pitch were becoming higher and higher that I felt my heart thumping and felt ready to stand up once she calls out my name.


    "It is for him to decide whether to stay here or come with us."


    All of our face fell to Neil. His sudden interruption echoed throughout the church. It stopped everyone''s track as he went to the innkeeper and Serafina with a cordial smile.


    "Forgive me if that was a bit too loud, but I''m one of Elfien''s, friend and guardian before he was sent here by the goddess herself."


    And as proof then presented his ornate beautiful weapons and pointed out his armor and clothes which I wouldn''t doubt that it was tailored and crafted by a divine blacksmith. He then twirled and juggled his weapon around like he knew the weapon from tip to handle.


    "As acting guardian of Elfien, and by our standards he is old enough to choose on his own. I would like to propose that he should choose whether or not he will stay here or come with us."


    "Nonsense!"


    Replied the innkeeper as with one slap of her arms he stole the sword from Neil.


    "Guardian? Sent by the goddess? Adventurers like you have no right to integrate their culture in to our culture!"


    Using the pilfered sword Neil was raising his hands as the blade was an inch from his neck. The three of us stood up but Neil looked at us and told us to stay.


    "May! Listen to me!"


    Serafina moved slow to the innkeeper.


    "Serafina, who ever they are, they are adventurers..!"


    The two then argued while the innkeeper still held the sword neck point at Neil.


    "Well that back fired real fast."


    Whispered Roland as I notice him grabbing my arm while his other hand grabs for his own weapon.


    I then heard Allan made a mocking cough twice. Which Neil gave a running cough, that made Roland made strong cough with a furious brow.


    "I have yet to gather the full purpose of your calling on this world. But believe me! If stories of old are to be believed then they are the new born heroes of this world! The one that can end all of us hiding these behind walls!"


    "But Elfien is not a hero! He is my child, my only reason to live on! Isn''t it not this my fruit for serving her always? Was all my work and prayer for naught?"


    Serafina''s gaze fell down as she held her left shoulder as May was trembling and the sword she led becoming weaker as a river fell down her eyes. Something about it made my chest hurt as I saw her cry.


    "Goddamn it Neil!"


    I was focused on the innkeeper that I didn''t realize Neil was furrowing his eyebrows and bit in his lips while Allan was covering his face while shaking his head and Roland bulging his eyes as he moved his mouth to spurn silent cussing at Neil.


    "May, please understand."


    "No, I will not to lose him again!"


    "May!"


    "Whoa! Whoa!"


    Me, Allan, Roland then walked up as the innkeeper sheathed out a hidden dagger and pointed at Serafina, and held Neil''s sword firm again.


    "Even if it means turning my back on everything!"


    Even when I stood besides my fellow comrades who were now calming down and trying to reason with the innkeeper. The shaking figure of this replica of a mother made my legs, hands, mind and teeth shook like a child betraying her beloved mother. Each drop of emotion that escaped her left eye prattled on my heart and each drop felt heavier on me.


    "M-mom!"


    I spoke out with a tremble.


    "Enough. Let''s go home."


    Eyes down, I slipped out of Roland''s grasp and made my way unto the innkeeper''s hands. Throwing both blade that she held I leaded her out... Leading her out like I know the place.


    The early morning rays dappled down on our cheeks as I lead her down the small hill and in to the street in silent.


    I just held her arm tight and went ahead without any thought what the innkeeper''s thinking right now. I went on and on and on until I hear the clamoring, the steps, and saw them. Hundreds of curious eyes of just awaken townsmen was concentrated at me. I stopped my tracks when I realized I don''t know where we''re going and unconsciously held the innkeeper''s hand tighter that I let go.


    "Ah, sorry. I didn''t mean..."


    Before I knew it she took my hands and lead the way. Running away, like we were being chased or rushing for something. It was tight... Almost a squeezing tight grip that crushed my arm and I felt like barely keeping up with her pace. My protest of her hands was hurting me fell on the dirt road as we reached the inn. It didn''t end there. Once we were there, she pulled me upstairs, back to the room where I woke up and then locked me inside. I tried knocking, and kicking for a reply but...


    "I''m sorry! I''m sorry! I''m sorry!"


    Was she repeated while crying.