Gracefall Chapter 4: The Orphanage

Read chapter 4 of Gracefall by arsy on NovelPedia.

Walking up to the marble building, Ishkiel inserted a silver key into the sturdy wooden door before pushing it open. Its creaks echoed across the entrance hall as they stepped inside. Lucia gently closed the door behind her. Walking forward, it appeared to be empty. It was still night, after all. When they reached the front desk opposite the door, they leaned onto it with their backs. Ishkiel turned to look at her, a hint of excitement on his face. “All right. Go on, let’s see what this relic of yours is!” She nodded as she shifted her mind to her oracle before summoning it. When her gaze fell onto the relic she had obtained from the Overborn, it expanded. Relic: [Crimson Hunger] Relic Rank: Blessed Description: [A crimson piece of meat that attracts the Pale Ones.] “Must be… a monster lure of some sort? It’s a piece of meat that The Pales will be attracted to.” Ishkiel nodded as he held his chin. “This could be useful, we could lure them into a corner and catch them off guard!” Lucia’s eyes gleamed as an amazing idea began rising in her mind. “Do you still remember where that rat’s nest is? The one you and the others failed to exterminate?” He thought for a moment, a curious expression on his face. “Yes, why? What are you planning?” She turned to him, a grin on her face. “What if we ask Rose for a vial of poisoned water and pour it over the meat to poison the rats, since she has the ability to contaminate any liquid she touches with a unique and deadly poison?” He opened his mouth for a moment before closing it, a contemplative expression on his face. “Wouldn’t she get curious as to why we’d need it? And it would be dangerous, those rats were Forsaken ranks!” She nodded. “We could tell her the plan and bring her with us! If the poison doesn’t work on them, we’ll still be able to run.” Ishkiel lingered for a moment before giving her a nod. “Very well, we can ask her in the morning. For now, let’s get some rest.” She smiled warmly. “All right. Let’s go!” Nodding her head toward the hallway leading to the bedrooms, she turned and walked forward. Following her into the corridor, he took one last glance at the front door before turning his head. As the sound of their steps echoed throughout the hall, they soon made it to their rooms. They stood in front of two doors opposite each other, locked rooms stretching in both directions. Lucia slightly opened the left one before turning around, while Ishkiel leaned against the other. “Good night.” They said simultaneously as the corners of their lips briefly curled upward. She waved to Ishkiel for a moment before stepping into her room, gently closing the white wooden door with a click. After a short delay, she heard Ishkiel's door shut on the other side. Then, locking her door, she began undressing. Several moments later, she was lying in bed, its blanket embracing her. She was dressed in a white nightgown, its color complementing her hair. Gazing at the ceiling, her mind was empty. And so, she closed her eyes. *** It was morning, the daylight shone through the window, illuminating the room with a soft light. It was calm. Suddenly, there was knocking on her door. “Lucia! It’s morning!” As she opened her eyes, she immediately recognized the voice. It was Ishkiel. She sluggishly turned to look at the door. “Coming!” He then knocked twice in acknowledgment. Pushing herself up with one arm, she sat up before turning to her wardrobe. Blinking a few times, she stepped out of bed with a sigh. She walked over to it and opened its doors. It was filled with clothes of all sorts, most of them were black with a few white ones here and there. Glancing over her clothes from left to right, she was left with the decision of what to wear today. A few moments later, she came out of her room, gently opening and closing the door behind her. Ishkiel stood there, his back against the wall next to his door. His attire was the same as usual, except that his tunic was black today. Turning his head, he briefly gl