Gracefall Chapter 11: Soul Names

Read chapter 11 of Gracefall by arsy on NovelPedia.

They grew more wary by the second, one tremor after another. Lucia asked a question, “What is going on outside?” Mercy looked down at the ground as a somber expression made its way onto her face. A moment later, Ishkiel answered her, “Well, she barged into our room yelling that ‘the winged one’ is here.” He chuckled slightly. “It woke me up, but you? Not so much.” A curious expression made its way onto Lucia’s face. “Wait, you mean the one you said destroyed Luminara and the orphanage?” Mercy turned her head to look at her. “Yes, and if it can demolish an entire city like it did with Luminara on its own, then we stand no chance as we are now.” She then looked back forward. Something came to Lucia’s mind. ‘Wait, winged one... wings... my dream!’ She coughed a few times. “Before you guys woke me up, I had a dream. In it, there was a white humanoid figure with… wings.” Suddenly, Mercy stopped in her tracks and turned around. There was a grave expression on her face. The two halted, following her movements. “What happened in the dream?” she said, peering into Lucia’s eyes. Giving her a questioning look, she replied, “It simply chanted ‘Holy’ three times.” Mercy’s grave expression shifted to a relieved one. “All right, that’s not the winged one we’re talking about,” she said as she turned back around before walking forward once more. A puzzled expression on Lucia’s face, she glanced at Ishkiel briefly. Left with more questions, rather than answers, the two of them took a step forward and began following Mercy once more. What was that peculiar dream all about? She could only wonder. As they strode through the corridor, Ishkiel asked, “What do soul names mean? Do you know, Mercy?” Lucia then turned her head slightly before shifting her gaze to Mercy. “Yeah, I have the same question.” Mercy looked up before replying to them, “Your soul is your true self. Therefore, your soul name reflects what you truly are, what you will become.” Raising her arms in a small shrug, she continued, “No one really knows for sure. However, this is what is speculated.” Lucia and Ishkiel both nodded, seemingly satisfied with her answer. As they looked forward, they finally saw something ahead. The corridor came to an end at a metal-reinforced wooden door with a keyhole. A slight smile made its way onto Mercy’s face. “We’re here!” Standing in front of the door, she pulled a large metal keyring from her pocket, several keys hanging from it. Grabbing one of them, she quickly unlocked the door and pushed it open. She glanced at the two following her as she raised her arm, signaling for them to go in. “Let’s go.” Lucia and Ishkiel hesitated for a moment, until eventually walking forward. Peeking through the door, she saw a forest. Full of trees and all sorts of greenery. There was a dirt path leading into the forest. Suddenly, it was illuminated by a bright light in the sky, accompanied by roaring thunder. Lucia gazed up at the heavens, her eyes widening. A colossal sword of pale flame pierced the crimson veil of clouds above. ‘Pale flames…’ It crashed into the ground on the other side of the castle, where Lucia and Ishkiel had first awakened in that same field. ‘That’s what has been causing those tremors?’ she thought, staring at the sword as its flames danced in the distance. “Come on, we must find shelter. We’ll return at first light.” Mercy said, waving her hand toward the forest. Lucia and Ishkiel turned to her. She then nodded to Mercy. “All right, lead the way.” The silver-haired woman turned around and began walking forward onto the path. The other two followed her steps They were now heading into the forest. The trees were as tall as an average house, if not slightly taller. Their bark a pale color as the leaves rustled in the gentle winds of the night. It didn’t take long before they were surrounded by countless trees, and the thunderous echoes of the gargantuan flaming sword in the sky faded into the distance. As they walked on the path, they could he