The crackling sound of burning wood woke him up. Luther opened his eyes. Morning dawn greeted him. He winced at the pounding pain in his head. A hand instinctively held where the wound was. Instead of greeting the sky, he saw a wooden ceiling. A soft cocoon cradle his head instead of hard rocky ground. Nobody was around. He dug through some of his memories before passing out.

  The door swung open, knocking a nearby frame fell from the wall. Vincent, the young red-haired man, rushed inside, heaving a heavy breath. “Captain?!”

  Luther rang the bell on the table. Vincent’s head immediately turned to him. He raised his hand, telling him to calm down.

  Vincent fell on his knee. “Sir Luther, why did you leave without us? Next time, please bring at least six men. The sinner is not a foe you can face alone.”

  Luther scratched the back of his head. He never expected his absence would let to such trouble to his men. Before leaving on his chase, he left the matter of Havenbarrow to Vincent. He barely got back on his own. If not for the citizens, he could have died by his own recklessness. Luther mentally reminded himself to reflect such action after this.

  “I’m glad you’re back and safe.”

  Luther knocked his knuckles on the table. A flat hand on his chin and gestured forward. A gesture of gratitude for Vincent’s work while he’s away.

  “Please, there’s no need for such praise. I was only doing what you commanded me.”

  Luther was fortunate to gain a reliable partner on his side. Despite his inability to communicate properly, Vincent didn’t push him away like every previous partner assigned to him. The young man was the first one who came up with the idea of a unique signal for them to use.

  He knocked on the table three times. Vincent stood up straight. His face shifted from joy to hardened mask. He continued on, giving a brief report on the Havenbarrow and Resville. The moment they arrived in Resville, they cleared up the chaos the two sinners left behind and tended the scarred souls. The residents thought the abyss had its eyes on Resville. Vincent confirmed this was a coincidence. However, the citizens planned on leaving the town after the battle of two sinners.

  I guess they knew nothing about friendship. And yet…

  Wrath’s crimson eyes ached as she watched Sloth screaming and the red flame devouring him from inside. She held a gaze of sadness similar to a mortal.

  He once saw paintings of the Wrath depiction in the Lumina Cathedral. A demon held a pair of red blood eyes shrouded in black shadowy mist. An unearthly creature came from the abyss and took on a disguise of a woman. He shivered whenever he glanced at the painting. Until yesterday, he finally met eye to eye with the nightmare. The silvery moonlight strands swayed by the blazing crimson flame. The ashes blanketed her lone figure. Luther only saw a being trying to defend herself, even if it means using the people around her as hostages.

  He clenched his fist, stopping himself from thinking any deeper.

  She’s a sinner. Don’t fall over to her tricks.

  While Vincent continued on his report, Luther unwrapped the white bandage on his mouth. Lips stitched shut with a golden thread. After a year, the bruising blackened the flesh. A slight movement of his jaw tugged the golden thread tighter, forever sealing his voice. Luther took a handful of water from a basin, splashing his face with a freezing, cold water. The trick woke him up and eased a little of the headache.

  Vincent handed him a glass of water. Luther took the glass and sat down on a chair. He clasped his hands together and bow his head to the glass before him.

  May this sustenance reach where my lips cannot part,

  Please spare me one more day in the darkness,

  So I may do the work of Heaven.

  The water evaporated into the thin air, emptying the glass. He can only consume food and drink through his miracle prayer. Though it does not deliver the same taste as the source intended to have. Luther was grateful just to have his stomach filled and thirst quenched.

  “We sent a report on this incident to the Lumina. With five of the seven sinners have returned, soon war will ravage the land. Again, the people will lose more of these lands. We must return to Lovidel for the preparation.“

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  The door slammed open. A knight panted heavily as he held the doorknob to support himself.

  “Where are your manners?” Vincent shouted.

  “The sinner,” the knight’s hand shook on the doorknob. “She’s here to surrender herself.”

  “Why—”

  Before Vincent could ask, Luther swiftly wrapped his mouth. He grabbed his sword and bells, throwing the blue cloak behind his back. Together with the knight and Vincent, he dashed outside.

  # # #

  Crowds ran through the street, shouting out for help from the Heaven that remained silenced above their heads.

  “To the north gate!”

  Knights guided the residents out to an opposite gate, away from the danger. Luther discerned the crimson embers floating from the south gate of Resville. He hastened his pace to reach the battle. None of his men could defend themselves against the sinner. After his defeat previously, he himself was incapable of taking one down, let alone his own men.

  I should at least give them some time to escape.

  Upon arriving at the east gate, his men stood between the sinner and Resville as the last defense. Blades and arrows melted around the sinner. Some of his men retreated to the back, wailing at their crisped black limbs. Hartwin, one of the oldest members in his order, lead the knights on the front-line. A relief replaced the knight’s tense mask upon seeing the luminary.

  Luther passed through the knights, facing the same sinner once more.

  “I didn’t wish to harm your men, but they came jumping over me first.” Wrath raised her arms. The knights flinched, taking their stance, ready for an incoming attack. Luther held his sword tight. “I came here to offer my head. You may take me away to the Luminary of Valor.”

  Luther furrowed his brows. She can’t possible walked here to surrender.

  “This could be one of her trick,” Hartwin stated.

  True, she’s playing with us.

  Crimson eyes lowered tirelessly. “Please let me return to my slumber.”

  Luther approached her. He held his hand to his knights to keep themselves away. The sinner stayed where she was, making no movement, only shutting away her eyes from the blade he carried.

  I’ll bring the heaven’s will upon your sin.

  As he swung it down to her head, a bell rang a loud peal. The blade snapped before it touched the sinner. Luther stunned at his broken sword. The sword was an ancestral heritage passed through generations’ luminary of voice. The blade won’t rust, no matter how many years passed.

  Chimes of Heaven’s bells returned louder, resonating with his spirit and body. He wobbled on his knees. Vision trembled as he thought the world was shaking.

  “Captain!” Vincent tried calling his conscious back.

  Hartwin and the knights stood in front of their luminary, shielding the light from the touch of the abyss herself. “What have you done, wretched sinner!?”

  The sinner remained silent. Luther’s gifted blue eyes found her crimson eyes.

  Listen! Listen! Listen!

  The Heaven sounded the Final Bell.

  Sewn mouth shall finally sing,

  Blinded shall find their way back home,

  Deaf will know the truth,

  Amend the broken wing,

  Amend the broken fate,

  Heed the oath thee forged,

  A promise unfulfilled,

  And the promised hope shall be delivered.

  Luther held the sword tighter. Fury shock his body. As if noticing the anger raising inside him, the sinner spoke out. “It was not my doing breaking your sword. Only the Valor and Justice can claim my death. You cannot cut the abyss with a mere blade—”

  Luther shoved the broken sword into her neck. Yet, he could only feel a stone. The sinner remained unfazed. Vincent and Hartwin tried pulling him away, but he wouldn’t move no matter what. The bell kept on ringing. Heaven chanted out the same message.

  She held his hand. “Please ease your anger. It wouldn’t be a pleasant sight for your people.”

  Suddenly, Vincent grabbed his arm, holding him still as his eyes locked on the sinner’s movement. Hartwin squeezed himself between Luther and the sinner, a shield guarding the mankind’s light.

  “You’re blessed being surrounded by such good people.” Her long black eyelashes lowered. She held out both of her hands. “I won’t harm a single soul. I’ll follow you out to meet the luminary.”