[20:13] 25 April, in Shiva, with Lephin
Many weeks have passed since that day…
Some time has passed. Right now I have so many regrets from that night; I found out my family was dead only a few days ago, when Theora's army found me, deep inside the vines.
As I was expecting, it was a war, and the Shiva clan decided to make the results of the war public. Shiva has lost around 95.000 lives; 38% were innocent civilians. The rings number 6 and 7 were almost completely destroyed, similar fate for the 5.
The number of deaths could have been much greater, but thanks to the army, and our elite soldiers, we were able to save more than 130,000 lives.
This was what the mayor newspapers quoted within Shiva, the mayor's words. Also, the invaders were recognized, they came from Mephia and Accaron.
Since my house was destroyed I was transferred to a big old hotel. There I met one of my friends, who had the same thing happen to him. -Richard!- as soon as I saw him in the hallway, with his luggage, I ran towards him, hugging him.
"Lephin…I am happy you are alive, how are you?" I tried my best not to burst into tears and said: "I've had better times, but I need to talk to you, that's your room?" I pointed to the room next to mine.
"Yes, let me unpack and I'll come to your room" I nodded and went into my room. After a few minutes he came in, so we started talking about that night, how we survived, avoiding the sore points, even if it was difficult.
Richard was lucky that night, he found the right soldiers from Shiva's army, and they brought him inside the fourth ring, safe.
In fact, the enemy didn't touch any ring, it seemed that their plan was to damage the 3 external rings.
"Really? They find you inside a cocoon of plants? LOL, that's weird" We both tried to laugh over that incident.
"Richard…I've a feeling that the attack was something more big, Kronio didn't notice an entire army coming at us? Also, I was told the Theora's support army came late, right after the enemy left the city"
"I know, but we can't do much, we shouldn't worry about it, did you see the last report? Many Generals were killed, the military hierarchy is in chaos, the Mower is missing, and our rings are pretty much pulverized-
"What will you do now? I mean we both lost our house, we can't stay here forever"
"I think I'll join the Cult" I was shocked. "What?! Why? The cult is just a bunch of charlatans, the God they love to talk about so much, where was he when we needed him?"
"Lephin, I understand your doubts, but maybe it was part of his plan, we need to have faith, is the only thing we have left now" I really wanted to punch him, for being this stupid. The cult is blatantly trying to hoodwink the poor.
"You should think about joining too, after the war, many other people found their way into the cult. It can help you, I'll be leaving tomorrow, so take your time" Richard hugged me, and left me in my room.
The next day…
I approached him, the very morning he was leaving.
"So you decided to follow the Lord?" Richard asked me, while his carriage was being prepared.
"Yes, I thought about it deeply, and I believe I've chosen the right path, I just need to get my bags with me, and I'll be ready to go"
"Good, you get in then, we are going to Theora, the journey will be quite long" He left me alone, so I went inside the hotel to grab my things.
(BULLSHIT!) I've thought all day and night, but I am only getting more and more furious, that war was only a huge injustice.
My family always believed in this Phoenix cult, and now I am joining it. Because that night, everything went off without a hitch, I needed to investigate. It will be hard to keep my composure and to fake being a real believer.
I'll find who was making those earthquakes, and I will find those responsible for the attack.
"So…? Are you ready or not? We are leaving" Richard said.
"Yea, let's go" I reached for his hand and I got inside the carriage.