Ananiel

A black-haired young man sat in a rather bumpy and crowded wagon while holding an envelope. Black robes draped down below his knees as a leather book strap tied onto his hip. Slicing the re-sealed small wax stamp, Cecil pulls out the folded letter.

Dear Theo,

There has been an outbreak of madness in Idosa. The church of Ithax has requested all nearby personnel to investigate and cure this oddity. Whatever is out there is bothering Ithax’s rest. Our diviners have fallen ill-ridden, mentioning the city going up in flames. There have been reports of casualties seeing a sulfurous light in the back of their eyes. Some victims have even combusted into a sickly yellow flame. However, the cause of this is unknown. We humbly request you to find the source of this cause. As of this moment, we assume that Sol, the god of knowledge and enlightenment, is related to this problem. Once again, please send any operating priests or equivalent personnel to Idosa.

Make haste,

-Edna, High Priestess of Ithax.

Cecil folds the letter back into the envelope and tucks it away in his robes. A biting chill crept past the Wagon entrance, but Cecil didn’t care. Burn marks and calluses covered his palm and fingers. With each exhale, a cloud of steam puffs from his lips. Traces of ash trickle down as the murky smoke thins away. As he gazes out at the winter scenery, Cecil’s mind drifts back to a memory

“With this, you are now an official priest of Ithax”

A smirk plastered on Theo’s narrow face, unfitting to his strict appearance. Towering above Cecil, Theo crouches down, meeting eye to eye.

“You’ve done well, Cecil.”

Theo places an envelope in front of him and turns away to leave.

“This is a task for you. I would attend it, but I have to tend to the people of this city.”

Like an eerie slender shadow, he merges into the darkness. Only the sound of footsteps going up the creaky stairs signified his leave. Cecil sat in this dark room, scars and burn marks covered his entire body.

Sigh*. Cecil shakes his head as the wagon approaches Idosa’s walls. Glancing around, Some people cowered around thin blankets, while others wore thick jackets, staring holes into the ground. The winter air was as cold as the silent atmosphere of the wagon. The wagon comes to a stop and a roughened voice barks past the wagon veil.

“We’ve arrived. Get out!”

Cecil stands up and exits the wagon first. The city of Idosa stood around him. Brilliant street lamps hung on a chain, dancing along with the wind. The gray, cobblestone road glimmered beneath the faint sunlight. A small wall of snow sat in the middle of this walkway, separating the path into two. Glancing around, Cecil pulls out a slit of paper from his prayer book.

“Let’s see… Follow the main road and take the nearest left. The Church is outside of the city. Danm, there’s a ceremony when we all arrive.”

Rubbing his sleepy legs, he starts trekking to the church.

A rather simple church stood outside Idosa’s walls. Gravestones lay around, each one marked with names of people who were probably remembered. The dreary gray clouds sapped away the orange-red banners hanging on the church. Stepping up the three-step staircase, Cecil pushes the church door carefully. Inside the church, a warm brown clung on the pews as pale light drapes down from the thin window curtains. A small gathering of priests stood around the podium discussing quietly amongst themselves. Dragging his fingers on the pews, Cecil takes a seat. Soon, the other priests start finding seats. Hush whispers filled the church as everyone patiently waited. After a long minute, a frail and arched old man in white robes walks out the side door of the podium.

“Good evening, fellow priests of Ithax.”

The old priest’s voice was rough and scratchy, reminiscent of a war general’s bark.

“I welcome you today as the head of this church. Please save our people from this madness.”

Sadness glints off his quivering eyes as he looks amongst the crowd. A few yawns were seen throughout the church.

“Alright. I’m sure you all are quite tired from the travels. So I will make this brief.”

He clears his throat and leans on the podium.

“As said in the letter, we humbly request you all to find the source that is tormenting the people of this fine city. Now make way, you have a lot of work to do.”

The old priest presses a hand on his arched back and walks back into the side door, leaving everyone in silence.

***

Lily and I wandered around the city, following scents of delicacies in the air. Taking our time, we decided to go into a larger restaurant and ordered food. The food was pleasant and filling, but not worth the price.

“But aren’t most things like that in cities like these?”

Lily sarcastically smirks as we wait for a “specialty sandwich” to come out. Nodding in agreement, we both sat there twiddling our thumbs awkwardly. Soon, a waiter comes out with a baguette-length sandwich.

“Here’s your order.”

The waiter gives us the sandwich and leaves. Getting up from the table, we both head back to Isabella’s place together.

…

The passing streets were eerily quiet as the sun cowered behind a thick layer of clouds. Murky gray dulled the pale amber light of the clanging streetlamps. Passing by, we traverse through the winding paths and arrive at Isabella’s restaurant. Odd shadows stirred around the illuminated windows, glowing sulfurous yellow like moths drawn to a flame. Sometimes humanoid, these shadows flowed in and out the entrance as wondrous scents of foreign cuisines plumed within the restaurant. Peering in, Monty sat away in a corner as these shades filled the tables. Isabella’s voice could be heard from the kitchen, reciting ingredient after ingredient above the crackling of the stove’s fire. Heading over to Monty, we tried to make ourselves comfortable.

“Hey, are you doing alright?”

I ask as Monty nervously looks up from the table.

“Y-ya… uh. Oh, hello there!”

Monty’s cramped posture straightens as his quivering eyes relax. Suddenly, pounding and slamming were heard around us. The restaurant started to violently shake as these shadows started to stir.

“You all wait now! The food’s almost ready!”

Isabella shrieks atop this odd gathering, causing it to stop. Silence hung above, causing the shadows to cower. A soft hum echoes past the kitchen walls. Overwhelmingly savory and sickly sweet scents merged together as an amalgamation of a dish exited the kitchen.An odd air of youthfulness swirled around Isabella. She skipped and hopped as she plated each and every table. Back and forth, from the kitchen in a swift, and almost dangerous manner. Arriving at our table, she places the odd dishes with a joyous look on her face.

“Please try. This is a very special dish. One of absolute pleasure to serve.”

Humming an unusual song, she skips back to the kitchen. The shadows stir with vigor, like a dance of excitement. Each one leans forward, towering above the strange cuisine. Wiggling tendrils drape down onto the dish as it starts disintegrating into ash. I cautiously pick up a fork and poke at the dish. Conflicting aromas leak into the air, salty, sweet, savory, sour all swirling together. Nibbling a piece, memories of a young Isabella flash past my eyes. Kneaded dough rested on my hands as a melodic hum flows from my lips. The scent of yeast bubbles into my nostrils. With a blink of my eyes, the memory fades away, leaving only the taste of ash in my mouth. Looking at the dish, a pile of soot sat on the plate, inedible and ruined.

“Hey um, is this ok to eat?”

However, to my dismay, I could not hear my voice. Not a single sound could be heard, except for that daunting fire crackling in the kitchen.

“Hahaha… I’m glad you all enjoy my creation. Please, stay for dessert!”

Isabella’s cheery voice pierces the veil of silence. The shadows whisper in disgruntled noises.

“They have never done that before…”

I think as another complex and outlandish looking dessert arrives on my table.

“Indeed. It’s because I serve them well.”

Isabella’s voice shrieks right beside my ear, causing it to ring. Facing her with an irritated look, I see a sickly pale and slender figure..

“Please, give this one a try and then my final gift to you all will come soon.”

An innocent smile pastures this figure’s face. Only its voice resembled Isabella, but it’s hard to say. Looking at the dish, an intense desire to consume washes over me. Unable to hold back, I reach for the fork and start gouging the food. With each piece, a memory rushes past my eyes. Her mundane, and tedious life plays out in my mind. Many days of cooking, washing and serving, mainly. Some days, blood covered my hands as I butchered meat. Other days, I spent tossing vegetables into a pot.

“Is it ok to keep going like this?”

Isabella’s voice whispers in my head as my hands start to wrinkle and ache. The weight of the meat cleaver strained my forearms, but I continued.

“Was it out of desperation? At least it made others happy.”

The dream kept going, until the weight of time pressed down on my spine. The same scents, same structured recipes, over and over.

“There’s no need to live an exciting life. I’m satisfied with making others smile. How about you? What guides you to keep going?”

Tears fill Isabella’s eyes as she gives me a pitiful look.

“Well, enough with life lessons. Please stay for my final gift!”

Wiping her tears away, they sizzle away as it hits the ground. A sickly yellow stains the floor, smoke pluming from the walls. The shadows joyously praise as flames envelop them.

“The light of Sol has welcomed me!”

They chant over and over, swaying in unison. Blinking, I remember where I was.

“Come on, why did you both try the food!”

Lily shouts at me and Monty as the crackling of fire crawls up the walls. Smoke envelopes the ceiling, raining ash from above. Pulling Monty out of the restaurant, we all exited the building as a silhouette stood in the fire.

“Don’t leave… join us, and together the light of Sol can grant us salvation.”

Ash and soot flakes off this haunting silhouette, as if the shadows devoured her skin.

“No… don’t go! This can’t be right… ”

Monty shouts towards the roaring fire as tears drip down his face. A smile curls on the silhouettes face,

“I’m sorry Monty”

It whispers quietly, but the words got consumed by the flame.