The Gambit of the Faceless God — Epic Fantasy

Aurora took control and led us through the narrow streets and highways that eventually led to the Eastern side of Ventoria. It was known for its abundance of verdant landscapes, and a thick, and healthy growth in nature which became fairly perceptible as soon as we rode on a sole highway that was surrounded by mountains and forests. The sun bathed us in a serene atmosphere, illuminating the car’s interior that contrasted magnificently with partial shadows. Aurora then took the word, glancing outside the window, her hair flapping in the wind.

“Places like this really make the head city seem like an entirely different country.”

“I agree. The main city has gotten even more active than a few days ago,” I responded.

“In all honesty, Emon,” Aurora smiled. “Put a group of four people together and have them hold a placid conversation and you’d be frowning your eyebrows off.”

I recoiled my head as I discontentedly looked at her with frowned eyebrows.

“It’s not that bad, Aurora…”

“Even if it was, I would understand,” Helvega chimed in from the back, right behind my seat. “The people here are simply full of life. Maybe that is what makes us love it so much.”

Both Aurora and I glanced at each other before she answered.

“That is well said, dear. A beautiful city is nothing without its people. Makes me think about just how far gone the abandoned cities are.”

I concurred with closed lips, my pupils fixated outside on the beautiful view. “There is one abandoned city quite far away from here. The Northern Ravenwhelm. I’m sure you’ve heard about it, right, Helvega?”

“Ah, I know,” she confirmed. “According to the Golden Book, it is said to be the place the prophesied Perished One would be born in. The previous name of the land was Povaglia during the time it was still under the rule of the Shadowsong Brotherhood, better known as the temple of Umbra.

Many tragedies, especially those occurring during the Age of Heretics caused Povaglia to be forgotten about and abandoned. It was given the name ‘Ravenwhelm’ by the Golden church’s leader because it resembles the Perished One’s spiritual animal; a white raven.”

“Indeed,” Aurora added. “Povaglia was formerly known to be an actual existing city. Not to say it was ever welcoming in the first place, though. It was always a land that would make many reconsider after deciding to visit it. It never really had a strong, or, better said, ‘rousing’ reputation. Many speculated that it may be because it was under Umbra’s rule, and we all know how they are…”

“Well, let us hope Ventoria won’t end up like that,” I said calmly, to which Aurora responded,

“It most likely won’t. The church of Urdall is known to be one of the most welcoming Temples. It is such a great aspect of ours that it even outshines the predominant characteristic we are very well known for: worshipping the God of Creation.”

The car she drove went past the verdant landscape except for the gigantic faraway mountains. On the far right, the Eastern main city gradually grew more defined. The aesthetics of the buildings were quite similar to the Western ones. Large Gothic-esque structures of mostly stone grey with brown colour, with smokes of steams and airships floating noticeably in the sky. The contrast between the more ‘lush’ world and the ‘industrial’ world dissipated, and our sense of familiarity returned.

This part of Ventoria was special. One particular aspect that put justice to that fact was a large statue depicting a woman wearing round glasses, short curly hair, a slender figure draped in a loose librarian robe, carrying a book in her left hand, while her right arm reached out to the sky with her palm opened, as if sprouting her knowledge to her people. That was Lady Cowright.

The people throughout all of Ventoria were taught to address this Lady with the utmost respect, to only call her by her last name, no matter what the context or circumstance may be. She was the founder of Ventoria Library, which was previously known as Cowright Library, but renamed to ‘Ventoria’ after its wide influence throughout the entire city. She is the reason why we, the people of Deneve, became so knowledgeable about airships in general.

Helvega stared at the statue which slowly passed her sight as the car proceeded into the city.

“It would be challenging for anyone who does not live within this city to think about anything else than airships whenever they hear the name Ventoria.”

“And yet, our temples exceed it,” Aurora said, raising her pointy finger in the air. “Strange given we are Livayae’s greatest manufacturer of ships. And that is also considering the fact that the Zephyr Assembly chose to become our primary Division in creating battleships.”

“Quite astonishing…” Helvega murmured. “Our alliance with them spans over one hundred years. One hundred and twenty-six to be exact. I read about the origins of our alliance in one of the library’s history books.”

“Do you still remember it?” I queried.

“I would say so, yes. In essence, one hundred and twenty-six years ago, during the fifth and darkest Era Livayae had ever witnessed titled the ‘Age of Nocturn’, sir Fredemont the Sixth, Head of the Zephyr Assembly, signed the first-ever peace treaty with Maxwell Alexander, the head of Luria at that time. The treaty included a vow allowing both Assemblies to make use of the Affinity Stones, which, until this day, remains as one of the most accomplished materials that has ever been used for industrial endeavours, such as empowering ships and other forms of vehicles.”

“Exactly,” Aurora nodded proudly. “What is even more interesting is that Maxwell, the one reported to have been the first person to make use of this material, claimed to have only ‘discovered’ it, rather than creating it on his own. Are you aware of his quote that is etched on the wall, dear? The one visible on the entrance of the Cellar?”

“I am,” she confirmed. “I always make sure to acknowledge the fact that the Cyclone Cellar was primarily created under the influence of the Affinity Stones. The quote goes as follows: ‘I did not search for the Stone. It searched for me. Because it knew I became the one destined to bring back peace between Zephyr and Luria’”

Helvega then continued after a sigh.

“Ever since the treaty, Zephyr, Deneve’s primary military force, produced battleships under Luria’s influence, with most of them being housed within the Cyclone Cellar.”

“Good job,” Aurora responded. “The same quote is also etched on the front walls of the Zephyr Headquarters. It is, alongside the peace treaty, the greatest indicator of our bond. Very impressive, dear!”

“Thank you.”

I then let a closed smile tug at the corners of my lips, sounding to Helvega,

“You were able to summarize the entire history of our alliance. That is no simple task. This specific part of history is quite vast and filled with anecdotes given the arduous time Livayae went under during the Age of Nocturn.”

My smile then wavered before lowering my head.

“To think that it would not be until two hundred years before the Prophecy regarding our salvation was given is difficult to think about.”

Aurora then responded, her gaze remained forward.

“Really makes you wonder how they lived their lives. The world may still be shrouded under His absence, but we now know that our redemption is on its way. The people back then lived during a time when one of the six Holy Angels eradicated twenty-five percent of Humanity, as a result of our culminating sins…”

“That was the strongest aspect that compelled Urdall’s creed to indoctrinate Maxwell and ascend him into sainthood,” I responded. “The Saint of Peace; the person we may turn to in times of strife.”

“Glory to Saint Maxwell,” Aurora chanted. “He has most definitely helped me in times of need.”

“I see," I responded. Turning towards her. "Have you experienced a tumultuous period recently?”

Aurora’s smile vanished upon hearing my words. Both she and Helvega remained silent in response, with Helvega averting her gaze to the right, before I, finally understanding the situation, murmured,

“…My excuses.”

“Oh, no,” Aurora said. “You’re fine. We had indeed a difficult period behind our backs. But we’re doing all fine now. Right, dear?”

“Mhm.”

“Well… good to know,” I said, breathing sharply through my narrowly opened mouth afterward.

“We should be nearing the library soon,” Aurora began, shifting the course of the conversation. “Do you have your card with you, Helvega?”

“Yes, I do. I’ll make sure to buy something to eat here.”

“You didn’t eat yet?”

“Ehm, no…”

Aurora sighed, closing her eyes. “You know how many times we talked about this.”

“Is she having trouble eating?” I asked, looking at Aurora.

“She does, yes. She has lost even more weight compared to last month.”

“Hm…” I sounded, returning to my normal posture before calling to Helvega with a gentle tone.

“Yes?” she asked, slowly raising her head to meet the back of my seat.

“Why don’t you eat well?”

“I just… do not have a large appetite, that is all.”

“…No need to worry much, Aurora,” I turned back to her. “Just be more cognizant of the times when she is supposed to eat.”

“Well, that’s going to be tough since we’re dropping her off.”

“No, don’t worry,” Helvega chimed in. “I will eat something. I promise.”

“Maybe a schedule could help,” I added. “Putting the exact times when she has to eat.”

“We’ve already tried that. Never worked.”

“Hm… Well, at any rate, Helvega, try and eat enough today, alright?”

“Yes, I will try…”

“Good.”

We shortly arrived at the forefront of the library, which had a magnificent, and ancient-like structure. It seemed like a gigantic polished-brown-hued cathedral similar to an esteemed Victorian Gothic architecture, with a large clock etched in the middle of its walls. It had large gates made of strong wood, and, atop it, a smaller statue of Cowright with the same posture as the one in the heart of the city was situated. Helvega got her way out of the car and handed goodbyes to us both before strolling inside. With her presence gone, Aurora took a deep sigh as she rested her head on the head support like a balloon filled with air suddenly poked open.

“Are you okay?” I asked, turned towards her.

“She has been acting a little distant from me lately, Emon.”

“How come?”

“Just… family issues, I guess. She is still seeking more information about her father, even when I repeatedly tell her not to. She thinks I am preventing her from knowing him with malicious intent, but all I am doing is keeping her safe…”

“It’s okay,” I said, gently patting her right shoulder. “She will understand sooner or later.”

She then turned her head towards me, her beautiful light brown eyes illuminating with hope. Her tone took a serene turn, as she said,

“Thank you…”

“Prepared to head off now?” I asked.

She remained silent, turning her head to me once more before answering.

“…Mhm. Let us go.”

-Helvega-

Handing my goodbyes felt easier than usual. Perhaps given Emon was alongside her, and it wasn’t just the two of us.

A sort of tension would always arise, or, better said… emotional diminution, whenever we had to part ways, in any sort of circumstances, no matter the situation we were in. Solitarily travelling to school had become my norm for the past year at this point, but I could still clearly remember the times when it was my mother responsible for bringing me there.

It had always been quite emotional; she would always have this bittersweet smile on her face, her eyebrows slightly frowned, looking at me with her head tilted, as if she was on the verge of breaking down. I never understood it, nor did I think much about it. That was until I got a little older, and sounded my thoughts to her.

“Why do you always cry whenever I leave you, or you leave me?”

Of course, she never cried. Except for a few moments when something like crying would seem typical, like when I went on my way to an important day in school, such as the ‘Passing Day’, which, in essence, was a day those who have been accepted into proceeding classes came to the building to acquire their diplomas. Nevertheless, I always received the same kind of answer every time I asked her about it.

“I don’t want to lose you, dear.”

I found it strange. How do I explain it…

…I always had difficulties displaying my emotions. Not only in a matter of laughing profoundly after hearing a funny joke, or getting angered with someone who clearly did something wrong to me. It went as far as me having a lack of emotional knowledge. I never ‘really’ had experiences with people on a regular basis. I only saw the people I seldomly conversed with inside the school building, and that was it.

The only person I truly ‘knew’ and cared for, was a middle-aged lady named Miriam Cowright, one of the latest descendants of the Cowright family. That name alone holds great power in the educational world of Ventoria. The Cowright family has the biggest shares and authority in the Monlay Assembly, the Assembly responsible for providing Education to the people of Deneve, in essence.

However, it is not limited to that alone; their influence spreads as far as even the libraries, which only makes even more sense given Miriam is the current caretaker of Ventoria’s most important Library.

Perhaps, it was the library that made me even more socially inept. I wouldn’t want to blame Miriam for it, even though her heartwarming demeanour was one of my greatest alluring scents that always managed to beguile me and make me wander inside the library. Knowledge regarding this city especially was the most palpable one, I must argue. I sometimes ponder that there was a large price I had to pay to receive such great knowledge at the age of fourteen only, that price being the sacrifice of my social life…

…But…

…I do not mind.

This place has always been my home.

Even though I am only familiar with Miriam, it always feels as if coming home to a large, welcoming family.

It does not even compare to mother.

Her embrace never felt as warm as Miriam’s…

…

Nevertheless, I stood right in the middle of the library’s front courtyard, gazing at its founder’s statue right on its peak roof. I took a deep breath through my nose thinking about mother until my state of reverie had been shattered by the reverberating sounds of the polished wooden doors opening.

I sedately lowered my head to meet three silhouettes of men dressed in all-black suits walking towards me outside the library. I held my composure, my hands perched in my grey-coloured jeans pockets until they passed me, and that is when an inexplicable feeling of worriedness and apprehensiveness washed over my body, my eyes slightly widening.

Without a second thought, I made my way into the library, and the person I sought stood right at the entrance hall, behind a beautifully-polished wooden counter that carried a metallic lamp alongside some paper. With a set of two wooden stools placed in front of it. She had a friendly energy radiating around her; with long grey tresses falling over her slender frame. Her eyes were narrow and emitted some sort of impeccable knowledge that would make anyone think she learned every detail about themselves just from making eye contact. They were light green, which contrasted sharply with her olive-hued skin. She was dressed in a brown cotton-made shirt, with tight dark brown jeans that complimented her tall figure.

I quickly looked backwards to see the trio exit the courtyard before stepping before her, stumbling over my words.

“Ah, eh, hello, Miriam?”

“Helvega!” she exclaimed joyfully. Her voice sounded beautiful. It had a very melodic but monotone shade. She sounded the same no matter how she felt but in a pristine way. It sounded mature, attracting attention from anyone lucky enough to hear it.

“You crossed my mind today,” she continued. “Glad to see you.”

“Is the weather finding you well today?” I asked, taking a seat on one of the stools. “It is looking quite scenic I must say.”

“Oh, it is looking magnificent! I was planning on taking my dog to the outskirts to spectate the seas.”

“That is much a Ventorian thing to do,” I jested, folding my arms on the counter. “We are surrounded by the waters, after all. I think your dog would appreciate a breather, too.”

She then folded her arms on the counter also, slightly leaning forward as she responded,

“He has been very invigorated ever since I was considering it. As if he already knew, haha!”

“Bolty has always been the cautious type,” I said, my monotonous voice gradually lightening up. “He does not even have the characteristics of a traditional dog. He’s more like a mix between a dog and a cat.”

“I know!” she nodded. “He is not that loud, as well. A very sedated dog who becomes an energetic cat when things flow in his favour!”

I chuckled with closed lips, letting silence seep into the conversation for several seconds before she took the word once more.

“So what are you here for? Did you finish your classes?”

“No, no,” I shrugged my head. “I’m running my internship for a week right now. Remember?”

“Ah, right… Is it your last day there?”

“No. This is my first day at the Cellar. I am finishing off next Thursday, right before the festival begins.”

“Right, right,” she said absentmindedly. “Don’t mind me much. I haven’t slept well last night.”

“How come?” I asked. She then sunk her cheek into her right palm, weaving her fingers through her long tresses.

“So strange. You’re the first and only person I would consider telling something like this. It should speak volumes to the amount of trust I have in you, Helvega.”

“That goes without saying, Miriam,” I responded. My tone taking a slight dramatic turn. “You have been with me ever since I first stepped foot in here at eleven years old. That resolve you instilled within me hasn’t wavered, not even in the slightest.”

She chuckled softly.

“Remember the deal we made two years ago?”

“Of course,” I said confidently. “I will be the one taking in your spot as the library’s caretaker once you resign.”

My eyes then aimlessly stared at the counter as soon as I lowered my head, continuing my anecdote.

“One of the biggest reasons why I feel we bonded together is because of our shared ambition for Ventoria’s history, and how much we want to share our knowledge about it with the population.”

I then raised my head to meet her eyes.

“Once I manage to take your role, you can rest assured that I will bring the library to even greater heights.”

She chuckled once more as she hung her head over before raising it to meet my eyes. “I always think about you whenever I read your favourite books; especially the book named ‘Affinity’, the one that details the life of Saint Maxwell Alexander, and his history about how he discovered the Affinity Stones, assembling a peace treaty with Zephyr, and, on top of which, his journey towards reaching actual sainthood.”

After she said this, she took a deep sigh through her mouth and pinched the bridge of her nose.

“I found myself praying to him last night because of the nightmare I experienced…”

“Is that why you appear a little… sluggish today?”

“I must be. But, not without reason,” after she finished her sentence, she released herself from the counter, and walked towards an open end at the left side; a long path leading deep into the heart of the library.

The first stop was just a few steps ahead; a stone-made gateway that allowed us to enter the second part of the library. Due to the sun penetrating the windows from afar, the entire space was bathed in a beautiful illumination. The wooden tables, chairs, bookshelves, and even platforms one could stand on accentuated the mystical and comfortable atmosphere.

“Come, there’s something I need to show you.”

We walked past the second quarter and took a spiralling staircase upstairs situated at the far right corner of the space. It took us a little while before reaching an abandoned room I had never seen before.

As soon as Miriam swung the door open, I took a gasp of air as my eyes were savoured in the absolutely marvellous-looking room as the scent of the interior, one much reminiscent of old book pages, brushed against our faces. It was a large space. So large that it was connected to an even bigger hallway of bookshelves that were completely buried under shadows due to the lack of sunlight. However, the main space was something truly magnificent.

Once more, it was spacious. It consisted of large shelves filled with books, with only a dozen well-polished wooden tables with chairs scattered all around. Some tables were filled with stacked, dusty books. On the left side, a desk that also comprised a number of books were situated, with a small Ventorian flag of white colour hanging behind it.

At the middle end of the room, a large wooden platform stood, with two small staircases etched on the far sides for individuals to walk on. It was flanked by three graciously-looking arched windows, with golden-hued, intricate wrought designs along their borders. The right side, as well as the left side of the room, was bathed in bright shadows, while the left side, where the desk stood, was saturated in the sunlight.

Miriam took her first steps inside, grabbing a book that lay on the desk on the left. It had a supernatural pallor as if it contained invisible magical wind chimes made of dust, sprinkling mystical sounds upon even the slightest motion. I walked towards her, and upon inspecting the dark brown book further, I realized it was an apocryphal book.

“This one was known to be the forty-ninth book of the Golden Book,” Miriam began, gently gliding her palms over the book’s weathered facade. “One of the late prophets, the same man who came up with the idea of creeds for all temples, Algaras Creed, experienced a shared dream with Jahaziel, the Founder of His temple.”

I narrowed my eyes, tilting my head slightly to the left.

“Are you referring to the Perished One’s prophecy? Was it not only Jahaziel who experienced it?”

“Well, it’s a little complicated. The shared dream between the two holy figures was not actually the reason the creed of All, the Golden Church’s Creed, scrapped the narrative away from the book. It was because of the inaccuracy within the ancient context in which the story took place.

The context, in this occasion, was the founding of the Golden Church, and how it managed to struggle its way to the very top of the entire world. This book, called ‘The Shared Dream’, details the moment when one of His angels approached the two of them, and assured them that the Perished One would be born in just two years. With this knowledge, Creed aided Jahaziel in creating the Temple and gathering the hearts of the righteous. The rest was supposed to be history.”

“That would be incorrect,” I responded, folding my arms as I sat on the edge of the desk, with Miriam standing to my left.

“Not only because of a few important reasons, but mostly because of its blasphemous nature. The nineteen temples already consisted of their own Gods and angels. This singular fact explains the eternal existence of His temple because it always existed. It only needed a Human vessel to govern it. It is akin to the endless amounts of planets that float in space; they exist to portray His absoluteness and power throughout all of existence.”

“Precisely,” she nodded. “I also fail to fully stand behind anecdote for this very reason. The temple always existed as long as He existed. It materialized in this world during the Nocturnal Age, and Jahaziel was the one chosen to rule it and spread the word to his people. It never ‘climbed’ to the top, it has always been the top. The Gods and angels of the nineteen temples are just like the planets in the galaxy. Regardless of their tremendous powers, they all serve to portray His greatness for us mortals to see. Much like dozens of planets orbiting the centre sun.”

She then fully turned towards me, her figure partially shadowed by the sun rays behind her, firmly clutching the book in her hands.

“The thing is, Helvega, the reason I chose to show you this book is because it reminded me of last night.”

“Did you experience a similar dream?”

“I… would say so, yes,” she nodded with her eyes closed. “I do not know what exactly Creed and Jahaziel dreamed about according to The Shared Dream, but I too was visited by an Angel, Helvega…”

“What?!” I jolted, jumping back on my feet. My mouth was left ajar as I stared at her with widened eyes. “Miriam, that is huge! Why are you so… sedated right now? Do you understand just how important and rare something like this is? This is something that could be written in the holy books!”

“Helvega,” she began, her voice evidently a polar opposite to my surprised spirit…

…before she broke it entirely.

“I would have been a lot more… animative if it weren’t for the haunting, and horrifying nature of this dream…”

“Why?” I asked, my lips trembling slightly.

“…It was about you.”