ASH

I look up at the sky as I walk toward the Church of Oryn.

It was gloomy, like my feelings right now. As I glance at the entrance of the church, my guilt is building up. I am hesitant to do this task. I don't want to make any sacrifices but, I have to do this for the safety of everyone.

I walk slowly as I felt the presence that's been following me a while ago.

'This must be his doing to make sure I will do the task correctly this time.'

"Oh, if it isn't Dame Ashlyn," a young man was standing near the entrance. He was in his clergy robes and he had this messy brown hair. He ran towards me and greet me with a small bow. "It's been a while since you visit us, Dame. How are you?" he asked with a smile.

This boy's name is Alex. He is 17 years old, and a commoner. He is one of the clergies that's work and takes good care of the church per their job. I asked before why he became a clergy, and his answer was, 'Because I feel obliged to serve the church.' It must be one of the common reasons for people like him to join the church.

"I'm always busy, Alex, and I think you know why," I replied. He grin at me and nodded showing that he understood what I meant.

"True, you are ALWAYS busy that you forgot about me," he said emphasizing the word 'always.' I chuckled at his cute pout. I reach out my hand and hold his head.

"Dame?" he tilts his head to the left which I find cute. 'This may be the last time I will have a good conversation with him. After this, he will be angry at me and I know why.'

I ruffled his hair that causes him to react madly.

"Hey, stop that, Dame!" he back away from me and fix his hair.

I dropped my smile and sighed.

"Alex, I'm here to meet the high priest," I said. He stops what he's doing and looks at me. He must have noticed the changes in my tone.

"The High Priest is in his office. He's kind of taking care of something. That's what he told me. Do you need me to call him out?"

"No need, Alex. I'm going to visit him anyway. See you later," I said as I start to walk away from him.

"See you later, Dame!" he said as he wave me goodbye.

While I was walking toward his office, the clergy's that I met on the way greeted me with a smile. I glance around the church, admiring its beauty.

'This will be the last time that I will step here inside. And I have to remember every corner so that I can still remember what it feels like to be here.'

I finally reached the office and stand in front of the door.

I take a deep breath and knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" I heard a man's voice. It's been a while since I saw him but, his voice is still pleasant to my ears like a melody. It's kind and warm.

"It's me, Ashlyn, your grace," I replied. I heard some objects falling on the floor and the sound of brisk footsteps. The door opened and there I saw him standing with a big smile.

"Ashlyn!" he said my name with a cherry voice and hugged me softly. His long mocha hair sways softly in front of me and some of his hair strands fall on my face. I can smell the fresh flowery scent on his hair. Every time I see him, he always smells lovely.

"Whoa, you surprised me a little bit. Are you that happy to see me, Elliot?" I asked as I pat his back gently.

Elliot Howard, a close friend of mine.

He was 15 years old when Heaven choose him as the Oryn new high priest. Usually, Heaven's choose its high priest when they are around their legal age but, Elliot was the first to be a high priest at age 15.

He spent his days at the church and sometimes I visit him and have a chat with him.

Elliot and I know each other since seven years old.

He was a commoner and I'm royalty. We met by accident when I ran into trouble during my excursion with my sister. I got separated from my handmaid and my sister on the road. I saw Elliot in the alley having trouble with kids older than him. They were bullying him at that time and I rescued him out of trouble by fighting the bullies. They only realized I am royalty when the royal guards found me. They captured the bullies, and even included Elliot but, I told them that he was not one of them.

Starting from that day, Elliot and I became friends. He was a servant at the palace at first before he became a priest. We keep our friendship despite the difference in status and even when he became the priest, that didn't stop our friendship and it only makes it stronger.

"Ashlyn, I miss you so much," he pulls away from me and sadly looks at me. "The last time I saw you was when you were going to the battlefield. There was no day I'm not worried about you. I always included you and the knights with you in my prayers."

"How sweet of you, Elliot. But, you have that foresight ability, right? You would know that we win in the battle, right? So, there's no need for you to worry," I said jokingly but, I saw his expression change.

He was about to say something but stop. He anguishes over how to reply.

"Ashlyn, that's not how my foresight works. My foresight is like a puzzle that I have to interpret carefully. And it does not come to me always. It only hits me in a crucial moment."

"Well, then, was there a foresight about today?" I only meant it as a teasing manner because of how serious Elliot is. I want to spend a good time with my friend before the guilt will consume me.

"That's....." he looks away and turns his back to me. I can feel that he was troubled and sad at the same time. I know him since we were little so I can tell at a glance whether he's happy or not. 

"Ashlyn," he softly called me.

"Yes?"

"I know why you are here," he turns his head a little to look at me, "I am also fully aware of your plan, and the situation of this kingdom."

"If you do," I entered the room, and face him. "Then, you should know what am I about to say to you, right?"

"You know Ashlyn, sometimes my foresight gives me a puzzle but, sometimes it gives me a clear answer. And this time, it was the latter," he stand near the window and look outside. He gaze at the city of Oryn and I saw his reflection look at me.

"Then, you should-"

"I can't, Dame," he cut me off before I could finish my sentences. I tightened my grip on my hands.

'Why? Why?! He knows but, he doesn't agree with me. His life is on the line, and this is not the time to be hard-headed!'

I grabbed him by his collar and he wasn't even surprised by my action at all. It was like he knew that I will react like this.

"This is for your sake. My plan is always flawless. And this time, I am planning to let you escape secretly and fake your death. I don't want to have your blood on my hands, Elliot. You are my dear friend and I would do anything to protect you," I said in a brittle voice. I was trying my best to not cry in front of him. It was not the right time to cry. I have to stay stronger to protect what I care about the most.

"Ashlyn," he said in a quiet gentle voice. He grabbed my hand and slowly put it down. "Ashlyn, look at me."

"What?" I look at him angrily.

He chuckled when he saw my expression.

"This is not the time to laugh-"

"I'm sorry but, you look cute when your angry, Ashlyn," he said that catching me off guard. He cleared his throat and look at me, smiling.

"Ashlyn, I appreciated your concern towards me but, I think the king already knows what will you do here. If you let me escape, those kids will be in danger. I'm willing to sacrifice my life for the sake of the kingdom, and for you, Ashlyn."

"But-"

"Sshh," he pulled me in his arms and wrap his arms around me tightly. "I know Ashlyn, I know. Don't worry, I will not be angry with you. I will always be on your side no matter what. So, please, do it."

"No!" I yelled. I tried to push him away from me but, his hold on me tightened. I shook my head many times to show him that I don't want to even if he begs me.

"No, Elliot. Please, not like this," I said as I felt the tears that I've been trying to suppress fall on my face.

"You're a crybaby, Ashlyn," he said in a fruity voice. He wipe the tears from my face and smiled.

"I hope we see each other again, Ashlyn."

"What do you-"

"Ashlyn, I'm sorry but, I have to do this. Besides, I know you won't listen to me anyway," he places his hand in front of me. I cannot see his face because his hand was covering it.

"What are you doing, Elliot?!" I exclaimed. He began to recite something I don't understand and moments later, I can hear something sinister in my head.

I back away and covered my ears.

"DAME! DAME! KILL HIM! KILL HIM! THE KING ORDERED IT! KILL HIM!" there were lots of voices inside my head. I fall to the floor and was panting heavily.

I saw a pair of feet in front of me.

"Dame Ashlyn," the voice I heard was very low and monotonous. I saw something fall in front of me and made a thud sound. I saw my sword on the floor with its sheath out. The sharpness of the blade was glistening in my eyes.

I grabbed it and slowly stand up. I cannot think clearly and my vision was foggy and a bit blurry.

When I raised my head, I saw a monster in front of me. It was ugly and terrifying.

"Who...are..." I didn't finish my sentence when it lunged at me and I quickly raised my sword and sliced down the monster in front of me.

It fell on the floor. I saw its blood slowly oozing out of its body.

"Sister Ashlyn, and High Priest! I have food-" I heard a young boy enter the room.

"What... did... you..." he stuttered as he fell on his knees. My vision returned to normal and the creepy voices in my head disappeared.

I shake my head and was able to return myself to normal. And I was about to call Elliot when I saw what was on the floor in front of me.

"Ell...iot" my eyes widened seeing his body lying down in front of me with his blood out. I kneeled and touch him. I notice his warm blood on my hands. I look at my shaking hands with wide eyes, not believing what I did.

"High Priest!" the boy that I heard a while ago quickly ran towards the body. He push me away and pick up the body and hugged it like his life was depends on it.

"Why did you do this, Sister Ashlyn?! Why?!" the boy was Alex. He looks at me with anger and sadness in his eyes.

"I... I..." I didn't know what to say. I was just staring at him with confusion in my eyes. With shaking hands, I clasped my head and shake my head over and over.

"Congratulation, you did well, Dame Ashlyn," a man entered the room as he clap his hands loudly.

I glance in his direction and it was the advisor of the king.

He was smiling happily like he won a jackpot.

"Let's celebrate this victory shall we?"

I was angry. I can feel my adrenaline boiling. I couldn't take this anymore, and I'm sick of this play. I don't want to be part of this anymore.

I tightened my grip on my sword and turn to face him.

"What's wrong, Dame? You don't look-" he was not able to finish his sentence when I lunged at him and sliced his head, leaving his body to fall on the floor.

Then, some guards quickly burst in and tried to attack me. But, I was out of their level. I ran towards and raised my sword and I slash them one by one with my bloody sword, leaving them on the floor, dead.

(Just imagine that it was like this in the picture)

The once peaceful office became a bloodbath room. Full of dead bodies on the floor. I was the only one standing with my sword in hand. I glance towards Alex, and saw him crying for the priest. 

I went towards Alex, and he was embracing the dead body of the high priest. He tried to cover the priest out of my sight but, I just grabbed my old friend and carry him in my arms.

(Imagine Ashlyn, the boy, carrying a dead body)

The boy quickly rose and tried to stop me but, I knock him out.

I left the church with a dead body in my arms. The clergy that saw me didn't believe what was happening.

Before I left them entirely, I said my final words to them.

"CURSE ME"