[Salvos] Side Story 8: Faith II

Side Story 8: Faith II

WAR.

War was a terrible thing. And yet, most of history was defined by war. By death. By destruction.

Growing up, Faith had been educated in the art and history of war— she was aware of all the consequences that came from feuds between nations. It’d been something she thoroughly studied. So, she’d assumed she’d be more than prepared for war when it eventually happened. After all, peace was only the preparation for war.

That was what her father, Credence, had told her.

And yet, when war finally broke out, Faith found it nothing like what she read in the books. All the theory— all the studying— turned out to be fruitless. Even with a [Hero], Elutra had been struggling to win battles against the Inoria Empire. And now that their only hope, Daniel Song, was gone, the country was on the precipice of defeat.

Princess Faith stood on the balcony of her palace, overseeing the Capital city of Elutra, Soulhome. It was named after the mountain that loomed over it— that it was partially built into. Mount Soulcreep. A natural barrier: one that cast a creeping shadow over the city.

It was in this darkness that the lifeless city of Soulhome moved. Its inhabitants carried themselves with dread and weariness. They were exhausted— whittled of their wits and vigor. They had no reason to excite themselves for another day. They had nowhere to go. Their jobs were worthless and their days were numbered.

Soulhome was under siege. Beyond the shield dome protecting their city, an army awaited. The banners of Inoria flew. Magical projectiles were occasionally hurled towards Soulhome. They exploded on the enchanted walls. The blasts shook the city. But the attacks never once broke through.

Their barrier was simply too powerful. [Mages] would replenish the spell with their mana each day, so it wouldn’t erode and fall. But the upkeep couldn’t last. Not forever. Especially when more and more enemy forces were encroaching and gathering each day.

Faith found herself tightening her grip around the balcony’s ledge. Her hand balled up into a fist. Singular. Not plural. Because she only had one arm. Her left arm. Everything from her right elbow and down was now just a nub. She hid it beneath the long sleeves of her gown, too ashamed to even look at the missing limb. Soon, Elutra would fall. Soon, its populace, its royalty, and its army would all be sacrificed to Demons.

The very thought plagued her each day and night.

“Why… why did all this have to happen?”

Her voice whispered into the void. There was no one to hear her pleas. No [Hero] to save her. Footsteps echoed behind her, and she looked up. She hoped that she’d see a familiar yet unique face, so naive and innocent, coming in to save her. But all she saw was a servant, bowing her way.

“The queen regent wishes to speak with you, princess.”

“Tell her that I am on my way.”

Faith waved a hand off, and the servant departed. She turned her gaze one last time back towards the horizon. An inkling of hope sparked in her heart that maybe— just maybe— her decision to seek out Daniel Song might convince him to return sooner or later. But it was smothered by her rational thoughts just a moment later.

“He’s not coming. No one is.”

The world had turned its back on Elutra. And when the Demons of Inoria came for the world after Elutra fell, they’d understand the folly of their inaction.

It was a tragedy, really. One which Faith couldn’t help but find a little amusing.

—--

Faith entered the throne room as she adjusted her right sleeve. She tucked in her nubbed arm so that it was delicately hidden as she brought it behind her back. Then with a curtsy, she brought her left hand to her chest and bowed before the queen. Destiny.

The other woman sat on the throne with a jeweled sceptre in hand, dressed in a flowing, regal gown that was ruffled and embroidered in diamonds. She was as plump and round as the gems that stood on the rings around each of her fingers. Multiple rings in each finger, in fact. And when she perked up as Faith entered the room, she had a servant help her to her feet.

“Faith! My little sister. How are you doing on this fine day?”

She waddled forward to meet the princess, wrapping her arms around Faith. Faith cordially replied.

“I am doing well, queen Destiny. I appreciate your concern about my person.”

“And what about your arm?”

Destiny lifted the sleeve, much to Faith’s irritation. She inspected the nub with a nod.

“I see it has recovered tremendously well.”

“The scar is gone, indeed. However, I do not believe that it is capable of fully recovering, unless a Potion of Regeneration is applied to the wound.”

“Then why haven’t we procured one yet?”

She cocked her head, and Faith bit her lower lip. Seriously? the thought crossed through the younger sister’s mind.

That was the thing. This was the reason why Faith had wanted to move up in line for the throne. Her father, Credence, was now dead, and her oldest sister ruled Elutra… or what was left of Elutra. And Destiny was not a good ruler. Faith had known that’d be the case since she was little.

Destiny overindulged in sweets and in the treasury of Elutra. Even now, as the city outside rotted, here she was grabbing a bit of cake from a servant and biting into it with a smile.

Faith shook her head.

“I do not believe that’ll be necessary, queen Destiny. I am very much grateful for your offer, but I believe our country’s remaining finances would be better served for the people.”

“Aw. You calling me queen is just too cute. But you should call me big sis.”

Destiny waved a hand off, completely ignoring everything else about the statement. Faith took in a deep breath.

“Why did you summon my presence, your majesty? I was told it was an urgent matter.”

That was a lie, but Faith just wanted to cut to the chase as to why she was there. Destiny quirked a brow, then clapped her hands lightly together.

“Oh, of course! I called for you because I have great news!”

“Great news?”

Faith narrowed her eyes. She didn’t trust her sister, but the expression on the queen’s face didn’t lie. Destiny believed it was great news. And the bit of hope Faith held just before was reignited.

“Yes.”

The queen’s eyes twinkled, and Faith leaned in. But Destiny shook her head.

“However, I shall tell you more about it only when the rest of our family is here. Look, Rel and Iance are here.”

Faith blinked as she looked at where her sister was pointing. She saw two of her brothers— twins— strolling into the room as they bickered. They were accompanied by a small entourage of young, beautiful women, who laughed at everything they said.

These were the second and third in line for the throne. Playboys who abused their positions to get whatever they wanted.

“I’m telling you, Rel, if you just go outside, you’ll find beautiful women even outside of the nobility.”

“But why must I mingle with the lower classes, Iance?”

“Because some of them are truly delightful. I was out the other day and met this gorgeous and funny girl—”

They chatted as they came to a stop, barely even nodding in Destiny’s direction. Faith puckered her lips at the casual disrespect, although Destiny didn’t mind or care. The queen smiled.

“How have you two boys been?”

They groaned.

“Ugh, sis, how many times have we told you not to call us that?”

“Yeah, it makes us look bad in front of the servants!”

Iance turned to the women accompanying him, and made a shoo-ing gesture.

“Leave us.”

The women acquiesced, wearing their fake smiles as they left the room. Destiny raised a brow.

“Where are the others?”

“Hope, Fi, and Con were busy. They didn’t want to show up because they were gossipping or something.”

Rel shook his head.

“Women, am I right?”

That only earned a guffaw from Iance. Destiny and Faith exchanged a glance. Even the usually bubbly oldest sister was perplexed by this. Hope was the fourth in line to the throne, just before Faith herself. And she was probably the most spoiled of all Faith’s siblings. Con and Fi were the sixth and seventh in line, usually just following Hope in her antics, like they probably were right now.

It was ridiculous, to Faith. How could any of them act this way, even during the fall of Elutra? Even with Father slain and dead? Their personalities— the rotten cores that made up the insides of Faith’s siblings— didn’t change.

As much as Daniel had scorned Faith for manipulating him, she knew that she was the best of her siblings. Or at least, the second best.

“And what about Bel?”

Faith turned to Rel. He opened his mouth, but another voice spoke over him. A weak voice.

“Right here.”

The last in line for the throne: Bel. He walked in slowly alongside a group of [Pegasus Knights], led by Garland Monsterthorn. He was ten years of age, but he looked like he was seven or eight, with a pale complexion and a sniffle. He nearly stumbled as he walked over the carpet, but Garland caught him, nodding.

“Prince Bel, please try not to push yourself.”

“I will. Thank you, Garland.”

Bel let go of the man’s shoulders, walking forward and bowing.

“Queen Destiny, princess Faith, prince Rel, and prince Iance. It is good to see you all.”

He wobbled as he spoke, and Garland helped steadied. Faith walked up to them, smiling at Garland.

“Thank you, but could you please call for my sisters? I will take care of prince Bel.”

“Yes, princess Faith.”

Garland marched off as Faith gently ushered Bel forward. Destiny beamed and nearly smothered Bel with a hug, only to be stopped by Faith.

“Be careful with him, your majesty. His condition has been getting worse.”

“It has? Aw, but I just want to pinch his little cheeks.”

Destiny squeezed her fingers together and pouted as Rel and Iance groaned.

“He’s not a child, sis.”

“He’s literally nine. We had girls fawning over us at his age.”

“He’s ten, Rel, Iance.”

Faith glared at them, and they shrugged.

“Same thing.”

The princess turned back to Bel. He gave her a weak smile as he spoke.

“I am fine, princess Faith. The [Mage Healer] says I have actually gotten better in the past month.”

“But you’re still worse off than a year ago. Come on, sit down. Rest until our sisters get here.”

Bel nodded and followed slowly behind. He’d always been like this since Faith could remember. Kind. A pure soul that Faith wished she could be. But within the nobility, kindness was no different from weakness. That was how Bel suffered from this affliction.

A maid— one of the servants who was responsible for taking care of Bel— had taken advantage of his kindness. Her own child had been cursed by a [Sorcerer] because she’d been unable to pay back a debt. She didn’t tell this to anyone, and convinced Bel to visit her house in secret three years ago. And there, she used a spell she learned to switch the targets of the curse.

Now, it was Bel who was cursed. And the servant— the maid and her child— fled the country, left unpunished for their crimes. Faith didn’t know why the maid chose Bel as her target. Perhaps it was because Bel could easily be persuaded. Perhaps it was because of Bel and the child’s similar stature and age, which allowed the spell to work. Or maybe it was because Bel could receive treatment that no others could receive, so he’d probably recover.

Nevertheless, Bel was now cursed, and he only had his own kindness and naivety to blame for it. And he lost all respect from the nobility, including even the former, deceased King himself.

Faith shook her head as she helped him sit on a cushioned chair. He nodded at her with gratitude.

“Thank you, princess Faith.”

“Take care of yourself, prince Bel. Because you are a prince, regardless of what others say.”

She straightened as the throne room’s doors were swung open once more. Garland Monsterthron, knight-commander of the 5th Battalion of Winged Knights, brought the remaining princesses in tow with him.

“Hey, watch it—”

“Why do we even have to be here—”

He looked fed up with them. He didn’t treat them too gently, instead pulling them only slightly abrasively by the arms into the room. With a sigh, he bowed at princess Faith.

“Here they are, princess.”

“We are princesses too!”

A haughty voice protested. Hope stepped forward as Con and Fi crossed their arms. The leader of the trio glared at the queen.

“Why were we brought here? Did we not tell the servants to inform you that we were busy?”

“You did, indeed. However, I could not start this meeting without the three of you, and it seems Faith didn’t have the patience to wait for you.”

Destiny shrugged, throwing Faith under the wheels of a speeding carriage. Hope turned her ire towards the younger sister.

“And why do you have any right to order us around? You are only the fifth in line— I outrank you.”

“Our country is falling apart. The city is on the brink of collapse. Our titles mean nothing, princess Hope.”

Faith spat back, and the other woman snapped her brows together.

“Why you one-armed—”

“And I believe that queen Destiny had a major announcement to make. Hence, why I requested for your hastened arrival.”

Nodding, Faith gave Garland a grateful look. He saluted her.

“It is my duty to serve the royal family, princess Faith.”

Hope furrowed her brows as Garland almost seemed to loom over her. Then she scowled.

“Whatever. What is this major announcement?”

“Ah, good, since we’re all here, I can begin.”

Destiny’s lips curled up as she clasped her hands together. Clearing her throat, she cast her gaze around the room. She looked at Bel sitting on the cushioned chair, at Faith with her arms behind her back to hide her missing hand, at the twins who wore bored looks on their faces, and at Hope, Fi, and Con who impatiently had their arms crossed.

“I received a missive.”

The queen began before pausing. She repeated herself, spreading her arms wide.

“I received a very important— very good— missive today.”

Faith exchanged a glance with Bel, and Hope tapped a foot on the ground.

“Well? What is it?”

“It’s a great missive. One of the greatest ones I’ve ever heard. When I read it, I nearly jumped out of bed and shouted the news down the hallway, But I restrained myself, of course. Because a queen has to act proper. Especially since diplomats will be arriving soon. I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of our guests, right?”

Destiny nodded sagely to herself, and Faith felt a premonition. A creeping feeling washed over her back.

“What… is going on, queen Destiny? Who is arriving?”

“Spit it out already, will you sis?”

Iance yawned. Destiny continued as the prickling sensation deluged Faith.

“In a week’s time, diplomats from the Inoria Empire will be arriving in Soulhome. They have opted to sue for peace, and we will be signing a treaty there and then.”

Then it all clicked to Faith. The reason why Destiny seemed so carefree. But not just that. The one-armed princess remembered the Demon who bit off her hand— how he shapeshifted into a Human. And the obvious trap that the Inoria Empire was setting up made itself clear to Faith. She wanted to scream as Destiny finished.

...actually, she did scream.

“So, let us celebrate, because the war is finally coming to an end—”

“No!”

Author's Note:

2,500 words. When I said I'd go on break, it wasn't a real break. It was so I could catch up on the side story and other stuff lol. Gib thoughts! Who should I write next? Another Faith chapter?