ToLaD: Chapter 7: Questions
Warning: This chapter contains slight references to homosexuality and may be ideologically sensitive for there being more than one god or offended by the word of 'temple.' If so, please either remain calm/cautious or not read this chapter.
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Braedon left early the next morning for the closest temple. At this time, very few anthros would be up and about. Mainly, only the owls would stay up this late. Good thing it was the weekend.
The one he came to a large stone temple that was built long ago, but still remained in good condition. He entered, the stone encircling him and the natural light from the stained windows illuminated the halls. Braedon looked around at each of the windows, still amazed even after coming here for so long.
Each glass window was situated above a statue of each of the deities of Loscade.
First was Osyn, the goddess of war and death. A tall vulture clad in a dark flowing robe. In her wings was a chain and sickle, her symbol and what she uses to take the lives of the a throw from the heavens.
Next was Sagmus, the god of peace and life. He was a rat, a branch off a tree held dearly in his claws, his head down so that he could stare onto it with his dreary eyes.
Then it was Rikmos, the god of nature and fate. He was an owl, and held in one wing was an open book, in the other a quill.
Kaklene was next. A hyena with the greatest of mischievous streaks, she was the goddess of merriment and laughter, and many comedians on Loscade pray to her before a stand-up begins. In her paws was a lute, which she can play to calm the most hottest of tempers.
Anther was after Kaklene. He is the god of love and marriage. He is a deer, his antlers were depicted in such a way that they were in the shape of a heart. All couples could get married, as long as they felt the pull of love.
Last was Suna, the goddess of work and the harvest. In almost every business, you can find something that relates to her. She is the only insect of the bunch, being a scarab. She is nearly always seen standing with a scythe in her hands, tending to the crops of the heavens. At times, though, she is seen with a set of scales in her hand.
Right now, Braedon damn well needed answers. And he knew exactly who to pray to.
Rikmos. It is said that he has all of the answers to all questions the people of Loscade could ask and more.
Braedon looked back forwards, but caught the odd albino standing in front of the statue of Osyn, his paws in just in front of his chest with a closed paw in the other. However, the black fox knew what happened last time he spoke to him, so he just let the albino be.
Braedon walked over to the statue to Rikmos and closed his eyes, placing his paws in front of him, one in a fist and the other clasping it. To himself, Braedon began to mumble the required prayer to gain one answer for one question.
This process could not be disturbed, and thankfully it wasn't. And when he finished, he went into a different state of mind. The temple interior disappeared and a bright white encompassed everywhere Braedon looked.
"Master Rikmos!" He shouted into the light. "Can you hear me?"
His voice echoed in the light. He just began to think that he stuffed something up during the prayer when a two chairs and a table suddenly popped out of nowhere.
"Take a seat, child, and you can have your answer." A booming voice said out of nowhere.
Braedon cautiously walked over to the table set and sat on one of the chairs. A series of dull purple lights gathered above the other chair and formed into one dull purple light. The light soon disappeared and Rikmos sat on the other chair.
"What do you require an answer for, child?" He questioned.
"Umm..." Braedon started, trying to think of a way to question Rikmos about what is happening. "Master Rikmos, why did you make me the warrior of darkness?"
Rikmos just stared at him. Not in shock, but in interest.
"It was time for the prophecy to be completed."
"Then who-"
"You asked for one answer, child, and you have gotten it. Time for you to take your leave."
Braedon stood up from the chair and the scene around him shimmered and he was placed back where he was before. Standing in front of Rikmos' statue, praying for an answer.
He looked out the stained window, seeing the light was slightly dimmer than before and the light that passed through it was close to the wall. He checked the time on his phone to make sure.
Almost midday.
He left the temple, leaving five Fasotae when he passed the donation box. When he got back home, he entered with more questions than when he left.
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He saw him.
Light saw that black fox once more.
And by seeing him, Light had to leave the temple as quick as he could.
He came back to the shooting range, grabbing an orange keycard from the rat standing behind the counter. He went through and got into the room, allowing the staircase to appear and walked down the stairs. He walked through the dark hallway and through the automatic doors to the main reason he came here once more.
A new mission.
He seems to be doing more and more missions as of late.
He walked past various rooms where many anthros were working on screens or on experimental tech and made it to just outside the door he needed to enter.
He entered, seeing a jaguar in a lab coat working over a full body suit.
"Is this why you called me for?" Light asked.
"Yes, Light."
"Just to see your fancy invention?"
"No, Light. I need you to test this out tonight."
Light looked emotionless, but his mind was now racing with questions.
"Ok, but what is 'it?'"
"Oh, this?" The jaguar questioned, placing his paw onto the body suit. "It is body armour that would allow you to be invisible to other anthros and cameras. Purely in its experimental stage, but I need you to test it out."
Light sighed. "Alright, Fahyim. I'll test it out. Just tell me where to meet tonight."
"The south side of Vision Tower. We'll test it in the tower itself."
Light's eyebrows raised. Vision Tower is both the tallest skyscraper in Loscade's inner city and the most heavily monitored. The highest tech cameras and vigilant guards patrol the tower.
He would have to be crazy. But, he has been given this assignment.
"You do know that, if it fails, my life is on the line, correct?" Light asked.
"I know that, Light. However, I also know that you are the one of the youngest and the third most deadliest anthro in this organisation. I have my belief in you that you will make it out alive." Fahyim replied.
"Valid point. I'm in." Light answered, shaking Fahyim's paw and leaving the hideout all together.
When he was alone, he clenched his paw, trying to get the light to cover his fist. He threw it down by his side in frustration.
'How am I able to do it once more?' He asked himself.
Light found himself walking through a nearby residential district. He looked through one of the windows and saw a canine couple cuddling on the couch and watching the TV. A small canine ran up and jumped onto the couch in between them, prompting the couple to giggle and split. However, Light just stood there stoic, the wind blowing past and the coat flapping in the breeze.
'A normal life.' Light thought, looking at the sight of the family.
He growled and began to storm down the street once more. He saw a park, seeing the couples in there playing with children or just lounging around in the grass or trees. Even some male teenagers trying to pick up girls. Or sometimes other guys.
'Why, Rikmos? Why did you make me lose my parents?' Light thought once more.
Light looked over the grassy park once more, seeing the black fox once more, embracing a red fox with a green stripe down the centre of his back, head and tail with one arm. The red fox had their head on the black fox's shoulder. Upon careful examination, Light determined that the red fox was a male, but why is the black fox so close to this specific red fox? And in such an intimate way?
Whatever. Not his business to meddle right now.
Light walked away from the park, the wind on his back his only friend for now.