402 The Next Day, Explanations and Theories (1/2)
Day 68 - 7:22 AM - Maryhill Retreat House, Ortigas Avenue Extension, Dolores, Taytay, Rizal
The night of fear had passed unexpectedly.
As the sun rose to spread its shine, the retreat house already changed. It looked the same, yet different. The eerie feeling that the retreat house that loomed over it before was gone. What was left was a beautiful place. It was a wonderful place to spend a day or two away from the chaos that spread by the apocalypse.
Even the sunrise was a pleasant scene to see from the higher floors of the retreat house. Anyone would forget that they were still in the middle of the end of the world.
Well, that was the case unless they went to the area north of the retreat house. There was nothing there. Literally nothing with almost everything burned to dust.
The forest that covered the northern slope between the retreat house and the seminary was gone. All that was left was the scorched earth that spanned several dozens of meters. There might be a few things left like charred skulls and bones. Nevertheless, their number was insignificant as it would be hard to find one unless they purposedly looked for these things.
***
With a throbbing head, Mark slowly opened his eyes. He pulled himself up and saw that he was currently on a bed. He then sat while he rubbed his temples as his head felt heavy and was aching a bit. A wet tower fell from his head which he immediately caught by reflex. He also noticed that his clothes were changed.
Mark tried to pull his left hand, but he felt some resistance. There, he realized that several people were surrounding his bed. All of them were asleep in poor postures.
Abbygale and Miracle were sleeping on his right side. The two fit themselves in the narrow space beside him. It was fortunate that Abbygale did not fall off being the one sleeping at the right edge of the bed.
To his left, Mark saw Iola, who fell asleep while sitting on a chair. Her neck tilted to her left as she slept. It was not difficult to notice that she would have a painful neck later.
Mark also saw Mei to his right. She was sitting on the floor while her head and arms rest on the bed. Both her hands were holding unto his right hand. No wonder he felt some resistance when he tried to pull it.
”These girls...”
Mark shook his head. It was likely that they tried to spend the night awake. However, they were not able to endure. Yesterday was a tiring day on the road, after all.
Of course, it might be different for Miracle. She probably decided to shut her body down since everyone was asleep. When she did that, she surely slid herself between him and Abbygale. With Abbygale's personality to even cheat to remain close to Mark, she would not let Miracle lie down between.
”Flam.”
Mark called out in his mind.
A response came, and Mark was surprised. He did not expect that a sword would come flying in front of him.
”Master, it's not Flam anymore. Don't you remember?”
The sword's childish voice echoed in Mark's mind.
”Ah, right...”
The scenes of what happened last night flashed on Mark's eyes. He definitely had a clear recollection of the events that ensued while they fought and defeated the monster possessed by that evil spirit.
However...
”What happened?”
Mark asked.
”You don't remember?”
The sword asked with worry.
”No, I remember everything.” Mark cleared up the confusion. ”What I'm asking is what happened to me.”
Of course, that would be his question.
That odd behavior, the four voices, and the change in the supposed naming ritual.
He knew nothing about what would have caused those. That was why he asked the Demon Sword in front of him.
”So... Master remembers the name you gave me?”
The sword tried to confirm.
”I remember. Ignis Tenebris. Though, I only planned to give you Ignis.”
Mark scratched his head.
”I'm happy about the name though. It really fits the new me.” Ignis rejoiced. ”Though, I have no idea what really happened. I don't think that the right ritual is like that either. One thing for sure, Master. The thing that happened last night is because of you.”
Ignis spoke his deduction with a strong conviction. As the sword who chose its master and wanted to be named, it would not do anything that could possibly ruin it.
Mark stared at Ignis floating in front of him with confusion.
”Uhhnnnn...”
The two heard a faint voice. Mark turned towards the source of the voice and saw that Mei slowly opened her eyes.
Realizing that she fell asleep, Mei suddenly pulled her body. When she turned to Mark, she saw Mark sitting on the bed while leaning on the headboard.
”Good morning.”
Mark greeted with a low voice and a smile.
Mei did not respond. Instead, she stared at Mark as her tears flowed out from the corner of her eyes.
Mark then put his right index finger in front of his lips.
”Shhh.”
He said and pointed at the three little girls before he signaled Mei to come closer.
Unable to hold back, although silently, Mei jumped to Mark's embrace.
”Sorry I made you worry.”
Mark patted her head as she burrowed her face on his chest.
”It's okay...”
Mei replied with a sob. Of course, she said that because she did not want to put blame on Mark.
Nevertheless, Mark knew that it was his fault.
”They are really worried about you Master. They found you unconscious in the middle of the burning forest. For the rest of the night, you are burning with fever and roaring in pain. It was until about an hour before sunrise that you became stable.”
Ignis informed Mark.
”I see...”