8 Purification by Fire (2/2)

Guessing from how she expressed it in words, I thought that she was to let some stranger be my foster parent, and yet the last line boggled me as she stated that the person would be the last of my relatives. Yet I could not think of such a person. Tired, I decided to not give it too much thought. I will trust the words of this Goddess no matter how obsolete the situation will become as she was the first to lend a hand in the direst situation I just came across.

The goddess then lifted her countenance and flew high up on the air, towards the spirit she summoned calling it 'Igniteress' and while she was closing the portal-like rift she said...

”Jaiden, in this world you will have tribulations, same of those who believe in the highest. People will have trouble believing your words and will call you mad and many will even consider you an outcast. I will be watching you thoroughly Jaiden. The monochrome in my art's canvas... My 'Herrscher'.”

I did not understand half of what she said, but whatever. Exhausted and tired, my body felt weak and my feet became numb and my vision slowly blurred away. The last thing I remembered seeing, is the moon shining in its glory that reminded me of how my fate is preordained to be.

One that does not know how to feel...

One that is set on the monochromatic angle...

Without a spark of color.

(...)

As if I was asleep for almost a day or two, I started to gain consciousness again. To my awakening, I was in a hospital with an old lady sleeping on a chair beside me, and on the window, Lacrimosa was standing graciously watching the view. The panorama that time, made it seem that she was a hundred times more pulchritudinous than that moonlit and heinous night. She then noticed me and said with a very refreshing facade...

”My, so you are awake?”

”So it's really not a dream...What are you doing here? You might want to hide someplace else before someone sees you.” I probably thought that anyone who will see her will assuredly think that she was a weird cosplaying otaku because of her black gothic apparel.

”Huh? Have you perhaps forgotten that I can't be seen by normal individuals?” She recoiled. Well, my brother was unable to perceive her so I guess the statement is not entirely false, but...

”What are you saying? That I'm abnormal?”

”I leave that to your cognition.” She replied with a face about to burst in laughter.

”Oh, whatever. So who is this old hag beside me?” I asked as I was frantically in an edge to know who and why she was there.

”You'll soon find out.”

”Is she, who you pointed your finger into, to be the last of my relati--?”

As I was still talking, the old lady rose from her sleep and was surprised that I was up. She put her rather fragile arms around me and said...

”Oh, Jaiden how are you? Thanks to the almighty. I saw smoke and fire arise from the house and so, I rushed into aid, yet to my surprise, you're the only one that is there. W- where are your parents gone?” She exclaimed, with rather a renaissance-style of speaking and word choice.

Yet, a look of blatant confusion was predominant in my demeanor as I have no idea of who she is in the slightest sense.

”Do you have any recollection of who I am?.” the elderly asked with teary eyes.”