Catalyst

Chapter 6

"Eira," came Aizik's voice. She groaned scrunching her eyes closed tighter. Realization began to set in. The bench was uncomfortable and the sun was coming in through the flap near her face. It as really bright even through her eyelids. "Eira, we've arrived." Aizik insisted. Shielding her eyes Eira slowly opened them letting the blinding light hit them as her vision adjusted. Aizik was standing near her with his bag slung over his shoulder. Eira stood and stretched grabbing her own equipment and bag.

"Alright, lets go." she said still sleepily. She'd never been much of a morning person generally preferring to spend them alone to tend to herself. It was easier if she knew exactly when she had to be up, but right now was not one of those times.

Stepping out of the wagon the ground was dusty and dry. Eira and Aizik looked up at the large fort-like structure in front of them called a checkpoint. Aizik had seen one before when he and Cavan left Poliask, but this one was larger and with several guards positioned outside. They were wearing the same kind of armor those bandits had stolen. The building itself appeared to be two stories but there was no telling from where they were how high above the roof the walls were. The entrance was a large heavy gate of two doors that were currently being opened by two guards. Aizik and Eira walked forward seeing inside. Just beyond the gates was a courtyard with the actual building which appeared much smaller than the outer walls. There were more guards walking around more casually but still vigilant.

"Are you the Knights from Alium?" asked one of the guards. Aizik looked at Eira. She nodded happily,

"Yes, we are." she replied. The guard pointed them to the building.

"There, that's your destination." he instructed nodding politely. They thanked him and went to the center rectangular shaped stone building.

Just through the door was a hallway leading to the left, right, and forward. Coming from the left was a man in a black robe, and from the right was a woman in white. They had the hoods down revealing the man's dark green eyes and medium blond hair. The woman had strawberry blond hair and baby blue eyes. Aizik immediately sensed some strong emotions coursing between them. The man stopped and looked at them curiously. "You're...the Alium Knights?" he asked. The two nodded. "Hmm, it was to my understanding that Alium didn't allow female Holy Knights. Guess the times are changing." said Hayen with a smile holding out his hand to Eira who shook it smiling then to Aizik who shook it as well. "This here is Lynn. We're from Ederich."

"Nice to meet you," replied Aizik smiling back politely although a bit forced, "This is Eira, and I'm Aizik." The handshake stopped abruptly. The air around Hayen turned just a bit colder. Lynn stepped closer glaring.

"You mean the same Aizik that slaughtered the entire Alium Cathedral?" she asked threateningly. Aizik opened his mouth only to have it covered by Eira's hand.

"N-no! It's just a common name in his family! This is um...Aizik Mangus IV! Yes, Aizik Mangus the Fouth!" she lied looking over at him. He raised an eyebrow looking back at her as if he didn't understand why she stopped him from speaking. Hayen and Lynn looked at each other suspiciously for a bit then Hayen let go of Aizik's hand and smiled.

"Sorry about the tension. Must be unfortunate having the name of someone like him. If I ever meet that bastard..." he said clenching his fist. Lynn nodded in agreement.

"A disgrace to all the creations of the Light Father. It's despicable." she spat.

"I'm sure he had his reasons." Aizik chimed. Both Knights looked at him again in disbelief. Eira punched him in the arm and spoke when he looked at her confused.

"Aizik! Um, show me where the restroom is!" she commanded. Aizik raised an eyebrow.

"What? Why, I don't kn-"

"Because you know where it is!" she interrupted grabbing his arm and pulling him down the hallway to the right. Hayen and Lynn watched as they disappeared down the wrong hallway.

Eira pulled him away from those two as fast as possible. "What were you thinking Aizik!? If they find out who you are they'll kill you on the spot!" she scolded.

"I didn't want to lie." he admitted sounding like there was an alternative method of fooling people.

"Yeah, and since you didn't I had to. I'm sorry Light Father please forgive me." she whispered. If she didn't look after him while Cavan was gone he'd be six feet under in no time. At least she learned one thing: Aizik was the absolute worst liar on the face of the planet. Not that she was much better. This wasn't going to be easy.
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Alium, Adatine Manor
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Cavan had been woken up early and in his opinion it was just to discomfort him. Still, Seiru was up as well and it seemed he had a task for him. He sat across from Cavan in the room that they'd been in just the day before. The chair was full of cushion and relatively contenting. "Cavan, I have a real task for you."

"It's about time."

"I'm glad you're eager," replied Sieru with seemingly no expression at all on his face, "It's quite simple. I want you to walk through the streets of the city. I want you to walk through them and see what happens. When you make it back, I want you to tell me what you learned. If anyone asks, you're praying for forgiveness. Understand?" Cavan sighed. This was dangerous. It was possible that his face was well known by now. Anyone with even a medium set of balls would start killing without caring what he was doing. He was, after all; supposed to be executed.

"I'm guessing you don't want me to defend myself either?" he asked half-heartedly. Seiru nodded,

"Undoubtedly." he responded. Cavan stood. Just what the hell was he supposed to learn by getting beaten half to death? "Also, if I'm not satisfied with what you learn I'll consider this mission a failure with you and Aizik's lives forfeit." Cavan kept his glare buried as he shot his gaze over to Seiru. He forced a cocky smile,

"Gotcha. What's the use of playing if it's not for high stakes?" he asked as he walked out. Just as he made his way to the door he saw Anna who looked startled seeing him about to leave.

"Master Cavan, are you planning on leaving?" she asked with barely hidden concern. She knew very well that his presence wouldn't be welcome in the city. Not to mention leaving without permission was an offense Seiru didn't tolerate. Ever. He nodded,

"Orders of Seiru." he replied letting her off the hook for calling him 'master' since there were other people around. Without waiting for her response he threw the doors open and walked outside. The fresh air was nice adding a buffer between his apprehension to welcome an ass kicking with open arms and his trip there. The sun was bright but his eyes adjusted quickly as usual. As he exited the gates he saw into the streets. Alium was a relatively big city and the market district wasn't far from Adatine Manor. This meant lots of people. Cavan crossed the dirt road just in front of him and into a sparse crowd of people heading to the market. Most of them gave him wary glances and a few had gazed filled with hate. If he was recognized that quickly this was about to suck. He took a deep breath and kept walking. He passed a small group of people and avoided their eyes. No one was attacking. That was a good sign at least. He moved quickly past the small groups that lined the road ahead. Still, he'd have to think up something that he'd learned before he returned. It would be a long walk all the way through the city. Someone lurched into him suddenly knocking him almost off his feet. He held his tongue. Normally there would have been a sharp whip crack of words heading for that person, but it wasn't his place right now. He looked over seeing a man walking with a woman. Both of them looking at him scornfully. Gathering his wits he continued walking. Now he noticed that more and more people stared directly at him less avoiding than before.

Cavan made it into the market. The crowds grew thicker until he had to inch past people. This wasn't good. All it would take was bumping into one loathe filled market goer and the gang stomping would be on. He saw fire filled glares as he passed until suddenly a surge of murderous intent was upon him. Cavan looked quickly to the right to see a larger man barreling toward him. His mind came just a split second from pulling the trigger on a word that would send that man's entrails all over the few people in front of him before he reached his destination. Instead he held up his arms in front of his face to guard himself before a sharp attack came sailing into his abdomen. He fell backward windless and badly hurt. Uncertain of what he was hit with, Cavan clutched his stomach and rolled onto his knees looking up. The man was holding a large thick piece of wood in one hand. Apparently it was sturdy because it sure as hell didn't give when his cracked against his ribs. Cavan coughed and feigned weakness by shivering and pretending not to be able to stand. "What the hell is this?!" the man shouted in a gruff voice. This is me not killing you Cavan thought as he placed one foot underneath is body to steady himself and begin to stand slowly. The man walked up to him as the crowd circled. Cavan heard the man spit and saw the globule of saliva land next to his face. He looked up at his attacker to immediately put his boot against Cavan's head. Cavan gritted his teeth. Aizik he thought to calm himself. His face hit the dirt. The man kicked him once in the ribs and hit him on the side with the stick. Cavan lurched away in pain as it shot through his side. A red gleam pulsed once in his eyes. These idiots didn't understand anything, yet here they were casting the first stone. Cavan heard jeers being scoffed out from the crowd. He held his breath slowly getting to his feet. "Who do you think you are showing your face here in town after doing what you did and somehow escaping judgment?" shouted the assailant. Cavan opened his mouth, but was met with a quick strike by the stick across the face sending him sprawling again. This time the crowd's insults sounded like a cheer for the attack.

"Who do you think you are!?"

"His will be done! Kill the heretic!"

"Blasphemer!"

"Demon!"

Cavan grabbed his mouth as pain coursed through his face. He felt something wet on his hand. He looked down to see a pretty good amount of blood. "Perhaps it is our Light Father's will for me to kill you here in the streets like a dog!" shouted the assailant. "Do demons say prayers?" he asked raising the stick. That's fucking IT!. Cavan heard the stick coming down and whipped around catching it in his left hand.

"You stupid son of a BITCH!" he cried sending his right fist into the attacker's jaw with a vicious hook. The man was sent reeling into the arms of two people behind him. He shook his head and stared wide eyed at Cavan who popped the fingers of his left hand back into place with a quick squeeze from his right. "Don't stand there and ask me questions if you don't want to wait for an answer! Dammit!" he shouted. It had always been his greatest pet peeve. If you ask a question, don't interrupt a person who's trying to answer it even if you know what they're going to say... "Just shut the hell up and let me say what YOU asked me to say you fucking idiot!" Okay, so he'd fought back, but now he was about to get his ass kicked...hard. That should make up for it right? The man stood with a new rage in his eyes. "Since you asked so nicely," Cavan began as the man approached more slowly now that he saw his opponent could actually hurt him. "I'm coming through town to pray for forgiveness. It's rather cowardly to stay holed up behind thick walls and pray to the God who's house I've defiled now isn't it?" The man roared as he sent the stick crashing into Cavan's shoulder. It hurt...a lot. Cavan held his ground not allowing himself to fall down as the stick hit him again in his uninjured ribs possibly injuring them. He gritted his teeth soaking up the agony. It was only pain after all. He shifted his weight and turned stepping just out of range of the next strike on his way out of the circle. The crowd didn't want to let him pass and tried to push him back into the fight, but he pushed back barely slipping through the wall of fists and scratches. He made his way through to the other side only to feel a rock sail into his leg. He winced, but kept walking. If this mob followed him he'd be dead long before reaching the end of town and that probably meant failing the assignment. Also, any hope of an appeal to the generous and pious hearts of the people in the mob had been lost with Cavan's attacker's tooth. He continued walking in the direction of the Alium Cathedral, but he knew if he didn't think of something soon the jeers and shouts for death from the crowd would be made real.
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Checkpoint 1, Alium-Anadeo Road.
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Aizik and Eira came to a somewhat small room with a large table in the center. A man wearing glasses with short black hair stood sat at it. His clothes were simple but nice with a white button up and simple black pants with suspenders. There was a black jacket slung over his chair. His blue eyes could barely be seen underneath the thick spectacles, but he smiled up at them as they came in. "Ah, Aizik and Eira! I've been expecting you!" he shouted. Eira slammed the door behind them with her foot.

"Oh hi!" she said cheerfully before cocking her head to the side, "And just who are you?" she asked. Her heart was pounding. If a bunch of people came in asking if this Aizik was THE Aizik they'd be screwed. The man stood and bowed.

"My name is Adam. Pleased to meet you." he said cheerfully. Aizik grabbed Eira's shoulder suddenly staring intently at Adam.

"Eira," he said with his voice gruff instantly worrying her. Aizik squinted, "I'm really confused. Should I be seeing something?" he asked. Eira raised an eyebrow and looked back at Adam. Well, where Adam was. There was no one there. She blinked and rubbed her eyes. Everything seemed to be somehow...blurrier. "Eira?" Aizik asked. She shook her head. Get it together, what was that? she asked herself.

"I thought I saw someone here. I guess...I dunno." Eira said scratching her head. Aizik chuckled.

"Okay then. That's fine. As long as I'm not going blind or something. That would be a serious detriment to my abilities." he replied. Eira chuckled back nervously.

"Right blind yeah that would be bad heh heh." She knew she sounded completely spacey, but she felt, well; spacey at the moment. What the hell was up with her vision anyway? Aizik turned and opened the door again,

"Well, I've actually got to go bio now, so I'm going to go find an outhouse or something. Should I meet you back here?" he asked. Eira nodded looking back into the room as Aizik left. The door closed. She glanced back to see it shut then forward again seeing Adam smiling at her.

"What are you?" she asked suddenly. He just patted her on the head. She squinted at him. Her eyes just seemed to having trouble getting things in focus. It wasn't really bad, but enough to notice something was wrong.

"Just a friend is all. A very close friend, " he said with his glasses shining over his eyes. Eira shook her head slowly,

"But I've never met you before..." she said honestly. Still, something about him seemed so familiar. So close. Adam laughed,

"Well of course not! Not you personally, that would be rather...impossible. Anyway, I have some good news for you!" he cheered placing his hands on her shoulders and looking right into her eyes. "You're finally changing! It's the grand plan that has finally begun you see! You've always seen yourself as some sort of stain on the world. Something to be used and thrown away. The truth is, you have a purpose far beyond that of most other people. You, Eira; are special." he said smiling almost too big for his face. Eira blinked with her mouth agape. Adam laughed again, "Don't expect to understand it all now dear Eira! Here, these will help you see things in this world a little easier, but don't expect to use that sight with thee on," he said taking off his glasses and placing them on Eira's face. As the lenses slid on Adam disappeared but everything else became crisp again. Maybe more defined than before. Eira blinked again still unsure of what to say. "Don't worry I'm still here for the moment. Just remember to take them off every once in a while. Eventually you're realize you see things much clearer without them." Aizik came back into the room.

"Alright, should we try to find someone in charge?" he asked. Eira whirled around blushing and stammering,

"Uh, um... I mean, what? Sure...maybe..." Aizik blinked a few times staring at her. His brain got stuck trying to process the lingual vomit she'd just presenting him with. That's when he noticed the glasses.

"Where did you get those?" he asked confused. Eira searched for an answer that wasn't a lie.

"I need them. What, do they look bad?" she asked averting the question. Aizik shook his head without hesitation.

"No, they look cute on you." he replied. It was the truth to him. They seemed to suit her nicely. Eira blushed at how quickly he'd complimented her.

"Oh...um thank you." she said shyly. Aizik turned facing out the door and looked back at Eira,

"Ready? Come on. Let's get out of here."
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Cavan stumbled and barely caught himself as a rock sailed overhead. Another crack of a thin stick whipped across the back of his leg. He knew his footsteps had to be trailing blood at this point. Vision blurry and balance shaky he pushed forward. "Shit..." he whispered to himself smirking, "This might be it." Another step. He couldn't even see the Cathedral yet and already he felt like he was dying. The only reason the crowd hadn't killed him outright was because bringing him down slowly was more satisfying. If he fell he was dead, and if he was dead Aizik was dead. If Aizik was dead so was the Maiden. He couldn't let it end yet. His body would just have to deal.

"Die you heretic!"

"It's far too late for forgiveness!"

"STOP IT!!!" came a familiar voice. Cavan dragged his next step forward before noticing the crowd had stopped. He turned seeing short red hair. His eyes widened,

"Anna?" he rasped. Hearing his own voice out loud gave him even more realization to how bad his shape was. His jaw was swelling and making his speech a little more difficult. She didn't face him but instead stepped toward the crowd. Cavan said a silent prayer that no one harmed her. He'd already giver her his friend speech after all. If he didn't stick up for her no matter what how could he ever face himself. If someone threw a rock at Anna they were dead. Period. After all, Seiru said he couldn't defend himself.

"Why are you defending this demon?" shouted someone in the crowd. Anna clenched her fist tightly in anger.

"I'm not defending HIM. I can't even begin to describe my disgust for what he's done, but that's not important. It is not our will that should punish him if he seeks forgiveness. Somehow he has escaped man's law and is now attempting to reconcile in accordance to the law of our Light Father. What you're doing is wrong and is not His will! If you wish to beat and stone this man then you have no choice but to include me. I have committed sins as well and had to repent to the Light Father for forgiveness. Several of those things I did I was never punished for. So go ahead, kill me as well!" she shouted.

"Did you commit a sin so dastardly as his?"

"No crime is as wicked as what that man was in accomplice to!"

"Out of our way!"

"We are taught that sin is sin and there are no levels of intensity. Each can only be forgiven by God. We have no say in his judgment anymore. If you really believe that the Light Father is just and all powerful how can you doubt Him so that you believe you have to take His place in punishing this man?" Anna shouted. "What makes you think it's okay for us to decide what sin is worse than another? Do not become murderers yourselves in pursuit of some kind of holy vengeance. There is no such thing." The crowd slowly lowered their arms. A man stepped forward,

"I believe in what she says. It's all true." he said. Cavan stood staring as the entire aura of the mob shifted. His eyes widened. He'd never seen such a thing. His life was saved just now by faith. Not in the conventional sense, but by one person's faith engulfing the hatred and lust for vengeance of several others. It only took one drop to cleanse it all and bring the light back to the surface. Now, he really did need to pray. "I believe we should all look inside ourselves and speak to our Father. We cannot stoop to the violence of this demon." As the man spoke Anna turned and stood next to Cavan looking over his body. He was covered in dirt, bruises, and cuts. She winced seeing them. He looked back at her,

"What were you thinking?" Cavan asked, "Seiru isn't going to be happy with you." Anna shook her head,

"Yeah but hey, we're friends right? That means we have to look out for each other. That's no matter what right?" she replied smiling. Cavan blushed looking at her. At that moment he'd never seen anyone more beautiful. If it wouldn't hurt his ribs and be disgusting due to the blood all over his mouth he would have leaned over and kissed her. Instead he just smiled,

"Right!"

Cavan and Anna arrived at the Cathedral. It had been cleaned, but the air still hung thick with death. The holy presence seemed to be gone and it was instead a hollow building devoid of anything. Love, hatred, there was no presence at all. Cavan walked to the alter. "Anna, what you said was beautiful," he said. Anna blushed a little,

"Thank you."

"But you're wrong." he continued. Anna stopped blushing instantly.

"Excuse me?" she asked offended.

"Man is one of God's greatest tools of exacting his wrath. Without us, lots of people would go unpunished. The trouble lies in trying to justify how we can be his wrath even though only he has the right to decide how to punish sinners. That trip I just took on the business end of a serious ass kicking was partially repentance for what I've done in my life. I've killed more people than I have years in my life. For me, any punishment could be God's punishment." Cavan explained kneeling and closing his eyes.

"Cavan. Whatever you've done, why don't you ask for forgiveness? Our Light Father is ever compassionate. He will relieve you of that guilt and wipe your slate clean." Anna said almost pleading. Cavan knew that it was an inner struggle for her not to hate him. Still, she did a good job of keeping her faith above her hatred. He smiled,

"Because Anna I learned something from a dear friend of mine. God's forgiveness is meaningless if you can't forgive yourself. You see, it's almost an insult to ask if you won't accept it for yourself. You'd never ask for someone's gift if you knew you'd refuse it right?" Anna shook her head,

"Cavan, why can't you just accept His forgiveness even if you can't accept your own?" she asked. She tried so hard.

"Anna, his forgiveness can only wipe a slate clean if you keep your hands off the board. You understand? Our will to hold onto guilt or shame can get in the way of all His works. Miracles and blessings, even curses and wrath. We have amazing power that He trusted us with. It's a shame that sometimes it overwhelms us." A silence persisted for a while before Anna knelt beside him and bowed her head.

"Fine, then I will pray for both of us. I can only pray than our Father can allow you to let go of that guilt and shame." she said choking up a little. Cavan looked over at her a little surprised. Her lips were quivering. Why did she care so much? The feeling he got from her reminded him a bit of Eira. He smiled and bowed his head.

"Thank you Anasala."
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Ederich, Fallen Star Inn, Room 18; Five years ago
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Aizik stared out the window. "Cavan, I can't stop thinking about it." he said. Cavan rolled over onto his back to look at his friend.

"Sure you can." he coaxed. Aizik shook his head.

"Ralus was my mentor. Even though he caused you to get hurt I should have...I shouldn't have..." he stuttered to a halt. "Cavan, I don't think I can ever make up for what I've done. I don't think I can go through with our plan."

"Too much death to reach the end?" Cavan asked. Aizik looked back at him,

"Cavan, how much blood can I have on my hands before they can no longer be cleaned?" he asked. Cavan shook his head.

"Aizik, trust me. If the Light Father is biased or rooting for any underdog hero it's you. We'll find a way, and if our plan isn't the way then I'm sure we'll find the right path somewhere along the road."

"I don't want to kill anymore Cavan." Aizik said staring out the window. Cavan laid back.

"I know Ai. I know. If I could take your place I would, but you know this is something we each have our own role to play in." he replied. Aizik nodded.

"Yes, I'll do what I must. Neither of us can die until this is all over. Until we've finally done something worthy of forgiveness on such grand a scale." he said closing the curtain. "I only hope Ralus can find peace now. I only hope all the people I hate now can find a way to be proud of what we accomplish, I hope we can make their deaths worth it." Cavan sighed,

"Yeah, it won't be easy. We'll just have to do our best to avoid fighting unless it's absolutely necessary." he responded. Aizik lay on his own bed and staid quiet for a while.

"Cavan, what do you think the Light Father would say if I had gone to Him then instead of coming back?" he asked. Cavan smiled,

"He'd say: Aizik what are you doing? You never even touched ANY of those boobies you loved so much! I made this ONE pair just for you!" Aizik blushed and threw his pillow at Cavan.

"Sh-shut up! No he wouldn't!" Aizik shouted, but still didn't manage to get past Cavan's laughter. "It's not funny! That was a serious question you ass!" That was the first night that Cavan was beaten with his own pants.