Chapter Text
In a village on the outskirts of Bizville, upon a hill, lay a big farm with acres upon acres of grape vines. The sun was just peeking above the horizon.
Inside the main house, the husband and wife were walking around, getting ready. It was Saturday, meaning it was sermon day. All of their workers had already left. The wife straightened her simple yet elegant blue dress and turned to the stairs leading to the upper floor.
”Darling, come on!” She called. ”This family can’t be late five times in a row!”
As if on cue, the pitter-patter of tiny feet echoed through the stairs. A small child with hair as white and pure as fresh snow came into view, dressed in a pink dress and holding onto something. The child took her mother’s hand and the family made their way to the old car together.
On the outside, the car looked as if it were held together by duct tape, glue, and prayers. But even after all these years, it still functioned.
The child watched as houses passed them by, the car bumping under every cobblestone. The streets were empty as everyone was in the church. The car came to a halt outside a convenience store, the only available parking space close to the church. Mother and daughter waited by the hood as father paid the parking fee.
The church stood tall against the other small houses and buildings, with trees flanking it from behind. A woman dressed in white stood at the entrance, her hair pulled back in a low ponytail.
The woman turned to face the family as they ascended the steps to the church.
”Bell.” The priestess bowed her head, Bell did the same. The priestess turned to her husband. ”Charles.” She bowed her head once again, with Charles returning the gesture, one arm around his wife. The priestess finally seemed to notice the little girl who was with them.
The priestess crouched down to her level. ”There you are little Stella.” She looked down at the 5-year-old’s arms. ”What do you have here?”
Stella unfolded her arms to release a plush shaped like the priestess. ”Sister Liliya, I made this for you.”
Sister Liliya carefully took the plush, examining its features. ”Did you really make this?” Stella nodded enthusiastically. ”This is lovely!”
Sister Liliya stood up and placed the plush in one of the pockets in her robe.
”I sure hope we aren’t late again.” Charles asked.
”You’re actually in time for once.” Sister Liliya replied, everyone let out a light chuckle. Bell reached for her daughter to lead her into the church, only to grasp at air. She looked around the village square.
”Where is our daughter?”
Meanwhile, in the forest behind the church, little Stella was chasing a pack of ants. The ants scattered in every other direction before returning to one pack. In her hurry, Stella failed to look up, causing her to bump into something.
Or rather, someone.
Stella looked up.
A figure was looming over her. He was dressed head to toe in dark shades of purple, his face completely obscured. He wore a cape that covered his left arm, though there was no arm to behold.
Stella felt a knot form in her stomach. ”Hello?” Be polite, but cautious with strangers. But the Mysterious Figure didn’t reply. ”Who are you?”
”Stella!” Bell’s voice cut through the tense air, and the Mysterious Figure finally shifted his stance. Bell grabbed her daughter by the arm and started pulling her back to the church.
”Miss McGillavry.” The voice came from behind, as if greeting an old acquaintance. The voice was quiet and mysterious with an undertone of something powerful and ancient. Bell stopped like she’d been petrified, her grip tightening around her daughter’s arm. Stella turned to the Mysterious Figure, who remained rigid like a statue.
”You get away from her!” Bell yelled at the Mysterious Figure, speedwalking to the church. Stella looked back at him, and he tilted his head.
The family reunited at the church steps alongside Sister Liliya.
”Mommy, you weren’t very nice to that stranger.”
Bell let out a sigh.
”You’re right.” She mumbled. ”But that man is a very dangerous individual. He’s the leader of some heretics.”
Stella looked at her. ”What is a heretic?”
”It’s like someone who doesn’t believe in God.” Sister Liliya replied. ”But enough of that, people are waiting inside.”
And just like that, everyone walked inside. But Stella noticed several silhouettes hiding among the tall trees.
That night, after everyone had gone to bed and the sun had said goodnight, little Stella crept down the stairs, her stuffed animal clutched tightly in her arms. The little girl slid down each step as gracefully as she could, not wanting to wake up her family.
Stella finally reached the last few steps, but froze. She had a perfect view of the living room, and her father was sitting on his sofa, looking down at something. Charles suddenly turned around, too fast for Stella to react.
”What are you doing up this late?” He asked, his voice low from tiredness. Stella looked at the ground, fiddling with the ear of her stuffed animal.
”I’m thirsty.” She mumbled quietly. Charles shifted in his seat, setting something aside before reaching his arms out. Stella hopped down the stairs and made a beeline for her father’s lap. Charles helped her up until she was seated.
Stella looked upon her father’s sword that leaned against the coffee table. It was taller than Stella, its hilt and blade chipped, yet it gleamed in the moonlight. Stella had seen it mounted above the TV her entire life. She’d heard countless stories of her father wielding it, and his mother, and that mother’s mother, and so on for what felt like forever. Charles looked at it, eyes filled with nostalgia.
”Daddy, do you think that stranger is a hero?”
Charles snapped out of his trance. ”Hm?”
”You lost your leg in a fight, he was missing an arm. Do you think he was also a hero, just like you?”
Charles chuckled a little, pulling Stella closer. ”Not every warrior fights to protect others.”
”What does that mean?”
”Some fight to protect others. Some fight for themselves.”
The duo felt the couch creak. Bell was leaning over the back, bathrobe on and hair tangled. Bell silently reached over and picked up Stella.
”Come on, Darling. You have chores tomorrow.”
Stella rested her head on her mother’s shoulder as she was carried to the stairs.
Outside, under the light of the moon, just outside the McGillavry property line. A Mysterious Figure watched as the family moved inside the house, gently rubbing his pendant of the holy symbol of God.
”Now the light has gone away. Dear God in heaven, listen while I pray. Begging thee to watch and keep, and send us quietly to sleep. Watchful Savior, wash away. All I’ve done wrong today. Help us every day to be gentle. Gentle more like thee.”