The Outergod's Avatar-Chapter 37: Day of Departure (2)

Izikel’s gaze lingered on the small army as they matched away.

If only they could hear his thoughts— ’Please don’t leave me with this man,’

"You’ll be joining them shortly," Flavius said, pulling Izikel’s attention back. "I just have a few things to tell you before you go."

Flavius always wore an expression that was very difficult to read, that was one of the reasons why Izikel thought him so scary. He could never guess what was going on behind his stern face.

"No problem," Izikel replied, trying to sound casual.

"I’m sorry I wasn’t able to attend your father’s burial," Flavius said, placing a firm hand on Izikel’s shoulder.

Izikel hadn’t really thought about it up until this moment,

’but maybe I should have, it could have been a clue...’

"You don’t have to worry about that Commander Flavius,"

But still it was indeed odd, that the only people in the village that didn’t attend his father’s funeral was the Druid chief, his Tree keepers, Raynoel and the commander. It was easy to understand why the Druids weren’t present, but for Flavius and Raynoel not to be present could easily be called suspicious.

Of course, a lot of other saints didn’t show up, but for the two most powerful saints in the village not to attend the burial of the priest,

’yeah, very suspicious’

"I understand that you are a very busy man... we don’t need everyone present just to put a body in the ground," Izikel chuckled lightly.

Izikel didn’t know when he added the last part of the statement. Even as he said it, he wondered when he’d become capable of making such a grim joke.

’Damn, I let my dark humor slip out’

Flavius looked briefly surprised. Clearly, he hadn’t expected that from a kid.

"But, still I feel I owe you an explanation.... During the heretics war, I served under your great-grandfather, Azrael. Later I was legion commander when your grandfather was priest, and now... I have also served under your father,"

He paused for a moment,

"That means I’ve served under three generations of your family. I watched your father grow from a boy into a man. I never imagined I’d outlive him, let alone have to bury him. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it."

"I know it may be difficult for to under—"

"Wait!" Izikel suddenly interrupted him, his eyes narrowing like he was plagued with intense quantitative reasoning.

"If you served under my Great-grandfather... then you must be extremely old"

’Yeah, the man looked matured but he doesn’t look as old as someone that served in a war 70 years ago,’

Indeed Flavius could easily pass for a man in his late forties. He had no wrinkles on his face, no strand of grey hair and he was very well in shape.

Flavius blinked, thrown off by the question.

"Well, if you must know," he said with a faint chuckle, "this coming winter will be my eighty-seventh."

Izikel’s jaw practically hit the ground.

"I know it may be difficult to believe but it’s true, in my years of battle and hardship it seems that I’ve been blessed with the unlucky gift of long life,"

"It might as well be a curse, having to live long enough to watch the people around you die..."

He looked off into the distance, as if recalling something painful.

There was a heavy silence, then he turned back to Izikel.

"I’ve given both Raynoel and Sophia orders to protect you. They won’t let any harm come to you."

Flavius bowed slightly. "I wish you a safe journey, my lord. May the Lunar Goddess guide your steps."

Izikel was surprised to see what looked like a real smile on the commander’s face.

And it almost looks genuine...

"Thank you, Commander Flavius."

...

Izikel jogged to catch up with the group, casting one last glance at the manor perched high above the village. It could be seen from nearly anywhere.

He could feel his connection to the Altar weaken. From this distance it would be very difficult to refill his soul energy.

’and by the time we leave the village It would practically be useless’

That just shows how important an Altar was. An anchor should never be too far from their Altar, it would make them practically useless.

Not only that, since the Altar is directly connected to his soul, if it was destroyed it would be the end of him. But Izikel wasn’t too worried about something like that happening.

’The Altar is well hidden and plus Dremlin is there, he would definitely keep it safe’

"Yoo, weakling! Try to keep up, or we’ll leave you behind," Lyzah called out with a smirk.

Izikel sighed. "I’m coming... and I’m not a weakling. You’re just too strong."

Lyzah laughed. "Exactly. Which makes you a weakling."

This annoying child, he grumbled internally.

"Don’t worry. If you ever get scared, you can hide behind me," she added, grinning.

Izikel gritted his teeth and kept walking.

"You know," she said, skipping beside him, "it’s the job of the strong to protect the weak."

That one made his eye twitch.

Still, he held his tongue.

She’s just a child. She’s just a child...

"I hope you packed a change of clothes," she teased, "Because when you see the heretics, you’ll probably wet yourself!"

She burst into laughter again, like it was the funniest thing in the world.

A vein popped on Izikel’s forehead.

"Is your mission just to make my life miserable?" he muttered, turning to Felvin. "Why did you even let her come?"

Felvin scratched his jaw, looking vaguely apologetic.

"Actually... it wasn’t my idea. Saint Sophia wanted her to tag along. Said you’d need the company."

Izikel cursed quietly.

"I Should’ve known she was behind this,"

Sophia was walking a few meters ahead. Watching her like this, Izikel wondered if she was really the same person. Her presence carried the weight of a true leader, even though she had barely spoken a word to him, or anyone else.

He understood why. As a leader, with so many lives in her hands, she couldn’t afford any distractions on this mission.

’The only thing I can do for her is to stay out of her way and try not to cause her any problems’