{"id":1236,"date":"2022-11-07T16:00:02","date_gmt":"2022-11-07T16:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aratheon.com\/?p=1236"},"modified":"2022-11-09T11:34:52","modified_gmt":"2022-11-09T11:34:52","slug":"broken-souls-chapter-37","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aratheon.com\/index.php\/2022\/11\/07\/broken-souls-chapter-37\/","title":{"rendered":"Broken Souls – Chapter 37"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Lura Syllana<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The next day brings my first day of training. Chalia doesn\u2019t explain much and pushes me off on one of the other strays named Biremeril. A dark amber-skinned boy, who\u2019s short and skinny. I can tell he\u2019s a little over half my age. He\u2019s shy and doesn\u2019t say much. We walk the halls in silence as he takes the lead up the stairs past several floors until we\u2019re on a floor with white stone walls and flooring with a golden silver trimmed rug, much like other floors in the church. The walls have gold and silver banners with paintings here and there. One is of an angel clothed in Light, descending down upon the people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We finally reach a room where a bunch of others in brown robes all cluster in little groups, chatting amongst themselves. We get a few looks and nods, but I don\u2019t recognize a single person. I follow Biremeril to the back row, where there are several empty seats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My heart leaps up into my throat as Ralodan enters. He sees us and waves with a smile before rushing over to sit by us. He\u2019s so tall and handsome, but despite that, I can\u2019t let my heart go to another man. Especially with what happened with Orym. I\u2019m so afraid I\u2019ll run into him here. What if he sees me and regrets what he did? What if he tells people what I used to do before I came here?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I can\u2019t let that happen. I need to avoid him and any other attachments at all costs. Maybe the church is right about that. Attachments only lead to pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHey, I was hoping to see you here Lura. You too, Biremeril. How are you both doing?\u201d he asks, taking a seat next to us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biremeril shrugs, But I can\u2019t help but smile. There is just something about him that makes me feel like everything is going to be alright. A girl with blonde hair that is nearly white and pale skin wearing a yellow robe walks in. She has a smile that seems to be permanently plastered but doesn\u2019t quite reach her bright blue eyes that seem to judge everything they lay upon. \u201cWelcome back zeroes. Time to get back to work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her eyes scan the room before they land on me. \u201cLooks like we have a new zero on her first day here. What is your name, child?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I clear my throat. \u201cI\u2019m Lura.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo last name?\u201d she asks, her piercing blue gaze seems to already form its judgment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I shake my head no. She sighs. \u201cPity\u2026 I almost assumed from your golden hair that you might be a noble. It\u2019s a shame, but the church has grown desperate for new recruits, especially with how few Novices actually become Accepted. Now, since it is your first day, I hope you\u2019ve already learned the basics, so I don\u2019t have to waste time explaining things to you. You\u2019re a zero. That means you are nothing. Of course, you already knew that being a low-born. The only way to become something of any value and find salvation is to accept the Light\u2019s grace into your heart.  Once you learn that salvation comes from embracing and living in the Divine Light, you can fully begin your journey as a servant of the Light. To fully learn this, you must read The Light\u2019s Embrace<\/em> by Terel Glarespell, the first prophet of the Light. Unfortunately, he is no longer with us. You\u2019ll find a copy of the book in the back cupboard.\u201d She looks down her nose at me before waving her hand at the cupboard. \u201cI suggest you read it several times and know it from cover to back. Put every last word to memory. You will be tested on your understanding of it and you must pass with complete certainty before you can move on to level one. Now get to it. If you have any questions at all, you may ask me, but don\u2019t waste my time with things that are already in the book, and everything you need to know is in that book. You do know how to read, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I nod, and that earns me a relieved sigh. \u201cGood, too few low-borns know how to read or are incapable of learning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I ignore the insult and head over to the cupboard and grab a rather thick book before heading back to my seat. I blow the dust off it before opening it to find little notes and scribbles written all over it. I don\u2019t want to risk being insulted by her noble arseness, so I just keep the book. On the inside of the cover, there\u2019s a little message written. I can\u2019t help but read it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To whoever picks this book up, I must tell you what I have discovered on my journey to find the Light. Within my book, I have made more notes on the visions shown to me by the Angel Akrasiel and what he has taught me. The things I have learned and have kept secret must be remembered. It is too important for it to be forgotten. Read on with the utmost caution and urgency. The truth must be known. But whatever you do, do not trust those who call themselves pure or who demand others to follow their own Light. There is darkness and corruption within the halls of the Light. Be wary and be cautious.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below, at the bottom of the page, there\u2019s another note and this one makes my heart flutter and feels familiar.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A hidden secret lies in a list at the back of this book.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve seen that note before, but I can\u2019t remember where. What are they talking about? I don\u2019t quite understand. It sounds like the person who wrote all these notes is the same person who wrote this book. I close the book and look at the cover to read the name Terel Glarespell. Who are you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I flip to the back of the book to see the Appendix and at the bottom there\u2019s another note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve also hidden other books that detail everything I have learned and what I believe it means. I ask that you read them, and please put them back where you found them for the next person.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He\u2019s written more books?  <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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