Purgatory

[| Prologue |]

~

"Mine honor is my life; both grow in one.
Take honor from me, and my life is done."

― William Shakespeare, Richard II (I.i.184-185)

~

The people had stopped weeping a few hours ago while howls of the men who had fought alongside her continues through change of day and possibly throughout the night. The chimes of the bells echoes for hours since last night and will continue until midnight. Everyone is in their house yet their houses are silent unlike any other night. The streets are barren, only a couple Nightguards roaming around with their eyes watching the shadows behind the trees. Usually they'd find children and teenagers behind those trees but tonight the shadows are just trees.

The Queen has died and perhaps she had brought the people with her, or maybe they fear of what's to come. Maybe they are praying for the bells to continue to chime in a sign of grieve for it is less haunting than the calls of war.

"Is there anything wrong here?" Beatrice asked. The temple is always quiet during the night, but perhaps tonight the bells will conquer the silence.

"High Priestess," the acolytes bowed in respect. Virgil eyed them distastefully but masked it with a smile towards her.

"High Priest, are they in trouble?" Beatrice kept her tone light and soft. The night is already tensed, she intends to not make it worse.

"I was just making sure they aren't only prancing about the halls when they should be preparing for the long night. Guarding sacrificial fire for the whole night is not as easy as it may seemed," Virgil softly scolded the acolytes. They look at her with pleading eyes, hoping she would defend them for in truth they did nothing wrong.

Beatrice stilled her expression, stern yet soft eyes towards them. "I might have volunteered to guard the fire but do not forget that all of you will assist the preparation," Beatrice told them. She could sense Virgil's eyes on her. "Now go and fetch the things we'll need."

The acolytes bowed their heads.

"Volunteering to guard the fire?" Virgil asked once they left.

Beatrice stern look dismissed his hidden inquiry. A gush of night breeze blew softly and a shiver traveled along Beatrice's spine. Her head turns towards the large door on her right as another chime of bell rung.

"I have never seen such a lost soul before," Virgil said.

Beatrice frowned. He's not a lost soul.

Virgil sighed. "I prayed she had repent her sins and regrets. She was dear to me."

Beatrice's frown turns into a flat line whilst Virgil's lips upturned into a small smile. "She was dear to us all."

"She left a great storm for us to face. I pray we will find our peace eventually." His amused smile is still on his lips.

Beatrice nods. Another chime of bell follows, accompanied by a more subtle chime for another hour had passed.

"I suppose I must leave," Virgil nod respectfully. "It's a long night ahead, Priestess Beatrice. May the Goddesses bless thee."

"May the Goddesses bless thee," Beatrice replied as the priest sauntered away.

The Main Hall is brightly lit with all the lights and candles lit. The smell of burning weeds and herbs floating in the air as the sacrificial fire afire. The creak of the large door joins the chiming of the bells. Beatrice can smell fresh soil mixed with his scent as she entered the Hall. He stood there frigid, his eyes fixed on the altar that stood in between the statue of Artemis and Selene. Her senses are overpowered by him. She tries her best to keep her pace steady and less eager each time she closes the gap between them.

Blue. Muscles taut. Bereavement. Scattered thoughts. Grief stricken.

Heart weeps with another.

She stopped and stood beside him. The air is tense and fragile, as if a movement or a simple sound can break its stillness. Once breathed in, the thickness of it filled the lungs uneasily. She can't help but feels suffocated.

A simple touch.

She lets out a shaky breath as her fingertips touches the palm of his hand. Soft. They traveled to his fingertips where they became rougher, more calloused, with traces of dirt and soil that make them even rougher.

She closes her eyes. Hand in hand. Her eyes opened when his hand clutches hers. The tensed air cracked and a different sense travels through. Safe.

"Say something," he said, his thumb caressing her hand. "I'd like to hear your voice."

Longing. "You will be okay."

He almost chuckled and the air shifts. "I know that."

"I didn't," Beatrice replied. "But now I know."

He looked at her, his grip on her tighten slightly. "I'm sorry for that."

"I want to help you, but I can't. Not if we're apart," she said, her voice soft and careful. She looks up to him. "We can carry the burden together, Dante. I'm ready to leave the temple, to leave my title, to do my duty."

Dante's hand softly cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing the one stray tear that rebelled and fell. Worry. Anxiousness. Wary. Her face leans into his hand and he caresses her, cherishing the feeling. "My Half, we will be together soon, but not now, not while they are brewing a new wave of war." Dante leans in and kisses her forehead. I don't know what is to come. "Soon."

"You'll return to me," she said to no one in a whisper.

"I will return for you."

She kisses his palm before bringing it down and hold his hand tight in hers. The sound of the bells dragged her attention towards the altar. The flame whispered low as they burn. The air becomes still again but it has lost most of its thickness. It no longer suffocates.

Beatrice exhales, her chest still taut and uneasy. Dante breathes in, filling his hollow chest. Selene and Artemis watch them in their silence and listen to their prayers.

Virgil turned around, away from the arch of the balcony that looks out towards the Main Hall. He walked away, his footsteps unheard, indiscernible.

~

I intend to make this a little bit different than other stories I've read but that will be impossible because we always look other creations for inspirations. I'd say my biggest inspiration for this book are Whiskeyqueenn and merrywombat. I took inspiration on the way they told their stories. Please check out their books which are amazing and just . . . beautiful, for the lack of a better word. But it'll be no surprise to me if you have read them already. They are that good.

Votes and comments will be much appreciated, especially on grammar mistakes. I tend to do those. English isn't my first language after all. Nevertheless, I really hope you guys will enjoy this book as I will enjoy writing them.

I hope we'll meet again,

Vee.