The Test..

From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe

A story about Creteva

I walked over to the seat next to Creteva and sat down. "Creteva?"

She peered up from the book that she was reading, "Huh, oh...Yes, what do you need, ma'am?"

I had sighed, "First, you really don't have to call me that, Johanna will do...And I had a question?"

Creteva nodded, "Oh, yes, I will answer your question, ma'- Johanna..."

I couldn't help but laugh, "Fine, you may call me what you wish...But just note that I would like to be called Johanna... Anyways, back to my question..." I watched as Creteva nodded, waiting to here what I was about to ask her, "...I was wondering about your past...Where'd you come from, and so forth..."

Creteva looked at me, then she slowly closed her book and placed it on a side table. "You have have treated me with kindness. You have become one of my close friends here. I do not see why I have to hide my past from you, especially where you query apon it now..." I blinked...Her speech was formal, and I felt that what I was about to be told might be a bit much..."Go on..."

Creteva nodded, "I will...."

(The story switches into Creteva's perspective)

I was relaxing on my luxurious couch with some friends. We were all talking about what has happened. One of my friends just got back from her vacation, and she had some interesting tales to tell. She met a male of her age. They spent some time together and she really liked him by the end of it.

Around the time that conversation ended, my father walked into the room and stood over me, "Creteva...We must talk."

It seemed important, well, important enough to enter my chamber with no warning, "Father, what is it...?"

He looked to each of my friends and then back at me, "You wish for me to speak here, in front of your company? Fine then, I will...It is time that you go on your test."

Test? I never told of a test that I had to take, "What do you mean father?"

He straightened his back and looked forward, not at me this time, "Your test will determine if you can have my power and riches. You must claim another world under my name. In doing so, you must kill all who crosses you path."

I watched him as he turned and walked out of my chamber. I, then, looked at all my friends, "I do not like the sound of this..."

My friends were all riled up, and asking me questions such as, "When will you be leaving?", "When will you be coming home?", "What happens if you fail this test?" It was the last question that made us all silent for a moment.

"I wish not to think of what will happen if that is the case. I hope that when I go on this test, that it is a world that is easy to claim, and all who is on it will be willing to let my father claim it."

My closest friend sat even closer to me and took my hands into hers, "I want you to come home, power or no power. Riches or no riches. I want to see you again, as how you were a moment before The Lord walked in here."

My friend reached up around her neck and untied a silk ribbon that was carrying a precious pendant of hers, and was about to put around my neck. I shook my head and stopped her from doing so, "i could not accept that. That was your mother's, and she gave that to you before she...before she passed. I could not take it from you."

My friend frowned, "You will take it, you must...Take it for me. My mother had given me this to protect me. She knew she was dieing and she wanted me safe...I am not dieing, but I still want it to protect you."

If she wanted to give it to me that bad, and for that reason, I could not disappoint her. I allowed her to finish tying it around my neck, "Then I accept this greatly. I hope I do not need this to protect me though."

All of my friends gave me a big, long hug in turn. They all said their goodbyes, and left praying. I sat on my bed for hours reflecting on the day.

I woke early morning, even before the rise of the sun, to find my mother sitting on the edge of my bed. She was stroking my hair softly. "Mother? Are you alright?"

She nodded. Her expression was sad. It looked as if she was crying. She wasn't now, but she has been, I know. "I am fine, my darling daughter." I slowly rose out of bed and my eyes met my mothers', "You've cried, why?"

She only shook her head and then held me, "I wish you well... I want you to know that I do not want you going on this test. This test will be difficult. And I fear that you will fail..."

I started to cry onto her shoulder, "I will not..I will try not to fail Father's test...But if I do...What will happen?"

I felt my mother's body shudder, "I have not thought of that. I have not been told what will happen." Her grasp got tighter, but I wanted it. I did not want to leave my home. I did not want to leave my friends. I did not want to leave my mother.

My mother stroked my hair long enough for me to go back to sleep. I dream't of a banquet. All my friends were there. My mother and Father had joined. Family whom I have met, and some that i did not know existed. Everyone was getting along with one another. I was happy. But then, my mind left. My body collapsed, and my mind drifted into darkness.

I awoke. I did not feel the comfort of my cushioned bed. Instead, I was laying on something that was hard, wet, and cold. I looked around. There was to brick walls to both sides of me. I was laying on the ground. My home was gone...and my test seemed to have begun.