The Sin's Virtue

I never bothered for a research I should have done a long time ago. Never tried to make time for it. And I know I am blessed with a life, with no end to it. So I have had a lot of time. I still do.

But all I know is that Virtues were created to balance the life of mortals on earth. To pacify the Sins’ very cruel rein. The thing with being a Virtue is that I was not born alone. I am a part of seven Virtues that were brought to Santo, together.

Its been millions and millions of years since then and I don’t remember a day I spent without my sisters, the other six Virtues.

Yet here I stand barely aware about how the heaven someone could just steal the Virtues?

I looked at the people around me, looking sombre and frightened at the same time. I would have been the same if I were as helpless as they are. Yet I am not. I refuse to be. I know I won’t find my sisters when I return to my room inside. Thats more than depressing but I don’t have time to wallow in grief and pain, however it is clawing right at the core of my conscience.

I cleared my throat and looked up, getting back in my authoritative stance.

“When did it happen?” I asked out loud and clear from everyone who was in the large foyer. “Why wasn’t I informed immediately?”

“Ma’am, as I said, we don’t know what exactly happened but before everyone was about to leave for their homes, strange things happened.” The same person from earlier said looking quite shaky.

“Yes, everything went dark and it was quite ch-chilly around the castle grounds.” Another maid said. Everyone nodded.

I looked up at the sky, it was still in vibrant shades of bright orange and yellow and red all mixed together. The sun has only just set beyond the horizon.

Santo happens to be on the lower half of Diverso-Terra, near to the equator. It gives us a very tropical environment to experience. Its never too cold around here. Hardly mild. Having a chilly one for that matter has shot a alarming shiver up my spine.

“Did anyone see anything? Any unusual thing?” Everyone shook their heads. “Where were Virtues then?”

“In their quarters. Resting.” I frowned. They didn’t come because they were resting?

Something is not right. I am being led into a trap and this may not be a very good one.

“But s-someone screamed. I heard it.” My face snapped in the direction of the voice. A petite girl was standing near the lounge set up for visitors.

“Scream?” I asked politely. She already looked out of her mind. Last thing I want to do is scare her away than she already is. She nodded.

“Yes ma’am. I was on the floor just lower than the one Virtues have their rooms on. I wasn’t able to shout for help. My mouth was sealed shut. Like some one was holding my tongue down forcefully.” She said recounting. I frowned.

“Was it painful?” I asked her already knowing the answer. She shook her head as expected and I know why. Magic. Whoever it was clearly had their way.

I was very aware of the smell in the air, which was not a bother to anyone else standing around me. I was gifted with ability to sense magic around me. A unique power I had amongst the other Virtues. Though every sister of mine has one of their own special one.

These powers are what help us run the state smoothly. And right now I am glad for mine. I could sense the magic and trace it back to the one that used it.

Thats how I know it is no one from the Sins. I would have known if one was here. I am very much familiar with the kind of trace they leave behind having them encountered many times. Their’s is not as strong as this one.

The air I am breathing in is mightily strong. Subtle however, its power does not miss my senses.

It could not be any Element either. They have an earthly scent for magic and frankly I am on very good terms with them, for my sisters to get kidnapped like this.

That means whoever here was, I have never met them. Their magic is out of my knowledge.

“Blissie?” I called for the head of the staff members. She came forward from my right.

“Ma’am?”

“Call Marie and ask her to come here as soon as possible.” She nodded and left to do what I asked her to. I turned to rest of the people.

“As for all of you, I would suggest to stall all the work related to the castle. Take off. Keep it to your homes. I want all the virtus to be safe and sound.” I said. It is important to keep them away.

“We are not leaving you here alone, Ma’am.” Someone from behind said. And a chorus of agreement came in response to that.

“Yeah. We will stay here.” Another one said firmly. I smiled despite myself.

“As much as I appreciate your support this is a very grave circumstance we are challenged with but I am not giving up. I promise to bring back the Virtues as soon as possible.” I said genuinely thankful for their strong wills.

“But what about Santo?” Someone asked. “Its going to raise a havoc, once the news travels out of the here.”

“I am aware of that. And right now with all the things going around, we can’t afford it. We have to keep it very low until we don’t find the Virtues.” I said giving everyone a meaningful look.

“But its impossible to hide it. The absence of Virtue will disclose itself eventually.”

The absence. I am only one and its clear that it is not enough to keep up the balance.

How far I would be able to take it?

Its one against the seven.

“And we wait till then.” I looked up at the entrance I came from to find Marie coming in, behind her, my whole team following her. “We could do with some time for now.” She said coming to stand near me. I nodded at them.

“Marie take care of everyone here, ensure that they have safely returned to their homes and ask them to tell no one for now. I have to go inside.” I said. She told me to not worry which was beyond point.

How can I not?

I casted one last glance at everyone and muttered a thank you before leaving.

I quickly walked in and towards the stairs cupping the arch of the drawing room ascending two stairs at a time. I landed on the third floor and the same smell hit my nose like a slab of wood.

Its strong in here. I made my way to lounging area nestled between the rooms circling around it.

No one was there. Checking the rooms was a moot point. I sighed and collapsed on the couch, my head falling in my heads.

How can they come in and go without me noticing their presence? What was I doing? How can I be so irresponsible? This is so not how I imagined my day would be when I woke up this morning.

I didn’t know I wouldn’t be seeing everyone when I return.

Why would someone kidnap the Virtues?

Someone who wouldn’t want the balance in the world?

A Sin seems right to be blamed here but then I know its not a one.

A Sin wouldn’t be able to come here. Not in the castle anyways.

I heard footsteps approaching to where I was sitting. It was my team.

Right on the cue all of them appeared in the line of my vision. They all came and sat around me. Nobody said a word.

“What are you going to do Shye?” Kace asked me silently. I sighed and fell back in my place. Resting my head on the back of the couch. My eyes staring at the carvings on the ceiling.

What am I going to do? What can I do?

“Can you all handle the office for me?” I asked not looking at them but continuing to stare up.

“Anything for you.” Fel said this time. I nodded.

“I would have to stay in here.” I said knowing how coming days would be hell for me.

“Why? I mean if you don’t come to the office, things may turn upside down sooner than we have estimated.” Kace said as a matter of fact.

“Where is Marie?” I asked.

“Escorting the staff out with Blissie and a few others.” Blaze said from my side.

I didn’t say anymore. Waiting, till Marie comes. I got up and went to stand infront of window, looking down at the oblivious city crawling slowly into the lap of disaster.

I can feel the air around me losing its touch, like it sensed the absence of Virtues.

If I don’t find them on time, everything will erupt into a ball of mess. This will have all of us blamed equally.

Nobody dares to mess with the balance. Not even the Sins, even though the infamous brothers are well known for their notorious lives.

They have never messed with us except for the satires they would throw here and there on the masquerade balls and núcleo meetings held every six months.

But some how the smell suspended in the air feels evil on my skin.

How can I know its not a Sin? Maybe they left a false scent to tip me off from them? That is absolutely considerable because I know how manipulative they can be.

So my claims are rational.

But what if its not them?

Thats when an idea crossed my thoughts.

I turned back to face the lounge and saw Marie entering in just in time looking tired. Instantly guilt settled over me.

They are here after a very long day in the office.

“They all are safely back at their places.” She said answering my thoughts and going to sit where I vacated my place.

“Good. Now here me out.” I said. “Marie, take the charge of the office while I am not here for the next few days. Keep those development projects running and dealt with. I don’t want anything out of ordinary. The longer we are able to stretch it the better, before it is out in open air.”

“Where are you going?” Cile asked, confused. “You do know that if you leave, then the Santo will start weakening at the speed of light.”

“I don’t have a choice. I have to do this.” I said, setting my lips in a hard line.

“Do what?” I sighed. I don’t think telling this to anyone right now would be right.

“Just take care of things here for now.” I said instead. “I will ensure the safety outside. Marie, get the jet to be ready on runway when the dawn cracks first thing tomorrow.”

“Where to?”

“Impío.”