The Sin's Virtue
The lost Virtues

“I don’t see why we can’t do the same as well?” Someone from the long table said out of frustration. I don’t blame them, I mean its tiring for me more so than it has been for my team.

“Because Cile, for your very kind information we are virtus and we can’t do what Sins take pleasure out of!” Blaze said like Cile didn’t know that. Rest just nodded, bored out of their minds.

“I know that! But-”

“Enough! Let Shye decide it better for her people, including you." Blaze cut him off, effectively silencing Cile. Which also means, everyone is looking at me now. I smiled tightly. What else can I do?

Santo is a holy land. A land that has been nurtured with care and love by us. Virtues. I and my sisters were given this land millions of years ago by the Sun himself. If I say that I clearly remember how it was back then and one thinks I am exaggerating, then I am not. Santo was and has always been very traditional. The people here believe in preserving what they were gifted with and that is what keeps Santo so united.

My sisters however are not here right now, facing this encouraging look. All the people around table are looking at me expectantly.

They are expecting a solution. I got up from my chair and moved to stand before the glass wall, my back turned to the table. I gazed down at the heart of state and the castle mounting it. Our beautiful city.

Whenever I take a look at this breath taking picturesque civilisation, my mind just stops in the moment because its that beautiful. It never loses its touch of age. The streets, the buildings, the houses all of it have millions of stories to tell and people of Santo are just as in love with it as I am.

The people back at the table are waiting for my answer because I along with my sisters rule here. But this never felt like a monarchy. Santo is not a territory. Santo is home. For me, for virtus. Virtues never forced this culture on virtus to follow but something about breathing in the history of the place and living it more everyday appeals to all of us.

Old school? Yes. But thats how we are. And we love it.

I turned around and my gaze found Cile’s. He knew what was coming and already slumped back in his chair.

“I appreciate your opinions on development. I know that Santo needs it more than ever. But I also have people to look after who love this land just the way it is and I can not have them let down.” I said looking around the table.

“As much as it may be appealing you Cile, what Sins are doing with their lives, you are a Virtus. I favour changes but not unholy.” I said, my voice stern and directed to the person who has been bringing in the ideologies of Sins.

“Alright! I am extremely apologetic for the ideas I put forward.” Cile said under his breath but he forgets that my powers let me hear him even from hear. I smiled.

“Forget what Sins are up to! But we can’t ignore the obvious fact that Santo does need a change. The old building for example are at the verge of breaking down like those toys mortal children play with.” Marie, my personal assistant said looking down for more issues in her thick file of research.

“Different cities have different developmental cases to be attended to. It will take forever.” Cile said. Forever? Really? Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Findɴovel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“Don’t pretend like you don’t have forever with you Cile.” Kace said with a blank look.

“Thank you Kace.” I said and he handed me thumbs up, grinning. I know he secretly loves to annoy Cile. “So I suggest that this should be tended to as soon as possible. Marie, contact other representatives in other cities as well.” I said coming back to sit down in my vacated chair.

“Why don’t we short list the most important ones and take them first? We can just proceed from there on.” Fel said. I forgot he was here too. All others nodded.

“Perfect. Marie, have a survey conducted. Around all the cities in Santo. One week will be okay with you?” I asked politely. Marie smiled and nodded.

“I have a suggestion.” Blaze said quietly. But everyone was busy in small talks so she just pretended that she didn’t say anything but I knew better.

“What do you think Blaze?” I asked pretending to be random. She looked at me with a knowing look. I shrugged.

“Lets rebuild the old?” She said hesitating. I frowned.

“What do you mean?” Kace questioned my unasked thought.

“I mean we can just take down the buildings and have a look at their old plans, do some variations and rebuild the old. That way we won’t miss the essence of traditional cities and develop all at the same time.....” She trailed off silencing everyone. Me included.

“Marie, take Blaze along with you on the survey. She has some great ideas there.” I said.

“Sure thing.” Marie said a little too curt.

“Alright. Anything else?” Honestly this meeting is quite boring without my sisters here. They all stayed back for something I don’t know and they wouldn’t tell me. I wonder what is it?

“No I guess thats all except you have got a few letters waiting for you in your office.” Marie said to me. I nodded getting up with everyone else.

“Thank you. I will see you tomorrow.” I said and left for my office which is on the top floor of the dome shaped building I was in. Marie followed my steps.

“Do you think what Blaze said is right?” Marie asked me frowning. “No offense but I don’t think so.”

“I think its better than nothing and she is not wrong either. People here are used to what they have seen since they have existed. They wouldn’t prefer those magnetic trains the Sins use, over the steam engines, or any other thing for that matter however those may ease everything. Aeroplane scandal was enough of a proof.” I pointed entering my cozy office.

“Right, you are.” She said agreeing. “Change, drastic one for that matter doesn’t suit virtus.” I smiled.

“Thick. Aren’t we?” I mused chuckling.

“Very.” Marie grinned back.

Call us an old fashion but its the way we are and we don’t regret it. Traditional is how we do and being classic is our thing.

“Now where are those letters?” I asked, happy that the air around us lifted up considerably.

“Right. Sorry. Here.” She said taking out some envelopes from under the paper weight. “Some are invitations from organisations for charity events and some are from news channels asking for your time.”

“Okay I will read them and tell you if I will be going or not.” I said opening one of the envelopes.

“Oh and here this one is with no name.” Marie said handing me an envelope. I took it from her and instantly knew why it was nameless.

The paper, smooth as silk, was slightly stinging at contact but it didn’t hurt.

Magic.

I could just smell it when I brought it near to my nose to sniff.

“What happened?” Marie asked curiously.

“When did it come in?” I asked tearing at the seal.

The fact that it was written using magic and not the ink is least of my worries but of course its sender is.

Who would send me this? Only the immortals who are ranked in the hierarchy can use magic and that has my nerves picking in not a very assuring manner.

“Other came about a week ago and this,” she pointed the one in my hand, “came in today.” I nodded silently.

She didn’t know it was sent from someone not from here. She can’t sense the magic.

Is it a Sin? Or Element?

What would they want?

“Marie, can you give me a momemt?” I asked not comfortable enough to read this in someone’s presence. She nodded understanding and left for her own office right next to mine.

I took out the letter from inside and opened its folds to read what it has got for me.

Dear Humility,

I don’t have a very ecstatic news to share for I am doing no good here but you see I don’t do good. I am not left with much of a choice either.

Until you come for what is yours.

I am waiting.

Someone, only not a virtus, would call me Humility. I read the words again and again but it didn’t make any sense to me. Worse, it only became harder to comprehend so I just tossed it away.

I have bigger issues that call for my attention then this.

But what could be bigger than this letter written magically by an unknown immortal?

I paced around the office to stress on my memory.

What is yours. What does it mean? What is mine? Have I lost something? Something I am forgetting about? But why would someone write me a reminder letter using magic?

“Are you okay Shye?” I jumped at the voice clutching my heart and turned towards the door for the face of voice. Marie stood at the door frowning.

“Uhm y-yeah I am okay.” I said quickly putting all the letters away.

“Your car is here.” She informed.

“Is it time already? My Creador! Time flies like crazy!” I said quickly clearing my desk shifting my thoughts about the unknown letter away. My sisters asked me to come back early. They would have my head if I get late. I still have no idea about what is going on. Might as well go and find out.

I thanked Marie on my way out. I descended the grand spiral stairs to get to the ground floor. The driver was waiting patiently by the car when I neared it. He nodded politely while holding the door open for me. I got in and asked for driving a little quickly.

Suddenly, it didn’t feel right. Like something was wrong. The letter didn’t help either. Once we reached the castle grounds, I knew why.

The same smell of magic lingered in the air around the castle. I was frantic when I stepped out of the car and ran my way up the stairs to the entrance of the castle.

There was someone here before me. Someone not from here. Someone who shouldn’t be here. I know they are not here anymore because the smell is not heavy and overwhelming but its subtle like its been hours since they arrived first.

Long gone.

I burst through the large heavy doors and into the foyer where everyone was standing and I came to the abrupt halt as all eyes turned to me with a look that had my stomach dropped in the pit of dread. I scanned everyone for any injury but aside from the looks that were too solemn for me, nobody looked physically harmed.

I walked in as everyone parted a way for me. Quiet, it was too quiet.

“What happened here?” I asked, my voice suddenly taking the authority.

“Ma’am.” Someone I recognise as one from staff around the castle came in front.

“Yes?”

“We don’t exactly know what happened but all other virtues are not here.” He said and looked down. My eyes went wide.

What is yours.

What is mine? My sisters.

They took the Virtues.

-*-

Note : People of Santo are called ′virtus’.

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