"Ah, Erebus, you're back."
Erebus and the girl entered the capital of the District, Aristonia.
Though Districts were considered cities, they were more like smaller countries.
Erebus went into the main castle, where the Black Emperor and his lover resided.
It was only three years ago, in 672, that the position of the Black Emperor came to be.
"Yeah, Miss Celestia."
As soon as Erebus and the girl entered the castle, they met a woman.
She was dressed in a beautiful cream dress. The woman had long, silky, white hair. It had not been stained by any impurities. Her eyes were red and her skin was pale.
"Oh, my, who's this?"
The woman, Celestia, looked down at the girl, who his behind Erebus.
"Did you go and buy a slave? They're forbidden in the Black District. Altair won't like what you've done."
"Woah, woah, don't misunderstand, Miss Celestia. Master will like it. Because I found her near the border of the Neutral District and the Black District."
"The border?"
"You know, where Abadine Forest is."
"Oh."
Celestia waved at the girl, but she still was scared.
"What do you plan to do with the girl?"
"From what I can tell, she's been a slave her entire life. I plan to take her under my wing. She'll be my disciple."
She smiled.
"You're right, Altair would like that. Well, now, I shouldn't keep you from going."
The woman moved out of their way and bowed to the two of them.
"Hope you enjoy your stay here, Miss."
Celestia smiled at her.
---
Erebus and the girl went to his chambers.
"Oh, you're still clinging to me? Were you scared of the white-haired lady?"
He asked her, as she got off his leg.
The girl looked down and grabbed her rag; she appeared scared.
She nodded.
"You don't need to be scared of Miss Celestia. She is a vampire but as a progenitor, she doesn't need blood to survive. She's a good woman. Plus, she's Master's lover, trust me, she's a nice person, okay?"
He patted her on the head.
"Ah, right, I need to think of a name for you, don't I?"
The god began brainstorming for a short while before he snapped his fingers.
"I got it! Maria! Maria Frister!"
(God, I have bad naming habits, don't I? I'm naming her after the cat that my Father killed.)
"A-actually, I'll think of another one! That name has nothing but bad--"
"Ma...wi...a..."
The girl, Maria, attempted to say her name.
She sounded like a baby trying to formulate her first word.
"Mawia!"
Maria beamed.
She danced around the room, chanting her name, 'Mawia,' continuously.
It was clear she liked the name.
"Yeah..."
Erebus grinned, looking at how happy she was.
"But first, we need to give you a bath. Then, a change of clothes and then a haircut. Ah, we can't forget about food."
---
The next day, after having all of Maria's necessities, Erebus took her to his training hall, where he had other disciples to train.
Erebus had only four disciples to speak of since being a disciple of Erebus was something incredible and something to boast about.
"M-Master, who is she?"
One of the disciples asked.
Erebus held Maria next to him. Her long hair had been cut short, revealing her beauty but there was toughness behind that mask of beauty.
After all, she had been accustomed to physical labour.
Maria was dressed in a black training robe.
"This is Maria Frister. She'll be joining us. She doesn't know how to speak, so be nice to her."
The girl bowed.
"Feh."
One of the disciples spat.
Everyone turned to look at him. Like the other disciples, he was fifteen. He wasn't much taller than Maria.
He had blue hair and yellow eyes with an ear piercing on his left ear.
"Master, I don't see why you took this girl in. What's a pretty face going to do in martial arts?"
"Fey, you know you shouldn't speak like that."
A girl to his side said.
She was the same height as Maria. Her hair was lime and it had been braided on both sides. She looked to be scolding the boy, Fey.
"But, Aura, you know how hard we worked to get in. She got in without doing anything."
"It's not like you got in on pure skill yourself, Fey."
Another girl said.
"What did you say, Zephyr?!"
This girl stood tall and looked forward at all times. She had black hair and black eyes. Among all of the disciples, she was the most gifted.
"You guys shouldn't fight in front of Master."
A boy intervened.
He attempted to stop Fey from jumping at Zephyr.
"Get off me, Eugene!"
Eugene was a boy with short orange hair and eyes. He was the timidest of them all.
"The only reason you're insulting me from afar is because you know I'll win in a fight! Isn't that right, Cursed Child?!"
Fey screamed.
The moment he shouted, Zephyr snapped. She broke out of her stoic stance and jumped at Fey.
"Zeph."
Erebus interrupted and stopped Zephyr from advancing.
He looked down at her and shook his head. The girl looked frustrated before turning away and walking back to her place.
"Fey."
Erebus called out to him.
"Yes, Master?"
"You know not to call Zephyr that. It is merely a myth. Next time I hear you use that phrase, you will not be my disciple anymore, understand?"
Erebus glared at him, making sure he understood.
The blue-haired boy's heart skipped a beat.
"Y-yes, Master."
Cursed Child refers to those with black hair and eyes. Supposedly, those with black hair and eyes are the evil of the world and will soon bring it to an end.
Legend says that when it reaches the year 0, in 669 years, the Cursed Children will take over the world.
Of course, it is a superstition. A superstition that everyone believes.
"Well, let's start training."
The disciples, including Maria, lined themselves up. All except Maria shouted.
["Yes, Master!"]