╔══ 𓆩♡𓆪 ══╗
On Aurianna's twelfth birthday, the long-awaited prophecy was finally fulfilled. She awakened her Saintess powers, bringing a glimmer of hope to the war-torn land of Sandeph. The kingdom rejoiced at the news, knowing they finally had a powerful weapon against their demon foes.
With the Saintess on their side, the soldiers could now fight without fear of death, for she had the power to revive them if they fell in battle. Injured warriors could be healed and sent back into the fray, bolstering their resolve. The people of Sandeph believed that with the Saintess's divine power, victory was inevitable.
"Rejoice, for our Goddess Paige has chosen my daughter as the Saintess!" King Girsal announced with fervor and triumph. "Praise be to the almighty Goddess, and may her blessing fall upon Sandeph!"
The gathered crowd of officials and nobles, hushed and awed by the king's proclamation, bowed their heads in reverence.
King Girsal sat regally on his throne, his hair a striking mix of gray and black, cascading down his broad shoulders. His face was sharp and angular, with a chiseled chin. His vibrant emerald eyes shone with a fierce intensity, and his clothing, befitting his status as ruler, featured a vest adorned with gleaming silver buttons that added a touch of elegance to his commanding presence. The throne itself was a grand symbol of his power and authority over the country Sandeph.
The throne room exuded grandeur and majesty. Shimmering crystal columns flanked the cavernous space, illuminated by flickering magical torches. Statues of the Goddess Paige stood between the columns, their curvaceous forms radiating an otherworldly beauty. Intricate paintings of angels adorned the walls, their radiant forms captured in a dance of light and color. Above, a depiction of Paige graced the crystal ceiling, her luscious pink hair flowing amidst her beloved creatures, their images seemingly coming alive under the enchanted light.
At the heart of the chamber, an imposing marble throne loomed atop a balcony, its intricately carved engravings telling tales of mythical creatures and ancient battles. Dark lilac pillows softened the throne's stern presence, while golden borders added to its opulence. The most striking feature was the pair of crystal wings jutting from its back.
A glimmering sapphire carpet stretched through the hall like a river, and gleaming banners bearing the fiery green emerald crest of the High Land adorned the walls.
In the majestic setting, Aurianna rose from her seat and gracefully lowered herself before her father's feet, bowing her head in reverence.
"Look up, my child," King Girsal's voice was firm yet gentle. Aurianna lifted her head to look at him, a forced smile touching her lips. She was actually a Saintess?
"As the prophecy states, you must perform the duties befitting a Saintess—protect humanity and eliminate whatever threatens us. Today, that threat is the demons who unfairly attacked us, trying to strip us of our lands, homes, and lives. Assist the knights, my daughter. Your power shall lead us to victory!"
Aurianna nodded solemnly, her expression grave. 'Now that I'm a Saintess, my people need me to help them. Can I handle such a responsibility?' The thought brought a grin to her face. Though still unsure, she sharpened her gaze and nodded firmly.
"Yes, Father!"
She felt the weight of the task ahead. The people had suffered so much since the demon attacks began. She would be helping everyone by defeating the demons and bringing peace back to her kingdom.
Just as she steeled herself, the doors to the hall swung open. A group of people in pink robes entered—members of the Church, sent to confirm Aurianna's selection as the Saintess.
"The priests of Paige have arrived," Cecelia, one of King Girsal's wives, chuckled, using her fan to cover half of her face. She was a fair-skinned woman with short blonde hair and cold black eyes.
"I guess they came to confirm after all," Lauren, another of the king's wives a woman with bronze skin and long black hair, chuckled.
'I better hope I'm actually a Saintess! This could be my chance for a change!' Aurianna thought, taking a deep breath as the church representatives approached.
The priests moved with a certain pressure around them, their presence causing the nobles to shuffle aside. As they reached halfway through the hall, they stopped, their eyes filled with suspicion as they approached Aurianna. She stayed calm and composed, even as they challenged her authenticity.
One of the priests pulled out a sharp dagger and cut his palm, blood flowing from the wound. He stepped forward, wincing slightly as he presented his hand to Aurianna.
"We've heard the reports… Prove you are who you claim. Heal me."
Aurianna couldn't help but be startled at the sudden action. Also, that had been a really deep cut. But even so, she would do her best. She focused on the priest's wound, wanting it to mend.
A faint white aura spread out from her hand as she channeled that thought, turning it into power. Her heart sank as she watched the priest's wound only partially heal.
She had hoped that her newly awakened Saintess powers would be enough to completely heal him, but it seemed she still had much to learn. A small cut was the most she could heal in one go so far.
The group of pink-robed priests murmured amongst themselves, their suspicion returning. Aurianna could feel their doubts like a cold wind blowing through the room, threatening to extinguish the flame of hope that had burned so brightly in her heart.
But the priest noticed the Rose marking on her neck too well.
"She's definitely a real one," one declared with a nod and the others agreed as well. "The rose mark and the cross in her eye is enough proof."
"Welcome, Head Priest Dielle," King Girsal greeted, his attention on a figure entering the room.
Another priest, being the last of their group, had entered the grand hall. Though he'd heard the King's greeting, Dielle was silent as he stalked forward. His attention was fully on Aurianna as he made his way over toward her.
Something that set Head Priest Dielle apart from the other Church priests was that his pink-robes held a mysterious red-spiral pattern on them; which accentuated his imposing stature. Aurianna looked up at him, and a chill ran down her spine. His face was hidden by a hood, casting an eerie shadow over his features. His clear-blue eyes were stern, lacking kindness. There was a pure cold glint in them as he regarded her.
The crowd of nobles which had been muttering to themselves quieted down. A sense of foreboding filled the air.
Dielle's moment of pause seemed more contemplative as his gaze drifted from the priest who's wound was yet to heal back to Aurianna.
Finally, he spoke.
"I offer you an opportunity, child." His voice seemed to reverberate throughout the hall, sounding powerful and authoritative. "If you seek to unlock the true potential of your powers, only the teachings of the church can guide you to become a proper Saintess. You won't reach your full potential if you should you stay. Your growth would be hindered greatly."
The offer caused a stir of gasps throughout the room, shocking everyone, including Aurianna. She had expected the Head Priest to deny her status as the Saintess, but instead, he confirmed it and offered her a chance to study at the Church.
The Church was known for housing the greatest human practitioners of healing and support magic, making it a powerful and influential organization. It was customary for the Saintess to go to the Church to develop her abilities, as they had centuries of knowledge and experience in training past Saintesses.
Taken aback by the sudden offer, Aurianna instinctively looked at her father, King Girsal. His expression was furious. The Head Priest had not only ignored him upon entering but now also seemed to be trying to take his daughter away. His eyes burned with a cold, palpable anger, and it took all his restraint to maintain his composure.
Seeing Aurianna's gaze, Girsal's angered expression softened. He met her eyes and shook his head silently, reminding her of the many times he had warned her about the church.
He had always said they were deceitful, more concerned with wealth than genuinely helping people. The church's services were costly, making them inaccessible to most, and they had a near monopoly on healing magic, with 90% of priests in Sandeph belonging to their organization.
Aurianna turned back to Dielle. The offer was tempting, but she knew what she had to say. "I cannot. Head Priest, I thank you for your offer, but I cannot leave my family. Leave my people… They need me to help with this war."
"But leaving now will allow you to help more people in the long run," Head Priest Dielle's voice was sharp yet calm. "While you're away, many will die, that's true. However, if you don't develop sufficiently, the suffering will be far greater in the future."
Aurianna felt the weight of his words and the cold logic behind them. She glanced back at her father, whose expression had grown even more annoyed making her feel scared.
King Girsal stepped forward, his voice firm and commanding. "Head Priest Dielle, while we appreciate your concern for the Saintess's development, Aurianna will remain here under my protection. The kingdom needs her abilities now, not in some distant future."
Dielle's gaze did not waver. "Your Majesty, this is not a decision to be taken lightly. The Saintess's potential must be fully realized to ensure ultimate victory against our enemies. The Church has the resources and knowledge to help develop her powers."
Aurianna, standing between the two towering figures, she couldn't help but feel extremely nervous. She squared her shoulders and spoke up. "Head Priest, I understand the importance of my training, but I cannot abandon my people in their time of need. I must do what I can now to help them."
Dielle's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of frustration flickering in them. "Very well, Princess Aurianna. But remember this moment. When the time comes, do not hesitate to seek the hell of the Church. We will always be ready to assist you in unlocking your full potential, Saintess."
With that, the Head Priest turned and made his way out of the hall, his pink spiral patterned robes swirling around him, followed by the other Church priests. The tension in the room eased slightly as he departed, but the weight of his words lingered.
King Girsal placed a reassuring hand on Aurianna's shoulder. "You've made the right choice, my dear. Now," he turned, addressing the wider room, "my daughter, by the authority of Head Priest Dielle, has been declared the Saintess. Give her your gratitude."
The crowd of nobles erupted into cheers and applause, their expectations high. Aurianna turned to face them, her eyes scanning the crowd
Her gaze lingered on her older brothers Ralph and Huasae. Ralph a two years older than her, whose short blue hair and deep-set green eyes mirrored their father's. Despite his youth, Ralph joined the applause, his features betraying a hint of surprise yet he didn't hind his displeasure.
Husae the oldest brother of the three on the other hand happily cheered for her. His blue eyes resembled their mother's and well as taking her bright blue hair as well.
Amid the jubilant crowd, Aurianna noticed one person not cheering: her third sister, Wein. With dreadlocks cascading to her shoulders and smooth, unblemished brown skin, Wein stood out, her face marked with worry rather than pride.
Following the announcement to the nobility, King Girsal publicly proclaimed Aurianna as the new Saintess. The citizens erupted in joy. They had always cherished Aurianna, and now, discovering she was the fulfillment of their kingdom's ancient prophecies, brought about a time of celebration. 'When humanity's extinction is near, the Saintess will appear,' the prophecy had foretold.