Year X310
The night was like any other, the moon casted its full brilliance upon the living, with tapestry of stars accompanying it. It would appear nothing will occur in this beautiful night for the inhabitants of Golden Scale City.
Within an instant the city was enveloped in dark clouds, an ominous aura radiated from the clouds that were as black as ink. Darker than the night. With the center of the phenomena absorbing the surrounding light.
The citizens of Aristrentle upon noticing the anomaly reacted in various ways, with each reaction depicting their either ignorance or remnants of past experiences.
Some individuals swiftly reached for their phones, capturing footage of this strange occurrence. Others panicked, fleeing to safety while desperately urging their loved ones to follow suit. Some stood frozen, stunned by a mixture of fear and the captivating allure of the ominous clouds. And then, there were those who disregarded the supernatural spectacle, continuing with their lives, unaware of the impending disaster.
As life can change in a matter of seconds, the change can be instantaneous and most of all permanent, especially if death is concerned.
"Warning! level 5 magical disaster is imminent, proceed to evacuate and make way to the nearest shelter." A female robotic voice alerted.
Every communication device broadcasted the warning, alarms blared, and sirens pierced the air, urging and hoping for every individual to hear and make it to safety before disaster arrives.
Unfortunately, the warning was too late. Those close to the center of the hell lost their lives without any hint that such a fate would occur to them.
As just a few seconds is all it took.
"What's happening to me!?"
"Mom, I don't feel so good."
"Oh no my baby!"
Sounds of despair resonated throughout the city, the clouds descended as to reap the lives of humans. As the closer it got, the more disastrous affects it had for the living bringing devastation to those in its path. Limbs disintegrated, organs ruptured, and flesh decayed, inflicting unimaginable pain and suffering.
A mother running with her toddler, with each step made the joint that attached the arm to shoulder slowly tear away, coming loose and eventually exposing flesh with blood squirting everywhere.
A military veteran attempting to save the lives of his fellow citizens, guiding them to the nearest shelter. A shove from a panicked individual caused him to lose balance, in attempt to right himself he used his injured extremity. An old injury from the war, and in which caused his right knee a compound fracture. The bones connecting to knee, popping out the skin from both sides with blood showering those around.
Such incidents transpired mainly in the center of the clouds, within an area spanning approximately 10,000 square feet. The further it got from the center; the less damages were transmitted.
What was the cause of all of this?
. . . .
Within the master bedroom of a noble Victorian mansion lies a scene of a recent childbirth gone wrong. Even with the advance technology that a noble could afford, could not prevent the tragedy as the cause has no relation to science.
"WAAAAAAHH!" a baby with dark purple hair cried out loud, shedding tears.
"My mistress I am sorry! The protection that was set up appears to have been tampered with!" A teenage girl wearing a classical maid uniform exclaimed anxiously.
"…. It is fine, it's going to be all okay…. Please bring me my baby". The noblewoman laboriously said, with determination to hold her newborn child.
"Yes ma'am". The maid hurriedly brought the baby to the mother.
The mother that used to have silky blue hair that resembled the ocean on a clear day, with its shades of turquoise and sapphire, which created an ethereal and magical aura around her, is now all colorless. The hair that was never disheveled, is now weather-beaten. The face that was flawless, appearing soft in texture and smooth to touch is now sunken and pale.
"Shhhh... it'd going to be okay my little Edil" the mother softly appeased the newborn child.
Immediately once the baby entered his mother's arms did, he stop crying, as if he was seeking her warmth from the beginning.
"Edil…. mother here will be gone soon…. The world isn't a safe place for our kind... I know you can't understand me right now, but you will soon learn the language of this country and I want you to always remember these words."
"?" The baby a questioning look, impossible for a child that just left the womb.
"What happened today…. isn't your fault, please I beg… you to always remember that…."
"Being born is not a sin but a blessing, you are my everything…. I love you." The noblewoman tearfully said while kissing the baby in the forehead, not wanting to ever let go.
*BOOOOM*
"KAAAAA!"
"HEEEEELP!!"
The noises of the outside world have started to become clearer. the malicious energy has started to dwindle as time passed, the isolated field that has been crafted by the clouds to protect its summoner has slowly weakened, which will eventually reveal the origin point of the catastrophe.
At last, the time must be cut short, the authorities will soon hunt for those responsible for what has occurred.
"This hear is Lilith my apprentice and your new caretaker, she will protect you while I am away. And teach all there is to know." She said while attempting to get off the bed.
"Milady!?" Lilith exclaimed.
The baby too seemed to know something was of concern and was about to cry.
"Are you share about this Aqua?" A man of huge stature but also at the same time slim appeared silently, inquiring about her decision with a reproachful tone.
The man released an oppressive aura that chilled the air itself, causing the maid to fearfully freeze and the baby to be frightened into unconsciousness. An incident that wills severely impact its life in the future.
"You know as well as I how dire and urgent the circumstances we are in Leonard." calmly responded Aqua with no hint of agitation.
(Even with the bloodless and being near death, fragile as she looks…she is still beautiful). Thought Leonard which further agitated him.
"I will not allow you to go! You are my woman and to those who attempt to take from me will have to face my wrath!" Roared Leonard, like a lion asserting their property.
"Sigh…. I appreciate that attitude of yours darling, but at this moment Edil life is in danger and I am the only one that can stop it."
"No! compared to you, I don't care about the child, we can have more later! I won't allow you to go!"
"You really…. I know you only think with your lower head when it comes to women." Aqua said exacerbated, giving her husband a murdering stare.
(You f*ucking neanderthal!)
Knowing how he becomes when it comes to her and his other wives, she decided to point out the crucial consequence if action is not taken. "You already know this must be done, if not the dukedom will also be implicated with the witches and the cause of this incident."
Upon hearing the noble title of duke, Duke Leonard Rosalind remembered his responsibility and quickly composed himself.
"…. You are correct, Salem hunters will gladly dispose of anything relating to magic but because of that they are surely other ways to deceive their scent". Leonard said with a calculative tone.
"I considered that, but there is a malicious actor at work here that tampered with the protection ritual, if any actions that are taken are revealed we will all lose our heads".
"Do you know who it can be!?"
Upon hearing the circumstances that has led to this travesty such that not only did he lose hundreds of his citizens but may also lose one of wives, Leonard let lose his killing intent which only effectively made Lilith fate as well.
"I can only speculate but it's either an opposing faction within the witches, which is highly unlikely with how we operate or someone within the house made it happen."
"You don't believe! -" Leonard was about to rebuke the baseless accusation and was interrupted by quite angry Aqua.
"Hahahaha sweety While it's nice and all to have a harem, and you clearly have the charm and strength to maintain one." She scornfully laughed.
"But you don't know nothing about women. You don't bother to know about how the internal politics are within the house. While you are a great husband to each of us individually and as a duke, you're not a family man."
"How come this the first I hear of this!?" Leonard yelled, clearly heartbroken his negligence may have led to this, if it was true.
Before she can answer, she was interrupted by further disturbances from outside. Much louder than before.
*BOOOOM*
"We have no more time to waste! I must go!"
Aqua during the discussion has been gathering the necessary belonging for the task at hand and now ready to depart. She had already made her way to the window casting an incantation upon it and opened it.
The invisible field that was made from the clouds, warped along with the window in order to accommodate its opening.
"You!?" Leonard reached out for her but stopped himself, recognizing that this must be done. He reluctantly lowered his arms but before he signified his defeat, his nose was filled with blood, but it came along with a nostalgic smell.
The smell resembled lavender and his lips were sealed, what he tasted was sweet and that it only lasted for a second. Before he can respond in kind, she whispered in his ears.
"Please take care of Edil, not only him by the other children as well. I know your interest lies only with us, but this same incident can occur in the future if you become neglectful once more."
"Please take my words in kind." she kissed him once more and immediately rushed towards the window.
Watching her leave him and losing her forever filled him with a feeling of worthlessness, wanting to abandon everything and protect her. But his responsibility trumped over his own personal feelings. Contempt has started to grow towards the title and towards those that have caused this. Portion of it creeping over to the other wives whom he still loves.
Lost in his thoughts, Leonard realized Aqua was gone, remembering her words he slowly approached his son and roughly picked him up. Conscientiously the baby awoke at that moment and came face to face with the barbarian father and passed out due to fright and left a gift for his father. Leaving Leonard conflicted with is newfound resolve to be a better family leader.