Ever-glowing sunlight streamed through the temple's floor-to-ceiling windows. Rows of young monks sat cross-legged on the stone floor, engaged in their daily prayers and studies. The head priest stood at the front, observing every monk praying diligently.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed through the quiet hall. A younger monk, his robes casually thrown over his shoulders, rushed in. He paused at the doorway, bowing deeply before stepping inside.
The head priest saw the young monk and raised his hand. The monks immediately stopped chanting without even opening their eyes. That was the level of awakening the monks had achieved, a sight that didn't require eyes, the third eye, also known as the mind's eye.
"Brother Yohen," the Preist addressed the monk-in-training beside him, "carry on with the lesson."
Yohen nodded, taking the priest's place at the front as the head priest strode toward the anxious monk. Exchanging no greetings, the two left the training hall, entering the vibrant garden.
"Speak, young one," the Priest smiled. "What's troubling you?"
"Aurelia successfully defended against the monsters," the monk replied, bowing deeply.
Despite being a priest, the head priest's anger was legendary. So much so that even the demon lord instructed his army not to invade the temple cities.
One could say the demon lord feared the monks, but in reality, it was mutual respect. The monks didn't interfere in the demon lord's business, and the demons didn't interfere in theirs.
That's why it came as a shock when Lucien, the saint, went against the head priest's order and joined the hero's party to fight the demon lord.
The monks had paid the price for the indiscretion. In retaliation, the demons razed seven temple cities to the ground. Countless lives perished, yet the head priest still defended Lucien.
However, that ingrate abandoned sainthood for love. He forgot everything the head priest did for him and the head priest became a laughingstock among the other priests.
That's why he performed the forbidden ritual to make Lucien realize the weight of his decisions. But performing such a ritual wasn't easy, being the goddess's servant and still summoning a demon was a sin, and the head priest paid the price for it.
There was a reason the head priest wore a flowing white robe that covered him from head to toe, leaving no part of his skin exposed. The same went for the metallic mask he wore that only left slits for his eyes and mouth.
For sinning, the goddess's curse condemned the head priest to shed all his skin. The light he served for all his life had turned to poison for him. Even the smallest ray of light would make him endure pain akin to being impaled by a thousand spears.
The priest never blamed the goddess for it. He accepted the punishment and continued serving her. In his mind, every sin was worth committing as long as Lucien paid the price for his betrayal.
But it seemed the demon he had contracted had been slacking. Or how could Lucien father a son?
That's when he took matters into his own hands. The goddess might punish him for it, but in his eyes, the world had to be cleansed of Lucien, the sinner.
"Head priest?"
The monk called out when he didn't reply. The old priest had gone lost in his memories.
The head priest's expression softened, and he brought his hands together for a prayer.
"May the corrupted souls of those beasts find peace," he whispered.
A moment later, a faint smile appeared on his face. The young monk had been beside the head priest for a long time and could even read his expressions hidden behind the metal mask.
"Why do you smile, Head Priest? Have we not failed in our efforts?"
"Faith requires patience, young one. Do not question the path laid before us by the goddess. Keep sending the damned towards salvation, as you have been."
With that, the priest turned and walked back inside. Unseen by anyone, the head priest's smile widened as he ascended the steps to his private chamber.
He felt even his most loyal follower couldn't learn the secret in his heart. The monsters sent to Aurelia weren't meant to conquer their kingdom or spill innocent blood. They were merely pawns, sent to exhaust the defenders.
Soon, their forces would be too weary to resist. And when that time came, nothing would stop him from striking at their most vulnerable point—their newborn child, Aaran.
"Oh, sacred one, guide the little angel to your divine light…"
***
"Will this work?" Amara asked Lucien.
"We'll know soon," he replied.
They stood before the human-sized teddy bear that now had a glowing orb embedded in the chest. However, the orb disappeared as soon as Lucien put down his tools.
"How does it feel, Dread?"
For a moment, there was only silence. Then, without warning, the teddy sprang to life. It lunged at Lucien, its arms outstretched to grab his neck.
Lucien didn't budge as Amara stepped forward. She caught the teddy's hand and tossed it to the ground as the floor shook from the impact.
Dust and small bits of debris filled the air, but as it cleared, the teddy sat up slowly, lifting one oversized paw to give them a thumbs-up.
"The new body's not as great as my old one," Dread said. "But it'll do."
"You're lucky I didn't rip you apart for trying to strangle Lucien," Amara said as she got up.
"Decades-old hatred won't die so easily." Dread shrugged. "You can't blame me for trying."
Amara rolled her eyes before leaving to check on Aaran. As the door clicked shut, Lucien's gaze hardened, and he turned to the animated teddy.
"I don't care what you want to do with me," Lucien snarled. "But if you ever lay a hand on Aaran—"
However, Dread interrupted him.
"Relax, backstabber," he said. "I know we've got a rocky past, but you can trust me on one thing. No harm will come to Aaran while I'm around."
Lucien didn't question him. After all, he knew why Dread would protect Aaran.
"If he dies, so do I," Dread chuckled. "Damn this master-subordinate clause."