1 The Prophecy of The Five Immortal Guardian 1
A blonde woman knelt before an altar, praying in silence until her body convulsed and she began to ramble incoherently.
Her attendant immediately brought a quill and parchment after she stopped to write down the Oracle's prophecies.
As soon as the Oracle finished, the attendant collected the parchment and sealed it in an envelope to be sent to the High Priest.
As the attendant walks away, the Oracle looks at the attendant's back and whispers. "Why have you betrayed the Gods?"
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"My Lord," a man in a dark blue robe called out. "The Oracle's attendant is here," the man announces. After a few seconds, a voice from inside the room called out.
"Let her in," said a deep and powerful voice. "Yes, my lord," he responded.
He turned around and let the attendant enter the chamber and stand at the man's side.
As the attendant approaches, she kneels in front of a man sitting on an elaborate bejeweled chair. The man is wearing a royal blue robe with an intricate gold design on its sleeves. Reverend Sepitus Malum is the High Priest of Ypirétis, a religion that worships the Five Elemental Gods.
"My Lord, I am the attendant of Lady Ezabell. I come bearing a message from the Five Gods," the attendant said as she bowed to the man.
"Has anyone else known what was in the vision?" he asked.
"No, my lord," the attendant replied. "I delivered the message from the Oracles Praying Room directly to your chamber as ordered," the attendant answered. "Hand it over," he said. After receiving the sealed envelope, he waved the attendant away.
He watched the attendant leave. "You know what to do," he said, and a shadow quickly followed her.
He gazed at the sealed envelope before tearing it open to read the prophecy inside.
With a mark of the star, we bless thy child to release us from captivity and reveal the truth of the servant who has turned against us.
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Present
Branton POV
A young maid was rushing towards the kitchen when a man in his mid-twenties approached and asked, "Where is my wife?"
Startled, the maid nearly dropped the basin of water she was holding. After regaining her balance, she let out a sigh of relief and said, "My Lord, the Madame is in her chamber. The doctor has just left."
"Why was the doctor here?" asked the young lord, confused and worried that something might happen.
"I don't know, my lord. I was in the kitchen when he was summoned. Forgive me," the maid responded. He nodded and left to check on his beloved wife.
Branton Anshul is the second child of King Alexios Anshul, the current ruler of the Agrusea Kingdom. As the second in line to the throne, he has fewer responsibilities than his older brother. This gives him more leisure time to spend with his bride. Today is no exception, but he was shocked to hear that she had asked for a doctor to come. As he entered her chamber, he saw that she was sitting on her bed, smiling.
"My love, is something wrong? Why was a doctor summoned?" I asked as I held her hands. "Do you need a physician from the inner palace?" She was shaking her head and looking at me with love.
We met by chance in the marketplace, and it was love at first sight. At that time, I followed her and her attendant suspected me of having ill intent. I managed to present myself to her and initiated the process of courtship.
Idalia Rellouli, the only daughter and the second child of the Duke Lucius Rellouli of Woodborne.
It took me a year to gain her affection and just five months ago we took our marriage vows after almost 2 years of engagement.
I never would have thought that being married to the woman you love could bring this much happiness to a person. So, thinking that something is ailing her felt like someone punching my gut with an iron fist.
"Nothing is wrong My heart, everything is right in my world," she said, radiating with happiness.
"Then, why was the doctor here for?" I asked again. This time she pulled my hand and put it above her flat stomach and said, "We've been blessed with a child Branton. I am pregnant with our child, " she announced, beaming at me.
I was frozen at first, A child! A child that was both ours. A child created by our love. "Are you sure? What did the doctor says? Wait... I think you need more pillows. Do you need more pillows? Or Food? Yes, food—are you hungry?" I was rambling nonsense, I cannot explain how I feel. Joy, fear, shock, and many more at the same time, and I can't focus on them. I was running around like a headless chicken trying to make her as comfortable as possible when I heard her calling my name.
"I am fine. When should we tell your family? My parents are currently not in our Kingdom, they said that they want to explore beyond the Great Seas. And also, I want to be put on the list to be blessed by Ypirétis on the day I gave birth." She said. Idalia is a devotee in the Ypirétis. A group of people dedicated solely to serve the Five Gods of our continent.
"I'll invite Father and Gustav to dinner tomorrow, today you will relax," I said to her. Parents, I can still not wrap my thought around the fact that I am about to be a father.
"Thank you. Can you send a note to Ezabell and invite her later?" She asked, but before I could reply, a knock sounded on the door. A maid came announcing the arrival of the Ezabell Valeria, the one who told me Idalia's name before and the one Idalia called sister. Ezabell is a mysterious lady, she often accompanies Idalia whenever she visited the Temple of the Five Gods, so I presumed that she too is a devotee.
"Well, she's here. I leave you two to your talk and I'll be returning to the Magistrate," I stand as I said those words. I don't want to leave but I can't stand the girl's talk, I get so sleepy whenever I join her and with her other friends.
As I walk past to our guess I noticed a sad look on her eyes as she gazed at my wife, but I just ignored it. Who would have thought, that the secrets that she kept would bring grief to the woman I love.
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Idalia POV
"Eza, I have some wonderful news," I said as I saw my husband closed the door.
"I am with a child!" I almost screech, "my heart is overflowing, Eza." I excitedly to her told her.
I've been praying for this child since the day I married Branton. I was still smiling when I noticed my friend's somber face.
"Is there something wrong, Eza? You can tell me what troubles you and I would do my best to help," I offered. I've met Ezabell when I accidentally fall into the river when I thought that rowing a small boat is an easy feat. Since meeting her that embarrassing day, she became my most trusted among my friends. And knowing that something is troubling her didn't sit well for me.
She smiled at me and said, "I have to tell you something but not today." Eza has this annoying habit of starting an intriguing topic, but withhold it until she deems it was the time. "And pray tell when will you tell me about it?" I asked, so used to her ways. She looked at me, after a while, she blinks her eyes slowly and smiled.
"You're having a family dinner tomorrow with your husband's family, right?" she said while pulling out some fruits in the small basket she brought along with her. "I'll tell you then, including your family. They have to know too," she added. Puzzled at what she was trying to say, but so used to her odd behavior so, I just let it pass.
Two days later, everything was ready for the Party that we've arranged for my pregnancy's announcement", well, of course, this one is a private as only family members and my best friend are invited. As the clock strikes six in the evening, my guest is starting to arrive. First my father-in-law Alexios Anshul, he looks younger than his age is. He has strong broad shoulders his posture scream regal to anyone who sees him, but to the members of his family, he is a very loving and just father to his two sons. You can see whenever the three of them are together how much they love and respect each other. And I am a proud member of this family.
"Father, good to see you again," I greeted him as he enters the antechamber of my home. "Of course, I'll come, that brat said you have something to announce? But more importantly," he leaned in and whispered, "Did you make that delectable Blueberry Cheesecake of yours?"
I silently laugh and replied, "Yes father, I did, I know how much you love it," and I lean in for a whispered, "I prepare a whole cake just for you, don't tell Bran," I said smiling. Upon hearing what I've said, his booming laugh can be heard all over the place.
It was passed seven in the evening when dinner ended, and we are now enjoying dessert at the patio when Branton rose from his seat and stood behind me. He put his warm hands over my shoulder and called for everyone's attention.
"We have an announcement that may change our lives," he dramatically started. I rolled my eyes at his antics, and I love him for the novelty he brought to our day to day lives.
"And do tell what it is that could be influential enough to change our life," my brother-in-law, Gustav Anshul, Crown Prince of our Kingdom. He is the complete opposite of his brother. He is always serious about everything.
"Well. Brother, Father, and friends," Branton looked at them one by one as he addresses them and said, "We are going to be parents," he said with a booming voice and a beaming smile.
It was a couple of seconds before cheers can be heard throughout the room, everyone started congratulating us. After a while, I looked over to my family and said, "I was planning to make an early registration to the Ypirétis for the Hallowing, I want it to happen on the day I gave birth." I said. Everybody nodded their agreement, they all know that I am a devotee Ypirétis, they are the group of people who can convey the message from the Five Immortal Guardians of the Oliasea Continent.
"No, you will not do that," Ezabella suddenly said. She never liked it that I was a rule follower of the Ypirétis, she once said that there are things that not what it seems to be with Ypirétis. But she never explains why she thought so.
"You know how much I am loyal to them Eza," I said.
"Because they will harm your child," she said.
"Why would they harm my child? There are plenty of mothers arrange Hallowing for their child and all of them live their lives wonderfully, including me." I said to her. I really can't follow her way of thinking sometimes. There are times that she supported me in my devotion and sometimes she is against it.
"Do you know, when was the Hallowing takes place?" she asked. But before any of us could answer she continued. She had this vacant look on her face as if she was looking at something far away.
