1 Chapter 1 Stormy Start

(Priestess)

(Kingdom of Antherea)

Pain, pain will always be the most visible wound in your mind. I know it very well since during my 60 years of life I learned to give justice with my own hand, even knowing that sometimes blood has to be spilled. The only way to calm myself when thinking about the deaths that I cause, I only think about how many I saved, all thanks to the Trinity of Goddesses who were there to give me strength.

Today Our Kingdom "Wandering Graveyard" is in great changes, especially the monarchy reigned by our great King Cosmo. Wandering Graveyard is one of twelve Kingdoms governed by His Highness Cosmo, in each of the Kingdoms hierarchs govern and their words are those of the King.

Along with the monarchy, the church governs by a step below royalty with the highest authority of her the high pontiff after him I am the high priestess who acted as her right hand.

Finally, in the third step, the militia rules with an iron fist in each Kingdom and its commanders are the 12 chosen, it is said that hundreds of years ago 12 Angels came down from heaven and endowed 12 chosen with virtues, each inherited powers and are in charge of the protection and war of the Realms.

Each of the 12 Kingdoms has 4 horsemen of the apocalypse, these men are so called since the church created and gave the permission to use the magic of witches, the power is called the "Black Blood" this because the power of the witches is too big, so we decided to equalize by placing 4 horsemen of the apocalypse in each of the Kingdoms awaiting orders from the Hierarchs. But finally after 500 years the church could strike its first blow and place us as supreme governors waiting for the Trinity of Goddesses to give us strength.

In a few moments my carriage will arrive to escort me to the south of our beautiful Kingdom, the place that Antherea saw me grow, in this Kingdom is where the Main Abbey is the main church of our trinity of Goddesses, for obvious reason in this place there is the largest population of believers, It is a blessed place, so the darkness does not rest and seeks to enter this Kingdom. Antherea is one of the 11 Kingdoms governed by the Wandering Graveyard Kingdom which is the capital of our continent thus forming the 12.

I am heading south due to a demon possession case so I have to get an answer.

After finishing my cup of tea, my main guard Diego entered through the door of my room –My dear priestess, the carriage arrived– After leaving the room, being in the corridor Diego asked me –My lady, if you allow me the question, what is it? the reason for your presence in this place? Any father of the Kingdom can go. You have other things to think about my lady–

Although it was true, the reason for answering the call was something more proper, so to his question I answered - From time to time it is good to get out of the routine Diego, also I am a little tired of directing the things of men, today I want to have fun - Diego smiled a little and nodded. A small escort of 5 men was waiting for me.

Diego commented –My wife is very little escort, we are going to one of the poorest towns in Antherea, it is even said that it is one of the poorest of the 12 Kingdoms– My answer was clear –Ay Diego, there are those men who they have so little faith, that on the day of Ragnarok the Scarlet King will be the first to devour–

For this mission I would only need two sister nuns and that's how it was. Diego and the two nuns were with me in the carriage.

The carriage began its journey, the escort on horseback was next to us two on the left and two others on the right and finally one behind, the coachman would warn us when we were about to arrive.

I looked at Diego, he looked a bit strange - Diego, are you okay? Your splendid smile is missing from day to day, you seem somewhat misplaced–

"I'm sorry, my lady," he answered. "But something doesn't sound right to me. What is the reason for requesting your presence?" Confused, I answered. How do you know that they requested my presence? - He was silent and did not respond, I was outraged because Diego saw the letter they sent me.

After a few minutes of complete silence he answered me –I'm sorry, my lady, I read the letter they sent her– his response made me angry.

–Diego, this is completely unacceptable, your place is not to read my letters, he asked me, if it had been another man, would you have read my letter? And the answer is clear that no, although I have the great title of high priestess which is on a par with a Duke of the Crown, this will have punished for your insolence–

He nodded, but this time more downcast –Yes, my lady, regretted my actions and I will take her punishment in my hands– the terrain slowly changed as we approached our destination as this town was known for its swamps and its houses which were built. above these same. The road was muddy, sinking the carriage easily. All of them saw us as we passed, they were afraid because this place was profane land because they practiced what they called "Voodoo" magic, one more branch of the magic of the witches, the "Black Blood" so many hide when they see the symbols of the church or royalty.

It was not long when the carriage stopped, we arrived at our place, the guards helped me down it smelled disgusting as always, the house was a poor and tasteless place, made of planks of a very dark wooden log, the noises of Toads and more insects accompanied the horrible and dark green atmosphere of the place. One guard stayed outside while everyone else escorted me inside.

When the family saw me they immediately bowed because they recognized my presence –My lady, to what do we owe her great honor in this humble abode– Diego turned to see me confused because I had told him that they were waiting for me while the woman's words said what contrary.

- I wanted to come in person, where is the girl? - They showed me the place of her room, before touching the knob I observed a woman at the end of the corridor.

- What are you doing here? A midwife cannot be in this place, she has to take the woman to another house - The woman bowed before me, but everyone was silent, the parents of the possessed girl looked at each other, uncles and brothers with each other - Did they eat the tongue swamp rats? Talk– The mother said –What happens is that my daughter is also pregnant–

I could not believe what he told me -Santa Trinidad, it's worse than I imagined, I had never seen a pregnant woman being possessed- Immediately I entered the room, the girl was locked in a cage to dress, poor girl was what I thought when I saw her Soon that creature that was in her body recognized me –You? What are you doing here? - She said with a high-pitched voice as if she were a small child. Shortly after the girl returned to herself crying, filling her face with dirt –Help me please! - Before the demon took her body again I asked –I need to know Who did this? Is it a demon? –

The bars of the cage shook with force, the demon returned and left, wrapped in pain she told me –It was them! -

-They? Who is it?-

Her convulsions began to attack her, I took some salt and threw it towards her face, this began to burn her like boiling water, it would hurt too much, but I would have more time to talk to her.

-Take her out- I said to the guards and the peasants, but they did not pay attention -Did you not listen to me? Get her out of her! - They immediately opened the cage, laying her on the floor, her stomach became more inflamed. I took her with my hands trying to calm her –I need you to tell me who did it? -

–They were "witches", it was Carmen– upon hearing the name immediately a fury arose in me –That bastard again and her damn house full of harpies like her– I have long tried to find evidence of Carmen and her pact with him. Bad, he had not been able until now, he even is dedicated to selling in an unauthorized way a distilled powder of the dark plant which works worse than alcohol.

-Fast! Advise the 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse of Antherea to go to the Mansion of the Carmen Dynasty and do their best to find evidence to hang her - immediately two guards came out.

–My lady! - One of the nuns shouted, as the girl had gotten up, as soon as she could, she attacked the sister who shouted at her, cutting her neck with an unequaled force. The other sister began to shout "Ahhh!" Running straight out, the possessed one jumped so big that she caught up with the nun who was running and tore her head off. The guards could not act and the peasants were more afraid than a chicken. The soldiers grabbed her by the neck, the walls soaked in blood and the cries of her mother as well as her midwife were a disaster.

"It's coming," said the possessed, shortly after the contractions began, it didn't take long when the creature was expelled from the woman by herself, it was nothing more than a dark sack. He wasn't even alive. The woman shed tears to the sky, she knew that the creature was born dead. She looked calmer so I asked everyone to leave the room except Diego.

When we were alone with the girl Diego vomited on the side of the bed.

–"What is that my lady?"–

–Something they shouldn't have seen, you are too nosy Diego– after saying this I took Diego by the face and cut his neck, Diego desperately tried to breathe and hold his wound, I take my tunic, unfortunately it is wearing the colors White and red. The possessed woman looked at me with horror her eyes could not believe what she saw –What is priestess doing? –

I unsheathed the sword from Diego's lifeless body and cut off the woman's head, her head fell to the ground while her body was still kneeling, I threw the sword to the ground.

When I opened the door I saw her parents –I'm sorry I couldn't do anything, the woman was possessed killing my main guard, but Diego attacked her before she hurt me–

They immediately entered together with the peasants, a heartrending cry from the mother was heard throughout the place, the father came out and asked me, wrapped in tears, "My lady, and the baby?" He is not-

-I will take it with me, the church will take it to find out the cause of all this-

The father blocked my way by standing in front of me –I'm sorry but that baby is still from our family so here it will stay! We will give him a proper funeral not for church tests- One of my guards placed his hand on the face of the man and smashed him against the wall leaving him unconscious, pass over him -Give him some gold coins-

Before leaving the coins were thrown at him, I got into my carriage and my 3 guards to the horses. The coachman did not advance.

Screams of terror rang out throughout the swamp. "What's wrong?" I asked the soldiers.

–I don't know my lady, they only point to the sky–

I put the fetus in a glass box and got out of the carriage. All the people saw the sky screaming in despair, they pointed upwards.

-Is the end-

-The Ragnarok is already here-

The thing they were looking at in the sky were millions of locusts flying through the air, one of the peasants when he saw me ran to me –Please help us, I apologize to the Trinity of Goddesses for my actions– They all turned to see me crying and pleading. When my guard saw me, I shouted "Ma'am, we have to go." They began to beat the carriage as you were dressed hungry for a steak, my guards cut off the heads that they could, they fit their swords as they could. They lowered my driver, tearing his clothes off, a commoner took out a knife and stuck it in the driver's chest, shouting, "This is my offering! I took my Trinity and let us live! - Others followed in his footsteps taking my knights and lowering them from their horses, biting their skin and eating them as if they were dogs, one of my knights managed to escape for a moment covered in blood and hit the paws The horses ran desperately forward, hitting the peasants and crushing them. My dear guard stayed to die - By the church! - I shouted to which I responded by looking out the window.

–My dear son you will not forget !! History will remember you! - His smile dismissed me, before they took it, his cry of pain was the last thing heard. I saw the sky through the windows millions of locusts were attacking the sky straight south, they were going to the neighboring Kingdom. Many people shouted that it was the beginning of the Ragnarok brought by the Crimson King.

Thanks to the holy Trinity I arrived at the castle because the horses drove directly here, it was not strange since the Greater Abbey is east of the castle of the Hierarch of this Antherea Kingdom since it is in the middle of the Kingdom like the other Kingdoms.

Upon reaching the castle, 2 cardinals and their personal guards attacked me. Cardinal Bartolomé and Cardinal Soto.

–Why did you arrive without an escort? - Bartolomé asked rudely to which I replied –Watch your words, remember that although they are Cardinals my rank and status is badly high than that of the two of you together so I can send you to the orca for any insignificant reason So leave me alone! - They both ran immediately. To my surprise, they went to notify the High Pontiff.

I was with my created ones eating after that long trip when the doors of my room in the Greater Abbey opened, two men with trumpets entered playing a melodious song, it was the music that was played in the presence of the High Pontiff immediately me and my maids we got on our knees. Three men later entered with blessed smoke passing their lit urns throughout the room subtracting in Latin. 13 more men in large armor arrived and positioned themselves around the table guarding the place.

Then the High Pontiff arrived with the court of him behind him, 12 wise men who accompanied him and 3 other guards dressed in white with large robes and large swords. The Supreme Pontiff was blind so his wife Mila accompanied him everywhere, holding his hand.

Mila saw me and affirmed –Hello sister– I turned my eyes to the sky –Hi Mila–

 Hidden behind were the Cardinals scared to death. The High Pontiff sat next to me, he took me by the hand and asked me to sit down –First of all, daughter, I thank you for everything you do for my day to day. You are my closest ally and I thank you for that– I thanked –I appreciate his words, my High Pontiff, I will always be his right hand in everything–

He continued to ask –I was informed that you returned without the soldiers who accompanied you, he begged please that you tell me what happened, calm as friends that we are, tell me not as you Pontiff–

I settled down and told everything that happened –This is how everything happened, my lord, the pregnant woman killed my personal guard Diego, and finally the dead fetus stayed with the parents of the possessed woman–

After a while the Supreme Pontiff got up - I have realized by the sufferings that you went through, tomorrow I invite you to eat at my sacred table, I await your attendance, and of course we will raise a statue in commemoration of the man who made the horses they will run. What about Diego? Don't you want a monument to him? He was your most confident person–

–No thanks, I knew Diego well, he didn't like that, he did it for his own pleasure–

They left my inn and before the Cardinals left I stopped them –Cardinals Bartolomé and Soto please come here–

They both stopped and walked towards me in fear. "What can we do for you, my lady?"

–I was informed that the baby of the Sovereign King Cosmo is about to be born, I need both of them to go there to give him the proper education about our Holy Trinity of Goddesses until he was 10 years old– They looked at me with horror. Soto affirmed - But my lady, 10 years is too much? That can be done by a normal parent. We also have work in the Greater Abbey put up by the Supreme Pontiff–

I was so happy to take revenge like this. I got up with fury they both fell back –I am the one who gives the jobs to each Cardinal, bishop or simple servant of the Greater Abbey! By the Trinity I am the one who places the works in the 12 Kingdoms to each servant of the Church of the Holy Trinity and I am the voice of the Supreme Pontiff so I am telling you that both will live in the castle for 12 years teaching to the future youngest son of the King all about history, geography, mathematics and religion to that boy! Do you understand me? - They both lowered their heads and left the room –Yes, my lady– little by little I detached myself from what she might be in my path.

My only problem for now is Carmen, her family has lived in that town for a long time which is in the Northwest. The town is called "Rivers of blood" her family could become one of the most powerful of the 13 Kingdoms, however it was not like that, her lack of leadership made the family end up fighting each other. So far, thanks to Carmen it seems that the status and gold of the family is growing, but who are they kidding? Only a few descendants of Astor's house remain. It is not a secret that my family, the Medicci house, is one of the richest families in the Kingdoms, since we all have great titles in royalty, in the church or in the military, it is said that a long time ago my family shared parties with the Astor's house, our families were great friends, but the fights that arose by the old leader of the Astor house ended the relationship, now that position of new leader of the Alastor house belongs to Carmen a girl of no more than 28 year old.

I believe that in another life we ​​were able to reunite our families, but now she directs her attention to witchcraft which makes her a rival to the Church of the Trinity of Goddesses.

The day had been confusing and with too much havoc, so I was willing to sleep, I called one of my creations with the bell, however, the one who opened the door to my room was nothing more than one more surprise for me accumulated in the day.

He was one of the 12 chosen by the angels who controls the power of darkness and darkness, her armor was dark as night with raven feathers around her and she let black smoke fall to the ground. Death had entered my room, but it was only the one who controlled it "Erwin Bauthe" The commander of our army of this Kingdom. His power is the total dominance of necromancy, a power as strong as any of the 12.

He had a beautiful face and although he looked like a 20-year-old, it was the power of him acting on him because in reality he was almost as old as I am at 50 years old. His hair was white and his eyes were black as night they were the same as those of a beast. He wore his helmet around his right arm which has dark dragon scales around it.

"My lady," he knelt before me, offering his apologies for agreeing without knocking.

At such a hasty invitation I dressed as quickly as possible, since it is rare to receive a visit from the commander, much less that I invited you to an urgent meeting.

My servants immediately helped me to dress, the commander waited outside my room to escort me, I got dressed as soon as possible. Erwin escorted me "What's wrong?" I asked to which Erwin only answered.

-It is something at the level of the 13 Kingdoms at this time all the Kingdoms are having this Meeting with their leaders-

Upon entering they were all the crown on the table, there were so many guards protecting the whole place. Our Hierarch Bloom was sitting on his Royal thunder, there were Dukes, Marquises, Counts, Viscounts, Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Generals, Sergeants. In total there were 30 important positions that were here. Next to the high pontiff could only be the Hierarch of the Kingdom, the supreme priestess and the commander chosen by the angels this because the high pontiff has almost the same power as the King of the 13 Cosmo Kingdoms.

Everyone sat down until the high priest arrived and the meeting began.

Erwin walked to the center of the table and around everyone began to speak -This Meeting is urgent due to the report of an exploration, luckily the current High Pontiff is in this Kingdom so he can shed light in our eyes with more clarity , because the other Kingdoms are having this same meeting at this same hour with their highest leader of the church who, unfortunately for the others, are Cardinals. Tomorrow the High Pontiff together with the High Priestess and Hierarch Bloom will travel to the capital kingdom of the 12 Kingdoms Wandering Graveyard where King Cosmo awaits him to discuss the future of what may happen–

Bloom immediately got excited hitting the table - Is this a joke? In more than 100 years there has never been a call to such a large board and it is only to give a damn report and apart from that you come here to give us orders to your Hierarch and your added Pontiff–

The whole room began to murmur, their anger was heard until the Supreme Pontiff spoke -Please be calm my children, you must have something very important to say so we must listen-

Erwin appreciated the words of the Supreme Pontiff –Thank you my Lord and not my Hierarch, I am not here to take your time with a simple report. I'll go to the center of all this, we may be going through the end of time–

His words hit the ears of everyone in the room, the silence lasted for about 20 seconds when suddenly everyone started laughing. A duke was the first to speak - Hahaha, I'm nonsense, my Hierarch is right, they are just soldiers' stupidities.

Erwin had a very deep look through his large black eyes, they were the eyes of a shark, when he saw the Duke he affirmed -It's better that you watch what you say, because you are addressing a Commander and those stupidities of a soldier are the words of one of the Kingdom commanders so if a simple Duke like you contradicts he could be sent to the gallows stupid human–

The Duke swallowed hard, it was exciting to see a military man put these sons of the golden cradle in their place, Hierarch Bloom spoke - Shut your mouth! We are in the presence of the Supreme Pontiff, one of the most powerful figures of the 12 Kingdoms, damn we behave as his voice dictates –

Erwin continued - The 12 chosen ones were doing a review which we have to do once every year to the north of the 12 Kingdoms because as you know there is no life there, everything is covered by orange sand and an infernal heat which would kill any human or living creature. Everything was going as usual, those chosen who can fly did it without problem and the others rode horses made in war. If they were able to appreciate this exploration it lasted longer, because new news arrives and it is that we found rivers, with gigantic trees, plants and mountains, everything was green - This was the greatest discovery.

Everyone was amazed –What? That is impossible in thousands of years it was just a desert - said one of the cardinals.

- It was not all, in our journey we entered the woods, but from the beginning we realized that something was not right in that place. Our Gods did not enter that land, nor the Trinity, nor Zeus, nor Odin nor Ixchel, Ra or any other god of the known pantheons of other Kingdoms to the south. This place was heavier ruled by other forces. Then a scream was heard. Immediately we all got down, it was one of the 12 was convulsed and throwing red foam from his mouth, this hurt our soul because as you know we are connected by our powers. Neither those of us in the air nor those of us on the ground managed to see anything of what might have happened. So we decided to go out and camp outside the huge wall of trees. We camped where it was still desert because they were unknown lands. We all talked about how bad the place felt and that strange feeling of getting away from it. The next morning the fallen man woke up and affirmed "The Scarlet King is coming". We tried to calm him down but we couldn't. Suddenly, a giant fire began to make its way into the center of the forest. so much force made us cower in fear. At the same time the plants began to take more territory, the soil that was sand began to turn into earth and from it sprouts of plants and tree trunks came out, it was as if what was walking here was expanding its territory with its walking , but that territory was not friendly at all, one of the horses when feeling contact with this earth and plants began to jump and neigh in a matter of seconds the horse began to be corroded by fungi and a gray paste immediately we grabbed those who could not fly and we took them on our back and ran from the place.

No one said anything upon hearing this, they were all shaking and staring at each other. Everyone was afraid, some began to cry and scream, they tried to calm everyone down.

Erwin continued - The thing is that Ragnarok could be the end of the times of the Gods which will bring the destruction of humans, and the one who comes to the 12 Kingdoms is the Scarlet King tomorrow the added Pontiff will depart to the capital by order King-

This was the most terrible thing anyone heard. To the South we know that there are other Kingdoms which are not friends or enemies, however they fear us because of our great power, to the North everything was desert or that was what all the continents believed, but apparently not.