Blood and Throne

"Morgana, wake up!... Hurry, wake up". A woman's voice echoed in the room. The woman's voice was filled with urgency as she shook the figure on the bed. The figure's head was buried in the pillow and the woman could see she was fast asleep.

Morgana stirred in her sleep, the gentle touch of the woman barely registering in her dreams. But as the woman's touch became more insistent, Morgana's eyes fluttered open, and she groggily tried to swat the hands away.

"Morgana, wake up! The priestess hissed urgently. "The temple is under attack and the beasts are here. We need to leave now and fast!". The woman said, grabbing the covers and pulling them off the bed. "You need to leave now, Morgana. Get up!".

Morgana groaned and rubbed her eyes, looking around the room groggily. "What's going on?". She asked, her voice still heavy from sleep.

The woman who had woken her wanted to say something, but before she could speak, A loud explosion was heard in the building, which shook the entire temple.

The explosion shook Morgana from her sleep and she quickly sprang up, her heart racing in fear. Suddenly, the ground beneath them started to shake, and she could hear the sound of stone cracking and splintering.

Morgana couldn't believe what was just happening. Was she dreaming again? She looked up to the ceiling with wide shocked eyes which had cracked and were threatening to fall on their heads and the torches placed on the wall, flickering and threatening to go off. It was still dark and The temple which had been solid for decades was just been destroyed right before her eyes.

The temple was filled with chaos and loud voices ringing out of urgency were heard. Morgana quickly left the bed, she bent under her bed, searching for the ancient box that held the sacred relics of the temple and special portions that had been with her, ever since she grew up in the temple.

Her hands closed around it and she let out a sigh of relief as she found out it was safe and untouched. Without a second thought, Morgana stuffed the relics and the special portion and a piece of paper beside her bed into a leather one-handed bag and slung it over her shoulder.

She was about to dash out when she was stopped by a strange look on the priestess' face. " What is it?". Morgana asked, her heart racing with fear.

Morgana was taken aback by the sudden grip on her wrist and winced as she felt the priestess' fingers clasp tightly around it. "You must leave right now, Morgana. Hurry up," the priestess commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Morgana tried to speak, but the words quickly died on her lips as she was pulled towards the door by the priestess. She stumbled after her, trying to keep up with the sudden pace.

Morgana's eyes widened in alarm as she felt the priestess' fingers tighten harder around her wrist. "Wait!" she cried out, trying to break free from the priestess' hold. But the priestess was relentless, pulling her towards the door with a strength that belied her age.

"Priestess, what are you doing?" Morgana asked, her voice filled with horror and uncertainty. She tried to dig her heels in, but the priestess was too strong for her.

"You must leave, Morgana. Now," the priestess replied, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Morgana struggled harder, desperation creeping into her voice. "But why? What's happening? I don't understand!"

The priestess' face was grim as she finally stopped pulling and faced Morgana. "You're in danger, Morgana. Terrible danger. And I can't protect you any longer. You have to go."

Morgana's mind was racing. Danger? What kind of danger? Why was the priestess, who she had always trusted, suddenly turning against her?

"Please priestess, you have to tell me what's going on," Morgana implored.

The priestess hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a low voice. "There are forces at work that you can't even imagine, Morgana. And they will stop at nothing to get what they want. You're caught in the middle, and I can't risk your safety any longer."

Morgana felt a chill run down her spine as she looked into the priestess' eyes and saw the fear there. She had never seen Priestess Hilda fear. The woman had been her mentor and mother figure and she had never seen her waver in her actions. But today?...

Speechless, Morgana didn't how to react but her gaze was fixed on the priestess and she could see various emotions, running through her eyes, which kept her on an edge.

"Aren't you done packing?". The priestess asked patiently, a frown etched on her face.

"What packing? ". Morgana asked, quickly releasing her hand from the priestess' grip. "I was just trying to keep it close to me while I fight". Morgana subconsciously grasped her bag tighter as though, the woman was about to snatch away her precious treasure.

"There's no time for that". Priestess Hilda said firmly. "You need to go away right now. They have come to take you".

"Then? Isn't a better reason to fight?." Morgana asked. "I'm not leaving, I'm going to stay back to fight alongside my sisters and _".

Her words were quickly interrupted by the priestess's next words. "You are our only hope, Morgana". Morgana could detect the hopelessness in the words of the priestess. " Please for the sake of our future_".

"Or you think I'm weak and I don't have any elemental abilities like the rest of the sisters? Isn't it?". Morgana was annoyed as she took two steps backwards from the priestess's outstretched hands. Her eyes were slightly turning red from emotions. Why was the priestess looking down on her?

Although she hadn't elemental abilities like that of the sisters in the temple, it had made her stronger in swordsmanship and the best in archery as well.

"What's the reason for training me from childhood if I wasn't going to fight to defend the temple!". Morgana went on, her voice almost choking.

"Come with me please, there's no time. I will explain on my way out". Priestess Hilda said, trying to persuade the young lady who was about to flare up in anger. Sighing in frustration and trying to contain her emotions, she took a step forward and outstretched her hands. "Please Morgana... Fine with me, if you want to fight but we need to use the other door. I mean the secret passage, at least you need a special weapon to fight". The priestess tried to persuade her.

She could see the hesitance in those eyes of hers and she gave a little smile to assure her of her words. "Trust me, Morgana, as you have been doing all these years". And with just that, Morgana stepped forward, placing her hands in hers and she drew her quickly out of the door.