Conquest of the Damned

A golden light pierced through the dark shadows beyond the mountains in the east, waking the slumbering souls in a distant village. Some men and women began to leave their residences and do their chores, starting their day. Cattle were released from barns and set free on the green pastures. Hens and roosters cackling, along with the chirping of the birds perched on the trees, create a melodious sound that suits the gentle morning ambiance. 

Tessa opened her slumbering eyes and stared at the soft, golden sunlight passing through the beige, translucent curtains covering her double-hung window. Though drowsy, she sat up, stretched her arms, and clasped her hands in prayer, thanking the Great One for another day. She muttered indecipherable words and then circled her fingers on her chest twice before patting her glabella once and gently touching her lips.

She then washed her face and began her day by doing chores. Her house, a humble cabin, located at the top of a hill, a few walks from the village, has a decent space for a garden. Wearing a sage-toned, puff-sleeved, dress, she left the house and fetched a pail of water from a well nearby. Carrying a pail quarter-full from the well to the house is no easy feat. Nonetheless, despite soiling the hem of her dress, she reached the gate and put the pail on the ground. Scooping some water, she watered the plants as the gentle morning breeze swept through. 

It's been months since she has resided in this distant village, far from the outskirts of the bustling capital. A polite, gentle-natured maiden, she was educated to be the wife of a nobleman since six. However, encountering Priestess Aria in the Temple of Illua changed her dull and predictable life.

—

She can still remember that day like it was yesterday. It has been the tradition in Xenos, especially to noblemen, to bring their children to the Temple of Illua to receive a divine revelation from the Great One during their coming of age at 12. The High Priest would lay their hands on the kneeling children, and the High Priest would receive a vision from the heavens regarding the child's fate.

Hundreds of 12-year-olds were lined up with their parents and guardians that day. The Temple was bustling due to this momentous occasion. Their names were called and the children were led inside the grandiose cathedral where the High Priest waited at the altar.

When Tessa's name was called, she and her parents, exuding an aura of nobility, entered the cathedral. Her father, Baron Orpheus Ergout, wore a top hat, white shirt, and brown tailcoat matching the brown fitted trousers. He walked alongside his wife, Baroness Fiona Ergout, wearing a striking, white dress with elaborate designs and accessories adorning her wrists, neck, and head. Tessa, in contrast to her parent's outfit, wore a simple, elegant dress, fitting her age. Nonetheless, her grace can be seen through her soft stride and can be described as a well-mannered young lady-to-be. 

Tessa remembered how she first met the High Priest. His peaceful, beaming, expression calmed young Tessa's nerves as she slowly walked towards him and lightly lifted her dress, bowing as she greeted the High Priest with courtesy. The High Priest, chuckled as he nodded in approval, praising the Baron for his daughter's upbringing.

Tessa remembered kneeling before him and clasping her hands in prayer, waiting for the High Priest's bestowal. The High Priest muttered the ancient language of Elves, words indecipherable to young Ergout's ears. As she awaited his revelation, a woman's voice, instead, spoke gently of her fate.

"A lonesome life, thou shall live

Yet thou shall not be deceived

For a child shall come

To bring bliss and peace."

Young Tessa felt a cold yet warm light fall upon her inclined head. As she opened her eyes and lifted her head, the face of an ethereal—no, a goddess, faced her. Her flowing, silky, platinum, hair, reached the floor. Her lashes, the same color as her hair, fluttered as she gazed upon the young one. Her skin glowed under the coral-glazed glass paintings. Her silky, white, robes flowed down the stairs from which the High Priest was standing earlier. Young Tessa was awestruck.

She then looked at her parents behind her, whose eyes were as awestruck as she was. Her mother covered her lips as her eyes watered at the sight. The woman spoke once again,

"Child."

She turned her head once more to the goddess who gave her the revelation. The goddess caressed her cheeks and kissed her forehead. She then whispered, ever so softly,

"May your life be filled with happiness and joy. The Great Ilua wants his child to be happy at all costs."

The goddess, whose pointy ears, perked up from her hair, grinned and put her forefinger near her lips. She gracefully straightened her posture and faced the Baron and Baroness, whose faces were still lost for words. 

"Please take care of Quintessa. This child," she then glanced at Tessa and grinned.

"She will bear the incarnation of Klaudius."

—

The memory from that day was etched in the heart of Tessa. It was the day that changed the trajectory of her life forever. Soon enough, the moment they stepped out of the Temple, murmurs about what occurred were already swarming the strangers outside. Later on, when they got home, the Temple announced the prophecy. Nonetheless, the identity of the woman who will bear the incarnation was kept confidential. 

Baron Ergout, who was strict on her daughter's education, became austere. He invested in her daughter's education and enrolled her in various lessons. Baroness Ergout was no different. She demanded perfection from her daughter and was uncompromising. Some tutors and staff found her life miserable due to this treatment and gave her some leniency in secret. Nonetheless, some have been found were harshly banished from the barony, adding to her misery.

Nonetheless, Tessa was given one leniency: praying to the Temple. Since that day, her parents have been devout believers in the Temple. She, on the other hand, found their religiosity toxic because they failed to apply the doctrines to their lifestyle—not that she was any different from them.

Due to her frequent visits to the temple, she met a holy knight. During the attack on their barony, the knight helped her flee until they reached the village. Soon, she and the knight fell in love. Their love blossomed, and she was found to be pregnant. The knight, now her husband, began to take commission jobs as a mercenary to provide for their needs. 

Despite her pregnancy, she has been doing household chores and carrying things that she can handle, still being careful of the baby in her womb. Her husband's commission this time was quite difficult compared to the previous commissions he used to take, which is why he hasn't been home for almost a week now. Tessa has been praying to the Great One for her lover's safety to ease her worries. Her pregnancy is due soon. As she awaits her husband's return, she hopes he will come soon to see their child.

After tending the plants, she went back in to rest. A few minutes later, the quiet morning was then disrupted by a kaboogsh! sound from afar. Screams began to resound along with the sound of destruction, disrupting the peaceful morning. Agitated, she hurriedly and went to peak through the window to see what was going on. 

A billow of smoke arose from the edge of the village as humongous, terrifying creatures with spikes on their back began rummaging through the houses. A cacophony echoed to the hills where she was staying. Beads of sweat began to form on the side of her forehead as chills ran down her spine. She touched her swollen belly as she slowly took steps back. Terrified for her and her child, her lips bobbed up and down as fear engulfed her whole body. 

"T-They're h-here…" Her lips trembled as her face paled. Flashbacks of fire engulfing the barony began to resonate in her mind. Screams of desolation and people calling her name appeared in her mind. 

Her knees began to collapse as she ran to her room upstairs and slammed the closet doors behind her. Covering her ears, tears streamed down her face as she began muttering for help in fear. She took the rosary from her pocket and started to pray hard. She stammered as she spoke the ancient language, breaking into sobs.

As she was praying, a loud bang resounded below. Tessa hushed her voice while still praying for her and her child's safety. 

Ka-chak

The sound of her door opening made her clasp her hands to her mouth to prevent any sound from leaking. She closed her eyes in defeat as she quietly waited for her doom. 

The closet doors opened suddenly stopping her breath. Blue eyes reflected on panicking Tessa's eyes. His messy red hair glistened in sweat, his face laced with worry. Tessa trembled as she ran into her husband's arm in tears.

"Adrian!"

The couple embraced, finding solace in each other's arms. They squeezed each other, never letting go. 

"I thought I lost you," Adrian breathed. They broke from each other's embrace and caressed each other's faces, looking into each other's eyes. Adrian could see how fearful her wife was. Her tears flowed freely. He consoled her, kissing her tearful eyes, cheeks, and her trembling lips repeatedly while saying, "I'm here now. You don't have to worry." 

They hurriedly packed their things and escaped from the village. Adrian mounted her wife on the horse. He then mounted next as they hurriedly escaped. Tessa looked back as the village they once loved is now being destroyed by the Damned. As they ran to the woods, a creeping creature with hard red pupils and spikes on its back crashed into their home. Sniffing through the surface, its serpent-like tongue licked the scent. It followed the scent outside through the back door heading through the forest. Other monstrous creatures with black, slimy, hideous bodies followed, their stares pierced through the forest. The scent of divinity filled their nostrils as they growled and salivated in hunger. 

Meanwhile, Adrian whipped the horse as they ran away as far as they could from the village. Tessa looked back and found that only trees and plants passed by their view. She then looked at her husband's face laced with worry and still focused on moving forward. She glanced at her bump as she caressed it with care. She was then distracted when she began to feel contractions. She crouched in pain and discomfort, causing Adrian to worry.

"Tess!? Are you okay?!" Agitation is present in his voice.

 Tessa struggled to reply as she panted. "The baby…"

"Just hang in there, I'll find a room."

Adrian rushed as they galloped at full speed. Soon enough, they found a cave beside crystal waters. They stopped there as Adrian carried his wife and placed her on the flat surface, leaning her against the wall. Tessa's breath was getting shorter as her contractions were getting harder to bear each minute. Adrian took a blanket from their things and immediately laid it beside his wife. He gently asked her, "Can you move here?" he patted the laid blanket but Tessa shook her head furiously. Her face upturned as she struggled to contain her screams due to the contractions. Adrian carefully transferred her to the area where the blanket was laid. 

"Hang on, I'm just gonna get something," his actions frantic. He took all their belongings and laid them beside her. Tessa began to cry in pain, while Adrian hurriedly made a comfy space where the baby could carefully lie as soon as it was out. He held her wife's hand tight. Her eyes were in a daze as she looked at him with tears in her eyes. Adrian assured her.

"I'm here. Breathe with me." Tessa nodded in response, her face contouring in pain.

"1, 2 push!"

Tessa's scream echoed on the cave walls as she struggled to push her baby out. Her cries of pain resounded for hours until the baby came out. It was a baby boy, His black hair was quite thick for a newborn. Still red and freshly cleaned, Tessa carried him in her arms. She memorized every part of her baby's face: his long lashes, chubby cheeks, small lips, and small nose. She stuck her nose close to her baby and smiled. Adrian's heart melted at the sight of his wife and child. He went near them and kissed his wife's top. 

"I'm so proud of you my love," he breathed.

As they were enjoying their blissful moment, a snarl from outside was heard. Their pleasant expressions turned tense at the sound. 

"Wait here."

He stood up and carefully unsheathed the sword from his waist. Tessa, gripped her child close to her chest as she watched her husband cautiously move outside. He scanned the surroundings. The sound from earlier couldn't be heard, only the still waters echoed in the empty area. 

Thinking it was just a sound from a nearby wild animal, he was about to release his nerves when a slimy, creeping monster with a lizard-like body and wolf-like head leaped in front of him. 

K-k-k-kragghh!!

Adrian blocked the attack with his sword. Its sharp teeth clashed with his iron sword as it salivated in hunger. He pushed it far from him. He stood up and readied his stance. He began to chant the prayer, his eyes focused on vanquishing the monster wriggling a few distances from him. 

"Oh blessed Ilua, bless this divine sword, and vanquish the evil before me…"

He finished his chant as he flipped his sword. A white, golden aura began to surround him and the sword. His blue eyes became translucent as he faced the monster who regained its composure and opened its mouth towards him to attack. 

"kkkkkgraahhhhh!!"

"Uraaaaahh!"

He pierced through the monster's mouth, rendering it immobile. Its eyes turned white as it exploded in white, harmless particles. The divinity aura purifies every Damned from corruption and frees the corrupted souls. 

As soon as he thought he was done, another monster with a different form appeared. He sliced and fought them, avoiding their attacks. Their heads upturned, its sight landed on his wife and son. Realizing what their true motive was, he pushed his divinity to the max and sliced through every monster that headed toward his family's way. 

"Ilua give me strength!"

Swarms of demons began plaguing their area. He sliced the monsters and used every technique and divinity he could muster. His stamina soon caught up to him. 

Wretched blood from the demons he had killed began to ooze out from his face and his arms, along with the wounds he acquired from the monsters who attacked him. He was cornered.

He looked at his wife, clutching their newborn. He panted and looked at them with weary but resolved eyes. I haven't even thought of a name for him yet, he thought. As he panted, he glanced at their faces one last time. 

You know I'll protect you, right?

Realizing what her husband would do, Tessa stood up, while clutching the child in her chest. She tried to go near him but Adrian shouted.

"NO!"

"You know as well as I do, you can't. You mustn't."

Tessa trembled as all she could do was reach out to her husband weakly. 

He then turned his back as Tessa broke down in sobs. He breathed in and out the opened his eyes with resolve as tears flowed.

"I will always love you, Tessa."

Maxing out his aura, he shouted one last time. 

"Ilua receive my life!"

Adrian's body emitted a blinding light as the aura inside him exploded. A deafening sound echoed beyond the woods as a bright, dome of light purified the demons engulfing the area.