The Chosen

The villagers looked at the women in white who walked closer to the forest stopping in the middle of the field. The girls become smaller to their eyes meaning they were a good distance away closer to the woods where the creatures ran free. They looked like a bunch of angels waiting to be stolen in the night by a demon who snuck behind the blackness.

Sophia eventually made her way toward the women slowly watching each of them with sorrowful faces. They all kept their gazes low not looking at one another since they had too much fear within themselves. Tonight the the skies would decide their fates.

She eventually made her way standing next to the girls spreading across the field facing the woods and not facing the people behind them.

The wind hit her face softly as her parts of her hair made her way across her neck. She was almost in shock not knowing if this was real since her heart was racing, but a soft hand touched hers making her snap her head noticing another girl taking it.

The villagers watched the women standing side by side holding hands facing the woods with a death pin silence. There was a sense of despair around them all since some villagers watched their daughters while tears rolled down their cheeks. The councilmen directed some to start the drums at a slow tempo making the tension rise causing anxiety to fill the girls souls while the adults stayed behind unable to hear the results.

The old seer began to walk between the villagers making her own way to the center of the field while singing some ancient song. She had her black eyes closed as she praised the gods and began to slightly move to the beating of the drums.

Villagers began to hum to the rhythm of the song being displayed as they all watched the old woman connect to the skies in some kind of way they never would. But the women in white were too far ahead to hear much of the song. Instead they prayed silently hoping they wouldn't be the one the skies chose.

Sophia stood frozen but felt the urge to lift her head toward the woods. Glancing ahead, she again saw the golden eyes from a creature hiding deep within the trees that still stayed somewhat covered not allowing her to see much more. The stare down continued between the human girl and the beast as a weird connection was forming between the two that felt almost natural.

The ancient song from Clarice finally reached the girls ears making some begin to cry quietly while some sang to it. But Sophia didn't even pay heed to the words as she tilted her head tempting the beast to take a few steps out behind the tree since she was curious what he looked like.

Although they were described as monsters, some spoke about how the creatures could be alluring making her want to see for herself.

"Ahui chivvee jub hojiuve."

The old woman chantings started to become clearer to the girls ears meaning she was approaching. She seemed to enjoy her song that only she could understand since she was saying the words out loud.

Yet the girls in the village were taught every word so they could join in when the picking came along. Even though they were never taught the actual meaning, the tune was beautiful and melodic.

"Alright my girls. Turn around and come join me in a circle for a prayer." Clarice said softly where she also could barely hear the drums herself. She was feeling a great sense of peace about today's choosing as the wind softly ran across her face.

She was elderly and seemed out of date to many in the village, but she felt the gods near making her know the time was coming.

The girls turned around seeing the friendly smile from the blind woman before them who wasn't feeling the tension of despair among them since she was distracted by the feelings from the skies.

"Come on now dearies. Right now is not the time to be afraid. Come join me!" She said once again beckoning them. "This is a time to rejoice!"

"Can you just tell us which one is being chosen Madam Clarice?" A small red head asked. She walked toward the old lady with a timid expression scared of being picked. But the suspense was killing her.

"I don't have any idea yet my dear. But I do feel as though the chosen this year is special." She hummed as the red head furrowed her brows in confusion. How could someone be special if they were going to die?

All the girls joined her in a circle as she offered a prayer in some dialect no one could understand.

She opened her eyes giving out a small chuckle knowing the girls were all very pure to the skies. Even though she had no eyesight, the woman felt their innocence and goodness making her realize this was some of the best batch that had been brought forth before the gods.

"You all are very blessed souls tonight. You are going to be the first witnesses to the chosen one this year which is something you should be proud of. And this chosen one will be the answer to our prayers. Prayers you haven't yet realized you would one day pray. The gods have heard your cries and want to unite their creations in unity once again."

"What does that mean?" Chipped another little girl to Sophia's left.

Sophia glanced around noticing how the girls huddled around the old woman with curious expressions. Many here were some she did have good relations with when she visited the marketplace, so she didn't feel uncomfortable wanting to learn more with them.

"Humans, Wolfmen, Bloodseekers, and others are all created by the skies. The gods love their children and want to unite the world. But it has to start with one…"

Sophia was standing toward the old lady's back listening to her words. This event was a bit different since the seer was spending time discussing things with the women and even the villagers were curious what was happening since their daughters gathered in a circle.

Usually Clarice picked a girl dismissing the others to return to their families without any discussion. After talking to the chosen girl and taking her deep into the forest, the blind woman would eventually bring her back to the villagers announcing the decision of the skies. But today felt different than previous years making the girls feel at ease.

The atmosphere turned friendly making even the villagers feel peace.

"I can only offer one small piece of advice. You are not meant to be a sacrifice by dying. You have a greater purpose as the chosen one." Clarice whispered.

"Come it's time to return back. The skies have made their decision and it will be announced in front of everyone."

Clarice turned around and started to walked back toward the villagers humming once again to rhythm of the drums.

"Don't you need to take the chosen into the forest?" Sophia asked looking toward the spot were she saw the beautiful dark golden eyes from earlier. Even though nothing was noticeable, she was unable to find him.

Sophia's voice surprised Clarice who turned around laughing softly. It seemed the seer knew something.

"You shall meet him again." She whispered to Sophia before turning her back once again to the girls.

The other girls looked at Sophia and then back to Clarice who walked away with questioning eyes. And while they all stepped ahead of the dark haired girl, Sophia stood frozen by the response Clarice left her.

Shrugging their shoulders, the girls walked behind the woman shocked by tonight while continuing to glance at Sophia wondering if the seer and her had some secret conversation. They couldn't understand what was happening and was curious why this year was so odd.

The girls wearing white weren't the only ones confused by the nights events. Many people watched all the girls walk back with one another as though none were chosen. Did this mean their daughters were spared?

"What is the meaning of this Clarice?" Asked a leader when the girls were closer and within earshot.

"I have felt who is the chosen one for the beast this year!" She announced with much happiness. "I will individually prepare her before the upcoming night. She will need much training since she is very special in the eyes of the gods."

"Very well." One leader said calming down. "Now who is this years chosen one?"

Clarice smiled and pointed her head directly at the girl making many look quickly praying to the skies it wasn't their own child.

"Sophia Red is the chosen one by the skies." She announced with so much confidence. Gasps filled the area since many were surprised the young girl was the chosen. She was the most desirable woman in the village, so some believed she would be spared based on her beauty alone.

Sophia looked at the woman who seemed to be once again looking directly in her eyes. Did she really just say her name?

"Come Sophia." The elder woman beckoned with her hand extended.

Everyone watched with shocked eyes as the beautiful girl walked toward the seer with a scared expression. She seemed confused and somewhat terrified, but her body kept moving toward Clarice.

Walking next to her side, Clarice pulled Sophia into a hug holding her tightly covering her from the others as she approached her ears.

"You have a great purpose for us Sophia." She whispered in her ears for only the girl to hear. "And I know you've noticed those eyes tonight. It seems your friend is as curious as you."