Prophet (5)

Good day, everyone, this is Yunnie and his small diary.

'I was once a slave, never daring to dream of any kindness.

But after escaping to this secluded village, the Church took me in. They provided me with food, clothing, and, most importantly, a chance to start anew.'

'Recently, something beyond my wildest dreams happened—I was promoted as a priest in the Church of Fertility.

It feels like a fantasy I never thought I could grasp. To serve under the benevolent deity Lakambini... words fail to express the depth of my gratitude.'

'Lakambini, the goddess of Motherhood, Fertility, and Birth; the revered Mother Empress who, despite her virginity, gave birth to the Holy Spirit Ikapati.

Though she may be a small and obscure goddess to the world, to us, she embodies everything sacred. Our village has been loyal, worshiping her with a faith that could move mountains.'

'Without her blessings, we would be naught. There would be no rain to nourish our crops, no life flourishing in this barren land.

Our village was isolated and rested far from the kingdom's reach, nestled at the middle of the unforgiving desert.'

'Yet, thanks to Goddess Lakambini's divine grace, it has thrived in the middle of scorching sun.'

'But that peace was fleeting…'

'When war erupted in the kingdom, it spread like a contagion, affecting everything, even our remote village was not spared.

'We found ourselves helpless and desperate, our prayers falling on deaf ears. With no other recourse, we were compelled to seek aid from other churches.'

'The Church of Sea responded. But they demanded a price.'

'They told us they needed our help, that we had to offer something in return… a vessel. A vessel for their prophet to descend upon this world. A sacrifice they insisted we make.'

'And the Prophet in question…'

*****

"KUWA HA HA HA HA HA HA!"

Seon's laughter boomed through the room in a sense of madness. Well, who would laugh after beating the men senselessly in an unmanly manner? Perhaps villains... and Seon.

"SHIT FEELS GOOD!"

Despite the brutal punishment she had dished out, it was nothing short of a miracle that the men still survived.

No, even though they wanted to die, Seon's attack isn't aimed on their weak part thus they will still be able to survive no matter what.

These people laid crumpled on the ground, their bodies broken and bruised, unable to move or even open their eyes.

Yet they could hear her maniacal laughter echoing around them like the cackle of a demon possessed.

'She's a damn devil…'

'Prophet, my ass. That thing is a demon.'

'Goddess… I'm scared… please help me.'

Each of them prayed in silence, too terrified to let their voices rise above a whisper. Fear strangled their throats, and they huddled there in their misery.

Among them was Yunnie, his body limp, his mind lost to unconsciousness.

While the others trembled in terror, Yunnie found himself in a strange dream, as though the angel Saint Peter himself had come to ferry him off to heaven. His escape into death seemed so close—so peaceful.

But fate had other plans. The afterlife had rejected his application to die.

Seon began to walk towards the fallen body, the broken staff still dragging behind her with a menacing scrape.

Slow steps echoed like the ticking of a clock, counting down their final moments.

The men, though conscious, squeezed their eyes shut and held their breath, pretending to be dead.

'Please, don't notice me.'

'Mama, I don't want to die…'

'Please, tell my wife I love her.'

Their silent cries filled the air as they lay motionless, praying Seon would pass them by.

But…

"Hey... those of you pretending to be dead, wake up." - As if they could escape.

No one moved. No one dared to respond.

"Hmph." Seon smirked, tilting her head. "I see. I guess I should go back and stab your corpses one by one—is that what you all want?"

Then almost immediately, a frantic rustling broke the tension.

Every single man sprang to his feet, their legs trembling as fear etched itself across their faces. Even Yunnie, who had been drifting toward the afterlife, jolted awake as if snatched back from death's grasp.

Seon's smile widened seeing their cooperation,

"Very cooperative, impressive."