Chapter 1: Stepping into Adulthood

Fire swarmed around the area as smoke billowed heavily, making breathing impossible. The little girl huddled in a corner crying. Her hands, which were balled into fists, were covered in blood from a fruitless struggle for freedom.

Her throat, which was dry and sore from screaming, had begun to feel hot and dry. The feeling was beginning to become unbearable for the little girl as she tried swallowing again and again, but that didn’t help.

"Please…" the little girl rasped as she pulled her knees closer to her chest.  "Mommy, daddy, please… I’ll be good."

The words came out in barely a whisper as the girl's eyes began to burn from the smoke that was beginning to fill the room.  It wouldn’t be much longer before the entire space caught fire, ending the girl's life.

Feeling all hope disappear, she closed her eyes and prepared for the worst as heat pressed against her skin.

Amelia sat up quickly, her eyes wide open, her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to catch her breath. Sweat covered her porcelain skin, causing her strawberry blonde hair to stick to her cheeks in tufts.

"Just a dream." Amelia murmured as she tried to compose herself.

The room around her was still dark as the sun hadn’t quite begun to rise just yet.  On either side of her, Jacey and Amanda slept peacefully in their beds, both oblivious to the torrent of emotions that were burning within Amelia.

Unable to fall back to sleep, Amelia quickly got out of bed, heading towards the communal shower. The halls beyond the dorms were empty and silent. A soft white light glowed, lighting the pictures of the Goddess Mediocris watching over the lands and permeating them with her healing light.

Just from the sight of the Goddess, Amelia could feel her heart and thoughts beginning to settle. Even if the world around her were to fall apart, her faith and love for the Goddess would always keep her going.

Stopping Amelia, fixed her gaze on Mediocris. Placing her hands before her, she said a quick prayer in the way of a morning greeting. Although she would be doing so later with the rest of the sister’s, it never hurt to say one extra for good measure.

"May peace and light wash over this land, in your name, amen." Amelia finished smiling as she turned and hurried along her way.

"Our Goddess Mediocris, we praise thee." Sister Rosario’s voice echoed around the chapel.  "Bring forth your light and let it wash down on all of us sinners.  Let it bless those in its path, let it heal our illnesses, let it bring peace across the land of Pacificus."

"In your name we pray, amen." The congregation echoed before rising.

“Remember girls!” Sister Rosario called drawing everyone’s attention.  “We need to be extra diligent these next few days.  The purple moon is fast approaching.”

Amelia felt a shiver run down her spine.  The purple moon, the day that the Succubus were supposed to wander away from their mountain to feed.  It was also the day that they would reproduce, a tradition that the Succubi had followed for years.

The Kingdom of Vi was a peaceful place, only because the Werewolves and Succubus remained in their respective areas, except on special occasions.  For as long as Amelia could remember she had been warned about these creatures, they were evil and wouldn’t hesitate to kill a human if they ventured too far.  That was why it was so important that humans remained locked within the walls of the kingdom.  The furthest they were allowed to venture was to the land of Pacificus, the area that the Church of Lux Solis resided in, Amelia’s home.

Letting another shiver run through her, Amelia attempted to push aside thoughts of the supernaturals, they were disgusting creatures that all deserved to die.  Thankfully the hunters were making sure that would eventually come to be a reality.

“With that said, have fun at the festival!” Sister Rosario finished smiling.  “Do come back early, just because you are allowed out for fun does not mean that your chores and prayer sessions tomorrow are cancelled.”

"Amelia!" Amanda called out, rushing up to Amelia as she got up from her seat. "Are you going to wear what you’re in? You aren’t going to change?  We are supposed to be leaving soon!"

"Leaving?" Amelia asked in confusion.  "What do you mean by leaving soon?"

Looking down she took in the simple white dress she was currently wearing.  It was the standard outfit of nun’s.  What exactly was wrong with what she was wearing, in the convent it was normal?  And what did Amanda mean by leaving soon?

As far as she could remember, she didn’t have any plans with Amanda. Amelia had expected to simply stay in and pass her 18th birthday in the peace of the convent, surrounded by those she cared about the most.

"Don’t tell me you already forgot." Amanda huffed, placing her hands on her hips.

"What is it that I was supposed to have forgotten?" Amelia asked, genuinely confused.

"THE FESTIVAL!" Amanda squealed, eyes growing bright with excitement.  "Sister Rosario has given all of us permission to go out and enjoy ourselves to celebrate the Goddess Medicoris!  We are also going to celebrate your 18th birthday!  How lucky to have the Goddess’ festival fall on your birthday.  This must mean that you are holy as well, what a lucky woman you are!”

"Oh right…" Amelia murmured.

Now that she thought about it, she did vaguely remember Amanda mentioning this a few days prior, but after that nightmare she had, her brain was still quite a mess.

"Go get ready then!" Amanda sighed, placing her hands on Amelia’s back and beginning to push.  "Time waits for no man!"

"It is still light out." Amelia pointed out, looking over her shoulder at her friend who was steadily pushing her along. "You’re acting like we won’t have any time."

"If you don’t hurry up, we won’t." Amanda countered as they reached the dorms.

Taking no time at all, Amelia quickly got changed as she felt her excitement begin to grow.  The festival of the Goddess Mediocris happened once every five years.  The last time it had happened, Amelia fell ill and was unable to attend, so this time was somewhat of a makeup for what she had missed.

Heading back out, she found Jacey and Amanda waiting for her with big smiles on their faces. Smiling, Amelia wrapped her arms around her friends and allowed them to lead her out into the crisp autumn air beyond.

Out in the streets, families hurriedly moved forward towards the center of town, where vendors and game booths had been set up. A group of musicians sat in the middle of the street playing an upbeat song while children danced around them laughing.  By the looks of it, the entire town had come out to celebrate, a sight that immediately left Amelia feeling warm.

"Come on, I want to get a candied apple." Jacey announced, pointing to a man that was selling the delicious treats.

"Let’s…." Amelia began as something caught the corner of her eye.

Turning her head ever so slightly, she found herself staring straight into the piercing green eyes of a woman that looked exactly like her, only a her that was much more mature and sophisticated.

Smiling, the woman lifted her hand to her lips and blew a kiss to Amelia, a gesture that sent a chill up Amelia’s spine.  Winking the woman allowed a group of men to pass in front of her, obscuring her from sight entirely.

"Who…." She tried as Amanda touched her arm.

"Amelia, what’s wrong?" Amanda murmured, her voice full of concern. "You were just about to say something when you froze."

"You didn’t see her?" Amelia asked, whirling around trying to locate the woman that was now gone.  "She was just right here."

"Who?" Jacey asked, looking at the people that milled around them.  "No one was here, Amelia. Are you sure you’re alright?"

Feeling slightly off kilter, Amelia nodded, plastering a smile on her face for her friends.  Maybe she had been seeing things. After all, she had woken up quite early and could just be growing tired.

"Yeah, I’m okay." Amelia assured Amanda.  "Jacey wanted a candied apple, right?"

Once there, Jacey and Amanda busied themselves with the vendor while Amelia stood to the side looking around.  Goosebumps had begun to grow on her arms and she wasn’t quite sure if it was because of the chill, or if it was something else.

"Aaaammmmeeeeelllllllllliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiaaaaaaaaa."

The haunting yet hypnotic voice drifted through the wind like a soft lullaby to Amelia’s ears.  Turning, she tried to find the source of the voice.

"Aaaaammmmeeeeellllllllliiiiiiiiiiiiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa."

"Who?" Amelia asked as she continued to search before her eyes came to rest on the same woman she had seen earlier.

Smiling, the woman wrapped an arm around a half drunk woman that stood in front of her, talking animatedly with a man. The woman seemed oblivious to the hands that were caressing her neck and stomach.  It was almost as if she wasn’t there at all.

Winking, the woman licked the side of the woman’s face before vanishing entirely.  Feeling her heart plummet to her feet, Amelia let out a shriek.

"DEMON!!!"