Contract: Making Of A Hero

Several months has passed the day of the purging comes close. Knowing of the potential threat the Ivuku possess to the empire an action was made to contain them. No longer will the Moniyan Empire will take a close eye to threat they pose. Knights have been assembled along with some of their famous heroes has been called. The war with the Ivuku cult has begun. The story of Prioress Emmina was reported and several of their suspicious activities were investigated. Their spies were also captured who were infiltrating the ranks of the Moniyan Empire. Many of them had confessed of the plot of world wide domination.

The three heroes Alucard, Eudora and Tigreal will lead the assault. Based on the story of Prioress Emmina to them, the purging will take place a secluded place behind the Halls of the Anointed. The venue will be protected by the elite of the Society of Virgil the Martyr. A mysterious group of assassins and sentinels of the cult that is tasked to protect its highest echelons. It is said that a single sentinel is worth ten knights and an assassin is worth twenty soldiers.

While the preparations were all on the way. Lord Valeric and the College of Cardinals summons the catalysts or the hero candidates in preparation for the purging. The event will be similar to a blood sport in an arena where the competitors will fight to the death. Only the selected few are expected to remain and the rest will have their souls fed to the soul batteries for the completion of the Apocalypse plan. A plan to conquer the entire world of the Land of Dawn.

Simon was on his way to the Halls of the Anointed escorted by the Prioress Emmina and some acolytes. She told the acolytes to leave and had a little conversation with him and told him about some reminders during the rite of passage or the purging ritual.

"Do not hesitate for the enemy will do the same. They will show you no quarter."

"If I refuse to take a life what shall they do? They cannot just kill champions if they need heroes." Simon objected.

"You do not understand. This is not a competition of brawn but a life and death situation. If you fail to win you will be fed for a ritual..." Prioress Emmina covers her mouth.

Simon suspicious of the ritual holds the Prioress in her shoulders and told her to explain. At first the Prioress hesitated but since he heard it she decided to continue and explained.

"Do you see those stones? The huge ones and the obelisks made of obsidian? Those are soul batteries. They nullify magic once activated and is used to summon the great one!" Looking at the Prioress' expression he see that she is terrified of what will happen and lets her go.

"So you are saying that this ritual is about summoning a greater being? What for?"

"To summon the dark god! The one that taints the entire universe of his filth. They call him the star god. But he is nothing more but a demon to us. Those who believed otherwise, the resistance we call ourselves who never bow down to him."

Simon who hears this was overwhelmed and fears for himself. He tries to flee but is warned by the Prioress that he will be hunted down and will be fed to the soul batteries if he will run away. Assuring him of his progress of his training the Prioress promised that she will give him necessary help to win the fight.

While the two were talking, four people came to the Halls of the Anointed. One Prior and three of his champions. Two men and one woman they look eager to take a life and does not look hesitated to do so.

"If it is the famed Prioress of the Brotherhood of Clement. Such an honor to see you... I am Prior Cole I aspire to rise to your ranks one day. I would like to introduce my champions to yours..." The Prior paused as he see Simon and looks in him with pity underestimating his capabilities.

"Is he the one you are tasked to train for the passage? I hope he is ready." He said confidently as he waltzes in front of her.

"I am sure you have a lot of things to do than to chatter with me needlessly at this time of hour Prior. I am taking my champion with me back to the Amethyst Palace if you may. We have some important things to do." The Prioress said and signals Simon to come with her back to the Amethyst palace.

Before the two could leave the Halls of the Anointed, Prior Cole said to her. "I apologize for my bad manners. Sometimes I just seem to be out of place. Nonetheless I hope that it will be a fun and fair fight between our champions."

The Prioress bows before him and went to the Amethyst palace with Simon. As the Prior looks at Simon something struck him noticing something strange about him. He began to shake and notices that he possess powers of unknown potential. The change of the expression of their mentor caught the attention of his champions which approached him.

"Do not mind me, I am fine. You have to be careful with him." Prior Cole said.

"What do you mean? I thought that he is just a small fry?" One of the champions asked.

"I get it why a fool like him was tasked to be trained under the Prioress of the Brotherhood. He is no ordinary soul. However I shall not loose to her! I shall have the final laugh no matter what the cost!" Prior Cole said