Mother's Blood
Strong winds continued to blow against Gale Stronghold. Huge waves crashed against the rocky shore, splashing foam and spray in the whirlpool. Lightning flashed in the dark clouds, and thunder rumbled, shaking the foundation of the fortress. It was late at night.
The horn shattered the darkness. Ariakon stood in the middle of the square of Gale Stronghold, surrounded by a group of knights. The torch was emitting steam in the rain. The knight's black armor reflected a wet light. Every piece of black breastplate was decorated with black lilies born from violent deaths. The severed flower stem was wrapped around the blood-stained axe. Different groups wore black cloaks with blue edges, white or red edges, and stood in the rain, accepting the baptism of the storm without wavering.
The Takhisis knights were immersed in the storm. This was a symbol of their goddess 'grace. Soon, if the high priest thought that the young man was qualified, the young man who was about to join the group would end his day of prayer and fasting and step out of the temple. The knights began to sing their praises to the Dark Lord in low voices.
In the dead silence of the temple, Shigang Brightbled was fully armed and lying in front of the dark altar. He had been lying on the wet floor for a day and a night, confessing to his goddess. Other than him, the entire temple was empty. No one could disturb the knights 'Mass.
As soon as the horn sounded, a woman walked out from the thick black curtain behind the obsidian altar. The woman was very old and had a hunched back. Her long gray hair fell over her drooping shoulders. She slowly walked on the stone floor, her bloodshot eyes flashing with wisdom. She was wearing the black robe of a Takhissi high priest and a five-headed dragon necklace. As a mortal favored by the Dark Empress, this female priest possessed great power. Rumor has it that many years ago, she had participated in an evil ritual that used eggs stolen from the good dragons to create terrifying Drakonids. There wasn't a single knight in Gale Stronghold who wouldn't tremble at her gaze or touch. Even Ariakon couldn't escape.
She walked up to the young knight. The knight's face was pressed against the ground, and his black hair was scattered on the ground, glowing blue under the light of the altar candles. On the altar, waiting for the blessings of the Queen of Darkness were his helmet made of a skeleton, as well as the armor branded with a lily and a sharp axe. The only thing that went against tradition was that he was missing his sword.
Rise, said the priestess.
Due to his long period of fasting and lying on the cold and wet ground, Shi Gang stood up clumsily. His head was still lowered. He did not dare to raise his head to face the holy priestess and continued to keep his palms together. She looked at him carefully, then reached out a claw-like hand to lift his chin. Her nails dug deep into his flesh. He couldn't help but twitch for a moment under the touch that was colder than the ground. She turned his face to the fire and faced her mockery.
Do you know my father's name now?
Yes, Venerable One, Shi Gang said firmly. I know.
Say it. Say it aloud before the altar of your queen. Shi Gang swallowed his saliva, his throat feeling a little tight. He didn't think it would be so difficult.
Bret Bret, he whispered. Say it again. Bret Bret. His voice was filled with incomparable pride. It seemed that the female priest was not very happy.
Your mother's name. Kitira Woons Mata. Similarly, his voice was still filled with pride. The female priest nodded.
A rather noble bloodline. [Shigang Woox Maata Brightblade, are you willing to offer your whole heart, soul, and flesh to Takhisis, the Queen of Darkness, the Dark Warrior, the Dragon Queen, and the Thousand-faced Goddess?] Yes, Shi Gang answered calmly. The female priest revealed a mysterious smile.
Sgon Woox Mata Brightblade, do you give your whole heart, your whole soul, your whole body? she repeated
Of course, he answered in confusion. This was not a part of the ritual he was familiar with. Why do you doubt me?
The priestess picked up a thin steel chain from the young man's neck as an answer. She pulled the chain and took out the gemstone on it.
An elven diamond was carved into the shape of a star and hung at the end of the steel chain, emitting a flashing white light. What was this? The female priest hissed. Shi Gang shrugged and tried to squeeze out a smile. I stole it from my father's corpse, and I brought this sword with me. The knights were furious. I made them understand the true meaning of fear!
His words were very bold, but they sounded too loud. In the dead silence of the temple, they sounded empty and a little like a bluff.
The priestess touched the Star Diamond. A white light flashed and a low hissing sound could be heard. The priestess shouted and pulled her hand back.
This was an item infused with the power of kindness! she said disdainfully. I can't touch this item. No loyal servant of the Dark Lord could touch this cursed gem. But you, Sigon Brightblade, wear it with pride.
Shi Gang's face was deathly pale as he looked at him uneasily. I'll throw it away! I'll take this thing off, he shouted. He held the gemstone in his hand, covering the light in the darkness. This was just a trophy. It's meaningless to me!
He was about to tear the Star Diamond off.
The female priest stopped him. With this cursed gem. It is what the dark wants you to do. Let this be your warning. Every time you look at this diamond, remember the warning I gave you. The Thousand-faced Goddess had many pairs of eyes. She saw everything. You can't hide from her surveillance.
Your heart is hers, your flesh and blood belong to her. But your soul is not yet... but it will be. The priestess approached the young knight with her wrinkled face. She was so close that Shi Gang felt a foul smell on his face. And, in the meantime, you will be of great use to your queen, Sgon Woox Mata Brightblade.
His dry and wrinkled lips kissed Shi Gang's forehead. His entire body was trembling, and he was sweating profusely as he forced himself to remain calm under this terrifying touch. Your helmet and breastplate will be placed on the altar. Both of them had received the blessings of the darkness. Please rise, my lord knight, and put them on.
Shi Gang looked at the priestess in surprise, then he was overwhelmed by happiness. The female priest still had a mysterious smile on her face as she turned around and left him. She pushed open the black curtain and disappeared into the deepest area of the Human Deity Temple.
Two youths walked in from the temple's main door. From now on, the older one would be his knight student, and the younger one would be his attendant. They did not say a word and stood solemnly, waiting to help the knight put on his armor. The two boys looked at Shi Gang with envy, undoubtedly dreaming of becoming knights in the future.
Shi Gang tried to stand up straight while trembling. His right hand was placed on the black breastplate engraved with the Death Lily. His left hand was tightly gripping the diamond on his neck. He closed his eyes, hot tears rolling in his eyes. He glared angrily at the gem on his neck again. His hand slid down and weakly landed on the altar.
The horn sounded twice more.
In the square of the Gale Stronghold, Ariakon waited quietly, ready to use Shi Gang's father's sword to confer a rank to the new Dark Paladin. Shi Gang Wu Si Ma Ta Bei Te Bled, Lily Knight, Crown Knight Shi Dong's son, also the son of Dragon Knight Chitira.
Shi Gang picked up the skull-like helmet and put it on his head. Then, he knelt in front of the altar and prayed gratefully to Takhisis.
He stood up proudly and opened his arms, signaling his followers to put on the armor that was emitting black light.
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