The Priestess and the Demon

Chapter 1:A priestess is born

*baby cries*"Congratulations it's a girl",the midwife said in delight while handing over the small infant to the new mother. The birth was relatively painless, the child still crying as she took her from the lady's arms. She placed the baby on the bed, stroking her head softly before turning around to thank the midwife.
"She looks so beautiful " the woman said as the baby opened it's dark brown eyes for the first time. "Her name will be Asteria, goddess of dreams and the new priestess of our temple "the father's child exclaimed. He had been waiting for his daughter for almost four years now and he could not wait any longer for her to grow up and start acting like an adult. "Come here little one ", he cooed at the newborn, holding out his hands to take her from the woman who had delivered her into his life. The infant looked up at him with wide dark brown eyes and then let out a cry and clinged onto her father's face while trying to grab onto his long hair. Her short nails digging painfully into the skin of her father's neck. Her mother,who was smiling down at them both, giggled and placed a hand gently on their shoulders "I'm glad you like her." She whispered lovingly. A smile appearing on her face after looking at her precious daughter "I hope that she can help heal your heart " the midwife told him, her tone soft and caring for his already fragile heart.
"Thank you for everything" the man thanked her gratefully as his daughter latched onto him even more fiercely "Don't worry about the payment" she replied with a warm smile.
Asteria was born at midnight and she was immediately put into a cradle where the woman kept observing her with loving brown eyes and brushing her hair carefully with her hands while humming a lullaby.

Sixteen years later*

Asteria's point of view

I can't believe I am turning 16 today and this a very important day in my life because I officially become the priestess of temple . After years of hard training and growing my powers I am finally strong enough. Being a priestess is not an easy job. I have to conduct rituals,learn magic spells ,heal people,lift curses and most important protect people from the demons. My people have been in a 1000 year war with devils and it's the priest and priestess job to protect our people. Priest and priestess are naturally born with magic powers but they have to train for years to control and use their powers and officially become become the priestess or priest. It took me many years to get all those skills. I also have to study magic theory in order to become a sorcerer or witch which would be easier if I had access to books in other religions.
As the priestess I do my daily routine by chanting incantations for good luck and blessing my family. Then I have to go to the altar where I light some candles and give the gifts and offerings that I need for my prayers in case someone comes from afar and I have to fight a battle against them. During the night I practice magic magic and meditate to gain wisdom and strength. On my birthday I have an even harder task,it takes two weeks until the ceremony of becoming the priestess and once I became the priestess I must attend every ritual and tonight is when I am going to do my last ritual which was earning my spirit animal. Spirit animals are the companion of the priest and the two entities connect allowing the priest to shift into their animal forms. As far as I know only my mother knew how to summon her beast spirit and only during the ceremony where she had to transform into her animal form I got the opportunity to see it for myself.
It was a large black wolf with long fur that was bigger than any horse I've ever seen. It' s back legs were covered with white fur that was thicker than my whole body combined. Its eyes were blue. When I saw it it stood up on its hind legs and growled at me. I hope I would have a powerful spirit animal. As I got ready and wore my ceremonial dress and walked to the temple. The journey was filled many trials but they were easy since I had ample time to prepare. Once we reached the temple I went inside and walked towards the altar where I lit the candles there. I gave the gift and the blessings to my ancestors and wished them good luck. After lighting another candle,I sat down and took deep breaths while closing my eyes. I thought of my parents and brother before starting to chant the ritual. Soon I felt a powerful presence I looked around and I saw a big white wolf with ember eyes. It's fur was as white as I smiled,this was the animal my spirit animal will turn into. I prayed one more time and the animal changed into a crescent moon on my wrist the bonding ritual was complete ,I could feel it's presence in my head. I couldn't believe I was a full priestess. I went outside where I waa greeted by my parents and my friends. We headed home where there was a huge celebration party. Everyone was enjoying them until my father stood up. "Today my daughter has made me proud and I have an announcement to share with you. I happy to announce that we have fixed an engagement with the chief's son ,Zayn and my daughter Asteria". I everyone was so happy except me. I immediately spat out the drink I was drinking
. They were getting me engaged?To Zayn? How could he ask me to marry Zayn without telling me first. This would never happen,he doesn't care about me he just wants to get married and have children. "No! Please father no! You promised I'd be able to choose my husband when I get older. No! Please don't do this,please" I sobbed and cried as my father tried to calm me down. "It's alright Asteria,I promise everything will be okay. Zayn loves you and will make a wonderful husband. Now let's eat something and celebrate!". Everyone cheered and started eating and dancing. But I still didn't like the idea. My father then approached me and he said "Asteria you are the most powerful priestess in our village and one of the chosen ones in our kingdom. Zayn comes from a long line of powerful priests and with you your offspring will be very powerful and we need powerful priests if we want to destroy those demons ". I couldn't believe him and I wanted nothing more than to punch him but I was a priestess so I had to follow the rules. So I just nodded my head while looking away. All of a sudden I felt someone touch my shoulder softly "You okay?". I turned around and saw Zayn sitting next to me holding my hand "Yes, I'm fine." I spat . His presence suffocated me I just wanted to run away. All of sudden I shifted into my wolf and I started running to who knows where but to be honest I hoped to find a place where no human would ever find me. That night I fell asleep in the forest,sadness and sadness consuming my mind. I didn't even notice how tired I was till the next morning.I rested near a lake and I spotted a dark figure . I went closer and I noticed it was a man around my age. As I went close I noticed how handsome he was and how his silver eyes shined brightly. He wasn't wearing anything but the clothes he came with. He was standing at the edge of the lake with his hands folded together as he seemed lost in the middle of nowhere. He suddenly raised his eyes and gazed directly at me with determination as he started singing in ancient language. He was a demon . He was summoning me to his side. Fear spread through my body. I ran back to the lake and tried to escape but he followed me. He grabbed me and pulled me towards him,I fought him desperately,but all he did was pull me closer to him. And then suddenly there was pain everywhere his touch burnt my skin. "Let me go!"I cried desperately as tears rolled down my cheeks and the demon laughed as he continued to pull me closer to him. Suddenly I felt his hot breath on my neck. He bit me. A scream left my mouth as pain seared through my skin. The demon released his grip on me as he chuckled,and he then disappeared. I sat on the grass trying to catch my breath as my hands slowly moved over my bleeding neck. I could taste blood on my lip. Suddenly my vision blurred and I was surrounded by darkness. I felt myself losing consciousness and my knees began to wobble underneath me. Before I could fall completely unconscious my name was being yelled at loud.
"Asteria,Asteria wake up." A voice called urgently. "Asteria",the voice repeated again. Finally my eyes opened,I was laying on the ground and a pair of arms were gently shaking me. I sat up and looked around confused. Then I realized I was sitting on my father' s lap,while crying. "I thought you had died",he said in disbelief while stroking my cheek. I looked at him teary eyed as I tried to explain what happened. "You screamed and fainted in my arms,you didn't look well." I told him as he helped me to stand up.
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Well that's chapter 1 completed I hope you liked it . I will update the next chapter soon. I love you guy
-luna ❤