Hell's Reign

Prologue

The mind is an oddity that has barely begun to be understood, let alone be explored. And thus, it is through such explorations that civilized advancements have been made, and that the traditional ways have started to be left behind. However, there are people in the world who are fully capable of comprehending the full systematics of the mind, and as such, they refuse to live, even abide, by the advancements racing through society. So instead, they chose to fully immerse themselves into conventional ways.

The "Carpe Noctem," clan is one of the selected groups who chose to ignore the societal advancements and focus upon traditional ways, which involved everything from maintaining attire made from the land to upholding beliefs that were passed down since the beginning. In fact, the 13 clans have become so separated, not just from society, but from each other, that throughout the decades peace has slowly become inevitable. Death has become a calling card to all ages. Death has become an expectation; it has become an unwavering fear. To try to avoid war, perhaps to keep death himself from reaching out to grasp their secrets, the senioreum of the Carpe Noctem even took it upon himself to move the clan, hiding them deeper into the intangible forests beyond the foresight of the soluto.

The senioreum's wife, Alyena [ah-ley-nuh,] a well respected elder of the clan, had a vision the night before Hell came to Earth; it was through her vision that the 13 clans escaped the very grasp of death himself. As the largest turning point for the clans' people, the whispered warning, the prophecy from Alyena was spread far and wide among the clans with the hopes of maintaining hope, re-establishing strength, and one day, reclaiming Earth from Hell. Despite the attempt at keeping this critical piece of history alive throughout the clans, only one clan maintained the tradition, only one clan kept the promise, and only one clan passed it on to the younger generations with hope.

Carpe Noctem gathered together on the last day of the year, prior to a new year, just to hear Alyena recount the prophecy. Not only was this a sacred meeting, but it was a time to ensure that the history of the clans continued to live on. Right as the final stroke of daylight faded, the wind picked up as Alyena made herself comfortable on the cushion before the clan. Every pair of eyes took in her withered appearance with the utmost respect, no one doubting or judging, but simply listening as she began:

"The day seemed like no other; children were playing, and the forest was talking. I came down from the evening walk in the forest with the women, where we were gathering herbs, when it struck me the moment I stepped onto the village path.

My knees buckled out from me, the herbs in my basket crashed spilling about, and my hands were sliced open from the roughened rocks below. I watched my blood drip into the stones right before my body convulsed, my eyes rolled back into my head and I lost consciousness. It was during the time of unconsciousness that the prophecy was shared:

'There is a time in every person's life when the holes deepen, the graves pile up, stones are thrown from every direction, and it legitimately feels like a war with the world. The color of blood will till the horizon, and the sound of death at the gates of hell will be released. Grotesque horrors that could only roam in the depths of hell will be released, and Earth will no longer be as she once was.

The sun will beat horrendously, encouraging the smoldering fires that will spread, and the moonlight will entice the hidden darkness, bringing the creatures from within. Unleashed upon Earth, will be the seven deadly sins: pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, greed and sloth. However, these seven are not the largest horror, but rather the lap dogs of the devil himself, the six generals from hell, will be released. Through the rebirth, and the rising of the sins, will come the ultimate nightmare, not the demons, or even the souls trapped in hell, but rather Lucifer, the devil, himself.

It is only through the devil's blood that he, and all of Hell, can be rebound; it is through the sanctity of love, honor, and trust that Earth can only then be reborn, and the people can be saved. Despite how the free people, so the people not associated with a clan, throughout Earth fight for their lives, they die one by one with their blood spilling upon the land, weakening Earth, and causing her to retreat deeper into her shell.

Regardless of the impending nightmare, hope still remains, love still remains, and together, they can overcome anything, but now isn't the time. Now is the time to keep the clans alive, to keep them fighting, and believing in their future.'

Since that night, I haven't had a prophecy. The council has worked on the prophecy for years, by studying, and analyzing each word, every possible detail. But it was to no avail, for the amount of time that would pass prior to Hell's reign was not mentioned. In fact, the amount of time we would have to fight Hell was not mention but, it is in my bones, my very being, that I know it is coming. The time for action is nearing; the time for change will be here soon."

Thus, for the first time in decades, Alyena ended the recounting of the story differently, which left many of the people wide eyed, wondering, hoping that it would be during their lifetime. If only the Carpe Noctem clan had more information, even a hint, then they could better prepare, yet little did they know how all of their lives would be impacted.