Oneshots in the Heart of Darkness

Priestess and her God

Unknown POV:
The beautiful city of Frostvein. Protected by many Gods and Goddesses who are praised and worshiped by the citizens. Some are given sacrifices to prevent bad weather, disease, and war. Others are given gifts and tribute to keep good will and earn favor for future incidents that could ruin the city. However, not all Gods and Goddesses are known to be merciful and sometimes reject it, ignore the sacrifices and gifts.

The citizens look to the High Priestess; Ophelia for guidance since she is the closest to the Gods for being blessed with the ability to speak to them from their temples. She is summoned by the citizens who plead to the God of Shadows; Aion. Ophelia approached Aion's temple as a citizen pleads; "High Priestess! Please reason with Aion! He won't accept our sacrifices or offerings! We need sunlight for our crops to flourish!" Ophelia announces to the worried crowd; "Everyone remain calm! I will speak to Aion so the Sun may shine on your fields!" The High Priestess enters the temple and bows to the statue of Aion that sits in a fountain with rose petals floating on the water. Ophelia clasps her hands together as she said; "Aion...God of Shadows...I beg for a sign of your presence." The candles that illuminated the dark room flickered from the sudden gust of wind before some blew out while others remained dim.

The statue of Aion was now alive and was more flesh than stone before his purple eyes stared at the High Priestess with authority. Aion spoke; "You dare summon me, mortal? I can blanket the entire city into darkness. None of you wretched mortals will see the light of day again if I command it." Ophelia said submissively; "Please...great Aion. The city needs the Sun on the fields or there will be no crops for..." Aion interrupted; "The city needs nothing! Those farmers need the Sun so they can continue making profit selling those crops, feeding other mortals, adding waste to the world. Those sacrifices and gifts mean nothing to me!" Ophelia begged; "Surely there is some way you can show pity on them? Whatever you desire, name it. Please." Aion looked the High Priestess up and down before leaning in close so his face was a hand away from hers. Aion asked; "Are you wanting my good favor so you can keep your reputation as High Priestess? Or is lying to me your true intention?" Ophelia took a step back and bowed her head before saying; "It is my duty to keep both the Citizens and the Gods happy. Getting what they want and what you want is my duty and I will fulfill it."

Aion analyzed her words deeply before saying with a smirk; "Be my sacrifice." Ophelia's eyes widened for a split second before questioning; "What?" Aion clarified; "You said your duty is to keep both the Citizens and the Gods happy. The Citizens will be happy with the Sun over their fields and I will be happy with you as my sacrifice." Ophelia cried; "But I don't want to die!" Aion gave a sinister laugh before saying; "I'm not interested in you slaughtered like an animal. I prefer you alive and well as you are. You will do as I say without question and in return the farmers will get to see their crops as delectable as I see you." Ophelia said in a defeated tone; "As you wish God Aion." Aion said as he kneeled to be face to face with Ophelia; "Shall we seal it with a kiss?" Anastasia gripped her dresses sides as she closed her eyes, Aion gripped her arms and brought his lips close to hers and pressed them passionately as he pushed his thumb prints hard forming a mark. Once they part, he teased; "Your lips taste of Pomegranate. (Aion's favorite fruit) Did you eat some before seeing me? Perhaps I will only eat them from your mouth, my sacrifice."

Ophelia blushes dark red before Aion laughed; "Go on, tell the mortals they'll get their Sun. But be sure to come back when the red full moon is above the city tonight...or else the Sun will never touch the city again." Ophelia bows before the wind blows again causing Aion to turn back to a statue and illuminate the room. She steps outside of the temple where a silent crowd awaits her words, she announces; "The God of Shadows permits the Sun!" The crowd cheers until a Citizen points out; "Look! The High Priestess has the mark of Aion!" Many were in awe and shock as they look at the purple ghost with devil horns tattoo above her gold arm bands. An old man in the crowd shouted; "She's a sacrifice!" Some of the crowd took out cleavers and daggers before the flying Guardians of the city swooped down to defend Ophelia. She shouted; "Put away your blades before the Guardians attack! I am not to be harmed by Aion's order!" The crowd flees without any attack from the flying Guardians who linger as one of them floats down to whisper in Ophelia's ear. "You owe me, High Priestess. Don't forget to return to me by midnight. Say your goodbyes and pass on your knowledge so the other Priests can continue your work praying to a wall."

The red moon was high above the city, this only happened when a sacrifice was to happen that night. The High Priestess left behind notes for the Priests until a new High Priestess was found with the same gifts as Ophelia. She climbed the steps to Aion's temple where she took one last look of the city before entering. Once she stood before Aion's statue she closed her eyes and clasped her hands before saying; "Aion...God of Shadows. Please accept this sacrifice." With her eyes still closed she heard Aion's voice close to her ear; "Welcome back...my sacrifice." Her eyes opened after Aion grabbed her into an embrace and planted his lips on hers. They flew through a tunnel of purple light and stood in what looked like Aion's temple but with more roses and torches with purple flames. The High Priestess was silent in awe before Aion greeted; "Welcome to Credenia. The City of Gods." Aion escorted Ophelia out of his temple room and through the halls to the main corridor where many Gods and Goddess walked. Many stopped in shock of seeing a mortal in their city before one God blocked their path with questions; "Aion?! What is the meaning of this?! Why is a mortal in Credenia?! Especially the High Priestess?!" 

Ophelia says while bowing; "Greetings, God of the Sun. It is an honor being in your presence." Aion pulled her close to her hip before warning; "Don't talk to my brother, that's a new rule for you." His gaze turned from Ophelia to the God of the Sun before saying; "And you...I remember your rule is to not bother yourself with my personal affairs, Ziaos!" Ziaos was vexed by those words before Aion continued; "I grow bored with all the dead animals and riches left at my statues feet. So I did what I do best and ignore their pleas to see you again. The High Priestess did her duty to please me by becoming my sacrifice so she is mine now." Ziaos complained; "You fool, you can't take away our bridge to the mortals! Do you know how hard it is for us all to agree on a mortal to speak to us?!" Aion said with a shrug; "I don't care. Everybody won today, now if you'll excuse me. I'm going to enjoy my sacrifice at my home."