Erythro: The Prophecy Unveiled

A storm of questions and reactions erupted from the assembled regents, their voices a tempest of disbelief and derision aimed at the Carthage King. Regent Ryan, the bearer of this shocking news, found themselves at the center of the maelstrom.

In the midst of the chaos, Erudite Cedric Vale rose to his feet, his hand raised in a gesture of calm. As the clamor gradually subsided, he addressed the gathering. "Thank you, Regent Ryan, for your report," he began. "I understand the urgency of your questions, but I believe that Regent Ryan is not the best person to provide the answers you seek. He is still a regent just like us. To address your concerns, I have invited a more appropriate authority to join us here in this court."

With a dramatic pause, he continued, "Let us welcome the head of the Clergy, who will undoubtedly shed light on this perplexing matter."

As Cedric Vale's words echoed through the hall, the grand, ornate doors of the grand court creaked open, revealing the figure of the head of the Clergy. Two other clergymen, their faces etched with solemnity, accompanied him, their presence casting a pall of gravity over the already tense atmosphere. The flowing robes of the clergymen swayed with their steps, as if responding to the unspoken tension in the room. A hush fell over the court as all eyes turned to the newly arrived figure.

In Aurelia, the title of Clergy is bestowed upon priests who reside in local churches. The head of this religious organization is based in the Grand Cathedral, located within the Verdantia Empire. The Clergy are held in high esteem by the people, their authority surpassing even that of the Ordinance.

Father Augustine, the current head of the Clergy, stood before the high regents. He stand straight without bowing his head, looking straight at the Cedric Vale. Some of the regents observing the interaction sneered in disdain. "What a nuisance—he thinks he's better than us," they thought.

Father Augustine was clad in a black robe adorned with red linings, he wore a large cross around his neck. Addressing the gathering, he said, "Greetings, gentlemen. I thank you for your invitation, Erudite Cedric Vale. Throughout history, the Ordinance has always sought the blessing of the Clergy. I am aware of the pressing matter at hand and am eager to assist in any way I can."

Erudite Cedric Vale responded, "Thank you for joining us despite your busy duties at the Cathedral. We have summoned you here to gain a deeper understanding of the prophecy, the red parade, and the mysterious black wolves. I have also heard rumors of a group of priests who claim to possess the ability to slay these creatures."

"I will do my utmost to address all of your inquiries," Augustine began, his voice firm and resolute. "Let us illuminate this matter and banish the darkness that threatens us."

He continued, "Let me begin by discussing the prophecy that has reverberated through the centuries. Its origins remain shrouded in mystery, but it is mentioned in several ancient texts that have circulated among the four empires before. The earliest copy was discovered within the ruins of the old Cathedral, a relic from a bygone era. The book, tattered and worn, with pages torn and frayed, nevertheless contained a prophecy divided into three distinct parts."

"The first part detailed the creatures of darkness," Augustine paused, allowing the gravity of his words to sink in. Murmurs rippled through the crowd as the head of the Clergy continued. "These creatures included ghosts, goblins, reapers, witches, and the dreaded black wolves. Each was described in vivid detail, as if the author had witnessed them firsthand. The empire, however, dismissed these creatures as mythical beings, figments of the human imagination. They were often used to frighten children into obedience."

"The second part of the prophecy focuses on the reign of the black wolves," Augustine continued. "The text foretells a decade of terror and devastation as these creatures wreak havoc upon humanity with the help of witches. It speaks of a great war between the wolves and humans, a conflict that ultimately ends in victory for the humans."

"While the prophecy provides little detail about witches, we can infer certain characteristics from the first part of the text," Augustine explained. "Witches are described as women who disguise their true nature behind a facade of beauty and possess potent magical abilities. The prophecy also mentions a song, a haunting melody that serves as a harbinger of the great war, and one of the signs of its impending arrival is the mysterious red parade."

"The empire didn't believe anything stated in the book. However, the book became popular and is considered to be one of a literary piece. There are several copies of it scattered around the empires, but after the great war, some people believed everything that was written there, as it happened as it is mentioned in the book. Due to its popularity among the people, some even write stories related to it. However, it ignites fear in the people, alarming the Ordinance."

"Because of this, the Ordinance issued to burn all books on the subject," Father Augustine explained. "What about the third part of the book? What does it discuss?" a regent inquired. Father Augustine fixed his gaze on the regent and replied gravely, "The third part speaks of the return of the black wolves—a conflict that will span centuries, ultimately won by the wolves with the aid of a powerful witch clad in a red robe."

"This is ridiculous!" A regent stood up among the crowd as he raised his objections. "And what about you priests? Why do you know about these things?" "Maybe they have the copy of this forbidden book," another regent exclaimed, staring at the priest with accusing eyes. The clergy beside Father Augustine replied, "The last remaining copy of the book was in our care, it is placed in the Cathedral with the permission of the Ordinance and the previous kings of the empire." 

"And what about the organization of priests they mentioned? Are they with you?" A high regent asked. Father Augustine replied, "The Venatores Sacri. I never met them honestly, but I also heard rumors about them. They were individuals who claimed to be priests and wore priest uniforms. They were good in battle and carried unfamiliar and unique weapons. They said these weapons could kill those black wolves. They called themselves wolf hunters. However, that's all I know. I didn't know them personally, their intention, or their hideout. I'm sorry if I can't be of help regarding this matter," the priest softly spoke, looking at the regents before him.

"You said that they have weapons that can harm a black wolf? What do you mean by that?" Regent Ryan asked the priest who replied, "Black wolves are powerful creatures, they are terrifying not just because of their powers but because of their immortality. They can't be harmed by normal weapons or guns. Every weapon we're familiar with has no effect on them except if those weapons are doused with holy water. Holy water makes them weak for a minute but that's it. A specialized weapon is needed to bring them down for good."

"What kind of weapon?" "We never heard of it!" A series of reactions and questions inundated the grand court. The head of the clergy answered with a loud voice that demanded attention. "These weapons are rare, they said there's only twelve of them that were created during the ancient times. Each weapon was unique and had different looks and features. But they have one thing in common, they can kill black wolves and any other creatures of the dark including witches. The weapons were created with the combination of the leader of the black wolf's blood and human blood, accompanied by a certain ritual that only witches know of. They said that those weapons were created using the combination of good and evil, black and white. 

In the Great War, the humans used these weapons to gain victory against the black wolves. However, that is all I know. We in the church, don't have these weapons. There's no book available that talks about those legendary weapons, I only encountered one book in particular which is already in the hand of the Ordinance. The priest looks behind him and looks at Erudite Cedric Vale. Cedric said, "The truth about those weapons was hidden by the Ordinance, because we fear that some individual will take advantage of it. Those weapons are powerful, but their creation was controversial for many. There were indeed 12 weapons in total, and the Ordinance possessed only three of them. I do believe the clergy owns one. Isn't it priest?"