《Moonlight's Love》
Prologue
"Save the World. Bless the people. Give them the Heart."
She heard a distant voice.
What she saw was a pillar of light impaling the skies.
Little girls with birdlike wings flutter over the golden-lit sky.
Fairies circle over her body as she felt a majestic glow.
"You shall be my Word. You shall be my Heart."
A white light sparkled over the sky as a rainbow sprung towards her.
The winged little girls went over to her and beckoned her to come.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Although she was bewildered, she could not explain why it felt okay to follow them.
So, without fear or hesitation, she raised her small feet and began to walk forwad---
It was raining heavily.
Thunder roared after the light shone with golden light.
The darkness of the night amplifies the terror on sight.
As a boy was running for his life, a howling sound echoed.
"Catch the devil! Don''t let him get away!"
Furious shouts and curses were heard inside the forest.
"Let the hounds gnaw him down!!!"
Together with the ruthless storm and heartless night, this chase was a strife against life.
For the boy who wore a thin ragged cloth as a measly clothing, who had nothing, this was no melancholy towards life.
In the first place he had nothing, even so, he never felt he was nothing.
So, why was he being chased by a mob of angry men?
It was not he stole a piece of bread.
It was not he stole a farmer''s chicken.
Lightning struck a nearby tree, burning it to the ground.
But, the light illuminated the darkness.
The boy running for his life, who had dark skin and pointed ears, had red eyes filled with hatred.
Chapter 1.1 - Maria
It was a large convent. Stretching for about 2 kilometers, it was not an exaggeration to call this place a fortress instead.
On its high walls that are 500 meters in height, a figure of a shield with curves wings on its sides were engraved. The crest of the shield was a halo with a golden heart surrounded by it.
This was the symbol of Laito, the Great God of Light and the patron deity of the Holy Light Orthodoxy, the prime religion of the Ariyanian Continent.
Beneath an engraved symbol was a large gate as high as 200 meters. It has a figure of a knight with wings as it pressed its sword on his chest.
Galloping towards the gate was a carriage adorned with red and gold jewels and silk. The horse was dressed with gold cloth while the couchman was dressed as if he was a courtesan.
Sureounding the carriage were Seven Knights forming a hexagonal formation while a single knight leading from outside.
As they reached the gate, the leading knight unsheathed his sword and exclaimed, "For the light! For the His Holliness!"
The gate suddenly began to slowly open.
Its screeching sound revealed its old age but beyond that iron barrier was a place devoid of rust.
Towers as high as 150 meters and keeps that spread 300 meters wide were built abundantly.
Orchards and mini forests were seen near the structures. A garden filled with several kind of flowers that took at least 2 hectares were made at the center.
From the center of the garden, a large towering golden pillar, representing the Light of Laito, was built.
As the carriage and the knights made its way into the convent, a group of 5 elderly men dressed in white robes soom went to greet them.
Behind these elderly men, was a mansion. Contrary to the fortress like structures, this mansion seemed out of place.
Seeing the presence of the elders, the carriage and its knights halted. The knights quickly left the saddle of their horses and knelt before the elders.
Then, from the carriage, a young man whose age was no older than 16 exited.
His hair was ashen brown. His face held the gentleness of a youth while wearing a pleasant smile.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Dressed on a red robe, the young man elegantly walked towards the elders.
The young man delivered a full bow, contrary to his status, and greeted in return.
"Greetings to the Elders of the Light."
Seeing this, the Elders nodded in appreciation.
"Greetings to the Young Prince. Bless the Crown."
The Elders gave a half bow towards the Prince.
"Bless the Mighty Light."
The Prince answered in return.
"Raise your head, Prince Nicolas."
The leader at the center gestured his hand.
"We are delighted by your visit."
"I thank the First Elder."
Prince Nicolas smiled. If not for this old man here, his status in the Royal Palace wouldn''t be significant enough to vie for the throne.
After all, the Elders of the Light''s status were comparable to the King.
"Have they been prepared?"
Cutting to the chase, the prince asked about his objective of coming here.
"Come. See for yourself."
The First Elder grinned before turning around alongside the other Elders towards the mansion.
"Stay here."
The Prince gestured to his knights before following the Elders.
"Yes, Your Highness!"
"Young Prince, do you know whytheyexist?"
The First Elder asked the Prince as they entered a large hall of the manion.
"According to my mother,theyexist as bearers of light. Those who will shoulder the responsibility of being the limbs of Laito."
The Prince answered but within his eyes, a shard of ponder and suspicion arose.
"Hahaha, your mother taught you well. As expected of acandidate.Unfortunately, her knowledge is half-baked."
This time it was the Elder to the left of the Prince who replied.
"What do you mean, Second Elder?"
The Prince shot him a glance.
"You expect that we will divulge everything to her?"
The Second Elder shook his head.
"The goal of the Holy Light Orthodoxy has always been to worship the light."
The Elder to the Prince''s right explained as he glanced to the Prince.
"To gain the Light''s favor, To be blessed by the Light. Even so, a mere mortal is not worthy."
The Elder behind the Prince followed.
"And to make the impossible possible, it was all for the Light."
The First Elder interjected as he halted his steps on a wooden door.
"Sotheymake the impossible possible?"
The Prince asked as he eyed the First Elder.
Not answering his question, the First Elder instead opened the door.
"Behold! The Marias of Light!"
As the door opened, the Prince slowly saw.
Girls wearing a white tunic.
Age not being older than 5 or 6.
Their hair amber in color which were styled in different ways.
The Prince eyes opened in shock. They bear resemblance to one person he knew. The person who have him life and love.
These girls all had these things in common.
"First Elder...are you even human?"
The First Elder shook his head.
"For the sake of the light,theywill be the offerring to the Light."
Chapter 1.2 - Maria
Inside the Garden of the Orthodoxy, two people were currently sitting as they drink a cup of tea.
The Prince and the First Elder have changed their venue.
Upon introducing the Marias to the Prince, the Elder proceeded to the main agenda of their meeting.
"The Dukedom Alliance have begun their move."
The Prince solemnly said. Altough in his teens, his poise and wisdom was unrivaled in his generation.
"On this regard, the Kingdom is indeed at a disadvantage."
The elder chuckled. This matters of the mortal world do not worry him any bit. For a religious organization, all they seek is the light. Naturally, which country they seek asylum to is of no utmost importance.
"I am here under my mother''s guidance."
The Prince placed his cup on the table as he sharpened his gaze on the Elder in front of him.
The elder smiled and replied, "Your mother has truly been nurtured. Hm, we have had one person who we may recommend."
"Hoh, that''s fast. I thought the selection has yet to begin."
The elder shook his head.
TheLight Guiding Array is the selection procedure the Orthodoxy has been using ever since its creation.
It had strong elemental alignment with Light and its properities were Absolute Holy in statusm
It was the perfect instrument but at the same time filled with flaws.
It could only be used once every a hundred years due to its requirement of nourishing Holy Energy.
To how this energy is provided is the Orthodoxy''s greatest secret. Not even the King knew of it. Not even the Prince''s mother.
Such a strict restriction, it only allowed as much as 99 Marias every a hundred years.
That''s why each and every girl was as important as the other.
Borrowing one was like borrowing a family heirloom itself.
"This one is quite peculiar...I may say she''s one of a kind."
The Prince raised his eyebrow upon hearing this.
The Elder shrugged his shoulders.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
"This girl has a very sensitive constitution to Holy Properties. She is the most perfectcandidate."
"Then why are you giving up on her?"
The Prince asked. He knew of the Elder''s meaning.
A Holy Constitution--said to be one of the 12 Mystical Bodies that once existed in the continent.
They embody the laws of gods and nature itself.
Such a person, if cultivated, could become a precious weapon.
A person with a sensitive constitution means she''s close to having a Holy Constitution. It was such a shame she was just sensitive.
"It''s because we found something else of better value. To obtaim it, however, we will need your hand."
The Elder rested his chin to his hand as he placed his elbow on top of the table.
"This explains everything. Very well, I shall explain this to Royal Protector."
The Prince contemplated for a bit. Although it would mean they could get what they want, having to pay for it is another matter.
Depending on the immensity of the cost, would they truly obtain the value of what they would get.
"Can I see the girl?"
"No problem. Come in."
The elder snapped his fingers. The door behind him, that was the entrance to the garden opened.
The Prince''s expression changed. It seemed the Elder was well-prepared.
An elderly man dressed in gray robes was pulling a figure who was wearing a thin white tunic.
The girl was 5-6 years gold. She has golden hair and amber eyes.
But, what was striking with her appearance was her skin. It was very pale and was whiter than a blanket of snow.
It was seeing through light itself.
The Prince let out an amused expression. He didn''t know the constitution effects would be this obvious.
The elder gestured his hand towards the girl.
"Your Highness, allow me to inroduce to you, Candidate 88."
The girl simultaneoudly bowed towards the Prince.
In a monotonous tone, she introduced herself, "Candidate 88, Bless the Light. Bless the Prince."
"Good conduct!" The Prince faked a smile and an applause.
This girl appeared lifeless and monotonous. It was as if she was a puppet.
Truly, it was like what his mother describedm
"Little Girl, this is Your Highness, Nicolas. Tell me, do you have a wish?"
The Prince looked straight to the girl''s amber eyes.
"The Light is who I serve. The Light shall be my Life."
"Excellent answer!" The Prince clapped his hand while the elder rolled his eyes upon seeing this.
He knew this Prince thought little of these words.
"Now tell me little girl, do you wish to create a world filled with light?"
The girl tilted her head upon hearing this.
If she served the Light, naturally she wished for the Light to embrace everything and everyonr.
It was the teachings in the Orthodoxy that branded itself in her heart.
Therefore, she answered...
"Yes, for the Light I give my Life. For the World shall be with the Light"
The Prince shook his head looking amused. He could barely hold his laughter.
The elder chose to intentionally ignore this reaction.
"Very well Candidate..uhmm do you have a name?"
The girl shook her head. To her, a name was of no importance. Only to serve the Light was what she cared about.
"Then I shall name you, Alina, due to your love of the light and Gardenia for you who I met in these gardens."
"Alina...Gardenia?"
The Prince nodded and smiled.
"From now on you shall be my sister and this kindom..no, this world''sbringer of light."