"Here," Ammit handed a book to Maria. Looking puzzled, Maria glanced at it realizing its content is empty.
"What is this for?" Maria asked turning her gaze to Ammit.
Slowly, Ammit swiveled her eyes to Maria and smirked, "You will find out soon" she replied swerving her gaze back to her sisters who looked prepared.
Looking out of the window, the sun was up and shining fiercely.
Ammit turned to her sisters, "It's time" She said and her sisters nodded in a union.
Walking towards the door, Ammiy opened it and walked out, her sisters followed suit.
Exhaling, Maria made the sign of the cross, she looked up at the sky with a heavy heart, without any clue of what is ahead of her, turned her gaze to her sisters and walked closely behind them.
******************************
Filippo got to his monastery with unspoken thoughts on his mind, he wondered what was happening but he couldn't place them all. Getting into his room, Filippo gently opened his closet, picked up a key, and walked out of the room and down the church hall towards a direction. The unknown beast he came in contact with on his way to the convent was so strange to him. Deep inside, Filippo knows that who he encountered is not just a demon but more powerful than a normal being. "What does he want from me?" Filippo asked himself as his footsteps echoed in the quiet hall. He heard strange whispers around him, quickly, he looked around but saw no one. Closing his eyes, he pushed the thought away from his mind.
Finally, he got close to a door, shoving his hand in his pocket as he brought out the key. Carefully, he unlocked the door. Staring into the room which was so dark that he couldn't see a thing. Taking out a small torch, he walked into the room, the dim light gave him the way. As he walked deeper, books stood at each shelf looking dusty.
This is the church's old library but after so many years, it was banned for any priest to get access to it due to its contents and rumors concerning demonic possessions. But the spare key was handed to him by the late priest who was in charge of the room years ago before it was banned. On his death bed, Rev. Collins instructed Filippo never to open the door to this room or let anyone have access to the room until the appointed time comes when Filippo starts to experience strange things around him. Filippo promised as he watched the old priest die slowly. This happened 5 years ago and ever since then, he has stayed far away from this room until today.
Filippo walked deeper into the large room as his hand touched the books that were neatly arranged on each shelf. It was so dusty and filled with cobwebs which was not a surprise to him. After going around for a while as his heart couldn't decide on what to do, the unusual whispers continued around him but anytime he veered around, he saw nothing. Without any clue, Filippo left the room, locked it immediately, and went up to his domain. Getting into his room, his roommate Lorenzo was sent on missionary work and will be back in two days so he was alone for now.
Tired, Filippo lay on his bed with so many sentiments on his mind as he tossed around in confusion. Something terrible is about to happen and he knows it, his dreams, signs, and his attack on the way to the Bridgettine Convent, everything isn't just coincidence but signs, pure signs of danger but he doesn't know what's going to occur.
Exhausted, he drifted off into a deep slumber.
A terrible scream pierces through Filippo's eardrum. Startled as his heart began to race, he looked around and saw a mighty crowd running heavily towards him. His eyes widened in terror as the mob came closer to him without ease. Closing his eyes as he waited to be crushed down by them, surprisingly, they passed through him running far away as their screams deepen. Shocked at what just happened, Filippo looked back at the crowd filled with curiosity and shock. A little boy came running towards him with tears on his face, "Papa" the poor boy cried loudly looking around for someone has he ran through the crowd.
Overwhelmed with sympathy, Filippo walked towards him, "Who are you looking for young child?" He asked compassionately. Bending down to touch the boy, to his surprise, the little boy walked through him crying as he stepped forward.
Shocked, Filippo stood up and ran towards him, he tried to hold the little boy's hand but his body passed through the child who walked away not seeing him or noticing his presence at all.
Horrified, Filippo stood up, his heart racing faster, "Am I dead?" He asked himself realizing what just happened. Looking up, thick blood began to trickle down the cloud and poured down on earth as rain. Mountains near him began to fall as a terrible earthquake overtook the land, people around fell into a deep hole filled with boiling fire screaming for help as their bodies burned without stopping.
All these happened but didn't affect Filippo, he watched in panic but wasn't able to do anything or touch anyone, he was like a spirit in the land of the living.
Not knowing what to do, Filippo began to run trying to understand what was going on. The more he ran, the more the worst things happened.
Suddenly, he heard that voice, that lovely enchanting voice he encountered before. Looking around the voice echoed in all directions making him so confused to know where it is coming from. He staggered further, his cloth still untouched as a rain of fire descended on earth.
Immediately, a girl appeared a few feet away from him, Filippo narrowed his eyes to see her face clearly as he staggered towards her. Walking further, he recognized her face, her blue eyes flaring in intense rage.
"Maria" he called out softly not able to believe his eyes. She looked so different and filled with nothing but power and evil.
A smile appeared on her face as she glanced at him, "You shouldn't be here Filippo" she let out, her voice echoing around as the ground shook filled with awe
.
Filippo stared at her not able to say anything as he found himself speechless, his gaze fixed on her.
Maria turned back walking away, "Go now!" She commanded him not to look back.
Instantly, the ground began to shake violently dividing into two. Looking around, a river of boiling fire surrounded him. Immediately Filippo began to sink deeply into it, his body burning rapidly reacting to the heat of the fire.
"Maria!" He screamed as he signed deeper, a mighty pain overwhelmed him as his whole body began to peel, blood oozing out non-stop. Compressed with deep anguish, Filippo cried out waking up from his dream, his cloth soaked with sweat.
Filippo quickly stood up panting as he looked around, his body shaking with fear.
"Maria" he called out loudly, his eyes still scanning around. Standing up, he picked up his torch, walked out of the room and along the dark hall. "This isn't just a dream but a revelation" he mumbled to himself, his hands trembling.
Opening the door to the forbidden room, he walked into it and went towards a table that stood at the center. He remembered Rev collins words stating that an important book is hidden under the table.
Pushing the table aside with all his strength, Filippo saw an old safe staring at him, quickly, he brought out the key, unlocked it, and carefully brought out an old book filled with dust but neatly stored in the safe.
Studying the book, Filippo wiped the dust on the cover with his hand as he tried to read the words on the book, narrowing his eyes, he held unto his torch, the sounds of the night creep around him.
"THE POWER OF THE SIX SEEDS" He read aloud looking confused.
Carefully, he opened the first page and began to read line by line. Each word written on it was so confusing to him but he kept on reading as weird noises erupt in the room. Glaring around, he saw no one but himself, turning his gaze back to the book he read further. Slowly, each word began to make sense to him, his eyes enlarged in panic as he read piece by piece.
"The Apocalypse of the devil?" He asked himself.
Getting to each page that explained more on the daughters of Lucifer. Filippo's eyes trembled in fright, his heart beating faster. Finally, he got to the last page, his head swirling with so many thoughts. Line by line as each second passes, he read silently. Immediately, the image of Maria crept through his eyes, his whole body shuddered violently.
Gasping aloud in shock, the book fell off his hand, the sound echoing through the darkroom.
"Maria?" He muttered, the truth came crawling in, her appearance aligned with the description on the book which added more meaning to the dream he had minutes ago.
With shivering hands, he slowly picked up the book, quickly, he walked out of the room, locked it, and went into his domain. The words of the beast he encountered within the woods kept on ringing in him, "The clock is ticking" Filippo muttered the words picking up a bag. Now the word and his dreams all made sense to him.
Quickly, he packed the book in his bag, a bottle of water, rosary, and other things he needed for the journey he is about to embark on. He knew that Maria is the only way to stop this, no one believed him in his monastery so he will do this alone. Facing his crucifix, he prayed silently making the sign of the cross, "Help me Lord" he muttered placing the bag over his shoulder. With his sword by his side, he picked his room key, went out of the room and down the stairs out of the building. He has to sneak his way out of the monastery because if he is caught, he won't be able to leave anymore.
Quietly, he went towards the stable, took his horse as they walk towards the back door of the monastery which leads them out into the woods.
Passing through the door, Filippo climbed on his horse, gently, he looked back at the building of his monastery wondering if he will ever come back alive. Sighing, he prayed silently, turned his gaze towards the woods as the moon shone brightly. Without any doubt on his mind, he gently hit his horse which galloped away rumbling on the ground deep into the wild woods.