Filippo strode deep into the woods, the chirping sound of birds could be heard from a distance as the atmosphere became tense.
Deep down in him, he felt that something evil has happened to the church, the feeling was so strong inside of him. Glancing at his horse which he sat on, he surveyed the woods with thoughts on his mind. He knew that the fall of mankind is about to happen or might have begun to happen right now.
Rubbing his eyes as he passed through, the night was cold bringing harsh chilliness to him. Rubbing his hands together, he dipped his hand in his side pocket, he brought out a piece of bread wrapped in brown paper and he began to eat.
Scanning around, he felt tired and decided to rest for the night.
He got to a spot, came down from his horse, tied it to a tree, and found a comfortable spot at the foot of a tree which he sat on with the piece of bread in his hand.
Exhaling, he glared around then back to the piece of bread. The journey to the underworld will be gruesome but he will make sure that he finds Maria for the salvation of humanity.
As he ate silently, the sound of owls in a distance drew his attention, he looked in the direction the noise came from but saw nothing. Sighing as he ate the last piece of the bread, making the sign of the cross, he prayed silently. Gradually, he fell asleep.
The ray of the sun piercing his eyes woke him up. Steadily, Filippo sat up rubbing his eyes and yawned tiredly. He reached for his bag, took a bottle of water which he uses to rinse his mouth, then he drank some. The sun was up indicating that he should continue his journey. He stood, walked up to his horse, pats it gently, and gave it little water, "Come on buddy, we have to get going" he whispered staring at his horse who neigh in excitement. Quickly, he untied the horse, picked up his bag, climbed on his horse, and immediately, it galloped away.
Hours passed by, they went deeper with every passing breath. At a distance, Filippo saw a village ahead of him, his horse galloped faster as they got out of the woods heading towards the gate of the village. Gradually, the horse reduced its pace as they got closer to the village entrance. Standing at the gate were two men who stared at Filippo with a hardened expression. Filippo got down from his horse and walked gently towards them.
"Stop!" One of the men ordered, He was a tall man with broad shoulders, he had short black hair and a robe tied around his waist and no shirt on. In his hand was an arrow which he pointed at Filippo threatening him not to move closer.
The other man beside him was an old dwarf who looked stern with a hardened expression, not removing his gaze from Filippo.
"I bring peace" Filippo restored trying to calm them down as he shoved his hand in his pocket bringing out a crucifix, "I am a priest, not a threat" he explained looking at both men.
The men glanced at each other and back at Filippo. The man with an arrow slowly let his hand down giving the arrow to the dwarf.
The tall man studied Filippo closely, from his priestly clothing to the horse beside him.
"Come with me" he let out opening the gate.
Filippo held unto his horse, he stepped into the village and followed the tall man closely with ears and eyes opened. As Filippo walked in, he glared around and notice people staring at him with inquisitive eyes.
"He is a priest" Filippo heard a lady's voice behind him but didn't turn to look, the whole villagers were gazing at him with curious eyes.
"Don't mind the reactions of my people, they haven't come across a priest in a very long time" The tall man spoke out not looking at Filippo as they walked further.
Filippo looked up at him realizing that the tall man before him is the leader of this village.
"I can understand that" Filippo managed to reply his gaze watching the tall man.
They walked past some servants working in a field. The servants stared at Filippo in awe as he walked past with his horse behind him. Most of them began to whisper to themselves and the children beside them couldn't remove their gaze from Filippo.
The tall man stopped at a small but, opened the door, and stepped in gesturing for Filippo to follow suit. Filippo left his horse outside and step into the hut.
Getting in, the room was small but comfortable, there was only a bed, table and a chair with some strange craft works on the wall.
"This is where you will stay for tonight, my servants will attend to you soon with food and water, your horse will be taken to our stable where it will be taken care of. After your meal, I will come so that we can talk" The tall man indicated, without waiting for a reply, he walked out of the hut closing the door behind him.
Sighing, Filippo surveyed around, slowly he made the sign of the cross asking God to be with him. He walked towards the bed and gently sat down placing his bag beside him. He got up, walked towards the craftwork beside his bed, his eyes studying it, he placed his hand on the piece of art admiring it.
After a while, he walked towards the table then back to the bed. Sitting down, Filippo opened his bag and brought out the book which he found in the church's old library.
"The six sisters" he mumbled to himself, his eyes fixed on the book in his hands. He looked up with his mind filled with notions. This prophecy has been told centuries ago and was passed by ancient men of the time. They kept this a secret, and as a result of that, men became ignorant not knowing the destruction awaiting them. Quietly, Filippo read more, his head filled with pictures concerning what will be the fate of humanity.
A knock on the door alerted him, slowly it opened as two young maidens walked in with a tray of food.
"Our chief insists you have this" One of the girls said bowing slightly. She walked towards the table and gently placed it.
"Thank you" Filippo muttered and they walked out of the room shutting the door. Filippo stood up, walked towards the table, took a seat on the chair beside it, stared at the food before him including a glass of water that stood beside the tray. Closing his eyes, he prayed and began to eat.
Minutes passed by, Filippo finished with his meal, he got up, walked into a small bathroom in the hut. After bathing, he lay on his bed and began to read a booklet, his mind still occupied.
A few minutes later, he heard a knock at the door. The tall man stepped in, he had a different attire which made him look superior with beads across his neck.
"My people must have taken care of your needs," he said walking into the room and standing opposite the bed staring at Filippo.
"Thank you for your hospitality," Filippo asserted smiling.
The tall man nodded, "We are good people but we can be tough too, everything I do here is for the safety of my people" he stated still standing at a spot.
Filippo nodded not saying a word.
The tall man smiled, "I am Chief Makifgilimeni of Ganis, and I want to know what brought you towards my village?" He asked narrowing his gaze at Filippo.
Filippo glared at him thinking if he should be honest with this strange man. Sighing, he rubbed his hands, "I am on my way for an important mission" he declared as the man looked at him with intense eyes.
Chief Makifgilimeni narrowed his gaze, "A mission to the underworld" He let out, his watch not leaving Filippo.
Filippo's eyes widened in shock as he stared at the man before him, "How...did you know?" He stammered still in shock.
Chief Makifgilimeni nodded, "The prophecy never lies, I know about everything and I am here to help you".