It was like a premonition before something bad happened.
CURSED CHILD POV....Continuation..
"Cough... cough..."
The eerie atmosphere, combined with the arrival of the Shrine officials and steel knights, made my heart race uncontrollably. I didn’t even know why, but fear clawed tightly at my chest.
"EYES OF THE GODS, all villagers have been gathered. This is the village head."
A steel knight without a helmet rode forward. His stern face carried an aloof, detached and cold expression, as if staring at a bunch of terrible sinners.
When he arrived at the center, he dragged an old man forward and tossed him roughly before the EYES OF THE GODS. The old man trembled so badly he could barely stand, or raise his head to stare at the EYES OF THE GODS.
"The Great Lord EYES OF THE GODS,"
The village head cried as fear filled every part of his, his voice shaking.
"Our Wortham Village has always worshipped devoutly and paid our taxes. We have never dared to defy the Shrine. I truly don’t know what we could have done wrong."
From where I stood, the village head—who was usually calm and composed—looked like a frightened child, whose mother had manhandled him for misbehaving.
His snort filled face stared down, as he sniffed and wept openly before the EYES OF THE GODS.
"The gods of our land have taught us to treat every follower with love and kindness," the EYES OF THE GODS said gently.
As if to demonstrate his teachings, and ease the heart of the people, the man referred to as THE EYES OF THE GODS stepped forward, and helped the village head to his feet, and even bent down to brush the dirt from his clothes.
Cheers erupted instantly, mixed with gratitude and relief from both the village head and the crowd.
Seeing the cheers and joy from the crowd, THE EYES OF THE GODS wore a warm look on his expression and sighed.
"The reason I am here,"
He continued, "is because I was instructed by the gods of our land to cleanse this area of a foreign artifact."
As he spoke, his gaze slowly swept across the villagers. I felt his eyes pass over me—cold, sharp, and penetrating—as though he were staring straight into my soul. I quivered inwardly.
I barely understood what he meant, but something felt terribly wrong.
That was when I noticed my father. His body was trembling violently, as if he might collapse at any moment. My siblings had begun sobbing quietly, and the villagers around us looked as though the world was about to end.
Only then did I realize something dreadful.
The Shrine—and the gods—were merciless when they believed a threat existed.
No one spoke.
Everyone stood pressed close to their families, hearts hanging in their throats and mouths. No one knew who was affected, or what kind of terrible fate awaited the person who might have touched the foreign artifact and most importantly themselves.
Even though I was just a child, I knew I wouldn’t be spared if punishment came, because in the EYES OF THE GODS everyone was the same, regardless of their age.
I didn’t fully understand what was being said when suddenly, the moment the EYES OF THE GODS finished speaking, the villagers—including the village head—collapsed to the ground.
Some couldn’t even plead or cry out.
"Mighty gods of our land,"
The EYES OF THE GODS proclaimed.
"Your humble servants have gathered to plead for your presence. Please open your godly gate of the sky and help us differentiate the foreign artifact and its evil power among us!"
At the far corner of the village centered at the middle stood a small statue shaped like a man covered in wings signifying it was now a sacred ground belonging to the Shrine.
After several minutes, we were ordered to stand in a straight line before the village altar.
One by one, villagers stepped forward to pray devoutly. As they did, the sky above us began to change. White flashes of thunder split the sky above our heads, as if watching over us, soon transforming into a crimson blaze that shot upward from the altar, painting the world in an apocalyptic glow.
"Listen, everyone,"
The EYES OF THE GODS announced with a smile.
"Come forward one by one so we may separate you. The gods will not misidentify anyone, nor will they harm you."
The moment he finished speaking, the steel knights moved forward immediately after.
They seized villagers one after another, forcing them to kneel beneath the altar and pray. No one dared resist.
The ceremony continued relentlessly. Above us, an unusual blue flame floated calmly atop the altar, unmoving and silent.
"Next."
The EYES OF THE GODS stood to the side, observing each person with quiet interest. His warm voice eased some of the villagers’ fear, but the steel knights moved like machines—cold, efficient, and unfeeling.
Then it was my family’s turn.
First my father was called. Then my older brother. Then my sister.
Then finally, it was me.
I stepped forward slowly and knelt on the cold ground. My legs trembled, and my chest felt tight.
"Quick, say a prayer!" a cold voice barked from behind me heavily, making me quiver in fear.
I had no choice. I bent forward immediately.
"Mighty gods of our land," I whispered, my voice shaking, "you are merciful in all your doings, the ones who cherish us more than ourselves and mothers. I confess to you..."
[Author Notes: I would like to say a big thank you to everyone for reading this novel, and our top fans,I appreciate every comment, review, powerstones, golden tickets you guys give the book. But we need more.]
[Our hunger grows!]
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