The moon hung low tonight, it seemed to creep along the treetops. What was it hiding from, as it crept steadily closer. Ahead of its gaze, peering between the shadowy branches, a cave yawned. The endless darkness visible beyond its drowsy maw. It was quiet here, like the animals in the surroundings avoided it almost instinctively.

Snap

A cracking sound split the night and an owl fluttered its wings in response, a loud hooting as it seemed to reprimand someone for breaking this sacred silence. But the being who made such a sound gave no heed, no he didn't care for the thoughts of some bird in the trees above as he trudged through the forest without a care.

A man stepped into view, the forest gave way to him, and as it seemed to lean back the moon leaned forward and washed the stranger in its gaze.

"This is right, I believe. Hmmm" he seemed to be trying to recall something. "Really, why does your kind have to hide? How can I make my perfect hero story if my epic villain is hiding in some dingy cave." He emphasized his point while gesturing at the sleepy cavern before him. "What? Too good for me Anastasia? Ah wait. . . Am I forgetting something again. . . Are you dead?" He sighed in annoyance as his thoughts tumbled from his lips. He then began his unconcerned trek once more, disappearing into the cave.

Inside it was pitch black, though it didn't matter for this man as he could see in the dark. The cave itself wasn't that deep so soon he came to the end. He sighed again as he placed his hand on the wall.

"Really Ana, this is just terrible parenting don't you think. But I do have to hand it to you. I think you might have been the only one among your species who realized they were willingly walking towards a slaughter. To hide your daughter like this. Even the God of chaos might feel a little sentimental." The man lifted his hand and a bright hot flame filled it, green in color, he began to melt through the rock.

"I remember now, ha of course I was the one to cut your head off dear. Anastasia, I remember that night I gave you a choice. I remember what you chose and I remember the look on your eyes when I cut your head off. Don't worry I'll make sure your daughter is remembered forever as the evil dragon who was slain by the hero. Haha!" He started laughing and couldn't seem to stop as the rock turned molten and melted down the light cast flickering shadows in the cave revealed on the other side. Among those flickerings reflections came back revealing beautiful red scales. Massive wings and horns. A beast sleeping soundly in its home. Not many knew this but dragons often hibernated for decades, when Anastasia left, her daughter had started her first hibernation and it would soon be time for her to wake up. No longer hidden, her lair could now be stumbled upon.

~

Amelia sighed as she started up the stairs, up ahead, was a building rising up like it wanted to touch heaven itself. This building had an unusual architecture, it was white and green with golden accents. The exterior was a large square with massive ornamental pillars. Four large staircases with multiple flights led up towards a smaller square building at the center. A statue of Lady Gia could be seen, a scale in one hand and a watering can in the other. Cultivated plants grew up the pillars with beautiful flowers on display.

Amelia was used to this climb and soon reached the top, she approached the smaller building which was now revealed to be a shrine built around the Statue. There were a decent amount of people praying and giving offerings. Many bowed to her as she passed, she also bowed in return, she felt nervous most of this was new to her. Her current position was obtained only recently.

Amelia stepped behind the statue towards a large circular platform made of gold, as she stepped into it. Her mana seeped out and into the platform, it began to glow, she let it inspect her mana and then it offered control to her. After feeling the offer she pushed her mana through the platform and it began to rise.

Why must we use such contraptions, as my host you can fly can you not? A voice spoke inside her head.

Of course, but you know this Asmo, we have to follow the rules. And at the very least I want to do my job well and not be looked at as incompetent or a waste. Amelia responded thoughtfully.

Ha, you my dear contracted a great and powerful bishop, there's no way you could be incompetent. However I see your line of logic. Tsk, we have a meeting with that damn old man today right?

Please don't refer to the Pope like that, it's disrespectful!

Ha me respect that geezer, who do you think I am?

Sorry you're right. It's just shocking to hear that from anyone.

Hmm, well I'll leave you to it, call if you need me. And remember, at any point my offer still stands.

I . . . Don't think I'll need your help and. . . About that offer. . . Um, I kinda wanna stay human please.

Hmph, fine. We're almost there, focus. If you arrive looking spaced out, what will they think?

Oh yeah!

Amelia slapped her cheeks with both hands and put on a smile as the golden platform breached the clouds and approached a floating circular platform, there was a massive golden magic circle pulsating underneath the building. The golden platform clicked into place, she was in a gazebo surrounded by a field of flowers broken up by a pond with fish swimming in it. This field didn't extend the entire length of the platform. Surrounding the garden all looking inwards was a collection of buildings. Directly ahead was a temple dedicated to worship and scriptures. To her left was a collection of dorms, when a young girl became a nun they would be swept away, above the clouds and live there. I used to live there, she thought. To her right was another collection of dorms, this housed holy Knights and Paladins. Directly behind was a tower, it was an odd looking thing. It was made of white stone and shaped like a spike, getting smaller as it rose upwards. However at the top there was a glass sphere with a swirl of multicolored magic. A balcony circled beneath the sphere and a living quarters could barely be seen, my home, the Prophet's Tower. In combination with the prophets natural connection to the gods and the height of this tower that reached higher than any other point in this world. A prophet like her could hear The whispers of the gods while living at the top. The glass sphere held pure mana from each of the four core elements, apparently according to the stories told by the Pope the mana residing inside the sphere had been obtained from the world tree. However this claim was dubious at best to most do to the fact that no one even knew if the world tree was a real thing, as far as anyone was aware no one had seen it and it's current location was unknown.

She didn't head towards the tower, no she turned towards the temple, she could already hear a commotion inside. Besides this is where she had been summoned to and the reason why she had returned from her meeting with the king of the Kozak Empire.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"Are you aware of what your words imply?" an older man stated while standing at the back of the temple, a podium was in front of him and an altar sat behind. The altar was made of white stone but a deep red could be seen hiding in the cracks, blood that couldn't be cleaned. Even further behind, there was a circular pool of water that seemed to glow and sparkle.

"Sir, I apologize for my impudence however it must be stated, that girl is tainted! A demon put its claws in her heart." Another man was speaking urgently to the Pope, he was an Archbishop.

"Yes and we exorcized that demon, that child bled for her faith and you still wish to doubt her!" the Pope spoke again, though his eyes then noticed the newcomer. "Why don't you ask the girl in question?" The Archbishop turned with wide eyes as he saw Amelia approaching.

"Sir should I strip down and lay on the altar for your whip once more?" She asked, a calm confidence filled her, the Archbishop flinched at her provocation. According to what he'd heard, her exorcism was one of the most brutal ever carried out. The demon inside her was just that strong, the Pope had to deal with it personally.

"See, how dare you fault that devotion." The Pope frowned at his Bishop, then he hurried the man away as he greeted Amelia happily.

He's right though, you've been corrupted by a demon.

Asmo isn't it more accurate to say, I have corrupted a demon.

Tsk, don't get full of yourself girl. Remember the Pope doesn't care about you, he's just arrogant and considered suspicion against you to be practically saying they believe there could be a demon who resisted an exorcism by the Pope himself. It hurts his pride.

But that's what you did, though, you weren't very graceful.

I admitted defeat in the moment before my death, my only path to life was to form a contract so I simply did whatever it took.

Yeah, sure.

"Amelia my dear, welcome I asked you to come cause I need a divination." He spoke happily as he led her to the altar. She followed and undressed, soon enough she was laying on the altar her eyes gazed at the paintings on the temple ceiling. The Pope laid a cross shaped white cloth over her body covering her intimate parts. She could smell the scent of incense and candles as the Pope began setting up the ritual.

Why does this geezer have to make it a big show? I can just check his future, I'm the Bishop of Prophecy afterall.

This is the normal ceremony for a divination, we can't let him know I'm abnormal.

The Pope walked over to the pool and lowered a golden bowl into it, he filled it and walked over to her once more, he began to sprinkle the water across her body.

Ah, dumb geezer that fucking hurts

It's holy water, what do you expect?

After he finished he got down on his knees and clasped his hands, "Dear heavenly goddess of life, tell us what our future holds, as children to the great giver, we ask that you gift us an inkling of wisdom." As he spoke Amelia opened her eyes wide and gazed up, light filled her eyes as a collection of glyphs created a halo around her head. Her vision seemed to shift till it felt like she was now viewing the ceiling above through a pane of glass. The ceiling began to shimmer like water was running over the pane of glass before a white light blasted outwards and the ceiling shattered as the void enveloped her.

I don't think I'll ever get used to what it feels like to view a vision of the future.

I'm sure you'll get used to it eventually, though I was born with this ability, it's never felt odd to me.

Her first vision was filled with carnage, she watched as the church's paladins fought with soldiers of the Empire. This vision was from the battlefield, she was viewing it through the eyes of someone. She looked around trying to figure out who she was, she raised her sword and recognized it. The holy sword, wait, in the original timeline he wouldn't be here. . . Her vision tilted

"Ha, this is absurd, they'd have my head if they knew what we were doing." A voice reached her ears, she turned to look at the old man in a crown. There was a look of sarcasm and disbelief, she lifted her hand to shake his as they signed a deal. She was taken aback as she saw the blood drenched sleeve, she glanced around till a mirror appeared in her view and almost gasped, that's not a human, she thought as she looked at the horns and the eyes. Once again her vision tilted.

This time, it was really quiet, Amelia found herself standing in a city she soon recognized. She frowned as she looked around the city named Aguris. It was decimated, there were no signs of life. Amelia began walking around, but no matter how much she walked and searched there was no evidence to explain what happened. As she was walking around her vision shimmered and a throne appeared in front of her, to her left and right she saw bishops bowing to her. Near the throne the arch bishops also bowed. Amelia stepped up and sat down on the throne, as she settled a chorus of voices rung out.

"We celebrate the crowning of the rightful Pope!" As she heard those voices the faces in front of her swam like a reflection on the water disturbed by a thrown rock. As it settled she could see the ceiling of the temple once more, all the candles had been blown out.

"What did you see my prophet?" The Pope asked, Amelia sat up with an arm covering her chest. A smile rose to her lips.

"I saw a beautiful future, I saw a prosperous church and many more years of your wonderful reign. I saw that we will manage to connect the God beast's markings to the beast races. Using that we shall push them back into slavery and once again Gia's races shall stand rightfully above Loki's" she spoke with elation, like what she spoke of was a beautiful future.

What a beautiful lier, you even made a demon like me blush.

Shut it, this is necessary for the greater good.

Whatever.

"That's wonderful, thank you so much, you've put this old worried soul to rest." The Pope seemed truly relieved as he got up and helped her dress, afterwards he sent her on her way. Amelia sighed as she stepped out into the sun. No clouds dared to rise this high, there was nothing but a wide expanse of blue broken only by the blazing sun.

Amelia crossed the courtyard towards her tower, there was a door at the base, she pushed it open eagerly. Closing it behind her and leaning against it with a sigh.

"It's so stressful to act so professional all the time." Amelia exclaimed as she looked forward, she was standing in a library that wrapped the circumference of the tower's base. She stepped forward the floor was stainless steel, polished till it was practically a mirror. As she looked down she could see the demon Asmodeus standing beside her, a smile on her face. Asmodeus claimed to be the Bishop of Prophecy when she'd first shown up but that was another story.

You did well though, geez I can't believe I'm helping you in this. I'm directly going against my brethren for this you know.

"Yeah, I know. I hope you'll forgive my selfishness. I believe through meeting you that not all demons are evil."

Ha, I'm a charming individual

"Of course, but you're not evil."

Tsk, don't you have studying to do

"Ooh! I forgot, Asmo, can you be my teacher again? I learn so easily from you!" Amelia dashed into the center of the library where a familiar golden platform sat. She pushed mana into the platform and it began to rise.

Click

Amelia stepped off the platform into her bedroom, then she rushed over to her desk where a book was open and a notebook with messy writing sat beside it. She plopped down, looking straight ahead she could look out a window down on the garden below. Though in that window's reflection she could see Asmodeus, the demon. And she smiled at her mental companion.

Sure, I'll tutor you, let's pick up where we left off, yes?

"Please." Amelia responded as the sound of flipping pages filled the room, one voice could be heard seemingly having one sided conversations. Deep into the night candles burned as bright as the ambition of a young nun who's desperate desire to be of more use to her God attracted a curious demon. That young nun accepted the demon in when she was tricked into believing in angels. And that same nun endured horrible torture before forcing the demon to submit, her ambition and desires only burning brighter as the ability of Prophecy was placed in her grasps. She could finally see her dream, holding hands with the enemy she would finally be able to cross the finish line. As she became a Prophet for the church her position was raised from a mere nun to a special position only touchable by the Pope. However for now she can only toil away, behaving for the Pope while suing the seeds of discord in his blind spots. Working with his enemies, a dream where suppression and racisms weren't the tenants of her church.