Chapter Text
"Ugly!"
"Cursed"
"Ivy!"
"Posion"
"Your fault!"
"You should've stayed in the catacombs!"
Thats what she's been hearing since she was three, living on her own personal hell, no one wanted her. A curse.
Audrina, that was her name, the only thing her birth parents left her before leaving her behind in the catacombs of Gorze. The resting place of sacrifices to The demons of Ebott. And since that day when taken in by the head Priestess of this village. The town suffered misfortunes.
Plagues.
Droughts.
Bandits.
Darkness.
Famines.
Everyone suffered, specially around the Blood Moon. The day when Eight Virgin Scarifices must be send to the mouth of the mountain. These seventeen years was absolute hell for everyone. Audrina included since she was blamed for their misfortune. A curse. A posion. A stained of their town which grew agressived as years went by. Now seventeen she living alone in a hut in the woods, scavaging for food from scrapes. Listening to the news from bickering villages
The King that resided inside the mountain had send a message to the head Priestess Andorra. Stating that the sacrifices shall be delivered differently this year, "He's sending the Harvesters!?" Audrina flinched as she passed by the temple. "Yes, he wants his people to be able to wander around these woods during the Blood week, however they'll linger in the woods, while the Harvesters scavange for the virgins" said the Priestess. The news send a sudden dread to Audrina knowing full well she'll be endangered if she stayed in the woods. But where else shall she go? Leaving with the thought she quickly made her way home dodging both bullies, rocks, and people as she manage to get home.
"Lost only one peice of meat, two loaves, and one sweet cake" she mumbled to herself as she hastily placed the food inside a basket to keep her food fresh. Eating the loave she manage to scavanged and stared at the sky watching as the sky turned dark as the beginning of the Blood Moon began. She leaned on her forearms as she gazed at the bright red moon which began hovering over the forest. The woods became silent, nothing to be heard as she sat there bitting the bruised lip she had earned from the baker. The flickering of her heart began pounding, the air began to tense as her breathing rapidly became fast.
With hast she slammed her window doors shut and locked it with a large timber wood panel. She then rushed to her small broken door and quickly pushed a heavy large oak door she had made and covered her little doorway. She sighed, "safe" looking at the decaying yet studder ceiling she smiled, "I didn't survive this hellhole to suddenly die by the hands of Monsters."
Chuckling she pushed herself off and landed rashly on her cut bruised knees, paying no mind she crawled over to her bedded mat and curled up in old blankets.
Andorra sat scribbling down at the book, finding the eight virgins always caused pain to her and the people of Ebott. But to keep the beast away she must do so, staring down at the scroll given to her by the keeper she glared.
"My lady" went one of the monks in the temple. "Yes?" "Audrina went through the village again today" said the monk with the look of disgust imprinted on his face. "She stolen from the baker, butcher, and lady Ellora, the child surely is to be taught a lesson" Andorra looked up and frown at the monk. "A mere survival, I assume the villagers have already beat that girl, there will be no lesson to teach if one should just continue her mischief" true Audrina did all for survival. One thing the Priestess respected from the timid girl, determined, one might says as the girl had gone through hell, escaping death too many times.
"My lady, we should get rid of this infection immediately, we have waited far too long, she is ripe as is it as one of the sacrifices" Andorra pondered, looking down at the list of the chosen Sacrifices.
Seven was already there chosen by the Harvesters that came earlier once night came, the eighth though unfair was to be chosen randomly by the Head Priestess herself.
Audrina was the only seventeen female left and women were valued in the village. Andorra couldn't afford to lose any more of her best followers as well as the keepers of the village. Population must increase or else the demons of Ebott release their wrath upon humanity. Such a heavy load to carry, no one of the outside world shoud acknowledged this. Writing down the final name she smirked, "send thd guards to the Stained hut, I want her ready by tomorrows blessings."
The monk smiled gleefully as she quickly left the head Priestess alone. "Eight virgins, it may not stop tradition, but it will lift this blasted curse from the village."
The Priestess watched as the three frighten sacrifices arrived. She frowned at this as wasn't their fault, but the Harvesters must chose for the blood of these children. Staring up at the moon ripely stared down at her mocking her.
Audrina was now staring at the portrait of the temple. Frowning as she knew the time had come. That morning the Keepers of the Temple had broken down her door and dragged her to the temple. Now she sits waiting for the Head Priestess who had chosen her as the Eighth Sacrifice. "Hello Ivy" she frowned as she was called turning to see Andorra walking with a smile, causing the sudden knot in her stomach to twist and choke her from the inside, Andorra glided her hand against the books of her office as she sat calmly down before Audrina. "Originally I should be wailing for these poor souls, but since your one of them, I can't help, but to celebrate! Getting rid of you will surely bring some hope in this village."
Audrina remained quiet as Andorra leaned forward, "you know... originally we are to give only seven sacrifices?" This brought her attention on the pale lean woman. "Oh yes, only seven each with a special "soul" as these demons call it. Now what was it?" She hummed to herself, "aw yes, DETERMINATION, BRAVERY, JUSTICE, KINDNESS, PATIENCE, INTEGRITY, and PEREVANSCE. Weird is it not? How these give them power when devouring? Makes me wonder, what yours will be... probably grey considering how cursed you are, but I'm sure the King will adore ripping you." Audrina kept a straight face, patiently listening as Andorra frown knowing that she wasn't getting under her skin. "Wipe that look off your face young lady, you should be grateful, all sacrifices are required to be treated honorly considering the hell they're going to, so consider these six days as your haven week before the seventh," she then pressed a button for service.
The doors open and a sister came forth, "send Ivy to the bathhouse, clean her and maybe refresh those bruises on her skin, they are fading." The sister bowed as she roughly took her by the arm and yanked the small girl to her feet giving no time as she dragged her towards the bathhouse. Audrina kept quiet as she walked through the village, watching as everyone sneered her and used profanity aganist her. The bruises from her arm grew as guided to the village bathhouse.
Ripped of the only clothes she had and forced in scorching waters, burning her red as a riped blossom rose. Harshly scrubbed down and bled out a little before being dressed and led back to the temple. Shutting her in a room alone. "It could be worse" she said as she carressed her, blooming wounds, limping herself around as she laid upon the bed, tired, starved, and wounded she drifted off into a bothersome sleep.
Only to be awoke by a monk her had tossed her food and left her alone in her distress. But she swallowed down her sadness and placed on a calming persona as she ate in silence.
The day dragged on as she sat in silence, nothing to do, she laid restlessly on the bed. With no one to stop her, she tip toed out to the courtyard of the temple knowing she was given some freedom to wander. Laying on the soft grass as the creatures of the night surrounded her, alone and eased with company she stared at the sky, "five more days and my life shall end, what am I to do?"she asked knowing her company will not answer.
Stroking the white fur of the small lamb, as it nimbly nibbled the grass in her palms. "You are weak friend, are you to meet the same fate as I am?" She said as she continued to brushing her fingertips against the deer. It nuzzled her.
"Why can't humans be as gentle as you?" She said as she noticed the predator stalked closely to her. Sitting as the animal went still in her arms, death had claimed it as well as the predator claimed its body. Tearing it before her eyes, coating her with the soft kisses of blood which sprung across the gown she wore. The white fur was now stained, and the eyes that once carried innocence was now foggy and glassy.
"Such a fate" she whispered as she looked up once more at the moon before being nudged by the predator. Rising up she walked back inside ignoring the yells and screams of rhe monks and sisters.
The nights became irriatable as Audrina began having visitors. The demons of Ebott has now made their presence known, terrifying villagers and nabbing children. The demons had even snuck into the temple to have a glimspe of the Sacrifices. One in particular had nearly carried off with one of them. However was soon stopped and killed by the Harvesters who apparently guarded the forest as well as the temple. All sacrifices must go to their king and their king alone went the letter written by one of the Harvesters.
Audrina began to grown nervous and terrified by each day. But she remained strong, as the final day had arrived. Following Traditions, sacrifices are to be dressed in grey and crowned with gold flowers, the eighth was required to be dressed white as well as the crown to be white. Audrina stood tall and braved as the other sacrifices wailed and whimpered; she will not wail nor cowarded in fear. She knew death awaits her since she was left in this hellhole. She accepts it.
"Children!" Went the Head Priestess Andorra as she was dressed in light blue and white. Spreading her arms as if to welcome each in an embrace, "you have been chosen by the Harvesters of Ebott, your sacrifices are not in vain. Keeping our promise as well protecting our lands from Darkness, I thank each and everyone of you. All shall be memoried as our hope for all of humanity" the sacrifices whimpered while Audrina stood in interest as the Priestess turned towards the forest. The pathway to Ebott cave, "Harvesters! Claim your gifts to your King, in return for peace for another year, as made for the days of borrowed time, await another year for your feast. Another year the clock is ticking" the crowd grew silent as the world around them tensed and soon. The sound of rustling submerged from the forest and the crunches of wood came closer and soon two demons appeared.
Skeletons.
One tall as the tree beside him, another a bit shorter yet still big enough to surpass even an adult. It had an ax embedded in its skull, Andorra watched as the lean tall one approached her causing her to bow. "Please accept these offers in return of another year" the lean one looked down with glowing eyes as it nudged its head towards the sacrifices to its companion.
The smaller one walked over scanning the small group. As if studying each and everyone of them, before its eyes landed on Audrina, staring at her with a bit of curiosity before its already grin on its face widen. Turning towards the other it nod and soon bones appeared caging them all, "another year" said the small one. The grin has yet to falter as he began walking away with the caged of Audrina and the other sacrifices. The tall one gave Andorra a grip of a hand burning into the flesh of her palm. The deal has been renewed, another year, more borrowed time.
Audrina watched as the hellhole she had called home disappeared behind the trees. Leaving her alone with the sacrifices and the two monsters, "brother, is it yet ours turn?" Asked the tall one. 'Brothers? Well I suppose that makes sense since they are both skeletons' she thought as she listened to their conversation.
"Yes, and honestly bro, I'm pretty much pleased with this years sacrifices. Won't Asgore be pissed to not have such a flower in the mix" he said gazing back at them, which one they speak of, who knows. She assumes its her, since she is indeed the eighth sacrificed. The eighth was not needed, but was suggested by this Monster King for who knows what. Honestly she was a bit fearful of that. "I, brother is very pleased also, I wonder we are to do since We've been informed of this. But will they be-" "probably not, humans don't know about this, we should keep it that way" said the small skeleton as they approached closer to the mountain. There a caved appeared before them, waiting at the front stood a creature, a goat humaniod creature with yellowish eyes, stained blood robes, and a devilish yet mothery smile.
"Is the path secure?" Asked the small skeleton.
"Yes Sans, the path has been secured, no monsters will try taking the youths, Asgore awaits you in the throne room" said the female creatures as both skeletons bowed respectifully at her. Audrina watched almost fascinating at them as they walked passed the female who waved at them. Once entered the cave entrance dissolve away and soon the darkness ate away the light; cries were heared, "quiet!" Barked the one named Sans as he glared at the second sacrifice. Audrina sat down leaning against the cage as she closed her eyes. She was tired, relentless as they approached another opening where a light came, blinding them all as the sound of screeches came, the smell of decay and smoke swirled in the mist, and the roars of various monsters lined towards a place large to overlook the underworld city. Both skeleton brothers jumped causing the bone cages to follow as screamed errupt from them all. Even Audrina had a hard time biting back the scream in her throat. But they landed onto the center of the crowd, many of the monsters hissed, clawed, and taunt the sacrifices, but as if held by magic none made an effort to come forward.
Audrina looked up at the castle, death is coming for them all, she can feel the dread and the smell of iron in the air. They entered a barel lit hallway before coming across a field of blood stained golden flowers. Gorzen flowers. Flowers of the Monsters. There in the center stood a beast, taller than the tall skeleton, big and strong, its a goat like the other one, but was dressed in armor and royal black robes. Its horns sharpened and its eyes dark ugly yellow and coat stained by years of blood. On the top of its head stood a silver crown perched on his head.
The cages flew before King as it formed a formation, then dropped them all. A heavy weight hit Audrina in her chest as she was forced onto her knees and bowing her head into her arms. Assuming the others shall be the same.
"Are these are the sacrifices to feed the people and the machine?" Went a gruff demanding voice which echoed through the cavern of the palace. "Yes, your majesty" she assumed was said by the tall one as she heard the creaking sound of chair. Then large heavy footstep be heard, and then as if a switch had turned up, Audrina tensed as the screams begun, feeling blood splattered on her white gown and her hands collecting the blood which flowed towards her. The sound of tearing and the disgusting sound of cracking skulls filled the room, she could even feel organs grazed her as they splatted beside her.
Then silence.
She stood there waiting her turn, hearing the footsteps approached as they stopped before her. 'Be brave' she thought to herself as she felt a sudden lift of furry finger tilted her head causing her to stare into the eyes of the King. "This is the eighth, my such ashame" he said smearing blood against her cheek, not releazing she was crying. "These bruises... have I not told you not to place hands on the eighth sacrifice?" He demanded.
"Your majesty, it was the humans who had done this not us, plus sire, are we not to handle the eighth as promised?" Went the tall skeleton.
The king growled a bit, turning to face her once more he trailed his paw to her face brushing the brown locks before pushing them from her side of the nape. Gently tracing the curve of her jawline sending a prickling feeling to her skin, before the paw went to her nape. A ping feeling of pain errupted into her body sending her vision to blurry and darkness ate her.
"Take her to the bedding chambers, have her ready for the binding."