Sylia, the Dark & Light Saint

November of the Sainted Year (First Civil Month) - Present Day

Pullina, officially only ten years old in Religious Years, yet older in both body and mind, knelt before her bed in fervent prayer, her small hands clasped tightly. The bedroom around her was softly illuminated by the silver glow of moonlight streaming through the open balcony doors, where a gentle night breeze carried the fragrance of the Enclaved magical garden beyond.

From this vantage, she could glimpse flowers that shimmered faintly with Mana, their petals glowing in hues of sapphire and gold beneath the starlit sky. The faint hum of magical leaves mingled with the distant trickle of a crystal-clear fountain, creating an otherworldly serenity in sharp contrast to the turmoil in her heart.

She had eaten well earlier, thanks to Saint Sylia, and had already tucked her sister, Piona, to bed after reading her a bedtime story. The Lady Saint had even prepared them a special serving of her favorite Ramen—a new variation that Pullina had adored.

Piona, too, had enjoyed it, and afterward the sisters had shared their usual Pork Loin Ramen bowl, followed by Magic Digestives. Those wondrous confections not only restored Magic and vitality gradually during sleep but also contained potent anti-corruption properties which were an essential safeguard given the dangers and corruption of their usual residence.

Pullina had endured much in the past weeks. A shiver ran through her as memories of all the sacrifices she had to make, resurfaced abruptly.

She had to take desperate measures in order to survive when her own family had not only abandoned her but betrayed her and the rest of their own kin.

They had sold her to a corrupted God and his acolytes, offering her as sustenance to their Malevolent Divine allies. She had been treated as nothing more than sellable food by those who should have protected her.

Tears threatened to fall, but she refused to cry anymore. She had done enough of that, already.

Only days ago, she had suffered a fit of anguish and despair after discovering the horrors inflicted upon her full sibling. As a result of Piona's abduction, her personality had been almost entirely erased. The girl was but a fragment of herself now, forced to relearn even the most basic things.

***

Pullina's prayers stretched on, each of her whispered words, a plea for strength and deliverance. She reflected bitterly on how survival had demanded that she turn against her own blood, the very people who had condemned her to a fate worse than death.

Her voice, low but unwavering, prayed to Lord Chester, the Sacred Patron of Children and Ruling Master of their world, beseeching the protection of his Flock.

It was said that Lord Chester had returned after a long absence, and that he was now reshaping the Sub-Realm in which Pullina and her loved ones resided.

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Few High Lords could rival his influence and power.

He was also known for his deep affection for small and fragile things, including children.

Only recently had Pullina learned that she had owed her continued survival, so far, to him and his Flock.

Lady Sylia had played her own part in preserving her life, yet in a different capacity.

Pullina's very Soul had remained untouched only through the immense Protection Magic of Lord Chester and his Flock. No ordinary Divine Protection could have shielded her from the doom her monstrous relatives had decreed for her. It had required the Protection Magic of a High Lord—one of the original creators of their world—to preserve her very existence.

For this, Pullina felt a debt of gratitude she could never hope to repay. She solemnly vowed to offer as much of her blood as possible to him and the Master of Blood Lords, whom Lord Chester was known to serve directly.

Now, she needed only to be patient. Lady Sylia had promised her that it would all be over in a matter of weeks. Her treacherous relatives would be dealt with, one by one, and she would finally be free.

A new life would open before her at last, though not for Piona, who would be sent to the Capital with the few surviving members of their family.

The news had saddened Pullina, but Sylia had explained that Piona could not follow her where she was going. Piona carried far too much corruption to be allowed in those restricted areas.

Still, the Saint had assured her she would be returning often in order to work for Mathias Herves, which would give her plenty of opportunities to see Piona and her other siblings. At least, those who managed to survive the Dark Lord's great purge during the following days.

That final statement had deeply distressed Pullina, yet she chose not to dwell on the implications of such a purge. Years earlier, Master Mathias Herves himself had warned her. By doing so, he had wished to be candid with her and spare the young naive girl, she had once been, any illusions about their future.

Pullina doubted Master Mathias would ever let her go. He considered her as one of his lowly and loyal servants. So, he expected her to continue serving him until her last breath.

She had known early on that Mathias Herves was among Lady Sylia's truest allies. Although, only recently had she understood how deep their bond ran.

They were not merely allies, friends, or lovers—they were family. When one was attacked, the other would come without hesitation, if necessary and without needing any formal request. They were siblings in arms, bound by mutual understanding…when others could never understand them, at all. Many had tried multiple times but had always failed miserably. And that included their very own children.

Pullina knew that neither of them belonged to this world, nor were they even Mortal. They were bound to the World of Spirits far more deeply than the Material World.

How Pullina's grandfather, Grenar, had ever believed he could enslave such a being was beyond her comprehension. She knew he was deeply maddened and corrupted by the Malevolence that had consumed him, yet even madness had its limits.

She almost wished him luck in facing Lady Sylia and Mathias, for his fate would surely be a dreadful one. She considered it very well deserved after all the harm he had inflicted on their relatives.

Pullina preferred saving her pity and concern for the worthy.

Her thoughts immediately turned to her childhood friend and fiancé, Jimmy. She could only hope he was safe. His adoptive family might soon come after him now that Sylia was believed to be restrained and enslaved by several Gods.