Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 615: Hero of Light

Chapter 615: Hero of Light

Northern Continent, Argent.

Adrian stood at the balcony adjacent to his room, his gaze sweeping over the City of Silver, the city blessed enough to be closest to the Lord’s tabernacle.

His blonde hair moved with the light breeze and his blue eyes reflected the people moving around below.

As young as he was, his gaze was filled with awe as he stared, taking in the sights with a relish.

To think that just last year, he was a simple farm boy tilling the fields.

Yet, here he was, in the greatest city the world has ever known, the capital city of Salem Theocracy.

He could still remember the whole scene vividly.

When a group of missionaries sent by the Pope himself, announced him as the chosen one, even going ahead to anoint his head with oil.

His mind whirled back then, clearly confused that he would be chosen for anything.

He’d served his father diligently and was paid back with maltreatment of various categories.

To think that he planned to run away from home the next day only for fate to be so gracious to him.

A smile adorned his lips as he pulled away his mind from the past.

There was no longer a need to think about such things.

Now, all he had to do was carry out his tasks as the chosen one, diligently.

Nothing else mattered.

Just then, there was a knock at the door, drawing his attention as it opened to reveal a youthful man dressed in priestly attire.

"Father Aloysius." The boy greeted enthusiastically.

"Hero, it seems you had a wonderful sleep last night."

"Father, I’ve said you should stop calling me a hero. My name is Adrian."

"I could never, Hero. After all, you are the hero spoken about in the prophecy. The hero that will save us when the darkness comes."

"But right now, I’m your student."

"And I couldn’t be prouder. To serve as the tutor to such a great figure warms my heart."

Adrian pouted. "You don’t listen."

"I would listen for anything else, Hero, but this I do not dare. Now, if you are ready, let us begin your daily routine."

"Alright."

Adrian didn’t dawdle as he had already prepared, having taken his bath and dressed in a simple white robe with golden embroidery, along with the emblem of the Church of Angelica etched at the chest area.

He was already used to the daily routine, which involved four major things: study, training, eating, and finally, attending mass.

But surprisingly, today, there was a difference as instead of heading straight to bed once it was noon for his siesta, he was ordered to show himself to the Pope.

Excited as he was, he was forced to bath again before putting on a new set of robes and applying several sacrificial oils.

Then, he was off, happy as a boy could be, as he entered the most holy area within the church, lauded as the largest to ever exist.

He was led in by a contingent of Gatekeepers, each of which had worn silver armor and wielded silver weapons.

It was rather intimidating but Adrian felt that there was no need to worry.

As the Hero meant to combat the darkness, the church was sworn to protect him from danger.

Once he was in the Tabernacle, Adrian marveled at the incredible sight.

It was like a whole dimension overflowing with the power of the Virtues.

His mind felt at ease and his body relaxed.

An unidentified man stood hunched over a pedestal which was at the center of the hall, stopping a flight of stairs.

The leader of the Gate turned to Adrian and gestured for him to move, which the young lad did, taking steady steps as he made his way up the stairs.

Once he was beside the man, he realized just how strange the individual was.

He seemed... malformed.

Which was a new sight for Adrian.

As far as he knew, there were no physical deformities in Salem.

Yet, here was a prime example of a person with all sorts of deformities ranging from a hunched back to crooked teeth to uneven eyes and even disproportionate limbs.

Everything about him was off and yet, he was adorned in all sorts of jewelry and seemed to hold an important post.

Taking a step forward, the man reached out to Adrian with the young lad taking a step back instinctively to avoid contact, all to no avail.

The deformed man grabbed his arm and licking his lips, began to nod aggressively. "Yes, yes, this is good. He is the one as is stated in the prophecy."

Adrian let out a sigh of relief as he feared losing his current comfortable life.

He wished to stay in the church as the hero forever.

The deformed man intoned the next moment. "Lay upon the altar."

Adrian blinked in confusion. "I don’t understand."

"Lie down." The deformed man repeated while pointing at the altar.

Adrian gulped nervously before proceeding to do as he was told.

As he did so, the deformed man beckoned a few other deformed fellows to approach with a sacred box.

He opened it, revealing an ornamental knife within.

Prying it free, he turned and walked up to stand beside Adrian as he was on the altar.

"It is time boy, it is time to fulfill the prophecy and become the hero."

"How?"

The deformed man replied. "Die for us all."

Before Adrian could say anything in response, his heart was pierced through and his eyes went wide with shock.

He couldn’t even move as he bled out on the altar.

Taking his final breaths, he whispered with tears in his eyes. "I don’t want to die."

***

He found himself in a strange white space with no other color as far as the eyes could see.

Struggling to make sense of where he was, Adrian heard a voice.

"I can revive you, give you a new life but in exchange, you will have to serve as my host."

"Who are you?" Adrian asked in a panic.

In response, a body of light revealed itself and replied. "You may call me anything you wish, but I believe your holy book refers to me as Mikhal."

Adrian froze as he was familiar with the name.

During his studies, he had learned of the Legion and the group of angels that make up the group sworn to protect the world from corruption.

Mikhal was one of the angels and most importantly, he was the leader!

"My lord." Adrian turned respectful, going on his knees to pay homage.

"No need for that. I am here to make you an offer, will you accept?"

"I will do anything you ask of me, my lord."

"And what do you want in exchange?"

"Nothing."

"Are you sure?"

Silence followed before Adrian finally replied. "Yes, I am sure."

"Then we have an agreement."

Saying that the body of light shot into Adrian and transformed him.

***

Meanwhile, in the hall where Adrian had just been sacrificed, his body had bathed the entire altar with a crimson liquid with the deformed priest saying a prayer only for a golden radiance to erupt, covering the entirety of the hall.

Everyone was blinded for a few seconds, with the strongest ones present only able to regain their sight several seconds later.

But then what they laid eyes on left them undoubtedly speechless.

Instead of Adrian or the deformed priest, they saw a grown man, seemingly close to his thirties, with an incredibly toned body with pale skin, long golden hair, and deep blue eyes.

He stood tall over all and as he gazed upon those below, he stretched out his hand, conjuring a rounded blade that seemed more ceremonial than for actual combat.

The next moment, everyone went on their knees, bowing in reverence to the transformed Adrian.

In a loud voice, they said. "We pay homage to the Hero of Light!"

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