Halos and Horns: Dark Embrace

Once upon a time, in a faraway place known as Orbis, there lived two mighty races: the Poten and the Cornibus. The two nations were locked in an eternal struggle for control over the magic wellsprings that fueled their world.

Not only did they war over the magic, but, fueled by hatred of their differences, the two races constantly sought to defeat the other.

And this is where our story begins.

The stars twinkled brightly in the clear night sky. The two moons shone in all their full glory. A few miles north of the capital, chanting filled the air inside the mountainous Poten kingdom's grand temple.

Boasting four floors and several hundred rooms, the grand temple was the pride and joy of the white-winged Poten people. Inside the room of visions was the grand high priestess, her dark skin glowing with the divine power of the god of creation, Autem.

Standing before the altar dedicated to Autem, Grand High Priestess Sacer sang the sacred hymn of Revealing. To the rear of the altar, shimmering with the brilliant light of the moons, was one of the twenty wellsprings controlled by the Poten. Behind her, were three rows of acolytes, priests, and priestesses joining in on the song.

Sacer stretched her hands to the air in supplication. A strong breeze raced through the large offering room, whipping her long hair into a frenzy. Not once did the singing die down.

The intensity of the breeze increased until it was difficult to stand. She held fast, refusing to fall to her knees. This was a test to see if she was worthy to receive the vision from Autem. Finally, the wind gentled and eventually stopped.

Quietly, she stood and walked over to the giant bowl of water that was placed to the right of the altar. The surface rippled, darkened, and then cleared to reveal a view of the Plains of Tenroc. Sacer frowned.

The area was an expanse of land that divided the Poten and Cornibus kingdoms’ borders. The plains were neutral territory, claimed by no one. It was also flat without a tree or rock to hide behind. If a battle was to take place there, neither side would have an advantage.

Is this really what Autem wanted? Sacer pondered the implications of a battle at the plains. Their chances of winning were in the middle. The Cornibus kingdom and its allies were evenly matched with the Poten kingdom’s army. Both armies were skilled.

Sacer closed her eyes and offered another prayer to Autem.

“Please, Lord of Creation, show us the path to victory.”

Another warm breeze filled the room and Sacer flinched when ghostly hands stroked her cheek. She opened her eyes and looked into the water. The answer revealed itself and she gasped, stunned by Autem’s reply.

How was this even possible? Maybe this was another test of faith?

“Grand High Priestess, what has our god revealed?”

She collected herself and turned to those assembled. “Our god has spoken! We will do battle at the Plains of Tenroc. We are in the right! Victory will be ours!”

Everyone began shouting and singing praises to Autem. Sacer smiled but her heart was troubled. The solution to the war was not what she had expected.

Perhaps Autem really was testing the nation’s faith. As the foremost spiritual leader, it was her duty to interpret their god’s will. Never had she failed to do so in all her decades of service.

This time, however, she couldn’t force herself to reveal the truth. If she did, Sacer feared her head would roll. King Bayrel of Poten was not known to suffer fools or news that didn’t fit his master plan. No, she must do what she could behind the scenes and hope she would survive should her part ever be revealed to the King.

Polite smile firmly in place, Sacer left the celebrating temple inhabitants to send a message to the king about their god’s will.