Chapter 1
Levon wore his Cassock as he stood at the edge of a high cliff. His crucifix was around his neck, and he slowly turned his head from left to right as if he were searching for something or someone in the dark, foggy surroundings.
Suddenly, Levon felt the cool eerie breeze blowing across his face as the cliff started to move higher and higher until he felt himself penetrate the clouds.
The cliff suddenly stopped moving, floating amidst the Dark blue and orange clouds.
A strong wind blew across, threatening to push him off the cliff but he found his footing, digging his legs firmly on the ground.
The whistling breeze suddenly stopped, and the clouds kept getting more and more intense in color and density...he knew what was coming next.
Levon had gotten familiar with this, but he never got used to when that creature would show himself.
He felt the atmosphere getting cooler and more eerie, and he immediately raised his hand and gripped the crucifix resting on his chest.
It was coming...
Dark smoke emerged from under the cliff, signifying that something was indeed coming.
Levon started muttering prayers in his mouth, his head turning every second in search of it.
Hiss
Levon heard the scary but familiar hissing beside him; immediately, he snapped his to that direction and directed the crucifix in that direction, too.
He saw it, a huge man with horns and a very muscular and gothic feather behind him.
It was the Demon.
His eyes were glowing red, and he was moving close to him at a slow and steady pace, making Levon's heart beat uncontrollably.
"Stay away from me, you Demon; by the power of the crucifix, I command you to return to hell," Levon pulled another crucifix out and stretched it toward the Demon while his other hand held on tightly to the one around his neck.
The demon man only opened his mouth and hissed, maintaining his approach to Levon.
"I, Levon Calanthir, an Exorcist of Christ, command you, an evil creature of darkness, to return to darkness!" His limbs were shaking but he stood firm, looking the Demon directly in the eyes.
In the next moment, A deafening guttural growl filled the clouds, shaking the cliff that Levon was standing on.
"You're mine!!!" The Demon growled and flapped his monstrous wings, diving right toward Levon.
His muscular arms were stretched in front of him, his claws dark and sharp as he aimed right for Levon.
"Return in the name of- Ugh!" Levon suddenly felt himself hit the ground.
It was painful, which meant this was real; he slowly opened his eyes and looked around.
He sighed.
He was awake.
That had just been his recurrent nightmare, safe to say that it ended quicker than usual. It usually ended with him trying to get away from the Demon and he'd end up falling off the cliff and waking up.
Maybe he was finally discovering a pattern to make the dream stop entirely.
It was exhausting him. He was thankful to his parent for choosing to send him to the monastery at the age of four.
Then, it was the same dream, but the Demon did succeed in holding him and flying into the darkness with him, and he only woke up when his father heard his muffled cry and ran into his room with Holy water and a rosary.
However, from the day he entered the monastery, the Demon could no longer get a hold of him, and he had a little control over his body, too.
He gently lifted himself off the carpet floor of his monastery room. He looked at the clock above his bed and saw that he was so quite early.
"3 O'clock..." He whispered.
He wasn't feeling sleepy anymore so he decided to get ready for his big day.
Finally, after twenty years of being an apprentice Exorcist, Levon was leaving the monastery for his first mission.
He'd been restless all night, even after he tried a few meditation techniques, he only managed to be calm for a few minutes before he finally fell asleep and awoke after his nightmare.
He'd only slept for two hours.
He was never one to be calm when he had something new to do.
He was up before the monastery bell even rang.
By 6 O'clock, he had already prayed, bathed, and dressed in his Cassock.
Levon didn't forget to blow out the candles on the small table beside his tiny bed which he had used to pray. Then he leaned over his bed and carried his portable black shoulder bag.
He had everything he'd be needing for the exorcism inside the bag, even a few changes of clothes for the few days he'd stay.
He quietly opened his door and walked out into the brightly lit passageway.
Just then, other exorcists started to quietly leave their rooms, too. It was time for Laud, and unless the first prayer of the day was said, it was taboo to speak from your lips without consecration your day to Christ first.
Levon shut his door and bowed down to the cross that was hung above his door, and so did others.
Each had a cross above their doors, a gentle reminder that Christ was always with them to protect and guide them.
Levon noiselessly placed his key on the little box that was attached to his door handle and turned to leave.
As they walked past each other, a few of them bowed to each other in acknowledgment and continued walking toward the doubled-door exit.
Everyone wore their Cassock, all black Cassocks. Only the ordained priests were allowed to wear the white Cassock; all of them were still under training and hoped to become renowned priests one day.
Levon walked behind a few people as they walked out of the passage and started to descend long white stairs.
He breathed a breath of fresh air when he felt the cool morning breeze blowing in from the large opened windows as walked down the stairs and into a large round hall.
This was a walkway that led to many directions, and this time, he headed straight, heading into the chapel, that's where they prayed every day, and he was looking forward to it; he always found peace in prayers.
Levon entered the very large rectangular hall with multicolored oval windows and looked right ahead at the long cross hanging on the Altar in front.
He bowed down and did the sign of the cross before he walked past a few benches and sat on the first row.
Incense smoke filtered the air as the Altar servers swung the thurible across the Altar.
Soon, the chapel was filled and they all stood as the chief priest processed toward the Altar.
"In nomine Patris," The chief priest started the prayer.
"Et filii, et Spiritus Sancti!" The crowd of exorcists and priests responded in controlled unison.
After their Laud(morning prayer), Levon quietly stood and joined the line of priests and Exorcists who were walking out of the Chapel.
"Good morning, Levon," Someone greeted beside him as he stepped out of the chapel and into the walkway.
He looked beside him and smiled, "Good morning, Patrick, sleep well?" He asked the short blonde guy.
Patrick nodded, "Yes, I did...how about you? Did the nightmare come back?" Patrick asked as they walked out of the walkway and headed toward a big yard with tall trees planted by the sides.
They were heading to the refectory, for their breakfast.
Levon nodded, "Yes, it did, but it still doesn't get close to me." He explained.
Everyone in the monastery knew about his recurring nightmare, there was no use to hide it from them.
"Do not fear, the light of Christ shall prevail at last," Patrick patted his shoulder.
"I believe that," Levon sounded enthusiastic.
Patrick smiled.
They reached a white house and climbed the small stairs in front of it, pushing open the wooden white door and entering into the long rectangular refectory.
Long tables were placed adjacent to each other, with corresponding long benches placed beside them; bright light bulbs were fixed around the white walls, illuminating the whole place, and candles were placed along the center of the table, casting a holy ambiance to the whole place.
Levon and Patrick lowered themselves to their assigned table as everything was done in an orderly manner in the monastery.
"Good morning, Levon, I heard you're leaving the monastery for a mission today?" A guy asked from across the table.
Levon nodded, "Yes, Charlie, I am," He tried to hold back his excitement.
"Wow, congratulations, brother," Charles replied.
Levon was feeling giddy; he just had to eat and sign out with the chief priest. However, the door opened, and the priest's messenger walked into the refectory, gaining the attention of everyone and causing everywhere to go quiet.
The messenger never appeared unless there was something sudden and urgent.
"Mr. Levon Calanthir, you've been summoned by the high priest," The messenger announced in the quiet hall.
