A NEFARIOUS PLOT

The demonic beasts had entered the temple unbeknownst to its residents. The number of casualties was minimal for the temple had measures against such tragedies.

It seemed this was not the first such a thing had happened but they did not expect it so quickly.

The temple was left abandoned with no one in sight, one disintegrated in glowing white dust as soon as the light of their eyes faded, a precaution by the temple to prevent the unknown.

" He was surely here, I will never mistake his smell," a wolf-like demonic beast said as it made sniffing sounds. It looked more like a werewolf than an actual wolf. Standing tall on its hind legs it ordered its companions to search the vicinity making sure no stone was left unturned.

********

" That dammed witch, she got us again" voices echoed in a seemingly empty room. The room was dark with the only light being a pair of bright, fiery red eyes.

*********

Maxwell had completely integrated into his new environment. It had been a month since he joined this unfamiliar family, but he had become completely accustomed to their ways.

In Maxwell's new home, everyone rose from bed at seven in the morning to recite a prayer to their goddess and it was such an occasion, that Sister Theresa went around waking the children who still

"Hail, Isis, the mother of all.

The one who provides for everyone, regardless of their essence.

Hail, Isis, blessed is your nurturing embrace, which has nourished countless and shall sustain even more..."

They all recited in unison with some of the children mumbling strange words trying to lip-sync with the rest but failing miserably.

Maxwell, despite his late arrival to the family, had no problem reciting the prayer.

He found happiness among them, although not without its occasional rough patches. Within their tight-knit community, disputes and minor scuffles were not uncommon, and sometimes, discontent brewed. However, despite these occasional hiccups, the overall picture was one of happiness and contentment.

Two whole years had gone by, but strangely, he still didn't know the name of the place he called home.

" Sister Theresa, what is the name of our home, I can tell is not a typical home but more like an organization", Maxwell asked the young woman who was helping him tie his shoes.

Theresa was a bit dumbfounded at his question, how could a five-year-old child ask such an intelligent question?

She was happy to find a child that showed promise among the bunch.

She was also happy for another reason, at the age of five, children are transported to the capital where they receive quality education. She had wanted to tell the kids about it but no one had bothered to ask. Most if not all of the children at the residence were below five and thus will not bother themselves with questions that are not related to food or entertainment.

" This place is known as Mother Isis orphanage, a charity organization named after the goddess of motherhood, Isis, next week you and your friends will be sent to the main branch in the capital" Sister Theresa spoke as she made the last knot on Maxwell's shoelace.

" Thank you, sister...Wow, I can't wait... Mike, did you hear that, we will leave for the capital next week" Maxwell rose to his feet from the bench he sat on and rushed to his friend's side sharing the good news.

At the dining table, Ruth and Theresa sat as they took their meal.

"Sister Ruth, Max is a very clever boy, I would like to take him with me for tomorrow's rounds" Theresa declared as she picked a piece of bread from the dining table where she sat.

"If you promise to go with Reuben, I will allow it," Sister Ruth said, casting a glance at Theresa.

" That guy does not smile, I don't think I have even seen his teeth before" Theresa grumbled looking at Ruth dejectedly.

"He's a soldier, what do you expect, If you do not ask him to join you, you cannot take Maxwell with you," Ruth said with a slight irritation in her tone.

" Okay I will"

*********

The next day

" Wow, I have never been outside the orphanage, that looks beautiful what is it used for... Sister Theresa, what about that..." Maxwell continued talking as he pointed to almost everything he saw.

Theresa was a bit preoccupied as she gave out bread to the old folks in the slums they had chosen to visit today.

Occasionally, the orphanage goes to less fortunate homes providing them with the little that they could spare.

" Don't bother her or she will not bring you out with her again" Reuben the guard who accompanied them said to Maxwell. Maxwell aware of his mistake nodded, he took some bread out of the sack that they had brought and reached out his hand, presenting the bread to an elderly man.

" You have the smell of a god... No gods, kid who are you" The old man looked at Maxwell with a shocked expression.

" I am Maxwell and what of you old man", the innocent five-year-old boy, who didn't grasp the elderly man's intention, replied, assuming he was asking for his name.

" Stephen." The old man was now more perplexed, he slowly gave out his name unsure of what the boy in front of him was.

" That's all for today, I will not be here next month but another nun will take my place" Theresa announced as she gave the last of the bread to a sweet old woman.

" Why, where will you be," the old woman asked Theresa.

" My shift in this town is over and I will be leaving for the capital" Theresa responded looking dejected.

"Oh, it's that time of year... Good luck and thank you" the woman spoke as she threw Theresa a sweet smile.

They left the place, and Theresa decided to make pit stops to show Maxwell around.

*********

" My lord, I have found him" the elderly man who had spoken to Maxwell earlier, said as he knelt in front of a huge boulder. The boulder shook seemingly reacting to his words.

" Yes, My lord he was with the Isis group" the man spoke seemingly aware of what the shake meant.

The boulder remained unmoving, like a clock the elderly man stood up made a bow, and left.

*******

A large table stood at the center of an endless desert. The table was made of stone, and sitting around it were beings whose faces and figures were obscured. They looked like mirages that disappear the closer you get to them. The only being who had a clear figure was the earth golem that sat at the end of the large table.

"We have located it," the golem spoke, though how it communicated is unknown, given its lack of a mouth.

" I got the news too, but that thing is with a troublesome bunch" a voice reverberated across the table, its source unknown.

" Isis, will kill anyone who touches her toys, how are we to deal with it this time"

" I hear they will be leaving for the capital, we can ambush them on the way"

" Pazuzu's territory is on the path to the capital, let's get him to help. He does not care for anyone and will attack Isis' toys without a second thought as long as the price is right"

Voices continued to sound across the large table.

The figures around the table nodded, agreeing to what they had discussed.

The figures slowly disappeared as they felt there was no need to continue, leaving behind the rock golem.

The rock golem sighed as its body crumbled into the rocks that formed it.

********

" Are you guys ready, If not pack up the last of your remaining stuff. We will leave you behind if you take too long" Theresa said sternly as she gazed at the kids who stood in front of her.

" It seems you are all ready, let's go" she spoke once again as she left for the orphanage gates.

It had been a week since Maxwell and Theresa had visited the slums. It was time for the children who were five years and above to depart for the capital. They followed behind Theresa like ducklings behind a mother duck. There were a total of twelve kids who were being taken to the capital. Sister Ruth stood behind them, making sure that none left the line.

They arrived at a public teleportation gate hoping it could take them directly to the capital but fate had other plans. A gate that had been in operation for the last three hundred years was coincidentally having its maintenance done today.

This was not an uncommon occurrence and thus the sisters did not think much of it.

They had to leave today so that they could make it in time for the opening ceremony.

They went t the transportation guild and placed a request of which was immediately approved.

They were immediately given the best horse-driven carriage and strong-looking men to act as their escorts.

Everything was ready and they made their way to the capital unbeknownst of what awaited them.