The walls of the room lit up suddenly and briefly as lightning tears apart the night sky. Inside, a mother screams as she gives birth to her first child and the rumble of thunder is quickly overpowered by her cries. The bed maiden looks down upon her suffering, screaming queen, and in an instant the clean white sheets turn crimson red and wet with blood. The girl faints and falls to the floor with a slight gasping noise and as the birth is complete the room falls dead silent, followed by the sounds of pelting rain tapping harshly across the window.
"Lady Alaishana has died, My Lord Miazha."
"And the child?"
"A beautiful Elven girl, sire, her beauty befitting of a princess."
The king bowed his head and wept for his love, covering his eyes with his hands. This child he had never wished for had taken the life of his sweet love. How intelligent and beautiful his wife his wife had been, with wise, sparkling green eyes and thick black hair.
"Would you like to see the child, sire?"
"No, no. Just do as I told you, and quickly. This great tragedy that has befallen us could only be the work of a dark and powerful force. The birth of this child can mean only impending disaster for all my land, and those who serve me. Be gone with her now, and I decree from this day forth the child shall not return to my Kingdom until her soul has been cleansed and her heart is filled with the light of Eldath. Leave my presence, now, for I wish to be alone with my wife."
The lovely maiden bowed her head and returned to the room where the queen lay, her life drained from her body. From her side, she picked up the newborn child and gazed upon its delicate face, her soft black hair and bright green eyes. Something with such beauty could never possess an ounce of wickedness, she thought to herself, but always faithful to her liege, she carried the child off and prepared herself for the night journey ahead of her.
Escorted by two of the most noble and strong Elves of the forest civilization of Anthraenador, the maiden slowly made her way through the deep dark Elretrieene Forest, seeking a monastery devoted to Eldath, located somewhere near the opposite edges, near the Palestrine Lake. The forest was silent the as they wandered into its depths, which came as a relief but not a surprise. For within the forest beyond Lord Miazha's kingdom, short of foliage, life refused to grow. Nobody was completely certain why, but it was said that centuries ago an evil mage had cast a curse upon the forest, devouring it of its beauty and life. For this reason, the forest had earned the nickname The Eternal Nothing.
Arriving at the monastery, the maiden was amazed at the beauty of the grove, for it was nothing like the surrounding forest. While the priests within the monastery worked constantly to give new life to the forest, they had up until this time been unsuccessful, short of their own small area, which was enclosed by high walls on all sides. Here, however, was a place of ever growing beauty.
Flowers pervaded the air with fresh scents, and the grasses and trees had taken on a beautiful, bright green color. A small stream wove its way around the temple, and reflected clearly the colors of dawn as the sun began to rise above the world. The human High Priestess met the Elven maiden at the gates and gracefully accepted the child into her arms. "May Eldath bless this child and fill her heart with kindness and her mind with peace," the High Priestess declared, "from this day forth she shall be known as Siera Llynaestrea Miazha, Elven child of Eldath, and her life will be one of tranquility." With that, the Elven maiden and two escorts left the monastery and began their voyage home, leaving Siera in the possession of the monastery, never to know or to see her father or home again.
The monastery was ran by mostly humans who lived and spent all of their lives there. A few other traveling priests would come and go, along with the chore boys, who's parents had sent them off to work for the monastery hoping to teach them discipline and righteousness. Often these boys were not humans, but only half. These were the first companions of Siera, but she learned right away that such creatures were not ones to grow close to, as they aged so quickly (Even her High Masters aged and died, only to be replaced by another. In this way, the young Elf's life was in a constant state of change, and she saw little value in the lives of these humans). So instead of making alliances and learning the values of friendship, she soon began to play games with these lesser creatures, their short-lived lives meaningless to her.
Manipulation became an art to her, one she strived to perfect. Between her mind and her beauty, Siera always got her way and came to expect this. There was nothing worse to her now than rejection, and she was well aware of the fact that her Elven blood made her better than those who surrounded her. She continued her studies of Eldath, but her faith remained weak, for she knew in her heart that peace never existed and in this ever-changing environment, it would never exist. Her thoughts were in a constant state of disarray as she sought out the truth and enlightenment they told her she would have, but it never came. Eldath never showed interest in the child and her prayers fell onto empty ears.
And this is how her years passed. So many went by, so many worthless humans came into her life and left it when they became too old. She heard stories of life outside the monastery but was not permitted to experience it, for it was not the life for her. What was important right now, they told her, is that she find her enlightenment and perhaps then, when she is prepared, she could set off into the world to teach others of Eldath. Siera grew to be impatient, she felt herself more of a prisoner than an apprentice. She cursed her father for sending her to this place, and her mother for dying and allowing this to happen. She hated the old human hags who ran the church, and the boys of tainted blood with who she faked friendship. She hated it all, and she could think of nothing but her escape. Not from the monastery but from life itself.
This suffering she did not ask for, and the pain of life became too much for her to bare. The only thing she found comfort in now was physical pain, because it was the one way to escape the mental torment she felt. To her, her deep cuts and burns upon her flesh were real when little else was.
Peace? She had searched for it and never found it. Friends? She could barely tolerate those who surrounded her, let alone call them friends. Love? Family? She knew nothing of either, and her heart was full of grief because of it. Eventually, when her will to live had left her completely, when her pain became too overwhelming, Siera could do little but lie in her bed and think of death, of her life, and how pitiful it all was. She knew such deep sorrow was not to be a part of her nature, and yet it had become a part of her soul, just as the pain that tormented her night and day had become. Hopeless and weak, Siera waited for death.
And then Travinor Asteriennikn, known to most as simply Travis, entered her life. A chore boy he was, just like the others, only this one was different, and Siera enjoyed watching him during the day but always kept her distance, for she barely had the energy to do otherwise. He was an Elf, one of the few that she had seen enter the walls of the monastery, and she wondered why one of such a prestigious race would willingly serve the wretched humans. Travis noticed her, also, for she had grown to be a very stunning young elf, with long, thick black hair, emerald-green eyes, and a perfect, pale complexion. He caught her quite by surprise the day he approached her, as she pretended to be reciting her prayers to Eldath, which normally was little more than some cruel curses toward the Lady of Peace.
"M'Lady, I nearly find myself feeling pity for your Goddess as you recite for her your daily prayers." His voice was soft and soothing, with a hint of kindness.
"I offer to her the words she deserves, not that it is any of your concern, Elf." She spoke without emotion, for such feelings were long void of her.
With that, Siera stood from her kneeling position and returned to her bed, collapsing onto it and closing her eyes.
Travis spoke again. "If I might say so, m'lady, for such a beauty your heart has grown cold."
Siera laughed for the first time in weeks. "If you're through then, I might ask you to leave me be."
"You haven't any spirit in your voice, I see no life in your eyes," Travis studied the Elven girl as she lay sprawled out on her small bed.
"I've more life than I wish for."
"Ah. I understand now." Travis laughed loudly.
"It saddens me so to see such a fine lady act so weak, so pathetic, so utterly worthless."
Siera remained silent, for she had never heard such honest words in her entire lifetime. She knew not how one was to react, and so she merely rolled onto her side, away from the Elven boy who taunted her now.
"Is it death you want? Let me give it to you now. I see no worth in your life as it is," Travis voice suddenly became so cold, so sincere.
Siera looked up at the ceiling and brushed a strand of hair from her eyes. She then focused her attention onto the Elven boy, and gave him a slight nod of her head. With that, the boy attacked her, unsheathing a hidden dagger that ripped open her pale flesh. He struck her numerous times, each blow bringing her closer to the death she desired more than anything. She came so close, her body lay on the verge between life and death. The pain that flooded through her veins throbbed and burned simultaneously, her deep wounds turning the white comforter that covered her bed into a deep, dark crimson color. She tried to speak, to beg him to end it all now, but no voice escaped her lips. He gathered her up in his arms and she could feel her broken bones moving unnaturally beneath her skin. She could hear him chanting softly, his breath warm on her neck. She wanted to cry but could bring no tears to the surface. She lay silently, and concentrated on her pain, for at that very moment, it was all she knew.
Suddenly, all the feelings she had suppressed for so long flooded her thoughts. Her heart filled with vengeance for the unjust life that she had lived. She had so much hate, so much pain, at that very moment. And with these feelings she found great comfort and power. The strength she had lost for so long had returned to her double, and for the first time in years, she felt alive. Travis immediately realized this new spark of life and he chuckled quietly to himself, quite pleased at his accomplishment.
"My dear Siera, how do you feel?"
She remained silent and studied him, for everything now seemed to be in a new light. Had she finally reached the enlightenment they had told her about? She could think it to be nothing else she knew in that instant that she was not the same person she was only minutes before.
"With your acceptance of the pain and suffering of life, you have also accepted Her into your life." Travis spoke calmly as he stroked her blood soaked hair lovingly.
And without knowing it, Siera had. As she thought, she had finally received her enlightenment, but not through Eldath. Her years of studying became wasted in a matter of moments, because in an instant it was Loviatar who finally saved her. From that day forth, Siera vowed her service to her Mistress, Loviatar, Goddess of Pain and Torment. Travis, a follower of the Mistress since birth, as his parents were, became her teacher. And Siera was a very devote and eager student.
"Remember, Siera, that suffering exists everywhere, and is both the beginning and the end of everything. Nothing in this world is beyond the powerful force of pain. Spread it where it is needed, as well as desired. Torture itself is an art form, a technique one most know if they truly wish to teach what is True to this world. Learn it, and strike such vengeance upon all whom oppose you so that they will never fall into confrontation with you or those of Loviatar's church again." This was perhaps the most important lesson taught to her during this time of learning, and Siera will never forget those words.
As her faith increased, so did her power and her desire for freedom. Siera began to prepare for her escape from the monastery, as she knew there was nothing there for her. She sought to see the world outside the high, protective walls of the monastery, a world she knew only from the books that were used to teach her to read and write. Finally, a plan was devised. Siera could barely wait for the sun to go down, so anxious she was to complete her escape. Travis remained within the walls of the monastery that day, waiting with her until nightfall arrived. When, finally, the last old hag fell peacefully to sleep, the two young Elves acted. Quickly, they bound every sleeping victim to their beds. They then went about the monastery collecting gold, and sacred artifacts that might bring in a large sum of gold once they got beyond the monastery walls, and most importantly, they found the key that would finally release Siera from her prison.
After these tasks had been completed, the two elves woke up the few people who remained asleep by smashing apart the oil lanterns near their beds, splashing the liquid contents over the floors, bodies and beds. They then walked hand-in-hand to the gate, where they stopped and turned around. Travis summoned a pillar of flames down upon the area, and almost immediately a huge blaze broke out, destroying everything. Siera felt a slight smile cross her lips as the tortured cries for help filled the cold night air, and she couldn't help but laugh as then the screams slowly trailed off. Indeed, pain is the end of everything. Soon, the smoke became too heavy and the smells of burning flesh too much. Siera and Travis slipped out of the gates and escaped into the forest just as the sun began to rise. And for the first time, Siera was free.
The years to come were a time of transition for Siera. She lived within The Eternal Nothing with Travis, for they were thought to have died in the horrible monastery fire, and to prove otherwise would only be incriminating their selves. They got by fairly well, if not better than half the population at that time, living off the riches they collected from the monastery, and also what they managed to gain from wagons which passed through the forest from time to time. Siera spent most of her days studying the words of Loviatar, and this only increased her thirst for knowledge. She quickly learned more than Travis ever cared to know, and soon Siera realized she no longer needed the Elven boy alongside her. In fact, his presence nearly sickened her. He had become lazy and demanding, and rarely spent any hours of his day praying to Loviatar. Siera once again began to feel like a prisoner, as Travis would often keep her bound for days if she became angry toward him, or threatened to leave him. As the years passed, Siera grew to despise both Travis and the forest, and she knew that soon she would take actions against him and again regain her freedom.
"Lets play a game, Travis."
The sun had began to set and Travis sat lazily against a tree, peering up at the sky through the dead tree branches which did little to block the brilliant colors forming against the late-day sky. In the distance, a blood-red moon began to appear, and she knew it was time to act. Siera held up some rope and smiled at Travis, walking toward him slowly. As she came closer, she roughly pushed his body back against the huge oak tree. She kissed him with fierce intensity, pressing her own body firmly against his. Slowly she made her way down his torso, opening his robe and caressing his tight chest and stomach with her gentle hands and warm, wet lips. She slipped the rope around his wrists and tied it tightly around the tree. She then bound his ankles in the same manner. She remembered the words he spoke to her years ago, as if he had only said it not moments before.
"Anyone whom causes you pain deserves to suffer. If they take an eye, you take both eyes and a tongue in retaliation. Unleash upon them a pain not equal to what they gave you, but double or more."
Siera picked up a dagger from the ground and slowly, lightly, ran it down Travis' shaking body. He wanted her bad, desired her touch, her pain. She drove the dagger deeply into his stomach and twisted it before pulling it back out.
"My dear Travis, my love, I've been keeping a little secret from you for far too long." Siera spoke barely above a whisper, her lips brushing lightly over his ear.
"Tell me, what is it, beautiful Siera." His voice was rough and unsteady, his stomach wet and sticky with his own warm, red blood.
"The truth is that I can not stand you. In fact, Travis, I would indeed have to say that I despise you."
Travis seemed surprised at her words and his spirits quickly darkened. He raised his head to look into her eyes, quite uncertain if she was sincere, or if this was all part of her game.
"And what's even better is that I'm going to kill you. Rather, I'm going to leave you here so someone, or something, else may have the pleasure." Siera laughed softly at this.
Siera stuck the knife deep within his flesh again, cutting it open. She continued this process, stopping only to tease him from time to time by licking her tongue over a cut, tasting his blood on her lips. After she had finished, his flesh was red with blood and open wounds. Already she could feel the presence of curious creatures, attracted by the pervading scent of fresh blood.
Before she left, she blinded him and gathered up what little belongings she had, including all the gold available and her nine-stranded black leather whip. She then set off heading north through the dark forest. As for Travis, he barely stood a chance against whatever hungry beast awaited him that night. And before she had gone more than half a mile, she could hear his screams. Disappointed he would not suffer longer, she still managed to smile. For once again, Siera had earned her freedom.
By the young age of 120 years, Siera had become quite frustrated with her life up until this time. With her newly found freedom, she was determined to make a new and brighter future for herself. Wishing to simply leave the past where it belonged, and due to her previous crimes at the monastery, Siera felt the need to change her identity. She remembered reading of a very powerful man during her studies of Loviatar.
As the story goes, this man had lost everything in his life which held any meaning to him, and as a result of his suffering he turned to Loviatar, and promised to serve her devotedly for the remaining years of his life, if only she would bring him the strength to do so. This being done, the man, who's name was Gabriel Greenson, mercilessly spread pain and the word of Loviatar throughout the lands from which he came. As those around him suffered and fell weak before his torment, the man's own power and strength grew greater. Soon, he had behind him followers of great strength, as Loviatar would not tolerate the weak. A great plague fell upon the land, some say it was the deed of the Mistress of Pain herself, but, naturally, the man and his followers survived, while all those weaker, lesser beings perished. In this way, the man earned great power and riches throughout the land, and came to live happily ever after until the end of his days. Siera thought this man very desirable and wise, and choose her new name in his honor. Gabrielle Veritellyn, Elven Priestess of Loviatar. The name Siera was forgotten to her, and she swore harm upon anyone who dared speak it.
Unsure of where she wished to go, the priestess knew only that not a town would pass her by which did not know the charge and power of Loviatar by the time she moved on. And in this way, she lived and traveled alone for many years. She collected riches as she traveled from various men and other sources, often through manipulations and deceptions, of course, all is fair in this game. Her own survival was of the utmost importance and she knew she would do anything to assure her own existence, an excessively comfortable existence, as it was. However, though pleased as she was, eventually Gabrielle grew bored of living this nomadic lifestyle.
Traveling the ocean by means of a ferry one Springstime day, Gabrielle engaged herself in conversation with a drunken human sailor who could not keep his eyes off her slender Elven body. She told him of her plans and desires to settle down, for a while, at least, and figure out what her next move in life would be. He spoke with a slur, making his words nearly impossible to decipher, but he told her of an island known as Deku, where a town existed by the name of Verbobone. There, he told her, she would find a temple dedicated to the worship of Loviatar. Gabrielle demanded he take her there, and of course this man would have jumped into the sea to his own death if the Elf had asked him sweetly enough. He turned the ferry around, much to the dismay of the other passengers, and soon they were arriving upon the shores of Deku.
Gabrielle found her temple immediately, for that's how it was meant to be. She spent many days there afterwards, mediating and praying for Loviatar's full blessing. The final evening of her meditations, Gabrielle's vision became blurred, red, and loud shrieks of torment filled her ears. Pain overwhelmed her entire body and soon she fell to the ground, unconscious, where she lay for hours. She awoke a bit disoriented, but now she knew, with no doubts, that Loviatar had accepted her fully into the church.
