Father Clemente:

To sin or be a sinner...that conversation with Estrella made me think about life once more...as I grow older, I often wonder if the decisions I made were the correct ones...or was I just a sinner all along without noticing it…

My name is Clemente Rossi...I was born in a small town located in the southern part of Italy...Since I was a kid, I like to play with tree branches and pretended them to be swords...One day, my town was destroyed by a demon...my parents were killed in front of me by that demon...he called himself... King of Hell...Leviathan…

The only survivors were a Priest...Father Guido and me...Father Guido took me to Rome...more specifically, the Vatican...I began training to become a member of the Holy Cross just like him.

Father Guido was an exorcist, he trained me on how to control manna and use a sword...in time, I became part of the Order and started to carry out missions around the world...My objective was to find that demon and exorcise him…

For many and many years, I exorcise demons, and kill many monsters...until one day… 18 years ago...that Demon appeared in Latin America...in a place called El Dorado...it took me, Roberto who was from Yggdrasil, Maria from the Order of the Holy Maiden and a member of the Mages Association whose name I don’t remember right now to take that demon down…

However, we couldn’t kill that bastard...he disappeared before I could deliver the finishing blow..That’s when we learned the existence of the City of Gold…

I decided to retire from the Order and come to the Borderland...it was a peaceful place where me and Sister Griselda decided to form the Ministry of San Juan… This time, Griselda went to Jalisco and Sister Carolina came to replace her...I adopted four girls...Melissa, Fabiola, Abril and Mariana…

I thought I could live a peaceful life here...but I was wrong...soon Catastrophe hit the Borderland and Maria’s family disappeared...I still regret not helping them...I realized that I needed to be more active...then...Melissa was taken by the Chupacabras...I saw her be taken, I felt so helpless...I should’ve done more but I couldn’t…

After that, I decided to draw my sword once more...and protect the family I have left…

March 18th

Once again I woke up from a nightmare, the nightmare where I saw my parents get killed by that demon...I was sweating a lot and had tears on my eyes...I decided to wash my face...When I saw the mirror I saw Melissa standing behind me, she was covered in blood...I immediately turned around but there was no one there…

I guess, the guilt of not helping her still haunts me...and I deserve it for being so weak...I put my priest’ clothes...I went to the church and prayed like every morning...I began to cry as I felt the guilt of those who I killed...even though they were demons and monster, I saw them turned back to the people they were...I always pray for God for forgiveness…

I know he already forgave me...but I still can't. I feel so weak…

“Good morning Father…” Suddenly, someone talked to me, I opened my eyes and saw Sister Carolina, she was smiling at me, I immediately replied; “Oh, Good morning Sister…”

“Have you been crying again?” She immediately noticed...she’s good at seeing people’s emotions...I smiled at her and joked; “Of course, I was sad because my favorite “novela” ended yesterday...and now I don’t know what to watch at night…”

“Oh father, you’re a bad liar you know that? But it’s okay...I know why you cry...I also feel the same way...I wished I could’ve reacted sooner…” Sister Carolina left…

I know how she feels, the night of the attack of the Chupacabras, we were paralyzed by the attack and couldn’t prevent that monster taking Melissa...but I have hope, Estrella said that the Chupacabras did not ate her and that she was taken by El Muerto...but what can I do..I don’t know where she is...and I don’t have the power…

I sighed and decided to go eat breakfast. As I exited the church, I saw the four girls come out of the dining hall...everyone stopped and said; “Good morning Father…”

Seeing the girls happy and smiling makes me want to cry but I hold it back and smile; “Good morning girls, do your best okay…”

“We will…” The girls waved at me and ran to the door...I felt relieved seeing that they woke up healthy...now then, I decided to enter the dining hall and saw Maria and Daniel. Daniel, acting like a rebel, walked past me; “Good morning father…”

“Good morning…” I replied as I saw him open up a portal and disappear...I saw Maria moving her head; “What’s wrong Maria?”

“Oh nothing, you know, teenagers…” Maria smiled at me and gave me my breakfast...I can’t believe she is the same girls I took under my wing 25 years ago…

Now she has children...she has great heart, having three great children...I know that Uriel isn’t one of them but she loves him like he was her own son...to be honest, I was skeptical at first but seeing the way he acts for her mother, I am beginning to believe that they were actually related…

I ate my breakfast, Maria was watching the morning news...once again, another child disappeared in Sun City...that’s weird, children disappearing...something similar happened 10 years ago...I pray that those kids are alright…

I looked at Maria and asked; “So Maria, how are you feeling today?”

“I am doing better, Father, but sometimes I feel depressed…” She replied to me, I understand...she lost her husband and her son...now two of her children moved to the neighboring city...I believe that it’s because of the sudden increase of Sombras there...I bet she is worried...I tried to make a joke:

“Hey Maria…” Maria looked at me, I was wearing a hat like “Don Ramon” from “El Chavo del 8” , a famous Mexican television series...she began to laugh at my imitation...I tried to make her feel better...at least that’s what I hope for…I grabbed her shoulder and said; “Don’t give up Maria, you still have your children…”

I went to give a mass...after the ceremony, I decided to read a little, after that, I decided to exercise...despite being in my fifties, I can’t let the young ones beat me...I do some cardio and do exercise in the hills...I have to be in top shape if I want to protect the people I care about...I know it sounds so cliche, but it’s the truth…

After training, I decided to eat lunch...and go for a walk. As I walked, I saw many of my friends...old men and women that go to church...I used to have personal work at the Ministry, but now, Maria and Carolina are the ones in charge and now that I have more people, I think it’s better to just stick with us…

The good thing comes at night...I changed into my black attire and walked out the door…

“Are you going to hunt Father?” Carolina said as I was heading towards the door...I smiled at her and did not answer...She sighed and replied; “Very well...tonight’s your turn but don’t forget to come at 3 am okay...you still need some sleep…”

3am? That’s when the fun started...As I walked down the street...I saw children playing and adults drinking and having fun...I wished these peaceful days could be forever...however, as the sun sets and the moon begins to shine...that’s when the fun begins…

(GGYYYYAAHHHH)

I heard a woman screaming, I figured that they appeared...I walked calmly as I whistled my favorite song...I saw people running as fast as they could screaming; “Un Demonio...Corran…” (A Demon...Run…) They came faster tonight...very well...I came here to stop them…

I reached the house, the lights were off...I could only hear the voice of a girl being dragged by something...I wish it’s a level 2 this time...I get tired of level 1…

Just to be clear, most of the deaths in the world occur at night, but not humans...no, that’s what the police and the media want us to believe...the real reason is those disgusting monsters…

(RRRAAAWWW)

I reached the second floor and saw Sombra with a women on its claws...I sighed and said; “Hey Sombra...let her go now…” Of course the Sombra didn’t understand and charged straight at me…

(SSSSLLLAASSHHHH)

I brought out my sword...and slashed the Sombra in half...the Sombra shined a golden light and disappeared...I did that thing a favor and purified it...To be honest...I hate it when they attack innocent people...I looked at the woman and asked; “Hija, are you okay?”

She didn’t respond, she was probably dying because her manna was stolen...I closed my eyes and chanted; “Curacion” (Heal) I healed her and recovered her manna with my prayers...she opened her eyes and said; “Go home hija...here is dangerous…”

She immediately began to run away...I soon felt the presence of more Sombras coming this way...my heart began to pound with excitement...I haven’t had this much fun since 20 years ago...come you demons...I want to purify each and last one of you…

Oh Lord, please protect me and my family as I know a war is coming…

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Sister Carolina:

Hola a todos...Hello to everyone...My name is Carolina De La Hoya...I was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco in Mexico...ever since I had memory, I have been part of the Order of the Holy Maiden…

I am very clumsy...and filled with bad luck which I often make mistakes, that’s probably why I was sent here...but lucky me, I am under the guidance of the best member of the Order...Maria Di Fiore...not only that, I was trained by her and I was already her pupil…

But I am very clumsy...whenever I do chores, I end up making it worse...but I will never give up...I will always do my best because that’s my way…

March 18th

I woke up once again before sunrise...I decided to change into my nun’s attire and go out to sweep the front…As I walked into the hallway, I saw Fabiola dressed in running clothes, she looked at me and smiled; “Good morning Sister Caroline…”

“Good morning Fabiola, going for the morning run?” I asked her, knowing her answer. She nodded in agreement and headed towards the door...Fabiola is so determined...she reminds me of me back in the day…

I went outside to sweep...I like to do it every morning because I love to see the sunrise...it’s so beautiful and it reminds me of how beautiful life can be in a world full of darkness…

I finished with the sweeping and went to the kitchen. I entered the kitchen and saw Maria who was already cooking; “Good morning Maria…” I said to her, she looked at me and smiled; “Good morning Carolina...breakfast is almost ready…”

“Let me help you with that…” I grabbed some water, as soon as I walked two steps, I stepped on my dress and fell; “Gyahhhh….” -CCCRRAASHHH- I spilled water over me...again...Maria immediately helped me get up; “Are you okay?”

“Yes...I’m sorry, I’m very clumsy…” I chuckled...Maria also chuckled and replied; “Try to be more careful…”

“I will…” I replied to her, but I felt so bad...I’m always like this, that’s why we had people come over and help us...before Maria, it was Melissa…Maria finished preparing breakfast, and I saw the girls entering the Dining hall in their school uniform…

Mariana,Abril and Estrella came to me and greeted me; “Good morning Sister Carolina…”

“Good morning…” I replied with a smile. Fabiola also came and they ate breakfast. Daniel also came and greeted me with his silent attitude...Daniel has always been very distant to me…

After breakfast, the girls went to school, Father Clemente prepared to give the morning mass. This time, I decided to help him…After the mass, I decided to try and help Maria with the chores and this is how it went…

I decided to clean the hallway with a mop...I dropped the water and fell down…After that, I decided to cut the grass, but I ripped my skirt off...it was so embarrassing…I decided to clean the windows, but I slipped and was hanging on the window…

Ugghhh...today was so ordinary for me...I feel so ashamed of being clumsy…

I was curled up in the corner feeling down...I remember that Sister Griselda always scolded me for being so clumsy...One time, I accidentally set the church on fire because I dropped a candle on the oil…

That’s probably why I was forced to come here about 5 years ago...right after the Borderland Catastrophe...I was sent here because Sister Griselda, the one who was here in the Ministry, took over the Ministry in Tapatio…

The first months were difficult...the girls did not trust me and I was clumsier than usual...but in time, thanks to Melissa...the girls began to open up to me…

Melissa was a great help...I really miss her, despite being 16 years old, she was really smart and mature…

As I looked at the sky, I began to tremble as I remembered that fateful night, the night she was taken away…

On that night, I was just about to go to sleep, when my “water barrier” was moved, I screamed to the Father...suddenly, we heard a scream;

“MMMEEELLLLIISSAAA”

We went outside and saw the Chupacabras taking Melissa, I summoned my Holy Lance and tried to stop the beast but it's paralyzing screaming...I can’t help feeling useless, every time I remember Fabiola screaming and crying as she saw Melissa being taken…

The girls stopped talking to me, in fact, Fabiola told me that we were useless and that she would be the one who would hunt the Chupacabras…

Thank God...Uriel arrived, he and Alejandro managed to save Fabiola...and with the help of Yggdrasil, they defeated them…

Estrella said that Melissa might be alive...so I don’t lose hope...I went to the grocery store later that day, the sun was going to set...and I saw Father Clemente walking with his staff…

“Are you going to hunt Father?” I asked him, he was heading to the door and smiled at me. I sighed and said; “Very well...tonight’s your turn but don’t forget to come at 3 am okay...you still need some sleep…”

I knew that he was going to hunt...I know that after the invasion, he began to hunt the Sombras as he said to me; “Uriel can’t handle the Sombras alone...we need to begin to hunt them otherwise, we will lose everyone…”

I understand how he feels, to be honest...I also go and hunt the Sombras...I need purify them...otherwise, I feel like I won’t be able to grow…

I decided to step outside...I was at the door looking at the moon...Suddenly, I felt the presence of a Sombra nearby...Father Clemente was going to another part of the city…

I decided to head towards the Sombra; “GYYAHHH HELP ME…” A middle school girl ran away from a Sombra, the Sombra had the shape of a gorilla with a jaguar face...it looked scary and horrible…

I made my Lance of San Marcos appear and let me tell you, the one thing I am not clumsy in anything is when I attack...that’s why...this is the real reason I was brought here is becuase of my skills…

“Oh Lord, please purify this soul” I prayed for the safety of the monster’s soul becuase the monster was a pure being once….-SSSLLLAASHHH- I slashed the Sombra and purified it with ease...the girl thanked me and I helped her get home…

After that, I felt the presence of a powerful being, I pointed my lance at the shadow and a being with red eyes appeared; “You’re doing great, Carolina…” Uriel came from the shadows, he was wearing his Mariachi Attire. I sighed feeling relieved and asked him why he was here.

“ I came here to visit my mom…” He answered honestly, but I know that he came to check on me...he always does that… I smiled at him and replied; “I see..so why are you here?”

“I am always checking on the city...and more importantly, the people I care about…”

I chuckled upon hearing those words, the Sisters that I grew up with would never believe me that I am friends with El Charro Negro… I walked with Uriel back to the Ministry but I tripped again and almost fell. Uriel prevented me from falling by catching me...he looked at me and said; “You know, you can be clumsy sometimes...but you’re the strongest here...please continue to protect this city…”

That’s when I noticed that he wasn’t lying, he did believe in me...I smiled at him and thanked him because I felt useful once again...

The End…