Conquest Apocrypha

Prologue: The Beach

On the beach, for the first time, time seemed to stand still. For eons it had progressed relentlessly, but in this fleeting moment, it paused.

It might have been a trick of perspective or a mere hallucination, but the ocean, the breeze, and the clouds appeared utterly frozen.

Then, the clouds parted to reveal a vision of a lamb with a deep gash around its throat. The lamb spoke in a soft, haunting tone, "Why? Why have you forsaken me?"

Its words cut through my thoughts. I recognized the lamb and understood its purpose. Though it had once been a source of comfort in my childhood, I knew I had to oppose it.

"I have not forsaken you, Lamb," I said. "I have merely shed the chains that bound me. I reject the role imposed upon me and seek freedom for both myself and the world."

The lamb fell silent.

After a while, a thunderous voice resonated within my mind.

"So be it."

From that moment, I understood my fate was sealed.

Suddenly, the waves began crashing upon the shore once more. I felt the breeze on my face and the cold sand between my toes. Time had cycled back, and the vision of the lamb above me was replaced by nine golden angels converging towards a central point in the sky.

A sense of unease gripped me as the angels ceased their ascent and turned to face me, their eyes blazing with fire. They began to materialize suits of armor, reminiscent of Roman design but crafted from pure diamonds. Their chests were broad, their abs defined, and each angel wore a silver crown encrusted with precious jewels-rubies, sapphires, amethysts-their radiance intensified by the sun gleaming off their diamond armor.

The angels then manifested weapons made from precious stones. Some wielded swords, others lances, and a few held bows.

Looking down at myself, I saw only tattered rags clinging to my frame, and I had no weapon even as humble as a stone.

Before I could think of an escape, all nine angels charged at me with a battle cry that echoed in my mind: "Holy! Holy! Holy!"