4:30 AM – The Convent Awakens

The convent stirred to life as the nuns began their daily routine. Sister Elena was the first to rise, her senses sharpened by an inexplicable unease. She made her way to the shower room, the dim light casting long shadows on the stone walls.

As the water cascaded over her, she felt a sudden chill—a coldness that seeped into her bones, unrelated to the temperature of the water.

The air grew heavy, oppressive, as if the very atmosphere was alive with malice. "Oh, Lord," she whispered, her voice trembling.

"Something is wrong. How can this sacred place feel so… tainted?" Shaking off the dread, Sister Elena finished her bath and dressed quickly, her movements deliberate as she prepared for the morning prayer.

She joined the other sisters in the chapel, but as she walked down the hallway, something caught her eye. The statue of the Virgin Mary, usually a symbol of serenity, now bore an unsettling expression. The Virgin's lips curled into a faint, cynical grin, and her eyes seemed to follow Elena as she passed. Elena paused, her heart pounding. She stepped closer, her gaze locked on the statue. To her horror, the Virgin's eyes shifted—left to right, up and down—as if alive. A wave of fear washed over her, but she clenched her fists, refusing to give in to panic. "Stay strong," she murmured to herself. "Faith is your shield."

She joined the other sisters in the chapel, kneeling in prayer. But as she closed her eyes, a voice hissed in her ear, low and venomous. "You filthy girl, clinging to your chastity for His highness!" Elena's breath hitched, and a cold shiver raced down her spine. Her hands trembled as she gripped her rosary, but she forced herself to remain calm.

"I will not falter," she whispered, her voice steady despite the fear clawing at her heart. The morning prayer concluded, and the sisters filed out of the chapel, their voices hushed as they discussed the strange heaviness in the air.

One of the sisters tapped Elena's shoulder. "Did you feel it too? The cold, the weight… it was like something dark was watching us." Elena nodded.

"Yes. It felt… unnatural." Another sister added, her voice trembling, "It's as if a storm is brewing. Something terrible is coming." The sisters dispersed to their daily chores—teaching the orphans, preparing meals, and tending to the convent's needs.

The morning passed uneventfully, but the lingering sense of dread remained. By the time the sisters gathered for the afternoon prayer, Elena was on edge, her nerves frayed. Thankfully, the prayer proceeded without incident, and she breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Lord," she murmured. "Perhaps the darkness has passed."

But as the sisters prepared for dinner, a piercing scream shattered the calm. It came from the courtyard, near the fountain where the statue of the Virgin Mary stood.

The sisters rushed to the scene, their gasps echoing as they saw the statue's face twisted into a grotesque grin.

The air grew heavy once more, and a cold wind swept through the courtyard, carrying with it a sense of malevolence. "Holy Mother, what is this?" one of the sisters cried, making the sign of the cross.

Mother Superior arrived moments later, her expression grim but resolute. She surveyed the scene and issued swift instructions. "Gather salt, blessed water, and dirt from the sacred ground. Hurry!" The sisters scrambled to obey, but Elena hesitated, her mind racing.

"Why hasn't she called the exorcist?" she wondered. Once the items were collected, Mother Superior mixed them into a thick paste and began drawing a circle around the statue. She turned to the sisters, her voice commanding. "Hold your rosaries close.

If you cannot bear what you see, close your eyes. Do not let your faith waver!" A sudden gust of wind swept through the courtyard, and the atmosphere grew suffocating.

The statue twitched, its movements jerky and unnatural. Cracks spread across its surface as it began to dance—a macabre, twisted performance accompanied by an eerie, grating sound.

Mother Superior stepped forward, her sleeves rolled up and a rosary tied tightly around her arm. She began to pray, but the words were unfamiliar to Elena. It was not the Lord's Prayer or the Hail Mary, but a plea for divine intervention.

"Heavenly Father, though I am but Your humble servant, a speck of dust in Your sight, grant me the strength to bind this demon and cast it back into the depths of hell. Guide me in this battle, in Your holy name, through Your Son, our King. Amen!" As she spoke, glowing markings—divine seals—appeared on her arms, radiating with holy light. Her eyes burned with fervor as she approached the possessed statue.

With a swift, powerful motion, she grabbed the statue's head and slammed it to the ground. The divine seals transferred from her arms to the statue, and the malevolent energy dissipated. The statue returned to its original form, its expression serene once more.

The courtyard fell silent, the oppressive atmosphere lifting. Sister Elena stared at Mother Superior, awe and relief flooding her. "For a 65-year-old nun, you are truly remarkable," she said, her voice filled with admiration.

Mother Superior smiled faintly, though her expression remained serious. "Thank you, but this is only a temporary solution. The entity is sealed, but not vanquished. Call the bishop. We need an ordained exorcist—a true priest, not a layman.

" As the sisters dispersed, Mother Superior stood alone in the courtyard, her gaze distant. She sighed heavily, her thoughts turning to the challenges ahead. "Perhaps I need more than an exorcist," she murmured. "Perhaps I need the renegades."

For now, the convent was at peace, but the battle was far from over. They could only wait and prepare for the arrival of the exorcist—and whatever darkness lay beyond.

6:00 AM – The Bishop's Office

The phone rang sharply in the quiet office of Bishop Santiago.

He set down his cup of coffee and picked up the receiver.

"Yes, this is Bishop Santiago speaking. Who's calling?" A familiar voice responded, calm but urgent.

"Hello, Father. This is Sister Elena from the convent."

"Ah, Sister Elena," the bishop said, his tone softening.

"What brings you to call so early? Is everything alright?"

"Everything is fine, Father," Elena replied. "But Mother Superior has asked me to request an exorcist. We've had… an incident."

The bishop's brow furrowed. "An incident? What happened? Are the sisters safe? How is Mother Superior?"

"Everyone is unharmed, thanks to Mother Superior," Elena explained. "The statue of the Virgin Mary was possessed. She and the sisters managed to contain the spirit, but it's only a temporary solution. We need an exorcist to fully resolve this."

Bishop Santiago let out a sigh of relief. "Thank the Lord no one was hurt. As it happens, Father Cedric has just returned from the Vatican. He's completed his training in demonology and is now a fully ordained exorcist."

"Cedric is back?" Elena's voice brightened. "Mother Superior will be pleased to hear that. His expertise will be invaluable." "I hope so," the bishop said with a chuckle. "I'll send him to the convent as soon as possible."

After ending the call, Bishop Santiago sat in silence for a moment, contemplating the gravity of the situation. He rose from his desk and made his way to Father Cedric's office.

A soft knock echoed through the door. "Come in," Cedric called.

The bishop entered, greeted by the sight of Cedric organizing books on his desk.

"Bishop," Cedric said, surprised. "To what do I owe this visit?"

"I hope I'm not disturbing you," the bishop replied.

"Not at all," Cedric said with a smile. "What's on your mind?" "It's about the convent," the bishop began. "They've been dealing with a malicious spirit.

Sister Elena called this morning to request an exorcist." Cedric's expression turned serious. "A spirit? Was anyone harmed?"

"No, thankfully. Mother Superior managed to contain it, but they need your help to banish it completely."

Cedric nodded thoughtfully. "That woman is remarkable. For a 65-year-old nun, she's as fierce as they come." The bishop chuckled.

"Indeed. When can you leave for the convent?" "This afternoon," Cedric said, stifling a yawn. "I just returned from the Vatican, so I could use a bit of rest before heading out." "Of course," the bishop said.

"I'll prepare the necessary paperwork for the exorcism rite. Get some rest, Father. You'll need your strength." After the bishop left, Cedric lay down on his cot, exhaustion overtaking him. But as he drifted into sleep, a shadowy figure materialized in the room.

It took the form of a woman, her presence both alluring and menacing. "So, this is the exorcist," the figure purred, her voice dripping with malice. She glided toward Cedric, her shadowy hands caressing his chest, her touch icy yet electrifying. Slowly, she began to undress him, her breath hot against his ear as she whispered, "Let's see how long you can resist, Father."

Cedric's body stiffened, paralyzed by the succubus's power. He could feel her hands exploring his body, her fingers tracing his skin with deliberate slowness. Panic surged through him as he realized the danger he was in. If he gave in to her temptations, he would never wake again. Summoning every ounce of willpower, Cedric forced his eyes open. Beside his pillow, he spotted his rosary.

With a desperate lunge, he grabbed it and began to pray fervently. As the words left his lips, a warm, golden light emanated from the rosary, enveloping his body. The succubus hissed in pain, her form flickering as the divine energy burned her.

"This isn't over, darling," she sneered before vanishing into the shadows. Cedric sat up, breathing heavily. "Holy hell," he muttered, clutching the rosary. "Thank you, Lord." He quickly dressed and hurried to the bishop's office. "Santiago," Cedric said, his voice urgent. "I need you to research the history of the convent. A succubus attacked me in my sleep. I think it's connected to what's happening there." The bishop's face paled. "A succubus? Good heavens. I'll have the seminarians gather the necessary materials and prepare your belongings.

Manong Jojo will drive you to the convent." "Thank you," Cedric said, his tone grateful but tense. Before leaving, Cedric entered the confession booth, cleansing his soul of any sins. It was a necessary step—any unresolved guilt could be used against him during the exorcism.

As he emerged, the bishop embraced him. "Be careful, my boy. The road ahead is perilous." Cedric nodded. "I will, Santiago. Pray for me." Outside, Manong Jojo waited by the car, the engine idling. "Take care on the road," the bishop said to the driver. "No need to rush." "Don't worry, Bishop," Manong Jojo replied. "We'll say a prayer before we go."

The seminarians gathered to bid Cedric farewell, their faces a mix of concern and hope. As the car pulled away, Cedric leaned back, his mind racing. The battle ahead would be fierce, but he was ready.

Meanwhile, in the Convent

After the morning prayer, Mother Superior made her way to the chamber where the possessed statue was kept. The air was heavy, and the faint scent of incense lingered. She approached the statue, her eyes narrowing as she noticed fresh cracks spreading across its surface. The seal was weakening.

"Hmm… it seems my seal was effective, but its power is fading," she murmured to herself, her voice tinged with concern.

Suddenly, one of the younger sisters stepped too close to the protective circle drawn around the statue. Mother Superior's voice rang out sharply, "Do not step into the circle, child! Do not even approach it. Remember, the entity we face is both powerful and cunning. A single misstep could doom us all."

The sister quickly retreated, her face pale. "Yes, Mother. Forgive me."

Mother Superior gave her a reassuring nod. "Stay vigilant, my daughter. This is no ordinary evil we are dealing with."

After ensuring the statue was secure, Mother Superior left the chamber and walked down the quiet hallway toward her office. The convent was serene, but beneath the surface, an undercurrent of unease lingered.

As she turned a corner, she encountered Sister Elena. The young woman's calm demeanor belied the storm within her. Mother Superior gently took her hand. "Sister Elena, could you join me in my office?"

"Of course, Mother," Elena replied softly.

Once inside the office, Mother Superior closed the door and gestured for Elena to sit. The room was simple, with a large wooden desk and a crucifix hanging on the wall. Sunlight filtered through the stained-glass window, casting colorful patterns on the floor.

"About the exorcist I requested from the bishop," Mother Superior began, "have we received his approval?"

"Yes, Mother," Elena replied. "The bishop has assigned Father Cedric to assist us."

Mother Superior's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Cedric? Interesting." She paused, her gaze steady as she studied Elena's face. "May I ask you something, my child? I hope it does not offend you."

Elena nodded, though a flicker of apprehension crossed her features. "Of course, Mother. You may ask me anything."

Mother Superior leaned forward, her hands clasped on the desk. "You came to this convent at the age of sixteen, did you not? According to your records, you were rescued from the Cult of the Worshippers of Ishtar. Is that correct?"

Elena's breath hitched, but she remained silent as Mother Superior continued.

"The cult was known for its profane rituals and carnal indulgences. You were chosen as the embodiment of Ishtar, were you not? The leader, Verago, would perform incantations to summon the spirit of Ishtar through your body. And politicians… they would…" Mother Superior hesitated, her voice softening. "They would use you, believing that by satisfying Ishtar's spirit, their desires would be granted. Tell me, child, what happened on the night you were saved from Verago's grasp?"

Elena's hands trembled, and she looked away, struggling to find the words. Mother Superior reached out and gently placed a hand over hers. "Take your time, my child. Your story may hold the key to what we are facing now."

After a long silence, Elena sighed deeply. "Mother, what I tell you must remain between us."

"You have my word," Mother Superior assured her.

Elena began, her voice barely above a whisper. "It was during the campaign season in a small town in the Visayas. I was only sixteen when Verago told me to prepare for a journey. Mayor Simon Cojuangco had requested the cult's help to secure his victory in the election. We traveled by ship to the mayor's estate. When we arrived, it was clear that the people favored his opponent, Don Paulo—a kind and beloved man. Mayor Simon was desperate."

She paused, her eyes distant as she relived the memory. "Verago instructed the mayor to prepare a feast, as it was necessary for the summoning ritual. I was dressed in a revealing outfit, my skin painted gold. The feast began, and the guests arrived. Verago ordered me to… to please the men. I was used by them, over and over, until I was on the verge of losing consciousness. That's when the spirit of Ishtar would take hold of me."

Elena's voice broke, but she forced herself to continue. "Verago began the incantation, and Mayor Simon was to be the last. He… he started to undress me, kissing my neck, my lips… but just as he was about to—" She shuddered, unable to finish the sentence.

"A man appeared," she said, her voice steadier now. "Tall, muscular, and cloaked in shadows. He grabbed Simon and… decapitated him with his bare hands. Verago tried to cast a spell, but chains materialized out of nowhere, binding him. The man tore off his cloak, revealing braided hair and a powerful build. He killed Verago in the same manner, without hesitation."

Elena's eyes filled with tears. "Before I lost consciousness, he placed a pendant around my neck—a red stone that trapped Ishtar's spirit. He told me that one day, I would have to face her spirit and break free from her curse. Then he brought me here, to the convent, and disappeared."

Mother Superior listened intently, her expression unreadable. When Elena finished, she leaned back in her chair. "I see," she said quietly. "Time will reveal when you must break your vows as a sister."

Elena's eyes widened. "Break my vows? What do you mean, Mother?"

Mother Superior smiled faintly. "You will understand when the time comes. For now, prepare yourself and the convent for Father Cedric's arrival. Ensure his quarters are ready."

As Elena left the office, Mother Superior stepped into the convent's garden. She gazed up at the sky, her thoughts heavy. "I hope Elena opens her heart," she murmured. "She was never meant to be a nun. She will make a great mother one day."

Her eyes drifted to the convent gates, where two figures in monk's robes stood. A small smile touched her lips as