Joseph

My name is Joseph, I'm thirty years old and I've been married to my lovely wife, Hilda, for twelve years. We've just had our sixth child...but I don't feel the same joy I've felt for the rest. When I look at my son I have a bad feeling.

It isn't unfounded I swear! Its just, well he doesn't look like Hilda, or myself. I know Hilda is loyal, hell even if I did suspect her, between our time together and our children she wouldn't have had time to betray our love. Yet, its all wrong. When he first emerged I thought he was dead with how long he took to cry. His complexion, paler than death, it concerns me. Hilda and I are of fair complexion, but pale? If that were all, perhaps I could overlook it, some sunlight should return color to the boy, but its strange. The shape of his eyes, they're more slanted than ours, or our other children. Most importantly, his name. Raderius. It felt like his name was chosen by another, that the thought was planted and forced into my mind, yet I also felt powerless to resist this compulsion, why? Until now Hilda and I have always named our children after our parents and grandparents. Why did I break that tradition? Why did Hilda agree so easily? Regardless, Hilda seems to love the boy, either lacking my perception or simply not caring. For her, I'll keep my concerns to myself.

My concerns have grown more founded, our child is about two years old and his hair has begun to properly set in. Hilda's hair is brown and mine is blonde, all of our children, until now, have had some variation of blonde or brown hair. Yet, my...'son' his hair has started to grow in, much thicker than its ever been and...its black. Dark as night. His speech, its to sophisticated for a two year old. Its still clearly that of a child, but he can communicate on a level above his first older sister, Sally and almost as well as his second older sister Harriet.

Hilda, is at wonderment at having a potential genius in our family. 'Aren't you proud?' She asked me. I feigned a convincing smile and told her that I am. I faked a hearty laugh while saying that 'Maybe he'll be the first merchant, or even a knight in our family with that brain of his'. I lied, and lied while bottling up my concerns. Hilda, your happiness matters to me, but I'm sorry, tonight, I'm going to consult the village priest.

The church door is locked. There are many Gods worshipped throughout the Kingdom of Milos and residents of our fair village of Remire prays to more than a few. However, despite the low number of followers within Remire, the church of Luminous, the Lord of Light and King of Mercy is the patron God of our village. As I knock on the door, I contemplate why I chose to come this church over the others. Surely, the churches of Khalidos, Rjolk or Jaust would be more likely to vindicate me, tell me to cast the child out, tell me that I've been such a good husband and father, but now I must cast him out!

Hilda, the answer has always been Hilda. I don't want to be vindicated. I want someone, who doesn't know me very well to tell me that I'm wrong. To say that no matter the truth of it, love the boy as much as your other children and make your wife happy.

The church door opens before me and a man of the cloth stands before me. The same age as me, less muscular and more womanly, but a sharpness behind his eyes that tells me of his own greatness. His robes, white as the winter snows and adorned with golden trim; an insignia displaying a halo with two wings underneath. A staff, though he seems to have no need of it to walk adorned with gold colored scrolls. Its as if each part of him demand attention and respect.

"How can I help you?" he said softly, as if the notion of aggression could never dare to enter his lips.

"I need someone to talk to, to listen to my story and tell me what I should do." I gasped the words out raggedly, swiftly with a burning passion I didn't even realize that I possessed until now.

"I see, come in. I don't believe I've had the pleasure of your attendance at our ceremonies. My name is Adam Vishner and you are?" He said as he bade me to follow.

"Joseph. Just Joseph. Thank you for your time my lord Vishner." I replied as I looked around the church, even in this night the interior of the church looked bright, yet there was nary a candle lit. It was as if the Lord of Light deigned for his sacred spaces to never have darkness within them.

"Adam will do, my last name is a leftover formality from before I joined the church." The priest replied with a iota of what sounded like regret. Maybe afterwards I should listen to him? Can't be easy being a priest. At least outside of Raderius, my life is rather simple, not mixed up in the politics of the Gods. Adam led me to a fancy room with books and scrolls all over the rooms many shelves and even the floor! I carefully avoided those while I took a seat.

"I see, well thank you Adam. The issue is my son, you see..." I described to him the birth of my son, the strangeness surrounding his name, how his appearance differs and his mind seems beyond its age. Adam sat quietly, attentively listening to my story without a hint of judgement on his face. Comfortable, I vented all my frustrations I had bottled up and downright nearly screamed as I told him how my wife doesn't seem to share in them or even care! Getting it all off my chest, I felt much better. When my story ended, Adam looked like he was about to say something when suddenly his face froze, but his eyes displayed unadulterated happiness as if he had just received a shocking, but joyous revelation.

"Adam?..." I moved to ask him what was wrong.

Adam

My name is Adam Vishner, and the Lord has spoken to me. Godkin? I've read old tomes referencing them, but to imagine that they're real and one is in the village I've settled in! Yet, my curiosity cannot be as innocent or child-like as it usually is. The situation is dire. A child of evil? If even the King of Mercy condemns his existence, then I to, must do so.

I look at the man before me. What he wants, its to obvious. He wants to be told that his child is fine. That his worries are unfounded. In fact, interesting enough if I were to condemn the child, tell him to cast it out, his resolve to protect his 'son' would manifest. Raderius. Knowing what my Lord has told me, the name inspires nothing but disgust. Yet what can I do? I'm certain that mine is the only church of Luminous in the entire Kingdom of Milos. The nearest Kingdom with fellow clergy would take over a year to reach and who knows what powers the child would manifest before I returned with inquisitors.

I must slay Raderius myself. For the good of the world. For the Lord of Light.

Joseph

"I'm sorry, I mean no disrespect, but the Lord of Light deigned to share words with a lowly member of his clergy and it distracted me for a moment. I was moved." Adam seemed to regain his composure. That's good, he had me worried there for a moment. To think that a God spoke directly to him! Is my Raderius that important?

"The Lord has sensed doubt within you. We both understand why. However, you know as well as I do, you love him. Love for a child can't be wrong. No matter the differences you've noticed within him, love, is the answer. It always has been. You should show him the same care that you would of any of your other sons and daughters." Adam continued. I let out a sigh of relief. Adam was still speaking, but I wasn't listening anymore. I was happy, this was what I needed. Relief overwhelmed me, when I tuned back in to the conversation, it seemed Adam had moved on.

"May I see your son and offer him the blessing of the Lord of Light. It will bring him and your family good fortune." Adam asked in his soft and gentle voice.

"Of course!" Gratitude was all I had for this man. I don't believe there are more than a handful of Luminous worshippers in Remire, I haven't really chosen a God to esteem above the others, but perhaps I should with Luminous? I wonder what Hilda would say! I began to grin as I imagined the scenario and led Adam to my home.

We walked in comfortable silence. I noticed that Adams staff was absent. Isn't a symbol like that necessary when performing a blessing? Perhaps, he carries a small symbol on him. I pay it no heed as I bring him outside my home.

"Since its late, would you mind if I performed the blessing in your backyard? I wish to disturb the peace as little as possible." Adam spoke with that same softness, I thought I heard a hint of sadness in his voice, but wrote it off.

"Sure, let me go wake Raderius." I entered my home and went to Raderius's room, I gently shook him awake.

"Father?" Raderius said groggily.

"Raderius, a priest is going to perform a blessing on you, please come with me."

Raderius looked at me, he seemed to be evaluating my expression, before simply smiling, nodding his head and grabbing my hand.

I brought Raderius to our backyard where Adam was already waiting. Adam looked at us and with a determined expression on his face, bade Raderius over. Raderius looked at me. "Shy? Raderius, its ok, please go to the nice man." Raderius seemed to be evaluating my expression again. Strange kid, come on now, when you grow older the other kids won't like you if you're judging them all the time! "Father is good." Raderius said as he left my side and approached the priest.

When Raderius reached Adam. Time seemed to slow down. I had a bad feeling. Adam reached into his robe and retrieved a dagger. Each second of the motion felt like an eternity. I screamed. Raderius, don't just stand there! You're supposed to be smart! Observant! What are you doing? All these thoughts run through my head as my body begins to move and then I saw something unthinkable.

Raderius reached out his hand. Touched the priest and Adams eyes went wide in a expression that could only be described as agony. In a scant few moments I watched as Adam aged exponentially, he dropped his dagger, he became withered. A husk. Then the husk aged more until all that remained were his clothes and a pile of bones. It happened so fast, he didn't even have time to scream.

Raderius turned to me, smiled brightly and said "Father, don't get tricked again."

My mind reeled as it scrambled for a solution to the conundrum before me. Before they even had time to properly form, these thoughts were swiftly overwhelmed as one persistent phrase enshrouded itself into my head.

There's a monster in my home.