Chapter Text
Brightwood Rockwood forest was a forest with multiple secrets, yet it's turn from being a forest full of life and everything that made it perfect, into a dull.. cold place was a surprise to nobody. But the deeper into the forest, the more concerning it became, it was different since the knights defeated the cloud of Monstrox's stone .. rock army a year ago.. it couldn't be helped, they needed a new sacrificial ceremony spot. One that was away from the kingdom, one that wouldn't raise suspicions about what the royal family were truly doing, because if people knew., then they would resist.. if they resisted, they would lose everything. Not even the princess could know.. because she would tell the knights, and they can't lose the trust of the defenders.
The kingdom.. they didn't have any idea about what was happening, they didn't know the truth about the sacrifice to keep their power. If the royal family, the Nobel's didn't meet the requirements of what was asked of them.. they would lose everything, their wealth, their power and any abilities that would lead to the collapse of the kingdom. It was necessary, and after the fall of the wizards council, it was necessary.. to keep their power. No matter what it took, they would keep their families in power of their possessions.
The king and queen wanted to tell their daughter, ensure she understood their reasoning.. but she couldn't tell the others. The trust of the knights is too valuable to lose, without the knights.. the kingdom could be at risk of attack without the knights. It was a mistake they couldn't risk happening to them. Hell they couldn't even tell Merlok because of his connection to not only the wizards council, but because of his affiliation Clay and Wanda.. two very strong witches in the kingdom. Clay could be of use.. his magic even if it's new, was useful to potentially build a new barrier for the kingdom.
It was the perfect night for the annual yearly sacrifice, dark and under the blood moon..this was the first annual sacrifice to be held at the new ceremonial spot. A spot that nobody would know about but them.. or the knights, if they weren't careful. The knights occasionally trained in the forest.. well Clay did. It was a special place to the blue knight, and it would raise too many questions.. suspicions if they suddenly no longer allowed him in there. They couldn't risk suspicions, especially from a trusted witch..
The sacrifice today, was somebody who was already dying.. not like it mattered. They were going to kill them either way, whether they were dead or alive, they were now a sacrifice to the ancient gods that held every centre of their kingdom in their hands. It was important that they offered something, as the year was ending soon and they still hadn't sacrificed anything yet.. given something to the gods. It was the perfect way to end the year, and also the perfect way to start the year.
"It's such a shame, people sign up for this.. and tend to complain when they get chosen." A voice grumbled, rubbing their hands together under the cold wind. "I wish they wouldn't whine so much, it's a bother." They continued, wiping their hands on their clothes.
"I think you complain too much darling, you must understand that our golden coinage relies on this." Another voice responded, as they walked past the first one. "We simply do what needs to be done." They added, as they rested a hand on the others shoulder.
"Remember, Lancelot and Isabella can never know about this.. it's dangerous for them to spread it to the Moorington family, especially with their strong connections to the two of them. We know how it would end if they knew." The second voice continued, reassuring the first voice again. "I do agree though.. the whining is a bother."
Innocent people of the kingdom knew nothing about what happened, it would risk fear and danger. Making them believe that this was the only way to save themselves encouraged them to get involved, and even if the knights couldn't find the ceremonial sacrifice spot they could still be involved, be placed into this by their own will. Yet this in itself poses a risk, because they can't sacrifice the knights without raising suspicion on their disappearances.. could they?
"Now now, you two should speak less and focus on the ceremony. We have thousands of people here, watching us protect our kingdom for another year." A third voice spoke, sounding the most casual about all of this. "This is important to our kingdom tradition, to protect us from losing our crops and riches." They were calm, speaking as if nothing was happening to somebody tonight.
"I'm glad so many people could make it tonight, it's important for our kingdom to thrive through the means of sacrifices. Even if it means one day we took shall become a sacrifice, we did so to protect our kingdom for future generations." The fourth voice spoke, as they appeared to be the one who took charge. "We understand the benefits, and we understand the risks. Even the secrets we keep from our loved ones." They added, as they stood higher then everybody else.
There was silence for a moment, until the sacrifice took their final breath in the centre.. this meant it was time, time to begin with the sacrifice and the offerings that would impress the gods.
"Let us begin, by making our yearly sacrifice to the gods who will bless our lands for another year." The leader spoke again, as they stepped down and ensured that the sacrifice was infact dead. "It is time, time we continue to keep our lives safe and protected with the assistance of the gods who keep our lands safe."
It began pretty simply, dismembering the body and burning them as a sacrifice to the gods. It was beneficial and the best way to sacrifice to the gods without leaving any remains in the forest for people to accidentally stumble across.
"Tonight, we offer a sacrifice to the gods who protect our land. We offer our bodies, and our eternal souls to you when we can.. we understand the consequences of what will happen if we refuse to oblige. So tonight, we offer you an offering to protect our kingdom for another year, to ensure the safety of the next generation." The leader spoke, as they lit a match. "Take out offering, gods of the ancient lands, and ensure we get our returned promise of fruitful life." They added, setting the dismembered body parts on fire and watching them burn. As the crowd of followers cheered and exclaimed in joy and pride.
"Let us return to the kingdom, and ensure that the kingdom is blessed tomorrow in time for the new year." The second leader spoke, as they began to leave the forest. "And dear, let's ensure that Macy doesn't learn about this. She can never learn where our power truly comes from, let her join us on her own."
"Let her understand that the way to eternal life, is to join us on that journey.. to allow herself to be sacrificed when the time is right." They continued, as the leader nodded in response.
There were people talking behind them, about the sacrifice and how they wanted to be next. To be sent to eternal life, and be chosen to stand with the gods.. just as the leaders preached, and spoke about constantly. It was something outsiders simply couldn't join without an understanding, because they need to commit to the preachings of the leaders.. and what they were told directly by the gods of the ancient land which their kingdom stood.
It was simple knowledge, that the leaders ruled above all except the gods. The gods ruled over everything in the kingdom, after all their land was being built over by the original heirs of Knighton, without them.. the kingdom wouldn't thrive. Their wouldn't BE a kingdom to live in with stability like theirs, blessed by the gods themselves.
This was simply the beginning.. the more sacrifices they provide, the more power they uphold from the gods to ensure they thrive properly and safely, without chances of harm and danger.