Chương 15: Chapter 14: The Nature of Succumbing

Alice woke up early at six in the morning. The courtyard outside was still pitch black. She sat on the edge of her bed, swinging her legs back and forth as a faint hunger gnawed at her stomach. By now I'd have eaten breakfast with Mother. But here… I don't get to eat until nine. That's three more hours. A lot happened yesterday, but time goes quickly here. Should I just go back to sleep? As she fell into thought, her gaze fell on the two large books on the table. I suppose I can read.

I don't want to end up like a lazy bum, like Evelyn. She sat down by the table and mindlessly grabbed the brown book, titled Components of the Chain by Daemon Arthur. I haven't read a book like this before. I've only ever read stories and novels. Alice flipped over the first few pages and stopped right at the first chapter. There she read: The more one spends their life in the world, they would notice men wielding the abilities of creatures of the night and hells.

Men who have scales, tails, or even eyes akin to serpents. These men are not devils or changelings. They are Progeny, those who have consumed a heart of a monster. Progeny? Wait… how old is this book? Alice flipped back to the title page, and right beneath the large gold lettering depicting the author's name lay a small etching of four numbers: 1589. Oh… this book is ancient. That explains it. I… I should be more careful with this. Wouldn't want to damage it.

She flipped back to the first page, her eyes roaming down its contents. It was similar to what her father taught her, only that it used bygone words and phrases. I already know this. I can skip a few pages. She skipped through one, two, then three pages, finally stopping at the fourth. The first sentence caught her eye, for it said, The Unforeseen Changes of the Mind and Body. Depending on the bloodline, a Progeny can undergo minute to extreme physical changes within a few generations.

For example, Progeny of the Beast would grow immensely tall and wide, and fur would begin covering their skin. Progeny of Death would become akin to cadavers. Progeny of the Ghosts would soon see themselves become spectral in the lower generations. Mother's a seventh generation, and she still looks human. Well, slightly. I suppose this is talking about the lower generations. Aside from physical changes, Progeny also undergo mental transformations that are not exclusive to a specific bloodline.

High emotional instability, anxiety, paranoia, and depression are common side effects. Father did mention those things… though he glossed over them. Surely they aren't that bad? Mother's very kind to me. And Father is rather strange, but he's never meant any harm to me. In fact, it's the opposite. There are also high-intensity mental changes triggered by trauma, stress, or injury. These changes are determined by the personality of the Progeny and are very dangerous.

The Gluttonous will gain an intense and insatiable hunger for human flesh. The wrathful would feel the uncontrollable urge to kill. The lustful would ravage and take part in sensual flesh without regard. These 'mental breaks,' as I would call them, can only be abated by knocking the progeny unconscious. If the Progeny fulfills their desire, there are two outcomes: they will fall unconscious, or they will Succumb. Alice's eyes widened in realization. Hu… human flesh? Killing? That can't be right.

How could someone do those things? A sickly feeling arose within her as she remembered all the times her stomach growled like a wild beast. All the times she devoured entire meals meant for two or three grown men. No, that's different. I was just hungry because of the awakening. She bit her lower lip as she continued reading. Succumbing is the most intense and dangerous mental change. It is the complete loss of human emotion, rational thought, and memory. It is a sudden and unstoppable return to beastly nature.

The progeny will abandon its mind and think of itself as a beast. Death is the only cure to succumbing. Father never mentioned anything like this… Only lower generations experience this, right? It should be… or else he would have told me. Alice glazed over the pages, looking for any mention of lower generations. Ten pages came, then another ten, and ten more after that. When she arrived at page 98, there was still no mention of the lower generation. Yet she found something else.

If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it. Now, I shall discuss several methods to stave off and prevent the process of succumbing. She gulped as she began reading the contents. The most obvious method is called the Humanity Method. The Progeny must know himself and the beast within him. The progeny must cling unto human desires but not abuse them. Indulge in vices in moderation, talk to others, act as you would a man and not as a beast.

Such is the only way to salvation of the body and mind. She turned the next page. But do not overexert in human pleasure, for obsession is also part of bestial nature. This is only applicable to natural succumbings. Succumbings that are caused by cursed dark magic or mind control are extremely difficult to stop. So there is a way to prevent it… Strange, I thought he'd give more methods, but that's the only one there. Still, it doesn't mention if the lower generations are affected. Should I just assume so?

Alice took a deep breath and closed the leather-bound book. She sat there in silence for a good few minutes, thinking. Alice clicked her tongue. Damn it. I'm overthinking. If I'm really in danger, Father or that priest would have told me. They would, wouldn't they? Right! I should just ask Father Orlando. But… class starts at ten in the morning. She glanced at her brass clock; it was only seven. I'd ask the others, but I don't want to alarm them. Maybe Evelyn knows, but I doubt she's read the book.

Maybe I could just look for him. The earlier the better, as Mother says. He's probably… probably in the classroom, if not there, then the nave. Alright. Here goes. Alice pushed open her chamber door. Oh, I should probably bring that with me. She went back inside and grabbed the large leather-bound book. Her steps echoed down the silent hall. It seemed everyone else was still asleep. She took a few twists and turns, faintly remembering the steps she took with Evelyn.

Then she went down the stairwell and down another hallway. She walked on for a few more minutes. The walls were nearly identical wherever she went, and the tall wooden doors by each corner did not help. I should be there already… where am I? Alice slowed her steps and looked out of a colored window. She could see the bustling streets down below. Am I… am I lost? She stared back down from whence she came and realized she was indeed lost. Okay, don't panic. Just retrace your steps.

She shook her head and went back down the corridor. As she continued walking, a familiar acolyte emerged from one of the doors, carrying a small metal box in his hands. She sighed in relief. Thank the Goddess.

"Hello? Can you help me?" Alice called out. The acolyte turned around and said, "Oh, I didn't expect to see you here. What are you doing, little one?" He knows me? He must be the same one from yesterday. Marcus, was it?

"I… I was looking for Father Orlando." Alice stepped back, holding the book against her chest.

"I must admit… I am a little lost."

"Father Orlando? He should be in his office. Go back the way you came. Take the first right, and then another left. You should arrive at the classroom. And a little further than that is a large wooden door." Alice lowered her head.

"Thank you."

"I would go with you, but I am afraid I have duties to tend to," Marcus said.

"I don't understand why the cathedral is built like a maze. Anyone would get lost here." A soft laugh escaped Marcus's lips.

"Before St. Helen's time, the Cathedral was a bastion. Its twisting halls and corridors are there to confuse demons and evil spirits. Some stories even say the corridors come alive when there are invaders. Though it can be a little extreme in some areas."

"How do you not get lost?"

"I have been here for years, and not even I know every nook and cranny. Use your eyes and have a strong faith. You will learn, as all do."

"Thank you again. I should be going now." Alice turned around and headed back down the hallway. Marcus called out to her.

"That book you have is rather outdated. Not everything it says is correct."

"I'll keep that in mind!" Alice yelled back. Alice followed the given directions, and before long she passed by that old classroom. A little further ahead, she arrived at a large wooden door. She stood there for a second and hesitantly knocked.

"Come in," Father Orlando's voice echoed. Alice gently pushed open the chamber door and stepped inside.

"Good morning, Father." Father Orlando knelt on a red mat, his right palm pressed against his chest as he prayed to a small marble sculpture of the Lady. He raised his head and looked at Alice with raised brows.

"Oh, it's you. I was expecting an acolyte."

"Am I… disturbing you, Father?" Alice said.

"No, not at all, child." Orlando stood up and sat down by his office desk.

"Come, take a seat." Alice lowered herself onto a wooden chair, and she placed the old book atop the table.

"I have some questions about this book."

"I see you've done some reading. Pray tell, child," Orlando said.

"It told me that Progeny… that demihumans can suffer from 'mental breaks.' To say the least, its descriptions were… rather disturbing." Orlando nodded.

"Such is true. From the tenth to the first, all suffer from this illness. Man was never meant to mingle with monsters, and yet here we are." Alice gulped.

"It also spoke of succumbing. But it never mentioned a specific generation. Are we also going to experience those things?" Orlando tapped the edge of his table and glanced at the statue of Anastasia.

"It is… unlikely. Even if you are awakened, you're still an eighth generation. Of course, Caitiff and the like aren't immune to succumbing."

"So… it can still happen?" Alice said.

"You see, Succumbing only happens after a Mental Break. And a Mental Break only occurs during high levels of stress or trauma. Caitiff experience lesser emotional instability compared to their more active peers," Orlando said. Alice took a soft breath of relief.

"I… I understand now."

"You don't have anything to worry about. The mental breaks you'll suffer from are more about wanting to eat beef or chicken than killing someone outright." Orlando laughed a little.

"I… I'm sorry for disturbing you." Alice rubbed the back of her head.

"Do not be. It gladdens me that you came here. It means you're learning. Though I think it's best you return to your room. It is already nearing nine. You wouldn't want to miss breakfast," Orlando said.

"I had nearly forgotten. Thank you again, Father. I will be going now." Alice lowered her head in thanks and hurried out of the door.

"Try not to get lost, child," Orlando called out.