BEAUTIFUL SERPENT

Episode Three The night brought an uneasy stillness to the pastor's household. Seraphina sat on her bed, her long hair cascading over her shoulders as she stared into the darkness. Her mission was progressing, but not as smoothly as she had anticipated. The pastor’s prayers were a constant barrier, and his spiritual presence seemed to cloak the house in a protective aura. She reached beneath her pillow and retrieved a small, glowing crystal—an artifact from the Marine Kingdom. It pulsed faintly in her hand, feeding her strength and connecting her to the forces that sent her. Closing her eyes, she whispered an incantation, calling upon her queen for guidance. "Seraphina," a voice echoed in her mind, cold and commanding. "You are faltering. The pastor is no ordinary man, but you have the power to overcome him. Strike at his weakest point—the woman. Sow discord, amplify her frustrations, and use her to destroy him. Do not fail us." The connection severed abruptly, leaving Seraphina with renewed determination. She slipped the crystal back under her pillow and lay down, a sinister smile playing on her lips. --- The next morning, Rebecca woke to find Seraphina already at work, preparing breakfast. The aroma of freshly baked bread and spiced tea filled the air, creating a comforting illusion of normalcy. Rebecca smiled, grateful for the help. "You’re truly a blessing," Rebecca said, sitting at the table. "I don’t know how I managed without you." Seraphina’s smile was warm, but her words were laced with subtle poison. "It’s my pleasure, ma’am. I just wish Pastor Elijah would notice how much you do for this family. You work so hard, yet he seems so... preoccupied." Rebecca’s smile faltered. "He does his best," she replied, though her tone lacked conviction. Seraphina placed a plate of food in front of her, leaning in slightly. "Of course, but even the strongest women need support. Sometimes, men forget how much their wives sacrifice for them." The seed was planted. Over the course of the day, Seraphina continued her quiet manipulation, pointing out little things that might frustrate Rebecca. The pastor’s long hours in his study, his focus on church matters, his occasional forgetfulness. Rebecca, already tired and stressed, began to internalize these thoughts. --- That evening, Pastor Elijah gathered the family for prayer, as he did every night. Seraphina joined them, sitting quietly at the edge of the circle. As Elijah prayed, the atmosphere in the room grew heavy. The children yawned and fidgeted, while Rebecca’s mind wandered. For the first time, she didn’t feel the usual peace that prayer brought. Instead, she felt restless, her thoughts clouded by doubt. Seraphina, sensing the shift, smirked inwardly. Her plan was working. After the prayer, Elijah noticed Rebecca’s unease. "Are you alright?" he asked gently. "I’m fine," Rebecca replied, her tone clipped. "Just tired." Elijah frowned but didn’t press further. He could sense that something was wrong, but he couldn’t quite place it. As he retreated to his study, he resolved to seek divine guidance. --- Late that night, while the house was silent, Elijah knelt once more in prayer. He felt the weight of a spiritual battle pressing down on him, the darkness lurking just beyond the walls of his faith. As he prayed, a vision came to him—a serpent coiled in the heart of his home, its eyes glowing with malevolence. He awoke from the vision with a start, his heart pounding. "Lord," he whispered, "reveal the truth. Protect my family from this darkness." Unbeknownst to him, Seraphina was awake in her room, her serpent eyes glowing faintly in the moonlight. She could feel the spiritual resistance building, but she was far from done. The battle was intensifying, and she was determined to win. To be continued...