The Cursed Herald

by Rina S Mamoon

  Mara froze while watching the last of her friends die before her eyes. Her breathing grew uneven as she stared at his corpse. She lifted her gaze to the one behind this atrocious act. The huntress recognized the dark grey garb, the golden plates of armour on the left shoulder and arm, and the red cape draped over the right side of his body.

  Commander White stood between the burning building and the corpse of the man he slew. A blank expression decorated his face as he began to clean the Hand of Kratés. With a single swing of his sword, blood flew off and splattered onto the ground. He swung again to remove any more excess. Mara couldn’t believe her eyes. It was him. It was really him. Why was he here? The Watcher erased his memories, taking the commander out of commission and restoring Karl to his true self. He was supposed to be in Corlin with Mr. White, and away from Kallisto! Mara gazed at him in bewilderment, but he continued to ignore her. Taking out a cloth, he wiped the blood off of his sword.

  The huntress reached for Nightingale with a trembling hand. He stopped cleaning his blade, yet didn’t look at her.

  “How could you?” Mara demanded, unsheathing her sword.

  The commander lifted his gaze, revealing cloudy eyes. After he finished cleaning his blade, he discarded the bloodied cloth and strode towards her. Commander White possessed an emotionless expression on his face.

  “For aiding an enemy of the Faith, he was sentenced to death,” he spoke in a cold tone. Commander White paid no mind while walking on the man he just killed. He used it as a bridge to avoid the pool of blood forming around James’ body. “You are under arrest for spreading blasphemous slander, endangering the land of Ardana, and conspiring against the Goddess.”

  Walking on the corpse, the commander shifted all of his weight on the head. Mara’s blood was boiling. It was one thing to witness the death of her friend, but seeing his murderer show indecency was too much. He noticed her sword, then glared at her.

  “Sheathe your blade before you hurt yourself,” the commander said coldly.

  She couldn’t take it anymore and was ready to kill him. Mara yelled while dashing at him. The commander also closed the distance, his speed catching her off guard. He backhanded her in the face, knocking her to the ground. Nightingale fell beside her. She reached for it, only to get a boot to the stomach.

  Mara tried to get up, but got kicked in the face. She fell backwards and hit the ground again. Despite being very disoriented, she tried to get up again. The commander slammed his boot down on her chest. She cried out in pain while trying to push his foot off of her. He shifted his whole weight onto her chest, threatening to break a few ribs. A painful snap could be heard in her chest. One of her ribs broke. The Holy Blades were in shock as they witnessed the commander’s cruelty. They feared their superior. The spectators watching were also shocked and terrified. No one intervened. Looking up at the commander’s face, the huntress saw something likened to a beast or demon. Pure rage burned in his eyes as he clenched his teeth. She tried to say something, yet couldn’t.

  “Shut up, you stupid bitch,” Commander White snarled. “Just shut up!” He stomped on her a few times.

  Mara cried. He was fast and brutal, giving her no time to defend herself. More cracking sounds came from her chest; he broke more ribs. Blood was drawn as he attacked her. She never thought he’d be capable of so much cruelty. Mara received a black eye, a cut on her right cheek, several bruises, and six broken ribs. She was no longer able to see through her left eye. Breathing was difficult for her right lung was punctured. This was the worst thing he ever did to her. By some fluke, the huntress remained alive and conscious. The tears were beyond her control and she was now in extreme pain. Seeing her battered face in tears, the commander grew more agitated.

  “Stop crying!” Commander White shouted. “You look uglier when you cry!” He raised his foot, ready to smash her head.

  He brought his boot down, but something stopped him. The spectators gasped. The commander looked down, seeing Mara hold his boot. She was heaving as she glared up at him with teary eyes. She refused to allow this man to beat her any further. It was time to fight back. A familiar sensation washed over her as her eyes glowed blue. Thalia was taking over. Mara had no problem letting her. If it meant defeating the commander, so be it.

  Gathering her strength, she pushed him off of her. With much of Thalia’s power restored, she threw the commander a great distance away. He was able to recover though. Mara could feel her ribs reset themselves, all her cuts and bruises faded away, and her left eye fully healed thanks to her predecessor’s power. She watched as Thalia confronted the commander. Her right hand reached for Nightingale. The sword flew off the ground and returned to her. The Holy Blades gasped as they watched her warily. Thalia turned her gaze onto the commander.

  “I don’t want to fight you,” Mara heard Thalia talking to him.

  The commander stared back with a blank expression. Mara watched him, sensing something wasn’t right. Dark fumes rose from his body. A dreadful sensation washed over her.

  “His soul is completely corrupted!”

  Mara was shocked by Thalia’s words. What did she mean?

  Commander White suddenly dashed at her with his sword drawn. Thalia wasn’t quick enough to free his mind. She could only block his attack with Nightingale at the moment. He kept gazing at her with a hollow stare while their blades clashed. Looking into his eyes, Mara thought she saw Kallisto staring back at her. It seemed the goddess was controlling him as if he were a puppet. The commander’s eyes roamed up and down her body until they focused on a particular item strapped to her belt. Mara wondered what he was looking at. Thalia glanced down and saw the Binding Dagger. Before she could do anything, he grabbed the dagger and plunged it into her torso.

  “No!” Mara cried. She was in control of her voice.

  Thalia’s powers and consciousness were gone in an instant. The huntress fell to her knees while staring at the dagger embedded in her torso. Despite the pain, she grabbed the blade and pulled it out. Black blood oozed from the wound. The dagger disintegrated, crumbling away into dust. A horrible sensation washed over Mara. She wanted to stop Thalia from taking over, but not like this. The damage was done, and it wasn’t just Thalia sealed away.

  Gazing up at the commander, Mara shook her head. “I had your wife’s soul!” Tears filled her eyes as she clutched her chest. “She was here.”

  Commander White gave a cold stare. “I have no wife,” he said. “Kallisto is my everything.”

  He gave a sudden kick to the side of her head. She was thrown to the ground and knocked out cold.

  ***

  She awoke in a prison cell. The first thing Mara saw were the chains and shackles binding her wrists. At least she didn’t die. A Holy Blade walked out of her cell, locking the door behind him. The huntress found herself in a dungeon. She recognized this place.

  Mara was here thirty years ago after her transformation into an undying. She once attempted to escape, but the Holy Blades captured her and brought her to the dungeon underneath the temple. She was later dragged out in chains to watch Dad die.

  After thinking about her last imprisonment, Mara gazed through the bars. The commander stood with his men on the other side. He had Nightingale in his possession. His men had the rest of her possessions except for her necklace and the mementos from the three undying. They probably thought her necklace was a useless trinket as well. Commander White unsheathed the blade and studied the fine craftsmanship.

  “This will make a fine trophy,” the commander said. He looked up at her and gave a cold glare. “She’ll be executed tonight as well.”

  “Yes, sir,” a Holy Blade responded.

  They walked away. As soon as their footsteps faded away, the huntress rose to her feet and approached the front of the cell. There were four rows of prison cells stacked on top of each other. She was on the top floor. Others were trapped here—people who offended the Faith and the gods. Some appeared to have been here for quite some time. She
spotted an emaciated man with raggedy clothes, a long beard, and long finger nails. A few others shared a similar appearance like him.

  “Mara,” an old man called.

  Mara glanced back and saw a small window with bars on her right. The voice was familiar. She approached it with caution.

  “Mr. White?” Mara called quietly. She heard the old man whimper.

  “I am so sorry,” he said as his breath hitched. “I never wanted any of this to happen.”

  “What are you talking about?” Mara gazed through the window and saw him huddled near the corner. He seemed very disheveled and rough. “Mr. White?”

  He looked up at the huntress. She froze upon seeing his face. No longer did he appear to be in his sixties. The former college professor looked as if he lost twenty years of his life. More wrinkles were present on his face, his hair was stringier, and his beard was longer. His muscles had wasted away and his skin was looser.

  Mara gave an astonished look. “What is this?”

  Mr. White appeared miserable. “I haven’t been honest with you,” he spoke in a hoarse voice.

  “Well, that I can see!”

  The old man slowly rose to his feet. He groaned in pain as his old bones struggled to support him. He hobbled towards the window. “Kallisto casted a spell to slow my aging. That was my reward for playing a role in your demise—to live long enough to see the Golden Age return. But I betrayed them.”

  “What happened?”

  “We went home to prepare for our journey to Corlin,” he revealed. “But the Holy Blades were waiting, and arrested us. Somehow the Faith learned of my plan. We were brought before Kallisto. She first undid the spell on me, reverting me to my true age. And Karl… Upon discovering he no longer remembered Evelyn, Kallisto completely took his mind and corrupted him further. She ordered him to capture you.”

  “I know,” Mara said. “He murdered James and attacked me. I let Thalia take over so she could stop him, but Kallisto was in control. She saw the Binding Dagger and made him snatch it. He stabbed me before we could do anything.”

  The old man frowned. “Then it’s hopeless. Kallisto won. All the things that could’ve defeated her are now gone.”

  The huntress gazed at him. Should she tell him of the last remaining hope? She would’ve hesitated before, but considering his circumstances, it was safe to say the former college professor was no longer a member of the Faith. It had taken its toll on him.

  Mara took a deep breath. “That’s where you’re wrong, old man,” she said. “Godstruck was just an ordinary sword.”

  Mr. White’s eyes widened. “What?”

  “The moonstone gave it the power to defeat beings like Kallisto. That’s why the Faith sought its destruction.” Mara said, “I know why Dad died. It wasn’t just to trigger my transformation, but he knew how to forge a weapon like Godstruck. He made Nightingale before he died. It can be mounted with a moonstone.” She gestured to her necklace. “I have one, but I need my sword back.”

  He watched her, then changed the topic. “So, you’ve killed the Dark One?”

  “Yes, and no,” Mara replied.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Still have to deal with Kallisto,” she answered. “And I don’t know if I can save Karl.” Mara sighed. “If Thalia couldn’t help him, what can I do?”

  The old man said, “Defeating Kallisto might be the only option left.” Then he sat down.

  She nodded before turning away from the window. The huntress returned to the back of her cell and sat down. All she could do was think about her plan. It was risky, relying on Kallisto and Commander White’s ego and pride. It was possible the commander would have Nightingale on his person to add insult to injury. She hoped he remained oblivious to the true nature of her sword.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  The Execution

  On the night of December 26, Mara was dragged into the throne room. Kallisto and her followers watched as the Holy Blades brought her in. Mr. White was bound, awaiting his execution after they’ve dealt with her. Mara spotted Nightingale strapped to Commander White’s belt. At least her plan might have a chance of working. The Holy Blades forced her to a device restraining her neck and wrists. They took off her hood and mask to show her face.

  Kallisto stepped forward. “Behold! This is the vile woman who tried to take my husband before. Now she returns to tear us apart once more,” she announced, pointing at the huntress. The followers gasped while others roared out for Mara’s execution. The queen raised her hand to silence her followers. “We will make sure she’ll never return again.”

  Mara frowned, wondering what Kallisto had planned. A male priest stepped forward with a golden box. He sank to his knees before the goddess and lifted the box over his head. Kallisto opened it. She reached inside and retrieved a dagger with a green blade. It was a basilisk blade, the same weapon used on several other undying. They were now going to use it on Mara. Kallisto looked to the commander and beckoned him. He obeyed and approached his goddess. Then he sank to his knees.

  Kallisto gazed down at him. “Rise, my commander,” she ordered. Commander White rose to his feet and looked to his goddess in a loving manner. She presented the dagger to him. “I shall give you the honour of dealing out the punishment. Send a message to those who would dare separate us.”

  Commander White lifted his hands to receive the basilisk blade. He gazed at it before looking to his queen.

  “Yes, my Goddess,” he said in a slow and deep tone. It sounded like he was hypnotized. He then approached Mara.

  Mara tried to struggle out of the bonds, but they were stronger than anticipated.

  The commander stopped at least two feet from her. With a free hand, he reached over and tore her cape off. Commander White gazed at the open “V” shape in her shirt before raising the dagger to his face. Staring into her eyes, he pointed the basilisk blade at her. She watched as he lowered the blade to her chest in a slow and deliberate fashion. When the sharp tip made contact, he didn’t stop. The commander continued to press the dagger until it broke her skin. Mara screamed in excruciating pain. She renewed her struggling, yet the bonds held her in place. Commander White didn’t react. He kept going until the entire blade was embedded in her body. Kallisto and her followers only watched, showing no remorse except for Mr. White. He couldn’t stand to look. The old man looked ashamed this was happening to Mara, but was helpless to stop it.

  “This will make sure you will never return,” Kallisto hissed.

  The commander pulled the blade out. Mara’s body jolted in pain, though the restraining device didn’t budge. Looking down, she saw her veins turn black with poison. Her skin began to pale and decay. Seeing the stab wound made her think of Morgan in her last moments. She felt another sharp pain in her chest and screamed. Commander White stabbed her again, creating a new wound. Mara’s hands tightened into fists as she pulled on the bonds. She tried with all her might to break free, but her strength was fading. He stared emotionlessly while keeping the blade in her.

  “Stop it! Just stop! How could you do this?” Mara screamed.

  The commander was unmoved by her pleas. He remained silent, his face devoid of any emotion. Looking into his glazed eyes, she could no longer find the man he once was. All his humanity was stripped away, and only pure evil remained. Kallisto approached them.

  “He’s assuming the role Kratés failed to fulfill,” the goddess claimed.

  The commander watched Mara in disgust. “I must atone for the failures of my progenitor.”

  “Karl, wake up!” Mara cried, fighting back the pain and tears. “Why can’t you see she’s controlling you? She’s using you.”

  Commander White kept glaring at her. “Kallisto opened my eyes. You are the Cursed Herald. You are evil.”

  Mara clenched her teeth. None of her words reached him.

  Kallisto sneered at her. “Admit it. You tried to take my husband and throne.”

  The huntress glared back at the goddes
s. “You never loved him! What kind of person murders her own husband?”

  The goddess frowned. “So, you know the truth?” Kallisto shrugged. “Not that it mattered. Kratés died because he was led astray by your progenitor. You and the other reincarnations must pay for her sins!”

  Mara couldn’t believe her ears. Even though Kallisto admitted to murdering her husband, she made it sound like Thalia was to blame for Kratés’ death. This was her justification for murdering innocent women.

  The goddess looked to her commander. “Come to me.”

  Commander White kept his cold stare on Mara for a while before returning to his goddess. He left the dagger in her chest. She watched as he kneeled before Kallisto. The goddess stroked the side of his face. The commander’s head followed the motion of her hand.

  Kallisto glared up at Mara while doing this. “Do you see? Kratés and all who come after him belong to me! I own his body and soul.”

  Mara couldn’t speak anymore. The dagger embedded in her chest released more poison. She began to weaken as the pain grew more intense. She could no longer breathe as black sludge rose up her throat and out of her mouth. Decay spread throughout her body. Darkness claimed her while her heart desperately tried to keep beating. Then it stopped.

  ***

  “Mara,” a voice whispered to her.

  Mara opened her eyes and found herself alone in the throne room. It was dark. Where did everyone go? Didn’t her enemies want to see her die? She looked down again.

  “Mara,” a female voice called to her. It sounded familiar.

  Lifting her gaze, Mara saw the Watcher standing before her.