by Ema Alves
- Noooooo!!! – he savagely shrieked.
Hearing that cry, the brutish man, who was feeding the animals, turned and, dropping the wooden bucket full of grain on the ground, ran to his master.
- What happened, sir? What evil deeds were you subjected to by those dark beings? - the frightened servant asked, grabbing the crucifix on his chest.
- It’s the devil. I loved him and he enchanted me. The only solution is to kill her!!!
- The devil... kill her... I cannot understand, sir!! – the shivering froze the bones of the ill-fated man, who did not even have the courage to stand for his master.
Staring around in fear, he took the count to his car and drove off, leaving behind a trail of people who, frightened by the car’s speed, launched themselves to the ground, trying to escape the hooves and wheels that hastily passed by them.
*
The count’s personal guard was in his castle, behind the cathedral of Soamandrakrisal. The quick arrival of his protege meant something was wrong.
After the count’s raucous demand, the brave knights were called. The man’s sinister and unhealthy looks excited their minds, thirsty for some action. Putting the hands on their swords, they listened to the horror story that had stunned his lord. According to him, the invisible being that plundered the earth in the form of the most different sicknesses, had materialized right there, in the kingdom’s most sacred city. That fear of the demon overcame any other, forcing them to close their wrists around the ends of their swords. The juxtaposition of hatred, fear and excitement fueled their minds and, drawing their weapons, they rode their horses consumed by the will to exorcise Shekhinah.
They followed their count promptly, going after Meridian and Elektra to burn them at the stake without trial, since only the power of the divine fire could purge the land of the devilish evil.
*
A horde of men took the city streets. The noise was felt by the inhabitants, who, unused to such a cacophony at nighttime, left their houses. They were warned that, by the regent’s order, the devil was on the loose and that he would try to leave the city. They were also told that this incarnation of evilness had taken the form of a wizard and his daughter, a delicate girl who would deceive them with the beauty of her body.
The count, with several guards around him, entered the inn. The servants, who were still recovering from the events of the last few hours, undauntingly watched the useless invasion of those armed men.
- Where are they?? – Drakur asked, wielding his sword.
- They paid and left this place shortly after you.
- Where did they go? Come on, answer or you will taste the raw face of my deadly sword! - Drakur impatiently uttered, grabbing by the collar the small and plump man who was taking care of the inn.
- To… North, sir. To North.
He quickly left the inn, brutishly pushing the servants and his guards out of his way. His head was throbbing with pain. The brain veins were so dilated that he now acquired an explosively frightening semblance. His mind pulsated with never-ending thoughts mingled with a sense of wrath.
He knew he would only forget that beautiful face when he killed Elektra with his own hands. This was the only way to be at peace, after all, if she escaped, the feelings he felt for her would probably turn into love and he could not tolerate such a thing. Actually, that would only taint the virile image he had of himself. For a moment, he still pondered accepting her, even though he knew she was a demon. But what about the community? They would never accept such a relationship, and he too would be burned at the stake.
He tried to push those thoughts away and, once more, he focused on the hunt.
*
Two horses ran frantically down the narrow dark alleys of that massive city. The Northern gate was only a few hundred meters away. Its appearance came in the form of a freedom-inspired relief. Fighting against time, Meridian trotted confidently. He seemed to know that labyrinth like he knew his own hands. The alleys kept getting wider and, ending in a large square, openly exposed the walls surrounding the city and, consequently, the massive gate that would give access to the much-wanted freedom. It was nighttime and that played in their favor. Protected by the dark shadows, the escape would be easier to achieve, but, on the other hand, the darkness also posed an obstacle: the gates were closed, blocking the access to the bordering kingdom.
They were surrounded. The resonant echoes of the violent hooves could be heard, Drakur’s regiment of martial forces was getting nearer.
Feeling trapped, Meridian got off the horse, grabbed his sword and, wielding it in the air, entered a state of consciousness that allowed him to establish an energy barrier around them. A magic circle had been drawn and, as long as it was there, no impure creature could cross it without being thrown to the ground, subjected to the elemental forces that supported it.
Elektra stepped down from her horse as well, and, adding her own power to his father’s, amplified the energy. A cone of light stretched itself to infinity. Golden beams danced like eternally visible lightning, tearing the entrails of volatile air, distinguishing the inside from the outside, the sacred from the profane. Only the trained eyes of both sorcerers could see the light, who, firmly believing their own powers, were steadily waiting for the arrival of the attackers. Yet, the noise was deafening.
*
On a roof, a figure wrapped in a linen mantle, covered his face with a hood that cast a shadow over his own features, only his eyes were glowing. He was sitting, patiently waiting for the events to unfold. He waited for the right moment to intervene. But it was still early and the conditions were not the most favorable.
Although he was not a common man, he was not a wizard either, but his eyes were staring at the energy barrier which, albeit invisible, could make its presence felt. He knew that the energy used was not supernatural, but natural. It was everywhere and any human being who knew of its existence could control it. Nevertheless, only those two wizards displayed their mastery by doing it perfectly.
*
From the several streets that ended at the large square, dozens of black horses rode by valiant and heavily armed men appeared ferociously. When they encountered the figures identified by the count, they launched against them.
Oblivious to that invisible limit, they were quickly approaching them wielding their swords. The horses pierced it, easily breaking the edified barrier, and, noticing the difference of weight on their loins, they stopped in bewilderment, encircling Meridian and Elektra. The men, as if they had been hit by a stone wall, had fallen unconscious on the ground. Behind them, many did not dare approach the wizards. They did not want to be subjected to the wrath of those two demons. Some turned their backs and fled, while others, although they tried at first, they did not, for fear of the count’s anger, who was now at the scene.
The count got off his horse and, covering his own emotions, he walked to them, staring at Elektra.
The morning wind, in addition to the fierce energy chainmail that enveloped Elektra, had a strong presence, blowing her hair and revealing her smooth face. She bravely walked to the edge of the circle. Outside, the count stared slightly saddened at the most beautiful face he had ever seen. The anger of not being able to possess her stiffed his fists. The feeling of losing something he could never enjoy made him turn his back to the sorceress, who had attempted to read the man’s eyes to find a reason for the hatred he had.
The knights silently stared at that woman. They noticed what she could do without touching anything. She had knocked down dozens of men without moving.
However, they oddly stopped being afraid of her. She emanated a comforting peace. She was a wonderful being. They wondered why he had wanted to kill her.
- What are you waiting for? Kill them! - the Count yelled, gesturing with the sword in his hand.
They readied their bows, several arrows were thrown with the intention to make the wizards bleed.
Meridian opened his eyes and, surprised by his enemy’s cu
nningness, stood before Elektra. He knew the barrier could not stop objects. But, in addition to being a wizard, he was a warrior and his skill with the sword allowed him to cut the arrows, propelled by the enemies’ murdering strength.
- Let’s go, keep doing it! - Drakur happily declared, noticing that the thing they had assembled was not immune to arrows.
They launched a second attack. The magic circle worked only with living creatures, they tested the purity of their souls and only allowed those who did not have any kind of evil in their blood. The horses, for instance, managed to enter it, while their riders were thrown backwards.
The arrows penetrated the barrier again as if it did not exist. The sorcerer heard their buzzing motion the air. Meridian relied on the elemental powers of the air, which helped him to position and intercept them with the valiant double-edged sword. But these were too many, a single being, even the most daring warrior, could not avoid them all, even if he had endless help from the faerie beings.
On top of the roof, the man, witnessing the recent events, stood up quickly. He wanted to help, but it was too late now. He ran, jumping between roofs to get closer to the scene but, afraid of being spotted, he hid behind a chimney. If someone saw him, he would not be of any help to his friends.
Meridian was now on the ground, an arrow had hit his right shoulder, forcing him to drop his sword. His concentration had been shattered.
Elektra, seeing her father wounded, also lost her concentration and the circle was undone.
The first sun rays were exposing those two bodies on the ground. A terrifying shadow shattered itself over Elektra who, seated on the ground, grabbed her father. She felt the presence of that putrid being who had gone after her and she could not fathom the reason why. Abruptly, she was pushed away from Meridian by two men who grabbed her by the arms, dragging her away, while she frantically shrieked, afraid of leaving her father behind. The men who dragged her, although strong, struggled to dominate her. Elektra’s strength was not normal for a girl. They wondered if she was actually the demonic being that the count had warned them about. With superhuman movements, she managed to free herself and, using her abilities, knocked down those men with fierce punches and kicks. Witnessing that scene, other guards launched against her and, throwing her down, tied her hands behind her back. Feeling trapped, she started to cry, staring at the count, who, with a malicious glance, was grabbing the piece of wood that had wounded his father, thrusting it several times, dilacerating his muscles until tears of blood dripped on the wizard’s robe. Happy for having won and, in a brusque movement, he pulled the arrow out of his opponent's body, not as a merciful act, but so that he could live a bit longer to encounter the torturous and burning death at the stake. The Magician, although he had just been subjected to painful forms of torture, did not emit a single cry of pain. “What kind of powerful beings were these, who could easily control their emotions?” Drakur pondered, feeling tenser.
- Take him, as well – he said, looking at his men.
When the soldiers grabbed Meridian by the arms, the brave count stared at him. The wizard showed a peaceful semblance which angered him even more, and pulling his arm back, he punched him, but his hand was more affected than the man’s face.
*
That square was the perfect spot to assemble the stake, Drakur pondered, who, without wasting a single second, ordered his men to grab firewood to feed the flames of justice.
The day had just begun. The massive gates had been opened. Traders, travelers, and all sorts of perfidious men started to enter, who, seeing so many soldiers and two people tied to the poles, got closer to watch the spectacle.
Joyful laughter fondled those rosy faces which, deeply pleased by the free show, avidly waited for the ultimate end. But something was wrong. “What sort of wrongdoing could the beautiful girl have done?” – they asked each other, shrugging.
Elektra was praying with her head pointing down, asking for her soul to be saved, then looked up and faced her fate without fear.
The people, witnessing the courage and placidness of those features, were now silent. Sorrow had taken control of them. For that reason, they no longer wanted to witness that torment, and demanded mercy. The count, noticing the uproar, conjectured: “The devil... it was his beauty... they are also letting themselves be carried by that. Such I cannot allow” - and walked quickly to the execution site. The people questioned him, they wanted to know the reason behind the urge to kill her.
Acts speak louder than words, sometimes. Silently, he grabbed a dagger from his waist and pressed it against Elektra’s chest, without even daring to look into her eyes. The people were silent. Would the count kill her with his own bare hands, staining them with blood? “Her wrongdoing has probably affected him directly” - they thought.
A violent movement was drawn from top to bottom, the continuous cut proved the blade’s sharpness and Elektra’s dress did not resist it.
Shrieks of horror came from throats of the frightened women, as they watched Elektra’s body. They expected everything, but that was too different and unanticipated.
The people dropped to their knees. Even the rudest man felt the impact of such a horrifying sight. They lowered their eyes and begged God to deliver them from such evil. They stopped questioning the count’s decision, now they were also ready to lit the fire.
*
Behind a chimney, protected by the ocher hues of the barren roofs that crowned the whitish walls of the houses that surrounded the square, that one man, who had also revealed an exceptional calmness until that moment, had been touched by the dreadful sight of paradise. He knew that Elektra was perfect, but he now knew that there was more than that. “The perfection of perfections”. He had finally discovered Elektra’s secret, which had been hidden for so long, and was happy to know that he felt such a nice feeling for a beautiful being like that. An angel on earth.
He had to save her. And now that the gates no longer barred the access to those out outside, it was the right time, so it seemed.
*
Elektra, embarrassed for being naked in front of people, cried, not understanding why. Everyone looked at her in dread. They were spitting on her and euphorically yelling: - “Burn them now!”
- Father, what secret did you hide from me? Elektra asked Meridian, who had passed out from the loss of blood, and could not answer her question.
The count heard the question from the girl behind him. He turned in confusion and wondered if she had not been a victim of her own destiny as well.
“Was she raised by the wizard without knowing what she was?” - he thought, ironically smiling.
Ready to clarify Elektra’s doubt, she grabbed a peasant woman who hoped to see those wizards perishing. Taken by surprise, the poor woman struggled in fear of what could happen to her.
Obeying to the count’s order, two of his men grabbed her and made her stand before Elektra.
Maliciously, Drakur picked his dagger again and pressed it against the woman’s bosom, whose eyes were getting filled with water.
- Don’t kill me… please!! – the ill-fated woman sorrowfully begged, as she felt the razor’s sharpened edge at the base of her neck.
In a compulsive movement, nourished by the sweet musk of revenge, he released the impetuous blow. The now silent woman, who had momentarily stiffed his body, moved by the dreadful moment when her dress was cut off, stood bare-naked before Elektra and the eyes of all.
This is payback! – Drakur thought, as he watched Elektra's reaction to the truth, now exposed to her.
Elektra’s world had crumbled. The clash of a fierce emotion had put an end to a reality built up over a lifetime. How strong could a momentary sight be! She needed only a couple of seconds to understand that her whole life had been nothing but a lie. The hope of being loved, of having a family, or being simply happy, had now vanished. Her brain had been plunged into a disturbing silence. Hope no longer had a place in her heart. That was now a remote dream, sidelined by t
he painful evidence of life. All memories emerged from the troubled water of consciousness, which, like flashes, brightened the questions from which she failed to have an answer before that.
She felt in peace for a moment. A peace imposed by knowing that she was not going to live much longer, aware now of how different she was from everything and everyone. An aberration.
- Can you see? Do you know now what you are????
Drakur’s words removed Elektra from her alienated state. She no longer cared about dying. In fact, she wanted it now. One thing had to be done now: Relieve a share of the burden that had been supported by her father’s conscience.
- I don’t blame you, father! – she affectionately said.
These words echoed in Meridian’s head, giving him a reason to wake up from his collapse. Spitting blood, he looked at his daughter and said:
- I’m wrong ... Forgive me.
Elektra understood the reasons that led him to protect her from the truth. If she had known before what she was, she would never have dreamed, she would have tried to feel like a complete woman. - A beautiful woman with all the wishes that such implied. – She would never have known hope, that feeling that enlivens all living beings, motivating them to fight for what they are entitled to.