The winds howled softly as the noise of sand vanish. Dom opens his eyes finding his vision too blurry enough to make him motion sick. As soon as he regains his sight, the sun flashed his eyes. He looks around noticing a field of green grass and flowers surrounding him.
He looks up finding the old man staring down at him,
“I am happy you are finally awake. How do you feel?”
“Pedro is that you?”
“You were unconscious for nearly a day, let me check for injuries.”
“For a moment I felt sorrow, and then I felt nothing. I didn’t care about life or death, but I opened my mind to something far beyond my expectations.”
“One’s vision will always encounter a disturbance…in one’s soul. But you my friend have carried the luck of the gods on your trail.”
“Does that explain the reason why the storm threw me in a field of flowers, just to pardon me for my past, or am I just lucky?”
“Your luck is pure, now on your feet!”
Chapter 8
Little Man’s World
Pedro sat on a tree block helping Dom getting on his feet. As Dom stood up, seeing a small wooden house nearby.
“Old man what is this place…how did I end up here?”
“When we separated, it took me time to find you, until you fell unconscious in the sand almost buried alive. After I pulled you out of the storm, it leads us into a new reality.”
“Is someone else here, besides the ones who want us dead?”
“Indeed, an unusual man lives in that small cottage; he told me to *Wait here for the carriage*.”
“Suspicious…do you believe we should play along?”
“For now…until our bodies settle into this land.”
“I might just have a word with this man,” said Dom
“Be cautious…”
Dom approach the door knocking a few times, a bald man greeted him with a smile, with a pale face; he had a leather apron around his torso and a mustache big enough to cover his lips.
“Good day sir! How may I help you?”
“Yes, my friend told me about the carriage you mentioned. Why do we have the wait for it, and why the hell should we trust you?”
“Master Gario is the lord of these lands; he invites you both to attend the party at his manor. The carriage will arrive to take you there immediately; he expects you both before dawn.”
Before the man finished his sentence, Dom notices a thick string attached to the man’s neck, he peeks at the background, finding bloodstains on the floor. He knew something was entirely out of place, as the man’s eyes never flinch and the firm statement as if he was talking to a machine.
“Thank you…good day!” Dom quickly left the house, rejoining Pedro who is eager for news.
“All of this could be a setup, I conclude the man inside is just a walking corpse,” Dom whispered.
“Well I agree, but I think we should limit our actions. This world belongs to Gario Amora also known as *the little man,* he expects us to act out of curiosity.”
“I believe you know him.”
“Play by his rules, for now, at least give him that pleasure,”
“I can’t believe people in here could be only puppets just mere toys for occupation; they are only here to tend the emptiness of this world.”
Pedro gave back the machete to Dom, “You drop this, better keep it safe this time my boy…it is precious.”
Dom gazes upon the blade, then wiping away the sand off its silver. He began to remember a vital thought that he promised himself to ask the old man.
“Do you know anything about a device that could reflect the past?”
Pedro looks away to avoid discussing the topic; Dom believes the old man knew the existence of this artifact, as his look became nerving.
The ground began shaking when horses pull a carriage across the dirt path to stop at the waiting men. The horses were more significant than an average one, and the coach seems something out of a gothic novel. The coach did not have a chauffeur, but only the two black horses.
“Holy hell! The size of these horses is incomprehensible!” Dom said.
The coach solely open passage, Dom look inside finding no one there. Pedro went first without hesitation, giving a good nod. Dom kept his eyes on the horses for a moment, noticing both staring intensely at him. That gave him chills, so he finally enters the coach shutting the door after, then he quickly rub his shoulders.
“Did anything happen?” Pedro asked.
“Nothing important just felt a bit cold.”
The coach began to move faster as it vibrated across the road, Dom views out the window encountering the thick fog once again across the field. He thought about Pedro’s reaction as he mentions the device, finding it mysterious.
“Old man, sorry about what I said, it was too sudden.”
“I should be the one to apologize boy; I acted persistently.”
Dom looks to the sky observing the sun; he found it odd how the light did not sting his eyes, but it felt like staring into a fake reflection of it.
“Do you ever wonder why you are so immune to not die?” Pedro said
The old man changes the subject of the device from Dom’s attention.
“I passed on half of the power from the spirit “The Jaguar” to you, now you possess the ability to heal your wounds like no other man.”
“Who is this *Jaguar* you speak of?”
“He is a warrior above men in the Mayan civilization; he possessed a great power gifted by the sun god to destroy his enemies, the blade you hold beside your palm, once belonged to him.”
Dom examines the silver blade finding astonishment as it was a relic from a Mayan legend. The old man rolled up his sleeves showing Dom how slow death was enduring him.
“Before we arrive, I’ll lend you the rest of the Spirit's power…”
“Wait! Hold on…what are you saying? You are going to be alright after this…right!”
“I am not going to live any longer after this; I am already dying. If anything happens, …you will have the strength to end it.”
“Wait, old man!”
Pedro grips onto his hand tightly, while Dom weeps his sorrows. His veins were glowing as the old man transmits the rest of his strength. Pedro almost fainted as his rotten arm bled out and disintegrated into ashes. Dom held the old man before collapsing off the seat, the glow on his arm disappeared and a new feeling surge through his mind.
“In the past...before we got sealed into that box…a demon so terrifying was summoned to triumph over humanity…you must do whatever cost to defeat it, when the moment comes.” Pedro became unconscious; Dom set him back onto his seat haunted by his words.
Arriving at location lay a festival of costumes decorated with elaborate designs and art. Many guests attended the party wearing masquerades and fancy clothing from the past centuries. The coach made a stop near a colossal gate where a tall man greets the guests.
Dom exited the coach carrying Pedro on his shoulder. A servant came offering assistance for the old man; he declined but looking back at his condition made him rethink how close the end was for him. Pedro looks back at him with a warm smile.
“You are a good man, never forget it. No matter how things will turn out, you will always succeed in getting through my son.”
Dom gulp so hard, as his chest felt considerably tight. He felt Pedro more than a companion, but a mentor, and perhaps a father figure for a short time.
“I’m fine now! Let me go!” Pedro demanded. Strolling with shaky hands, balancing him on his shoulder; Dom kept close and escorted him to the gate entrance. When a tall man blocks the entrance using his extended arm.
“Trash is not allowed to pass,” the tall man said.
“What’s the big idea, you invited us here at least treat us with courtesy!” Dom said.
“Follow me!” The servant led both men into a dressing tent where peasants came in to replace their old rags. “Step inside please!” Both
men went at the same time; the tent did not shed light, as it was pitch black. Dom could feel something touching his upper and lower parts, so he swung his machete aimlessly afraid of what lurks inside.
“You can come out now!” The servant yelled.
Dom exits the tent. To his surprise, He wore an old Spanish tunic and slacks, replacing his worn-out clothing. The old man dressed the same as him, but it was more significant than his usual size and had a feather hat shadowing his face.
“You may now proceed through the gate,” the servant said.
The men pass through the gate, “Enjoy the party gentlemen…” The tall man greeted.
“Asshole,” Dom whispered.
Inside, the people were wearing strange costumes and masquerades, which only covered their eyes; they also enjoy a smoking yellow drink, which almost smells like toxic waste. A puppet show near the bush had the audience intensely focused, on its storytelling and its bizarre puppet characters.
“Don’t get too comfortable boy…this doesn’t mean the enemy is peaceful,” Pedro reminded.
“You’re awake!”
“I need to prevent that naïve action of yours, to fall into any stupid trap.”
“Don’t worry old man; I’m not the same as before.”
“Head inside; the host must be expecting us there.”
Walking towards the manor, Dom notice both the guards and the tall man kept a close surveillance on him, as he wanders closer to the front door, Dom continues straight hoping not to attack.
The front entrance had weird statues at their sides, a creature with horns and a faceless one. Dom proceeded to find the lobby empty, but a small man stood on the staircase wearing fancy clothes and having an appearance like a puppet.
“Welcome gentlemen! To my humble home,” said the man.
“Gario…Amora,” Pedro mumbled.
Dom quickly became hostile by equipping his machete and making a serious impression.
“I’m astonished, how both of you made it so far in one piece …well except for the Indian. You seem to be rather, dying of apathy, than melting from fear.”
Dom rushes towards him to strike… “Stop! No violence for now, besides I want to avoid getting my suit stain, anyways look around you.” Guards stood above aiming their muskets at them.
“Although this is a special event that comes every century; let’s not become violent…try to enjoy yourselves. Isn’t that right boys!” The guards mumbled to each other, while Gario sigh is confusingly shaking his head. Dom lowers his weapon and obliges to the Amora’s wishes.
“Excellent! Shall we proceed to the ballroom, my guests are pretty impatient.”
Dom brought the old man and followed Gario into the upstairs ballroom, where half of the guests dance to a symphony of the orchestra.
“Now let’s have a drink, follow me!” Gario said. He led them to the back of the room where a roundtable stood; a butler wearing shackles on his ankles brought the wine bottle, while Dom stares intently at him.
“Sit! Hope you enjoy the wine…don’t worry it’s not poisoned I promise you.”
Dom moved a chair making room for Pedro to sit on. They both stare at Gario with severe faces as he sighs at them calmly. “You know I hate serious faces.”
“You are so hospitable today…isn’t like you Gario, why not mutilate us when you had the chance, why not give us hell or have our heads mounted on your wall like you always do,” Pedro said.
“The question is simple…in all the centuries I’ve lived here, I’m so curious about how a human can be hard to kill…or is there a secret to this coincidence…are you hiding something from me…Indian?”
Dom’s attention calls to the orchestra of puppets playing the instruments like humans, except for the one playing the piano silently in the background. He took a closer look, finding the piano player familiar, like from the dream, an enormous fedora wore over his head, and black clothing made Dom’s heart stop for a brief moment.
Until the piano player turns, revealing to be the small man from his nightmare. He slowly pulls a broad grin; Dom became stiff before returning to a healthy state.
“You seem to be rather pale, why so frightened my child?” Gario asked.
“Just feeling a bit of pain from journeying.”
“Well then have a bit of wine, I’m sure you should feel much better.
Both men nodded each other While Gario plans something.
“You know…my time here has been well expended, but let me be genuine. I begin to feel lonely here, nothing but puppets surround my vision, and even I became part of it. If the prophecy is true…I want you to sacrifice yourselves to be my replacement so that I may restore my humanity. In exchange…I’ll spare your lives and you will have this realm all to yourselves…do we have an agreement?”
In a moment of silence, the men looked at each other.
“I’ll decline! Your treacherous abnormality will never prevail us to surrender.” Pedro said.
“I see! Well please, enjoy the party…the women will gladly take you in… hehe!” Gario said.
Few strange women pulled Dom off his seat and shoved him into the dancing floor, stumbling into the center. One grabs Dom, as they forcibly started dancing. The orchestra stops playing, and for a few minutes, silence invaded the dance floor. When the piano began to kick in the “Moonlight Sonata.” Dom turns behind him to find Gario watching in amusement, as the old man started to close his eyes.
Dom soon felt his movements paralyzed like the rest of his body froze in place. Some of the women in front of him made strange approaches, smiling menacingly. He looks around finding each man getting strangled and assaulted by the women, soon they were dead.
“Are you enjoying yourself yet dear?” The women in the room began pouncing onto Dom, strangling the life out of him as he slowly breathes.
“You see now! I hate the fact you acted like an asshole, because whenever I make an offer…no man shall refuse me. But I’m sure my father will fetch me something for your carcass, goodnight Indian’s boy!”
Dom struggled to break free, but all he could do was watch the whole world around him fade slowly into a dark room.
Chapter 9
Death
Drip…drip…at a distance, the sound of water echoed through. Dom wakes up in a cell chained to a wall, the whole space was dark, but only a torch stood at a pillar slightly shedding light. He wore dirty rags that had foul odor of a dead animal, and his legs felt numb along with his head making him dizzy. He looks around trying to find the old man.
“Pedro…are you around here old man…” In a whisper.
No Answer…. When footsteps echoed through the darkness getting closer to the cell. “Ah! Finally awake, good! We wouldn’t want you to miss the event.” Gario stood on the other side; his guards opened the cell door releasing Dom from his shackles and dragging him out.
“Relax…don’t try struggling; your body is sedated with powerful serum, so please be still!” Dom begins to drool, feeling his stomach twisting with immense pain.
“I was thinking for quite a while, why would a human be so difficult to kill? Well, I figured out, the old man spared you some of his powers! Was I correct?”
Gario took out a small knife out of his suit, he ran it across Dom’s skin causing him to grunt in pain and drool even more.
“Now we wait…to confirm my theory,” Gario said.
A minute later, the cut healed and Gario saw with curiosity, satisfied with learning his secret, “Damn Indian! This will be difficult to extract. It will be a pleasure to rid of this human.”
“Oh! I forgot we must be on our way or the audience shall be furious.”
Gario approaches a wall to pull a brick, a secret passage emerges, and they walk down a spiral staircase; as they arrive at a crowd-filled coliseum. In the center arena, a deciduous tree held a man nailed to its trunk. Feeling the drug wearing off, Dom rubs his eyes taking a better view, lifting his head…he was stunned…finding a moment of horr
or, when recognizing the man to be Pedro.
“The view is great isn’t it, the tree is one of my favorites as it sprouts no leaves but only sand beneath it, creates an interesting sight to behold…don’t you agree?”
“Old man!” Dom shouted. “Please let him go! He doesn’t deserve this…if you want to kill me, do it…just spare him…please!”
“What will occur here today folks, this disgusting old man who for countless centuries has lived in treason, will be punished for his crime, now send him to hell my pigeons *The Soul Eater’s!*,” Gario announced. The crowd roared in amusement when the sand itself began to move in waves, even the stadium shook like an earthquake.
Suddenly, a massive flock of pigeons soared out of the sand flying purposelessly through the air as more and more join them. Pedro began to gain consciousness as he slowly tilted to see birds flying towards him. The birds attacked him as they feast on his flesh; at the same time, Dom could hear Pedro’s agonizing screams, and so he again begged for forgiveness, but not of Dom’s plea, can convince Gario’s thirst for blood.
“Spare him! I should be in his place…I rightfully deserve it.” Dom said.
“Too late my boy! You see the crowd; they are entertained by this performance. But! I promise you’ll get your turn sooner than expected.”
The audience gasps in shock and roar cheerfully at the same time. Dom looks below devastated; Pedro’s body was nothing but a mutilated skeleton. His eyes were watering with tears, while his heart brought back a sorrow, of losing someone dear to him once more.
The pigeons return to the sand; the guards took down the corpse dragging it to an underground stairway. Dom silently continued dropping tears regretting his thoughts, as Gario ordered his guards to take him back to the dungeon.
They cuff him to the wall and lock the cell door. Dom still regrets not killing Gario while he had the chance, and murmurs in anger and hatred. He could feel his arms regaining movement, as he attempts to break free from the shackles that bind him. Dom begins to puff as exhaustion fills his veins; blood ran down his wrists as he pulled harder.
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