The thorns that separated the Village from the forest clung to her clothes. Piercing her thighs, scratching her bloody, letting out drops of blood. She barely made it back. Halfway through her journey back home, her legs were stiff and dry and her throat became itchy. Her body was begging for water. It’s only one of the many things that she felt. With one last push, she was out of the thorny bushes. “Oof!” She tripped and fell on the ground with a thud. And there it is, her Village. Walakya. Her home. It was a simple Village, brown small huts and houses. Many children were running and playing around, but at the sight of it, she felt lonely. It’s at times like these that she thinks back on how things used to be and that awful feeling of bitterness and resentment coils up in her gut like a cold unfeeling snake. She tried to think that she could live day by day doing the same routine. But… after what happened with Calleb, who can she turn to other than her family? Being in this Vil
“How could you do that to your sister?!” Was Ember’s frustrated holler at the three young men standing in front of her. The three looked down from shame. Not only receiving scoldings from their mother but from the village Shaman as well.Accashia was put to sleep, the Shaman doing a ritual that helped the young woman relax, mixing herbs and salt. As the middle aged woman continued to scold and reprimand her children, the Shaman looked at Accashia. “This young woman had been touched by the beast.” She whispered to herself. Remembering the stories of old, how the legend of the Eastern Kingdom went to chaos, the Shaman closed her eyes. From her satchel, she took out a pouch that contained a mixture of salt, sage and coal. Saying her enchantments, the old woman drizzled the mixture on Accashia’s face, hands and chest. Her eyes remained closed as she continued chanting. Praying to the spirits for guidance, for answers on what could’ve happened to the young woman. ‘Beast’ ‘Mate’ ‘Shald
"Calleb, take Accashia. We need to treat her wound immediately.” Was what Accashia heard as she felt her body being carried inside the hollow cave. Calleb gently placed her on the bed made of grass and cloth, and began to take off her clothes. The wound on the back of her neck was still bleeding because it pierced thoroughly, the blade sinking not only on her flesh. Mongolia’s intention was to remove a heap of meat from her nape, cutting her like an animal. Ruthless. “Turn her around.” Luntian commanded. She grabbed a pile of leaves, smothering them with paste made of herbs and salt. Luntian gently placed the leaves on Accashia’s wounds. “This will hurt a little.” Was her soft coos to the young lady. Feeling the herbs graze against the wound, Accahia screamed in pain. Crying out loud. “Hold her down!” Calleb clicked his tongue in annoyance. “I’m trying!” The night went on like that, for if the bleeding doesn’t stop, Accashia will lose her life. Not only because of the wound. Bu
Though she still feels pain with every movement that she makes, Accashia follows Luntian without any protest or objections. The Shaman leads her to the bonfire, and when they are seated comfortably on the log, Luntian throws a mix of salt and zirconium at the fire. It made a sizzling noise, the minerals cracking until it turned to smoke. As the smoke rose to the sky, Luntian stood up, raising her hands. And when she did, the smoke formed a castle. A fortress, strong. Sturdy and the castle walls are high. Accashia sat with lips parted from awe. Her eyes twinkled along with the embers of fire that danced with every whirl and twirl of Luntian’s hands. And so, she begins to tell the tale of how the Kingdom of Shaldan fell from its glory. “In an ancient Kingdom, a Beast of black and white reigned . He was sovereign, graceful. And with his Queen, the Luna named Galathea, they were undefeatable. The were-people loved them. For they were kind, gentle and benevolent. His army consisted of
Even when they gave everything they had, Mongolia was still defeated — humiliated by the sheer strength of the beast. Hundreds of lives wasted as the beast had proven to be too strong for them. Like how the legends are foretold, the beast was strong, it’s strength and prowess unlike humans. It’s the devil hiding behind the flesh of a beautiful man, tricking women and preying upon their fragile souls. “Oh powerful spirits, guide us.” Mongolia witnessed it herself, as the beast broke every bones of her men, son and guards. How he tossed the bodies of the men he had broken. She witnessed her sons, Malakeeth and Malakas being beaten to death by this monster. How she survived was beyond her. It’s as if the talons of the Eagle of her spirit guide watched over her. Blood was running down her face, and it felt like her head was spinning. Both of her legs were broken. It was already dawn, who knew that she’d see the sunrise like this. The village she grew old too had luscious pastures of
From dawn to dusk, they went on their journey towards the East. Through the thickets of the forest and through the stone walls as tall as a man. They only stopped when the moon appeared in the darkening sky. Luntian used her magic to find a place they could camp. Her spirit guide found a rickety house, but it is better than sleeping on the ground during this chilly night. It’s an old house trapped or built in the middle of two rocks. A strong yet frightening way to build something that is to be called home. The yard was so overgrown it’s almost become a miniature jungle. The place itself is in similar disrepair, crumbling and decrepit. With little force, Calleb scales the rusty padlocked gate easily. As much as he doesn’t like the place, it’s better than having nothing at all. He turned to face Accashia and Luntian with a disgruntled look on his face. “Let’s camp for the night. Tomorrow we leave, this place is disgusting.”, and then feels foolish for even being here. It was predict
‘Those who encountered the beast, come to me.’ Hearing the beautiful lustrous voice, the soul of the young man drifted out from its earthly macabre looking body. Eyes pecked out by crows, intestines laying on the ground, soiled and eaten by foxes, wild animals. ‘Come to me, come to me.’ The beautiful voice sang. The light blue soul turned dark. The sins, the transgressions and the wickedness the soul had endured overruled its purity. Turning it into a ghoul. ‘Come!’ It followed the whispers. The alluring sound. A promise of sanctuary, and the voice of the songstress was seemingly laced with beautiful promises. A promise to be saved, and rescued. The soul saw a woman, standing tall and proud with a smirk. She was wearing a green and black gown. Beautiful, intricate design. The woman was similar to the stories being told to them when he was still a young and innocent child. A witch. A sorceress, a seductress. The black soul yearning to be saved should’ve gone back to its body. Wa
Calleb had no plans for stopping over, but the sun was still at its peak, and with two angry — sticky and overly irritated women, he had no choice. So he sits on a rock. Brooding and grumbling on his own. His arms crossed against his chest, pissed off why those two just wash after they’ve reached their destination. “Don’t you dare peek!” Was Luntian’s teasing. She and Accashia leisurely removed their clothes, and thanked their fortunes because there’s a river not so far away from where they had stopped. Calleb rolled his eyes and puffed his cheeks. “Who wants to peek at an old wrinkled prune like you?!” He yelled then turned towards Luntian’s direction. He made sure to keep his eyes closed, because the last time he peeked accidentally, Luntian threw a rock straight to his face. Luntian laughed then looked at Accashia who was enjoying herself. Swimming leisurely at full nudity, feeling the chilly water on her skin. “I’m not talking about me though.” She teased. When Calleb realized