Will the Sun Still Shine...?

Will the Sun Still Shine if I Burn the Moon?

“Dad! That's ridiculous!” The young, adolescent girl rose from her chair and slammed the palms of her hands on the tabletop. Her furious expression was locked on her elderly father, who was perched at the head of the table, a good three seats away from his children. Only three people were present inside this spacious dining hall, Manah, the angered girl, Seere the wise brother, and Verdelet the patriarch. Manah’s voice seemed to echo down the other halls and reverberate in the opposite rooms.
Verdelet, being the target of her aggression, took a drink from the goblet filled with wine in front of him. Then, in a rumbling command, he shouted “Enough!” slamming the wine into the table with more force than Manah exerted earlier. His voice echoed as well, but not from the natural acoustics of the expansive mansion, but from his sheer power. His physical body seemed to be weakening with age, but his overwhelming presence still washed over everyone with each action he took.
Seere stood up and looked between his sister and father. “Now hold on a minute you two, I’m sure there’s a reasonable agreement we can reach.” He outstretched his arms as if welcoming them to his advice. “If I take up part of Manah’s work she can finish and come home in time to celebrate right? Or better yet, we can celebrate in the town, I’m sure the villagers would be happy to see you, sister.” He again glanced between the two, this time with a warm smile across his serene face, his shoulder length hair swaying to the motions of his head.
Yet Manah did not budge. She glared intently at the old king, despite his booming voice, and despite her brother’s soothing words. “Don’t bother. I’ll do it myself.” Manah pushed off the table as she stormed away, deliberately knocking her glass over. Manah looked as if her blood were boiling on the exterior, and it’d be an understatement to completely deny that for her emotions, but she felt more disappointment than even anger. Her own father shows no sense of feeling, no emotion ever, but to even act this way on her birthday... She couldn’t hide her discontent under another innocent facade in order to please her noble family. The girl pushed through each door that stood in her way, slamming the oaken lids against the adjacent walls.
The girl bursted forth from the boundaries of her home, the royal mansion that seems to almost hide the sun in the morning, due to its size and position atop a hill that overlooks the secluded village. She descended the gentle slope into the town, all the while cursing to herself, the morning autumn air soaking in her breath, creating cotton swabs below her amethyst bangs. Upon reaching the houses of the commoners, one by one, they would come out just to greet her. Politely saying “good morning” and addressing her as “Ms.Manah” or “Princess.” Manah only smirked and replied “morning” in return, any further conversing was out of the question for the enraged girl.
Her destination was the town’s market. She regulated all the currency that passed through her village, exchanged coins with merchants, rented out areas for shops... Not a single item was sold or being sold in the market without Manah’s knowledge of the matter. Her father found this to be the most suited job to her, for she was smart, beyond so of her older brother, but she didn’t seem to enjoy everyone’s company as her brother did. She still had to hold conversations with merchants and travelers, but she spoke only of business and then rushed them off. She settled in her currency stand that exchanged silver coins for gold and coins from other kingdoms for their coins and so on. Almost simultaneous to her arrival, a messenger came up to the front and handed her the results of the previous day’s transactions.
“Things are going pretty well are they not, Ms.Manah?” She shot a glance in the messenger’s direction while still facing the papers. “At this rate, I’ll be able to sell my novels!” The young man walked away whistling to himself, leaving before Manah was able to glare a second time.
He’s right, Manah thought to herself. Not a single shop has lost money during my whole life. Not a single merchant has passed through without making a profit. Manah looks away from the papers at the fruit stall. There’s never been a shortage of food here as well, not even a drought or a flood. She rest her head on her left hand and drums her fingers on the right. So this is the kinda town a family of miracle workers can create. Then what is this uneasy feeling? Other than dad’s ludicrous orders there’s not a single thing wrong with this place. What Manah thinks isn’t far off fiction, her family performs miracles for the villagers to keep them happy and prosperous. Although it is only her brother and father that perform such miracles, Manah doesn’t have enough power to manifest rainfall to prevent drought or cure ailments with but a touch on the hand. That is why Manah holds only a job as a town official with a famous face, yet, people seem as happy as ever to see her. Manah has never been able to fathom why this is, if she had it her way, she’d never associate with these commoners.
Interrupting Manah’s scan of the marketplace was a girl in ragged clothes, sitting in the small space between the tavern and the bakery. She didn’t look to be one of the villagers, Manah couldn’t recognize her at all. Manah left her stand and approached the young girl. She didn’t look well, judging from her dirty, disheveled appearance, Manah assumed she was homeless. Manah figured she was hungry from her pale skin and substantially skinny limbs. The girl looked up upon Manah’s approach, struggling out of the tight spot she was previously resting in.
“Hello Miss, it’s a nice morning isn’t it?” The girl revealed a cute smile.
“And who are you? I’ve never seen you around town here.”
“The name’s Lola, Miss...”
“Manah. It’s Miss Manah.”
“Got it, Miss Manah.” The girl smiled even bigger, this time revealing that she was missing one of her canine teeth.
“Uh... Why do you keep smiling at me?” Manah couldn’t understand her elation. All I’ve done is ask her name... Why the hell is she smiling? What could possibly be making her happy? Manah’s discomfort was growing with each second Lola smiled.
“Simply because I’m able.” The shock Manah felt was like a stake to the heart. Not that it was particularly rude or malicious in any way, it was too surprising for her. She found the optimism of the people in her town to be... unsettling. Seeing their smiles made the air turn to syrup, hearing their laughter drug a wand of steel wool down her spine, watching them drink without a care formed military ants in her stomach. To Manah, this kingdom was repulsive. She couldn’t tell you why, she wouldn’t try to tell why. Manah trusted her instincts, and every inch of her nerves told her this place was wrong.
Stop... Stop smiling... What the hell do you have to be happy for? Lola’s body truly was small. If it wasn’t for the over sized shirt she draped herself in seeing her ribs would probably be an easy task. Manah could feel her mouth twisting with disgust. Look at you! You’re so disgustingly thin! If I vomited from your sickening look I’d bet you’d eat it wouldn’t you? Filthy animal... Lola cocked her head to the side, looking wide-eyed at Manah with an unbreakable gaze. “You look so much like a dog it’s not even funny...”
“Huh?”
Tch! I said it out loud. Lola’s smile went limp, leaving her mouth agape. Wait, she’s just an outsider. She doesn’t even live here. No one would believe her if she told anyone what I just said. The corners of her open mouth curved upward.
“Really? I love dogs! They’re cute aren’t they?” Manah’s head went blank. Forget it. She has brain damage. Manah turned around and began walking back to her booth. Before making even four steps, the commoners and merchants that had been filtering through the area behind her caught her eye. So many people... There has to be one, at least one... She began scanning faces, not to spot anyone in particular, not to notice any special features, but to see if any of them weren’t smiling. The customers buying perfectly priced fruits: happy. The merchant selling them: happy. The travelers passing through: happy. This starving girl hiding between buildings: Unfortunately she’s still happy. Everyone would turn to her as they passed and exclaim how great their stay in the town was, how perfect the market functioned, or how abundant the crops were. Manah stumbled back into a large man, knocking something out of his hands. When she turned, she noticed it was freshly baked bread now in the dirt.
The large man laughed, “I always have more in case I drop something, don't worry about it Princess.” If it wasn’t for the self control Manah had been learning for years she probably would’ve screamed. She stopped short of kicking the baker's bread through the crowd when her eyes met with a giant wooden gate. The gate...
Suddenly, an idea snapped into Manah’s head like the threads binding her mind were cut, letting the free flow of personality seep in. “Isn't that a shame?” She said to the baker and waved him off.
“Oi! Dog-girl!” Manah sharply turned around and locked onto Lola.
“Huh? What is it Miss Manah?” Manah grabbed her hand and pulled her over to the currency stand. Lola didn’t resist the whole way, even when Manah shoved her into the booth.
“Here.” Manah slapped, quite forcefully, the hat she always wears while at her booth on Lola’s head. Lola let out a bit of squeak when she was struck. Manah pointed at the stool in the stand and said “Sit.” Lola hesitated, only to position the hat on her head, and then sat on the stool, clasping her legs around it “Good girl. Now I want you to stay there until I come back. If anyone tries to hand you something, tell them ‘thank you’ and take it.” Lola nodded with her usual vigor, like she just received a new toy to play with for the evening.
Manah could hardly hold back her laughter as she ducked through the crowd of people. She was practically holding her breath as she stepped out of the main gate. The first step outside of the town’s walls was a step filled with joy, freedom, and laughter. This is great! There’s nothing but trees, mountains, dirt... I can see the river from here. Not a single god-forsaken village out here. As those thoughts raced across her mind she caught a glimpse of a tall, lanky man lurking off into the woods. He almost seemed to disappear as he passed the threshold of the first trees. He stopped, only the wide shoulder and thin sleeve of his pinstripe suit glistened in the sunlight. His arm rose, his open palm facing the sky, and gestured for Manah to follow him. Manah was puzzled by the strange man’s actions, but, facing a new adventure into a forest she’s never seen, she couldn’t resist the temptation. She rushed to follow the lanky misshapen fellow before she lost sight of him.
Manah was greeted with wave after wave of thorny vines. She could hear parts of her clothing being ripped as she traversed the rosebush defenses of the woods. The man leading her was tall and skinny enough that stepping clean over them was no hard task. Manah desired to speak to this nimble, towering figure, but her amazement in the topography and the very advent of this man left her in a speechless daze, only to silently gaze upon the foreign clothing that draped across his back. Before she realized it, Manah stumbled out of the vines into a clearing. The tall man was in front of her standing by a large, red and white striped cloth. She tried gazing past him, leaning far to her sides, until she felt his eyes locked on her. Manah perked up and stood at attention.
“Welcome, madam.” He bowed, allowing the chain from his pocket watch to dangle below his knees.
“Why thank you, but, where exactly is this?” He lifted his head and stepped to the side.
“This is our wonderful abode. We put on shows for the lovely people willing enough to venture out and see our performance.” He lifted up the cloth and let it rest upon his arm, forming a gateway into the drapery cavern.
“Oooooh... A show. What kind of show?”
“I believe that my words alone couldn’t do it justice, madam. If you wish to see for yourself, we have a front row seat just for you.” The fluctuations in his voice made him seem more exotic than his clothing did.
“A front row seat?! How many people are in there?” Manah peered into the dark interior, straining her eyes to see inside.
“Unfortunately no one has strayed out far enough to learn of our... Productions.” Manah turned her head to see the vines they had just passed through to get here.
“Well, to be fair you chose a terrible location. I’m just guessing but I don’t think many people climb through thorns on a daily basis.”
“I cannot argue that point madam, you are right. Yet, setting our circus in the center of town was guaranteed to cause a disturbance instead, correct?”
“I wouldn’t go that far...” Manah gestured as if she were waving away her previous words. She looked back at the tall man. “I guess I’ll see the show, I’m too curious not to. So, show me to my seat, Mr...”
“Michael. Call me Michael, madam.” He held his arm out, allowing Manah in front of him. When she was inside the tent, she could barely make out the outline of a large ring on the floor. Michael let the entrance slunk back into position, extinguishing what light had managed to barge in, which left the tent in complete darkness. She grasped aimlessly around her until something gripped her from behind her knees. She fell backwards onto a similar object, then, just as suddenly, she felt herself being lifted into the air. Manah’s sensation of flight felt like it lasted longer than the minute that it did.
When she felt herself being set down a large spotlight kicked on in the center of the tent. A single spotlight on the ceiling lit up the stage perfectly, the light gently brushing against the edges of the ring on the floor but slicing through the dark with terrifying ferocity. That light... Manah giggled to herself, it looks just like the sun. While fixated on the light, Michael’s hand reached through the darkness and planted itself firmly on her shoulder. He spoke through the shadows in a softer tone than before, “Do stay a while and enjoy yourself madam. We’d certainly love the company.” His hand retreated, leaving Manah in her hierarchical audience seat to watch light glitter on the solemn dirt below.
One by one, strange creatures and people made their appearances on the stage. Doing tricks, singing songs, dancing, or otherwise just showing off their oddities. There was a whole slew of them, a knightly crow that cut through melons in a single slice, a man with three heads, the first serpent, the second human, and the last a cat, a dog with huge hawk wings, a leopard man... even a knight in red armor riding a rotting horse. Creature after creature passed by while Manah stared in childish excitement. Although her curiosity and desire grew as the show continued, quickly causing an irregular heartbeat she had never felt before, she was excited... She knew the meaning of the word but had never experienced it inside that ever smiling, always working, never changing kingdom.
As the show was coming to a close Manah felt tears begin to well up. No, don’t end! Don’t stop!
“But all good things come to an end, madam.” Michael had approached Manah without the slightest signal to his movement. She jumped at first then looked at Michael, her eyes began watering again. “If you would like, madam, we could continue this soiree in the forest. The routine may be over but that doesn’t mean we’ve disappeared.” Manah quickly brushed the tears from the corners of her eyes and hoped out of her seat.
“Perfect!” She followed Michael out of the opposite side that they entered from. The forest was gleaming with an orange hue, lending a brilliance to the already fascinating greenery. Manah couldn’t choose what to focus her eyes on, between all the new things she had seen today, it was impossible for her to reach a decision. After enough time of her attention being scattered like a swarm of gnats, the armored crow called her over. She immediately rushed over and sat down beside him. The crow was perched on a log that was being used as a bench. He stood up to Manah’s shoulders, while she was sitting.
“It’s nice to see someone has a developed enough brain to come out and see us.” The crow gave a hearty laugh to accompany his comment.
“Yeah well, that damned place is too stuffy. All work and no play, am I right?” Manah smiled at the crow.
“I suppose you’re right, kid. I tell ya’ what, we want you to have something...” The crow gestured to Michael who was just out of earshot of the two. “Could you go get that ring that’s been laying around?” The man nodded and began walking off toward the tent.
A ring? They’re gonna give me a ring? Manah rocked back and forth in excitement while peering at the rest of the creatures. Most of them were mingling like the townspeople, but not all of them smiled. Some scowled when others approached, some joked on others, they would even bicker at times. How they reached those emotions didn’t matter to her, she was happy just to see them. Manah let her eyes wonder further into the trees until she was gazing upward, silently smiling at the atmosphere. She blinked once, and in that time, Michael was only inches away from her face. Manah didn’t jump, but her body tensed up and her eyes locked on him. Once she realized who it was she began laughing and looked back down as he separated himself by a few steps.
Michael held out his hand, “Here, you can have this little... Trinket I guess I could call it.” He had a rough voice, but it sounded somewhat sophisticated to Manah’s ears. The crow thrust his sword into the log, both feathered winged arms crossed on its handle, as Manah took the ring from Michael’s hand.
“We’d be forever in your debt, kid. Just say the word.” The armored crow bowed his head. Manah was speechless. She was used to people being overly polite, but this was something that even the princess of a “perfect” kingdom never saw. Manah repressed the urge to laugh at the thought of calling herself princess.
“Allow me to explain, madam,” Michael pointed at the ring. “This little ring, it’s an escape route. The others here are bound by the seal in the tent and cannot stray far from it.”
“The others? So it won’t release you from this, seal?”
“Oh I’m not held captive here, madam,” Michael shook his head slightly. “I was merely the keeper of this key, but I agreed to be the doorman until someone arrived that would use this ring.”
Manah studied the ring, it had a simple elegance to it, much like Michael himself. “So, I’m supposed to be the one to make everything all better, right?” Michael nodded without a word. “Well, if I release you guys, will everyone listen to a request?” The creatures and inhabitants of the troupe turned to Manah, now giving her their full attention.
The armored crow once again bowed his head, “I, president Caim, will swear to serve you in any means, kid.” The others followed suit in this gesture. Another mildly normal man stepped forward, his eyes stirred with a pale green, and yet looked as clouded as mud water.
“If you help us demons out, we’ll show you that we can do anything.” He smiled, yet the aura he gave was different than Lola’s. Hmmm... So they were demons all along. And dad always told us to stay away from demons, hmph! Seems like he was wrong again, these are my kind of people.
Manah reached out to shake his hand, “I understand,” she began to smile, “but I’m leader from now on.” Judging from the demons’ reactions to her, one could assume she gave off a very similar aura.
The man gladly shook her hand, “The name’s Gaap. If there’s anywhere you wanna go, I can send you instantly.” He winked as he let go of her hand. Manah looked once more over the crowd before sliding the ring onto her right ring-finger.
She looked over to Michael, holding her hand up so he could see the ring. “How’s this thing work?”
“Follow me, madam, and I’ll remove the seal from the tent.” The two walked back into the tent, leaving the demons in an anxious state.
Michael led her to the center of the seal. As he cleared off the props the demons performed with, Manah sat still in the center. He approached her while mumbling under his breath, Manah couldn’t understand the words though. Must be some ancient language or something... Damn elders and their secrets... Manah began humming to herself. But now I get to be the first human to lead demons! This will definitely infuriate that self righteous bastard!
“Madam, I apologize. I didn’t come up with this procedure, this is just how it’s done.” Manah looked up to see Michael towering over her. Before she could ask anything of Michael, he reached out and grabbed the front of her shirt. He pulled it apart precise enough that the buttons in the front didn’t fall off. “Again, don’t blame me, madam.” He removed all the clothing that covered her breast, leaving Manah’s chest and midriff exposed.
Wh-wh-wh-what the hell is he doing?! Manah was so confused that she couldn’t verbalize any of her queries. With her fair chest revealed, Michael pulled an object similar to a scepter from his jacket. The wand glittered under the spotlight, like a cave’s walls. Manah stood static, still not grasping the whole situation.
“Here goes nothing...” Michael, in a swift, lightning fast movement, rammed the scepter between Manah’s breast. Manah began seeing red, her mind raced around looking for an explanation to what had happened. She felt the wand thrust into her, and ignoring the sound would have been impossible. She slowly began to look down. The scepter looked as if it were pumping something directly into her body.
O-o-okay... This thing is in there deep. Why am I still standing? Better yet... Manah looked back up at Michael, “Why did you stab me you ingrate?!”
“Relax madam, this scepter cannot kill you. Harm maybe, but it can’t kill you.”
“So you stabbed me for the hell of it?!”
“Funny you should mention hell, madam. That’s where your soul is going. Any pain you may feel is just that.” Manah looked back at the scepter. There were red lines flowing out across her in patterns, drawing shapes and symbols across her torso.
“But you said it can’t kill me.”
“Well, it can’t madam. Your soul goes to hell but the seal replaces it. A simple ‘bait and switch’ tactic. This will give you control over the demons as they’ll have to follow you.” The two looked down at the scepter, which had lost it’s lustrous shine that it had just before being placed in between Manah’s ribs, now its appearance more resembled granite in color and texture. “Ah, it’s over madam. Just let me remove this...” Michael wrapped his fingers around the protruding end and pulled it out as quickly as he had placed it. Manah looked down at her chest. Where the scepter had broken her skin was now a diamond shaped symbol, and deriving from it were lines that tattooed her body. The lines only covered her chest, midriff and sides. She couldn’t help but smile about them... after she was done grimacing from the pain.
These actually look pretty, they look kinda like those fae designs in faerie tales. It’d be a shame to cover these up completely... Manah buttoned her shirt enough that she covered her chest, then she ripped and tore the rest of the shirt below that off. The crimson red of the designs flowed well with the emerald colored long skirt she usually wore.
“I’m glad to see you embracing your new situation, madam.” Michael placed the stone scepter back in his jacket and pointed to Manah’s right hand. “You can use that ring to summon any of your new friends. I suggest you get to know them well, madam, and farewell.” Before she could turn to see him, Michael had disappeared.
Manah held out her hand, looking at its brilliant shine. “How wonderful...” She giggled to herself and walked back to her demons. By now the sun had fallen below the horizon and the moon was just beginning its climb. “Who wants to go have some fun?” Manah only smiled at the demons who were clearly confused by her question. She laughed before waving for them to follow her. “Just come with me. We’re gonna get to know each other in town.”
Each of them nodded and dissipated from sight. Manah held the ring up again, it continued to shine with brilliance, but there appeared to be shadows swimming just below the surface of the metal. Let’s see how these mindless drones hold up to this... These lines are proof that these demons are the real deal. Manah could feel each step toward the kingdom was different than the last. As if she were progressing in strength every time her boot disheveled the dirt. Her body felt lighter, her steps felt stronger, her mind felt quicker... Everything she was sure about herself felt better. When she stepped through the threshold of the kingdom, everything had the same stagnant air she remembered leaving behind that morning. Not sure what I expected, but I can’t stand this, it’s suffocating.
Manah walked to the center of the now deserted market and held out her hand. “Impress me.” As she spoke shadows reached out of her ring and grabbed the air. The shadows pulled apart the air, leaving an open rift full of crimson and onyx swirls that led deeper than space permits. From this stepped the three headed man, a cat’s head, a serpent’s head, and a human’s head rested on his disproportional shoulders.
“Gladly, Manah, I will make this dreary market dance like the festival fires in hell!” He swirled sparks around his fingers, gathering a pool of them in each hand until they created a bright purple flame. He slung them one after another into stalls and across booths, the excess sparks dripping from his hands, causing smaller yellow fires sporadically. Manah clapped as she stood beside him, gazing at the burning market. The cat head turned and locked eyes with her, “The three of us are called Aim.” The serpent head hissed, which appeared to be the signal to stop as Aim clasped his hands onto the flames he held, smothering them. “Our power lies in pure destruction, Manah.”
“I can see that, Aim. Very well done.”
“Til I am called again.” Aim dissolved out of sight.
Manah marched forward to where she knew people would be gathered... The tavern just past the market. Manah was greeted by the drunken fools as she barged her way in.
“Princess!”
“Miss Manah is here!”
“Care for a drink, princess?”
They’re so drunk it would almost be cheating to fool with them. But, I never said I’d play fair when I agreed to this... Manah held out her hand, but before she was able to call on anyone, a drunken man interrupted her by thrusting a mug into her vision.
“Come on Miss Manah! One drink! On me!” She reluctantly grabbed the mug from him.
She held her hand out again, this time quickly muttering “one of you poison these mongrels.” The shadows opened another gate. This time, a beautiful maiden swam out of shadows. She was a mermaid, yet, she flowed through the air as if it were natural. She quickly dripped a liquid from her pitcher into each mug the villagers were drinking from. None of them appear to care, are they too drunk to notice or can they see her at all? Manah took a drink from her untainted mug.
The mermaid swam to Manah and whispered “I am Vepar, and from this pitcher, I breed disease,” before she disappeared from the Tavern. The man who handed Manah the mug took a drink from his own glass. When he did he began coughing. Manah looked throughout the bar and saw the same result from everyone who had just taken a drink. The man coughed, his face broke out in hives, his blood boiled just under the skin... It sounded as if he were choking as his eyes rolled back into his head. He collapsed on the floor, and shortly after, many of the men did as well.
Well, that was certainly a different sight. I’ll be damned if that wasn’t perfect though. Manah took another drink as she held out her hand. “Keep it coming.” The shadows again opened a gate. This time the gate was about half the size though. Out from the shortened gate sprung a great dog. The dog howled as large griffon wings spread out behind it. The windows cracked and mugs shattered from the force of his howl. The men that didn’t drink the poison were cringing from the howl. Afterward, their eyes looked empty, like they had their minds swiped. Manah waved for him to follow her outside. The dog sat down next to her as Manah took another drink. “What’s your name, demon dog?”
“No one can remember my name so they call me Captain Manslaughter.” As the great dog spoke this a man was tossed out of one of the windows, just over Manah’s head.
“What’s your real name?” Manah spoke louder to speak over the sound of the brawl from inside.
“Glasya-Labolas.” A man’s head cracked through the other window.
“Captain Manslaughter it is.” Manah gulped down the rest of the beer.
“Tch... Whatever, I guess that’s fine, bastard child.” The two locked eyes.
“It better be, whiny cur.” Almost simultaneously they smiled, just before Glasya stepped down into the shadows and out of sight. Manah tossed the mug over her shoulder as she stepped off to the rhythm of violence and breaking glass. Manah walked toward her home, the mansion, with her head held higher than she ever had before. Accomplished was the only way to describe her feeling. I think this place is getting easier to live in now. She smiled while thinking of the chaos behind her. You’re welcome, you’re welcome.
Her elated stride was broken when two villages caught her eye. They were outside behind a few of the houses that branched away from the path to the mansion. Manah silently moved closer to them, hiding beside one of the houses. It was a man and a woman. They seemed to be deep in conversation. Well, Mr.suave over there is at least. A confession perhaps?
“Your eyes, surrounded by this pale moonlight, cast out their own radiance, more entrancing and more impressive than any heavenly body could contain.”
...Seriously? I was right? Ugh, let’s skip this chapter and get to the action, kiddies. Manah held out her hand, “Can one of you make this more entertaining?” The shadows opened out of sight of the two innocents. A young man stepped out, he had a different aura than even the other demons. “Oh...” Manah drank in his disheveled appearance like she was consuming him with her eyes. He had a few characteristics uncommon to a handsome man. He had the large ears and tail of a lion, his pupils reflected these leonine characters in their slit shape. His messy hair could be mistaken for a kind of mane as well.
When he stepped out he kneeled and took Manah’s right hand into his rather large, clawed hand. “Alloces, at your command, m’lady.” He kissed her hand then stood back up.
“My, what a gentleman...” Manah pointed at the two blissfully unaware villagers. “But can you keep me entertained?”
Alloces peered around the corner at them. “My pleasure.” He snapped his fingers then stepped back. “There you go, m’lady.”
As he began to fade from view Manah winked at him, “Don’t get too comfortable in there.” A cocky smile crossed his face before he departed into the shadows again. Manah giggled at her own comment before turning to see what had happened to the two. The man was facing away from Manah, but she could see the woman’s face, who was wide eyed. She’s scared of him? Suddenly the man grabbed her and threw her to the grass. He mercilessly tore away her clothes in seconds. Ooooooh... That’s why Alloces looks so good. Manah watched as the man ferociously attacked the girl he had genuinely loved moments before. Damn... People can be ruthless. But, that’s about enough of this, I know how it’s going to end anyway. She got up and returned to the path home, listening to the woman cry until she was out of earshot.
On the doorstep to her home she hesitated before entering. She held out her hand again, “There’s always strength in numbers, right?” The shadows opened directly in front of the doors, creating a second doorway of equal size. A loud clopping sound could be heard before the demon emerged. A large horse started through the gate, and riding on it’s back, was a knight in completely black armor. A black mist seemed to emit from his helmet.
“You called, my queen?” The knight’s lance was pointed down, despite this, Manah could tell he was ready to strike need be.
“Yes, can you continue to... terrorize, I suppose, the town while I rest?”
“My soldiers would be delighted to do so.” As he said this, soldiers shrouded in black mist and armor emerged from the open gate. They began marching toward the town, maces, swords, and lances at the ready. “I shall protect the mansion myself if you do not object.”
Manah couldn’t help but be impressed by his professional standing. “Of course, I’ll rest at ease knowing that Commander...”
“Cimeies, my queen.”
“That Commander Cimeies is watching my back.”
Cimeies placed a hand over where his heart should be. “It would be an honor.”
“Goodnight Commander.” Manah waved as she stepped past the waves of black knights that were overwhelming the long path to town. The mansion was quiet, everything had been cleaned and tidied up since she had left that morning. She silently walked into her room. Nothing had changed here either. Manah sighed and lightly began to laugh. “They really don’t care, huh?” She stripped off her clothing and climbed into her bed. She began tracing the tattoos with her right hand. The moonlight gleamed off of her ring as she was gently tracing her body. The shine made her stop. “But, in the end, this is the greatest gift I was ever given.” Manah finally rested her head, the moonlight highlighting the edges of her figure, as if inside was a treasure waiting to be released.
The sun’s beaming rays couldn’t wake Manah alone, but her furious father and brother could. Her father’s booming voice preceded his approach. Manah sleepily opened the door before he entered.
“Manah!” He stopped when she opened the door.
“What? For Christ's sake... I was trying to sleep you know.” She leaned against the door frame, fighting to keep her eyes open.
“I...” Verdelet was ready to yell but he finally noticed what was wrong with the current image he saw.
“Eh? Something wrong, daddy?” She was deliberately trying to push his buttons, the thrill of angering the old man seemed to wake her up. As Verdelet continuously grew angrier with his unruly daughter, Seere caught up to them.
“Manah?... W-w-why...” Seere seemed more confused than angry. He never got angry, this annoyed Manah more than Verdelet’s strict control. “Where are your clothes?”
Manah looked down at her naked body, then back at her room. “Looks like I left ‘em on the floor.” Manah held her hand out to her side. “Oh Caim, be a dear and help me out.” The shadows lurched out of the ring and griped the air. Seere stared in disbelief, Verdelet looked like he was about to go into cardiac arrest from the rage he was suppressing for the moment.
From the newly opened rift arrived Caim, the armored crow. “Yeah, kid? What’cha need?”
Manah pointed at her clothes. “Grab those for me.” Caim quickly fetched her clothes and handed them to her.
“Manah! What is this?! A demon?” Verdelet barked.
“Well yeah, Caim is rather dashing isn’t he? Loyal too.” Manah giggled as she buttoned the half shirt.
“So it was you...” Seere looked to be declining into depression as he spoke. “It was you who has summoned the demons that are murdering villagers, burning homes and businesses.”
Manah flipped her hair and popped her neck. “Yeah, what of it? What this family had going was disgusting.”
“We had a perfect society! Our subjects were happy, our friends were prospering, we were growing without conflict!”
Manah placed one hand on her brother’s shoulder. “Brother, you are blind. And if that’s how you want to be...” Manah stepped back behind Caim. “I’ll make sure you never see again.” She snapped her fingers and before she could let her hand down, Caim had sliced clean through both his eyes and across his nose.
“Ahhhhhh!!!” He collapsed onto his knees, holding his face. The blood continued to drip down his face and on the floor despite his efforts to suppress the pain.
Manah looked up to her father, “And as for you, dad.” Manah held out her hand. “If you want to be mad, I’ll make sure you are truly mad.” The shadows ripped open another gate. A figure that looked like a cheetah walking upright stepped beside her. “Drive him insane.” The cheetah man grabbed Verdelet’s head and forced him to look at him in the eyes. In moments the old man crumbled to the floor, on his hands and knees. He suddenly looked up with his tongue hanging out of his mouth.
“Woof! Woof!” He crawled over and licked Manah’s foot. She couldn’t contain her amusement and began laughing louder than she ever has. She laughed so hard that she could barely breathe.
“Hahaha! This is...! Hahahahaha!” She was almost rolling. When she finally caught her breath she wrapped one arm around the cheetah man. “That was brilliant.”
“Ose was tasked to make him insane. Show Ose a normal man that acts like this.” His deep voice sounded feral in opposition to the regal cape he wore.
“I see what you mean, Ose. outstanding job.” She patted him on the back and began walking for the exit.
“Good luck, kid.” Caim bid farewell as Ose and himself reentered their own realm.
Outside, Cimeies was still guarding the mansion, but a red knight on a skeletal horse stood next to him. “Oh, who is this, Cimeies?” Cimeies’s horse stepped out of the way.
“This is General Eligor, a great warrior and a perfect hunter.” Eligor bowed his head, trident in one hand, reigns in the other. Manah looked up and down, scanning the general.
“Escort me to town, I bet this town has some strong feelings toward me now.” The two knights nodded and nudged their horses to follow beside Manah.
When they reached town much of it was burnt down, the rest was on fire or being vandalized. Manah hummed along with the sound of the villagers that were still able to scream. “How could you?!” Manah turned to see the statement she felt directed at her. “How could you do this to these innocent people?!” When Manah found the source of the questioning, she scoffed.
“Lola, was it?” Manah began laughing. “Are you still happy dog-girl? Hahaha!”
Lola shook her head quickly. Manah noticed she was still wearing her cap from when she was in the currency stand. “I can manage, I’ll be happy again, but...” She was almost in tears. “How can you do such horrible things so casually?”
“How can you be happy when life is capsizing?” Manah showed the most bitter expression she had felt herself form. “I did this because it was necessary.”
“How could suffering be necessary? How is chaos necessary?”
“How is happiness necessary?! How is hope needed?!” Manah grabbed the poor girl around her throat. “Just because you feel perfect doesn't mean you're looking down from Olympus.” She dropped Lola who coughed as she regained her breath. “Now live. Strive to overcome what lies beyond these walls, for my task won't be over until everyone understands what I've come to realize in my time here.”
“You’re a devil...” She fell to her knees, tears began streaming down her face as she clenched the earth in her feeble hands.
“A devil?” Manah looked at her reflection in the broken glass of the tavern. She reached up and felt around her hairline. “Huh... When did I grow these?”
Eligor and Cimeies continued escorting Manah toward the gate. She looked up at the sun. The sun... just like a spotlight. Without the moon, your trek into the sky would be pointless wouldn’t it? That’s why... Manah looked back at the destroyed utopian kingdom. Without a storm, we’ll all drown without a purpose.
~Fin~