Chapter 30: Harrowing Nightmare (2)

The continent of Mara was dominated by three major countries. While the largest territory was the Blighted Woods which occupied the entire southern region, it was not recognized as a political power due to the harsh environment and the lack of any population, at least officially. Though, there were rumors about one of the Pillars residing and governing the place, no one really dared to venture into the foreign land to find out. The rest of continent was shared by three kingdoms, respectively from left to right: Empire of Scyentia, Angel’s Crown and Sunless Kingdom of Twilight. Amongst the trio, the Sunless Kingdom was perhaps a most peculiar place for a very particular fact. True to its name, the kingdom was under constant nighttime with the moon as its main source of light. During the normal daylight, instead of the sun, only heavy dark clouds shrouded the sky, removing any possibility of viewing the day even though it was broad daylight. It was because of this strange phenomenon that the people of Twilight, most commonly referred as the Duskians, along with the fauna and flora, were quite different to their counterparts in other regions. Just like the beasts of the Blighted Woods, they have evolved in order to adapt to this climate.

The Sunless Kingdom was located on the far right of Mara, thus sharing its borders with Angel’s Crown. Its history, which was the shortest due to it being the youngest kingdom among the three, like any other, has been subject of many changes. Beyond fifteen centuries ago, which some referred as the Dark Age, the Sunless Kingdom was once the headquarters of the old faith. The old faith was one that worshipped the gods. However, its influence dwindled over the years. When the demons, which was refuted as abominations under the eyes of gods, or so said the holy scripture, were accepted into society, it sealed the fate of the church. But surprisingly, the person who put the final nail to its coffin was a leader of that same organization. Scholars who have been going through the many records of the past claimed that the pontiff of the time, shortly after the defeat of the Dark Lord, publicly went against the will of his church. A lot of details were lost about what actually took place but while the church continued to exist after the death of that pontiff, many said that it has gotten so weak that the church was practically inexistent in term of influence, serving as nothing more than a humanitarian organization until the Angelic Faith took its place and banished the belief toward the gods.

It was around that time that a new kingdom was formed on the ashes of the old faith. More importantly, the phenomenon of nighttime also began shortly afterward, almost as if it was intentionally created. Some said that this was due to another Pillar of Valhalla who has decided to live in this land. Others claimed it might be an effect of the miasma in the Blighted Woods. Alas, no one really knew why and instead, people just gradually grew accustomed to the unchanging fact.

Far to the western borders of the Sunless Kingdom, just a few miles away from Angel’s Crown where the light of day could still be seen, a lonely village in the name of Nightpoint could be found. With just a couple of hundreds of residents, the village had no economic value nor did it have any trade route nearby. All of its supplies had to come from another city. In exchange, Nightpoint had its peace, far separated from the events of the world. One thing the village was known for, as its name indicated, was about its location. If one continued in the eastern direction of the village, it would be constant nighttime. However, if one travelled in the opposition direction, it would resume the normal daylight cycle like the rest of the world. In short, beyond the village, that was where the night really began, thus giving its name.

As peaceful as it was, Nightpoint was subject to occasional bandits. Even with the constant patrolling of the Crimson Legion from the Angelic Faith, some groups of bandits still managed to evade the attention of the authority. And right now, one of them was heading to this desolate hamlet.

* * *

Location: Frontier Village of Nightpoint

“Albert, hurry up!”

“I am coming!”

“What have you been doing for all morning? You know I need you today!”

“I am sorry, sis…I have been reading.”

“Again? Look, I know you like reading all those books about history and stuff but it is not like it will bring us any money. You got to help with the farm.”

“I know…”

“It is just us now so we have to stick together, understand?”

“Okay….”

“Good boy! If you behave today, I will buy you another book.”

“Really???”

“Look at you! Getting all excited over a bunch of papers. I wonder who you get it from.”

“Hihihi!”

“Stop smiling to yourself and get ready! ….. What is that sound? Horses?”

“Slay the men and the old! Keep the women and children!”

“Bandits!!! Albert, we need to run!”

…..

“ *breathing heavily* I am tired….”

“You got to keep running, Albert!”

“They are catching onto us.”

*stumble*

“Keep running Albert! Don’t look back!”

“But sis….”

“RUN!”

…..

“Where is the boy? There should be one with the girl.”

“The others are chasing him in the woods. Should be back soon.”

“Please, just let my brother go!”

“We will discuss that after we have some fun, right? Hahahaahah!”

“No, stay away! NOOOO!”

* * *

“Hum…I think I have made a mistake.” Nephilas spoke to himself.

The sky was cloudy, almost too cloudy for a morning. The strong gales blew through the leafless tree branches, swaying them lightly against each other. Why were there no leaves on the trees? Actually, there were barely any green even though this was clearly some sort of forest. It was not winter yet. In fact, it was still quite warm around here. But now was not the time for Nephilas to wonder about climate. The supreme being has found himself in quite a predicament. Stuck on a tree branch, he couldn’t move a muscle, not because he was too tired or paralyzed by anything but simply because he didn’t have any limb to move. With his skull being the only part of his body that was still present, Nephilas had no way to do anything.

“The visit into the Nether Realm seemed to have used up all of my energy. And I barely recovered from the fall from space. It took me nearly a month to finally be able to move by myself and then this happens. What a terrible miscalculation!” Nephilas spoke to himself. He did not sound upset or annoyed by his situation. He was simply stating the fact as it was, a way for him to connect everything together. Perhaps, being a spectator for so long dulled one’s sense to the extreme. “Now, what to do?”

From the distance, Nephilas could hear the rustling sounds of dry tree branches being stepped on and brushed aside. Footsteps were drawing near along with the shouts from some suspicious looking men.

“Come out come out wherever you are!”

“Don’t worry! We ain’t gonna hurt you. We just want to play. That’s all.”

Nephilas wondered who these guys were calling to. It couldn’t be him for sure so who? Or perhaps that young boy down there hiding behind a stack of rocks and trees? If he was indeed hiding from those men then clearly, he wasn’t doing a very good job. The peak of his hair could be seen trembling above the rocks and the men seemed to have realized it as well. To make sure the boy couldn’t escape, the men split into two groups and tried to encircle the formation, slowly creeping behind the boy. Whoever these people were, they sure did not look friendly.

“Humans killing each other…this scene keeps playing itself over and over again. It doesn’t matter what era they are in, it is always the same.” Nephilas asserted. “The only difference is that instead of outright killing each other face to face, they cheated on one another, driving them all into the pit of despair. How familiar! Well, it doesn’t matter. It is not of my concern. I should probably find a way to get down from this tree.”

The boy, cowering in fear, was right a few feet under where the skull of Nephilas was. But he was too scared to even notice that ominous looking skull right above him. His head was filled with thoughts of him being killed in various ways once the bandits found him. Moreover, he was worried about his sister. A country girl like her fell into the hands of bandits could be the worst possibly fate one could expect. He wanted to save her. But his decrepitude meant that he would do more harm than good. What could he do? In this dire time, who could he turn to?

“Please, anyone, please save me!” Albert pled, praying for the first time in his life. “Gods, spirits, evil gods, anyone is fine. Please, just answer my call! I will do anything. Save me!!!”

“Oh? What do we have here?”

The bandits have found Albert. But the boy could no longer escape. His hideout has turned into a trap and he was the unfortunate prey. One of the men grabbed the poor boy and punched him hardly in his guts, making him spill out all that was in his stomach.

“Do you have any idea how much trouble you have caused us, huh you little punk? *kick*?” the man knee-kicked Albert, throwing him off the ground.

“Help…” Albert muttered with blood dripping from his mouth.

“Help? Who do you think is going to help you in this god forsaken place? Hahahaha”

“Hahahaha” the other bandits laughed at the poor boy. “Careful now, we don’t want to break our merchandise.”

“It is fine. For these little brats, you have to show them who is the boss first. That way, they won’t dare run away even if they have the chance.”

“He..lp…”

Albert slowly turned toward the sky. But there were only dense tree branches. Amongst them, something white stood out: a skull. How did it get on top of that tree? Why were there two glowing red dots from inside its eyeholes? Albert felt an intense stare from that skull. Was that thing Death? Could it be coming here for Albert? Has his time really come? Or could it be just an illusion one usually saw before death?

“So, you wish for me to save you?” a grave eerie voice spoke. Albert could feel it coming from the skull itself.

“What was that? Who said that?” the bandits seemed panicked at the voice. So, the boy was not the only one who could hear it. So, it was not an illusion after all.

“Help…me!”

“What will you give me in return?”

“Any..thing…my…everything…” Albert muttered.

“Very well! The pact has been sealed.”

“Just up kid! Who are you talking to?” one bandit kicked the boy but he didn’t react.

“Him!” Albert pointed above.

As the bandit looked up, a large skull fell onto his head, fitting perfectly.

“What the hell is this? Get it out! Get it out!” the bandit screamed. He felt his consciousness fading as something sinister has taken its place. Sticks of bones started growing from the skull and puncturing the man’s neck. But instead of letting him bleed to death, the skull seemingly was draining him of his blood like a vampiric creature. As the body dried like a dehydrated mummy in front of the group’s very eyes, a dark liquid bled from the skull and wrapped the mummified carcass in it. Within seconds, the sludge solidified into a black gown with large sleeves adorned with cryptic symbols in gold on its surface. The design gave off a very aristocratic yet erudite feeling about it, almost like something worn by scholars of noble origin. But the symbols were written in a very foreign ancient language that no one could understand. The bandit was gone and now, an uncanny figure with the skull of some kind of animal with two antlers for the head stood in his place.

Just as if it has just awoken from a long sleep, the creature bended its neck left and right, making a few cracking sounds.

“Much better.” After finishing its small exercise, the thing turned its head toward the terrified group of bandits. Raising its dark hand with long fingers forward, the creature clenched its fist instantly. “”

As Nephilas finished his words, a tiny moment of silence came. No one knew what he did. There was no catchy explosion, no sign of magic being employed. Simply words. And yet, that was all he needed. After the silence came the storm. Only, this storm was, instead of gales, crammed with excruciating wails. Altogether, the bandits shouted unspeakable sounds that should not possibly be produced by men. Those who still had a slice of their sanity tried to beg for forgiveness but their mouths and ears were clogged by a pinkish substance. It was their brains being liquified into mushes upon hearing those whispers in their head. These feeble minds were unable to handle the knowledge given to them, thus collapsed. Some knowledge was just never meant for mere mortals. As the carnage unfolded, Nephilas observed with apathy, showing no sign of disgust or even joy. He held no malicious intent nor anything against these people. He did not even know the kid. He felt nothing, not a shred of malice or goodwill. He did it only because he could and besides, it was the logical conclusion he came to from the boy’s request. Saving him meant the death of those who would harm him. It was as simple as that. Nothing more, nothing less.

Watching the scene, horrified, Albert feared if he has made a mistake in appealing to this strange entity for help.

“Now…about the payment, your life should be enough, am I right?”