When The Devil Comes Knocking
I was frozen, and my whole body was paralyzed by fear as tears streamed down my face like a running tap. The fire reminded me of the painful memories that I had tried to bury deep down. I felt like I was reliving that moment again when I was still eight years old. My nanny Amelia was the only one in the pack who didn't treat me like an outcast; she was a kind elderly woman with a heart-melting smile. I loved her dearly and had begun to see her as a mother figure before the tragedy befell.
As a child, the only place I wasn't allowed to wander off to was the lampshade. Naturally, I was curious and always wondered what went on behind that door. The lampshade was a sanctuary for the priestess, who was a representative of the moon goddess. The priestess was rumored to have her soul tied to the valley of tears,a spring that was believed to never run dry. It is said that when Selene's beloved creatures were murdered by the silver wolf, Selene cried day and night, and the droplets of her tears formed a puddle, which we called the valley of tears.
The priestess's connection with the valley gave her the ability to communicate with Selene; sometimes Selene also showed her the future as a way to prevent a coming disaster. Her link with the valley was like that of a soulmate,two scattered pieces of one soul only feeling whole once they came together. It was why she couldn't have any mate, and even if she did have a male companion, her first priority would always be to cherish and protect the valley as a mate was supposed to, for she was bound to it.
That day I made up my mind to go to the lampshade despite Amelia's warnings. I wanted to see the beautiful maidens who served the priestess; their eyes were rumored to sparkle like diamonds, and it was whispered that they were bestowed with unrivaled beauty by Selene herself. I sneaked out, making sure I wasn't followed. Stepping into the lampshade, the ancient stonework was certainly deceiving, as its exterior was smaller than the inside. The place was a bit hazy from the smoking joss sticks in urns, translucent crystal balls glistened in the dark, and there were intricate symbols on the walls while the wooden statues of our ancestors stood proudly by the side.
The paper lanterns added a warm glow creating a welcoming atmosphere,at the center of the lampshade was a golden statue of Selene which was believed to be auspicious, a red curtain hung behind it as if to shield something that wasn't meant to be seen, steadily I walked towards it,there was a door affront,I jolted it's knob but it seemed to be locked from inside, squinting my eyes I peered at the keyhole, the young maidens formed a circle around the priestess each holding a candle in hand,it seemed like some sort of ritual was going on as they chanted in a strange language, until one of the maidens glanced towards the door,I gasped thinking I had been spotted I quickened my pace and in my haste to get out I knocked over a lantern.
The fire blazed to life, and as angry flames devoured everything around me,I was beyond terrified, knowing I had done something really bad. I ran to get Amelia, but on reaching her quarters, she wasn't there. I queried a group of servants about her way of not caring about my manners, to which they informed me that she had gone to the lampshade earlier, claiming that she had seen me heading in that direction. I screamed, choking out a sob. I raced back to the lampshade like I was being chased by a mad man.
Clouds of black fumes billowed into the sky. The once proud regal building that stood tall began to crumble and disintegrate into ash, leaving a truly devastating scene. The priestess and the young maidens had managed to escape through the back door,but Amelia wasn't so lucky; she was trapped in there, and I needed to go save her. I tried to rush towards the building, but I was tugged back by unknown hands, and once again I was the cause of someone's unfortunate death.
Her death left a vacuum in my heart. Day by day, I was consumed by guilt, blaming myself continuously. If only I had listened to her back then, she would still be here with me while we laughed and talked about all the places we do like to visit. That night left lasting damage on me. I became so scared of fire that I couldn't even light a matchstick. I avoided the kitchens and any other places I might encounter the flames. But now the beast I was facing sent my past anxiety tumbling before me as orange and yellow ribbons of scalding heat danced atop its heads like a crown of jewels.
The skies were gray, reflecting the persona of every man in the field. It was as if the devil had come knocking on our doorstep. My stomach flipped as the cranion lurched onwards, knocking unsuspecting victims who couldn't get out of the way on time. Then I did the most cowardly thing I had ever done: I ran.
What were you doing? I screamed at myself. I never ran away from a fight, but I knew this was a fight I couldn't win. I ran towards the banks of the rivers, but the creature followed as if it had a particular target in mind. I needed to get to the protective cover of the woods, where I could hide in the trees, shielding myself from its view, but obviously the creature had other plans. The cranion soared high above me, landing on the ground, blocking my part as if challenging me.
This was it. Nothing could ever prepare you for the moment when you are about to meet your doom. The cursing waves of despair ravaged through me. My sword was useless against this thing as its whole body was cladded in iron armor. The attack came swiftly. I didn't try to fight it. I just accepted my fate with resignation. It wouldn't be such a cruel ending after all. I would be welcomed in the eternal realm in my mother's waiting arms. The heat that radiated from the cranion scalded my skin. I felt the life drain from me as its fangs burrowed into my skin,as each of its heads struggled, trying to get a piece of me, and just when I thought it was going to be over,a blinding light engulfed me, the deafening growls of the cranion pounded in my ear, while the pitiful cries of men from the distance intensified my helplessness. I felt my consciousness slipping, but in a quick glance,I watched as the light pierced the cranion, leading it to let out an anguished cry, and then my droopy eyelids shut close as the darkness shrouded everything like a blanket of gloom.