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Astelta

A glimpse of terror

A glimpse of terror

May 26, 2022

The life Khael lived was nothing but a series of pain and suffering. The never-ending hardships never fruited favorable outcomes for him. He did not even wish for another chance at life, only to experience another hell. And that hell is now in front of him.

The metallic door with its once silvery hue was now dyed in a thick liquid of red. His eyes can't believe what he just saw. Khael's jaw was hanging locked at the sight of a person unconscious, with a pool of blood dripping from his guts.

"G-Grant h-help… someone please," said Khael with his dreary voice traced with fear.

"Why was this lesser interrupting me? I told him repeatedly that this was an order from the Monarch," said a tall figure wearing a black hood with his deep, sustaining voice.

Khael raised his head further to see the figure talking in front of them. He then met the creature's eyes, looking down at them as mere insects. The strange creature has far resembled a human. Its pale golden eyes hold much dominance. Its tall figure surpasses the Sergeant, with its long thin reach and limbs, and its ribs were jutting out from its dull skin.

"What happened here?! Who-"

The Sergeant had arrived. Khael saw his angry expression suddenly turn into dread when he took sight of the back of the creature standing in front of him. Agitatedly, he asked in pure fear and confusion. "Wha-what is happening here?!"

The creature turns on his back to face Baron. "Oh, you must be the Sergeant. Do you remember me? I was the attendant, Gunto." said the strange creature.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Baron indignantly asked as he hurriedly made his way to his unconscious and bleeding companion. "How long he's in this state, Khael?!"

Khael's nonplussed. When Baron glanced at him—which made him winced in response, it's only then that he answered—still stuttering on his words. "I-It w-was a moment ago."

Khael sobs in frustration and fear. Not just from the fear of witnessing someone has been harmed in a gruesome way by some strange-looking creature. The atmosphere tells him that anyone's life is in danger just by being around such a monster (if he would describe it).

"You lowlifes are amusing. Don't worry. I only scratched his belly a little," the strange creature laughed at his amusement. Not even a pang of slight guilt has shown on its face. "Though, considering how bloated his belly was, the moment I poked it, the blood-"

Baron abruptly stood as he faced the menacing creature. Khael can make out how infuriated the Sergeant is by looking through his back. But then another person arrives.

"Gunto! What have you done?!" said the person who had just arrived.

The strange creature reluctantly kneels as if showing its respect unwillingly.

The man was wearing a white long sleeve with loose ends too wide for his arms. There's a strange pattern in his upper garment, extended on his long black underskirt. A face almost looks feminine, with blonde hair and a pale complexion. He somewhat looks like someone important.

"Forgive me for what my attendant had done, Baron," he said as he gestured something to one of his associates as they took action hurriedly. "Let them treat your companion. And I assure you they can save his life."

"W-What was the meaning of this, Hector?!" Baron said with a sharp and enraged tone.

"How dare you address the Monarch in such-"

The man named Hector raised his hand to cut off his displeased associate. "Don't," as then he turned his gaze back to Baron. "It was foolish of me to entrust an important errand to this stupid attendant of mine," said Hector solemnly and gave Gunto a piercing gaze.

"I did not expect him to do such a horrible thing. Don't fret. I pledge by the name of my blood that this attendant of mine will be punished duly. Again, pardon us with all the trouble," said Hector as he bowed his head lightly.

"Make sure to save his life," Baron said firmly but seemed to restrain his anger as he made a slight bow as a sign of respect to Hector. "May I ask… what does the Monarch of Ubec intend to do here?"

"You have my word, Baron. And as for a reason, I was here because someone had told me..," Hector looks around him as he walks, then focuses his gaze on anyone as if looking for someone. "That there is someone who might be related to 'her' in this place."

"Who-who told you… that?" asked Baron nervously.

"It doesn't matter. Now that you know why I'm here. Would you lend me a hand and be done with my purpose?"

As the chaotic turn of events happened, Khael purposely listened to their discussion. He knew he might be the person they spoke about. Despite that, he wasn't aware of the exact reasons and only knew that he might be in indefinite danger—based on the commotion it had caused. But it was too soon. Khael was about to meet Dessia Adhilla on this day as he had already decided to accept her offer.

"What you had heard was nothing but a fallacy. There's no someone like that in this place," said Baron.

"Baron, what would you gain by hiding something from me?" Hector's piercing stare was unswerving as he questioned the Sergeant. "Tell me, where is this person I'm looking for?"

Baron lowered his head. "My deepest apologies, Monarch of Ubec. It was just a mere misunderstanding. We have already resolved that matter. This was solely all about a victim of some tragic incident," the Sergeant's voice withers as he continues. "That unfortunate person was this kid who had his memories stolen by the Mnemonic Beings." Baron hesitantly gestured his hand from where Khael was.

"Are you telling me the truth, Baron? We'd known each other for so long. I'm expecting you to be honest with me. Nonetheless, I'm still taking that person with me. You have no problem with that, right?"

"B-But someone's already taking care of that kid."

"And who might this be? I'd like to know-"

"There's no need for that. The-they are not important," Baron indignantly answered. "I will just tell them myself."

The intimidating appearance of Baron Gelfand was now in contrast with what his face showed. And now… Khael was dazed. He was having a handful number of the worst scenario in his head. Should I run? Khael thought. He already knew he was in certain danger. There's no telling what might have happened to him if they took him.

"— thank you for your cooperation, Sergeant Gelfand."

Maybe I should escape now. But would I be able to run away from here?

"— I grab the brat now, my lord?"

There's no time for me to think… I should think of a way to escape from- "Whrrp grrr."

Suddenly, darkness surrounded his sight. He can feel the insane grip on his head with something massive, sharp, and firm. It seems the menacing creature grabbed his head with its bare hand. His whole body hangs as if he was an object it was holding, not even minding crushing his skull.

"Gunto, don't hurt the kid. Don't disgrace me even further, would you?" Hector warned in a threatening tone, yet the strange creature didn't seem fazed.

Gunto whispers in his ears. The strange creature's irritatingly hot and unpleasant breath touches the side of his face. "What a lucky insect you are. If he were not here, I would have indulged myself in playing a bit more among you lowlifes."

As time passed, the grip tightened. Khael felt his strength leaving his body until he was almost out of breath and his consciousness slowly faded.

Baron Gelfand

Baron standing in naught, clenching his fist as he let Gunto grab the kid by his head. Khael's body and arms fought back at first while it hung in the air until he gave in and lost his consciousness helplessly.

He knows he was just a mere feeble compared to an influential person with the likes of Hector Adhilla as the Monarch of Ubec Kingdom. Aside from him were few in numbers but refined elite sorcerers from the Kingdom of Ubec.

Not even counting the strange creature, he believes as the attendant of the Monarch. Baron also knew how dangerous Gunto was. Its unpleasant physical appearance made it obvious, an undeniably forsaken blooded being.

"Please don't hurt the kid… I beg you." Baron pleads.

"Don't worry, baldy… I just made him rest a bit since it'll be an extensive tour. I don't want this kid to get bored on our way to my liege's abode," said Gunto. It spun and swung Khael's body intentionally and placed him recklessly above his shoulder like a rice sack.

Baron felt guilty as he watches them leave. He knew it was his responsibility to take care of him until Dessia Adhilla came back to get him. But he was too scared to do anything—afraid that he might have offended the most powerful person in the Kingdom if he did.

"Baron," Hector turned around, giving the Sergeant an earnest gaze. "Please tell lady Dessia to avoid standing out or doing something unnecessary for now."

IcarusJaadi
Icarus Jaadi

Creator

#magic #Fantasy #slice_of_life #mystery #Action #adventure

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Astelta
Astelta

962 views0 subscribers

I'm fully aware of who I am... aware that I am the person who I thought I was. Being in a place- I know nothing at all. There were a lot of things I wasn't able to understand from here, but despite all of that- everything seemed natural and strangely familiar to me. As if someone inside influencing me...but who is he?
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A glimpse of terror

A glimpse of terror

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