By Hanny Morg
There is nothing like peace. This is the gift any city would cherish more than gold or diamonds.
A man came to the city on a horse. He was looking so tired and helpless. It was on a holy day, a day set apart for people to worship God, pray for mercy, and seek continuous protection over their household.
Those that first saw him were confused and didn’t know what action to take. A few distances to the holy gathering, he fell from the horse and those that noticed quickly rushed to assist and resuscitate him.
They poured water on him and helped him regain consciousness. He was taken in by one of the women in the city who gave him food and new clothes to wear.
After dinner that day, he was taken to the king, who demanded he is brought forth to the palace to prevent any mistake of harboring someone who would later become a threat.
He narrated his story and told them about the evil that befell him on his way to a nearby city.
The man told them he is a wealthy merchant and was on his way to a famous market to sell gold and other precious stone when bandits attacked and took everything away without regard for his life.
The people of Hashmaim are very kind. They love to help. They don’t cast anyone away regardless of the situation.
The king felt pity for him and didn’t bother to tell the elders about it. The king ordered that the man be given one of the guesthouses in the city to stay for as long as he desires.
Nabar Leniduy smiled, He was happy, but the queen mother kept quiet and couldn’t stop staring at him.
What could she possibly be seeing?
Lilian is a beautiful woman, one that could take the breath of any man away within seconds. She is known to be witty, spicy, and the cutest amongst all the women in the city. Despite her cuteness, she is never caught in an indecent act. She likes to help people. She owns a garden where people come to relax and enjoy her spicy, tasting delicacies.
Nabar enjoys Lilian’s company and attention. He sometimes waits to walk her home after her daily sales. Nabar was trapped in her beauty and couldn’t get her off his head.
He’s handsome too. Ladies seem to love him and want to be around him, but he doesn’t fancy them.
He is funny and resourceful. An innocent soul made miserable by evil bandits. He visits Lilian’s store every day to have a plate of soup. Nevertheless, there seems to be more that brings him around than the delicious dish of soup, what would anyone call this attraction? “Love.”
Everyone began noticing the two of them together. It brings joy to some people that the pretty lady has finally found herself a lovely man who might make her his wife soon while some can’t get over the jealousy of Nabar choosing her over them.
The relationship continued for months. Nabar seems to have proven himself beyond reasonable doubt and has earned the trust of everyone. He is now seen as one of the good people of Hashmaim. He is seen as one that could be trusted.
On a romantic night, after walking distance, Nabar and Lilian parted ways to go home and have an excellent night rest after walking some distance. A few minutes after, there was a terrible shout from a distance.
At the sanctuary, there was a sign. Something that has been kept for years since the day of the prophecy got broken. “The sacred jar,” the one which symbolizes the existence of the one who would give birth to the child of prophecy, fell from the temple where it was kept. Vanessa, the keeper of the sacred items, quickly called the attention of everyone to it. Blood could be seen flowing out from the pot. Life has been taken, and it is no ordinary life. It is the life of the one destined to carry the baby—the child of prophecy, the one to deliver the world from the terror, which is just beginning.
It was written that a force would rise that would keep everybody living like slaves, but the child would liberate the world from it. The seer quickly recognized the evil that has come to torment everyone. “It has begun.” Said the seer.
This is the confirmation of the reign of evil in the land.
Everyone around who could hear the shout rushed out of their houses, Nabar too came out looking scared because it came from the path leading to Lilian’s house. What could have happened? What could have come to torment the people of the land? It was dark; the only way to get a clear vision was with a lamp’s help. Brave men began to walk towards the direction where the sound was heard. What horror could have taken over the land?
On the path leading to Lilian’s house, there was blood. It was so evident that the people began to follow it. Hopefully, it would lead them to its source. They followed as it led into a forest, but that wasn’t the scary part of it. What made people start wondering before seeing the source was when Nabar identified the cloth Lilian was wearing somewhere around the trees.
“No,” He screamed. He kept on shouting, “We have to find Lilian; she can’t be dead.” They continued the search following the drops of blood with the hope that everything would be fine. There was no sign of any wild beast. Nabar doesn’t even care if there is anyone around as was ready to die just to find and bring Lilian back home alive. The blood started getting thicker, a sign that she is close already. Everyone stayed alert. They braced up for the unknown since they have not witnessed such before in time past.
“Look! Over there, there she is, look.” One of the men identified Lilian, whose body was completely uncovered. She was on the floor, looking lifeless. They rushed towards her hoping to save her. Nabar removed his clothes to cover her nakedness, and that was when they discovered the tragedy was beyond what they could bear.
It was discovered that she was raped by unknown men and brutally killed to ensure she never gets the opportunity to speak to anyone about what she saw. It was a terrifying sight.
Her body was taken to the sanctuary. The seer requested it because he wants to confirm what is happening. He believes the death has something to do with the jar that fell off the temple. Her body was taking into a sacred room. It was just like the seer thought. Lilian was chosen to carry the child who would liberate everyone. Now she is dead. An evil being has been released from the world beyond to ensure the prophecy never becomes a reality. It is essential to stop the evil before they do more damages, but how do you fight what and who you don’t know?
Nabar’s life took another shape. It was like a part of him died with the pretty lady Lilian. The loss was not for him alone to bear. Everyone in the city who loves her can’t believe she is truly gone. Little Rita still goes near her store to see if she would come out with a stick of candy for her, but there is always no sign of her anywhere.
It was a strange occurrence, yet it is a sign of more to come. There would be another vessel for the child, but it doesn’t seem like she would be coming to life soon because the forces trying to prevent her are still at work.
Two weeks after the incident, Aryan, a smart little boy who lives in the same neighborhood with Nabar, was playing outdoor with his friends when a stranger came around and started staring at them. No one saw him but Aryan. He tried to bring the attention of everyone to it, but no one believed him. They felt his strange character has taken over him. His curious eyes are beginning to see things again. No one gave regard to what he was trying to show them since it’s a normal thing they see him always do.
Like the cloud with signs of rain, everywhere started transforming. It became dark, and no one could see anyone else coming, yet Aryan could see through the darkness. He is from the lineage of those gifted with the ability to see in the dark. His vision is similar to that of Zarius. He could see a beast taking two of his friends away into the darkness, yet he stood helplessly looking until everywhere became clear again.
It all happened like magic. He couldn’t move. The shock of what just happened overwhelmed him until someone touched him from behind.
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