Garlic—oils—ale, and wheat, such a delightful sense; I follow its trail like a hook to a curious fish. I grew evermore famished from not having these delicacies in my gut. The trail led me to the dining hall, where everyone was gathered, delighting themselves with supper. I took part with a mug of ale in my right hand and a bowl of broth in my left. As I tried to enjoy these contents, the residents snuck in with warm gestures, leaving this food of mine to turn cold by the minute. This brightens my overwhelmed mind with a sense of wanting. Never in my early days did I ever feel truly wanted—this was a great contrast to me.
I wanted to speak to everyone, yet—I am focused on a single individual. I sought to find her amongst the crowed with no fragment of her being... Perhaps she was still attending to her matters.
Waiting for some time, I took the liberty to speak with the many residents in modest conversation. Slowly, the pattern of their dialogue became as clear as the cloudless sky. Though their years are older than mine—they speak like a child. Their voice had no ambition nor fear, only bliss and persistent delight. I had turned one of my simple questions into a counting game—to see how many times I would acquire the same answer. This question had to be simple to obtain a valuable response; I asked this: ‘How do you feel when digging a six-foot hole?’
The answers are given using different words while preserving the same meaning: “I do not know how to use the stick of iron. It makes my hand sore, and my legs shiver.”’, “I—I had never touched such an object to know of its use. Such work is for the simple ones, is it not?” “I’m afraid I do not contain the strength to dig the soil in a timely matter.”
With these answers, I contain only the foam of their thoughts; they seem somewhat capable of using the spoon and nothing more. With some extra time on my hands, I will further explore their thoughts.
As for my curious mind, wishes to see Cresalin once more before the night takes hold of our strength. I had taken one of the knights from my journey to accompany me in case of any danger. It took a moment to realize my guardian is not sober enough to walk presently in a straight-line, thus pressing himself against the wall for leverage.
A question occurred to me as of late. With that in mind, I ask: “What is your name?”
“M-my name...?” The knight said, wiping his black mustache, “It's Alen Deltoris... I would not be concerned with it—if I were you, Phader.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I—not tend to stay here for long. By the morning, I will be heading back towards the capital.”
“Does this place burden you already?”
“No... I have no intention of watching doors and—guiding hands to the shit bowls. I want to fight! To live!”
He trips over himself and then takes a moment to find his strength again. Before I could reply, a howl echoed from the spiral staircase. I promptly ran towards the upper platform, leaving Alen behind.
In the distance, I see Cresalin lying on the floor with bloodstained on her clothes. I ran over to check her current condition; there were only long claw marks on her belly, and no matter how many times I shook her, she would not allow her eyes to open... Turning to the dark room next to us, I saw red diamond-like eyes watching me with an increasing snarl rattling my ears.
“Evelyne...” Cresalin suddenly spoke out of breath, “Don’t hurt him...”
This beast did not listen to her words and decided to pounce on me! Pinning me to the ground with her claws two inches from my eyes. I can hold her in place for the moment. Suddenly, she opens her jaw, protruding her long—rigid tongue against my cheeks. The sensation was like shards of glass grazing my skin. The more I try to resist her, the more persistent she becomes—damn it all, where is my help!? The minute I asked the question was the minute help came for me. Alen tackled the beast against her side, using his weight to keep her against the floor!
“Give me a hand with this beast!” He demanded from me.
“No, don’t hurt her!” Cresalin cried out to Alen.
He ignored her plea, “Phader! Take the knife from my back pocket and slit this thing's throat!”
I hesitated the motion... even with her malformity. I could still see her human side.
“Phader!” Alen yelled for me once more.
Eventually, I removed myself from the floor and grabbed the knife from his sheath—I shivered with the blade pointed at the creature. My heart is pounding harder than I have ever experienced. I can hear Cresalin howling, begging me to let her go... My mind is being tugged back and forth! Eventually—I found my answer, which is why I am here at all... I demanded that Cresalin find me a rope or chain to keep this beast from attacking us. She follows my demand and returns to me with the bindings.
“What damn lunacy is this!” Alen growled, “Do you not see this beast? Are you blind? This thing was about to kill you, and now you intend to save her?”
She did not respond and began binding her friend while I helped Alen keep the creature at bay. When the knot was bound, she said, “Pull her into the room; we can keep her inside!”
It took some time to secure this creature. She lies on her bed, arms and legs bound to the steel frame. She twists and turns her limbs, trying to break free... And since I can look at this creature without much worry, I can concentrate on her features: This woman was corrupted by feline traits, meshing crudely with the human structure. The skin and fur were not well aligned, scattered, and torn as if she tried to scour her own flesh.
Alen asked: “What could have created this abomination?”
“She... She was not always like this,” Cresalin explained, “Sleeper tends for her soul to be—transformed. For what...? I do not know.”
Alen growled: “You’re telling me Sleeper did this?”
“I... I don’t know how else,” she replied.
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“Well, Phader?” Alen said sternly, “What do you make of this?”
I was short on words: “This is an unnatural occurrence.”
“Pointless words, Phader... I need to kill this beast before she hurts anyone else.”
“You will do no such thing!” Cresalin demanded, “Why would you murder an innocent life!?” she turned to me, “Are you not this realm’s protector?”
“I think the three of us need some time to rest...” I said, rubbing my tired eyes, “As long as we keep Evelyne tied up in this room, we will have nothing to worry about.”
Alen places his hand on his sword, “Do you expect me to rest tonight when this thing is still alive?”
I reply: “You will under my orders...”
Alen did not take my demand lightly. I could tell from his expression how much he wanted to strangle me. Before he could say or do anything else, he pushed himself away, leaving me and Cresalin alone with the beast.
“Thank you...” she said, walking closer to me, “I won’t let this ever happen again. She—she is not always like this.”
“You don’t have to thank me. After all, the people who live under this roof, including Evelyne, are under my protective care. Tomorrow, you and I can arrange a way to properly secure her until we find a cure or a more suitable alternative.”
She bowed her head while giving me the most genuine smile I had ever seen on a woman. For a moment, I forgot everything that had happened to me so far.
#
Everyone returned to their chambers as Evelyne's wailing never ceased. Constant cacophony to my ears, turning the simple pleasure of rest into a luxury—damn it all, why would Sleeper create such a strange beast? It’s difficult for me to plan a tolerable way to care for her... The cries radiate louder with every passing moment. Even in my blissful moments of vision, it’s soon abrupt.
The silence finally came when I did not expect it to arrive. My ears can take a moment of rest... And yet, my mind is not diminished from this worry. This night will never cease at this rate; to cure this burden, I throw on my mantle, ignite my lantern, and then venture towards Evelyne’s bed chamber again...
I notice the open door to Evelyne's room when traveling through many hallways, turning, and ascending the staircase. The thumping of my heart drums again as my back streams a cold sensation... how poised I am in this desolate hall; the rational side beckons me to turn away. Persistent that fear was... even so, I must take responsibility and know if she escaped her bindings.
Venturing inside, I could only see the empty bed, stained in blood, that trails towards the window frame. I investigate further, seeing the creature standing on the lower rooftops... she basks—in the moon’s glow with her back arched and eyes sealed. When she turned her gaze to me, I had to question the realm of my sanity. The woman beast before me danced in the light as she moaned with her songful voice. Licking her fingers, she then touches herself while using her free hand to beckon me over... I had never seen such a sight in my life. Ghastly poses of lustful temptations, a coaction of alchemy that should never be tested—yet I must confess my strange fascination. Like a painting, I could never remove from my sight...
Still, she beckons me,
to turn away. Persistent that fear was... even so, I must take responsibility and know if she escaped her bindings.
Venturing inside, I could only see the empty bed, stained in blood, that trails towards the window frame. I investigate further, seeing the creature standing on the lower rooftops... she basks—in the moon’s glow with her back arched and eyes sealed. When she turned her gaze to me, I had to question the realm of my sanity. The woman beast before me danced in the light as she moaned with her songful voice. Licking her fingers, she then touches herself while using her free hand to beckon me over... I had never seen such a sight in my life. Ghastly poses of lustful temptations, a coaction of alchemy that should never be tested—yet I must confess my strange fascination. Like a painting, I could never remove from my sight...
Still, she beckons me, hoping I will commit to the peril. I must remove myself from this place! To the halls,
I fled then to the room where I lay secluded... The undying fire eats away my heart from that fear. Perhaps this was just a dream, an illusion plaguing my mind from the lack of rest. It has been a long journey, and the stress of being the cathedral’s protector drags me to the void of unease.
My body spirals from this madness; I grasp onto my surroundings to hold myself in place—away from temptation. Before I knew it, I stood in the middle of my room... Staring into the darkness, I see that damn silhouette from before. Evelyne is in my room, watching me shiver with her vertical eyes.
She presses herself against the wall, limbs stretched, and mouth open to me. She moans with a slight purr as her tail protrudes at me. My mind drowns in euphoria... Thus, I took a step closer and went on many steps until my hands reached for her neck. This—wasn’t for my defense; no, an urge pulses through my body to commit this corrupted motion.
She doesn’t detract from my advance... she takes it willingly, moaning with ecstasy. The sharp tongue protrudes from her lips, waiting in anticipation.
I... I no longer care for anything else in this world. We will not be dissatisfied.
‘dissatisfied’ are the words uttered in my mind once I open my eyes to the cobblestone wall. I stand alone, with cold, numbed legs from the prolonged use. Dawn revealed its light to me; the morning had already begun.
“Are you awake, Phader?” Cresalin asks behind the door.
I took a deep breath and turned myself over at the door. Cresalin is standing before me—still, she has that pleasant smile.
“Have you thought more about Evelyne?” she asked.
“I... Sorry, I was not able to think properly last night. This head of mine was eating the thoughts I gave it,” I laughed nervously.
“With some oats in that belly, I'm sure your mind will focus again!”
“Let us hope... Before we do, I should put on some modest clothing.”
“Oh-yes! Of course,” her face turns slightly red as she steps back, pushing herself away from my sight.
I should probably prepare myself before they become eager to relieve me from this solitude...
When I had partaken in my meal with everyone else, a foul aura surrounded my mind in anticipation. I knew Evelyne would not be in the best condition—far from it. I should say that my dream or experience was more than just an illusion. This may be conflicting to me to some extent... The three of us eventually gathered: Cresalin, Alen, and I. We took many steps to reach our destination, filled with bitter silence. Alen’s stern manner kept his hand firmly on the sword’s handle, desperate he was to slay this beast. Once we reached the door frame leading into her room, our silence turned to awe... Evelyn is nowhere to be seen. The two venture inside, investigating their surroundings while I stand here helpless. The evidence of my act of murder is gone from my grasp. Where exactly? My room is clean and well-organized. I also had a check under the bed; my knowledge of this cathedral is only a crooked brush along the dusty surface. I would not have known where to place the body—nor what I had committed such a crime to begin with.
Cresalin holds herself by grasping onto her shoulders, “Evelyne... Where are you?”
“That damn beast is loose!” Alen growled as he turned to me, “You’ve endangered everyone here!”
I replied: “It’s possible... I must admit to my unthoughtful actions; I try to care for everyone at once—and now I must pay for my choices.”
“You did what’s right!” Cresalin said confidently, even though I was still unsure of my actions.
“Great...” Alen huffed, “I have dealt with a beast and a boy leader. My-my does Sleeper like to jest with me.”
“Sleeper enjoys toiling with us, which I can agree on. But what matters now is everyone’s safety. Alen, I know you want to leave this place. These circumstances are too great to ignore, but you must agree to stay here if the worst happens to us all.”
Cresalin scoffed, “Why would we keep this oaf? He does not care for any soul but his.”
“My soul is worth keeping—I must ensure everyone is safe from the evils lurking around every corner... When you need someone to slay bandits, I am the one who comes to your beck and call.” He left the room before any more words were said against him.
“Phader...” Cresalin asked for me, “You must help me find Eveyln before something bad happens to her or anyone else.”
“I will do what I can for her...You have my word as a man, a Phader, and a friend.”