Richard's heart raced as the door to his modest study was violently breached. The glass windowpane splintered into a thousand shards, scattering across the wooden floor with a sharp, tinkling sound. He was propelled backward by the sheer force, stumbling and ultimately landing heavily on his hands and knees. His breath caught in his chest, not just from the impact but from the chilling sight that greeted him.
Standing in the now-broken doorway was a figure cloaked in darkness, her presence almost suffocating the dim light of the study. "Well, well, well, Monsieur Atlas. Good to see you!" The woman's voice was high-pitched, almost gleefully sinister as she stepped over the threshold. Her attire was as dramatic as her entrance: a long, flowing black garb that brushed the floor, adorned with intricate golden ivy stitches. Dominating the fabric was the embroidered image of a large serpent with six legs and a crown of thorns upon its head, positioned ominously at the center of her chest.
In her grip was a large, menacing black scythe, its blade gleaming ominously even in the low light. Her fingers, marked with archaic symbols tattooed into her skin, wrapped tightly around the handle. "It's harvest time," she declared, a twisted smile playing on her lips.
As she raised the scythe, ready to strike, a mysterious, melodious note filled the air, halting her movements. The sound seemed to emanate from somewhere behind Richard, freezing the grim figure mid-motion.
A while ago......
Just before the chaos erupted, Richard had been knocked to the floor by the force of the kicked-open door. From his position, he recognized the intruder despite her dramatic disguise. It was Jezebel, known among the mystical circles as the grim reaper, a creature who loathed music and lurked in the shadows. Music was both her weakness and her strength, a fact Richard needed to exploit quickly to protect his family.
With no time to waste, he whispered a spell under his breath and hastily drew a small magical circle behind him.
"O divine Mistress of the winds,
lend your celestial strength to my invocation melodies,
that they might reach the ears of the attentive.
Protect me amidst my torment as I face this relentless harbinger of demise.
Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
Attend to my earnest supplications!
O sublime minstrel of the heavenly realms,
I call upon thee,
Orpheus,
to grace my presence with your ethereal harmony!"
No sooner had he spoken the incantation than a figure materialized behind him. Orpheus, with his eternal youthful grace, appeared holding a flute. He played a haunting melody that instantly petrified Jezebel, her body stiffening as if turned to stone.
"That should give us a few seconds to regain your bearings, Monsignor Atlas," Orpheus said, extending a hand to help Richard to his feet.
"Is your father busy, Orpheus?" Richard asked, dusting off his clothes and adjusting his spectacles.
"Yes, he's always busy. Why?" Orpheus replied, a frown of concern etching his brow.
"We need a light, a very strong one," Richard explained, his mind racing through the options.
"Oh! Why not my brother Phaeton?" Orpheus suggested, his eyes lighting up with the idea.
"Yes, yes, and another musician... maybe Pan?" Richard pondered aloud, thinking through their allies.
"Is she really that strong, Monsignor Atlas?" Orpheus inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"You'll see," Richard assured him, but first, he needed to prepare. He began searching through the drawers of a small end table for his extra magical chalks.
"And me?" Orpheus asked, pointing to himself with a confused look, his other hand still clutching his flute.
"Yes, you! Guard and observe Jezebel while playing your instrument with the same melody you used before," Richard instructed as he continued to rummage through the contents of a small box he found in the drawer.
"Why?" Orpheus pressed, seeking clarity.
"Just do it and tell me if something changes in her present state," Richard responded, his focus undeterred.
"I understand," Orpheus nodded, proceeding with his task. He played his petrification melody, keeping a vigilant eye on the frozen figure of Jezebel, ensuring she remained incapacitated as Richard prepared for what was to come.