The Empty Mirror

Chapter 21: The first murder

Upon leaving that ancient place, a peculiar sensation enveloped me, as if an intense and unsettling fervor unfolded through every fiber of my being. An ominous veil seemed to loom over reality itself, hinting at the presence of something beyond our comprehension.

I longed to share with that man what I had witnessed in the wooden dominos, but a profound sense of emptiness shrouded every thought. Horror had eroded the essence of my words, leaving them hollow and devoid of meaning.

I descended to the ground floor of the ancestral castle and sensed how darkness, like a living and hissing entity, had taken hold of the environment, plunging it into an abyss of oppressive blackness. The silence was so dense that it seemed to pulsate in the air, intensifying my unease to unfathomable limits.

I collapsed onto the cenotaph, enveloped in purple shadows that covered me like a veil imbued with mystery and malevolence. That interaction lacked sense, standing as an archetype of emptiness. I had no choice but to seek refuge in the embrace of chaos, longing for solace in the confines of unconsciousness.

However, on the verge of lethargy, I experienced a chilling encounter that transcended the boundaries of dream, clinging to my being with its malevolent presence. It wasn't prompted by the sugar nightmare, as it had no relation whatsoever and couldn't even be considered a dream since it only encompassed moments prior to waking. It was then that a voice, barely a whisper devoid of life, shattered the oppressive silence. "Don't distress yourself, my dear," it murmured with a foreboding cadence.

The words, wrapped in a lugubrious and lifeless tone, settled in my mind like insidious poison, sowing deep unease. Seemingly placid, their macabre and weakened nature provoked an indescribable discomfort.

This voice stood as the crucial pillar that transformed my reality into an authentic nightmare, far more horrific than the sugar nightmare, clinging to me with insatiable voracity. It challenged the limits of my sanity, whispering in the hidden abysses of my consciousness and spreading grains of uncertainty about reality itself. It dragged me into an abyss of fear and despair.

The putrid stench of abandonment permeated the air, flooding my senses with a blend of decay and dread. Each beat of my heart became more hesitant, aware that danger lurked in every corner, patiently waiting for the opportune moment to strike.

The persistent voice continued to whisper the same words for an indeterminate period, inexorably dragging me into the depths of madness. In every attempt to unveil its origin, it faded like a mocking illusion, leaving me trapped in a state of insecurity and anguish. There seemed to be no escape, not even in the deepest abysses of my psyche...

At the next dawn, I awoke and continued my wandering without any noteworthy event. I wrapped myself in that purple cloak, which infused me with a strange sense of sanctuary, and skillfully wielded my primitive knife. The day was veiled by dense clouds, the sky a somber canopy stretching above me. Despite the early hour, the surroundings were immersed in oppressive darkness, leading me to consider the possibility of delaying my departure from the castle, hoping that the light in the ominous forest would improve, even minimally.

However, an internal impulse urged me to leave the safety of the walls and venture into the enigmatic forest. I continued along the path that led to the lake, my mind focused on finding sustenance, as was my custom. Unfortunately, I only managed to gather a few nuts and mushrooms, insufficient to satisfy my hunger at that moment.

The idea of returning to the lake and lighting a fire to roast the mushrooms, instead of monotonously consuming the acorns that had been my sole source of food until then, stubbornly occupied my thoughts.

Time passed swiftly, not only due to the peculiar anomalies of the forest but also because of my misguided perception of the situation. An unsettling unease seized me, an uncomfortable premonition that strengthened with each step among the twisted trees and ominous shadows.

The silence was oppressive, only interrupted by the sinister whisper of the wind and the crunching of dry leaves beneath my feet. In an instant, a disturbing sense of anxiety overcame me as I realized that the day was rapidly progressing towards the growing dusk.

Nevertheless, confirming the exact time proved to be a futile task, overcome by the persistent clouds veiling the vast firmament. The possibility arose that I might have risen later than usual and ventured into the lush forest with an unwitting delay, entangled in the density of the cumulus clouds that concealed the horizon.

Impotence swirled in my thoughts, with no other option but to succumb to the circumstances imposed by the insipid will of fate. Reality seemed to fade into a monotonous and desolate dimension. The forest, once revered as a sacred haven of tranquility and splendor, now exuded a disturbing atmosphere.

Every tree and leaf appeared to harbor unfathomable secrets and unimaginable dangers, as if the roots extended into unknown abysses nurturing those pale horrors. Just as I headed to the lake to grill the collected mushrooms, my attention was captured by something in the distance.

Something was approaching... towards me…

In a dense and melancholic forest lies a mysterious boar,

Its traces barely whispering on the earth,

With gentle grunts, an affable surrender.

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In the shadowy dance of tall trees, it strolls silently,

Chasing joy without boastfulness.

At sunset, it reveals its subtle prowess,

Oh, unveiled secret, embracing reality with cheerful and light firmness!

In the grove where silence reigns,

In the grove where mystery is lord,

In the grove where light hides.

In the glow of dusk, awakens its delicate grace,

Hidden revelation, embracing reality with cheerful and gentle firmness!

In the ominous twilight, a lugubrious panorama unfolds, weaving shadows of oppression, while a colossal wild boar, with masterful stealth, lurks in the surroundings. Its imposing presence evokes in me an indescribable sense of revelation, as if the beast, with malevolent consciousness, relished in the farce of my fictional existence.

Gripping my modest dagger firmly, an asphyxiating unease takes hold of me as I perceive the aggressive stance of the boar. With deliberate steps, it approaches stealthily, but in a sudden break, without warning, it launches into a frenzied charge towards me.

Fear envelops me as I struggle in vain to retreat and dodge its relentless onslaught. Desperately challenging my strength, my limbs strive to distance myself from such a terrifying being. However, the obstinate boar relentlessly pursues me, emitting threatening grunts and chilling dental crunches behind me.

At astonishing speeds, propelled by a force beyond the laws of nature, no, it was the horrendous charge of nature itself. Amidst my frantic escape, my mind battled to maintain serenity, but it was in vain. My steps faltered as the delicate silk fabric of my attire got entangled in the twisted branches of the trees, leaving me vulnerable to the imminent charge of the colossus.

Prostrate on the ground, absorbed, I watched as the colossal creature inexorably approached, its fierce gaze revealing sinister deadly intentions. My desperation became an oppressive burden, unable to discern an escape path in that terrifying enigma unfolding before my eyes.

Driven by a primal instinct for survival, I wielded the goad with fury and, with resolute determination, plunged it mercilessly into the wild boar's right eye, unleashing a strident scream of agony that intertwined with the pulsating echo of my own heart. In this tragic choreography, life and death wove their strands, creating a tapestry of dramatic despair under the impious cloak of unbridled nature.

Despite the inflicted wound, the beast did not recoil; its thirst for violence seemed insatiable. With no time for hesitation, I extracted the bloodied dagger from its ocular orbit and thrust it once again vehemently into its sinewy neck, significantly weakening it.

However, the measure proved insufficient, and my fierce struggle found no respite. With both hands clamped onto the weapon, I repeatedly impaled it into its throat, tearing it apart completely in an act of grotesque brutality.

The somber stage was promptly invaded by a lugubrious tide of blood as the helpless creature writhed in abominable torment. Despite the terrifying situation, I persevered with determination, rending its skin with the relentless edge of the sharp knife firmly in my grasp.

When, finally, the beast's rending howls ceased, I halted my actions and plunged the dagger into its other eye, putting an end to its agony. Clinging to its lifeless body and feeling the rough texture of its fur, a repulsive and nauseating sensation overwhelmed me as I became aware of the savage brutality with which I had annihilated the creature.

Despite the injuries that lacerated my body, I launched myself with unbridled fury, clutching the knife with a pure, white blade, now stained with impure and macabre crimson. While attempting to regain composure amidst the whirlwind of my emotions, I noticed the solitary wild boar, without the company of another of its kind.

A feeling of compassion and sorrow engulfed me, as if I could perceive the loneliness and desolation emanating from its being. However, there was nothing more I could do for it. As I stood up, bitter tears began to flow from my eyes, some escaping uncontrollably.

There were no more alternatives; the boar lay lifeless while I still struggled for each breath, feeling the overwhelming weight of my existence in that fateful moment.

Realizing that my hands were tainted with the pristine life fluid and my dress soaked in that same dark crimson, I noticed the exquisite fabric of the cloak remained unstained, without undesirable marks. I chose to overlook such perplexing peculiarity and stood upright, despite my legs trembling uncontrollably, mere spectators of the atrocity I had just committed.

The scene unfolded before my eyes was profoundly disturbing, a grotesque manifestation of my internal abyss. Doubts and fears seized my mind, while horror infiltrated every thought, unleashing a primordial fear rooted in the depths of my being. The blood continued to drip incessantly, forming a viscous pool at my feet.

I plunged into the darkness, unable to escape the image of that bloodied sacrifice. Pale shadows wept around me, whispering incomprehensible words that intertwined with my labored breath. Once calm was regained, I found myself plunged into existential uncertainty on how to proceed in the face of such a grotesque scene. It was as if the abyss itself had opened before my eyes, demanding a decisive and enigmatic action.

With relentless determination, I dragged the lifeless boar's body to the shores of the lake, using the anomaly to my advantage, seeking a suitable place to carry out my macabre experiment.

The forest, a silent witness to my gruesome undertaking, was shrouded in oppressive darkness and sepulchral silence, only interrupted by the whispers of the wind through the twisted trees.

With keen dexterity, I carefully selected sturdy and robust branches, ensuring their unwavering solidity, a necessary prelude to bear the imminent burden. The foresighted harvest of firewood, a result of my explorations, promised an ample supply.

With surgical precision, I erected a sinister structure, taking the form of an inverted "U," raising it towards the firmament with the solemnity of an ominous symbol, a grave warning. The vertical posts stood imposing, as if an evil presence emanated from their very nature.

Having completed the atrocious construction, I meticulously arranged thinner and elongated branches over the posts, shaping a sort of stage, as if it were a macabre platform for a somber ceremony. Dedicate an obsessive zeal to every detail, ensuring the perfect leveling of each component, aware that supposed perfection was a crucial requirement for the success of my twisted purpose.

The tension in the atmosphere became palpable, infused with an ominous energy that intensified with every move I made. At its zenith, with a strange fascination bordering on the morbid, I moved the lifeless boar's body to the lake's edge, succumbing to the sinister attraction emanating from its lifeless form.

In that corner, shrouded by the shadows of dusk, I determined to purify it with meticulousness. My hands plunged into the depths of the gloom, exploring with obsessive precision every fold of the animal's skin, every trace of death and corruption.

The serenity that rested on the water's surface of the lake transmuted into a sinister broth of diseases that reflected the distorted image of my being. The new moon, an impassive witness to my forbidden acts, cast a frigid and gloomy light on the grotesque scene unfolded before my tormented eyes.