Enigmatic Fantasies - A Brush With Death, Part 1 [#203]

Part 2: [link]

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           Big Tony was known as the worst man in town. He extorted mom and pop shops for money, threatened helpless people into unreasonable loans, and rumor has it he once stole candy from a baby. He had at least a dozen henchmen to do his bidding and skirted the law with a combination of bribes and mob connection. When a tall, muscular form with a buzz cut in a nice suit strolled down the street, all the people would cower and hide. Everybody feared Tony. He was invincible. Then one day, he met his match.

           It was a slow day at Tony's Honest Loans, so Tony spent the day engaged in his favorite hobby, counting money. Profits were great as always, but Tony was frustrated. He had already extorted every person in town for every cent they were worth. It was only a matter of time before the well dried up.

           'At this point, the only money left will be ripping off tourists at the casino,' Tony thought to himself as he lit a cigar. As Tony pondered his options, there was a knock at the door. "That better be you, Simmons."

           "Yes, sir," Simmons said as he entered Tony's office. Simmons, the ever-loyal assistant, was a skinny guy with red hair. His suit was wrinkled, his hair unkempt, and he fidgeted constantly.

           "I assume everything is running smoothly," Tony chewed his cigar.

           "Yes, sir," Simmons squeaked, "but there's one tiny problem..."

           "What kind of problem?" Tony growled.

           "Well, sir," Simmons shrank in place, "some of the employees say there's a little girl running around the office, causing havoc. They haven't been able to catch her."

           "Are you serious, Simmons?" Tony slammed his desk. "You came here to bother me about some little brat that you idiots can't even catch?"

           "I'm...sorry...s...sir," the redhead apologized, "but we've also had a lot of equipment and building malfunctions today. Some of the guys who tried to catch her got hurt because of it."

           "Oh boo hoo," Tony mocked his assistant, "you got a couple paper cuts trying to catch a stupid little tyke."

           "But...sir," the small man replied, "we've had three people hospitalized over this."

           "What?" Tony cocked his head, "What the fuck happened?"

           "Well, sir," Simmons explained, "One got knocked out by a falling ceiling tile. Another was electrocuted by a photocopier. The third was crushed by a row of file cabinets."

           "You're making this shit up," Tony chuckled, "very funny Simmons."

           "It's no joke, sir," the assistant confirmed.

           "Don't bullshit me, or you'll be out of a-," Tony was cut off by the sound of a loud crash followed by a chorus of panicked screams. "The hell?" Tony and Simmons quickly left the office to investigate. Upon exiting out into the main office, they were greeted with a terrible sight. A large chunk of the ceiling had collapsed onto the office space.

           "Damn it! I almost had the little brat!" A voice yelled from above. Tony looked up to see one of his employees perched inside the ceiling, at the edge of the collapsed section.

           "Did you do this?" Tony screamed at the employee.

           "No, sir, it was-" The employee tried to defend himself.

           "You're fired!"

~--~

           "No good lousy idiots," Tony fumed as he went over the damages in his casino office. That collapsed ceiling put an end to the day's business. He'd have to shell out a pretty penny to get the office back in working order. Not to mention all the worker's comp. Not that he'd ever payout for that, but the amount of bribe money he'd have to funnel to the authorities gave him a headache.

           Big Tony was used to yelling to get his way, but even he had to face reality on this one. It would take weeks to sort this mess, and that was weeks he'd be seeing a lot less money in from the office. It was surprisingly hard to negotiate loans with a hole in your ceiling. Thus, Tony was forced to lean on his casino to bear the burden of these unexpected costs.

           "This couldn't possibly get any worse," Tony felt his blood pressure rising. As if on cue, Simmons arrived, trembling a bit more than usual. "This better be good," Tony snapped.

           "Mr. Verrick called," Simmons squeaked. "He's coming to visit the casino to watch that poker tournament next weekend." Big Tony froze. This was the last thing he wanted to hear today. Mr. Verrick was Tony's most important connection. That rich man basically ran half the region. If Tony failed to live up to his expectations, he'd never work in this country again, and that'd be the least of his problems.

           "I want everything perfect for Mr. Verrick," Tony exclaimed as a bead of sweat trickled down his face. "Do you hear me?"

           "Yes, sir!" Simmons saluted and rushed out the door.

           "Just what I needed, more stress," Tony tried to control his breathing. "I need a drink," the large man got out of his chair and walked down the hall to his private break room. The room used to be a small VIP suite, complete with a plush sofa, coffee machine, and a mini-bar, until Tony took it for himself. He could always drink in his office, but Big Tony preferred to drink where no one would bother him.

           "Now then," he locked the door behind him, "I'm itching for something strong." Tony turned and walked towards the mini-bar. He ignored the little girl sitting on his couch who sloppily drank a juice box. The large man inspected his collection of alcoholic beverages. He was about to make a choice when a thought crossed his mind. 'Wait, kid?' Tony snapped his head back. He saw the strange child casually discard her finished drink before skipping over to the coffee machine.

           The little girl was likely no older than 12 and was garbed in a puffy, yellow and black dress out of a Lewis Carroll novel. Her hair was a light, almost platinum, blonde, and her eyes a pale green. She was topped off with a fancy, wide-brimmed hat, straight out of the Kentucky derby.

           "Where'd you come from, you the little brat?" Tony shouted at the child, "You've got to the count of five to piss off, or I'll- Hey, listen to me, you little miscreant!" Despite his yells, the small girl paid him no head. She was too enraptured by her reflection in the coffee pot. "That's it," Tony marched over to the child, ready to grab her by the scruff of her neck.

           "Ooh, shiny," she dashed away before he could lay a finger on her. She ran a figure eight around the room before settling next to the min-bar. After observing its contents for a moment, she began to carelessly toss out each bottle contained within. "There's got to be some juice in here, right?" The little girl said aloud as she chucked a glass of bourbon, which shattered on the carpet behind her.

           "Hey, those are expensive, you little shit," Tony charged the little girl. However, instead of grabbing her, all the large man managed to do was tackle the mini-bar. The contents of which spilled out and shattered around him. The large man thanked his lucky stars he didn't get stabbed by any glass shards. "Where'd she go?" Tony scanned the room, quickly noticing the little girl heading for the door.

           "There's no juice in here. This place is boring," she complained before unlocking the door and slipping out into the hallway.

           "Why you," Tony looked at the mess around him. "I'll have Simmons clean this up later," he affirmed before chasing after the girl.

~--~

           Despite his best efforts, Tony could barely keep track of the little troublemaker. It seemed as if he so much as blinked she'd vanish from sight. Every lunge and grab for her failed to register; each time she'd slip just out of reach. Yet, it never seemed intentional. If Tony tried to swipe at her head, she'd bend over to fix her shoes. When he made a desperate lunge, she'd skip off in a random direction. If he ever lost sight of her, she'd suddenly appear in the opposite direction he had looked.

           "Damn it, I'm running out of swears, you cheeky shit," Tony's patience was at its end.

           "That's bad. You shouldn't swear, mister," the girl scolded him.

           "Hold still," he thrust out both hands, ready to strangle her if need be. However, the little girl slipped through his legs.

           "Tag, you're it," she slapped the side of his leg and ran around a corner.

           "Why you!" Tony bolted after her, only to run right into Simmons. The lanky man crumbled as his boss ran him right over. "What the? Simmons, why didn't you catch that stupid kid?"

           "Kid?" Simmons mumbled in a daze.

           "Over here, mister," the girl waved from around a different corner before ducking behind it and disappearing again.

           "I refuse to let her make a fool out of me," Tony grumbled.

           "Wait, kid?" Simmons finally pulled himself to his feet. "Was it a little girl in a black and yellow dress?"

           "Exactly," Tony replied.

           "That's the girl the guys were chasing the other day," Simmons explained, "before they...uh...well, you know."

          "So, she's the little brat on the warpath," Tony commented. "Wait, then she's the one who cost me all that money. When I find her, I'll give her such a thrashing."

           "Do you want me to do anything, sir?" Simmons inquired.

           "Simmons," Tony rested his hand on the smaller man's shoulder, "I want you to put the whole casino on the lookout for this little brat. I want her dragged kicking and screaming to my office. Whoever catches her gets a big raise." Tony smiled. He had never given out a raise to anyone. This way, his employees would know he seriously wanted that kid captured.

           "Right away, sir!" Simmons saluted and rushed off to alert the other employees.

           "That ought to take care of that," Tony smirked with pride.

           "Hi, Mister!" The girl's voice came from behind.

           "Jesus!" Tony jumped.

           "Where?" The girl began to scan her surrounding rapidly.

           "Don't you ever sneak up on me like that, you little brat," Tony demanded, but the girl did not respond. She was too preoccupied in her search for "Jesus." "That's it, I'm going to throttle you good this time," Tony thrust out his bulky hand, with sights on the girl's neck.

           "Oh, a penny," the girl dropped to the ground and snatched a coin off the floor. She fell right between Tony's feet and caused him to trip over her in mid-lunge. The large man crashed into the wall before landing on the ground with a thud. "Yeah," the girl cheered for herself, oblivious to Tony's pain.

           "Curse that kid," Tony moaned as the girl skipped way again. Hopefully, this would be the last time he'd have to put up with her games.

To Be Continued...

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If you're wondering why this is a fantasy story, well you'll find out in part 2 next week.

Until next time, Read, Comment, Enjoy and have a Happy New Year!

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Enigmatic Fantasies - Colossal Caravan [#202]

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           “So then, Theo, are you ready for your first day on the job?” The boss asked the young boy. The rugged “office” they sat in was nothing more than a reinforced shack. It was furnished well enough, confirming the boss’s wealth and success. However, there was only so much one could expect from a structure so far on the frontier.

           “Of course,” Theo affirmed, “don’t worry, this isn’t my first caravan. I’ve worked on a couple back home.” The blonde’s blue eyes twinkled in the way only youth could. He’d waited so long to get a real job on the frontier, now he’d finally become a man.

          “That’s what they all say,” the boss chuckled as he stroked his long, brown beard. “Now I’m gonna warn you, this ain’t like the horses and bison you got back home. Our pack beasts are quite a bit bigger and much more troublesome.”

           “Don’t worry, boss, I can handle it. I’m ready for anything,” Theo beamed, which only made the boss laugh more. 

           “Alright then, kid, you should be able to hear them coming now,” the boss stated. “Your first job is to help us unload the cargo from our last trip. Tomorrow we’ll move you on to something more. If you haven’t lost your nerve, that is.”

           ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ Theo raised an eyebrow. Before he could consider the boss’s words any further, he could hear the caravan coming. Or rather, he felt them coming. The boy had often heard the beasts on the frontier were much larger than he was used to. But, the way the ground shook as the caravan approached made him start to realize just how big they were talking.

           Theo and the boss stepped outside to witness the caravan crossing over a nearby hill. Theo’s eyes widened as he saw the first beast come over, a bulky reptile with three horns and a shield-shaped head. A member of the caravan slowly guided it with a length of rope. The beast had a couple hundred pounds of precious cargo strapped to its back. The reptile towered over any horse or pack animal the blonde had ever seen before, and each of its steps made the ground shudder.

           “It’s massive. I’ve never seen such a beast in my life,” Theo was awestruck.

           “Don’t freak out yet, kid. That’s one of the smaller ones,” the boss grinned. Theo looked back at the older man incredulously, at least until he felt the ground shake even harder. The boy looked around to see another reptile’s head pop up from below the ridge, followed by its neck. Theo watched with interest as he waited for the rest of the creature to come over. His patience was tested as the animal’s neck went on and on until finally, the massive beast crossed over the hill.

           “Impossible, how could such a thing exist!” Theo was dumbfounded. The last beast was bigger than any animal he had seen before, but this one dwarfed most buildings. Every step of the long-necked monster was like a small earthquake to the blonde. It even had cargo and seating strapped to its back, making Theo wonder how anyone managed to get up there. Let alone load and unload its passengers and cargo regularly.

           “Haven’t lost your nerve already, have you, boy?” The boss snorted.

           “Of course not,” Theo asserted as his voice cracked. Although his composure faltered as he witnessed more of the long-necked reptiles cross over the hill. They were closely followed by many other strange, giant reptiles. “So this is the frontier? Such fearsome creatures,” Theo tried to change the subject.

           “Ah, this is nothing. These are the gentle ones,” the boss began to walk towards the caravan. “Wait till we have you with us in those untamed wilds. You’ll see the real nasty ones out there.”

           “I see,” Theo gulped as the caravan flooded into the area. He watched in shock as those guiding the beast casually strode alongside the monsters that could easily crush them underfoot. His first day was about to begin, the blonde had told himself he was ready for anything, but now he had never felt so small.

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Sometimes you'll never be prepared enough for big, new jobs.

Until next time, Read, Comment, Enjoy and have a Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays/Whatever you prefer.

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Eclectic Narratives - There's Nothing Here For You [#201]

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           Eric was a budding young talent in the world of science. He was the top of his class in university and popular with the press. The young man was already poised to make great strides forward in his chosen field. When asked what motivated him to do so much in a short amount of time, the scientist always had the same answer.

           “I’ve idolized the Green Yard research facility, ever since I was a boy,” he would explain. “There wasn’t a single major field of science they haven’t influenced or advanced in the past 50 years. It was the work of their staff, such legendary names like Dr. Marko and Dr. Gregorius, that inspired me to open my first science textbook.”

           Typically, Eric would then be asked what he’d like to do more than anything else. The young man would then put on his most excited smile as he answered.

           “Why to work at Green Yard, of course,” he’d state. “But that’s nothing more than a fantasy now, even for me. They’re very selective about their staff and very secretive about their research. I don’t think a member of the public has even stepped foot on its grounds in over ten years. If memory serves, they last welcomed a new member of staff even longer ago than that.”

          Despite his claims that it was nothing more than a fantasy, it was a fantasy Eric desired to make real above all else. Internally, he believed it would never come true and accepted he’d just have to watch their work from afar. However, that made it all the more wonderful when he actually did get accepted into Green Yard’s ranks.

           After long weeks of orientation at a handful of off-site locations, Eric was quickly given the approval to begin his tenure at the facility. He woke up bright and early for his first day, packed up all his needed possessions, and drove up into the mountains that housed the facility. He was eager to visit the dormitory, hoping he’d get a room close to one of his idols. He was excited about his future lab space, rubbing shoulders with those at the top of their fields. But above all that, he was most excited to lay eyes on the facility itself. Before now, he only had a ten-year-old picture of the exterior and his imagination.    

           He arrived early in the morning, only an hour or so past dawn. The facility’s gate appeared old and rusty. He expected security guards to check him in, automatic gates, and something to swipe his ID badge through. Alas, there was nothing but a decrepit gate that looked like it had been put in when the facility was founded 50 years prior. It wasn’t even locked. The lock and chain had long since decayed and fallen to the ground.

           Concerned he was at the wrong place, Eric double-checked his map and direction. Yet, all they did was confirm he was at the right place. More confused than anything, Eric drove his car up to the facility and parked in the vegetation-covered parking lot. At first, Eric wondered if they had skimmed on the parking lot maintenance bills until he looked at the building itself. It was a large and sprawling structure, or at least it would be by the standards of 50 years ago.

           Eric referred back to his map, directions, and even his photograph of the facility. The young scientist was now thoroughly convinced he was in the wrong place. Certainty gave way to confusion and then concern as he realized his photo and the aged facility matched exactly. While in the picture, it appeared pristine. The real one before him looked like it had been abandoned for almost 20 years. The young scientist was taken aback. He had been a close fan of the facility for over a decade, yet nothing told him it had fallen to such a state.

           “Another one, eh?” A ratty old man, with a filthy beard in a stain covered coat, emerged from seemingly nowhere. Eric jumped back, reaching into his pocket for a self-defense tool. “Calm down, son, I’m not here to hurt or nothing,” the old man assured. “Name’s Dr. Marko. You must be the new guy, right?”

           “You’re Dr. Marko?” Eric asked in disbelief.

           “I know, I look nothing like the pictures,” Dr. Marko laughed. “To be young and handsome.”

           “Apologies sir,” Eric looked around, keeping an eye out for anyone else in case this was a trick. “It’s just, this whole situation...the facility-.”

           “Doesn’t look like you expected, and neither do I?” Marko grinned, revealing half his teeth were missing. “I don’t blame you. They all say that,” the old man coughed. “It’s good to see that all the money upper management put into maintaining our image paid off.”

           “Even if that’s the case, I just,” Eric was at a loss for words.

           “How about this,” Dr. Marko proposed, “I bet you got a copy of my book in your truck that you wanted me to sign, right?” Eric nodded. “Page 112, line 4, I use a metaphor about zero gravity. It was my favorite line in the book, but I was sad when no one talked about it,” Marko explained.

           Eric was still suspicious, he had read the book cover to cover several times, but not even he remembered such a thing. Yet, he returned to his truck and pulled out the book. Just as the old man said, there was a metaphor about zero gravity.

           “Well, what do you know?” Eric shrugged. “Dr. Marko, it’s an honor to meet you, but what happened to the facility?”

           “Time passed is all,” Dr. Marko answered. “We’ve always done good work here, but the only thing management cared about was our prestigious image. I bet you’ve got photos from some years back, right? Nothing but baloney the higher-ups cooked up. That guy from the press who says he took the photo, he was paid off by management. He never stepped foot on these ground, and that photo is way older than you think.”

           “This is a lot to take in,” Eric tried to maintain composure. “I heard nothing about this during orientation and the like. Do you even still do research in there?”

           “I guess you could call it that,” Dr. Marko sighed. “Listen, boy, there ain’t anything in there for you, or anyone else for that matter. Hop back in your car and go home. You don’t want to get stuck up in this place, trust me.”   

           “But all my life I’ve-,” Eric started to say, yet some nagging feelings at the back of his mind stopped him in mid-sentence. Maybe it was Dr. Marko’s gaze. Perhaps it was the eerie silence that surrounded the facility. It might have been the sensation of unknown danger that had been tingling in his bones since he first arrived. Whatever the reason, Eric took Dr. Marko’s advice and drove off.

           His heart broken, Eric took one last look at the facility through his rearview mirror. He sighed and obeyed his instinct to leave. Dr. Marko watched with interest as the young scientist left the parking lot and returned to the mountain roads. The old man chuckled as Eric disappeared from sight.

           “Another soul saved from this wretched place,” Dr. Marko smiled. An eerie wind rolled over the facility, sending a chill up the old man’s spine. “Ah, management is calling. Probably mad I chased off another promising young soul. Better get down there before they really lay into me. Don’t want to end up like old Gregorius, now do I?” Dr. Marko waddled back into the facility, the creaky old doors slamming shut behind him.

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Sometimes your dream job isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Apologies if the formatting seems a bit different. I'm experimenting with spacing and trying to find what feels right.

Until next time, Read, Comment and Enjoy 

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Enigmatic Fantasies - The Pure Jewel of the Valley Part 3

Part 1: [link]

Part 2: [link]

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            “...And that is her story,” the old woman finished. “Do you understand now?”

           “Oh, I understand,” the wanderer nodded. “I understand you’ve been sitting on a powder keg holding a lit match and just hoped it wouldn’t go off. Don’t worry, I’ve already figured out how to solve your problem.”

           “You still speak freely and carelessly,” the old woman snapped. “You still criticize our choices without any understanding.”

           “Nope, I’ve seen this same situation before,” the wanderer countered. “The answer is fairly clear to me. Thanks for the tea.” The wanderer finished off the small cup before leaving the old woman’s shack.

           “Your words are biting and without politeness,” the old woman commented. “Yet, I still hope you are right. Let our...let her suffering end once and for all.”

~--~

            The wanderer left the village, following the trail of destruction left in Kiyomi’s wake. It was not difficult to find the silver-haired woman, as she stood right where the destruction ended. The woman of famed beauty stood upon a lakebed, the water having long since boiled away. Kiyomi noticed the wanderer approach but spared her no words.

           “What are you doing out here all by yourself?” The wanderer broke the ice.          

           “I seek the man I love, the man who has given me so many gifts over the years,” Kiyomi answered. “He awaits me in the next town, but it seems I’ve lost my way. Today’s events are so foggy in my mind.”

           ‘She doesn’t even recognize me,’ the wanderer noted. ‘At least that means she’ll hear me out then.’ The wanderer sat down on the remains of a tree stump and collected her thoughts. “Kiyomi, there’s something you need to know.”

           “Is it word from my lover?” Kiyomi’s eyes lit up.

           “Kiyomi, the truth is that man doesn’t exist,” the wanderer revealed. “The villagers have been lying to you because they’re afraid. They gathered up all the gifts and wealth to keep you appeased and fabricated the story of the man leaving them for you.”

           “What nonsense are you spouting?” Kiyomi snapped, the air around her distorting from a sudden rise in heat.

           “You’ve been lied to, Kiyomi,” the wanderer repeated. “You need to stop these rampages, or they’ll keep lying to you.”

           “Hold your tongue,” the silver-haired woman gathered up her flames, her eyes seeming to glow with relentless fury.

           “Tell me, Kiyomi, how long have you been following your lover?” The wanderer asked.

           “I...I...Why does it...?” Kiyomi struggled for a reply. Her first instinct was to deny the question, but it was clear she had no answer to give. “Of course, it was only...a month?...a year?...how long...? Aaaahhhh!!!” The silver-haired woman clutched her head, her mind unable to recall the answer. She morphed back into the serpent of blue flame, but the beast appeared far larger and more monstrous than before.

           “This might be a little harder than I first thought,” the wanderer sighed as the flame serpent crashed down on top of her. “Missed me,” the wanderer teleported away at the last moment, before conjuring up her own red flames. “Raw power is good and all, but you won’t get very far on sheer force alone.” The wanderer’s red flames and Kiyomi’s blue clashed head-on. The two forces canceled each other out and covered the area in a cloud of thick smoke.

           “Lies, lies, all lies!” Kiyomi paid no mind to the wanderer’s advice and continued her relentless assault. The wanderer emerged from the smoke, having created five illusionary replicas of herself. The same kind she had used to trick Kiyomi in their first encounter. The silver-haired woman merely attacked the closest of the copies, quickly determining it was a fake.    

           “Acting like a mindless monster only makes you easier to fool,” the wanderer and her three copies commented in unison. The four scattered in separate directions, forcing Kiyomi to chose one to pursue.

           “You think of me as no more than a mindless beast?” Kiyomi roared. “Do not think you are safe because of your tricks.” The serpent of blue flame flew into the sky before turning back towards the ground. It’s mouth opened to unleash a geyser of fire breath that consumed the landscape, quickly catching up the four wanderers. One by one, each of the illusionary wanderers vanished into the flame. “That is the fate of those who would do me harm!”   

           “Not bad, I didn’t give you enough credit after all,” the wanderer’s voice came from behind the serpent.

           “Impossible,” Kiyomi looked up to see the wanderer standing on the back of her serpentine form. The wanderer’s feet stood firm as though the blue flame was solid ground.

           “Your first mistake was taking your eyes off me,” the wanderer explained. “All five were illusions, which you have a nasty habit of mindlessly chasing.”

           “Do not be so quick to demean me. You still stand within my grasp,” Kiyomi pointed out. “I shall wrap my coils around you and crush you within my flames!”

           “Since you haven’t noticed already, I’ll tell you now,” the wanderer chuckled. “I’m also a sorceress who uses fire, one far more advanced than you. Fire and heat don’t really hurt me. Besides, who said this was the real me anyway?” Dozens more copies of the wanderer suddenly came into being, all around the Kiyomi.

           “Perish!” Kiyomi declared as she released more bursts of flame breath upon the illusions. Yet, for every copy she destroyed, two more seemed to take its place. This pattern repeated as Kiyomi chased after the dozens of clones throughout the sky and land. Yet, no matter how much fire she called upon, the silver-haired woman could not find the real wanderer.

           The battle seemed to continue for what seemed like days. With each passing hour, Kiyomi’s flames grew weaker and weaker. Finally, the serpent of blue flame collapsed and reverted back to her human form. Exhausted and defeated, the jewel of the valley laid upon the ground, unable to even lift a finger.

           “Finally wore yourself out, huh?” The real wanderer teleported in from wherever she had hidden. The dozens of copies were dispelled all at once.

           “It is my loss,” Kiyomi replied weakly. “I know why you are here, you are not the first to try, but you are the first to succeed. Bring your weapon down upon me and end it already. I wish to be with my parents and lover now.” The silver-haired woman broke down into tears.

           “What I find truly hard to believe is that you fell for such a blatant trick for so long,” the wanderer ignored Kiyomi’s words. “You must have been suspicious of the generosity of a man who mysteriously never had the decency to wait for you.”

           “Deep in my heart, I always knew,” Kiyomi replied through her tears. “But I turned a blind eye, for the alternative was too much for my heart to take. I wanted it to be true; I needed it to be true. I just wanted to be loved again.”

           “Don’t we all?” The wanderer approached Kiyomi and crouched down beside her.

           “I’m so very tired, please make it quick,” Kiyomi closed her eyes and braced herself for the end. The wanderer placed her hand upon Kiyomi’s shoulder, a somber look in her eye.

           “Don’t worry, I know how to make this painless,” the wanderer assured.

~--~

           “It’s done. Your problem is dealt with,” was the wanderer’s only words to the village leader.

           “Ridiculous,” the leader naturally scoffed at her declaration. Then the wanderer presented Kiyomi’s undamaged kimono as proof.

           “She was quite vain it seems,” the wanderer commented, “cast some kind of spell that kept this spotless. Not even the blood or dirt-stained it.”

           “Then, the nightmare is over?” The village leader inquired.

           “Yes, the problem you propagated for all these years has finally come to an end,” the wanderer remarked. “No need to thank me, I was just making up for my own mistakes.” The wanderer left without letting the village leader get in another word. She marched out of town, the kimono neatly folded up and held in her hand, ignoring the villagers' many stares as she left.

           Once the wanderer finally exited the town completely, she walked on for a few more minutes before swiftly turning off the path. Hidden beneath a small ridge near the village was another woman wrapped in a cloak. The wanderer approached her before going down on one knee to speak to them.

           “Sorry about that. They likely wouldn’t believe me without some proof,” the wanderer presented the kimono.

           “Thank you,” Kiyomi took off the cloak and accepted her kimono. “What will you do with me now?”

           “Well, you can’t stay here,” the wanderer pointed out. “So why not come with me?” She held out her hand.

           “As what? Your companion? Your trophy? Your slave?” Kiyomi inquired.

           “As my apprentice,” the wanderer answered. “I know how you feel. All that fire, bubbling inside you. I was lucky enough to have someone to teach me how to control it, and now so do you.”

           “I care little for the ways of magic,” Kiyomi turned away.

           “Who said anything about magic?” The wanderer pulled Kiyomi into a hug. “I told you, I know how you feel. It’s really lonely out there, so why not have a helping hand to guide you?”

           “You...what?” Kiyomi was flustered by the sudden show of affection.

           “I promise you, as your teacher, I won’t let any harm come to you,” the wanderer promised.

           “I...I,” Kiyomi was at a loss for words. “Thank you, teacher,” she smiled.

          “That’s the spirit,” the wanderer hoped to her feet and pulled up Kiyomi with her. “Now, let’s get out of here. The world is a vast place, and we have only so much time to explore it. We might even find that elusive man you’re looking for.”

           “You’re a strange person, teacher,” Kiyomi giggled as she locked hands with the wanderer, and the two walked off into the sunset. The valley would slowly let the story of its pure jewel fade into memory. However, the wider world might soon have its own tales of Kiyomi, the Pure Jewel, and her mysterious mentor.           

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A dynasty of lies can be slain by a single truth. The truth hurts, but sometimes it's what we need most.

I hope you enjoyed this three part story, I sure enjoyed writing it.

Until next time, Read, Comment and Enjoy 

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Engimatic Fantasies - The Pure Jewel of the Valley Part 2

Part 1: [link]

Part 3: [link] 

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           Kiyomi was nothing more than a pretty face. Her only skill was being capable of using the most basic forms of fire magic. Her destiny should have been nothing more than marrying the nice young man who lived on her street. But everyone knew she didn’t mind. She was happy with her modest life and wished for nothing more. Alas, the stories of her beauty spread far and wide until they reached the ear of a certain noble.

           That man, Lord Soju, was the ruler of this region, answering only to a select few higher powers. People who never met him had little to complain about. The land was at peace, and Lord Soju had little reason to exercise his powers. However, those unfortunate enough to cross paths with that man had much to say and little good. It was true he had little reason to exercise his power, but that rarely stopped him. When Lord Soju learned of Kiyomi’s beauty, he had to see it for himself. After all, he was the Lord of this region. Shouldn’t that mean his wife was the most beautiful? Thus he came to Kiyomi’s little village, a small squad of soldiers at his side.

           It was a fair summer day that he appeared. The humble village was in shock to see their Lord appear so suddenly. Lord Soju was clear in his words and cut right to his intentions. He stated he was here to see Kiyomi and observer her rumored beauty. The villagers were quick to catch onto what was about to happen, but no one wished to defy their Lord and led them right to her.

           They say he found her sitting in a garden, basking in the sunlight. Her hair was said to glisten in the summer sunshine and while her pure white skin glowed. The Lord was smitten at first sight and immediately declared that she would be his wife. Kiyomi was naturally hesitant to be pulled away from the only life she had known, but Lord Soju cared little.

           “I shall return in three days,” he declared that moment. “Prepare yourself, for we shall return to my castle for our wedding that day.” The Lord left that instant, leaving behind a handful of soldiers to ensure no one dared to touch his future wife. Kiyomi was left distraught, as the rest of her life was now in the hands of Lord Soju.

           Few speak of the following three days, as Kiyomi was pulled into her home and forbidden to leave. The man she loved, that lovely man who lived only a few houses away, wasn’t allowed to even see her. Her parents may have been allowed to live in the same home, but even they could not see her for longer than minutes at a time. The few who saw her at this time described only her hollow expression and reserved body language.

           Those three days slowly passed by, and the Lord’s castle was decorated and prepared for an extravagant wedding. The day before, several servants of Lord Soju came down the small village to prepare Kiyomi for the day. They dressed her like a doll. Her bridal dress was like a grand ornament, the perfect as a centerpiece for the Lord’s wedding.

           The day finally came, and Lord Soju returned with a procession, a hundred soldiers, dozens of servants, and performers. This wedding would be nothing short of a festival. All the remained was retrieving his wife. Yet, he was prevented from acquiring her quickly. As he approached Kiyomi’s home, he was met by her parents and her lover.

           The three prostrated themselves before the Lord and begged him to reconsider. Their reasoning was Kiyomi’s happiness. Since his declaration, the light in her eyes had gone away, and all the remained was a hollow doll. Their pleads did not go unheard. In fact, Lord Soju allowed them to speak freely without interruption.

           “Is that all you have to say?” Was Lord Soju’s response, and he was met with a round of nods. “Will you continue to request this, even in the future?” Was his second question, which was met by another set of nods. “Very well,” was his reply, “Men, execute these who would defy my words.”

           The three went dead silent as they realized their fate. The first soldier marched forward and struck down her father with a swift sword strike. A second soldier turned his blade towards her mother and brought down his weapon on her. Yet, his blade did not strike true, as Kiyomi’s lover threw himself in front of the attack. A third soldier marched forward to finish what had been started, but before he could even draw his sword...

           “Stop,” Kiyomi had emerged from her home. “Please stop,” was all she declared. Her face was stained with tears, smudging the makeup the Lord’s servants had spent so long painting on her. The third soldier stopped his attack, stunned by this display of emotion.

           “Men, I did not give the order to cease,” was the Lord’s only reply. The third soldier hesitated still but managed to draw his sword.

           “Stop,” Kiyomi walked forward, each step was measured, but the overflowing emotions caused her to wobble. It was difficult for the untrained eye to notice, but the air around her had begun to distort from heat.

           “Men, do as I command,” Lord Soju declared. The third soldier swallowed his emotions and brought his sword down on the mother. The cut was not as ruthless as the previous two, but no less effective. As her mother fell to the ground, Kiyomi’s tears only flowed harder.

           “Why, why would you do this?” Was Kiyomi’s only question. “Do you not wish to take me on as your wife, as the one you love? Why would you cause me such pain?”

           “Woman, hold your tongue, or I shall have it cut out,” the Lord declared. “All I desire is your beauty. It is mine to have and admire as I wish. Your pain is not my concern. Dry those tears. They will ruin the majesty of our wedding.”

           “You...” Kiyomi’s world was shattered at that moment. To this man, she was nothing more than a doll, a possession, less than human, less than a living thing. “You...” The heat grew greater, trickles of flame began to wrap around the woman. “I hate you!” She declared.

           “I do not care, now come now, or you shall be forced to,” Lord Soju paid little heed to her words or actions.

           “I’ll kill you!” Kiyomi announced for the world to hear. The Lord still paid her no mind, not even sparing her a look anymore. Flames ignited around Kiyomi, her body wrapped in endless blue fire. A form that would become a terror to all who walked these lands was born that day. A serpent of pure blue flame emerged where Kiyomi once stood.

           “What is the meaning of this?” Was Lord Soju’s last words as the serpent came down upon him and his men. The Lord was burned to ash, along with every man in his service. Their pained screams were said to be heard around the entire valley. The villagers tried to flee from the oncoming destruction, but the whole village was quickly engulfed by Kiyomi’s fury.

           In a matter of moments, the small little village that housed the pure jewel of the valley vanished into a sea of flames. At the end of the day, nothing remained but ash, cinders, and a scant few lucky souls who survived the ordeal. Kiyomi rampaged through the countryside for ten days and ten nights until she finally collapsed from exhaustion.

           Months passed after that horrific event, and the region grew to believe Kiyomi had perished in her own rampage. Nothing remained of her village, and some even say she tracked down the noble’s castle and burned it down as well. The people of the valley were ready to put that day behind them, a tragedy confined to the past. Then one day, she returned.

           Her return was only spoken of in hushed whispers. All that anyone knows is that she simply appeared alone in another village one day. No ceremony, no grandeur, no fire. Just a beautiful young woman who walked into town by herself. Obviously, the village she found herself in was taken aback. What young woman would be wandering the roads alone like that?

           However, Kiyomi’s beauty was still known far and wide, so it wasn’t long before someone deduced her identity. At first, the village was welcoming to the girl. She had lost everything, after all. They did not speak of the incident. Nor did they comment on how strange it was that her appearance and clothing were unspoiled by her long days lost in the wilderness. Then one young man made the careless mistake of being kind to her.

           It was nothing special. The man simply picked up a handkerchief the woman had dropped. Yet, Kiyomi attached herself to the man, seeing a simple act of kindness as one of love. At first, the man considered himself lucky and told anyone who would listen as such. Alas, Kiyomi was not the kind of person you wanted to be attached to yourself. The man found her at his side every minute of every day, never having more than a second to himself. She would judge his every action, question his every intention, and loathe him if he ever dared look in the general direction of another woman.

           No one knows what exactly happened next, but the results were clear. There was one farmer in that town who recounted that day. In his own words, he saw Kiyomi being extra affectionate to her new “lover” that morning. He thought nothing of it and went out to the furthest fields that day to check on the harvest. He returned that evening to find the village burned to the ground, with only Kiyomi remaining.

           “He was unfaithful,” was her only explanation before returning back to the wilderness. It wasn’t long before the story of her actions spread, but it was longer before the people of the valley learned their lesson. The same story repeated itself several times. Kiyomi would enter a new village and attach herself to the first man who showed her attention. Then she would burn everything to the ground if he seemed “unfaithful.”

           If the pattern continued, the whole valley would be swallowed by her flames. Thus, the leaders of the villages gathered together and devised a plan. No one could stand against Kiyomi, lest they be burned to cinders as well. However, her mind was fragile and distorted. Tricking her would be much more simple.      

           Thus their plan was brought into being. Every village would prepare an offering of money, gifts, and presents. They’d track Kiyomi’s movements through the valley. Whenever she would arrive, they would present the offering as a gift from a “nice young man.” Their excuse would always be the same, this young man, who loved her more than anything, awaited her in the next town. Kiyomi would fall for it every time.

           This act of deception quickly became a tradition in the valley, one shared by every village. The year ticked on by, and the people would grow old, yet Kiyomi remained untouched by time. No one dared to question it, no wanted to ask, few were foolish enough to speak with her in the first place. Thankfully, the illusion continued to work, and Kiyomi continued to wanderer through the valley. She was always seeking that lovely man who loved her more than anything, never knowing he was nothing more than a fantasy.    

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Come back next week for part 3, the conclusion to this tale.

Until next time, Read, Comment and Enjoy 

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