Shackles Of The Past

Chapter 19- From a past into future

A dream is just,

a nightmare with lipstick.

~ Unknown.

***

Few minutes after Elvera had vanished, the noises caused by the wind intensified, the trees snapping with leaves falling off without restrain, giving another sound that differed from the actual one. It was like slow eruptions, as each surroundings where suddenly filled with an emptiness which weighed something.

Something dark yet powerful. Something which alone belonged to those creatures’ humans and other creatures had been enslaved too. The Dark Liches appeared in thin air, sniffing the spot Elvera had been earlier.

"Now where the hell is she?!" growled Leon, the Lich Elvera encountered earlier. It was obvious his rage had no limitation, especially when he seemed to emphasize the pronoun with venom such that his bony fingers curled into a fist in response to his words.

His senses were a thousand more heightened, observing every bit of movements that twirled around him as he searched for the most foreign one. The one with legs!

Ever since the Advisor had stolen the Book and disappeared due to his clumsiness, he was stripped out of his title and lost the favor he had thrived so hard to earn from the Lord.

Not only that, his life was hanging on a thin rope that if stretched for too long, would cut loose, and his death would be torturous if he doesn't provide this God-forsaking Key! Another push to an indefinite square one.

He knew it! He knew that something was definitely off with the human. To think she was one of those façade humans often wore, using masked faces to get what they want. To think he thought of she being a spy. Worst of it all, he had mistaken the lady for human breed when all those while, she had been the missing piece that had been lost, the one the world had been turned upside down in search for. The damned Key!

How? For all those years she had served the council, how didn’t it occur to him that her mysterious future that couldn’t be predicted was as a result of her being the Key? All those while the attention she received, the attention he thought, as painful as it was, was as a result of hardwork appeared no other way than planned.

It made him recall all the times he had seen her going through books and maps, but how didn’t it occur to him that those were her weapons to facilitate century-ages of her hideous plans. Was he so blinded with frustration that a mere human could take on the title for a short period of time when he worked for ages to get his?

Right now, Leon felt so agitated and embarrassed as he watched that KEY strip his title he had worked so hard to earn. He was filled with gruesomeness that all this had happened without the faintest knowledge, staining his reputation to the core, all because of a Key with human body.

A human female, she appeared. Red-haired witch, he thought for once. But did his mind ever crossed or traversed beyond his very own thoughts, that she could be the treasure’s wielder? That she was the last piece of mortality true end?

And all these while, the piece had been with them, while dinning in their table and drinking in their cup, devising her plans with their knowledge, stealing their information in the name of an Advisor, gathering enough to strike them one unplanned eleventh hour.

Lysandra, their most powerful witch had assisted them in finding her through the woods she diverted through, making it easier to follow her trails. Even though her scent had failed them, the strong pull of her blood has been another method to strike her without restrain.

He moved faster than the rest of the army that gathered alongside with him, swearing that if he finds her, he would strip her flesh into pieces, even before the Lord finds out. But he was reminded the lady wasn’t just anyone but piece which was needed.

How could he accentuate all his vicious plans when thousands of Liches trailed every corner of the woods, looking for who his prey was?

Lysandra suddenly stopped halfway, sniffing the arena, causing Leon’s thoughts to subside at that moment, and making the rest of the army pause. Her expression was difficult to predict as half of her face was distorted, and the other half made with so much scars.

“What is it?” he asked her with rage dripping his voice, noticing the way Lysandra stood fixed on a certain position, but not liking the sudden stop.

Without a word, she dropped on her knees, her red silk dress pooling to the ground when she took her index finger and wiped the blood that was stuck on a dry leaf. Her eyes carried so many mysteries in them that if one looked closely, would either be blinded or suffocated by it.

Then she brought the finger to her mouth, tasting it. No one made any sound, or moved any further, as what was rather occupied was the revelation about to be made.

“She’s gone.” Lysandra finally said, her voice hoarse and dark wielding such intensity which threatened to burn the ears of those that listened. She then rubbed her two fingers together, creating a cacophony of her earlier reveal.

One look at the sky, the lady made no further word, causing the creature beside her to fume at her comment earlier. “What do you mean by gone?” Leon questioned back, his resolutions replaced with furiousness as he stared at her.

Lysandra stood back on her feet, her gown coming to the right arrangement upon her stance. Then she looked ahead, not bothering to answer the one who just spoke.

"Sire… I don't think she might have gone anywhere if her scent stopped at this spot where it looks she had been injured, verifying from the blood stains and scent lingering here,” one of the guards with skeletal withered flesh stretched tight across his horribly visible bones, reasoned and Leon gave growl in displeasure.

His eyes diverted from the lady, and upon the armies. "Split out! Look for the thief!" Leon shouted, so angry, so distracted that he cared nothing for his dignity or the inevitable distortions of his face. And they all scattered, wild, in the darkness, as per his instruction.

"Sire,” spoke another that drew near. “Sire.”

Leon held his fists even tighter, prepared to fend them off, to beat them, and lift them hurl them to left and right, if it needs to be. But rather said, "What is it?”

“I think you need to see this,” he prompted, pushing his hand to his side, a gesture leading the way. Lysandra’s eyes locked onto the creature and his movements.

Although Leon hadn’t moved first, she made the steps by following its trails causing Leon to finally move without restrain in attempt to bypass her. “This sire…” It was the piece of paper that fell off a page Elvera had flipped.

His eyes narrowed at the sight of it. Squatting, he picked the piece and sniffed it, taking note of its old dusty smell and something else. The Book.

He looked at the lady behind him, thinking her eyes might have made the words, ‘I told you she’s gone’ and he huffed, the realization dawning upon him.

Grunting in displeasure, Leon disappeared and teleported into a court room, the darkness from this angle much intense that replaced his frustration with dread. It was like a silent moor; nothing else could be heard except from that eerie whispers.

The hall was designed in a gothic way, the dead torches suddenly flaming with black light as he floated further. There were shadows, shadows that seemed like his but followed his exact movement in a more possessed way.

They would climb the walls, move like animals in the dark and make sounds that could never be heard. But nothing could pass their steps being fated to only the walls holding their grip.

But as he got closer, someone presence could be felt. The supremacy of it was what turned him the most and the mysteries added their pecks. Seated from afar, a mighty Lich was seen with its chin resting on his knuckles and a staff besides him. His aura emitted darkness, a kind that could suffocate anyone under his presence. That same darkness that illuminated the hall like torches burning, sending shivers down one's spine.

Only if one looked closer. Only if one looked closely to see who this creature truly was. Someone that could frighten their thoughts, but merged in understanding.

"M-my lord,” Leon bowed, dropping to his knees.

Whoever this person was hadn’t made any sound or voice like it did acknowledge his words, so he chose to proceed. “There is a p-problem," he reported, stammering in fear all the way his words, as his face never left the ground he stared. His rage earlier suddenly melted to fear.

“Speak.”

The hoarse voice resounded in his ears, causing him to gulp hard. Summoning every bit of courage in him, he opened his mouth to speak. "We lost the girl…” he started slowly. “…we have searched everywhere and tried tracing her with her scent b-but it…” he paused, frightened to say more. Nonetheless, he continued. “The witch confirmed this. The Key has indeed van-”

Before he could complete his sentence, the eerie figure teleported, ignoring the words of his incompetent servant and grabbed him by the neck, lifting him, fending him in the air like how he once thought of doing to others.

And it was at that moment, the face of a creature could be seen. The face of a monster with ruthless scales, and terrifying skin resembling a hideous disease. So many distortions, so many veins that crawled over his face masking that look one could not give a clear definition of. But the darkness in him made the entity he carried.

"Where is she?” he asked and Leon responded with the same cry. “How dare you stand before me with failure? How dare you let that Key slip away from your fingers, not just once," His raged voice belittled in torment, so rough and unpleasing like an angered beast.

And they were nearing. The shadows had begun to take over every corner at the will of their master, waiting for the opportunity to strike.

Leon still struggled. His face was twisted with the pain he felt as his legs dangled mid-air, with guttural cries when he tried to speak. But the entanglement from the grip of the creature made him swallow his words.

“Tell me… What should I do with a useless servant?” As he kept suffocating the prey under his grasp, his black eyes swallowed every bit of life in him.

Leon opened his mouth and muttered with great difficulty, "t-the-bu-k-” but he fell on his knees with one hard push and rolled to the floor when the latter seemed to catch a bit of Leon's words.

Leon sank to his knees again, with greater pressure. Coughing, he drew in harsh breaths to fill his lungs. He didn't know what to say anymore, before he heard the last command, like the last chance for his survival;

“FIND HER… AND THE BOOK!”

***

Year 2000…

A pristine-like portal appeared out of nowhere, circulating in another world, like a loch shinning with pale illumination of the moon, creating a sudden harsh wind to accompany the vortex in a forest.

Elvera was thrown out of the portal, rolling to the end of a tree with a loud grunt. The impact was so strong that her voice she thought had been muffled forever released an instant cry.

“Ah!” she yelped, her eyes closing in reflex, feeling the cool breeze washing over her and the sweet songs of lively birds. Did she really hear clearly? There was only one thing her mind wanted to register. Was she really dead? Or is she perhaps in heaven?

She pinched herself without opening them, the heat spreading across her body with the realization she wished to be true. She was alive. She was!

Elvera slowly gazed upon the sky, watching the birds roam freely, as if rejoicing upon her sudden arrival. And the butterflies danced along with them, filling the air in their magnificent appearance.

It worked! She survived!

And a heartwarming smile plastered across her face. She couldn't help but feel emotional over her life at the moment. It has ended. She escaped.

Slowly, Elvera supported her body with her hands to get on her feet after much struggle. Then something suddenly flew out of the portal, flying towards her direction which ended up smacking her head that she fell back again. It was the Book.

Elvera grunted. Her hair looked tattered resembling that of an unkempt woman, as tiny pieces of dried leaves kissed it. The moment the Book appeared from the portal, it mysteriously closed itself, disappearing from there as if it never existed in the first place.

As difficult as it had been, Elvera's face kissed the orange tinge of sunlight that brought warmth to her whole body. She felt refreshed and replenished by the feeling, as her body gave way for total surrender.

But still, she was still conscious. Elvera grabbed her injured feet to inspect the wound, just to realize it had disappeared.

She released a long sigh. That was so close, she thought.

Holding the tree for support, she stood on her feet and surveyed the forest. The only thing on her mind now was to find her way out of this forest and make way to the Order. She was certain it would be the only way she could rest her exhausted body in peace, without worrying for her safety.

And she made her way out. She walked into the high dark trees, mixture of spruce and oaks it seemed, with even some light flowering fruit trees that she could not clearly see. The wood grew thicker. Maybe this was the remnant of an ancient forest that had cleared away with ruthless conviction, she thought.

After walking nearly half an hour in slow pace, it was already dark. The sky clobbered with silvery cloud and a drowsy look coming over the great expanses of tall hills and green farmland.

Her legs quivered as she thrived to make way to the streets of a village with several half-timbered houses and a small overgrown cemetery. And now the moon was fairly bright, she could see a little bridge now as she drew closer and then came another turn and she was moving along the borders of a small and peaceful lake.

Elvera approached the tower and saw it more clearly. And realized it was a rounded tower, rather large, but with perhaps three stories rising to its battlements. The windows were lighted. The lower portion of the building was shrouded by trees.

Since when was a tower like this built? Elvera thought to her, as the development here was new to her. Little did she know she had been transmigrated.

Out of the thick copse of young oaks, losing track of the tower, she finally emerged from the forest. Elvera yawned. Her body was losing it. She needed to find a place she could rest for the night.

On her way out, Elvera came across a young lady of perhaps the same age or a bit younger and stopped her. "Sorry, excuse me…" Elvera called and the young lady turned to look at her, her eyes questioning how strange Elvera dressed and appeared.

"Yes, how may I help you?" The young lady asked politely, her voice soft like lullaby.

"Do you know the way to Xerox?"

"Xerox?" The lady questioned back, and her brows drew in confusion. "I have never heard of that place before," she added.

Elvera was surprised. Xerox was a common place known by all. She shook off the feeling. Maybe this lady is a new villager or doesn't remember. "Okay, can you lead me to the Order, please? I'm not well versed with this place,"

"Order?" The lady questioned back again, her eyes holding the same confusion as before. "Sorry, I still don't know the place.” She said.

Elvera scratched her head in frustration. What is going on? Even the Order? Something was so not right. She had that feeling. It curled her stomach. Everything was entirely different. The buildings, their dressing, even with the way they conversed.

A sudden question popped into her head one she couldn't bring herself to ask. But it was clear. Something wasn't right with this place. The people. The world. It was strange.

But she did nonetheless. "W-what year… is this?" It barely came out as a whisper.

The lady looked totally confused about this stranger's question. Who in their right mind isn't aware of the year they existed. Feeling slight uncomfortable, she answered. "We are in year 2000."

"2000?!!" she screamed hysterically. Her whole body suddenly becoming alert as the earlier tiredness vanished to fear. No, no, no! This cannot be happening! She yelled in thought.

Does that mean she had traveled from the past to the future?! What was she even thinking! She had traveled into the future!

This is really bad! REALLY, REALLY, BAD!

Meanwhile, the lady suddenly flinched when she heard Elvera's outburst. She was right after all. Something was definitely wrong with the stranger. With the way she spoke, and her weird dressing, she concluded.

What reason would someone scream over a year they had lived upon? With a shaky head, she asked, "If you don't mind me asking, milady, where do you come from?"

Elvera was cut off from her unwavering thoughts and thrown back with a question she had not thought about until now. Where she come from? "I'm from…" she found herself battling with words. Would it be smart to dodge the question and play dumb? She thought it wise to herself. "I'm from Decrodx!" she responded with faint enthusiasm.

And she bought it. The lady drew her brows in confusion. Strange, she thought. "Decrodx?" she returned. "I have never heard of a place like that before…" she said, trying to remember any name of sort. But she nodded.

"It's in the northern part of…" and she saw a name carved at the top of a wooden stall. "… windmoult." She replied. Windmoult?

"Ah…" The lady responded with a short smile. "I have heard of the kingdom but I have never been there before." She chuckled. "No wonder those continents you mentioned sounded strange to me. I am from Riverbend. I mean, you are in the kingdom of Riverbend…" She said, her voice died at the end especially when the strange lady she spoke to seemed lost in her own world.

Elvera's eyes lingered in search of her environment. Her eyes widened. That reminded her! She touched every part of her cloak for something that had gone missing. But it was with her, secured safely beneath her cloak. The Book! She had left it! Right there in the forest after it had smacked her face. Oh no! Her face paled at the realization.

"Are you alright?”

Elvera turned to face her almost immediately, causing the young lady to push her head backwards in reflex. She opened her mouth to speak, but closed it at the same time.

The lady gauged Elvera's expression very carefully. Should she be worried?

But Elvera turned to leave. Her head was a mess. She cannot afford to lose that Book. The life of her Kingdom, her people, it depends on her and that Book! She was at the stage of breaking down.

"Milady, I don't think it wise to go roam about by this hour. This is the time, night creatures feeds on preys…" Elvera heard her speak. Night creatures? Did she mean the Dark Liches?! Elvera looked at the sky. It was indeed dark and seemed late. But her eyes returned to where she emerged from.

Sensing something was amiss, she asked, "Did you forget something?" especially when the strange lady kept searching her cloak.

Was it that obvious?

They heard the rustling of leaves and both froze; alerted. Elvera could hardly breathe. There was no way they could have followed her here without the Book. But it was just the breeze. And she released a short sigh.

"You seem stranded-"

"Can you please show me the way to the nearest inn? I need a place to stay for the night." Elvera questioned immediately. Right now, her body was on the verge of collapsing. Since it was already late, Elvera thought it wise to go in search for the Book before dawn tomorrow as she doubt no one would even recognize it when the sky is dark and penetrating. She gave herself that benefit of doubt.

"That would take about an hour and few minutes by road if you manage to catch the carriage going by this hour. But I doubt you will, considering how late it is." She said. "Here is mostly not an open area." She added.

Elvera shoulder dropped. Her head becoming dizzy. Then they heard noises, laughters and screams. Different music coming from a closer direction.

Elvera stared at the building from afar. While one looked in acknowledgement, another looked in confusion. “A-alright, thank you,” Elvera said, walking away. She didn’t turn her back and focused solely on the building the noises came from. The music getting louder the closer she got.

She stood at the front and read the sign. ‘A Home For The Nights Bro-’ half of the sign were fallen, so she couldn’t read them all. It then creaked slightly at the wind and she yawned again. She really needed the rest.

A home for the nights brothers, she thought. And she looked down on herself. Without much choice left, she grabbed her red hair and tied it to a bun, making it vary another appearance.

Then she sought for the male coming through the back, laughing with someone in his arms. She heard the cries coming from the person and she stood alerted. Could it be…? Vampires, she thought.

With a fierce spirit, she stealthily walked towards them, her footsteps soft and unnoticeable. She grabbed the wooden beam besides her, her eyes fixed on the suppose vampire. The closer she got, the more troublesome and uncomfortable noises she got from the girl, as she appeared to be in pain.

The girl, who seemed to have noticed someone’s presence, opened her eyes with much difficulty. Those eyes filled with pleasure and pain and beyond. But it was only the pain Elvera recognized.

Her eyes stretched at the intruder’s position, raising her hand in the air. She attempted to push her client away from her, but it was already too late. Elvera had hit his head firmly and he had dropped to the ground.

Elvera sighed in relief, after she had taken down the vampire. She then stared at the girl, who looked… half naked? She was confused for a moment. But the next thing she did was more confusing to the girl she had saved. Elvera pulled the cloak off the man she had hit, and handed it to the girl.

And the girl blinked.

Then she placed her finger on her lips, a sign she should be quiet. And the girl blinked again. But she was far from being quiet. And next, she screamed, running away from the spot.

Elvera’s eyes narrowed in confusion as she wondered why the girl had leapt as if she was the real enemy. She had just saved her life. But little did she know she had interrupted a sexual pleasure.

With a small huff, she pulled the clothes from the man, and took it, drenching herself in them. If she needed a place for the night, she had to look like a man. A home for the nights brothers, she thought again.

And with that, she walked into the supposed home.

***

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