Loghi Ah's Wish

’’You’re a fool.’’

The deep, glacial voice echoed through every corner of the enormous castle. The young woman barely stepped inside when the voice ’’greeted’’ her, setting her heart in a series of wild jumps.

She knew she was scared witless but she was no fool. At least that’s what she believed. Clumsily she raised her sword in defence looking like she was doing it for the first time, when in truth she polished the same move for years.

She continued to walk down the long corridor marvelling at what was left of the exquisite architecture. Kings and Queens walked on the exact same floors not long ago, taking great pride in their wealth. As a mere peasant she always wished to enter a castle. But not like this. Not for this.

Vegetation grew on the columns, the walls were cracked and almost ruined and the majestic paintings that used to adorn them seemed to have been burned with a great deal of loathing.

Not to mention the bodies on the floor that increased in number the more she advanced.

Tough, saying bodies was kind of a stretch.

Humans, Pixies, all kind of Demons, Fairies, Elves, Dwarves and surprisingly some Veelas, all once proud warriors, were petrified with nothing but terror and fear eternally plastered on their faces. There were hundreds, maybe thousands in the whole castle, covered in ash and dust, looking as though they were desperately trying to reach the gates before it was too late.

Little did they know it was too late since the moment they entered.

The scorching thirst for affirmation that Marath felt ever since she could remember led her here. Abandoning her grandparents, leaving behind her small and peaceful island, even lying to her new found friends, these were all choices that were bound to turn into a big, colossal mistake. Maybe her last.

But why then, did it finally feel like this was right where she was supposed to be?

Beyond all human senses, there was this unshakable faith that this was her part in the story. The role she had to play. Whatever that’ll turn out to be.

The fear in her body vanished, being replaced by some strange, unwavering tranquillity. For some reason she lowered her sword, relaxing her body. She was sure now. No matter how today will end, coming here was the right choice.

Marath soon saw the throne hall with its doors wide open as if it was the most hospitable place in this whole, giant cage of tragic history. The sound of something large moving around inside that room reached her ears effortlessly. Then again, whatever was there made no effort to hide its presence from the start.

She stepped through the door, her eyes fixed on the majestic throne made entirely of gold.

Dry blood was staining it.

’’You’re truly a fool.’’

Marath raised her head slowly. The hall was extremely spacious and also very high. From the ceiling, a huge chandelier made of gold and rare, enchanted crystals trembled under the weight of the most terrifying and imposing creature known to man.

The black Dragon’s piercing glare chilled her down to the depths of her soul. That kind of malice, the one that could shatter the world on a whim, she’d seen it before and she couldn't forget it ever since.

She wanted to smile in front of him, she’d even feel happier if she was afraid. But she only felt sorrow at the sight, as though her heart sunk into the pits of a cold, eternal hell. In a sombre voice she proclaimed:

’’I was once told that no one in this world has the right to decide who I am. So I’m no fool. I’m me. I am whatever I want to be.’’

The Dragon’s eyes seemed to strangely lit up at the affirmation. Then his frightening laugh suddenly boomed through the castle.

’’Good.’’

Red flames violently swallowed the throne hall in the next second.

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’’THEY DON’T KNOW!’’

The woman held the child tightly, her hands desperately clinging on the old blanket engulfing him. She hurried her step, doing her best to avoid crashing in any of the massive trees surrounding her. From quite some distance behind her, hundreds of angry screams could be heard. Soon, the smell of smoke came too close, urging her to run uphill, the blood in her veins flowing faster. Unshed tears were burning her eyes but she vehemently refused to cry. What was there to cry for? After all, in her heart she always knew it would come to this. But she did not dare say it out loud, not until tonight when she was faced with her fears sprouting into reality.

How naive has she been for all these years.. How could she ever have thought her choices would be accepted without a massive whiplash of fear from the people? But it wasn’t their anger that stung the most..No..Not theirs..

Her heart squeezed painfully. In anyone’s eyes, it was never supposed to be like this. She went against the laws of this world, and humans feared divine justice more than anything. She was blinded by the respect and greatness she acquired in the last decade.

When you save them, they would even kiss your feet, with trembling lips and sweet voices. But they’d stay content with just knowing they’re safe. They’d never ask how you did it.

’There’s never a good outcome when trusting a witch’, they’d say. Hypocrites, but she always knew. As such were the hearts of men.

With ragged breaths of air, she was approaching a clearing, the forest growing thinner. She didn’t have the mind to care but it was a beautiful, starry night, the sky reflecting in the eyes of the young boy she was holding. He was silently watching the sky, not understanding why his mother was running for her life or why there were so many furious people with lit torches after them, ever since they left their home. He was almost three now, but this was the first time he saw the sky from anywhere else but the window of their small home. And even though the view was beautiful, his face remained emotionless, as if he’d seen it a million times already.

The woman could no longer walk and collapsed on her knees, still holding him tightly, her whole body trembling.

’’ No.. not yet..’’ she whispered, trying pointlessly to get up. She looked in the distance where the peak of a rocky mountain was enveloped in moonlight. If only she could make it there..

With trembling hands she placed the boy on the ground, on his feet. He was watching her while she gently tucked a lock of hair behind his ear. She was always gentle but for some reason, tonight her touch was cold and sad.

’’Loghi Ah, oh my Loghi Ah…They don’t understand.. They say I’m the cruel one…but in truth, their hearts are most wretched and vain.’’

She reached for her pocket, revealing an old necklace that she placed around the boy’s neck. It was made out of a black string which held an asymmetrical pendant made out of something that resembled silver. It didn’t look neither valuable nor magical, but the woman seemed to calm down the second she gave it to the boy. She tightened the blanket around him.

On the surface of her skin, as if she were a statue, unnatural cracks started appearing, orange light seeping through them. She paid them no mind, focusing her attention on the child in front of her.

’’You’ll walk straight ahead, towards that peak we can see in the distance. Don’t stop until you reach the base of the mountain."

She shakingly pointed towards the east.

’’It’s close now…But I’m afraid it’s too far for me……You’ll just have to wait there. She will find you. I swear. Understood?’’

The boy just watched her, his eyes unblinking. After saying these words, the cracks seemed to deepen, light slowly enhancing the contours of the witch's face. After a few moments he slowly nodded.

A small smile formed on her face and she hesitantly caressed his cheek, her touch no longer cold but rather burning. Tears finally poured down from her eyes, slowly turning into steam when they came in contact with the skin of her face.

’’This world is yours, Loghi Ah. Never forget. This world has always been yours. And no one can ever change that. Liora Del is yours for the taking, even if you’d want to plunge it in hell. ’’

The witch’s body burst into thousands of amber sparks, flying into the dark sky as the child watched. It wasn’t grief or shock that showed on his small face at the sight but rather some kind of awe. The dispersal of his mother’s soul looked beautiful.

He turned around and started to walk towards the base of the mountain.

***

The Dragon watched in slight disbelief the view before her. She just came out of her cave from the deep heart of the mountain, hoping to find some easy prey to satisfy her appetite.

Normally she’d hunt in one of the eastern plains, further away from the capital. Humans were always bothered when, years ago, she’d snatch a few sheep from the local hoards once in a while. Not a big loss, if you asked her.

Those idiots forgot she used to gobble villages for fun, back in her glory days.

So, naturally she wouldn’t have thought that the moment she landed, a few steps away, an appetiser would greet her, asleep at the base of an almost wilted redwood tree.

In truth, she almost mistook him for a sheep, his tousled white hair, dirty white tunic and small form, all pretty much similar to those tasty grass eaters. But that was definitely a human child.

Taking deliberately slow steps she approached, raising and moving her head around while sniffing the air in suspicion. A human child had no reason to be in these forests, not to mention so close to the mountain. Even though the bustling capital of the Kingdom was only ten miles away, most people knew better than to try and enter the wild territory surrounding the Mountain of Cruel Stone.

So what was this youngling doing here? And most importantly, how could he get so far away from civilization by himself?

A grave shadow fell over the Dragon’s face, her jaw clenching and unclenching, hot whips of smoke escaping through her pointy, sword-like teeth. The air seemed to crack with tension and the earth shook. Her claws constricted with fury, chunks of dirt and vegetation being casually ripped from under her hold.

If this was an attempt to dare and ambush her, their audacity will cost them greatly! Have they forgotten who she was?! What she was!?

…Dared they?

Overwhelmed by those thoughts she readied her clawed limb in the child’s direction. She was ready to tear his young and tender flesh off, soaking the earth with his blood as a lesson for those who had the guts to think to go against her. She didn’t notice when he woke up, too caught up in her vengeful turmoil.

Her movement stopped and her claws lowered but her eyes narrowed as they followed the object dangling from the boy’s neck. A necklace with a very familiar looking pendant. Too familiar for her liking.

Because that pendant was once a part of a silver, priceless scale of hers.

Aggravation added to what was left of the angry fit and now she was feeling like instead of slicing the boy, turning him into nothing but ash would be a better idea.

If only she could do that.

As for the boy, he stood still, watching the monster in front of him with big, vermilion eyes, his expression nonchalant, safe for a bit of curiosity.

Swinging her spiky tail back and forth in small motions, the Dragon analysed him for a moment, a surprised glint suddenly appearing in her eyes, her vertically sliced pupils dilating slightly at something behind him. Then her gaze travelled higher and higher. The thinnest branches of the withered three were melancholically dancing in the wind.

’’Well, well…’’, the Dragon spoke in the tongue of men, one she rarely used. She knew many languages as Dragons were renownedly intelligent creatures, making them even more terrifying. And throughout the centuries, they had plenty of time to harbour knowledge from most places they graced with their imposing presence. Or kingdoms they ruined. All the same.

’’ Unsurprisingly, the Witch fell prey to her humanity. Hmph! Barely a Witch at all in the end.’’

She paused.

’’But I am honourable.’’

She lowered her head, getting close to the boy but still maintaining a few feet worth of space between them. The boy stepped back, his small body pressing against the huge trunk of the tree. He couldn’t help but glance at that large mouth full of sharp teeth.

The stiff wood behind him reverbed with the Dragon’s next words.

’’Liora Del besieged you.’’

Loghi Ah didn’t understand much from these words, but there was a strange sense of heaviness in his little heart.

’’ Now…What will you do, I wonder...Son of Frell?

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’’Old Neah! Old Neah!! Would you please acknowledge me already..!?’’

The tired, silver Dragon tried to ignore the shrill, annoying voice coming from the opening of her cave. That and the unceasing flapping of wings lasting for the last hour. This Rogue Pixie was either too brave for her own good or wished to pass into nothingness timely.

Neah squeezed her eyes shut, trying to fall back asleep. She would leave…eventually.

’’I am not leaving! YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS!’’

The same problem, each and every week. Neah growled in displeasure.

’’He’s your son, after all.’’

’’He’s not my son.’’

Her voice thudded and echoed in the empty cage. The Pixie inwardly double checked if her problem was worth her life.

’’T-the fish in the s-small pond are all dead.. All d-dead! It’s not only me! Most Forest Demons tried to stay away from the areas affected but they’re famished and those Wild Faeries are upset as well! You’re aware how annoying they get about the declining state of the forest..They won’t stop nagging the rest but they refuse to address you …or him!’’

’’Why do you even care about the fish? As far as I know, Pixies of Ran don’t eat any kind of meat.’’

The pixie immediately became offended, puffing her cheeks.

’’Not to offend you or anything, Oh so great Calamity, but you’ve lived for over a thousand years. I’m sure it’s obvious I’m a Rogue…Therefore I do not follow the ways of my…birthplace anymore. And fish is my favourite!’’

But the Dragon really didn’t care about these complaints anymore.

She hears it every week. For the past thirteen years.

’That boy is cursed!’

’What kind of wicked magic kills and withers everything around!?’

’He must be kept away.. Our poor forest will be dying for good..’

’Why don’t you forcefully keep him in the mountain?’...Oh great Dragon..’

’He gazes at the city everyday from the western hill, leaving only death in his trail.. Maybe he should just go there, be with humans.’

’Does he look human to the likes of you, plant brain?’

’Yeah…what kind of human resembles a deity of Death so much..?’

’My Dragon Queen, even some of us were killed because of him..’

’Although…It’s a curse.. A wicked one..’

’Does it matter?!! He doesn’t look like he regrets it one bit.’

’That’s true!!’

’Unfortunately, I agree..’

’’Why should we feel sorry.. we’re the victims!’’

In truth, she couldn’t forsake the boy.

She raised and taught him, despite the toll his curse took on even a Dragon such as herself. She wasn’t young when she found him but she still had a couple of decades in front of her, maybe even a century. But the boy’s curse sought to steal the energy of life itself, the darkest kind of sorcery she ever encountered in her long life. One that could never only be created by witches or any creature she knew of. And she knew too many.

Now, her days were numbered, her body weakened, her fire no longer eagerly dancing in her chest, ready to unleash disasters.

Even so, she kept the promise she made to the boy’s mother. The necklace she gifted to him before dying was a favour the Dragon owed to her.

That woman, although ’a fool with a heart plagued by the most stupid human weakness’, was the only mortal to ever push her in an inescapable corner when she became a direct threat for the Kingdom of Liora Del.

But that woman’s greed was extraordinary, although infuriating.

She wouldn’t just trap or kill the Dragon but make a deal that would benefit her later on.

Both of them wanted to live and while the Dragon accepted to stay low for quite some time, so the mortal world would think her dead, the witch was greedier. She wanted to be recognised as great, to be respected and renowned, even though the common races jumped on any occasion to bash witches. Even so, defeating the Dragon bought her the fame she craved. And a place as the right hand of the King.

She finally had everything she dreamed of, if only she would’ve forsaken her heart too.

The Dragon believed herself to be quite different in that aspect.

She waited patiently in the darkness of her cave, only her eyes shining in the emptiness, floating like the fire of two cold stars. Loghi Ah will be home soon.

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Loghi Ah was now sixteen.

He grew into a tall, young man, unusually handsome, although he wouldn’t exactly know that. Most creatures in the forest avoided him like the plague.

Ironically, he knew he was just that.

Ever since he could remember, death followed him if he lingered too much in one place. He became accustomed to that fact and accepted it as a part of himself. The Mountain of Cruel Stone and the mystical forest surrounding it were his home. Even so, the term ’home’ was still foreign in his heart. He looked at everything in a detached manner, as if everything was just an endless, colourless dream.

He was fine with his life, he thought. When he heard the creatures around badmouthing him, cursing his existence, he really didn’t care. That scared them more.

’Was he not born human? How can he be so unfeeling towards everything? A walking bad omen..’

’I’m telling all of you, this one does not belong in this realm of light.. He belongs in the Deep Shadows where monsters you can’t even imagine reside.’

He considered them quite hypocritical because he knew that if they could, they’d slay him without blinking an eye. Even those faeries that endlessly claimed to love peace above all, covering their ferocity in beauty. This was a cruel world. As he thought it should be. It seemed only fair.

He wasn’t delusional. Sometimes he’d spend hours on end on a sunny valley, surrounded by beautiful vegetation and lively fauna. He wanted to feel the touch of the sun and the occasional breeze. He’d stay there for hours knowing that when he left, nothing but dead vegetation, withered trees and corpses of animals would remain where life once was.

When he was younger, he mostly stayed in the mountain with the Dragon, looking at the world outside occasionally. She’d tell him all about the history of the world, about what was out here, the races leading faraway kingdoms, some bigger than Liora Del.

He could only imagine the world, the endless plains, the large cities, the ocean, the history and the present. The beauty and the ugliness. Although, from the Dragon’s perspective, the current world was disappointing.

She was an ancient creature possessing endless information so she taught him magic too. The weird kind, although he was not an expert he knew that what she taught him differed from the usual charms he saw from other creatures. ’To honour your foolish mother’, she’d say. But he found it pointless to think about it, being more powerful only benefited him. His body became stronger, he no longer got hurt and no longer needed to eat. He was getting farther and farther from what was left of his humanity.

The truth was always linear for him in one aspect of his existence: He didn’t remember ever feeling afraid, as if this world wouldn’t dare turn against him in any way.

But in the last year, ever since the Dragon got weaker, he’d venture deeper into the woods until, one day he reached the edge on the hill.

’Humans are stupid and they reek of cheap arrogance. ’

He could see the town and if he closed his eyes, he could hear the noise made by people. Music, laughter and chatter, sometimes cries and arguments. He’d watch and listen in silence, his gaze looking like it sunk into the deepest abyss. He stayed like that for a long time until his body and soul were both completely numb.

’They rejected you and your mother once because they fear power.. yet they crave it desperately. Their existence itself is poisonous audacity.’

Then he’d come again, day after day.

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Soon it became not good enough. A strange sense of curiosity was eating at him so he found himself descending the hill and entering the city before he could even think.

When he took the first step into the capital, it was the first time he felt like he wanted to return. It was also the first time he didn’t know where to look first. It was as if he was inside of a chest full of treasures, unknown yet exciting. But for some reason, the more he looked more bitter he became, as though an immense heaviness was pressing on his chest.

He left before he would cause trouble by stealing the lives of those around him. But he couldn’t help coming back once in a while, disguising himself amongst the crowd and observing the merry people. He didn’t know why but their happiness made his heart burn.

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One day, when the Dragon was still somehow able to leave her cave, Loghi Ah asked a question he thought about for quite some time.

’’You once called me 'Son of Frell'.’’

The Dragon remained silent for a few prolonged moments, looking at Loghi Ah in a somehow disgusted manner.

’’I knew you went into the city. Well..? Was it as great as you thought? And yes, I called you that.’’

The boy looked up, towards the falling leaves.

’’They sing this songs in his name. They say: ’Liora Del, Kingdom of Frell/ Eternally... or forever tragedy..’. I know he’s the King. I’ve seen him from a distance. We do look alike..’’

Today his posture was more relaxed than it used to be around her. Her eyes narrowed as she loathingly spat her next words.

’’You’re a fool if you think a mortal king would care for your existence. You’re merely a curse he thinks he destroyed. You’re soon to inherit my nature and power! Do not dare lose your way. This world will soon remember the wrath of the Dragons !’’

Loghi Ah didn’t care to continue the conversation. The Dragon misunderstood his wishes anyway.

He did not long for fatherly affection. What he wanted was retribution.

Even if he’ll have to burn the Kingdom to the ground until the sky itself will turn black from all the smoke.

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He knew there was an intruder in the forest, entering as they pleased for the past few days. It was not as if he was the sacred guardian of this place and frankly he couldn’t care less about some human who lacked any notion of impending danger. Honestly, it was a miracle she survived that long.

But as it turned out, that human chose to sit in one of his favourite spots today. A young girl, no older than him, was vigorously trying to catch some fish from the only pound Loghi Ah didn’t get yet to ruin. The clothes she wore were far too large for her slender body, being obvious that it was a poor attempt at disguising herself. She was too preoccupied with her task to notice the boy, leaning on a tree, not far from where she stood…and his murderous intent, of course

’’Leave.’’

Loghi Ah’s grim voice finally caught her attention. She looked at him as though she thought she was hallucinating. She even rubbed her eyes.

’’...Are you a Veela..?

Loghi Ah raised an eyebrow at her question. That was what the common folk would call a compliment, was it not?

She sighed, going back to her fishing.

’’I told you to leave.’’

Loghi Ah was growing aggravated. This was his most recent spot. He was running out of them too.

Maybe he should kill her…

’’And I asked you a question, yet you ignored it.’’

’’Why would you think I’m one of those self centred beings?’’

The girl started to laugh instantly and turned to him again.

’’What..? Are you a fool?’’

Loghi Ah’s eyes darkened and his hand clenched. He was definitely going to kill her.

’’Because you’re beautiful, that’s why.’’

It might’ve just been the first time in his life when he forgot how to breathe.

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He never really had any company, ever, in his outings. But from that day on, the girl kept showing up in his spot. She was shamelessly stealing the fish to sell them into town. And as she rambled on and on, ignoring Loghi Ah’s murderous looks, he refused to leave his spot in her hands.

His bad mood kept every creature away from the perimeter so the girl survived longer than he thought she would. And at some point he became used to the annoying mass of red hair and large clothes sitting on the edge of his pond, gradually waving to him in an annoyingly, extra friendly manner.

This whole exchange lasted for a few months. At some point, she already emptied the pond of fish but she still kept coming. Loghi Ah wondered why.

’’If you were to have one wish, ok but like…one MASSIVE wish. Anything in the world.. What would you want?’’

Loghi Ah tried not to grimace at her childish way of thought. In this world there was probably something close to that possibility.. But he wanted to bury his or (even better!) her head in the dirt because of, what he believed to be a great deal of embarrassment coming from that phrase enunciated with such enthusiasm.

Still, he couldn’t help but think. Was there anything in this world that he truly wanted? The possibility of not having such a wish made his stomach squeeze, just a bit.

He sighed, rubbing his temples. This girl was draining him out of life, even though he was supposed to be the one draining her.

’’No clue? Shall I tell you mine?’’

He did not answer but took his palm down from his temple, silently watching her.

’’I want to be remembered as a hero. I want to save the world.’’

That was the first time Loghi Ah laughed.

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The girl was not of Liora Del and tonight was going to be the last time Loghi Ah would see her as she was returning to her small island, back in the north. She was not saying a word to him though, only staying with her arms crossed, still upset from being laughed at the night before. Loghi Ah just watched, looking as though he pondered something.

The sun was setting, purple hues painting the sky.

’’I want Liora Del.. as it is mine.’’

The girl snapped her head in his direction, bewildered by his affirmation. She was unusually silent for a while.

’’...Should I laugh too? After all, both our dreams are so absurd..You, wishing for a kingdom.. And me.. wishing to be...’’

Loghi Ah shook his head.

’’In this world, no one gets to decide who you are. Only you. So you can be the hero you want.’’

Marath smiled.