NOVEL WEB 2. A Parasite
Before me, Elyria unveiled itself in all its majestic glory, a marvel of architectural wonders. The city floated upon numerous islands embedded with magical crystals, each connected by bridges of starlight. These luminous pathways intricately twisted and turned, forming a delicate web between islands that made easy traversal. Despite being able to fly, many avians chose to walk, adhering to an unspoken rule that kept the sky clear for emergencies. As I soared across the city, savoring the breathtaking view for the last time, I noticed two avian soldiers tailing me. Then two more from bellow, and two more from above – soon, I would be surrounded.
I knew they would come for me after what I did, but I didn't think it would be this fast.
From the moment I entered this world, something felt peculiar. Why didn't they dispose of me sooner? If they harbored such disdain, why tolerate my presence? All I did was defy rules, and I faced nothing more than stern words for each transgression. As a child, words hurt, but with repetition, they lose their edge, becoming mere echoes. What I craved was consequences for my deeds, a desire for abandonment akin to the fate my mother endured. I sought an escape from this place. But no matter what I did, they were hesitant, perhaps even fearful. They attempted to erase me from existence, to pretend I was never born. Yet, I persisted in reminding them daily of my existence, refusing to be forgotten. Even now, I wonder; if I really want to disappear, or just be found. Maybe I want a place to belong, somewhere
far away from here.
"I wonder where is mother now?” I murmured to myself, deep in thought.
Before I knew it, the few avians trailing me had turned into a small army, forming a battle-ready formation. A voice, belonging to the high councilor, pierced through the air from behind the army line.
"You are surrounded. Surrender peacefully, and your punishment will be only eternal imprisonment; at the very least your life will be spared,” he declared, hovering behind the army like a coward.
"Oh, what a dilemma! Is there a fate where I keep my precious life and avoid imprisonment?” I replied, dripping with sarcasm.
"Do you dare to mock me, boy?”
"Mock you? Never! I simply think our interests diverge. You see, I wish to depart from this place and never return. That way, both you and I can achieve our desires.”
"And where that might be?”
"The mortal realms.” the heavy silence fell upon the scene.
The army closed in, the main commander swiftly pressed his sword against my neck and warned,
"Have we not made ourselves clear enough, demon? You will never leave the celestial plane again, even if I have to seal you away myself,”
"Why not just kill me then?”
"It would be my honor, but the council wants you alive.”
"I figured as much. Now would you be so kind as to move? I feel uneasy being this close, face to face with a man. You understand, right?” I provoked, growing irritated with this whole situation.
"You are in no position to make demands, demon. If it were up to me, I would've gutted you like a fish long ago. I wanted to do the same thing to your filthy mother,” he whispered, attempting to provoke me into committing something vile, to show everyone that I was no better than the demon he claimed I was.
I had lived for no more than half a century, and in that time, I couldn't recall a single day where I was happy to exist. My constant ventures beyond the celestial plane were driven by a desperate need to belong. After all, half of me was mortal, and if the celestial part rejected me, perhaps the mortal side wouldn't. Eventually, these thoughts became a guiding illusion, steering me through each day, a compass pointing to my real objective: finding the only person who wouldn't curse my existence – my mother. Yet, no matter how hard I searched, there were no signs of her. If only she could see me now; I wonder, what would she say? Would she be disappointed in me? How could I possibly know? In the end, she is nothing more than a stranger.
If there's one thing I am certain of, it's that she would no longer see me as her son if she were to witness what would happen in the moments ahead.
"I'm sorry I could not do better, Mother,” I said to myself, and with a swift movement, I broke through enemy frontlines, seizing the main councilor by the throat.
Behind me, a surge of avian soldiers began advancing. Disoriented from the shock, they rushed headlong to rescue the councilor. Observing the old man, his body quivered, and his eyes pleaded for his life. At that moment, I saw him for who he truly was – a parasite. How could avians look up to him? To a man who banished an innocent woman, depriving her of her child? Only to keep that child imprisoned for years, hidden from the world? How can such a weak man wield such influence?
"You should not exist,” I uttered to him, as a dark smoke started emanating from my fingertips, gradually enveloping his entire body.
As he watched the smoke swallow him hole, his eyes widened with a sudden realization.
"It is not I who should not exist, it's you,” he said for the last time as the smoke made him disappear, erasing him from existence entirely.
What is this power? How did I do this? For a moment, it was as if I was not myself anymore, like my body was acting purely upon my deep consciousness. I wanted the councilor to cease to exist, and then, he was erased. As the questions flooded my mind, a dozen of arrows, spears, and swords penetrated my back.