Beauty and the Beast 
Autor: caio urbano batista | Publicado: 2013-07-03T17:05:00-07:00



Beauty and the Beast&nbsp;

Lychense Tales.



A strange character walks through a dark path, seeking the end of that painful trail, and his redemption.
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"What is this angelic scent? How can it be here?"&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Stumbling with darkness all around he finds what he sees as an angel...&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"How can happen this? How can an angel like you be in a place like this? - Said the tired warrior...&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;And with a voice like a melody she answers:&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"What? You must be mistaken... I've just arrived here...
&nbsp; &nbsp; If you are no angel, tell me how can your eyes shine like a star?"&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"I&nbsp;can`t see well, it is too dark here, who are you? Why do I feel so safe with you? And if my eyes shine like you said, why can't I find a way to exit here?"Ïf you say so, I am the one used to this darkness, and seeing the little sparkle on your look was a light I've almost forgot how it was... I am too seeking the end of this path, but alone..."&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Said the one with a sad voice thinking about those battles he fought in that void...&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"Alone? I found myself here with no idea of what I have to do... Would yu be the one who can walk me away from this? ''&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"You have such a beautiful voice, eyes that shine like the prima star and the scent of my beloved Jasmyn... It's too much for one like me..."&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"You say too much of me... I am not all of that you said... Now that I got my eye used to this pit, I can see you better... This armor you war... Seems so heavy?! The sword you wield appears to be so weary... And those stains of blood... Are they all yours?"Said the beauty while walked around that lion imprisoned inside a man`s body. She touched his face and felt a scar beneath his beard.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"Ah... The weight? I got used to it... I had to... My blade needs to be sharpened again... too much battles, always protecting what i cherished most... Then one day... I found myself here... These scars? My Trophies... The stains of dry blood... Yeah... some are mine..."
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Walking through those granite walls they found a stream of crystalline water where they stopped and rested... He tried as much as he could to make those cold stones comfortable for her, using the rest of his cape and cloth. Since he could remember that armor was&nbsp;&nbsp;bound to his body, he even forget how many scars his skin beared... She was amazed and terrified by the countless marks, some were just scratches, and some would even make she feel the possible pain he faced."How...How could you endure such burdens, warrior? What is this will you have to go on with so much pain? I can't understand how you made this far..."&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"Well... Firstly I'm glad that you can't imagine the pain and suffering I've faced, this is something a delicate perfection like you should never think about facing..."While she helped him with the armor, He remembered scenes of ancient battles he faced, comrades he lost... Enemies he slaughtered, legions that surrounded him... and at last that darkness.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"You should clean this open wounds, or they'll hurt even more... Let me take care of you!"&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Those words she said made him frozen, he couldn't understand what was to be treated, cared and maybe feel loved by someone... He just did what she asked and muted he admired her soft touch, her gentle care with his wounds. He didn't know or how to enjoy what was that feeling...&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"Here... now it won't feel so painful...Tell me, are you feeling better ?"&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"I... I...Am feeling almost no pain at all... Thank you sparkle... Thank you! You really are in the wrong place, I promise I won't stop until you can get out of this stony hell!"&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"I thank your determination, but you don't have to do it, if I am here..... maybe... I deserve it... I can't remember why, but something tells me that I should be here..."&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"You don't deserve this... Never accept it! Please let me do this for you, It's the least I can to thank you for all you've done for me..."&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;She looked to his eyes and said again that he should save this strength, they should rest for that long journey they would face, &nbsp;the water stream calmed they hearts with it's song. He saw her holding her arms tightly against her body, a clear sign of cold. There was no tinder, even a cinder or any wood to lit, so the only thing he could do was cuddle her within his arms and warm that soft milky white skin. Again, another thing he thought he never experienced, and would never do... That was the first time he felt peace. Both got dragged by Sandman's magic, and went to the dreamland.
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;His acute senses wake him up, that wasn't the first nor the last time he heard those laughing demons hunting him in the dark. But this time he needed to protect someone. There was no time for equipping his armor, this time he should face all of them only with his sword and skin. "Sparkle, Sparkle! wake up, hide yourself on top of that rock, take this dagger with you and stab whatever comes near you!" Said the beast using his hands to gently help her step up the rock he pointed. "Oh please, don't fight them like this, they will rip your skin and flesh, I remember this unholy creatures! Can't remember why, I just know it..."&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;"Don't worry about me, I've faced countless numbers of them, this is just breakfast!"For a brief second the silence took place, and in the next second three dark dog like creatures jumped from the shadows with wide open jaws. He predicted they're position and cut down the three of them with one swing of his long blade, the dark blood started to flow to that clear water stream. She watched her protector and asked herself why would one have to carry such a burden.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Laughs and more Laughs from the shadows, surrounding them both. He knew he would bleed. He knew he would kill all of them to save his beautiful fallen angel.This time seven hell dogs came out from the shadow, walking patiently and sniffing her flourish scent, a really tasteful scent for them.
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"Back off monsters!" he shouted. His sword arced in the air, this time in vain, the dark teeth grabbed his left arm, taking his balance away. The second one jumped for his throat, but the blade was faster this time beheading it. He knocked the one biting him with the tip of the handle of the sword, making it unconscious.
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Others attacked him with jaws and claws. He was getting tired to death with that endless swarm of teeth and laughs. At that point he was bleeding through a dozen wounds.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;She sat up there muffling her own cry while watching her champion saving her from the darkness one more time.
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;He had already killed more than two dozens of those hideous beasts, although they seemed neverending. Two more came for the kill, but he counter-attacked and survived, again silence took place, this time longer than before. From the shadows a bigger version of those came out, laughing, staring him with blood red eyes, hungry eyes. With a vicious run, that monster tackled the champion on the rock he was guarding, his weapon fell from his hands making that metallic sound he never expected to hear.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Darkness shrouded his vision. He sank into the bottomless pit of unconciousness...
He breathed heavilly, the air burned his lungs, he grasped for air. Coffing and spitting blood he found himself laying before the rock he was protecting, but no more woman to save. He punched the rock earning another bleeding scar.&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"What have I done... I failed her... I failed to myself... Where could she be?"
There was only one thing he could do now to save her. He stood up painfully and treated his body.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"I will find you my star, I will find you wherever they took you, and avenge this nightmare!" - He shouted the louder he could, as if she would hear.

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Hours later he felt the scent of that bigger demon who tackled him down previously, leading into a wide tunnel with teeth like stalactittes, he kneeled and touched the ground trying to see where he was entering before another step. A faint and tiny sparkle grabbed his attention. He ran for it.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Taking that tiny &nbsp;piece of a crystal he knew it was part of her dress, he remembered that those little crystals were part of the upper part of the dress, and another piece on the ground down the tunnel, and another, and another.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;He walked cautiously. He searched for her, and felt that he was led to the depths of hell, even the air was diferent so much heavy and so dry. With sword in hand, armor on his chest and fire in his heart he was determined to save her.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;After what seemed to be a century he saw an entrance to a carved stone temple, and it was not even close to a peaceful place. He had no doubt that she was in there, holding tightly the double-edged &nbsp;sword he entered. Their screams of pain and howlings were increasing, as i there was a million of them.&nbsp;
&nbsp; &nbsp; "This may be my end, but it will be for a just cause, maybe I'll repent my sins!"
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Torches were everywhere on thos stony walls carved with rudmentary tools, or their fangs and claws. At the end of that corridor he saw himself in a cathedral with no windows, just and open space with thirty foot high and a hundred wide. From a dozen holes countless creatures crawled out, all of them growling to him, but not advancing, only circling around him. Then he saw at the end of the cathedral, an althar, and on it he saw her liying still with her shiny eyes closed so peacefully, that he almost fell on his knees... He ran, he ran like nothing was on his way, like he didn't had that cut on his leg still bleeding with each forced step. Two of those shadows jumped on him, like it was nothing, he tackled them down with the blunt side of his weapon crushing theire skulls. At a distance of twenty foot from the althar a humanoid shadow materialized behind his objective, instinctvely he stopped and saw where he was really inside.&nbsp;
&nbsp; &nbsp; A fearful laugh made him chill to the bones he gasped when he saw the one raising both hands with a dagger with a s-shaped dagger right above her heart.
&nbsp; &nbsp; "You came in the right moment hunter, you will now remember why you are trapped here, and why you will never be able to exit this place! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; While laughing that Lich stabbed her heart mercilessly while laughing. She gasped one last muted word, her final glance was for her beast who couldn't believe he saw her last tear before closing forever those pretty eyes.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;The Lich laughed, and his minions growled insanely happily of the scene they saw, her protector on his kness shedding tears, that rolled through his armor and blade.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; "Be my guest hunter! Now its time for me to remind you of your duty! It's time for you to bring me another light holder to sacrifice and absorb its power. When I brought you to my domains I never thought it would be this perfect plan. The only thing &nbsp;I need to do is send my lackeys after you, while you seek you redemption you atract this light beings here. And then... well you just saw... Before you return to where you was, I'll erase youe memory again and heal your wounds! HAHAHHAHHA What do you think of it Demon Hunter? You are my perfect Pawn!"
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Said the Lich while tasting the red blood on his sacrificial blade. Watching the beaten warrior.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; "No.............................No.............I'm not your lackey.......................... I'm here to stop you...................................... I'll tear your wretched soul apart! I'LL AVENGE THE INOCENTS YOU MURDERED! YOU DAMNED BASTARD!!"
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; He jumped to his fate with sword high above his head aiming his enemy. He had fire burning inside him, a fire that he never felt before, that was the flame of pure rage. The Lich evaded easily... But the tip of the blade dug a hole on the ground when he made a second attack. The Lich laughed again, but had it interrupted by the rock he threw with a punch on one of the pillars.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; "He never acted like this....... why is he now doing this? Was it because she was the first real pure light holder? No.... He... I'll just end this!" &nbsp;- Thought the Lich after parrying another attack of that deadly blade.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;The shadowy humanoid floated to the highest part of the cathedral, and sent his lackeys above the Hunter. He killed six with only one arc of his sword, another three on his second arc, and another four before he got himself covered with those hellish hyenas.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"Now I'll have to find another one......."
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Before completing that phrase a roar made the Lich &nbsp;feel a fear he never thought it was possible to feel. From the middle of his lackeys the hunter emerged bathed on theire blackish blood. It was his furious roar that created &nbsp;a shockwave that stunned all of those creatures around him, the ones that were out of his reach fled on fear. The Lich was frozen solid, he just moved after seeing the blade almost reaching his neck with him wielding it in an impossible jump.&nbsp;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"He is a powerful hunter indeed... Much more powerful than I even imagined! I must stop him before...."
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;The beast used the ceilling as a platform to threw himself on his opponent, incredibly he felt his blade cutting flesh and bone, as the Lich evaded poorly of his atack, Its left leg was now falling to the stony floor. The Lich thought it would be its end, and after that the hunter would quench his thirst... But he was even more Thirsty.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;The Lich felt that pain and couldn't help it until he landed, ten foot from him, his nemesis was watching him. The lich was terrified knowing that there was the demon hunter who would bring an end to its being. In despair he threw his dagger on his enemy, it hit and stabbed his chest, three inches inside his chest as it was nothing, he was a berserked beast incarnated.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;He conjured and ethereal sword on his right arm, but it wasn't enough to parry the beats sword. It carved through it's armor, its flesh, and its evil bones. His whole body was torn apart. Splitted in two pieces the Lich bled. The hunter grabbed its neck, and punched that demon face repeatedly until it turned into a black blood stain.&nbsp;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Another roar, and then he turned himself for the one who enlighted his slumber. Dead, silent, cold. He shed tears on her... His sword fell on the ground, still haven't felt the poisoned dagger on his chest, infecting his body with darknes... Anger, remorse, guilt, and finally emptyness...
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;He stood there silently holding her in his arms, feeling the infection spreadin through his body. His last whisper was " At least I have seen the true beauty...thank you my shiny star... please forgive me..."

The End.