A young lad grunted as he was punched to the floor, groaning as he slowly picked himself up, his vision blurred, his stomach growled, and the reminder that his boss promised him silver rang through his ears, but he'd only earn it if he'd won.
The thin red boy wiped some blood from his lip before getting up to swing on his opponent, punching him in the gut, knocking the guy back, he smiled, that silver was as good as his, if he'd just win.
The bigger man, another servant of another wealthy man leaned back against a wooden beam, "Come on Virgil, you piece of shit, finish em, and the silver's yours." his boss said as he showed off a few silver coins.
Virgil panted, standing back, winded, he was a tall thin lad, skin painted a pale red, his long matted hair reached to the start of his tattered shorts, he was seventeen by the looks of it, forced out into the cruel world when both his parents drowned in a tar pit.
He'd had no luck finding anyone who would take him in, or even take his services, until he landed on this small inn, where he was to serve the folks who came in for supper, the owner was a nasty old man, who drank too much, and forced the boy into fights for food.
He held his stomach, ignoring the blood that dripped from his lip, he wasn't even sure if he could win, he was so weak, he grunted as he was tackled into a nearby table, being punched in the face, too tired and weak to defend himself, maybe if he just let this happen, it'd kill him, the old man would have never paid him anyways.
"Good work Edmen," the other man slapped his servant on his scarred back, "But, that's enough for now, go get yourself cleaned up as a reward." he said as he walked the boy past the crowd just as Vigrils boss stomped through the crowd.
Virgil slowly turned his head to look at the angry man who than forced him up by his shirt, tearing it just a little more, "Vigril you Idiot! You were supposed to win! Now you just lost me quite a bit of money, you'll pay for this, you hear me? you'll work the rest of your useless life for me, without pay." he said before he shoved him back and marched off.
Virgil sighed, looking at the crowd of people with his one good eye, which wasn't as blackened and swollen as the other.
xxx
Darkness rolled through the town of Harkward, the sign swinging in the breeze, dark eyes landing on a tall thin boy, Vigril, who seemed to be limping, blood and bruises decorated his skin, and torn clothes.
Virgil grunted as he tripped on his sore feet, toes blacked with blood, infected sores, what could he do? He didn't want to get up, if he just laid here, maybe he'd get run over by a carriage, no, the sponge species were a little harder to kill than that.
He watched as a man walked past him, eating an apple before tossing the core into the dirt. He looked around himself for any eyes before he stumbled to his feet, where he limped to the core picking it up, it was still a little wet, he was starving and couldn't help but to scarf the core down.
He jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder, expecting to get beaten for eating the core, but found it was someone else, or, something else. A black fog stood in front of him, it was so cold, the air around him had seemed to go from a hundred to well under thirty, he could just feel the frost from this creature, the hairs on his arms stood up, he could hear several whispering voices, but he couldn't figure out what it was saying until it finally spoke to him.
"YOU'RE SUFFERING." the thing spoke in a whisper, "YOU WISH THAT IT WOULD ALL END, BEGGING FOR THE END, AND I HAVE HEARD YOUR CRIES, AND I HAVE COME COME TO ANSWER THEM, GIVE YOURSELF TO ME, AND I WILL PUT AN END TO YOUR SUFFERING, YOU WILL STARVE NO MORE, EVERYONE WILL LEARN TO OBEY YOU, GIVE YOURSELF TO ME, AND I CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN, I CAN MAKE ALL THOSE WHO HAVE WRONGED YOU SUFFER THE WAY YOU HAVE, GIVE YOURSELF TO ME." the fog spoke.
Virgil hesitated, staring up at it, "wh, who are you?" he asked, ".. I AM YOUR SAVIOR, YOU ONE AND ONLY CHANCE TO SURVIVE, GIVE YOURSELF TO ME NOW, AND THERE WILL BE NO PAIN, BUT IF YOU REFUSE, I WILL TAKE YOU MYSELF, AND THERE WILL BE PAIN."
Virgil blinked, an end to his suffering, with no pain, what did he have to lose? He bowed to him, "GOOD."
Virgil began to scream on his knees as he clawed at his head, Ah ha! he gripped onto the sandy floor as his body began to change, bones cracking as he went through this change, his thin arms and legs began to double in size as his muscle began to form.
Painful tears left his eyes, god was this what dying felt like? He smiled, hnn, Ah ha! he scratched at his head as two horns sprouted from his head, within the next few minutes, he finally stood up, sighing in relief.
He looked down at his hands that had sprouted claws, his skin had darkened to a dark blood red color, and he'd grown a foot or two, a tail had sprouted from the back of his shorts, scoffing he ripped the torn tunic from his body as his lifeless eyes set for a distant inn.
xxx
The place wreaked of sloppy fish kind, ale, and sea horse shit, Virgil looked around the place for his boss, Ramundus before finding him counting his coins.
"Back already?" he scoffed, "Please sir, i'm starving, i haven't eaten in days." he plead towards him, and Ramundus scoffed, "If its food you want lad, you'll have to do better than that, you haven't even finished paying your debt, why would i feed you?" he questioned.
"I, i have been a loyal, hard working servant to you sir, it is all that i ask." he said, "Heh, if you're wanting food, you'd better get on your knees and beg, and hope i'm feeling generous." he said as he sucked on a cigar before blowing the smoke in his face.
" you know, I THINK I'D RATHER HAVE THE MEAT BAG THAT'S SITTING IN FRONT OF ME.." he said as he began to change again, Ramundus gasped in horror before he was picked up by his neck.
"Vigril, wh, what are you.. Let me go, if you don't let me go, you'll regret this." he said as he pried at Virgil's hand, he smirked, "NO, HMM WHY SHOULD I LET YOU GO? YOU HAVEN'T PAID UP, HMM, MAYBE IF YOU GET ON YOUR KNEES, AND BEG, MAYBE I'LL FEEL.. WHAT'S THAT WORD? GENEROUS? YES.. MAYBE IF I FEEL 'GENEROUS' I'LL GIVE YOU MERCY, HMM, BUT IF NOT.." Virgil licked his lips with his long snake like tongue.
"I AM PRETTY HUNGRY HOWEVER, YOU CAN EVEN HEAR MY STOMACH GROWLING." he said, "wh, what are you!?" Ramundus choked, and Virgil scoffed, "HEH, GLAD YOU ASKED, PEASANT, I AM YOUR SAVIOR, YOUR NEW RULER, WHOMEVER WAS IN CHANGE OF THIS SHIT TOWN, IS NO LONGER IN CHARGE, HMM YOU ALL WILL LEARN TO RESPECT ME." he said.
"YOU GIVE YOUR LIVES, AND SERVICES TO ME, AND IN RETURN, I'LL KEEP THIS USELESS TOWN SAFE, EACH HOUSE MUST GIVE AN OFFERING, AND IF ONE SHOULD FAIL.." he gripped onto Ramundus' neck, "I WILL TAKE THEM AS A REPLACEMENT," he said as he stared into his eyes.
"I WANT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU IN HERE TO SPREAD THE WORD, LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT HARKWARD HAS A NEW RULER.. AND ITS NOT WISE TO CHALLENGE HIM, HMM, YOU WON'T WIN." he said before he tossed the man to the floor, "GO." he said before he suddenly disappeared.
xxx
Years had gone by since the new Virgil had taken the village, he was worshiped by all, feared by all, no one would dare to challenge him like few have, he proved to be strong, he was like, a god in their eyes, hmm well, i guess he was half of one.
He'd kept to his word, as long as they kept theirs. He didn't show kindness, did not believe in mercy. If one person stepped out of place, he'd make them pay, curse them with a sickness that wouldn't allow the sickened to survive, along with the few surrounding folk.
He was hardly ever really seen, hiding in the comfort of his home, or off somewhere else, and folks had come used to these ways, living in fear, wondering if what they offered was any good, and too afraid to leave the cursed village out of fear that the master would butcher them, and devour their flesh and bones.
Like mentioned, Years of this had gone by, and people came and went, nothing ever really changed from that point on until...
xx
She came to the town, a tall thin young sponge woman, skin a pale brown, hair, a rusty brown color, with nice orange plumes, broken with nothing but the clothes on her back, looking to start a new life, but what new life could she start with no gold, or silver? and what life did she think she'd have coming into a place such as this?
All she knew is that she had to be as far away from where she came as possible. If only she knew what she was getting herself into. The town of harkward wasn't very big, maybe hosting anywhere around two to three hundred people.
It had been nearly two weeks since her last meal, and she was weakened to the point to where she found it difficult to even walk without crashing into things. She'd tried finding herself jobs, like, working at a bakery, or, sewing clothes, but, who would hire a stranger that looked almost like their master?
It was dark, when she stumbled through the town, almost all shops were closed, she couldn't find a place to sleep, and she was starving, she'd tried going to every door, begging for even the slightest bit of food, but none would give.
She fell to the dirt when a passing group of people knocked her down, falling into a thick muddy puddle, too weak and broken to get up, when her nose picked up on the slightest smell of baked bread.
She watched as they all neared a tall dark house, the tallest in the small town that she could tell, each person seemed to carry a basket of food, bread, and or fruit. She watched as they all left it on the doorstep, and left, by the time they were gone, the entire wall to the left and right of of the door was crowded with food.
She bit her lip as her stomach growled again, waiting for them to leave before she stood up, and walked up the steps, looking at the heaven of foods, she reached the door, knocking on it, "Hello? Is anybody home?" she asked, but got no answer.
"I'm sorry for bothering you, but, i was just wondering if i could borrow one of these loaves, I, i'll pay you back, it's just that, i haven't eaten in so long, i'm starving, and if i could just have one of these, it could last me all week," she said but still go no answer.
She sighed, looking down at the loaves, i'm sure who ever lived here wouldn't mind if I took one loaf of bread, she thought as she dropped to her knees. Looking over the many choices, until she found a thick loaf, her stomach growled, oh it was warm and smelt so good.
"What is that girl doing!?" shouted a random citizen, causing all those around him to suddenly stop and watch as this girl touch the master's offerings, and what was she, "SHES EATING THY MASTER'S OFFERINGS WE'RE DOOMED!" another man shouted, "We must stop her before it is too late!" they shouted before three men ran up the stairs.
They began to pull her by her arms, demanding to know what she was doing, "You damn woman! Do you what you've just done!?" one of them asked before he snatched the food from her hands.
"You've just doomed us all!" he shouted at her, "I, Im sorry sir, i, i didn't know." she said as she trembled, afraid that she was going to get hit, "Maybe thy master will grant us mercy, and take this wench instead." another spoke up.
"Do you even think that'll work? He won't take just one life for this, many will die because of her stupidity! and i think the first casualty should be her, and i'd be glad to do it myself." "Please sir, i, i didn't know, i was, uhn." she grunted as she was punched across the face.
She sat up, holding her mouth that was starting to bleed, "No, please." she cried as he raised his fist again, but looked up with nothing happened, and the guy had froze in his spot, shaking as he looked behind her at the monster that stood in the door.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING ON MY PORCH?" he questioned the man before looking down at the woman who he'd assumed just got hit by this man.
"M, master, i apologize, it is this woman who brings us here, she stole from your offerings and proceeded to eat your offerings, and." "AND SO YOU DECIDED TO TAKE THINGS INTO YOUR OWN FINS." he said, and the man nodded.
"She is nobody, sir, just a stupid girl, please, do not harm the rest of us for her errors, please, do what you wish to do to us to this woman." he said as he pointed to her, and Virgil looked down at her, where she'd turned to look at him.
She was speechless by the size of him, and what he was, she couldn't see he was the devil but, another sponge, and that he was, he had to have a wife or something, and he was staring at her, "WHAT IS YOUR REASON FOR BEING HERE?" he asked her, and she blinked before looking at his face.
"I, Im sorry sir, i didn't mean to make you, or anybody upset.. i was just really hungry, i haven't ate anything in nearly two weeks, and i was desperate, you had a lot of food on your step, i didn't think it would matter if i took one loaf, i, i'll pay you back, i promise." she said.
"AND HOW DO YOU EXPECT TO PAY IT BACK? BY THE LOOKS OF IT, YOU'RE HOMELESS, AND HAVE NO WAY TO MAKE MONEY, HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY PAY ANYTHING BACK, DO YOU KNOW THE PENALTY FOR STEALING FROM MY DOORSTEP? DO YOU GIRL?" he asked.
"Death?" she guessed, "HMM, YOU'RE SMARTER THAN YOU LOOK, AND ALSO BRAVER, YOU KNEW THE PENALTY YET YOU STILL STEAL FROM ME." "I didn't know the penalty, it was just a guess, these people were going to kill me for taking some bread, im sorry, i didn't mean to cause any trouble sir, i, i'm not even from here." she informed.
"WHERE ARE YOU FROM? AND WHY DID YOU LEAVE?" he asked, and she bit her lip, "The place isn't important, it's nothing but a bad memory, i ran away from a very, a, abusive house." she answered looking away before she looked back to him.
"If you must punish me, than do it, kill me i don't care, just, please, don't make me go back there, please!" she begged to him at his feet before glancing at his tail that drifted behind him before he used to to gently push her back.
"HOW DO YOU PLAN ON PAYING IT BACK?" he asked, and she blinked, "I, I don't know, but i'll figure something out, i promise, i always keep my word." she said, and he sighed, gesturing for her to stand up.
"IN EXCHANGE FOR THAT LOAF OF SHIT, AND YOUR LIFE, FROM THIS DAY ON, AND UNTIL YOUR LAST, YOU WILL WORK TO CLEAN, AND PREPARE MEALS FOR ME, ALSO, YOU WILL GATHER THE GATHER THE OFFERINGS AT THE END OF EVERY WEAK AND BRING THEM INTO THE KITCHEN, HMM, YOU MAY TAKE ANY OF THE ROOMS IN MY HOUSE, AND EAT WHAT YOU WISH WHEN THE JOBS ARE DONE." he said, and she blinked, "Wh, What?"
"DO NOT MAKE ME REPEAT MYSELF, OR YOU CAN JUST FORGET IT." he said, and she shook her head, "No, I heard it's just that, do you really mean it? you'll let me live here?" "THAT IS WHAT I SAID, NOW ARE YOU GOING TO COME IN OR, ARE YOU GOING TO STAND THERE, LOOKING LIKE AN IDIOT?" he asked as he walked back into his house.
"HNN, AND BRING THOSE OFFERINGS IN WHILE YOU'RE AT IT, THAT'S ALSO APART OF THE DEAL OF LETTING YOU STAY HERE, ISN'T IT?" he questioned before he suddenly disappeared into his room.
Leaving the girl to smile, and start to bring in the baskets, upon going out to get the last one, she noticed a man, the same man from earlier standing there, glaring at her before he turned and left.
TO BE CONTINUED..