The mayor and Salem stood in front of the crowd. Nobody knew what to do. The mayor had not only bet her voice, but she had just bet the future of Watersong. Salem turned to Mayor Rose, and bowed his head.
"Mistress Rose, you may go first." Salem backed up, and let Mayor Rose have the stage to herself. She thought carefully about which song she would sing. She was skillful in many songs, but which one was the best? She turned slightly from the crowd and tilted her head to face the floor. By doing so, she caught a glimpse of Miles. He had his hands over his mouth in shock and fear. Mayor Rose guilt blossomed into shame. The shame of ignoring her son, and treating him like a small child. She suddenly knew what song she wanted to sing. It was one of her best, one of her favorites, and one Miles would know. She had to apologize to Miles, and this was going to be her way of doing it. She addressed the orchestra as to which song to play. When they were ready, Mayor Rose took a breathe, and began to sing.
"~My son, let my voice fill this room one more time.
Rehearse this line by line, until I'm out of time."
She sang this song to Miles when he was younger. It explained that one day she would leave, but she would never be truly gone, and that he would become a wonderful mayor. Mayor Rose refused to even look at Salem. She sang straight to Miles. Her precious Miles, who had only wanted to keep his mother safe. Mayor Rose felt like the child, and her son the responsible adult. She gripped the railings as she put as much heart into the song as she could. Half way through the song, she felt her eyes water. All her shame was suddenly present, and this was the only way she knew how to make amends. Miles started to wipe his eyes, as did a few towns people.
"~You'll be the light, of my life."
But she didn't care about them.
"~The light of my life."
She just wanted her son to hear her. To beg for his forgiveness and love.
"~Light of my life!"
The entire village burst into applauds and cheers as soon as she finished. Miles smiled and waved to his mother, whom waved back. She had just sung her heart out, and that was all she could do. Now it was Salems turn. The village realized this all at once, and they all went silent. Salem had his cape wrapped around his body, and was smiling sinisterly.
"How precious. I'm sure your son appreciates that, but will the fools of Watersong appreciate it when their village cracks?" Mayor Rose gained a new confidence that had been sucked away the week before.
"If you believe you have a better voice then I, sing to us now." Mayor Rose was tired of being pushed around by Salem. No more, she thought to herself. Salem had almost torn her and her son apart, and she would never let him do something like that again! Salem cocked an eyebrow.
"Confident, are we? A little too late for that." He shocked the crowd when he announced he wanted no music to be played. Mayor Rose knew this was a risky move. Not even she performed many songs without music to accompany her voice. The night grew still as Salem took center stage. A few dreadful moments passed before he sung the first note.
And Mayor Rose's heart fell.
His voice was breathtaking. Every note was beautiful. She now understood why he wanted no music to be played. It would have hindered Salems song. She couldn't make out what song he was performing. It sounded dark and sinister, but also smooth and charming. Mayor Rose put a hand on her chest. She prayed to the Creator for the miracle that Salem would slip up. A yawn he couldn't stifle, a missed note, the Opera House suddenly collapsing all around them. But with every second that past and every marvelous chord that Salem sang, she knew the Creator had forsaken her. Not only her, she realized, but all of Watersong. All because of her vanity.
Salem ended the song with a big finish. With the challenge done, it was time to figure out who was better. Nobody cheered for Salem, but their silence was louder then the applause they had given Mayor Rose. Salem clasped the Promise Conch in his hands. It was obvious who had just won. Everyone knew it. Mayor Rose slumped to her knees, but kept herself upright with her hands. That's when she heard it. The most gut-wrenching laugh coming from Salem. He was ecstatic.
"It seems the battle is over and the winner is decided! Any final words, Rose?" Rose slowly lifted her head to look at Salem. He towered over her. His shadow darkened the area around him.
"Miles-" Was the only word she could speak before she started to choke. It felt like her throat was being ripped out by Salem himself. When she was able to make sense of her surroundings once more, she saw a yellow mist escape her throat and enter the Promise Conch. It was her voice. She tried to scream, but the only sound that came out was a huff. Rose returned her gaze to the floor. She had lost. Not just the battle, but she had lost her voice, her village, and her son. She desperately tried not to cry, but the tears fought their way through, and sprung forth. She couldn't handle this. Salem knelt on the floor, and tilted Rose's head so that they were eye to eye. Rose had no energy left to push him back. She was too miserable and weak to do anything. Salems rose-and-blood breathe stung her eyes. He grinned with malice.
"I warned you that if you did not learn humility, someone would teach it to you. You are now just a sniveling shell of a has-been. It is a rightful punishment for a bitch like yourself." He pushed her away. "Not only have you bet your voice, but you've bet the prosperity of this town!" He rose just in time to hear someone clamor up the stairs to the balcony.
"Mama! Mama!" It was the sound of a devastated Miles. He pushed the curtain back to see Salem looming over his mother. Rose was on her hands and knees. Miles jumped to her side and started to hug her. his face was beat red, and tears were streaming down his face. "Mama! This is my fault! I'm so sorry! Please Mama! Say something!" Rose clasped her son in her arms and wept. She wanted to tell her son that he was right all along, and that she was a terrible fool. But all she could do was shake her head and hold her son close. They hugged in silence for a few minutes before Miles released his mother and looked too Salem. "Please Salam." His voice was unstable. He was sniffling, and his tears were blinding him. "Give Mama her voice back! She has learned her lesson! I just…I…Mama…" His legs gave out, and he was know on his knees, begging for Salem to show mercy. The entire village was in tears over the loss of their Mayors voice, and for Miles even greater loss. Save for Salem, who stood tall and unemotional. Whatever emotional tyrant he had been on before had passed, and he was his quiet self once more.
"Still your tongue boy. Your mother does not deserve to sing. She does not even deserve to speak." Salem gripped the Promise Conch harder. "The Promise Conch is my trophy, and so is her voice. Your mother will never speak again." Miles whipped his nose before looking up at Salem.
"Where are you taking the conch?" Miles asked. He doubted he would get an answer.
"Where ever I please. It will be safe from anyone who wishes to steal it." Miles knew that Salem had just indirectly told him that he would never be able restore his mothers voice. Was Salem expecting Miles just to give up on his mother? Just because she had lost her voice, didn't mean he was done fighting. Miles slowly stood up, never taking his eyes off of Salem.
"I'll find the Conch. Wherever you hide it, and restore my mama's voice. I swear it." Salem and Miles locked eyes. Salem searched for any hint of fear or doubt, yet found none. Salem thought his options over carefully. The only way to make sure the Conch stayed safe was a tedious decision. He would have to keep an eye on Miles for a while. Until he realized it was futile. Salem turned and left the stage, not bothering to reply to Miles promise. Besides, he had his own promise he had to fulfill.
Twenty-fours later, and Salem found himself in the dark, damp mines of Lavasteam. A town north of Watersong. Salem held a clipboard in his hand. Attached to it, a single sheet of paper printed with twenty names. Salem had been waiting for almost thirty minutes. He was becoming annoyed.
"Where is that blasted fool?" Salem mumbled. He didn't enjoy waiting in a smelly abandoned cave for a nutty self proclaimed king to arrive. Salem wanted to traverse the cave, but dared not go further. He had been warned that if he went too far in, he might be seen by a miner, or become lost in the labyrinth. Salem could destroy anyone who noticed him, and he highly doubted he would get lost. Salem listened intently for the echo of footsteps, but silence was all that met him. Salem leaned against a wall, and removed his mask.
He thought about the past evening, and realized how badly he had acted. Salem was a Rapo of discipline and humility, yet he had acted out of character. Too much like his true self. He was ecstatic that he had finally rid that pesky mayor of her vanity, but he had lost control while in the process. He had come off as evil. He had let a young boy intimidate him, and he spoke like a mad man. But he couldn't dwell on the past. What's done is done, he repeated to himself. He had hidden the Promise Conch, and now all he had to do was sit back and wait for Watersong to crumble. That, and make sure Miles wouldn't locate the Promise Conch. He couldn't wait to finish his long tedious plan. He had just finished the first part, and now had three or two more parts to complete. Salem wiped some dirt off his mask. There was going to be a long journey ahead of him.
The sound of footsteps had Salem glancing up. A long shadow was approaching. Salem replaced the mask and stood straight. It was the expected guest.
"You weren't followed?" Salem questioned.
"Of course not! I just told those lazy miners to get to work and they scurried off like little baki's!" Salem hated King Miney almost as much as he hated Rose. Rose was vain, while King Miney was egotistical. But he had the resources Salem needed to complete his plan, and King Miney was power hungry enough to go along with whatever Salem would plan.
Salem opened the collar of his cape, and removed a small grey machine. It looked like a small necklace; barely a centimeter in width. He handed it to King Miney.
"I must thank you for the device. It helped me immensely." King Miney snickered.
"That'll teach those singers not to waste their lives on something as worthless as music." King Miney fingered the device. "I call this sucker the 'Singer-Tron 1000.' Pretty catchy, no?" Salem's eye twitched.
"Of course. It worked perfectly. The…'Singer-Tron 1000' did exactly what it was supposed to do. It made my song sound perfect, and I beat Rose with little effort." Salem was great at many things, but singing wasn't one of them. So what if he cheated? It was the only way to remove that loathsome mayor from power.
"Yeah. Can Chief Engineer Key make a nifty device or what?" King Miney pocketed the device. He leaned forward with a look in his eye. The look of power. "Now hold up your end of the bargain. I'm waiting." Salem shook his head while handing King Miney the clipboard.
"My my, aren't we impatient?" King Miney snapped his head to Salem.
"Don't you use that tone with the King! You're lucky you're helping me root out the traitors, or I would work your pretty face until you died on the cold ground!" Salem wanted nothing more then to back hand this fool and leave, but he needed to stay on good terms with King Miney. Just for a little longer at least. Salem swallowed his pride and bowed.
"Of course Sire. I meant no disrespect." Salem rose. "On that list are the names of the Raposa who have planned, or are planning either a revolution, or to sabotage the Banya Crystal Coal Mine. Along with what offence each Raposa has committed." Salem snickered. "I believe you'll be happy with the information, which would mean my end of the deal has been completed."
King Miney scanned the list. When he got to the bottom, he did a double take.
"Wait, wait." King Miney was tilting his head in confusion. "You put Key and…and my own brother? Moe wouldn't try," Miney read his offence. "to overthrow me?" He read Key's offence. "And you think Key would try to sabotage the Rabosa? He's created each one to serve me."
"I do not think this, I know this. I have spent hours investigating, and each report there is fact." Miney was still shaking his head. Salem sighed. "Sire, Key and Moe are the most likely candidates to betray you. A reason you are proving. You trust them both, so they know they can sneak around without you asking questions. I promise each name on there is there for a reason."
"I don't know." King Miney mused.
"As a King, you must show no restraint when it comes to the matter of power. If you show weakness to anyone, whether it be a trusted engineer or a family member, then everyone will know that you have limits. As a man to be respected, you must be limitless. Am I clear?" King Miney closed his eyes before nodding once.
"Of course. You are correct. Everyone on this list will be persecuted. This information is very crucial."
"Very good. I have business elsewhere. Good day." Salem turned and marched off. He just wanted to get away from King Miney as fast as possible. He was sure King Miney would stay true to his word. Even the slightest hint of betrayal sent King Miney into a frenzy. With this information, and a 'reliable' source, King Miney would waste no time having each Raposa sent to the dungeon.
-A few months later-
"Creator, please show us the way again." Mari, the young mayor of a small village pleaded. A few moments passed, and nothing happened. But when the blank white ground suddenly filled with rich color, everyone sighed with relief. Mari, Jowee; whom was Mari's best friend, and the Hero all nodded with satisfaction. Before anyone could start forward, shouting filled the air.
"Get away from me!" The voice called. It sounded frightened and angry. Mari, Jowee, and the Hero wasted no time tracking down the voice. They stood in front of a large opera house that looked in need of repairs. In front of them was a beautiful fountain. Or it might've been beautiful if all the color hadn't been drained. The boy backed up as far as he dare. He didn't care as much about falling into the endless void then getting away from the masked pursuer.
"Miles, you stubborn brat!" Salem called as he jumped down the stairs, trying to block Miles escape route. Salem was exhausted from having to make sure Miles didn't find the Promise Conch, annoyed that he had to act like his babysitter, and furious that Miles was making him exhausted and annoyed. He was Salem, Opera Singer Extraordinaire! Not Salem the babysitter.
After the battle against Rose and the meeting with King Miney, Salem returned to Watersong to keep an eye on Miles. He loathed every second the young rapo tried to find the Promise Conch. Salem was sure he had hidden it well, but Miles was persistent, and would search every corner of the globe to find it. The only high point of staying in Watersong was watching Rose's health fall. Salem would grin every time he realized that Rose's death was mere days away. When Watersong had truly fallen, his plan would take a giant leap forward. Salem snaked toward Miles. Miles stood tall. His shoulder squared, and a determined look on his face. Miles remembered that fateful night all to well.
"I will never forgive you for what you've done!"