VII Beauty and the Beast part 2: The Origin of the Beast
((Note: This is the second part of chapter V. This chapter concludes chapter 5, but not only that it also serves to conclude the introduction of Minerva as a character. Part of her story is exposed here. Read and enjoy =) ))
The dark mantle of the night has fallen upon the village. The stars are shining bright in the sky and the moon is on its last quarter. Most of the inhabitants have already moved into the safety of their homes, but those who are still out in the streets just can not believe what they had seen. A strange creature is flying across the village and heading towards the town's limits. The diligent vampire hunter is riding at full speed after the creature trying not to lose its trail. The female gargoyle glides freely through the sky turning to look back from time to time to see if the hunter is chasing her and how close he is. "He has not lost my trail. He is good", she says to herself. She looks ahead and sees an old barn. "That might be a good place to land", she says to herself and flies over to the place.
The gargoyle lands on the roof of the old barn. She steps carefully around the roof because the wooden boards have rotted. She takes a look at the wound on her foot and finds out the bleeding has stopped, but it still hurts a little. She takes off the necklace around her neck and takes the little figure hanging from it and says, "Ulter wake up! I need your help". A big gargoyle dog appears. The gargoyle dog has a creepy appearance. Its eyes are white and ghostly. It has two horns near its large ears. Its greenish skin is strange because it is soft to the touch, but at the same time, it is hard if you hit it. Its claws are large and sharp and so are its fangs. It howls as it awakens. The gargoyle dog wags its short tail happily and jumps on Minerva licking her face. The female gargoyle chuckles. "I know, I'm glad to see you too. I know you missed this appearance", she says to the gargoyle dog. "Ok, that's enough." The dog stops greeting his mistress and sits waiting for instructions. "I need you to distract the vampire hunter. He is dangerous, so I don't want you to get too close to him. Do you understand?", she says to the dog. The dog responds with a bark. "All right, now go!", she says and the dog runs out of the barn. While the dog goes out to distract the hunter, she searches for objects that she can use to attack D and to protect herself.
The vampire hunter was very close to the place. He had slowed his horse because he knew the creature had landed somewhere near. Suddenly he hears a sound that comes from some bushes several meters away from where he was. As a precaution, the hunter places his hand on the hilt of his sword and gets ready to attack whatever comes out of there. A small group of mutant rats runs out of the bushes terrified because something bigger was chasing them. The hunter jumps off his horse and gets rid of the pesky rats. He prepares for whatever comes after them. Then the huge gargoyle dog appears at some distance from him. The dog had blood dripping from his mouth, it was obvious that it was feeding on rats. The dog growls and shows its big fangs. Its ghostly eyes are staring at the hunter. The dog emits a threatening howl to the hunter, but then it disappears. "That doesn't look like any of those experiments of the Nobility I've seen, but it looks familiar though", the hunter says. "Be careful D. Whatever it is, it looks hungry. And it seems it can conceal its presence quite well, it might come out of anywhere", the Left Hand warns him. D stays alert and waits for the best moment to attack, but suddenly he remembers where he has seen that creature. "Minerva's necklace. The figurine that hangs around her neck looks exactly like that", he says. While the hunter is distracted, Minerva jumps off the roof of the old barn and flies quickly towards him.
"Were you looking for me?", she says and throws an old sack of flour that she found in the barn. The hunter slashed the old sack as a reflection, and the flour spreads through the air creating a cloud of dust that makes visibility difficult. D coughs a bit from the dust and Minerva takes the opportunity to attack him with a metal pole she found. She tries to take the hunter's sword away, but he reacts quickly by brandishing his sword and parrying her. The female gargoyle struggles with the hunter, but the metal pole begins to break. "Give me your sword and I won't fight anymore", she says. "All this is strange, even though He has transformed you, you still retain your reasoning", says the hunter. Minerva had no idea what he was talking about, the only thing she cared about was disarming the hunter. She keeps on struggling, but the pole breaks and she falls back. The gargoyle dog realized that his mistress was in danger and interferes in the fight. Ulter bites into D's cloak and pulls it hard. "I haven't forgotten about you," says D, turning around quickly, kicking the dog. He could feel the hardness of the creature's skin, so he kicks it again. The dog squeals, but does not let go of the hunter's cloak. "Back off, or I will have to kill you!", says the hunter. "Leave my friend alone!", Minerva yells at the hunter and jumps on him. She struggles with him and tries to hold his arms in an armlock. "Ulter retreat !" she orders the dog when noticing that it did not release the hunter's cloak. The gargoyle dog lets go of the hunter's cloak, but it stands guard awaiting the order to attack. "You have been changed. I must get rid of you before you become a threat to innocent people", says D pushing the gargoyle. "I don't know what the heck you are talking about. I don't want to kill anyone, but if you insist I'll have no other choice than killing you", the gargoyle replies as she pushes back the hunter not letting go of his arm. D uses more strength and finally manages to free himself from the gargoyle. Minerva backflips and gets on her fighting stance.
-I can tell you don't like my appearance. Unfortunately, I will be looking like this until the morning. So... I guess we still have a couple of hours of action before that happens. Unless you drawback or that one of us dies of course -, the gargoyle says.
D thinks for a brief moment. Is she telling the truth and she will turn back into a human in the morning, or is it just a trick to buy time? It doesn't seem to him that she is lying, after all, she has only been defending herself. She hasn't even asked her pet to attack him. She also did not attack anyone in the village.
-How is it that you will be human again in the morning? -, he asks.
-I wanted to tell you that back in the village, but you didn't give me the chance -, she replies. -It is a long story, but I think we'll have the time until the sun comes out, then you will get to see it for yourself. That is if you want to hear the story. We can keep on fighting too if you want -, she says with a grin on her lips.
-All right -, he replies and decides to stand down. He sheathes the sword.
Minerva looks at him slightly disappointed.
D notices her change of mood and says, -I don't understand your obsession to fight.
-I'm a Targolian warrior, that's what I was raised to do. That's one of the reasons my people are called barbarians -, she replies.
-I think you should fight when the occasion really deserves it -, says the hunter.
-You are strong and you are a good fighter, but you definitely don't enjoy fighting -, she sighs. -It's a shame, but I respect your point of view.
The gargoyle dog was still on guard waiting for his mistress to give him the order to attack. The menacing growls from him could be heard loudly. The hunter knew that those snarls were directed at him.
-I think you should tell your dog to ease up -, says D.
Minerva had forgotten about her friend for a moment. She calls the dog and asks him to come closer. She caresses him and lets him know that the hunter is no longer a threat. Then she introduces him to D.
-D, this is my dear friend Ulter. He is a gargoyle dog -, she says.
The hunter nods.
-Ok Ulter, now D and I will have a long talk. I want you to keep an eye on the area and keep intruders away -, she orders the dog. The gargoyle dog growls softly and goes to patrol the area.
Minerva sits cross-legged on the ground as the Indians do. She folds her wings covering her arms as if she was wearing a cape. She invites the hunter to sit by her side. D sits on the ground close to the female gargoyle.
-You have my full attention. I will listen to what you have to tell me -, says D in his usual calm voice.
The woman starts to tell him her story.
-It all started seven years ago during the celebration of the welcome to adulthood ceremony. It is a tradition my people celebrates in Spring every year. All the young boys and girls from all the clans who would turn fifteen were reunited. The boys were formally introduced as warriors and the girls would be engaged in matrimony. Back then, I still didn't have the age, but only a few months were left for my birthday, so my father decided to make me join the ceremony. As the higher leader of the clans, my father announced to the other clans' leaders that I would be available to get engaged with any of their unmarried boys who had the proper age. Four leaders presented their sons as suitors, so they had to prepare a special tournament to choose one of them. They had to prove their strength and combat skills amongst other things. The winner would be my rightful fiance. For me, it was a waste of time. I had no interest in getting married yet, and I considered all the suitors inexperienced and weak. I tried to convince my father to reconsider because I believed that none of them was good enough for me, but he didn't listen and so he proceeded with the tournament. I was angry and I wasn't thinking about the consequences when I decided to put on my armor and grab my sword to join the tournament. I just wanted to show my father and everyone present that none of them was strong enough for me. I fought every one of them and none of them could defeat me.
-My father, who had been trying for years to hide my unnatural strength from other people, was not surprised by the outcome, but he was disappointed by my actions. My truth was completely exposed that day. Not only that, but I also humiliated the sons of the other clans' leaders and their fathers, and I brought shame to my father. By then I didn't understand why my father wanted to hide my true strength from the people of the other clans. I always believed that he would be proud to have a daughter who could compete and beat the boys, but as time passed I could understand that he knew that I was the one chosen to carry the Supreme Sword. He knew that one day I would leave our lands and that I would no longer be a warrior who would fight for Targolia but would fight for all of Finisterra. He just wanted my life to be as normal as any Targolian girl's until the time for my departure came. I ruined it in an instant. He was so angry that he ordered my imprisonment in the tower's dungeon. There I was not able to see or talk to anyone and the only access was by the stairway and guards were watching it all the time. There was a window in the dungeon, but it was not possible to escape for the tower was too high. So I spent the next couple of days up there, but before the celebrations would come to an end, I got the news that my father could convince the other clans' leaders and they reached an agreement. They would make their sons train harder and they were going to try again the next Spring, but there is always someone who's not satisfied -, she says sighing.
The handsome hunter listens to Minerva without interrupting, but upon hearing the last thing she said, he was able to deduce where the problem was coming from.
-I never thought I would pay a great price for my arrogance... It was then that in the middle of the night someone sneaked into the dungeon while I was sleeping. One of the suitors had access to the dungeon, but I was not aware. He snooped on me and tried to take me by force. I struggled until I could get him off me. We fought and the noise caught the attention of the guards. They were coming upstairs quickly, but before they could get there the boy said these words: "You said that none of us was good enough for you. You have humiliated me and the others, for that, I curse you Minerva of Targolia! Listen! You boast of beauty and strength, but from now on no man will ever love you because even if by the day your beauty you will keep, at night a hideous beast you will be!" At that moment the guards came in, but the boy jumped out of the window. Everyone searched for him everywhere, but no one could find him. He disappeared as if the earth had swallowed him. I didn't care about what he said and I didn't believe in his words until the next day. I was still locked inside the dungeon and I was watching the sunset. As soon as the last rays of the sun went down, I started to feel a strange sensation all over my body. My hands, my feet, every part of my body changed. I was scared and confused, I was turning into a monster. Then I remembered his words. I realized he was a magic user, something that was not usual in the clans of Targolia. That day my life changed completely. I couldn't let anyone see me like that, so I decided to abandon the clan and leave my land -, she says.
-It must have been tough -, D says.
-It was, but a true warrior shouldn't waver at adversity -, she replies and continues with her story. -At first, I traveled through other kingdoms looking for someone who could break the curse. It wasn't easy. I realized how dangerous it is to travel all by yourself, especially if you are a young woman. I had to deal with wild beasts, bandits, slave traders, and other perils, but then I learned to take advantage of my transformation. Being a gargoyle gave me abilities I didn't have as a human, so I used them. I started to capture bandits and other criminals at night and to collect rewards for them. I had to be careful though and hide from Holy Knights, paladins, priests, and law enforcers like The Iron Fist because to them I was a demon. It was at a time when I was chasing a criminal that I met Sparen. He, for his part, was on the run from a well-known priest. I mistook him for the criminal I was looking for, so I faced him. We were in the middle of a fight when we got interrupted by the priest who was chasing him. And that's how I met Crom, the Enlighted, and his loyal friend Grimswald the dwarf. At first, I thought that the priest and the warrior dwarf would hunt us down like a couple of demons and I was preparing for the worst. Even though I didn't know them in person, I had heard about them and knew that finding them there looking like a gargoyle would be bad. To my surprise, neither of them had any intention of hurting me or Sparen. Then I learned that the elf priest was also looking for me. He had gone to Targolia but didn't find me there. He was on a mission to reunite the five adventurers that would fight for the Five Realms of Finisterra. It was two years after the boy cursed me when I met Sparen and the others. We started traveling together since then. Crom tried to remove the curse several times, but he couldn't. A year after we met his efforts paid off and the curse was gone. And now four years later for a reason, I can't understand, the curse is back -, Minerva ends her story.
-That is strange -, the hunter says trying to analyze what the woman said. -The only explanation I could give is that the priest's spell expired because you moved to another world, but still, I find it very unlikely.
-Do you still believe that the vampire that brought me here has something to do with this? -, she asks.
-I know that the King of the Vampires performs experiments with strong humans like you, but most of them fail, turning the victims into unreasonable monsters. You just told me that your transformation is due to a curse and that the curse was lifted four years ago. Why would the King of the Vampires renew a curse like that? -, D replies.
-I don't know, I can't remember what happened exactly when I came to this world. All I remember is that my partner and I were pulled into the portal by something or someone. My partner was fighting the vampire, then there was an explosion. I no longer saw Sparen again. What I remember is that the vampire carried me, and the rest you already know. I don't remember if he did something else -, she replies.
Suddenly the conversation of the gargoyle and the hunter was interrupted by the howl of the gargoyle dog. Minerva stands up and D does the same.
-Ulter warns us that someone is coming -, she says.
-He is right, I can feel it too -, says D.
-What do we do now? -, asks Minerva.
-If it is what I think it is, you should call your friend and you both must hide -, D replies.
-I think you're right, I can hear horses in the distance -, she says. She whistles to call Ulter, and within seconds the gargoyle dog appears. Minerva pets him, -Good boy-, she says.
-The townspeople must be looking for you, you won't be able to go back to town -, D says.
-But I left my belongings in the room -, Minerva replies.
-I will go for them and then I will come for you -, the hunter says.
-I appreciate it D. I am very sorry to cause you so much trouble -, the gargoyle says.
-It is not a bother to me. You must go now, they are getting closer -, D warns her.
-We will hide in the old barn, but if they get too close we will move and hide in the wooded area that is a little further on. There we will meet-, she says.
-All right -, says D.
-Thank you D -, she says and picks Ulter. She spreads her wings and jumps to propel herself and begins to flap her wings and flies over to the roof of the barn.
D waits until he can no longer see them and heads back to town.
The town sheriff along with ten men went out to hunt down the creature that in a few minutes had caused commotion among the townspeople. He was unwilling to allow a monster to disturb the peace that for many years has existed in his town. Although people assured him that no one had been hurt or killed by the creature, it was better for him to end the problem at once. He also knew that the famous vampire hunter had gone out to hunt the creature, but he did not care. For him, D was another abomination and if it weren't for the laws of tolerance that the Mayor had towards hunters of his species and mutant merchants, he would have already thrown him out of town. The sheriff and his men stop when they see someone approaching on a horse. They all draw their rifles and aim at the one who is on the way, but then they lower their rifles when they see that it is the vampire hunter.
-It's just the vampire hunter -, one of them says.
-Heigh! Vampire Hunter! Where's that abomination? -, the sheriff asks.
D stops his horse and looks up at the man.
-The creature will no longer be a problem for the townspeople -, D says to the sheriff in his usual calm voice.
-Surely he already finished with that demon. Not for nothing do they say that he is the best of all hunters -, says one of the men with admiration.
-I'm not so sure about that -,the sheriff says incredulously. He turns to look at D and adds: -Show me the evidence that you have killed that creature and I will believe what you said.
-I did not say that I killed the creature, I just said that it will no longer be a problem, -says D keeping his composure.
-So you hope we just believe you? -, says the sheriff.
-If you don't believe me it's your problem -, D replies, shaking the reins of his horse to continue on his way to town.
The sheriff got very upset with the hunter. He takes the rifle in his hands and points it at the hunter.
-Stop right there! I will not let you go until you show me evidence that the creature will not return. If you insist on not doing it, then I will have to arrest you -, says the angry sheriff.
-There's no need to treat the vampire hunter that way, Mr. Sheriff. After all, he was the one who expelled the demon from the town and no one was injured or killed -, says the oldest of the sheriff's men.
-Besides, in all my years as a watchman I had never heard of someone who did his duty as well as this man. If he says that demon will not cause problems, then I believe him.
-I respect you very much Officer Brooks, but as a sheriff, I must ensure the safety of the townspeople more than anything else, so I cannot rely on just words -, says the sheriff still aiming at D with his rifle. The man turns to D and says, -You seem to be in a hurry to get back to town. If what you told me is true, then you won't mind joining us in the search for that demon.
-You are wasting your time sheriff -, answers D.
-Then with more reason you must accompany us. I think there is something fishy between you and that demon. If we do not find anything until dawn you will have proven that you were telling the truth - says the sheriff. Then he adds, -Unless you intend to escape while my men and I search for that demon.
-I already said that the creature is no longer a problem for people. You're wasting my time sheriff-, D answers and again pretends to continue on his way, but the sheriff stops him again, this time firing a shot with his rifle.
The handsome hunter dodges the rifle bullet and draws his sword at lightning speed. Within seconds the sheriff and the men pointing their rifles at him had lost their weapons. Luckily none of them had lost their hands or fingers, only the sheriff's hands had been injured, but not seriously. That was just a warning from the hunter to the sheriff. All the men gaped as they saw how their rifles had been cut in half, only Officer Brooks was not surprised by what had happened. The old man had known the hunter in other times when he was a young vigilante and he knew that the hunter is a man that no one should mess with. The sheriff groans at the cut on his hands. The man looks at his hands and sees the blood come out of them, then he looks at the hunter with much hatred. The hunter moves the reins of his horse and continues on his way to town.
The sheriff despairs and yells at the hunter: -Damn you! Where do you think you are going? We're not done with you yet, dhampir!- Then he addresses his men. -Stop him! Don't let him go back to town!- But none of the men moved. Everyone was still surprised by what happened.
D ignores him and continues on his way. The irate sheriff searches his belt for a pistol to shoot the hunter again, but Officer Brooks stops him.
-Let him go, Mr. Sheriff, after all, he hasn't done anything-, Officer Brooks tells him.
-That he did nothing! Look at my hands Officer Brooks. That damn dhampir hurt my hands! -, the angry sheriff replies.
-It could have been worse, believe me. The hunter could have cut off your hands if he wanted to. Consider yourself lucky that he only gave you a warning -, Officer Brooks answers.
- What are you doing standing there? Go after him. I don't care that he is a freak, he is not above the law-, the angry sheriff yells at his men.
The men were scared but did not dare to contradict the sheriff, so they all galloped after the hunter. Officer Brooks stayed behind with the sheriff and warned him that he was making a mistake, but the man ignored him. The angry sheriff shook the reins of his horse and chased the hunter into town.
-We have company D -, says the Left Hand.
-I know -, answers D.
-What a stupid man. Perhaps the warning you gave him was not enough. Some people only learn with death -, says the Left Hand. -Although on the other hand, this has something positive. At least they stopped chasing Minerva. She will be fine for now.
-You're right -, says the hunter.
Meanwhile, Minerva waited in the old barn with her gargoyle dog. She wondered what was happening to the hunter and those who came from the town. Both she and Ulter could notice that the people who were approaching the place suddenly began to move away. She just hoped the hunter wasn't in trouble and would be back soon. Suddenly as she thought of the hunter, Ulter sniffed something or someone. The dog began to growl to warn his mistress that something or someone was approaching the place. "I see, someone is coming", she whispered. She caresses the gargoyle dog and says, "Good job my friend. Now we must hide and watch the unexpected visitor. You must keep quiet, but be alert. We don't know if the intruder will be a threat". They both hid behind a haystack at the top of the barn and kept watch from there. Someone opened the old barn door slowly and carefully as if they were hiding from something or someone. The person was dressed in dark clothing and with a hood that covered his face. The person looked around and then removed the hood. Minerva was surprised to see the face of the person who had just entered the barn. "This will surely bring problems," the gargoyle woman comments in a low voice.
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((Author's Note: I would like to know what you think of Minerva and Sparen so far. I would appreciate a little feedback.))