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III - Fascination
The dawn wakes me up from my tormented sleep. I remember little or nothing about my blurry dreams, and I have no intention of recalling them.
I untie the braid only to comb the hair, then I recreate it and place it on my shoulder. I'm wearing the black robe which still seems to be soaked with her smell. Everywhere I turn I see her again. It was a mistake, a serious mistake, and I knew it: I should have imagined that it would have this effect on me.
I feel anger. Anger towards her, which forced me to desire her with all her provocations.
But if she didn't, wouldn't I have wanted her anyway?
Anger towards myself, since I want to be powerful but I'm not even capable of resisting temptation.
A temptation or an addiction?
Anger towards the destiny that brought us together without giving us any hope of being happy together.
Or is the possibility there, and we are guilty not to take it?
I hate this helplessness and fury. I can't help myself and, for a few moments, I feel the power that I've been hiding all my life screaming at me to release it. I would do it just to vent, but it won't happen. I have no intention of alerting the Palace nor of risking to see in the mirror the beast into which blind anger transforms me.
I try not to think about it; I set foot in the Council room right on time despite everything, but I instantly realize that something is wrong. The three Great Ones are already in their places and at the foot of the throne there is a messenger reporting. I would hide to try and hear what he says, but they already saw me.
I freeze. I thought I would have to wait but the Grand Wise waves me to go forward without interrupting the messenger. A few steps and I'm at his side.
«…and he'll be here any minute» he says. «He asked that you personally welcome him and apparently he demands it. I think it's best to please him.»
«Please him?» the Grand Priest almost shouts. The long green beard trembles with indignation. «You mean to indulge a being like that? I don't accept it!»
«You've heard what they say about him» the Grand Judge tries to reason. «He could be a considerable threat and I don't want to underestimate him. As long as his requests are so light we will be able to comply with them, don't you think?»
The Grand Wise nods but the Grand Priest is not at all convinced.
«No, no and no» he denies, shaking his head. «If we start by indulging him, we will prove submissive. Tyrants like him need that much to know they have won.»
«His emissary told us that on Netiko he blew up an inhabitant with his finger» reports the messenger. «With one finger. My Lords, believe me, the threat is strong. Don't annoy him... play smart. We cannot win against such a power.»
They nod. Even the Grand Priest calms down even though he visibly disagrees.
«Okay, update us when he is approaching.»
The messenger greets them and disappears behind me. It is then that the Grand Judge turns to me, beckoning me to come closer.
«Come, Zarbon, come along. I hoped not to have to disturb your studies with these unforeseen events, but unfortunately our fears materialized sooner than we thought.»
«What is it about?» I ask.
The High Priest shakes his head in disappointment.
«Trouble, that's what it's about.»
«Don't be so pessimistic» replies the Grand Wise. I realize that Illerio and Toqueda are also arriving behind me but I avoid turning to look at them.
What do you feel? Are you angry like me or will you act as if nothing had happened, as always?
«Apparently, yesterday a strange spaceship landed in the city carrying an individual with it.» explains the Grand Wise. «This man said he was a messenger of a certain Lord Frieza, a tyrant who declared he wanted to take possession of Nemanan. At first we thought he was nothing more than a space pirate, but then the messenger started telling stories about how this Frieza had already conquered other planets with violence and even carried out a genocide against the population of Madoria.»
My eyes widen in surprise.
«Madoria?»
They nod. From what I know, Madoria is one of the largest and most powerful planets in our Galaxy not so much for the conquering aggressiveness of its inhabitants, given that they do not have the technology to abandon the planet, but for their physical strength. Madoria is not a planet that conquers, but neither is it a planet that allows itself to be conquered. How is it possible that someone even committed genocide there?
«How many ships does he have?»
«One. The messenger speaks of four thousand men, but the problem is not them... it's him. It seems that this Frieza is a ruthless oppressor. You heard what our messenger said…»
…on Netiko he blew up an inhabitant with his finger…
«… apparently he knows how to tame the aura, and he knows it very well. I don't know what to tell you. These could all be stories. We won't understand the extent of the danger until we meet him, I'm afraid.»
«We should blow that ship up as it approaches» denies the Grand Priest.
«You hope to antagonize him like this? If he really is as powerful as they say, we have no hope of beating him. Would you risk it?»
«If he really were as powerful as they say, he wouldn't need to intimidate us with his messengers. He would just take the planet by force.»
«I agree with you. That's why you're worrying unnecessarily.»
He turns towards us. The two black robes stood at my side.
«I don't know if you were going to study today, but we'd prefer you to be with us. The fate of the planet may be at risk.»
«We'll be there» I confirm without even asking the others. After everything I have heard it is unthinkable that I would miss this meeting. If he really is what he says he is, the danger that surrounds Nemanan is so great that I feel shivers at the mere thought.
He committed genocide on Madoria…
I won't add anything else. I bow and retrace my steps towards my room, without even glancing at the two who were next to me.
The large ship landed on the plain behind the Palace to prevent it from creating problems to the city. It is much bigger than I expected: if for now it only contains four thousand men, I fear that the aims of this being are still far from being satisfied.
I, the other two Councilors and the three Great Ones, surrounded by a dense crowd of curious citizens, wait for the arrival of Lord Frieza in a semi-circle a few tens of meters away from where he landed. Maybe I should fear or be anxious but all I feel is a strange frenzy. The curiosity to know this self-styled destroyer is devouring me.
He doesn't keep us waiting. After a few minutes, from the red dust that rises in the grass with each step, a small delegation emerges in the distance and makes its way towards us.
It would have been much less strange if this fearsome space tyrant had been the tall, rangy individual with gray skin and large black eyes walking to his right; even less if it had been the Madorian to his left, so powerful that the muscles of his arms emerge vigorously under the skin. Instead, it is clear who is in command.
He arrives floating on a seat that does not touch the ground until he is right in front of us: only then that strange armchair stabilizes on the ground, sinking three long removable feet into the soil and allowing Lord Frieza to jump out. Finally I can get a good look at our visitor.
He is small, too small to be as powerful as he says he is. I have to look down to meet his eyes. Sure, his muscles make it clear that he's not weak, but the thought that he's a genocide seems too implausible to me... at least until he starts talking.
«Why, hello.»
He twirls his tail and spreads his arms towards us, perhaps in greeting. He has a confident but malevolent smile on his face that reveals an intense arrogance. Yet, what surprises me most are those bloody eyes that leave no escape.
«Welcome, Lord Frieza» the Grand Judge greets him. «We are pleased to welcome you to Nemanan.»
«And what a nice welcome. I see that the idea of using a messenger has paid off.»
He looks around, scrutinizing the three Great Ones one by one, without haste. The smile never abandons him. There is nothing in this being that does not exude pride and inspire deep fear.
«It means that we won't waste time on pleasantries. You should have been told already who I am and what I want.»
Everyone nods without saying a word except the Grand Judge.
«We know that you want to take over our planet, yes. Unfortunately, however, I don't think I understand what the terms are.»
He looks at it with obvious annoyance.
«Is it you that have a short memory, or are my messengers inefficient?»
He doesn't wait for an answer, instead he turns his head towards the Madorian.
«Dodoria, who was sent here by Sorbet?»
«One of his» cuts short that monstrous being. «If you want, I'll bring it to you.»
«You would be kind, yes.»
The Madorian nods and rises from the ground, levitating in a much more graceful way than I would have expected from his size; after all, I wasn't even convinced that he knew how to use the aura. He heads towards the ship, sparing behind just as Lord Frieza returns to address the Council.
«I asked you a question. I would appreciate it if you answered.»
«We were not told» my Master is quick to reply. «We were told that we would have all the details during this meeting.»
He sighs and shakes his head slowly, displeased with the actions of his messenger. While I observe him I realize that I follow his every movement without being able to take my eyes off him, as if in a trance: his confidence and pride enchant me, the royalty he shows is worthy of a emperor.
It's amazing how this being exudes such a terrifying aura. Even his men look at him with silent respect and don't even dare to move without his command. I don't understand what intrigues me more: whether his words, his tone or his incredibly composed manners which hide an incredible threat in their refinement. I can't doubt he's as ruthless as the rumors say.
He must have noticed, because for a moment he turns and his terrible eyes meet mine. I shiver. That look pierces me, delving into the depths of my being, perhaps reading what it shouldn't. It lasts a moment, but it's enough to leave me unsettled; when he turns towards the Council the shiver never leaves me.
«Unfortunately, not everyone is capable of carrying out an order in a decent way. I hope you can forgive me for this shortcoming, even if it is certainly not mine.»
The one Lord Frieza called Dodoria appears in the distance and he turns to watch him as he gets closer and closer, until he lands next to him. With him came a soldier who wears the same uniform as all the others, Lord Frieza included.
He points at him with a finger, questioning the Grand Judge.
«Is it him?»
My Master nods. Meanwhile, out of the corner of my eye, I notice that the emissary is trembling and starts literally shaking when Lord Frieza addresses him.
«Tell me, why did you complete your task halfway?»
«I thought I had to report on your desire to take the planet» he spits out with incredible speed; his words seem to stumble in his throat before they come out. Lord Frieza shakes his head again and the red light of the Red Star reflects on his shining horns.
«I'll ask you the question again and this time I hope to receive a coherent answer: why did you complete your task halfway?»
«I… I thought…»
He doesn't know what to say and wouldn't even be able to. Something makes me think that Lord Frieza is enjoying watching his panic. I have a strange gut feeling.
«You thought? And since when thinking is your task? Your task is to carry messages. And a messenger who delivers half-baked messages… you will agree with me, it's useless.»
The feeling becomes stronger than ever.
On Netiko he blew up a villager with his finger… with his finger…
I wonder if it was the same finger that he raises and points towards the chest of his emissary, before it lights up with such intense energy that it mixes with the rays of the Red Star all around.
He won't do it...
And he does it instead. The energy beam pierces the soldier's chest, who without a complaint falls to his knees and then collapses on the ground, which turns even more red when it becomes soaked in his blood.
Everyone is silent. Nobody dares to speak, but what else is there to say? I think everyone around here is upset and I should too, I should, but I can't.
I'm speechless. It's incredible. I found it weird that his subordinates were literally terrified of him even though he doesn't directly threaten them, but now I understand. It's his attitude that threatens, it's his eyes, it's the tone of his voice that leaves no second chances. And it's crazy how easily he took out one of his men just to show us that he can do it... Lord Frieza is playing with us and our feelings, he's showing us how superior he is without even challenging us.
He rubs his hands, then turns back to us as if nothing happened. His tone is calm and that makes everything immeasurably more terrifying.
«So, these are the terms: if you accept, the planet will change its name to planet Frieza Number Four and from then on you will respond to my orders, whatever they are and whenever they arrive. Furthermore, you will have to provide me with your best men in every field, mainly in the physical one since I need warriors for my army. After this I will leave, and you will not hear from me until further notice. So, don't you think it's convenient?»
He smiles, enjoying the incredulous expressions of everyone he sees. No one to whom life is the least bit dear would dare to refuse after what he has done.
«They are indeed» my Master bows. My eyes, as well as those of everyone present, snap to look at him; I'm in disbelief. So he really wants to submit?
The other two Great Ones also seem to share my doubt, but do not intervene. They trust him more than anyone else.
Lord Frieza on the other hand doubts nothing, too busy enjoying his victory. He folds his arms behind him and gives us a triumphant laugh; I have the impression that he already expected to submit us with such ease.
«Splendid» he says. Then he turns to the Madorian behind him. «Too bad, it looks like there won't be any fireworks this time.»
The Madorian laughs back; he seems to be the only one who doesn't fear him, and he is also the only one who Lord Frieza turns to with a certain friendliness.
He swings his long, muscular tail behind him, bowing slightly towards the Council.
«Then the pact is sealed. How long will it take you to gather the men?»
«Can you leave us for a few hours to deliberate on what to do next? We will let you know as soon as possible, once we have found the best way to make the selection.»
«So be it» he nods with a hasty wave of his hand. He then turns, hopping gracefully into his chair and taking his place in command. «Three hours will be enough.»
Without another word, Lord Frieza turns and, followed by his delegation, returns to his ship, plunging into the horizon from which he came.
Chapter 4/4
Redemption
4.1.24