It was 7pm, the lights in the houses were already on, as well as the lamps that illuminate the part of the village where the Maiden statue is located. By this time, they are all preparing their dinner, after a long day of work in the fields, raising animals that provide food, cutting firewood, fishing, and the like.
It was full moon night , and along with it, the stars in the sky also helped with lighting during the night, at a time when people were still allowed to circulate through the alleys.
Meanwhile, in that same place near the altar, Ben and his new friends were still sitting in their seats, enjoying the moment of relaxation and good conversations, where the main subject was Ben's life and his "magic watch". The supposed attempt to get the attention of the young people that that crow had made, at least in Ben's eyes, was quite strange.
Not that he was used to seeing birds of that species often, but those "croacs" increasing in volume as they were repeated, and the fact that the black bird was staring fixedly at the young, or one of them, made the atmosphere of the place propitious enough so that Edward and Marcos had the idea of telling Ben one of the famous legends that reported the supposed existence of beasts that, according to Marcos, they were called Lycans.
-So, Ben, there is a passage behind the church, and it has a gate similar to the one you are seeing, and it is locked most of the time. There is one where a drunk man managed to pass through this gate when he saw it open, and enter a path towards an ancient ruin, and further on, a stronghold that has been there for a long time.
Whoever was the person who saw it didn't go so far as to enter it. Not after realizing that his reception upon entering that place would not be very… pleasant. Marcos began to tell that story, before taking a sip of bourbon. He was still lucid enough not to make grammatical mistakes in telling that story.
-Well, the place isn't called a "stronghold" for nothing. And who, or what, wouldn't want to welcome this guy? Ben asked, curious as he tried to connect any points this story had in common with the case he was looking for more information on, so he could start investigating.
- As he had said before, the Lycans, according to legend, roam around the village limits, where they usually hunt and devour their prey. Their menu can range from animals such as deer, cows, pigs, chickens, dogs… and humans. Edward said, before pulling a pack of cigarettes and a vintage lighter out of his pants pocket and starting to smoke. What Edward said further drew Ben's attention. This was the third time he hears a legend that involves more than he wanted to discover the veracity of a supposed existence.
"More man-eating monsters? What must they be? Werewolves? What must Halloween be like around here?" Ben asked himself in his mind, still wanting to hear more about those creatures from the local folklore.
-I understood. And the stronghold, according to legend, would be the… Ben didn't finish his question, because the answer was already kind of obvious and he wanted Marcos or Edward to say it.
- Exactly, the lair of the Lycans. And the old man went to venture to that place just at night. Marcos said, further explaining the details of the supposed situation in which the drunk man in the story was.
- And the Lycans, as far as is known, are nocturnal beasts and howling creatures. Like wolves, they howl when they see the full moon and communicate through them. But for the man, the howling he heard as he approached the burrow a little louder than it should have been, was loud and frightening enough to bring his lucidity back and make him realize that he was in an unknown and dangerous place, and which was not well accompanied. Edward said as he filled his glass with bourbon before starting to drink.
- As for appearance, some who claim to have seen a lycan and observed it from a "safe distance", claim that they look like people, but that they behave and move like apes. With yellow eyes that seem to glow in the dark, teeth crooked and sharp like razors. And legend also has it that they are as numerous as ants, and led by a giant who alone is worth dozens of Lycans. Marcos said, looking at Ben as he made quotation marks with his fingers as he said the words "distance" and "safe". "This description was too detailed for someone who claimed to have observed one of these animals from a 'safe distance'. Ben thought, as he took a sip of the vodka that was in his glass.
-That giant you mentioned, how many feet tall are we talking about? Ben asked, curious to know how strong this supposed giant could be.
- That's a good question. I don't think that if someone saw him they would try to measure his height and live to tell others, but I think the word "giant" suggests a lot, don't you? Edward asked a sarcastic and rhetorical question, smiling as he looked at Ben.
-Yes, you are right. And does this giant have a name? Ben asked, thinking the details of this legend quite interesting.
- Uriaș. Marcos replied, before taking Edward's cigarette pack and lighter, so he could smoke too.
- And the drunk man? What happened to him? Ben asked, curious, wanting to know the end of that story.
- The man threw his bottle away and just thought about running away as fast as he could, but when he turned around, he was surprised by one of the Lycans, who appeared right in front of him.
The beast made a high-pitched howl, calling the others to come and attack the poor wretch and drag him back to the fortress.
The man had almost all of his clothes torn off and was brutally beaten by beasts. His bones were broken as easily as if they were twigs, her body bruised as blood gushed from the gaping wounds left by the beasts' bites and scratches. There were long minutes of brutal beating until the leader of the horde reached where his subordinates were, to see the prey almost dead on the ground, who only had the strength to breathe.
The man's eyes were drenched with tears, but still, he could see a huge furry creature with its bright yellow eyes, which appeared to be wielding a large, heavy thing, made to crush anyone who opposed or challenged Uriaș, the giant.
At that point, the man had accepted his fate and cursed himself for being in that situation because of his drunkenness and having to pay for his mistake being the dinner of beasts from who knows where, until… Edward didn't finish telling what happened to the old man in that story, just to create suspense for the listeners. Gretta, Bianca and Gabriella have heard that story more times than they could count on their fingers and they knew how to count it backwards, but that didn't stop them from being entertained when they heard it told again.
-Until? Ben asked, wanting to know what supposedly happened to the man.
- Until the Licans and their leader mysteriously began to move away from the man until they were no longer seen by him, so that he could see the one who had saved his life from the clutches of the Licans.
He couldn't tell if the beating he had from the Lycans was enough to make him lose his mind, but what he saw, it seemed to be an angel full of black wings that came out of her back. What covered her face was something golden that seemed to reflect the light of the full moon, which in the eyes of the dying man, was something magnificent.
The angel asked the man what had brought him there, but he was too weak to speak or do anything, but gasp.
" Rejoice, your pain and suffering will cease. The old one shall rest eternally so that the light of a life once extinguished... may be reborn." That's what the angel said to the man, who before wept and wailed for his pain and suffering, recognized that sweet and soft voice of the one who freed him from the hungry wrath of the beasts. All the man had strength to do was smile when he realized who had saved him, before closing his eyes. Edward finished telling another one of the bedtime stories that village adults told their children, before emptying his glass with another sip of bourbon.
"Something golden that covered the face? I wonder if he's talking about…" Ben started to think about when and where he saw something golden covering someone's face, but was interrupted when he heard Marcos' voice, who referred to Ben with a question.
-What did you think about this one, huh? Marcos asked, smiling and looking at Ben, waiting for an answer.
- It's a very interesting bedtime story. Unlike the others, this one had more "action". Ben said, gesturing quotes with his fingers, a smile of approval for the good story he just heard was on his face.
- He took the words out of my mouth. Are you done yet? I still want to play with Ben's watch some more. Gretta said, while yawning, covering her mouth with one of her hands.
- Hearing that story for the hundredth time made me fall asleep too. Bianca said, as she raised her arms to stretch it out, also looking bored.
- Yeah, come on, Ben, make your "magic watch" talk to us again. Gretta asked, looking at Ben and pointing her finger at the watch, before taking another sip of her strawberry liqueur.
- Relax, the night is young. Edward said, smiling slightly as he eyed the two bored girls.
- But we don't. Bianca retorted, while looking at the red nail polish on her hands in a gesture of indifference.
- What do you think, Ben? Enough with the bedtime stories? Gabriella asked, arching an eyebrow, giving Ben a cocky smile.
- In fact, there are still things in this place that have been bothering my frontal lobe a lot. Ben said, as he looked at that altar and its mixed aspect of the macabre and medieval, wondering what the purpose of it was there.
- For example? Edward asked, wondering what was making the outsider so curious.
- Mother Miranda and her children. All these legends that revolve around them are captivating, but how and where did they come from, and why do they exist? Ben has seen and seen enough of this kind of thing to know that tales and legends of a certain place do not exist or arise by chance. Yenaldooshi, an evil Loboan named after reaching Earth by an indigenous people called the Navajo, was an example of this. An alien dragon that was imprisoned by the Forever Knights for a thousand years also had a similar story that revolved around it. These cases had one thing in common: the two were aliens who came to Earth where legends were invented about them, which lasted until in both situations, a certain trio unraveled and solved the mystery behind said legends, and Ben had to unravel and solve the mystery behind the legends told about the Lords, Mother Miranda and the folklore of the place as a whole.
-That's a good question too. We heard these legends when we were kids, and as far as we know, they've always existed, just like Mother Miranda and the Lords.
Mother Miranda is not only the leader of the village, but she also keeps us safe from the evils that exist out there, in addition to the power she has to… cure people of any disease. Her grace, glory, and benevolence is why we adore and worship her, and in the case of some, her children. Edward said something interesting that caught Ben's attention, making him remember when Elena said he should witness the power and glory of the village leader.
"I got it, she has some kind of healing power. How does she do it? That's the question. And don't everyone worship the Lords? Why?" Ben wondered as he connected the dots in his mind. What Elena had said to Ben in the morning made perfect sense.
-What about the Lords? Ben asked, wanting to know why they aren't worshiped by the villagers as faithfully as their leader.
- The case of the Lords is different. Many believe that they are only what they are thanks to Mother Miranda, and that therefore, they are not worthy of the same devotion that we give her. Other people, on the other hand, worship them both out of respect for the Mother's will, and out of admiration for the… power they received from her. Marcos answered Ben's question, which already had another question for them.
- Purchasing power? Because Heisenberg has a factory and Lady Dimitrescu has that castellan. They definitely have "mucho dinero". Ben said, gesturing quotes with his fingers, before emptying his glass with the last of the vodka.
- That's where it is… you wouldn't believe it if we told you. Edward said, smiling as he enjoyed provoking Ben's curiosity.
- The power they have is like… "seeing is believing". Marcos said, also smiling, just like his friend. If Ben was curious about everything he was told about Mother Miranda and the Lords, Marcos' last sentence took him by surprise in such a way that he almost let it show in a wide-eyed, slightly slack-jawed expression.
The reason for this was simple: Ben was ALSO a guy who also did things like "seeing is believing". Transforming into super-powered aliens with the power of a strange watch fit in nicely with that. A few hours ago, Ben had said that he has "seeing is believing" gifts and surprises for a guy who supposedly has the same things: Lord Heisenberg. But which?
"Damn it, so the Lords, like Mother Miranda, have some kind of superpowers? Is that why there are legends about them? Like, who would invent macabre legends about people who are nothing more than wealthy? If so I'm thinking, what powers do they have and what do they do with them? Ben wondered in his mind, as he imagined all kinds of possible powers that the Lords could have based on his experience, and that would serve as a basis for what someone could make up stories about them. He was deep in his thoughts when the voice of one of the girls, Gabriella, called his name.
-Yeah, he really seems to like bedtime stories a lot. Marcos said, in a joking tone.
- Or maybe the reason he's like this is something called: empty glass. Would you like some bourbon, little buddy? Edward offered Ben some of the drink he and his friend were enjoying.
By that time, Ben had tried two different flavors of liquor, whose alcohol content was 20%, vodka with its 35%, still had a shot of bourbon and its 40% alcohol content.
The fact was, Ben wanted to know how many shots he needed to start showing signs of drunkenness. If the liqueurs and vodka still weren't enough, maybe a shot of bourbon might give it a boost. Ben held out his hand that held the glass for Edward to fill it with the drink. Just like the other times, Ben brought the glass to his lips, and that caramel-colored liquid, distilled from corn, touched his taste buds, and so the color, the taste of the drink was a characteristic caramel.
The strong aroma of the drink attacked Ben's nostrils, making him frown as he took his first sip of bourbon. After swallowing, Ben opened his eyes to see Edward and Marcos.
-Did you like this one? It's American. Edward asked, smiling and looking at Ben, waiting for an answer.
- Wow, so that's why it's so good. And it tastes like caramel. Ben said, appraising the drink positively, smiling slightly.
- Yeah, and they distill it from corn and add other stuff. And the end result is this. Marcos said, before taking a sip of the same drink they were talking about.
"If the Black Hole wasn't a den of supervillains, I might go there more often." Ben thought, imagining what it would be like to hang out at the most infamous bar in Undertown, known for being an establishment where only the tough guys frequented. Not that Ben didn't know how to handle a hypothetical bar fight, but being a good customer is always the best option.
"In the legend that talks about the Lycans, the 'angel' who had his face covered by 'something golden'... there is only one person who fits this description: Mother Miranda.
'The old man must rest eternally, so that a new life, once extinct… may be reborn.' Something tells me this didn't end well for this guy at the end of the story." Ben was sure who was the supposed "angel" that saved the man from the clutches of the Lycans, and as if the mystery of the legends wasn't enough, there was still the fact that the Lords supposedly had superpowers, and if so, what they did with them. such powers.
-Hey, guys, let's go for a walk? Bianca had an idea to end the monotony that hovered between them.
- Where? Gretta asked, curious about her friend's idea.
- You know very well. Bianca said, giving her friend a smug look.
- Are you two talking about the… Gabriella did not finish her question, because Bianca answered it first, interrupting her.
- Exactly. Bianca answered, quick and direct. - Good idea, I need to stretch my legs. So let's go. Gabriella said as she stood up, prompting the others to do the same.
- Where are we going? Ben asked, curious to know what this place was that Bianca suggested they all go together.
- You'll see when we arrive. Marcos replied, as he followed Edward and the three girls who went further ahead to that place.
They went through that walkway, with posts on both sides, until they reached one of the gates that looked like the one that entered the village, and where the young people entered before.
Marcos and Edward opened the gates, one on each side, to reveal what appeared to be ancient ruins that had been there for who knows how long.
Thanks to Bianca's initiative, Ben was able to explore a different area. He could hear the sound of a stream of water hitting rocks, which indicated the existence of a river nearby. It was a good idea Ben had brought his sweatshirt, as the weather was starting to cool down a bit.
Ben started to walk through the place beyond those gates, following the young people who were there, while thinking:
"So, am I not the only one who has tricks like 'seeing is believing'? Well, that's what I'm going to find out."