Look at the stars
Look how they shine for you
And everything you do…
I came along
I wrote a song for you
And all the things you do…
The venue became quiet as The Dark Siren took the stage. Stolas looks up to find that girl who was talking to Mabel earlier. The dark spindle skin was now covered by a soft, silky dress that reflected the space; her long white hair was tied at the back with a black, luscious bow. Her face was finally visible. What a kind face -Thought Stolas as he gazed into her eyes. They were the most transparent blue he had ever seen, like beautiful, clean, sparkly water.
Something curious about her was that half her face sported a white mask, making her look like a sugar skull. She started to sing a song. It was a slow and sad song.
Stolas was oblivious, stirring his drink as he stirred; the song began to sound like something he had heard before, only he could not really place it, so he listened intently, and so he saw: He saw Blitzo. He was standing before him. Stolas was happy to see him, but Blitzo certainly did not look happy to see him.
Stolas's smile faded a little -Is this how it has always been?- he thought as panic tried to take over, so he quickly dismissed it. He tried to call his name this time. He extended his hand to reach Blitz-o but he turned around, annoyed, and walked away. As he usually does, as he always did.
So then I took my turn
Oh, what a thing to have done…
-To love in hell- Mabel said softly -Can demons aspire as much?- Stolas recalls her words from earlier.
-of course, we can! – Stolas murmured, annoyed, feeling that horrible knot in his throat and a pit open up in his stomach. He clung to his drink and let the music sway him away.
-You know Stolas… – he remembered another conversation as he looked up to Mabel. After she took him from the hospital, they traveled for some time. It was the darkest night when they arrived at the most amazing lake.
-A lake made of stars- he had said as he admired the water so clear and untouched that it reflected the sky above perfectly. It was beautiful, he remembered, but he could not fully enjoy it back then; he was still in much pain and disheartened by his situation.
Mabel sat quietly by his side and took in the scenery. Stolas' tears started to flow; what a mess he felt he was; he was about to apologize when Mabel started to talk, not really looking at him but smiling at the stars.
– You know, The Ancient One once said that love is patient and kind; it does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth…. It makes me wonder if ever anybody knew what that all really means-
Stolas stared after her -It sure sounds nice…- he finally answered - But, who could live up to such standards? To be content with being just patient and kind…Love is passion, is a mess, makes no sense, is all over the place… Is looking down to an abyss, not knowing what would be next…-
Mabel looked at him; she had the saddest expression – love is all about getting hurt and hurting back…- Stolas swallowed down his drink bitterly; that was the answer he gave Mabel back at that time, but as he put his drink down, he reflected, there was something else he would have like to add in his memory.
- If I were given the opportunity, I would rewrite my wrongdoings; I would stop that deal of us… I would make us free… He deserves something real…I wish we could be real… -
- What do you mean by real?- the siren asks -You wish for truth and to correct wrongdoing. You wish to be real to Blitz-o. But do you really know what that means?-
- You think we do not know better? I know what true love is!- boldly protested Stolas.
-True, you have heard of the concept but never experienced it yourself…It is all well and done on paper, so I wonder if this is what you really want…- The two of them were sitting at a round table; there was no one around, only them.
-Love is everywhere… We can love too, and I… I love him; I just need to give us an opportunity… to start clean…- he murmured, staring sadly at his drink. Blitz-o was there; he was finally smiling back at him. Stolas hold on to this image.
-There was a time when we were all blameless until wickedness was found. There is no love anymore, and what you want to believe in is just a fantasy now. You can declare your undying love today and tomorrow be bored with it… This could be just caprice…-
Ah! There it was! The eternal question: Love or passion? Passion will burn out. Love is supposed to last forever. The dark siren spoke the words, no sugarcoat.
-NO! I do…I love…him- why were the words so difficult to formulate every time? Was it not because he felt like he was jumping into the dark every single time he formulated them? He does not know how Blitz-o feels. He could be imposing on him, hurting him. Stolas hands tremble, so he tightened his grip on his drink.
-You want to find the truth, don't you?- the siren softly said; there was a hint of concern in her tone, so Stolas automatically looked at her, compelled by an empathetic feeling -Can he forgive you after all? Will he willingly stay with you if you nullify the deal…- continued the siren, burying that knife deep into his heart, revolving around those murky waters, but she was right! He ought to know; he owes them both at least that much. He was desperate; all his attempts to initiate a serious relationship had met those rolling eyes and dismissed blows. He needed to know if there was a chance as infimus as it could be…He would take it!
Stolas Lament
I know is hard; it is a difficult decision for me, too
But dearest, I know better now
I must give you this choice
This unspoken contract
A deed we forged for mutual gain
I'm terrified as I cry
To make these feelings true
Unless it's me
And no matter what in this world, I could give
It's not enough
To get through the walls, you've conjured up to live
So I'll grant you this mercy
I will try to make amends.
For making you a means to an end
So, look my way
And if there's something more that I don't know
I'll save us both before we grow cold…
Stolas vows. The Siren extends a hand to him behind her; the world opens wide; it is bright
Look at the stars
Look how they shine for you
And all the things that you do…
The song ends. Everything vanishes. Stolas finds himself sitting in front of Mabel again, tears streaming down his face. She is looking at him; she turns her head to the side and looks down at his hands. Stolas is holding something. He opens his hands and finds a blue box. He opened it; A safe heaven was inside. He feels his skin crawl.
He looks up at the Siren in terror, his heart beating fast. She is looking back at him.
-Prince Stolas, the wager has been accepted…- she quietly says and puts the microphone away. She gave him the saddest look and walked away.
Stola's hands are clammy and trembling. His mouth is dry. He looks down at the jewel, but he is resolved; Mabel's hand takes his.
-Stolas…- she said like in an echo. Stolas was now back in front of the dark hospital. The box is still in his hands. He takes a deep breath, takes two steps toward the building, and suddenly stops.
-You're not coming?- he asked sorrowfully. Mabel was quietly standing behind him.
- When the time comes, I'll be right by your side, Prince of the Doomed Owlets- Stolas gasped and held the gem up to his heart. He starts to walk. He never looks back.
The backdoors —a means to escape or enter without being noticed. All realms have them, but they are not something you can find by asking Google Maps. Back doors are secret passages that nobody has mapped out; they are strange and scary because they are unknown.
Spindel has been walking for an eternity, or at least that is how it feels for everybody. The group was tired, hungry, and thirsty. The landscape remained the same; there were no changes; they were all quiet, listening to the perpetual laments of the lost souls.
Finally, Spindel stops. -We are here?- I jumped Octavia, hopefully.
-Here where?- complained Blitz-o. The dense green mist opens apart to reveal a cave. A strange cave in the middle of nowhere…Finally! Something different from the monotonous scene. Spindel went in, and once inside, they all dismounted.
-Oh! My poor bones- complaint Blitz-o as he stretched. Octavia helped Striker down. Blitz- received him and put him on the ground. Spindel went to a side and lay down.
-I am so hungry and thirsty!- complained Octavia.
-Look at the horse- pointed out Striker in a weak voice, very coarse. He was finally awake. Octavia and Blitz-o looked at Spindel; she was quietly licking the rock to her side. Octavia and Blitz-o looked at each other. They stood up and walked to the walls and observed. They were moist!
-How sanitary do you think this is?- asked Blitz-o. Striker laughed, but it was more like a pained hiss – I suggest you beautiful things to get on your knees and lick…. It will take a while before you feel your thirst quench. The price to live in paradise!- he continued laughing-coughing.
-What about you?- asked Blitz-o
-What about me…I am half why into the marshes…It should be fine…- Blitz-o and Octavia looked at him wildly in effect Striker was hallway sinking in. The had forgot. They move quickly. After freeing him they let him on Spindel. The horse kept putting his nose on him he was annoyed with it
-Stop it you damn horse, I don't want your saliva on me!- he protested.
Octavia was quietly accommodated, licking her rock. Meanwhile, Blitz-o had lost all shame and was all over the place sucking as hard as he could.
-YOUR TURN!- Blitz-o shout out. Striker felt a shudder when Blitz-o gave him a wild eye. He jumped on top of him; he was covered in sweat. Blitz-o went dead straight to his face, to his mouth.
-GET AWAY FROM ME YOU CLOWN!- Striker protested, and the two tussle around, rolling out from Spindel, who did not mind and continued licking like anything.
-I GATHERED ALL THIS FOR YOU!- Blitz-o babbled, trying to reach Striker's mouth with his.
-I DON'T WANT IT GET LOST!-
Spindel and Octavia turned around; they looked at them bored and returned to their tasks.
-AHH! YOU PRICK!- squealed Striker when Blitz-o accidentally pushed his wound in a false move.
-AJA!- no time was wasted. Striker found himself swallowing down something slimy and salty. Striker rolled around and coughed and spitted violently. -Disgusting!-
-You're welcome!- claimed Blitz-o, victorious -And now…let's see that wound-
-NO! That's enough. Let me go!- Blitz-o caught him by the tail and dragged him towards him. Striker was pitifully scratching the floor with his one good hand while the other was kept on the wound.
-WHY DO YOU CARE?- he protested when Blitz-o turned him around and opened his ragged shirt. -I killed your bastard crown bitc…Let me go!- more than a protest sounded like a plea. Blitz-o took his wrists and pinned them down. He had a severe look about.
-You heard that princess, he claims he has done the deed-
Princess Octavia was no longer licking her rock. She stood up and walked to them. Striker started to laugh.
-Yes, I killed him! I deserve to be here. And you bozos came looking for me, what a waste of time! Now you are trapped here with me with no leads…dead end!-
-Oh! Don't act now like you don't know…- smiled Blitz-o. Octavia kneeled by his side; they were both looking down on him. Striker gulped.
-You saw Mabelion; you heard of a fairy tale…We want the full story bitc…Start talking! Where is Stolas?-
A quiet breeze came in when Millie stepped into the great balcony at Sata* 's castle. She was dressed in the royal guard's uniform. She went to the veranda and looked down. Almost the whole wrath ring could be seen from there; it looked quiet, finally at ¨peace¨.
-Captain Millie?- came another imp into the balcony. -All is ready for the depart- he announced. Millie looked at him and nodded. The imp left. -I am on my way, Moxxie…hold on!- she murmured.
-Excuse me, madam, I did not mean to intrude…- Striker put out his gun -have you seen the patient that it is supposed to be in this room?-
-He is gone…- she simply answer.
-Do you know where?- Striker tried again, feeling somehow shy.
- Beyond lost souls, beyond worlds- she simply answers again.
-I was hoping he was more like gone to the toilet…Beyond worlds you said?- replied Striker confused. -Where would that be exactly?-
she giggled -What is your name?- she deviated from his question. Striker, seeing no harm in answering, replied -Striker, madam, at your service- he tipped his hat.
She giggled again -My oh my! What a polite hell resident we have here-
Striker felt a little rush of color in his cheeks. He found her wording honest; her speech was not mocking or disdain as he would usually find while talking to royalty. Her tone was sweet and, at the same time, strong.
He spaced for a moment - Your Grace, I beg your pardon for my forwardness. Might I ask if you would be so kind as to reveal your name to me?- Striker did a small courtesy along.
The angel, as he described that person before, stared at him. He could feel her eyes inspecting every inch of him, but he was not ashamed or diminished; it wasn't that kind of look. The usual scorn look he received from others. He looked up into her eyes and found respect and curiosity in them.
-Mabelion- she finally answered and smiled. Striker felt a coldness run his spine; her smile had something dark about it -But my friends call me Mabel-
-Miss Mabel- he paused. It was now his turn to test her, see if he could throw her off her game by calling her as a friend; there was no ill reaction, so he continued -May I ask how is Prince Stolas beyond worlds?-
-You are doomed, Mister Striker…you are about to become a scapegoat. I pretty much believe you already know this. That is why you are here... To find answers? Find the Prince of the doomed owlets; you might even come on top of this whole situation…-
-The Prince of the doomed owlets?- thought Striker – She means Prince Stolas? Doomed indeed, but she said: Find him… so would that mean: Stolas is in a place reachable!- Striker's eyes open wide as he realizes the meaning of her words. At that moment, two guards appeared at the door.
-HE IS HERE!- one of them shouted. Gunshots went off. Striker tried to shield Mabel, but she was no longer there. Having no other means to escape, Striker evades the police and jumps out of the building through the window where she stood. He always carries his trusty whip and knows how to use it to swing himself out of problems.
-Between worlds?- Asked Octavia
-That is what she said – Striker was recounting his story to them from the beginning -Soon after, I did some research. I pulled out Miss Mabel's files from that loony bin she was left to rot. Guess what is the official story. They said she committed suicide, even though her body was never found. She disappeared; she puffed herself out of that place, out of this world, and not only that, the back doors were a repeated word in her conversation with the wacko managing her case, so what was the obvious next thing to do next?-
-Beyond souls…- answered Octavia
-Correct my Princess. Miss Mabel said: Beyond lost souls, beyond worlds. We know that the back doors connect all worlds… That place is beyond worlds-
-All realms- complemented Blitz-o
-Nobody has the dimmest idea where the back doors are, yet Miss Mabel claims they exist…and she gives me the kindness to point me out where….- his hand opens and waves around.
-Here!- reacted Blitz-o
-Beyond lost souls… -murmured Octavia - It makes sense… If the entrance is somewhere here, no wonder nobody has found it…ever! I mean, being concealed in a place nobody dares to enter, never the least explore, how would anybody know?
-And you found the doors!- admire Blitz-o -If they are indeed the back doors…well, we may still be able to escape this place – concluded Blitz-o talking to Octavia. Striker blasted in laughter.
-How do you reckon I got this bad?- he spluttered- I may have found them…but we have no chance- he tried to keep his mock tone, but it quivered in the end.
-What did this to you?- breathed Octavia
-Monster! The worst kind…I barely went in when I was attacked…by the skin of my teeth; I made it out…That is when the horse found me…and then you-
Blitz-o and Octavia looked at each other. What could there be more frightener than a demon?
The angel of the abyss dwells in that place.