The Malevolence

“The horses are ready. We can leave anytime.” Todd Rebus said to his bride as he entered a rustic cabin. The hinges creaked as he closed the door.  He dusted off his hands and walked toward the kitchen sink and washed them. “The lake is serene.  It was amazing: A lone red hawk dove upon the surface.  It snatched a bass and flew off.”  He dried his hands on a towel and turned around. “That fish was having a bad day.  The rippling waves moved throughout the entire body of…”

 A smiling Seravina Rebus stood before her groom in a comfortable riding outfit.  She fumbled with something hidden behind her back.

“Vina, what are you doing?” Todd asked.

“Todd, I have a surprise for you.” Vina pulled out a white cloth decorated in purple ribbons. “It is a secret only known to the royal family.” She placed it in his hands.  “I wanted to commemorate our honeymoon and frolicking at this lovely dwelling.”

“We did more than frolic, my love.” Todd smirked.

The bride blushed. “I know.”  She pointed to the present.

“Thank you.” Todd started to pull the ribbon, but she touched his hand. They locked eyes.

“Please wait.  I have to explain.  This is my wedding gift to you from the Elves.

When the Bloodstone was first created, three shards broke from the main diamond. My ancestor soon realized each shard had some of the power instilled into it.  He named them; Fidem, Spes, and Amare.” She held his hand.  “Two of the gems were given to his most trusted advisor and a friend.  The third, he gave to his beloved wife.  All three were connected to the stone.  From generation to generation when a new king or queen were crowned and given the Blood Stone, the shards would return to the new owner.   When you gave me my inheritance, the shards returned to me.”  

 “It’s Latin.  Faith.  Hope.  Love.” He kissed her hand.

“I have given Spes to Penelope.  She is to be my First Counsel.  I have given Fidem to Will.  He is my friend and shall be my General Supreme when we return.”

“Vina, I don’t know what to say.  I am humbled and grateful.”

“I know we have not discussed my departure to my kingdom, but it is imminent.  I would love to stay with you here forever, but I must return and secure my throne.  You have been more than I ever dreamed. You have taught me to love without thought for myself.  You are a gift to me.  So, I give you Amare.”  

Todd removed the ribbon and cloth.  It revealed a glowing crimson diamond.  He slid it from the cloth to his right hand.  Seravina closed his hand with hers. Together a purple light emerged from between their fingers and then faded.  The shard vanished into Todd’s skin.  The Rebus bowed before his queen. Vina bowed down to her king.  They embraced.  

“We are bound: body, soul, and spirit.  Now and forever.” The empress said. 

 He kissed her lips.“To the ends of the world.”

“To the ends of the world.” Vina returned the sweet gesture.

Todd stepped back and moved his hand in the air.

 “I hope Will or Penny didn’t kiss you after they received their stones.”

“Not until after the pagan dance and animal sacrifice.” Vina said.

“What?”

Seravina smirked and touched his cheek. “Your face is adorably gullible.  A jest, my love. I placed their shards on gold chains.  If you must know, my general has softer lips than my counselor.”

The Junkman did not know how to respond.

Vina kissed him tenderly. “I prefer these wonderful lips.”

Todd said, “You’re full of surprises.”

 The horses whinnied and then neighed loudly.  

“Something has disturbed the horses.” Vina said. 

They went outside through the cabin’s side door.  The horses were attempting to escape from the hitching post.  Seravina whispered into Snow’s ear and rubbed her neck.  Nevertheless calmed down as soon as Todd spoke to him and brushed his fingers through the animal’s black mane.  The couple mounted the horses and cantered west, away from the uneasy lake.

An eerie peace overshadowed the newlyweds trip home.  The blissful couple had honeymooned for five days at the remote cabin, overlooking the majestic Foot Lake.  Their only form of communication to the outside world was an old-fashioned walkie-talkie.  

They trotted down Trader’s Path to the south side of the lake.  The wily horses kept looking behind them, but trudged on the narrow way.  The foreboding quiet hushed the birds, the tree frogs and even the numerous buzzing insects.   All were hiding from an imminent storm.  Todd studied the sky and scratched his head.  The blue sky and tiny cumulus clouds were unaware of any trouble. 

“Vina,” Todd broke the silence, “stay close. There could be danger ahead, my lady.”

 His wife nodded and pulled her Arabian next to his mustang.  The twisted path would lead them to a forest trail and then straight to Waydownz, a festive town.  Once there, they were to rendezvous with Todd’s mother.

Vina said, “I’ve spotted the other trail.  Should we proceed faster?”

“Yes.  Hey, wait,” Todd noticed, “you used a contraction.”

Vina winked at her husband, “On occasion I’ll use them.  I am full of surprises, my lord.”

They galloped down the trail.  The deciduous trees held their breath amidst the ominous heavy air.  Within five minutes, the couple reached the cobblestones of Waydownz.  The steeds grunted and huffed as the riders halted their progress.

 Todd and Seravina forced the horses to a deliberate walk to calm the beast’s fears.  The abandoned streets matched the buildings’ barred windows and doors.  The lively village had become a ghost town.  The clacking rhythm of the iron horseshoes against the stone echoed in the hushed valley.  Todd stopped and smelled the stale air.  Seravina perceived distant clangs of a brass bell coming from Foot Lake. 

The horses sensed the ground rumble and quake before the humans and bolted forward.  The newlyweds peered back and witnessed a beastly earthen mouth devour the stones and split the crumbling road.  

They urged the horses forward and raced into the village.   The couple heard the crackling and snapping of the trees and houses as the earthquake chased them down main street.  Todd pointed to the left toward Iron Hill, a Waydownz landmark, and they steered the horses there. 

The vibrating monster veered to the right and demolished the town hall in seconds.  Rock debris and timbers exploded into the air.  A dust cloud engulfed the hamlet.  The destructive tremors turned again and proceeded through the junkyard and out of town.  Todd and Vina halted the horses.  The settling dust revealed the utter devastation. Waydownz had been ripped apart.  Fires raged from both sides of town. 

The Junkman watched in horror as the seismic beast headed straight north toward the Rebus Estate, his ancestral home.  The horses leapt over the three foot crack dissecting Waydownz.  With all speed, the couple pursued the destructive wave.

As Todd paused near the Big Tree, where he and Vina were wed, tears covered his saddle.  The ancient tree has been consumed, only small branches and sawdust littered the ground. 

Todd raced faster to the estate.  He jumped off Nevertheless onto the brick sidewalk.  Seravina moved directly behind him.  He dropped to his knees, awestruck at the total destruction of the three-story house.  

The earthquake had crashed through the western part of the home and decimated the structure.  It collapsed falling east.  Todd openly wept as Seravina rubbed his back. He pounded the ground. 

In his grief, he summoned immense electric orbs in his hands and launched them over the hill and into the castle ruins, just north of the estate.  The blue orbs rocketed over the horizon.  He screamed and then knelt down again.   The magical orbs caused a distant rumble as ruins tumbled to the earth.  His wife joined him on the ground and they embraced. 

Todd muttered quietly, “The Lord gives… the Lord takes away…blessed be…the name…of the Lord…” 

Seravina repeated the words with him over the demolished homestead. 

The walkie crackled awake.

“Papa Bear, come in, Papa Bear, come in, this is Momma Bear. Over.”

Todd reached into his pocket and pulled out the radio.

“I am here, Mom.  Everything alright?  How are the people doing? Over.

“Lots of scared folks, a few minor scrapes and bumps, a broken arm and broken leg, and one fatality, dear.  What was that? Over.”

“It was an earthquake.  Oh no, Who was it? Over.”

“Old man Zappa, but he was one hundred and forty-five and on his deathbed.  How is the house?  Over.”

“Flattened. Total collapse. It is so sad. Over.”

“No! Todd, check the debris!  Check it!  I contacted the New Yorkers and told them to hide in the basement.  They could be trapped down there.  They left Waydownz early so I gave them the extra walkie.  I last spoke to Stefanie.  She was gathering them!  Todd, hurry!”

“Yes, ma’am!  Over.”  He yelled into the debris. “Stefanie! Bruno! Bianca! Lucy!”

“I hear labored breathing.” Seravina said, “I believe someone is tapping.  Bang, bang, bang. Tap, tap, tap.  Bang, bang, bang. The pattern repeats.”

The Junkman cupped his hands and raised his voice. “We are coming! Help is on the way!” He turned to his wife.  “It’s Morse Code. They are spelling out SOS. It’s an emergency signal.  Vina, help me lift the rubble.  We’ll start with the roof and work our way down.  Let’s toss it on the east side.” 

 She grabbed his arm. “Todd, I hear many waters rushing toward us.”

“Let’s move the roof!” 

His hands fired up into blue orbs while Vina's body glowed crimson.  Todd lifted part of the upper roof and Seravina cast it to the side.  Piece by broken piece, they removed the large rafters, parts of the attic and second floor.  

Todd said, “The earthquake probably breached the river banks and flooded the lowlands.  We probably have only minutes before it reaches us, but if we go too fast we could cause more of a collapse.”  

Seravina grunted and then felt puddles forming at her feet. 

“Faster! Todd! Faster!”

The remaining part of the second floor and sections of the first were tossed aside.  Todd witnessed his childhood flash before his eyes as books, pictures, and albums flew through the air.  Todd located the door to the basement and sectioned off that part of the first floor.   Seravina flung it into the hill, while her husband rushed down the saturated staircase.  The filthy water cascaded down each step into the decimated and collapsing basement.  He found Bruno with his back braced against a cracked load bearing beam.  The ladies and the children were waist deep in water. 

Bruno grit his teeth.  “Get them out!  I can hold it.  Now!”

Todd said, “We are all getting out.”

The Junkman formed two magic shields.  He parted the waters and made a path for the woman and children.  Todd shoved the other shield under the crushing weight of Bruno’s beam.  The New Yorkers sprinted past Bruno and up the stairs to safety.  Seravina met them all as they exited and teleported them to the top of the hill.   Todd then added the second shield and poured more power into the mystical support. 

“Bruno, I am going to pull you to me.” The rising water splashed in Todd’s face. “Once you are in my arms, I am going to jump us out of here.  The shield won’t hold long, but just enough.”

“Just leave me, I’m…”

Without argument and warning, the Junkman snatched Bruno to his chest and rocketed from the basement into the flooded backyard.  They landed with a huge splash.  Todd crawled from the water and pulled Bruno with him.  With a loud crash, the collapsed ceiling fell into the basement. 

“Thanks,” Bruno rasped, “For saving my friends. You should have…”

“I would have never left you.  You are part of my family.”

Bruno coughed and then choked on blood in his throat.

“You know, I didn’t know what to think of you.” He coughed again.

Todd said, “I get that, a lot.” 

Bruno chuckled and stopped a cough, “I bet you do, Junkman.  You are one tough son of a…”  He gagged on more blood

“Easy pal.  Once this flood passes, I have some meds that will heal you right up.”

“Listen, I know I won’t make it, so shut up!”  Bruno spit the blood out. “What you did for me and the girls, that was special.  You took us in, you gave us a new home.” He coughed again. “I hated you for destroying my drugs, but you…saved me… I never had much family… but you are…. my brother. ”  He reached out his scraped up hand.

Todd clasped hands. “Bruno, I only did…”  

“I wasn’t done.  Lord Todd is not a title I’d give ya.” Bruno hacked more blood. He reached up his hand and clasped Todd’s forearm. “Americans don’t like the notion of monarchy.”  Todd grabbed Bruno’s forearm and stared into his eyes.  The Yankee’s breath slowed and his body relaxed. “Tell those girls, I love ‘em.  You take care of ‘em. They are your citizens, your sisters.  King Todd.” 

As Bruno breathed his last, Todd lowered him to the ground.  He pushed shut his friend’s mouth and closed his eyes.  The Junkman bowed his head in prayer. 

Todd rummaged through the debris to find some linens and found a sheet to cover Bruno.  He folded the king size sheet in half, spread it over the body, and honored his friend. 

He stepped through the dwindling puddles toward the ruins.  With his head down, he did not notice Seravina racing down the mound.  She met him halfway, held his hands, and waited. 

Todd raised his head and looked into her pure green eyes.  Tears dropped from his brown eyes.  He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.  She hugged him. 

“There was nothing I could do.  He gave his life to save them.” Todd said.

Bianca, Lucy, Stefanie, and their children surrounded the couple and embraced them with sad gratitude.  They moved down the slope toward Bruno’s body. 

“My love,” Seravina started, “I know there is much grief in your heart, but come with me to the top of the ridge. There is much to see.” She pulled his tired arms.

“I don’t think I can take much more.” Todd whispered. 

She slid her strong fingers into his wet hands. “I shall be with you, let’s go.” 

They shuffled together up the knoll.  Vina dragged him up to the heights, while Todd kept his head down. 

“My lord, raise your head, but close your eyes.  Open them only when I tell you.” 

“Vina, don’t torture me.  I know the whole land is destroyed.  The city is probably in flames.”

He attempted to walk back down, but his wife stopped him. 

“Do you trust me?” Vina asked.

“With all my soul.”

“Then close your eyes and come with me.”

Todd listened and closed his eyes, as Vina led him to the zenith.  She maneuvered him to face west and kissed his left cheek. 

“Tell me, my lord, what do you see?”

Exhausted eyes unfurled and then instantly widened. 

Atop the next mound, a black stone castle with several angular towers sat poised in grim determination.  Dark green pennants flapped from the towers in the southern breeze.  A large manicured moat surrounded the fortress with churning cloudy water.  An immense drawbridge with dark chains had been lowered, but the steel portcullis with menacing spikes barred the entrance.  

Out of his visions and nightmares stood his true ancestral home, Castle Rebus.  Todd blinked several times and then rubbed his tear soaked eyes.

Todd recited part of a verse he memorized as a child, “When the Rocks lay in ruin, and the Ruins rise again.”  He turned to Vina, voice trembling, “The castle was destroyed 300 years ago.  This is not possible.  Is it real?”

“Let’s find out.  Together.” She smiled.  “Isn’t it wonderful?” 

“No, it’s not.  Vina, you don’t understand.  It’s a curse.  We have to get back to the house and gather all our friends together!” 

Todd dragged her down the hill.  They stomped through dirty puddles and debris before he halted before the basement entrance. 

“We have to clear a safe path to the portal door—I hope it is not damaged— to evacuate all we can to the North Carolina mountain house.  It’s no longer safe here.” 

His hands glowed, but Seravina placed a hand on his arms.

“I thought you would be pleased to see the fortress. You are frightened and trembling.  What is it?  Is an evil specter chasing you?  Todd, what is wrong?”

“My lady, do you trust me?”    

 “With all my heart.”

He kissed her on the lips. 

“The castle reappearing is a sign, an omen, part of an ancient prophecy of my family, about this land, for….”  He paused and closed his eyes. 

Vina asked, “For what?”

Todd peered into his wife’s green eyes and held her sweet hands.

 “For the end of the world.”