The Memoir: Hidden In Time

The Memoir: Past and Present

A feast for the king began in the palace. Deep in the forest, the townsfolk has travelled to have merry. But little do they know, evil eyes are lurking around.

“Come in! Come in!”

Ushers and usherettes welcomed the guests with warm smiles.

“Dear guests please, do come in. Have merry. Feast yourselves in the banquet.”

The banquet hall has been filled with guests from every town in the city of Belwore.

Meanwhile...

“My love.” He called out to her so sweetly

“Yes, my dear?” she replied

“This is for you, my love.” He said, extending his hand that holds a necklace with a crescent moon as its pendant.

“This... Oh! This is beautiful! Thank you!” she exclaimed and kissed him.

She was about to reach for the necklace only to see it wasn't there. A shadow moved across the room and snatched the necklace as it passed by them.

“Wha----?” he was dumbfounded when an evil cackle rung out in the room.

“Hello, sire.” The voice greeted rather evilly. They both stood frozen in their spots as they cannot see anyone in room with them.

“Oh! Your Highness.” It said and added emphasis on his words.

“Who are you? What do you want?” he asked spitefully to whoever it was.

“Oh? Did you forget about me already? Oh well! You are done with satisfying yourself with my body. So, what is my use? None!” she yelled out the last word, startling them

“Are you shocked, my dear? You're not the only woman in his life! And just like me, you are only a toy he is playing until he sees no interest in you anymore." She said spitefully, her face now in full view for them to see. To say he was shocked is an understatement.

“You're talking nonsense!” the lady said and tried attacking the latter. But in a flash, she was nowhere in sight.

“Why are you here? What do you want, Miranda?” the king calmly asked. She turned to face him and stared directly into his eyes.

“I... want... your life.” she said, her words sending chills up their spines.

“You are crazy! Get out of here, you w***e!” the lady yelled

“Hmm? I want your life, Your Majesty. And I will take it. No matter what!” she yelled. A loud explosion was heard. Due to the explosion, the king's lady was thrown across the room. He opened his eyes and was met by a very gorgeous lady in white. She was floating, her dress gracefully swaying to and fro. He was shocked. He could not move his eyes away from her.

She began chanting words but he could not catch on to what she was saying.

“Let darkness fall on him. Punish the man with a beastly heart and he shall now don a beast's skin. However, come fair maiden and learn to love the beast, and he in turn learn to love, the curse will break at once.” Her chant ended and his skin began glowing.

“Wha--- What are you doing to me?” the king yelled, scared and furious.

“Answer me! What did you do?” He yelled out, his voice becoming deeper until all that is heard was a deep growl.

“This is for my family. You showed us no mercy and I will do the same. Pay for the price, Your Highness. I’m asking not much for my family. Their lives are of no importance to you. As is your life has no importance to me. This curse I bestowed will forever chase you. Live as a beast! Suffer!” her voice rung out and a howl was heard throughout the city of Belwore.

That was the first howl of the beast.

The wolf man’s first howl into the moon.

The sun was yet to rise but Kiara was all but sleepy.

"Rise and shine, everyone! Good morning, Kathy. Oh! Rudolf! Hahaha! Alright, alright. Did you have a good sleep?" she asked her dog, which she has had since she was a child. Her father gave it to her as a gift on her fifth birthday.

"Raar!!" it growled which made Kiara giggle. It looked so cute, she thought.

"Hello, mother hen. Time for breakfast." she said and started feeding her animals.

Kiara Willow. A maiden living on her own in the town of Northwood. You'd be surprised of the four interconnecting towns from Southwood, Westwood, Eastwood to Northwood.She has been living on her own for five years now. Ever since her father died from an accident. A de-railed train. His father was on his way to a merchant's trade but unfortunately, they were met by an accident on the way which killed all of the passengers.

After feeding all the animals, Kiara headed inside her house to prepare for her morning routine. Having had her own breakfast, she headed out into town. She was heading for the town library to get some books. Kiara is undeniably a bookworm. She would rather stay home, cover up in a blanket and open a book than interact with pretentious people in the world.

As she was on her way, people as per usual were staring at her. Gawking at her beauty. She's the most beautiful lady in town. But sadly, the townspeople barely interacts with her except for some matters due to her wisdom. She possesses wisdom that rivals those who have lived for centuries. And that's because of all the books she has read. Knowledge holds much significance to Kiara for she believes a beauty without knowledge is just a lost beauty.

Arriving at the town library, she greeted Mr. Morse. The only person in town she gets along with. Maybe it is because he's a bookworm himself. "Good morning, Mr. Morse."

"And a delightful morning to you mademoiselle." said Mr. Morse with a bright smile, "I've received an early delivery of new books. Good for you. I know you've read most of the books here. So, go and pick your new book." Mr. Morse has always known that Kiara can't go by a day without reading a book. Be it new or something she's read before.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Morse." Kiara said, her voice full of excitement. If only she has this kind of place all for her own, she would never ask for anything again. She was happily scanning each books when a thunder crash was heard, scaring her.

"What------?!" she shouted, scared of what had happened

"He's on a rampage." Mr. Morse said, almost like a whisper

"Who?" Kiara asked curiously

"Huh?! Oh! Ahm..No one.. I was just rambling." Mr. Morse said in a rush

"Who's he, Mr. Morse? Who's on a rampage?' Kiara said, more curious than ever. Mr. Morse is hardly flustered by something

"Oh! Ahm----Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt if you knew." Mr. Morse said, obviously deep in thought

"Mr. Morse... Tell me.." Kiara asked, more convincing than before. The thunder is still going on and it has started to rain heavily.

"He's livid right now. He's been searching for her for centuries. But to no avail, he's unsuccessful in finding her." Mr. Morse cryptically

"Her? Him? Who are they?" Kiara asked. She thought it was just some tale about the thunder and rain like how Mr. Morse used to entertain her with tales about things supernatural. But, his answer terrified her deep down unto her bones. Words she never knew she would hear.

"The King." Mr. Morse said

The King of Darkness. The King of Rage. The King of Kings.

"He--- he can't be real. What are you saying, Mr. Morse. He's an old tale of legends. He's not real." Kiara said with a laugh, covering her fear and nervousness

"Oh! But he is---- I fear he'll be returning. He roams the night searching for her. Under the bright full moon where he possesses power that compares to no one and nothing, he walks the towns of Belwore to find her." Mr. Morse stated, unintentionally scaring her

"Ha---How is it possible?"she asked bewildered

"Just like how everything you imagine can be possible. He is alive as much as we are. He's only trapped in----" but Mr. Morse was cut off because of a loud roar was heard and followed by a thunder.

"You best be going, mademoiselle Kiara. It's not safe in the dark." he said and lead Kiara out. She could not do a thing. With her books in hand. She exited the room and went on her way home. Only she did not have any idea how her life will be turning a complete three sixty because of one book.

The Tale of a Beast

-Rose

Kiara placed her bag on the couch when she got home. She went into the kitchen to prepare for her lunch. While eating, she checked her daily work list if there is something she has to do for the day. Sadly, she has to go to the town of Eastwood to collect the deliveries for Monsieur Flabone’s bakery and Madame Cray’s boutique.

She went back to the living room and saw one of the books from the town library laying open. It was supposed to be inside the bag but it was placed on the couch face up. Like, it’s been waiting to be read. And true to Kiara’s thoughts, it was already turned to its first page.

"Huh? How did it get here?” she asked aloud. Picking the book up, Kiara could not resist it and started reading the first chapter of the book.

She read and read, oblivious to the time passing by quickly.

The Tale of a Beast.

It was quite interesting. How a man was cursed for eternity and the cure is true love. Although Kiara loves to read, she does not believe in true love. Be it in books or reality.

“A man who fell into the pits of darkness. A beast's skin he was burdened to carry. A curse only a maiden can break. But will that maiden learn to ever love the beast? Or will the beast remain a beast?” Kiara read and was even more enticed of the beast's tale.

Kiara read on and couldn't bring herself to put down the book. However, the chime of the bell put her out of her trance. And as she looked out at the sky, the sun was beginning to set.

"Oh my! How could I not notice? It's almost night time and I still need to cross towns to get the deliveries!" Kiara exclaimed as she hurriedly went out and climbed aboard her horse, Fredrick. She almost forgot the connecting carriage to stack the deliveries. She went up the mountains. She has always been travelling across the mountains to the interconnecting towns of Belwore. She's used to travelling at night time but she felt like something is wrong as she is trudging up the steep path of the mountain. Fear crept into her when she got deeper into the mountains. It was so dark she could barely see her way even with her torch. She thought of going back but it was too late as her fears have spiked up because of loud howls and growls rung out through the forest.

One by one, huge dark coated furs came into view. Wolves. That's what came into her mind. But they're bigger than average wolves. And their furs were matted and looked unkempt. She was now even more afraid. They looked vicious and livid. She was in the middle of thinking of ways to fight off these huge wolves in front of her when another loud howl rung out through the forest. But it sounded different then the first she heard.

"What do I do? Ahhh... Good, wolfie. Now, shoo! " Kiara tried to drove off this wolves but it did not work much to her dismay. One of the wolves jumped at her, baring its fangs.

"Aaaahhh!! " Kiara's shout of fear boomed throughout the area as she fell of her horse. The wolf was now on top of her, its saliva dripping off its mouth, grossing her out.

The wolves were now advancing on her and she could not do anything to stop them. Kiara could only close her eyes in fear for her life. Waiting for the time that the wolves would munch on her.

But it never came.

As she opened her eyes, she saw the wolves baring their fangs at someone behind her. It must be someone. Or, maybe it is a something. She did not know. They looked even more vicious than before. And as she turned her head to look behind her, she was shocked to say the least. A tall, midnight wolf stood behind her. But it was unlike any other wolf she saw. It was standing with its two hind legs. Just like a human would do.

Her eyes were wide as she stared at it but it did not even spare a glance. It went straight to the wolves who attacked her. A ferocious battle played out between the wolves. One wolf against a pack of livid and bloodthirsty wolves. However, she was surprised when the wolves were reduced to one. After the fierce battle, the pack of wolves were now laying on the ground, lifeless. Blood were shed and only one stood tall.

It turned its gaze towards her, frightening her. She moved backwards. She wanted to hide herself just in case if it wanted to eat her by itself.

Seeing her actions, it whimpered shocking Kiara as it did so. She was not sure what it wanted but Kiara noticed it was slightly swaying on its feet. And that is when she noticed blood gushing out at the side of its stomach. She hurriedly stood up on her feet to catch her savior from falling to the ground. Kiara thought it was not wounded as it fought bravely but she was gravely mistaken.

"Fredrick! Hurry! We need to find shelter so I can tend to his wounds.” Kiara exclaimed and her horse followed her command. She drove away with the beast on her horse.

Yes. She has decided to call it a beast. It was unlike any normal wolf and its strength too was unusual. It definitely acted like a beast. And it also looked like one. But, a decent looking beast. No matter how she looked at it, she could not bring herself to call it ugly.

She stared up front and was relieved to see a castle up ahead. Despite its eerie feeling, she went inside having no other choice. This is the only place they can take shelter in this forest to be able to tend to the beast’s wounds.

Little did she know, she has already gone into the beast’s lair.