shadows

0 - 03

Milan loved her sleep. It was the secret of her beauty. It was the source of her endless energy and boundless youthfulness. It was the second greatest joy of her life. The first was, of course, Anton.

Anton didn’t care for sleep as much. In fact, he cared for nothing. The one exception being Milan. And because he cared so much about Milan, the only sleep that mattered was hers.

And yet, the two were sitting on the bed tonight. Neither seeking sleep.

Milan put the blame on today’s lunch.

Milan wasn’t someone who cared a lot about food. She ate because she needed to. Not because of hunger. But because she didn’t want to faint. She hated feeling dizzy and disoriented. And she absolutely detested her fuse shortened. All of which not eating did. And so, she ate.

Anton was simpler. He ate because Milan asked him to eat. That was all.

And it was only their second lunch here.

Neither had heard about the blue castle before arriving at the castle. The result was that neither was particularly impressed. The blue castle might have a glorious history and a long legacy, but to a man who couldn’t read, the greatest book in the world was no different from a bundle of waste paper. At least, the view was spectacular. And their rooms were perfect.

They were each given a room. They neither complained nor expressed an opinion. They simply nodded and thanked the hosts. Come night, Milan dragged Anton to her room. They had long since gotten used to sleeping together. And it was honest sleeping together. They did nothing naughty or handsy or anything other than falling asleep in each others arms. Which guaranteed the best sleep.

Anyway, lunch wasn’t much different yesterday. The five sat around a long table that could seat twenty. Ate in silence. Enjoying the food. At least, Krom and Eustace and Emerald did. Milan and Anton just ate. But it wasn’t awkward.

Today was different.

“Something’s weird,” Milan said.

They were sitting on the bed. Anton sat cross legged. Milan with her legs outstretched as she leaned against Anton.

Anton nodded silently.

That was all the reply Milan needed. She didn’t have to look at him to see the nod. She continued, as she swayed from her hip. Forward. Backward. Forward. Backward. As if patting his back with hers. And she continued, as if voicing the deepest thoughts in her head. “Something’s been weird since lunch. You felt it too, didn’t you? There was this vibe. I don’t know how else to put it. It was like we weren’t one. They were separate. And we were separate. That wouldn’t have been so bad, if it wasn’t the way they made me feel. So creeped out. It’s been the same since. Creeped out. Only worse after the sun set. Something’s weird. You can speak now.”

Anton smiled. To Milan, it was a hearty laugh that tickled her ears going in, and danced away in her head as if at a nightclub. She loved the feeling.

“It’s been the same since yesterday,” he said. “Since he walked into our apartment.”

The ‘he’ that Anton mentioned was Krom. Milan’s half brother. Five years elder. And someone who had never approved of Anton. Not that his approval mattered much.

Two days ago, Krom had come over unannounced. Something that never happened. Said the two needed to come with him. It was necessary, he said. And with such seriousness that they followed. Only after arriving at the blue castle, and sitting with the other two, the witches, were they given an explanation.

“We have been working on translating this ancient book for the last year,” Eustace said. “And we made progress. We translated a rune. An ancient rite. We got permission from both councils, to perform the rite. It will be on the blood night. That’s the night after tomorrow. Word has spread. Obviously. And we are quite sure there would be those who wouldn’t want us to succeed. They would try to stop us any way they can. One of those ways being through you. Krom’s little sister. And her boyfriend. And that is exactly why you are here. To keep you safe. And to ensure the rite is safe and completed perfectly.”

Milan needed no further explanation. And Anton didn’t care.

“There’s more to it,” Anton said, his voice certain. “Something they aren’t telling us. Whatever the reasons. If you ask me, I would think up the worst possible motivations. You know me.”

“Yeah,” Milan agreed. “I do know you. And I hope to the gods that you are wrong.”

Conversation ceased as they felt the disruptions. Intruders. Since morning, they had felt the disruptions five times. This was the sixth. And this was strongest of them all. And then, silence fell suddenly. Only, this silence was heavy. Unnatural.

And before Milan could voice the question that bubbled up in her head, is it over?, they saw the mist rising from the stone floor.

A blue mist. And a red mist. They sprung out of the floor as one. But quickly separated floating up. Both came toward them. But both following distinct paths. The red heading straight for Milan. And the blue coming straight at Anton.

Anton didn’t know what either of the mists was about. He just didn’t like that one was headed toward Milan. And so, he did something he couldn’t understand. Something he could never explain. He didn’t even know it would work. He just did it. He leaped off the bed, and ran toward the red mist. Too fast for Milan to react.

Milan was great at everything except for her reflexes. Those were terrible.

The red mist avoided the blue. And so, when the blue changed trajectory to meet Anton, the red did so too. Avoiding both the blue mist and Anton. Unfortunately, Anton was quicker and nimbler. He ran at the red mist. And before Milan could react, he grabbed the red mist. At the exact moment that the blue crashed into him.

That was the longest moment of his life. And also one that meant the most. The moment he touched the red mist, he understood what it was. The red mist gave up the struggle, and decided to make him its target. And began feeding on him, on his life force. Rapidly sucking away.

The blue mist was something else entirely. It was filling him up, but with an alien energy. An energy much too tyrannical. And much too great. The blue mist filled him up faster than the red mist could suck away. And that was when the two mists collided. And caused an explosion inside him that could only be described as dazzling. Breathtaking. Life taking.

Anton knew this was the end. And he was happy his eyes were filled with Milan until the very end. The smile never left his face.

And when Milan finally got off the bed, Anton was gone.

And in Anton’s body, in Anton’s shape, was someone else. Something else. Something equally terrifying and awe inspiring. Something Milan had no trouble recognising.

“A god,” she murmured.

“That’s right,” Anton, or the god, replied. “A god alright. Look at you. This little boy did so much for you. You must be truly special. Wait here, why don’t you, little girl. I’ll be right back.”

And with that, Anton disappeared. The same way as the mists had appeared. Into the stone floor.