ATN 3: THE JAR IN THE MAZE

SAPLING'S CURSE

That night, a hefty dinner was served. The dishes were new, somethings I had never had before. Oh, just so you know, the Amazons don't have magic plates for lunch and dinner. They have chefs who prepare the food. Today, as said by the Amazon Queen, it was a dish from her country. It was called 'Pique macho', and was apparently, a Bolivian delicacy. Beef, sausages, boiled eggs, different sauces, French fries, tomatoes and bell papers. This was amazing. In my last few years, I had tasted so many new food items, that I though I would never taste. Tina loved it very much. She said, "Teach me how to make this, sister?"

"You want to cook?" I asked.

"I could learn." Tina replied.

"I will." Delilah said.

However, the eventful stuff happened that night. You know how being a sorcerer, my dreams kinda show me pictures, which turn out to be true? It happens rarely, but it does. Before finding out my origins, I ignored this as Deja vu. But now, this totally seemed bollocks. Anyway, something similar happened that night, as Morpheus decided to play a game of sleep n dream with me. I looked at Rahul in the bed opposite to mine. Fast asleep. So, I decided to sleep too. And my dreams took a bad turn right from the off.

I saw a picture. The Ophiotaurus, it was playing in the water pool, inside the room I had last seen it. And shockingly, Jared was standing by it. The creature had no idea who he was, and was least concerned. It played, swirled, and twisted in the water. Behind Jared was Elisha, his half-sister. She couldn't get near to this creature, because of the protective magic. Jared didn't have any problem. I guessed it was because of the invulnerability. Elisha said, "Here is your creature, brother."

"Aww." Jared said, "Look how sweet it is. Just playing."

"Go on. Do it." Elisha said, "Before anyone comes."

Just then, the door behind the pool opened, and a beautiful animal ran in. It was a white steed, with a single spiral horn on it's forehead. It was a unicorn. It's eyes were reddish with fury, and as soon as it entered, it attacked Jared. But alas, it had no idea how powerful Jared was. As soon as it went past it, Jared pulled out his sword, and stabbed it through the gut.

"NO!" Elisha cried from behind.

"This was the gods' protection to the one thing that could keep them alive?" Jared said, a tone of casualty in his voice, "I thought they were better than this."

"You set foot into their trap." Elisha said, "You killed a unicorn. You don't kill a unicorn."

"What do you mean, sister?"

"I've heard, that unicorns are creatures of magic, and were not created by Poseidon. But they were so beautiful, that Poseidon put a curse. Whoever kills a unicorn shall meet his or her fate within a fortnight of the killing, and that would happen, no matter what. That is exactly why the gods sent the unicorn."

"That's bollocks." Jared said, "I'm all powerful now. No one knows my invulnerable spot. Not even you, sister. Who will make me meet my fate? No one such lives."

"You think that, brother. Still, I would be a little careful."

"Stop lecturing, Elisha." Jared shouted, his voice full of power, "Let me finish my task." Elisha shushed, and stood with her head down. Jared walked up, and pulled the Ophiotaurus out of the water. Then, with the same sword, horrifyingly sliced it's body, and pulled out it's entrails. The Ophiotaurus groaned and cried, and then fell silent. Even in my dreams, my heart slit itself at this scene. Jared was emotion-less now. He was beyond saving, and was definitely beyond humanity. The person who could murder two peaceful animals like this, without even flinching, can't be human. Rhea was right in Ithaca. He had become a monster.

Jared pulled out the entrails, and took out a lighter from his pocket. He turned it on, and set the entrails on fire. As the entrails burned to ash, I woke up, all sweaty. My mind was not at peace. I rushed off my bed, and ran out of my room. I stood there in the balcony for a bit of time, and made peace with what I saw. Then, I went back to sleep. We had a long day tomorrow.