Ariya's Path

The Beast of Mahil: The Ragoi Chapter 2

I took a break for a few weeks. I'd first have to apologise for that, as I was going through some of the greatest challenges of the year and they sure did take a toll on me. I received several calls and texts from concerned readers wanting to know when I'd release this chapter and if I was doing okay. Thank you all for your concern. Now, although we fell off the rank of number 4 for Short Horror Stories, let's keep writing and reading because we simply love to. This chapter is dedicated to all of you who checked up on me and who have waited weeks for this. Much love. 

A little warning though, this part gets graphic. All the 8 Ragoi chapters in this book will be graphic and pull at your heartstrings. I also advise that you read this with the following song playing in your headphones: New Land by Ian Post. The effect will swallow you whole. I already added the Spotify link to the story somewhere but I don't know if you'll be able to see it. If not, please listen to the song yourself while reading. For those who have my number, you can hit me up for the complete playlist for Ariya's Path. 

Now, have a great time and enjoy the second Ragoi chapter: The Beast of Mahil.

***

The silence in their hearts was more deafening than in the hall—like a lingering sensation of the certainty of something to come, coated in the uncertainty of how it would occur. Ariya looked to Akena and Radan, a troubling expression on her face as if seeking an answer. But she was the queen, and she had to keep her head.

"You four, what are your names?" she asked, turning to the lesser-ranked soldiers.

One of them stepped forward and replied, "My queen, we've acquired our tails but we're partly nameless till we lead a squad. We acquire new titles when we become Elite Rank."

"Your... tails? Nameless? I've heard bits of this before but what do you mean?"

"Um—er, well I—"

"Never mind that. What do I call you?" asked Ariya.

"Oh, I'm Badger, this is Bear, Raven, and Centipede," the man quickly replied, pointing at his comrades.

"Centi—never mind. I need to know what's going on at the palace."

"I'll go," said the one named Centipede, her eyes flickering like a scared mouse. Her lips had apparently spoken faster than her heart.

"Um... are you sure?" asked Ariya, noticing her predicament.

"I'll go with her," came a voice—Radan.

The sigh of relief that escaped the young lady's lips was as obvious as her feigned composure. With an Elite-Ranker behind you, only the gods would have nothing to fear.

"Alright then, head to the palace immediately and report back to me."

"Understood, My Queen," Radan replied, before leaving the church hall with the young soldier.

"Bear, Badger, and Raven stand guard by the doors until they return," the queen instructed.

"Yes, Your Majesty," they echoed, immediately moving into position.

Ariya turned to Akena, a curious flicker in her stare.

"M...my queen?" came the soldier's words.

"What's this about names and tails in the ranks?" asked the queen.

"Oh... that," the soldier was silent for a moment as if trying to place her words properly before delivering them.

"In joining the military, all must relinquish their names and acquire numbers instead. When they have gone through the most gruesome of lesser-ranked training and passed, they acquire tails—names of animals. In the lesser-ranked training, soldiers face death 10 times, and only those who survive all 10 are ranked and given their tails. The tailed are the best of the lesser-ranked. Once they've faced death 20 times, they regain their names from birth, and are assigned a squad of their own to lead."