** This story is base on Camille Rapay’s work “Dreams and Nightmares” **
The Stealer
by: Paralumannn
“Lift it! I beg of you…” Cried the man kneeling at the center of the dim lighted chamber. He was locked inside the dungeon of the palace–where all the condemned people where put to death. He was wearing an old, dirty garment stained with dry blood and mud. Contiguous to the man, a few steps away, stood a little girl. “It doesn’t work that way. I’m sorry…” Answered the girl. Her long, black hair flowed on her shoulders and a few locks covered the left side of her face. She was holding both her hands as if she was hiding something inside it.
“Just… just touch me again! Please…” The man pleaded. He twitched his head from side to side searching for the distant echo of the girl’s voice. He was blindfolded and so he couldn’t see her, still, he knew who she was. His hands were tied behind his back and his ankles were chained on a metal shaft attached to the floor.
“Forgive me, father.” The girl whispered, more to herself than to her father. Her gaze darted from the door to his father.And tears started streaming down her face at the realization of what was about to happen. She just stared down miserably at her hands.
“Zyria, how many times have I told you not to enter the dungeon.” A tall man wearing a brown tunic entered the dungeon. He glanced at the girl first then his gaze shifted at the man chained on the floor. He was rather amused rather than disappointed.Ten or more men followed him. They were all wearing the same tunic -only he had the black and gold on his armor that bared indefinite power over his men.
“Aeris.” Zyria hissed.
Aeris walked towards the old man with much anticipation. “Why so quiet, Vier?”Aeris kicked Vier in the stomach and viciously grabbed his head so that Aeris could see his face. Saliva flowed from his mouth. Aeris kicked him again. Still, he didn’t get an answer from Vier.
Vier, the father of Zyria, was also the leader of the Resistance. They were the rebels fighting for the freedom of the people –fighting against the tyrant King.
Aeris impatiently removed the blind fold of the captive. Wide open, black eyes greeted him.“What a pity.” He released Vier and slowly walked towards Zyria. “I may not have the power to kill you, child,” He knelt down so that his eyes were levelled to Zyria’s. He gazed straight through Zyria’s eyes and he saw how the change affected her. How it affected life and death with just a single touch.
Aeris watched as Zyria’s hair changed from black to translucent white. He continued with a smile. “-but don’t ever doubt my ability to hurt you.”
“I do notvenerate empty threats, Aeris.” Zyria opened her hands and a small bird lying on her palmsstartled Aeris. The still bird started flapping its wings and its eyes opened –black and eager. “Fly, little bird.” Her white hair changed again to its original, black color. She’d rather see her father die than to watch him suffer in the hands of Aeris
Moments ago his fatherwas alive and the bird was dead. But she altered it; she stole his life and gave it to another. That’s how it supposed to be; because when there is darkness in this world, there must also be light.
“Child, you’re daydreaming again!” They all burst into laughter except for Aeris. He was seated beside the King’s throne, wiping his lips with the napkin and looking directly at Zyria.
“Forgive me, Sire.” Zyria answered while staring down at her wrists which were carelessly chained.
King Cercaes have been running the kingdomunder his tyranny for more than a century. He had captured Zyria and used her power as his own. His soul was consumedby greed and corruption from the very power that wasn’t his. Zyria’s father, Vier, was the leader of the resistance –the very people who fought against the ruthless King. Vier had been captured by the King’s guard and he was persecuted by endless torture.
