Valhalla's sanctuary

The reiterating memories that engraved deep within his heart taunted him repetitiously in a low husky whisper, he’ll cry, whimper and cower in that secluded little corner of his pathetic room. It would only stop when he hear a soothing accustomed voice singing him a sweet lullaby and arms cuddling him into a warm embrace, “It’ll be fine darling, it’ll be fine…”

His beloved mother was all he have now; the fragile, docile boy who has done nothing to offend this cruel reality was struck by the forceful, unforgiving backlash of his father’s sins. Rytss witnessed it all, the birth of a terrifying creature out of humans’ desire, the monstrosity which ripped his father into pieces and dyed them all in a deep crimson scarlet.

He had to kill him, for that beast was no longer the adoring father he once knew, it wasn’t his fault… it wasn’t… he’s not a murderer!

Rytss was innocent!

And they knew, but unlike his relatives, neighbours and friends whom feared and avoided him, his mom had never once shown such notions, she was that same affectionate mother as she was before the arc of atrocity which changed their fates forever.

 The lingering guilt now haunts Rytss relentlessly was enough to drive him to the verge of insanity; the sticky red that he once had tinted himself in was impossible to cleanse. He was nothing more than a helpless, broken marionette dancing under the controlling strings of this contorted world.

 But mother was there… his goddess, his universe, his everything… Salvation.

In an unbalanced equilibrium where only ‘Demons’ exists, humans seek their own corner of justice. Those whom have power, abilities and talent rule it all. And those whom don’t were left to rot in the lowest ranks of the food chain. This is the twisted world they live in, power give rise to the acuminating desire and greed materialised to form destructive, heinous creatures known as the Ghouls.   

Of course, people don’t live forever. Misery continued to pile on Rytss’s life. The strings of tragedy that seemed to be ever so fond of him entangled themselves to him and root into his small piece of paradise. Now, they threaten to take away his mother too. Just a week before Rytss turned fifteen, his mother was attacked by those damnable creatures, leaving her crippled and dependant on the hospital bed.

As Rytss sniffles and wail ‘mommy’ in a pathetic, hoarse voice, his hands were held by an ensuring clench. His mother smiled ever so softly and weakly, “It’ll be fine darling… It’ll be fine…” in the similar caramel coated tone which was used to comfort him for a decade… And mom was never wrong… they’ve managed throughout the years. Before they are able to find their happily ever after, Rytss has got to be brave. He bit his lips and nodded to his mother’s words, letting strands of ebony fall over his vivacious golden eyes.

Through her half lidded gaze whose pupils in the same enchanting shade as Rytss’s, his mother locked sight before she spoke feebly, in an almost inaudible mutter.

“Dear, let me tell you a story… A story of a noble, courageous hero…” She paused, raising her hands to gently stroke her son’s face, wiping away the over pouring tears that wells out uncontrollably to trace a wetness down Rytss’s flustered cheeks. 

“In the ancient times where countries were ravaged by war, many unique individuals raised in attempt to restore peace, one of which was Odin – a strong warrior which later became ruler of Asgard. He whom held so much power that it was him who decide who lives and dies, until one day…”

His mother’s voice rang like a soft melody, calming and peaceful as Rytss listened to her attentively, so much so that his concentration was solely devoted to her. Soon he slowly drifted apart into his own little fantasy where only the two of them exists because nothing else mattered…  

It was a story about Gods and Goddesses, heroes and villains, death, Asgard and Valhalla. It was almost like a goodbye, as if his mom was preparing him, no, hinting him that her end approaches…

“My dear, if one day I were to leave for Valhalla too, please be strong… Like the undefeated Odin… I want you to be free, away from the burden, the guilt… Darling, It’s not your fault…”

Her words struck Rytss sharp and painful, as if something within him has shattered; his heart. No, no, no… he repeated within him, unable to find the appropriate vocabulary to describe the intensity of overwhelming despair he was again submerged in. Mommy… mommy!! Like a little child, he let his undisciplined emotions flood and tears crystallizing over his vision again, before his sadness manage to wiggle out of him, mother spoke again, pulling herself up to give her foolish son a tight embrace.

“Silly little boy… Im not going anywhere yet…” She mumbled into his ears, seemingly as if reading Rytss’s thoughts, “But life is unpredictable my darling… Anything could happen… You were always such a cry baby.” She said while patting his back tenderly.

 But this time, Mom wasn’t right; things weren’t taking a turn for the better, because fuck reality, that’s why. When he first received a call from the hospital, he finally began to realize what fiendishness his mother has being shielding him from all this while. The true face of humans, the voice which spoke to him was grave, solemn and serious,

“I’m sorry son, your bills have being overdue for too long. If you couldn’t pay by the end of this month, I’m afraid your mother would have to leave…”

As anxiety streams through his veins, desperation took over, his voice became shaky. What would he do? What should he do? With an uncertain stutter, “How… How much isit?” Rytss asked.

“Including her treatment and surgery, it’ll be a total of fifty thousand.” The receptor answered firmly.

How the hell would he manage to get fifty thousand within the two remaining weeks? Not for the first time, he was left completely powerless. How laughable that he doesn’t even have the ability to protect the only woman he love; the only kin he has… But unlike olden days, no one would be left to comfort him, his mother was now dependant on him; a weak flimsy support which was on the brink of collapse.

No… No! Regardless what, he will get through this, 'be brave' he told himself, letting his mother’s words recapitulate quietly in his mind, with a cough to clear his throat,

“Give me three weeks, I’ll pay up.” He spoke hoping the feigned confidence would somehow deceive its listener.

And it did. “Alright.”

Already frantically flipping through the pages of the newspaper, he needs a job, a high paying job… Anything… Finally, to prove his previous statement that life was incredibly ironic, unfair and deriding he saw it, his only deliverance,

‘Recruiting exterminators (Ghoul hunters), seven thousand a week, safety not guaranteed.’

The striking red words highlighted in a bold yellow were seemingly mocking at him… Ghoul hunters, otherwise known as the Exterminators, his phobia, distress and everything single negativity which ridiculed him till now was also his only option, the blood stained remorse that had never once left him amplified tenfold… This… is a joke right?