Genesis Chronicorum β1: Hellfire

Chapter 3: At the Festival

The day came. A day Claude had been waiting for all his life.  He woke up earlier than usual, excited to see the magnificent and the impossible. Claude was so excited, he could barely behave like an adult. He took a walk around the palace before the others wake up and fulfill their duties. The palace of Justice was cold and dark, like his father's heart. It was that time when he started a fire at the hall to warm the place up, and she was alone. His gaze focused on the fire, a powerful force, he thought. Beautiful yet destructive, if only it can destroy the wickedness and evil in the world. If only he can purify Jacque's heart, that was just a silly wish in Claude Frollo's world of nonsense. 

There was a sudden chill surrounding him, it made him shiver and get closer to the fire when then the fire turned into a light purple. Claude couldn't stop staring, deep into the flames, it was as if he was being controlled by such beauty. It was like hell was calling for him, he suddenly heard three or four female giggles until "Ahh!!". He grunted in pain as his right hand was burned. He backed away and closed his eyes as he sat on his knees. When he opened them he looked at the fireplace and there was no purple fire and no spreading, no women around him either. Was he sleepwalking? Perhaps he hasn't been sleeping well, perhaps it was time to stop filling his head with foolishness.

"Honey, are you alright?" Laverne asked looking at her son with concern. Claude stood up and turned to see his mother's gaze. "Forgive me mother. I must've been sleepwalking I'm alright. Good Morning." Claude replied. Laverne smiled and approached him. She grabbed his head and gently pulled him to her lips, kissing his forehead. It was the happiest moment for Claude, being loved and kissed by his best friend and family member.

Later then when they were all awake, the siblings waited for their parents. Claude wouldn't stop scolding the robe his father lend him. Long, black and heavy. It was suffocating Claude, he wasn't too used to such heavy thick robes, with long necks that choke him. Laverne and Jehan were the first to leave to the poor districts of Notre Dame, to help those in need. Claude was having second thoughts about his wishes of the festival if that is to always watch and never have a bit of fun.

As they arrived at the festival and they were siting, the grand show was starting. At least Claude could enjoy the show, though Jacque wasn't, for his face was stone cold. "This is nothing but a disgusting waste of time and money." said Jacque to his son. He faked an agreement to annoy his protests and kept watching the magic. Claude was like a child in a circus, he saw a body with two heads, a little man, a man with two faces, another with two different eye colors, a woman with too many snakes around her body, another covered in tattoos, the hairiest man alive and one with the biggest head. He knew there was a big world out there, magicians and creatures. There was a moment when Jacque was looking at the excitement and joy the festival was bringing to Claude. This made him upset, he knew his son wasn't taking this seriously. "Claude, go home at once. Now, go now and pray. You've had enough." he said. However Claude protested and this made him upset as well, there is nothing bad with having a bit of fun, he thought. Jacque yelled at him to leave and so with that Claude stood and left. 

Why was he punished to have such a strict father and never be free to be what he wants to be? He was lost in thought and anger that he bumped and fell into a tent. Someone's tent that will change him forever.