malignancy

 

This story contains themes or references to physical violence, blood, or abuse. 

"The horses are ready. We can leave at any time," Todd Rebus told his wife as he entered a rustic cabin. The hinges creaked as he closed the door. "The lake is calm. It was incredible: a single red hawk dove on the surface. He took a bass and left." He wiped his hands with a towel and turned. "That fish was having a bad day. Ripples were moving all over the  body of..." 

A smiling Seravina Rebus stood before her groom in a comfortable riding suit. He looked for something hidden behind his back. 

"Come on, what are you doing?" Todd asked. 

"Todd, I have a surprise for you." Vina took a white cloth decorated with purple ribbons. "It's a secret that only  the royal family knows." He placed it in his hands. "I wanted to commemorate our honeymoon and our love in this charming house." 

"We have done more than joy, my love." Todd smiled. The bride blushes. "I know." She pointed to the gift. 

“THANK YOU.” Todd started to pull the tape, but she touched his hand. Their eyes meet. 

“Please wait. I have to explain to you. This is my wedding present from the elves. 

When the blood stone was  created, three pieces split from the main diamond. My ancestor quickly realized that each shard contained a portion of his power. He called them: Fidem, Spes and Amare. He held her hand. "Two of the gems were given to his most trusted advisor and  friend. He gave the third to his beloved wife. All three were bound with stones. From generation to generation, when a new king or queen was crowned and received the bloodstone, the pieces returned to the new owner. When he gave me the inheritance, the pieces returned to me." 

“It's Latin. faith hope love » He kissed her hand. 

"I gave Spes to Penelope. She will be my first counselor. I gave Fidem to Will. He is my friend and will be my Supreme General  when we return. » 

"Come on, I don't know what to say. I'm humbled and thankful." 

"I know we haven't discussed my departure for my kingdom, but it is imminent. I wish I could stay here with you  forever, but I must return and secure my throne. You have been more than I ever dreamed of. He taught me to love without thinking about myself. You are a gift to me. So I give you Love. » 

Todd removed the tape and cloth. He discovered a bright red diamond. He pulled it out of the canvas in his right hand. Seravina closed her hand with hers. Together, a violet light flashed between their fingers and then faded. The basin faded over Todd's skin. Le Rebus bows before his queen. Vina bowed before her king. They kiss. 

"We are connected: body, soul and spirit. Now and forever. - said the empress. 

He kissed her lips. "To the ends of the earth." » 

"To the ends of the earth." » Vina returned her sweet gesture. 

 Todd pulled back and raised his hand in the air. "I hope Will or Penny don't kiss you after they get their rocks." 

"Not before pagan dances and animal sacrifices," Vina said. 

"What are you doing?" 

Seravina smiled and touched his cheek. "Your face is too gullible." I'm kidding, love. I put his coins on gold chains. If you want to know, my general has softer lips than my advice. » 

The broker did not know how to answer. 

Vina kissed him gently. "You prefer those gorgeous lips." 

Todd says, "You're full of surprises." 

The Nitrine horses  neighed loudly. 

"Something disturbed the horses. - said Vina. 

They exited the  side door of the cabin. The horses tried to get away from the shock pole. Seravina whispered something in Neve's ear and rubbed her neck. However, he calmed down as soon as Todd spoke to him and ran his fingers through the  black gray of the animal. The pair mounted their horses and galloped west, away from the murky lake. 

A strange peace covered the journey home of the newlyweds. The happy couple had spent five days on their honeymoon in a secluded cabin overlooking magnificent Foot Lake. His only means of communication with the outside world was an old remote control. 

They walked along the merchant's path on the south side of the lake. The wily horses kept looking behind them, but they skipped along the narrow path. The  quiet silence silenced the birds, the  frogs and even the many buzzing insects. Everyone was hiding from an approaching storm. Todd studied the sky and scratched his head. The blue sky and small cumulus clouds didn't seem to be a problem. 

"Come," Todd broke the silence, "stay close. There may be danger ahead, my lady." 

His wife nodded and pulled her Arabian alongside her mustang. The winding road took them to a forest road, then straight to Waydownz, a party town. Once there, they have to find Todd's mother. 

 Vina says: "I noticed the other way. Should we move faster? » 

"Yeah. Hey, wait," Todd pointed out, "you used a contraction." 

Vina winked at her husband, "Sometimes I use it." I am full of surprises, my lord. » 

They gallop along the road. Deciduous trees held their breath amid the heavy, threatening air. Within five minutes, the pair reached the cobblestones of Waydownz. The riders grunted and hissed as the riders halted their advance. 

Todd and Seravina deliberately made the horses walk at a walking pace to calm the beast's fear. Abandoned streets correspond to barred windows and doors of buildings. The bustling village had turned into a ghost town. The clicking rhythm of  horseshoes on stone echoed in the silent valley. Todd stopped and sniffed the stale air. Seravina heard in the distance the tinkling of a brass bell coming from Lake Foot. The horses felt the ground shaking and ran in front of the people. The newlyweds turned and saw a  mouth of land animals devouring the stones and splitting the road in ruins. 

They mounted their horses  and ran towards the village. The couple heard the creaking and creaking of  trees and houses as the tremor followed them down the main road. Todd pointed  left toward Iron Hill, a landmark in the Waydownz, and they brought the horses there.  The vibrating monster turned right and destroyed the city's agglomeration in seconds. Debris of stone and wood exploded into the air. A cloud of dust  engulfed the village. The devastating tremors turned  and passed through the scrapyard and out of the city. Todd and Vina stopped their horses. The  dust of the settlement revealed the extent of the destruction. Waydownz had fallen. Fires erupted on both sides of the city. 

The scrap dealer watched in horror as the seismic beast headed straight north toward the Rebus estate, his ancestral home. The horses leaped over the three-foot gap that tore through the Waydownz. The pair continued the destructive wave at full speed. 

When Todd pulled up by the Big Tree, where he and Vina had been married, tears covered his saddle. The ancient tree was consumed, only small branches and sawdust scattered on the ground. 

Todd ran faster towards the property. He jumped out of the car onto the brick sidewalk. Seravina stood behind him. He fell to his knees stunned by the total destruction of the three-story house. 

The earthquake had hit the western part of the house and destroyed the structure. It collapsed towards the east. Todd shouted openly  as Seravina rubbed her back. He took the ground. 

In his pain, he gathered large orbs of electricity in his hands and threw them on the mountain and in the ruins of the castle to the north of the estate. Blue orbs flew over the horizon. He screamed and then knelt down again. Magic fangs made a distant noise as the broken ones collapsed to the ground. His wife came to him on the floor and they kissed. 

Todd softly whispered, "God giveth...God taketh away...blessed be the name...of God..." 

Seravina repeats the words to him above the destroyed farm. 

The walkie-talkie woke up. 

"Papa Bear, come in, Papa Bear, come in, this is Mama Bear. Done." 

Todd reached into his pocket and pulled out the radio. "I'm here mom. Everything okay? how are people? Done. 

“A lot of people are scared, a few scratches and little holes, a broken arm and leg and a death, dear. What was that? It's over. » 

"It was an earthquake. Oh no, what was that? It's over. » 

"Old Zappa, but he was a hundred and forty-five years old and on his deathbed. How's the house?" "It's over." 

"Flatted. Total decay. It's so sad. It's over." 

"No! Todd, check the trash! Check it! I contacted the New Yorkers and told them to hide in the basement. They could be trapped  there. They left Waydownz early so I gave them an extra remote. The last time I  spoke  was with Stefania. He brought them together! Todd, hurry up! 

"Yes ma'am! Done." He shouted into the bushes. "Stefanie! Bruno! Bianca! Lucy!" 

"I heard labored breathing." Seravina said: "I think someone is writing. Bang, bang, bang. Knock, knock, knock. Bang, bang, bang. The pattern repeats itself.” 

The scrap dealer clasped his hands and raised his voice. “Here we come!” Help is on the way!” he called to his wife. “It’s Morse code. They shout SOS. It is an emergency signal. Come, help me remove the rubble. We will start from the roof and work our way up. We launch to the east side. » 

She took his arm. "Tod, I heard a lot of water rushing towards us." 

"Let's move the roof!" » 

Her hands became blue orbs, while Vina's body glowed red. Todd lifted part of the upper ceiling and Seravina threw it aside. Large rafters, parts of the attic and the second floor were removed piece by piece. 

Todd says: "The earthquake probably broke the banks of the river  and flooded the fields. We may only have a few minutes before it hits us, but if we move too fast, we could cause  a bigger collapse." 

Seravina moaned and  felt puddles forming on her feet. "Faster!" Todd! Faster! » 

The rest of the second floor and parts of the first were thrown aside. Todd saw his childhood flash before his eyes as books, pictures and albums flew through the air. Todd found the basement door and separated that part from the first floor. Seravina threw him to the mountain, while her husband ran down the wet stairs. Dirty water flowed at every step in the crumbling and crumbling basement. He found Bruno, his back  against a cracked support beam. The women and  children were waist-deep in water. 

Bruno gritted his teeth. "Get them out!" I can hold them. NOW!" 

Todd says, "We're all out." 

 Junkman formed two magical shields. He parted the waters and made way for the woman and the children. Todd pushed the other shield under the crushing weight of Bruno's beam. The New Yorkers pushed past Bruno and up the stairs to safety. Seravina joined them all as they exited and teleported them to the top of the mountain. Todd  added the second shield and poured more power into the mystical support. "Bruno, I'm going to pull you to me." The rising water splashed Todd's face. "Once you're in my arms, I'm going to throw you out of here." The shield wouldn't last long, but long enough. " 

"Let me go, I know..." 

Without discussion or warning, the scrapler grabbed Bruno by the chest and rushed out of the basement into the flooded yard. They landed with a big splash. Todd climbed out of the water and pulled Bruno with him. With a loud thud, the collapsed roof collapsed into the basement. 

"Thank you," Bruno grunted, "for saving my friends." You should have..." 

"I would never have  left you. You're part of my family." 

Bruno coughed and then snorted with blood running down his throat. 

"I know, I didn't know what he thought of you." He coughed again.  Todd says, "I totally get it." 

Bruno laughed and stopped coughing: "I bet you are, Junkman." You're an idiot…” He gagged at the freely flowing blood. 

Easy, my friend, as soon as this flood passes, I have the medicine that will cure you instantly. 

"Look, I know I can't do it, so shut up!" Bruno coughed up blood. "What you did for me and the girls was special. It took us, gave us a new home." He coughed again. "I hated you because you ruined my medicine, but you... saved me... I never had much of a family... but you are... my brother." He held out his bare hand.  

Todd clasped his hands. "Bruno, I just..." 

"I didn't. Lord Todd is not a title I will give you." Bruno was bleeding more. He reached out and grabbed Todd's forearm. "Americans don't like the idea of ​​monarchy." Take care of them. They are your citizens, your sisters. King Tod. » 

As Bruno took his last breath, Todd lowered him to the ground. He covered his friend's mouth and closed his eyes. The second-hand dealer bowed his head in prayer.  Todd rummaged through the rubble for laundry and found a sheet to cover Bruno. He folded the king-size sheet in half, spread it over his body, and honored his friend. 

He walked through the narrow pools toward the ruins. Head down, he hadn’t noticed Seravina running up the hill. He met her halfway, took her hands, and waited.  Todd lifted his head and looked into her clear green eyes. Tears fell from her brown eyes. He opens his mouth, but nothing comes out. He hugged her. 

“I couldn't do anything. "He gave his life to save them," Todd said. 

 Bianca, Lucy, Stefanie and their children surrounded the couple and hugged them with deep gratitude. They went down the slope towards Bruno's body. 

"My love," began Seravina, "I know your heart is full of pain, but come with me to the top of the ridge. There is much to see. "I don't think I can take it anymore," Todd muttered. 

He slipped his steady fingers into her wet hands. "I'll be with you, let's go." » 

Together they climbed the mountain. Vina dragged him along, while Todd kept his head down. 

"O my Lord, raise your head, but close your eyes. Open  only when I tell you. » 

"Come on, don't torture me. I know the whole country is destroyed. The city is probably on fire." 

He tried to get off, but his wife stopped him. 

"Do you trust me?" » asked Vina. 

 "With all my heart." 

"Then close your eyes and come with me." » 

Todd listened and closed his eyes as Vina took him to the zenith. She turned him to the west and kissed his left cheek. 

"Tell me, sir, what do you see?" 

Tired eyes widened and then immediately widened. 

Atop the nearby mound, a black stone castle with several corner towers sat  in grim determination. The dark green graveyard rose above the towers in the south wind. A large, well-maintained moat surrounded the castle with murky, bubbling water. A large dark chain drawbridge was lowered, but a menacing spiked steel beast blocked the entrance. 

From his visions and nightmares stood his true ancestral home, Château Rebus. Todd blinked a few times, then rubbed his tear-filled eyes.  

Todd recited part of a verse he had memorized as a child: "When stones stand on ruins and ruins rise." " He turned to Vina with a trembling voice: "The castle was destroyed 300 years ago. This is not possible. Is this true? » 

"Let's find out together." » She smiled. "Isn't that wonderful?" » 

"No, it's not true, Vina, you don't understand, it's a curse. "We need to go home and gather all our friends!" » 

Todd dragged her up the hill. They walked through pits of dirt and debris before stopping at the basement entrance. 

"We need to make a safe way for the front door - I hope it is not damaged - to evacuate everything we can in the mountain house of North Carolina. It is no longer safe here." 

His hands were glowing, but Seravina placed a hand on his arms. 

"I thought you'd be happy to see the castle." You are afraid and trembling. What is happening? An evil specter haunting you? Todd, what is wrong? 

"My lady, do you trust me?" 

"With all my heart." 

He kissed her on the lips. 

"The reappearance of the castle  is a sign, an omen, part of an ancient prophecy of my family, for this land, for..." He paused and closed his eyes.  Vina asked, "For what?" » 

Todd looked into his wife's green eyes and took her  hands. 

"For the end of the world."

By Taun17