Here I am now. With Martin and Santa Claus. Sitting in an very comfortable gazebo, with floorboards, rooftop of vines, fireplace in one corner, suspended lights, and the faint sound of insects. A place as comfortable as this is not a place to talk about dark or depressing things. But what Santa will be talking to me about is definitely not a happy thing.
"Since when has that Ashmedai been after you?"
I'm starting to remember, "Two days ago. First he chased me when I was done with my job. But today he chased me into the house of one of the children."
I looked up at Santa's desk. A ratty wooden table full of toy designs on paper, and brown rolls of paper. That must be the children's list the Ardeon has given.
"This monster, his name is Belphegor." Santa leans back in his big chair, with his hands on his stomach, interlocking. I was a little shaken up when Santa mentioned the monster. I recalled his two cunning eyes.
"One month ago, he suddenly came here. Black Eye didn't let him in the first place. I was forced out to see Belphegor, and I was surprised enough that he asked me to operate again in the monster world. It's been a long time since I've tasted any air in there."
Martin looked up, looking up at the dark, green ceiling because of the light that had slumped between the leaves, into a dark silhouette. "What happened? Which leads to you no longer delivering gifts to Monsters. If I may ask."
"No. You must not." Santa answered, and then he fell silent and looked right into Martin's eyes. I swallowed. I was about to ask him the same question, and I'm glad I didn't do it, if the answer turned out to be an intense stare.
"Levent," Santa turned to me, after it seemed like he had found enough to intimidate Martin with his stare, "You ever been to the monster world?"
I shake my head, "No. I've only been doing my job in the human world."
"Yes. I know that. I control the areas assigned to the Ardeon. What I'm asking is did you ever go there? It's not like you served there before."
I held my breath, "No."
"You will serve in the realm of monsters. I'll prepare you for duty there."
"Are you afraid of that monster threat? So easily you give in to this conniving monster--" Martin's courage goes away when Santa comes out of his seat. His eyes now did not look intently, which I thought he would do, but softer. A protector's eye.
"You don't know what he can do, Gatekeeper Martin." That's his only answer. Then he went away, leaving the two of us in a gazebo that was no longer comfortable.
*
Who would have thought I would go back to the Ardeon Training Academy? After I'd been through a year of training, and had been crowned as an Ardeon, I was so happy to be free of that accursed place. I hated it not because of its antiquity and isolation, a large castle with a pointed tower in the middle of the wilderness, nor because of the journey I had to take from class to class, which was quite a long way off and sore legs.
I didn't like the academy because of one person: a basic martial arts and dexterity coach. Somehow, the first time we met, I could hear the drums of war beating between the two of us. I don't know the exact reason why she hates me as if I've ruined her whole life, and I'm not interested in finding out either.
Now, when one of Grohl came to my room at the Santa mansion, carrying the morning news, my eyes that were half closed, open wide in an instant like something just bit me in the neck.
"Do a physical test?" I repeat Grohl's words that I can't remember what his name is. It looks like his name is Blue Skin, because he has a dark blue skin as if he had just bathed in ink.
"At one o 'clock in the open space next to this place. I'll be back to take you there when it's time."
Blue Skin ignored my silly half-surprised face.
"Who will do the test? Santa?"
Please be, please be.
"No."
"Then who?"
No. No. No. Don't say her name, please don't!
"Zendya."
I feel like my life passes away when I hear that name. My guess is right, and it's incredibly annoying. Zendya... She hated me the most in the whole universe.
*
It is common when you look at the clock again and again, the time seems to run very slowly. But that doesn't apply to me. One afternoon comes as fast as Zendya's kick in my memory. My body is unlocking the memory of the pain from Zendya's class. I think, for a low-level coach, Zendya is too brutal. I don't know why Santa Claus still stands for her. Maybe because violence in this neighborhood isn't such a big deal. Unlike in the human world, where you can sue for violence.
I don't cover my lazy steps when Blue Skin guides me to my slaughterhouse, okay I overdid it, the open space next to Santa's castle. I'm still not sure what to call this place, so I'm going to be renaming it. I've never been to this side, and when I arrived, my breathing stopped in amazement.
The fields were about double the size of a football field, and in the distance I could see mountains with snow-covered peaks. The most pleasant thing is, the weather is so clear. It's weird how the other side of Santa's house is always cloudy and wet, and the one in here is bright and dry, as if it doesn't know rain.
I stepped through the ankle-tall grass, Blue Skin was back inside, so it could leave me alone with Zendya. By the way, where is this lovely fairy-like creature? When I first saw Zendya, I was mesmerized. How can there be a figure so beautiful, clean, wonderful, and winged like a butterfly. But, once she started training and battered me, her beauty became even less beautiful in my eyes. It's just a subjective assessment. After all, she was the opposite sex capable of attract me, other than Sheera. Remember Sheera, makes me miss her.
"Levent." a lovely voice called out to me, and I turned around.
***