Chapter 20 - Sadness

Rain drips slowly from the thatched roofs onto the muddy ground. Gray clouds block the little bit of light, provided by the February sun. Ominous fog creeps over the cold ground. The last remnants of smoldering wood crack as the young lad pushes it, searching for the ashes of his mother and father. Tears dangle down his narrow jaws. The wind plays with his long dark blond hair as he looks, lost in thought at the gray sky. His grey hooded eyes are moist. "I'm sorry mother" he whispers, sniffing. He rubs his dirty hands on his black blouse and wipes the tears from his sand colored face. "Bradley" resounds softly. Bradley turns abruptly and looks at the young woman. He bites his thin lip. "Why are you crying?" Bradley sniffs and stands suspiciously upright. "My mother, and father. They weren't witches," he says louder than necessary. Isobelle smiles. "No Bradley, they weren't. But they were liars. Should I tell you their lie" she whispers and walks close. Bradley looks at her suspiciously. "They hated you" Isobelle whispers in his ear. Tears stream from Bradley's eyes over his oblong shaped face. "Why do you say such a thing?" he cries. Isobelle grins and walks calmly on. Laughing, she watches Hate approach the broken boy. "Goodbye Sadness" she whispers.Startled, she jumps up when two strong hands grab her. A third-hand slides over her lips before she can call Hate's attention."Six innocent souls were corrupted by Isobelle. Forced to feel what they wanted to. Created by their feelings just to serve Hate. Without Isobelle's help... Hate still would be alone. But now, now he is the leader of a small army of demons... Innocent,Immortal...possessed...capturedHate, Vengeance, greed, sadness, jealousy, fear, and anger. It wasn't long before they were known as the Seven. His name sounded every day. Whisper of a devilish team, it was a new era that began. An era of pain, sorrow, loss and fear. Villages were burned down, relatives disappeared, or murdered. Weeks passed, weeks turned into months and the power of Hate grew. Travelers and merchants halted their journeys and the small unprotected villages slowly emptied. Taxes were levied to arm the army, increasing the hunger. The elderly became terminally ill and died while boys were recruited on the day, they celebrated their sixteenth birthday. A terrible cold era began and no one knew when it would end. While everyone lost hope, the eldest and strongest rulers of the world came together in a last attempt to end this madness. It was a dark night, graced by a bright blue moon. Deep in the heart of the forest nine magicians gathered on a secret meeting. They worked together to create an ultimate weapon forged in the dragon fire with the shiny ivory of a unicorn. To protect its power the mighty weapon was baptized in a bath of holy gold. The king sword. A powerful weapon, strong enough to kill the creation of forbidden love. But they were all deceived cause one of them midst betrayed them. She made a strong connection with Hate and tried to destroy the weapon. Her attempt to destroy the dangerous but magnificent object failed but she managed to lay a powerful curse upon the secret sword. She cursed the weapon that no one except one would be able to wield the sword; "Place in the heart, all evil will depart. But if it is not his own flesh&blood, it won't be the devil's blood that flood. "Walls were built around all villages, children were no longer allowed to play outside, women were protected by soldiers while doing laundry and everything that once existed is no longer there. No one who remembers how it was before was still alive. All everyone has left now is the hope that the chosen one will rise and deliver us from this evil, before it is too late or worse...before he finds her. The thick leather book closes with a dull clap. The young woman peeks through the dim living room with her green eyes. Now she knows for sure! There's someone in the house! She brushes a bright red lock from her young face and nervously bites her pink lip. Frightened, she puts the book down and looks hesitantly in her outdated farmhouse. Everything is quiet except for the crackling fire. Is she dreaming? Had she dozed off? Shaking her head, she wraps her sash around her arms. What time is it? Yawning, she rubs her green eyes and stretches. Maybe she should try to sleep. But what if her abdominal orientation was correct? It had been some time since she felt she was no longer alone, but there was no strange shadow to confirm this. But they didn't have a mouse infestation to explain the creaking wood. She is not allowed to read stories late at night. That's it. Laughing, she curses her silly head and turns again. The young woman screams loudly as two strong hands grab her hips. No, she screams loudly when she stares into a pair of inky black eyes. "Shh," he whispers and places his finger adorned with a silver signet ring on her red lips.A silver french lilly adorns the center of the ring, surrounded by a braided oval lineOn the sides of the ring rests left and right a red crusader cross. 3 Red diamonds shine on the down of the French flower. "You know why I'm here. You only have one chance". The woman shakes her head hastily and tries to escape from his grasp in fear. "Leave her, she's just an ordinary child. I beg you," the woman cries hopelessly as he forces her on her knees. The young man puts his hand on her shoulder and with his other hand takes a sharp sword from its sheath. "I can do so much with you in this position," he mocks. The young woman shakes her head anxiously." Please "she begs. The attacker sniffs amused as a wicked smile curls his lips. "Oh, do that" whispers the intruder. The weeping woman stares intently at the intruder, knowing he will kill her... no matter what." She will come for you" she begins slowly and continues; "trust me... Your end is already insured... Hate"... Hate sniffs amused again and grabs her hair. We'll see, he laughs and separates her head from her body with a smooth movement. Slowly he makes his way up the rickety farm stairs. The soft cooing of an infant leads him to a small attic room. The innocent baby dressed in a satin pink dress stares with a wide smile as the figure bends over her crib. She moves her arms and feet vigorously as she makes happy noises. Hate stares into the girl's bright blue eyes and slowly rubs her cheek. A smile appears on his lips as she responds cheerfully. He gently takes her little hand. The girl takes his thumb with her other hand and tries desperately to put it in her mouth. "Finally, you're mine again," he whispers softly. The baby smiles softly and squeezes his finger. "Keep away from her monster " sounds suddenly behind him. Hate turns amused and stares at the brave young man. The young challenger puts his hands on the shoulders of the three-year-old girl behind him and stares into her green eyes. "When I give the signal you take her, and you run to his house", he whispers and kisses the toddler's forehead. Hate grimaces and looks at the child. "What are you going to do" he laughs. "That's my daughter"! "No not at all" replies Hate amused. "And you know that" he chuckles and takes his weapon. When the boy screams and attacks, the infant gives a helpless scream followed by a loud baby crying. "Now baby" the boy roars and jumps to Hate. The toddler hurries into the crib when her father lands on top of Hate. "You're going to pay for this" he hisses as he sees the toddler girl and baby disappear into the dark night. The boy laughs and grabs an oil lamp from the wall. "I'll see you in hell," he whispers and throws the oil-soaked lantern on the satin curtains.