At least for now. You'll be with me, yes." I walk past them and I crouch down where the pure silver has solidified and I run my hand, like a volatile element, it is liquid again and I place the book on top of it and like a great and devoted greedy lover goes through it all, sliding it with pleasure, and finally, it focuses on the hole and soon, it transforms not only in the shape of a key, but also, in a compatible one. Well, it just might be. It's my guess. I give the order for everyone to leave and gather behind the cave we're hiding in. I am asked, and you, sir? Won't you come with us? Another asks me. I say no! I'll study the book in private and, when I have understood how to perform the only spell that interests me, I'll meet with you. Now go! In contact with the wolves, I tell them to leave too. I remain alone. Loneliness is a virtue. Many may think otherwise. Not an imposed solitude, but willingly, desired, with the intention of knowing myself. Further. To find myself. To see myself, to feel myself... Inside. A meeting of mine, produced by me and for me. A necessary reunion and at this point in my many years, for so many comings and goings, rounds and rounds, not for an introspection or evaluation of the present, either by acts or feelings, but to finally complete myself! The only void to be filled. The only missing piece of the puzzle of more than my life, but my existence. Of a powerful and immortal being. The finish line. Walking while I think and, my thoughts go far away, as well as, not strangely, they take me far too and I reach the top of the hill and it wasn't tiring to climb it, since most of the time I move by flight. Which saves me time and energy. However, I prepared myself physically and mentally for this invasion, as the real energy spent will be on the spell. Still, I saved my strength. A vital trait to the vampire and I haven't even fed yet. The more years pass, the strength increases. In fact, it doesn't increase, it accumulates and the expense, even if I make an effort, is minimal. Unless there are fierce clashes or more than one. The night plays a different role for me. She is not a friend or confidant. She is me and I am her! I am the darkness that wanders through paved streets, roads, fields, dirt floors, and alleys. I am the darkness that is not seen, but felt, shivers and fears. The night that flies. The walking night. The night that hear. The night that see. The night that knows everything. It is in this climate that I stick the key in the hole and I turn it...
Trum... The book actually opens, and smoke comes out of it and like specters, by the way, in droves, surround me. I wait and they recognize the being of great power before them and fly away. As if they were released. I have just freed demons, considering that the Book of Good contains the evils created by the devil himself, Lucifer, beings of his trust or connected to him and human beings evil by nature recognizing themselves in the evil itself or with the purpose of bring evil itself into this world and, I'm happy to think they didn't, because I certainly wouldn't be a vampire today or I have him as an enemy. I don't know what these specters of evil will do and I don't even care about having been their liberator, being able to terrorize anyone they want, so much so that I don't move a muscle to go capture them.
TWO DAYS BEFORE
"Antony, my son, we don't need to stay in the same place at the same time. Including, you are not doing anything. Only I am picking the apples. Leave the basket on the ground there and go to the other tree."
"This is not fair, monk Diogenes. I'm here for fear of you falling. That's why I'm down here."
"Oh, my son, thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and care, but if I fall, deeper than the ground I don't go." As soon as I say it, I laugh.
"That's true, but you might break something." If I fall with you down there, I'll just break you! He retorts with the same hilarious way that, by the way, I didn't know he had. Perhaps only some monks, the least grumpy ones, have it. I say: I told you so and I leave going to another tree. Not convinced that he's free of this danger, I choose a nearby tree, in case I have to run back to help him. Uselessly, because I don't have super powers, but still, I do it hoping I don't have to. Silence prevails in our midst. Which, to say the least, is strange, because here at the monastery, what else is done besides praying is talking, so I decided to start one by saying:
"Monk, what are you most afraid of?" I didn't quite understand this question, because it doesn't remind us of what is taught here, but maybe, I think, he must be looking for a good conversation, and that's what I'll give him. Of death! Without a doubt. I say regret.
"No. I didn't mean about his life, but rather, about the monastery."
"Oh yes, why didn't you say so! My biggest fear is our threatened way of life!"
"But what do you mean by that? I mean, everybody prays. Everyone treats you well. They make donations of money and supplies, as well as, help with the most diverse works that the monastery, such as construction, needs. You are not under any threat. You are not in any danger." His mind works like a mind, nailed to earthly parameters. I am now in a dilemma: is he too new here to know about such things or should I advance such things? He raises his eyebrows as if he wants to goad me into an answer. And he hopes this one is convincing, but I don't think it's the best time. It's too premature so I say:
"You are too new here for both such answers and such questions. If your question was based on curiosity, know that we don't cultivate it here. However, if you made it wanting to learn, which is very noble of you, it's too early for that."
"Actually, I just wanted to..."
"Ahhh..."
Tum...
"Monk?" I knew this could happen, and indeed it did! His scream alone caused me to warm up inside, but as I already knew, distance was a problem and prevented me from helping him. When I get close, he's on the floor complaining of pain in his back and waist. I try to pick him up, but the screams stop me from moving forward. He asks me to calm down and leave him there for a few minutes. I say yes, and I sit down next to him under the apple tree. If that weren't the case, we might even go on a picnic or even write poetry or our memoirs. Well, more his than mine! Hahaha...
"Me here feeling severe pain after falling from a height like that and you laughing! If you don't like me, at least don't wish me bad luck. Be impartial. Have empathy."
"No, no, monk, that's not it! Of course I sympathize with you, your pains, but I thought that if it weren't for this moment, this misfortune, sitting here, we could write poetry or our memoirs. The laughter came from the thought: more from your memoirs than mine." He laughs too and says: well thought out. Well thought. And this applesauce would have to go down in my memoirs. He adds and only now do I realize he's fallen under some. I can't let to laugh even harder. But he soon stops due to the pain. I think it's better not to say anything more so as not to incite him to make an effort.
AFTER A FEW MINUTES IN TOTAL SILENCE
"I think we can talk again now, and I think I'll tell you the answer that was previously denied. I am afraid not only of the acts of people who are evil by nature, of the acts of people incited by the devil, but above all, of evil itself."
"What do you mean, "from the evil itself"?" I still think it's premature for him to know such things...
"No no. Forget what I said. Let's go..."
"Ah, are you going to leave me in all this anxiety? Now that it's started, it's over. Please."
"This planet, although, it has its mysteries, like the universe, it was once inhabited, believe it or not, by mythological beings..."
"Mythological? Like medusa, minotaurs, werewolves..."
"Yes. That's right! Centaurs, vampires, orcs, golems, fairies, dragons, elves, goblins, sphinxes, gargoyles, pegasus, trolls, mermaids anyway..." His face of disbelief reaches 100%. I wish I could capture this moment.
"It can't be! I don't believe that!"
"Of course, many of them have already been eradicated from Earth, but the fear I referred to earlier was that some of these beings still not only inhabit our planet, but also, surround us." The past disbelief showed not believing what he had heard, but now, he gains levels of fear. And it's good that you have it.
"Want proof?" I was expecting at least a "maybe", since a "yes" certainly wouldn't come, and since it didn't come, I'll show it anyway. I remove the cassock, the shirt and I turn my back on him.
"Wow"! A parchment tattooed on his back. And it's in English.
"Read it! You can read it, Antony!" I follow his advice.
"A once strong dwelling shatters into a Thousand pieces. Pieces of these that mix with the cold, cruel and Empty reality of the ground that welcomes smiling and without forgiveness, judges him guilty. Darkness only Reigns when Hope dissipates in the Air and doesn't rest in beautiful green fields and where there is no longer a safe abode for it. I didn't understand anything. What that mean?" He laughs.
"That my dear, Antony, is an absolute mystery! Even for more experienced monks."
"That then is useless!"
"Exactly! But until someone decipher it!"
"And why is the parchment tattooed on your back? Why didn't you ask the person who tattooed it what it meant?"
"Because it wasn't who, but what. It appeared tattooed behind my back without me even seeing it, and I think it was after a waterfall shower. The Waterfall of Miracles. And it's on my back because it's big, after all, it needed space and, I think, so it wouldn't be somewhere visible in everyday life, like in my arms."
"And why is it in our language?"
"Actually, it wasn't. When he was seen behind my back by another monk, he was in Latin. And what we found was that after trying to be read, the "own" parchment took care of the translation." What madness! I say quietly.
"Certainly, with the intention of not having a dead language and always being understanding, no matter the era. Which leads us to believe that "he" wants to be deciphered."
"Wow! Amazing!" And can we bring it to the knowledge of whom to decipher it?"
"To anyone, my dear. From inside and outside the monastery. Every human being is worthy of at least trying. Who qualifies to do it? But, as long as you don't tell how it came about." As soon as we finished the conversation, he says he's already feeling better, asks me to pick up the apples from the ground along with the basket. I do everything asked of me and we get back to the monastery together.
AT NIGHT
"Oh my! The parchment is on my back too!"