I finally free the Mohan. He falls on his knees, weakened and humiliated. All of his anger has gone as well. He knows he's not stronger than the townspeople now.
̅ Now – I say –, this brings some memories, huh?
̅ Chía… – says the Mohan with tears coming out of his eyes – have mercy.
̅ Mercy? Like the one you gave to all the women you kidnapped, tortured and killed during all these years? That mercy?
̅ I-I know I did wrong… I know that I made terrible things!... B-But that wasn't really me, I swear! It… it was the chaos magic! Yes! I-It corrupted me! A lesser demon like me couldn't control it! Y-you know me, Chía. I'm nothing but a coward! Besides my minimum control over nature and my little pocket dimensions, I can't do anything else! Y-You just said it! I'm too scared to protect myself! I was having a really good time with the agreement I had with the town!... B-But I thought the chaos magic would make me more powerful to protect them from other demons, y-you know?!... I was a fool! I just wanted the safety of everyone, I swear!!
The cynical words of the Mohan just make the mob angrier. They try to come close and attack him, but the leader raises his hand, ordering them to stop.
̅ No! – says the man –Ofelia said this woman is a goddess, right? And she just saved us. Let her finish all of this… We may want revenge, but you know humans can't interfere with the duty of the gods.
THIS is the Mohan I remember: pathetic, weak and scared even of his own shadow. It's really sad and infuriating how such a despicable little creature could cause so much harm and destruction to innocent people… I want to destroy him so bad. I wanna make him suffer as slowly as I can. It is because I recovered part of my chaos power? Or maybe it's because watching his face brings me horrible memories about my past self? maybe I, Chía, am claiming for justice, but deep inside myself, Huitaca claims for vengeance… maybe is all of the above… you need to keep it together, Chía. Don't let your regained power to take the best of you. You still have a mission to complete.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath, then I ask…
̅ Who, Mohan?
̅ W-who what? – asks the Mohan.
̅ Don't play dumb with me, you hairy bastard! I'm well aware you didn't get my power by yourself! You're weaker than a damn toddler! You don't have neither the brains nor the courage to steal the chaos magic from Bochica! Who gave it to you and where is the rest of it?!
̅ N-Nobody, I promise! I-I just found that fragment of power by mere luck!
̅ The moment I hinted that you served someone, you snapped. Seems like you don't want me to know who is your overlord. I'll ask one more time, Mohan, who are you working for?
̅ Ch-Chía, please!
Angrily, I grab the Mohan's neck a lift him up…
̅ Chía nothing, Mohan! – I yell – Talk now or die!!
̅ Miss Chía? – I listen the scared voice of Ofelia.
̅ Enough with the "Miss Chía", child! you're annoying me! – I replied angrily.
Ofelia immediately shuts up. I feel… angry, so angry! I know I shouldn't have said that. Ofelia risked her life to save me. She's a good person, an incredible person. Her kindness brights more than the light just lit the forest moments ago. The only words she deserves from me are words of gratitude and humbleness… But right now, child, I'm not worthy of that kindness. At this moment, you're watching the final moments of Huitaca, goddess of Chaos. And, trust me, this won't be nice.
̅ Please, Chía!! – begs the Mohan –If I say something, He will kill me!
I release the Mohan, but before he touches the ground, a giant bubble of water materializes, trapping him in mid-air. Seems like I recovered my water-control as well. Although not as powerful as it was.
̅ No, please! Let me go! – keeps begging the creature.
̅ One final question, Mohan, where's Bochica?
̅ I-I don't know!! He disappeared 10 years ago! At least that's what I was told!
̅ 10 years… 10 years. Now I remember. old Carmela told me that it was 10 years ago that your reign of terror began, right? I bet that all that good will you showed to the town was just because you didn't want any problems with Bochica, The Civilizing God himself. After all, he was the only god who enjoyed wandering around towns, visiting the people he loved so much. Sooner or later, he would have arrived here as well. But without him, you were finally free to do what you pleased, am I right? Even more with that little fragment of my chaos magic boosting your strength.
As I continue speaking, the bubble that keeps the Mohan trapped keeps growing little by little, covering his entire body. The creature desperately cries for mercy. All I can hear now is gibberish coming out from his mouth. I look at the leader of the mob and slightly nods at him. He nods me back, understanding what I'm saying and immediately covers Ofelia's eyes and returns with the rest of the mob. Then I look back at the Mohan.
̅ CHÍA, PLEASE!! PLEASE, I'M IMPLORING YOU FOR MERCY!!! – continues crying the creature.
̅ Mercy… mercy is something too precious to give so randomly. Only gods have infinite mercy and compassion… but I'm not a god. Not yet.
̅ CHÍA NO PL- GHGHGHBLGH!!
I finally silence the Mohan's begging when the water bubble covers his head. The creature tries desperately to free himself from it with no result. He's drowning slowly.
̅ Chía is not here – I reply –, Only Huitaca, one last time… you wanted to have some recognition and rewards from me? Well, your wish has been granted. I am about to disappear and I chose you to be the first minion who will follow me in this path of darkness and oblivion. Your name, my name, every monster and demon's name shall be forgotten by history and Chía will be damn sure about it. It won't be easy, but redemption is not supposed to be that way… Farewell, Mohan… and farewell, Huitaca.
Having finished my words, I crushed the bubble, destroying the Mohan in the process. The bubble turns red and then explodes splattering the creature's blood all over my body and the forest. A deep silence covers the entire place. The townspeople can't really understand what just happened, but once they see the mangled body of their tormentor for so many years, the silence is ended by a strong scream, followed by cheers and cries of happiness. Their curse is over. The Mohan is dead.
The townspeople come to me and lift me up. I can hear their gratitude and immense happiness… It's been centuries since I was adored like this. I should be happy and, truth be told, part of me is, but looking my body covered in blood and looking little Ofelia among the crowd, more scared than happy, I feel like trash… My anger and lust for revenge took the best of me… I'm still way too far from redemption.
We return to the town where the leader of the mob, who happens to be the mayor as well, says he'll organize a huge party, not only to celebrate the end of the horror, but to commemorate the deaths of the Mohan's victims as well. The mayor also wants to make this party in my honor since I was their savior, but I refuse. I say that all the merit goes on Ofelia who saved me and help the prisoners to escape, also goes on him and the town that came at the last minute to help us. Without them, The Mohan would have killed Ofelia and myself. Besides, despite the fact that the Mohan deserved his final destination, knowing that I went back to be Huitaca, at least one more time, was something more horrible than being tortured by the Mohan.
Later that night, at the town's square. I contemplate the lonely place when the mayor arrives…
̅ How's Ofelia? – I asked.
̅ She's fine. She broke one rib, but it will heal. Besides that, there's nothing to worry about.
̅ Thank gods... Listen, I'm glad you're ok and all, but I have to go. My mission is far from over and I'm afraid creatures way stronger than the Mohan may cause bigger horrors than the ones you suffered. I have to stop them. It is my duty.
̅ Oh right. You're a goddess, aren't you? Ofelia called you the goddess of the moon but, as far as I know, the moon has no gods. It is Bochica the one in charge of it and the protection of the night. Come to think about it. It's been 10 years since the moon stopped appearing in the sky… Also, we don't know any goddess with the name of Chía or Huitaca, either.
̅ *whispering to myself* Truly forgotten by everyone, I see.
̅ What?
̅ Nothing. It's better this way. As I said to the Mohan, the name of Huitaca must be completely forgotten.
̅ And the name of Chía as well?
̅ …
̅ Listen, I don't know what happened with you and the gods, but one thing I'm certain of. You, Chía, are a good person. And good people like you always deserves a second chance. We may never heard of you before. But you are our savior, and from now on, you are our goddess as well.
̅ I'm not looking to be worshiped. I don't deserve it.
̅ But…
̅ But nothing –I interrupt him –. I appreciate your words, I truly do. But trust me, I did terrible things in the past. It's true that I'm looking for redemption, but at this moment, I'm no better than the Mohan… I… don't deserve your kind words… Please, send my regards to Ofelia, and tell her that I'm sorry for being such an ass with her.
I'm ready to leave, but once I turn back, I see a familiar face. It is old Carmela, and right at her side it's Andrea and her daughter. I never imagined it was them the family that old Carmela was referring to. Their eyes are covered with tears.
̅ Old Carmela, Andrea, I…
I couldn't finish my sentence when the 3 women hug me at the same time.
̅ Thank you! Thank you so much! – Cries old Carmela.
̅ Sorry for not believing you, Chía – says Andrea –. You are truly a kind goddess.
̅ Thank you, Lady Chia! – says the little girl.
This is the first time that a human hugged me. Back then I never let them to even touch me. I feel… I feel…
̅ And what about them? – asks the mayor –You don't deserve their kindness either?
This is way more that I deserve. I can't keep it any longer. I start crying and hug them back. I hug them as hard as I can. I don't want to let them go.
̅ I'm sorry! *sobs* I'm so, so sorry!! *sobs* please, forgive me!!
Later that night, once we all finished crying, old Carmela invited me to stay at her house. I accepted with humbleness. She was my very first human friend, after all. I stay that night in Andrea's room and much to my surprise, I find that Ofelia is staying here as well.
̅ Miss Chía! – she yells.
̅ There you go again, kiddo.
̅ I-I'm sorry.
̅ Don't be. I'm just messing with you. If anything, I'm the one who apologizes, Ofelia. You were nice with me and I was rude in return. I was such an asshole.
̅ Yes, you were.
̅ And you agree that easily?!
̅ Hehehe… ouch! – Ofelia rubs her abdomen.
̅ You ok, child?
̅ Yes, don't worry. I've been worst. My parents' training is harder. Believe me.
̅ Wow… now your parents are starting to intrigue me, Ofelia. By the way, aren't you supposed to be at home with them? They must be worried sick.
̅ Oh, that. You see, we're not from here. We arrived last week when someone from the town contacted my parents in order to help them with The Mohan's menace. But during our first night here, I was caught by the monster.
̅ Your parents were contacted to slay the Mohan?! What are your parents, anyway?!
̅ They're just a couple of humble Demon Hunters. Mauricio and Yuri are their names.
̅ And you say that so normal?!... Nevermind. If your parents were supposed to slay the Mohan, where are they right now?
̅ I don't know. Maybe they're still out there looking for me. I'm starting to get worried about them.
Suddenly, our conversation gets interrupted by a voice in our heads…
̅ Chía? – says the voice –Can you hear me?
̅ Sugunsua?! – I say – Is that you?!
̅ S-Sugunsua?! – asks Ofelia really surprised –You mean THE Sugunsua?! Father of all humanity?! The Invisible one?!
̅ Hello, Ofelia. It's a pleasure to meet you. Listen, I don't have much time so listen to me. Chía, I need you and Ofelia to return to the Iguaque lake. We need to talk.
̅ What? What for? – I ask, but I got no response.
̅ Sugunsua wants to talk to me?! B-But I'm just a humble peasant! Why he wants to talk to me?!
̅ I don't know, kiddo. But We'll find it soon enough…
TO BE CONTINUED…