the legend of marl

Before me stood the ruin of a kingdom that once was prosperous. The streets, once full of life, were now stained red; the blood of soldiers and villagers covered every stone in the road, filling the air with the scent of death.

In the middle of this desolate landscape, only two souls remained: mine and that of the conqueror. I saw him raise his sword, still dripping with my father's blood, and, without a hint of remorse, his eyes met mine.

It was a cold gaze, ready to erase my face from his memory as if I were nothing more than another specter in his endless list of victims. But in that moment, I swore that I would not be the forgotten one, and, filling my lungs with air, I exhaled.

Life in the kingdom of Narnest had been incredible, although I knew I didn't belong to that world. Sometimes, I felt like I belonged less to the world in which I was born.

Three years earlier, in a prosperous city called City One, filled with buildings so tall they touched the clouds, where technology reigned.

In a silent room, where only the irregular sound of breathing filled the air, lay a young man with pastel pink hair, asleep.

Suddenly, the peaceful environment was interrupted by the incessant sound of a fist knocking on the door, waking the boy.

—Marl! Marl! Wake up! Mom and Dad are coming today.

With the creak of the hinges, the door swung open. Marl left his room, rubbing his eyes and letting out a yawn.

—Oh, yeah, today you turn 10. You've been waiting all year for this, right?

—Yes! We can't waste time!

Marl smiled, gently petting the little one's head.

—Don't worry, I know they wouldn't miss it for the world.

He withdrew his hand, getting up.

—I'm going to take a shower. Wait for me a moment.

—Yes, but don't take too long!

As he closed the door behind him, Marl turned on the hot water. However, instead of stepping into the shower, he collapsed to the floor, placing a hand over his face, murmuring to himself.

—This year... how will I hide it?

The sound of the water, soft and constant, barely masked the thread of his voice.

After leaving the shower, Marl returned to his room. His pink hair, still damp, dripped gently as he searched for clean clothes in a worn-out drawer. He dressed slowly, adjusting each piece of clothing carefully. Finally, he took a simple but meaningful necklace from the Threedial religion, a gift from his sister, and placed it around his neck.

When he finished, he stopped in front of the mirror. His reflection gazed back coldly. He tried to smile, but the gesture felt forced, almost painful. His eyes, full of unease, averted from the mirror, unable to hold his own gaze. Marl sighed deeply, releasing some of the weight he carried inside. With a smile, he left the room.

—What do you think, Rinn? Dad called me and said he'd be here at eight tonight.

Jumping off the sofa.

—Really!? He called you? —Rinn's eyes sparkled as she pulled on Marl's sleeve, eager for more details.

Marl gave her a calm smile, crouching a little to be at her level.

—He told me just before they took their flight. They should be here soon. But don't worry, don't get sad. You'll meet them very soon.

Rinn's eyes, filled with excitement, blinked quickly as she tried to contain her joy.

—Yes. —The smile she wore pierced Marl's heart, like a hand squeezing it, making it hard for him to breathe.

With tenderness, Marl petted her head, messing up her hair a little.

—I'm going with Mian. I'll be back soon.

Rinn frowned slightly, confused.

—But why?

Marl smiled with a mysterious air and raised his hand, making a playful gesture.

—It's a surprise.

Without waiting for more questions, Marl turned and closed the door behind him.

Once the door was closed, he leaned against it, pressing his hand to his chest, trying to control his breathing.

Taking his phone from his pocket, Marl typed a quick message.

"We'll meet at the plaza."

Without waiting for a response, he tucked the phone back into his pocket and began walking toward the meeting point.

When he arrived, the plaza was full of life. The lights from the signs shone brightly, while the open stores tried to catch the attention of passersby with flashy ads and offers. The air was filled with the smell of freshly made food, from sweets to roasted meats.

Marl spotted Mian in a corner, sitting at an outdoor table with a bowl of fried chicken in front of her. Her relaxed posture and the way she ate carelessly indicated she had been waiting.

Marl arrived at her side, pulled out a chair in front of her, and sat down, letting out a soft sigh before speaking.

—Mian… Do you think a party will be enough? —he asked, his voice tinged with doubt, as his fingers played with each other.

Mian looked up, studying him carefully. She swallowed the piece of chicken she had been chewing and set the bowl aside, leaning toward him.

—Stop fooling yourself, Marl. At some point, you'll have to tell her.

Her words were firm, almost a whisper, but heavy with meaning. Marl turned his gaze away, unable to bear the weight of her eyes.

—What… what do you mean?

—You know very well. You can't hide it forever. She's 10 years old now. Are you going to keep hiding it until you die?

Marl stayed silent. His jaw tightened as his fingers clutched the fabric of his pants. Finally, he spoke, his tone low and hesitant.

—If it's for her happiness… yes.

Mian sighed, her eyes reflecting a mixture of compassion and resignation.

—I understand. If that's your decision… I'll support you.

Marl looked up, surprised by her words.

—Thanks… —he murmured, offering a weak smile. Then, he cleared his throat, trying to change the subject. —A few days ago, she told me she wanted a new game. Let's go get it.

Mian smiled mischievously, leaning back in her chair.

—By the way, you're asking me out, aren't you?

Marl couldn't help but laugh softly at the comment.

—Fine, fine. Let's go.

They both stood up from the table, leaving Mian's empty bowl behind. As they walked, the tension between them seemed to dissipate little by little, though Marl's decision still hung in the air.

Meanwhile, in Marl's apartment, the sound of a sleek engine echoed down the street. A black limousine, shining like ebony, parked right in front of the building. Its presence stood out among the ordinary vehicles, attracting the attention of curious onlookers.

Inside the apartment, Rinn sat on the sofa, hugging a cushion while watching the news on the TV. The screen showed images of a hero in action, dressed in an imposing suit and a cape fluttering behind him.

"The great hero Ergos has saved us once again. The villain known as Eggface was apprehended this morning after attempting to use a giant mechanical drill to rob the city's most exclusive wine cellar. According to witnesses, Ergos shouted: 'It was for wine, and it's no longer wine!' before Eggface was arrested. Fortunately, there were no injuries, and all thanks to Ergos's quick intervention."

Rinn laughed loudly.

—Hahaha! Ergos is amazing. He always knows what to say.

Before she could change the channel, a loud knock on the door interrupted the peace of the moment. The sound resonated through the small apartment, startling her.

—Did they arrive so quickly? —she murmured to herself, setting the cushion aside.

With hurried steps, she approached the door. Rinn's heart raced with excitement; the idea of finally seeing her parents filled her with joy. She turned the doorknob with trembling hands, unaware that what she was about to discover would change everything.

It was already 6:00 p.m.

—It was a great date. —said Mian before giving Marl a kiss on the cheek. —I hope Rinn likes that cake, remember to save me a piece.

—Thanks, Mian. I had fun too. When you get home, say hi to your brother Lee for me.

—Sure, take care, and save him a slice too.

They said their goodbyes and took different paths.

Marl walked down the street, carefully holding a box adorned with a red ribbon containing a three-milk cake, topped with strawberries dipped in chocolate. He had chosen this cake carefully, remembering how much Rinn loved strawberries and the soft taste of the chocolate that surrounded them. The sweet aroma escaped from the edges of the box, blending with the fresh evening air.

As he turned the corner near his building, something out of the ordinary caught his attention. A black limousine, imposing and gleaming, was parked right in front of the entrance. Marl stopped, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation, a knot forming in his chest as he tightened his grip on the cake box. A tall man, distinguished in appearance and impeccably dressed, stood next to the vehicle

—How are you, young Marl? —said the man, with a smile that seemed polite but hid an air of superiority—. Did you have fun with my daughter?

Marl felt a knot in his stomach as he swallowed. His gaze dropped to the floor before he responded.

—Mr. Yerner… What brings you here? —he asked, trying to keep calm while holding the box more tightly.

Yerner let out a soft laugh, releasing the gray smoke from his cigarette.

—We just wanted to give Rinn a surprise. I hope you have a good gift for her too —he said, glancing down at Marl's hands—. Although, seeing that cake, I wonder if she'll really enjoy it.

Marl furrowed his brow, but his tone remained respectful.

—What do you mean… It's her favorite flavor.

Yerner smiled, this time more widely, as if enjoying Marl's discomfort.

—It's fine, young man. We also need to leave —he replied, taking a step towards the limousine.

—Mr. Yerner, thank you for the money this month.

With a smile of superiority.

—You're welcome, young man. Your stepfather was one of my best friends. And his daughter was the most important thing to him. Although, it doesn't matter that you also eat from that.

He turned his gaze toward a corner.

—Yes... Thanks anyway.

Yerner got into the limousine, and the vehicle drove off, leaving Marl standing in front of the building with a sense of emptiness. He pressed his lips together, lowered his gaze to the cake in his hands, and took a deep breath before entering the building.

Upon reaching the apartment, Marl opened the door carefully, as if afraid of disturbing something.

—Well, Rinn, Dad said they'd be back later, but I brought you a cake —he said with a smile, lifting the box slightly—. And we can play this game that…

He stopped upon seeing her. Rinn was sitting on the couch, hunched over, with a pile of papers in her trembling hands. Silent tears streamed down her cheeks, falling and leaving small stains on the document. Her body seemed fragile, almost broken.

—Rinn… What's going on? —Marl asked softly, setting the cake down on the nearest table and approaching cautiously.

When he placed his hand on her shoulder, Rinn reacted as though she had been struck.

—Don't touch me, liar! —she shouted, pushing him with all her strength. Marl stumbled backward, falling to the floor with a dull thud.

Before he could react, Rinn threw the paper at his face. It slid down to fall into his lap as she ran out of the apartment, her sobs echoing like the cries of a broken heart.

Confused and with a tight chest, Marl picked up the papers she had left. His eyes moved quickly between the printed lines:

"Mr. Stimson died of cancer."

"Mrs. Stimson died during childbirth."

"Mr. Tial died in a family accident. Luckily, his two children survived."

Each word pierced his mind like needles, as his breathing became erratic. He raised his gaze to the open door through which Rinn had run, feeling an unbearable weight in his chest.

He dropped the papers and, trembling, took out his cell phone. His fingers could barely hold it as he typed a quick message.

"Mian, Lee, I need help. Come quickly."

Without waiting for a response, he dialed the police, explaining the situation in broken words. As he hung up, his mind kept repeating the same questions: How did she find out? Before continuing, the words of Mr. Yerner flashed in his mind: "We just wanted to give Rinn a surprise," "Your stepfather was one of my best friends."

The silence in the apartment now felt oppressive, laden with repressed emotions and the echo of Rinn's tears. Marl closed his eyes and took a deep breath, knowing that what was coming would not be easy, but he could not allow himself to stop now.

Marl hurried out of his apartment, almost stumbling through the door in his rush to find Rinn. But as he took a few steps down the hallway, a chill ran through his body, instantly raising the hairs on his skin. The sensation was suffocating, as if an invisible weight was pressing him from all angles, making it impossible to move forward.

—What… what is this? —he murmured, his voice trembling as his breathing became heavy and uncontrolled.

He placed a hand on his face, feeling the dizziness threatening to knock him out. He leaned his other hand against the wall, searching for stability as his mind tried to process the strange sensation. And then, as quickly as it had come, the pressure vanished, leaving behind an unsettling emptiness.

—It doesn't matter… I have to keep going… —he told himself, shaking his head slightly to clear it, though the tremor in his legs remained.

He descended the stairs and exited the building, his eyes desperately searching for any sign of his sister. But when he was about to cross the street, a firm hand stopped him by the arm.

—Wait, young man. You can't go through.

Marl looked up to find a police officer, his serious expression confirming that something was terribly wrong.

—What's happening? —he asked anxiously, trying to pull the officer's hand off his arm.

—The villain Eggface has escaped from prison. It's too dangerous to be outside. Please, go back home. The hero Argón will handle the situation.

Marl's heart sank upon hearing these words, but his concern for Rinn pushed him to insist.

—Sir, my sister is out there. I don't know where she is, I need to go after her —he pleaded, his voice breaking and his eyes desperate.

The officer shook his head, his stance firm but full of regret.

—I'm very sorry for your situation, but we can't risk any more lives. Please trust us and Argón. Go back home and stay safe.

Marl clenched his fists tightly, feeling how helplessness and frustration consumed him. He looked down at the ground, unable to face the reality.

—Tomorrow… everything will be fine… —he whispered, barely audible, trying to convince himself of his own words.

With slow, heavy steps, he turned around and began walking back to his apartment. Each step felt like a defeat, and the pain in his chest was almost unbearable. He closed the door behind him, leaning his back against it and looking at the ceiling as if searching for an answer in the shadows of the room.

Please, Rinn… Wherever you are, stay safe…

He said, trying to calm himself, before the cake fell from that little table.