The Demon Tamer Read online

  «Great stratagem, I did not think they were going to bite!» Dasmond said proud of himself.

  «Fortunately... tell me why we are here? Nobody lives on this mount!» Yulia asked.

  The mountains of Kòlgota surrounded the entire village. The highest mountain was precisely the Kòlgota, at south of the village, from where the invaders had arrived. The two finally found themselves on Mount Dragòr to the east, a little lower mount. Dasmond picked up a torch still lit from the ground, began to illuminate the Blue Mystical Path and then replied: «Here lived the Dragon, the divinity of our village. He had enormous power, he was feared by everyone. At the village all the adults have always known, to children and young people, however, was kept secret. It is a mystery that until recently was unknown to me too. I could not do much for the village. Now I will have to do everything, even risk my life! All for Damian!»

  That speech worried Yulia a lot. If a warrior like him was willing to sacrifice himself for someone, there had to be a reason.

  «Who is he? What does this have to do with the dragon?» Yulia asked curiously.

  Dasmond could not decide whether to reveal Damian’s identity or keep it hidden from her. Now all was lost, the village was destroyed and so he decided to confess everything to that lovely girl.

  «Well. Listen to me. Everything I tell you will have to be a secret. They will come looking for you for this secret. They can torture you, kill you. But you will not have to tell anyone! Swear on the village, on your heart!» Dasmond said.

  Those words struck the girl’s soul.

  «I swear. I have nothing left to lose!» Yulia answered.

  «Do you know the legend of the Devil and the Village?»

  Yulia frowned.

  «It’s just a legend! It’s a little story to scare children who do not want to go to sleep. If you do not go to bed, the fire will burn you! The Devil will catch you and the Dragon will eat you! These were the words of my mother» Yulia answered, smiling.

  «It’s all true» Dasmond said.

  The girl fell silent. She did not say a word.

  «Originally, this village and everything around it did not exist. So many trees, huge oaks, birches, willows and other shrubs stood here instead of the village and the mountains. They were the Trees of Life from which all living beings were born. The Legend says that when the Devil was driven out of the high, he hit this place and destroyed all the trees. It sank into the ground and created a huge chasm. The earth, due to the strong energy released by the impact, rose up to create what we now call the Kòlgota Mountains. Six mountains, each with its own name, surrounded the chasm created by Evil himself. That day died the Life and the Death was born. This is why we say that the Gods created the Life, while the Devil the Death. The great chasm became full of anger and hatred that came from its creator. It was filled with a black sea, “The Gate of Hell”, as the village priests called it. Because of that great evil, life would be destroyed. The Gods, then, sent a celestial creature, which is said to have the face of a man or for others that of a woman, with the wings of a bird, fairy and angelic. Everyone says his, about him or her. That divine creature closed the Gate of Hell with an ancient seal. All the evil that gushed out, suddenly disappeared. After that the celestial creature recreated the earth and from the sky fell a seed sent by the Gods, which gave rise to a last Tree of Life. It is the huge oak that is in the middle of the village» Dasmond explained while they climbed the Mount Dragòr.

  «And now it’s on fire. It was the tree my mother loved most. There is no forgiveness for what they did!» Yulia said.

  «From the fruits of the Tree of Life, the first men were born. The Divine Creature helped them to build the village, gave them grazing animals and gave them a great help above all to erect the huge palisade, built with the wood coming from the Tree of Life, which helped the divine seal to keep closed the enormous Hell Gate. And now, that the fence is destroyed, I dare not imagine what will happen» explained Dasmond.

  «Now where is the Devil? And the Dragon?» Yulia asked.

  «He is in the Hell, in his evil realm. From his evil he created the Demons. Those red-eyed men, in reality, are demons! I feel it inside of me, because that same evil has touched me deeply. Everything has to do with the Dragon. The Gods sent this noble creature to defend The Village of the Gods, a name that we ourselves gave to our house. The Dragon has protected us all for millennia. It has always been our protecting divinity. Then, one day he will be angry with us. He began to attack the village and the commoners fought against him. The Dragon it was enormous, fifteen meters high, black as darkness. His eyes were white, his teeth long and sharp, and two small nostrils emanating black smoke. The reptile-shaped head had two long red horns on its temples. A long neck connected it to that huge body, whose scales were resistant to arrows and swords. He had two huge black wings, strong and vigorous. Each wing was formed by the skeleton of a limb, but with a different shape. The skeleton of the four fingers had lengthened enormously and the space between the thumb and the forefinger, as well as between the other fingers, was filled by a large, thin and resistant membrane. The arm had become the attachment of the membrane and each of the five bearing bones of the wing ended with a claw. Even the small ears had three long bones like a pinna, joined by a black membrane. Instead, the four limbs, two anterior and two posterior, were mighty and of the same length. From the head branched out a mane of pointed silver scales that ended at the end of the tail, long and thin. With a roar, he spit out from the mouth immensely powerful black flames, capable of incinerating everything. While with its white claws could destroy the houses, almost like they were made of straw» continued Dasmond.

  «I did not know all the legend. But why did the Dragon begin to destroy everything? And how did they stop him?» Yulia asked fearfully.

  «Evil had pervaded him, nobody knows how. However, in a moment of lucidity, the Dragon told the people to chain him in the “Blue Cave” located right on this mountain. It was my father Zylien who created those strong iron chains. During that event, the village was able to quiet it, but when he returned, the creature was chained to evil and with his power destroyed part of the cave. My father fought together with the others against him. Simple men against a creature fifteen meters high. I’m proud of him, he even managed to cut an arm of the Dragon! That creature however hurt him with his claws. For the damage suffered the Dragon fell into a deep sleep, while my father was helped by the whole village in that difficult moment. I was still very young, I know the story thanks to Zakhior, the baker who has always treated me like a son. My father never fully recovered, but with great tenacity he decided to use the arm of the dragon for creating something! He created my sword Draghiria, using the scales and claws along with all his knowledge. The wound in a few months led him to death and so I remained alone, because my mother had died years before due to a plague that hit the village» explained Dasmond.

  Yulia, after heard these words, hugged him with great love. Two young 16-year-olds faced together the darkest night that village had ever seen.

  They reached the middle of the route, among pines and birches, more than three hundred meters high. A stream appeared on the road and with little difficulty they cross it.

  «Tell me what happened to the Dragon» asked Yulia.

  «The Dragon remained in the cave and the Great Priests, to keep him at bay, decided to implement the only possible plan. Offer a human being to him in sacrifice» said Dasmond indignantly.

  «But it’s horrible! How could this happen?» Yulia said in horror.

  «Already. When my father died, I was 2 years old. I discovered the secret at the age of 8, when a friend of mine was lost in the woods. We did not want to believe this story, we all know the valley around the village. Will, the painter, in his paintings has depicted every part and with them the “Mystical Paths”. When the angelic creature completed the construction of the village, outside it created the six mystic paths, a series of dirt roads with a pre
cise color. One with a white color that lead to Mount Kòlgota, which includes the whole southern area of the valley. Then counterclockwise a blue one for Mount Dragòr in the east, one rose for Mount Fayìr in the north-east, one green for Mount Elphòr to the north, a black one to Mount Kyogìr to the north-west, a red one to Mount Divergar to the west. The paths reached the mountains and they colored the same shade of the dirt road. At the origin, when this place was called “Life”, there were five gilded portals, with an arched vault, each of which led into a different world. The fruits that were born from the Trees of Life, gave rise to a whole series of creatures that, as soon as they were born, entered these portals and then disappeared. When the mountains were born, the portals were brought to their top. Therefore the creature created the paths, so that the Worlds were connected to the Tree of Life. Then the Divine Creature created a sixth portal that leads to the “Outer World” and placed it above the Kòlgota. The portal on the blue mountain leads to the “Marine World”, the one on the pink mountain to the “World of the Fairies”, the one on the green mountain leads to the “World of the Elves”, the one on the black mountain to the “World of the Giants” and finally the portal on red mount at the “World of Dwarfs”. Among these, the portal for the World of Elves, for the Marine World and for the Outer World is still open. It is said that those who leave The Village of Gods, through the portals, will no longer be able to return. On the other hand, only those with great powers can reach the place from the other side. I know this because many huge flies demons attacked the village years ago. They came from Mount Fayìr, the Dragon destroyed them and the portal on that mountain was sealed forever. The Great Priests spoke of many things, I constantly spied them at black temple, with hexagonal shape, found in the north-east of the village area. I understood that they had decided to feed men and women to the dame. One day, however, the Dragon refused them. So, they gave him a child, he was my friend. I discovered it myself, armed with a sword which I could barely hold, I came to the place and saw the remains of his clothes. The winged beast made me tremble. I could not do anything against him and luckily I saved myself by bringing back only this scar. I ran away crying. Few knew of this, many thought the beast was in a deep sleep. Zakhior and Zakhier were the only ones who believed me. Like me, they always hated priests. Too haughty and cowardly, they were frightened by their long black robes and jewels made of animal bones. Around their necks they had a series of skulls of beasts, they called it the Rosary of Skulls. They were tall, thin, with long gray beards. They were feared by everyone in the village. From them, I understood that one thing is certain: when a man, a woman or a child dies, a new fruit born on the Tree of Life. Even when someone abandons the village using a portal, a new life is born. Not long ago, Zakhier set off on his journey and a child was born from the tree. Everything always happens in secret, without arousing suspicion. One day I would have liked to leave too and that day has now arrived! We’ll take Damian and get out of here!» Dasmond said, then took Yulia by the hand and ran away.

  «But who is this Damiaan?» Yulia asked impetuously while they ran.

  «You’ll know him soon. Come on, let’s go to him! His house is located beyond the woods. We have to protect him, he’s the only loved one I have. It is now my family. I’m left alone» answered Dasmond.

  «Now you’re not alone anymore, I’m with you» Yulia said.

  She stroked his face and he kissed her. It was born the love, in a night of hatred and terror.

  The two hurried through the forest, while the Romans were on their trail. They found their cronies slumped along the street and Lucius ordered them to find clues about the culprits.

  «Dux, we found a piece of red tunic. It’s like ours, but it does not belong to either of the two fainted» a soldier said.

  Furius brought with him a hundred men armed with torches, leaving the rest of the army in the valley.

  «The guilty will be killed with my own hands! They will be for sure of the survivors. No one can escape me!» the Devastator said full of hate.

  Finally through the woods, Dasmond and Yulia came to a house that was on a green expanse near a river. A small wooden house with a sloping roof made of straw. A small place created specifically for a child.

  «Damiaaan!» Dasmond opened the door. The house was empty.

  Immediately the young man rushed out again screaming his name: «Damiaaan!»

  «I’m here», a faint voice was heard in the middle of the night, «do not make noise, you’ll scare the mother» Damian whispered.

  «Mother? Who are you talking about? We have to go!» Dasmond said, shining with the flashlight and saw that Damian was with an ibex, for which the most beautiful moment of his life had arrived, giving birth to a puppy. The child was able to help the helpless animal to give birth.

  «Keep Dasmond still, soon!» Damian said.

  The animal moaned in pain but, after so much effort, the baby was born. A new life came to light. That child looked like an angel, this was the thought of Yulia at first sight. Small, with short blond hair and two blue eyes like the sky. He had a white face, a small nose and thin lips. He wore a white dress that reached his ankles and he wore small black sandals on his feet. What intrigued Yulia was a particular object placed in a leather case, with a triangular shape, attached to the little brown belt that he had at the waist. It was a black-headed, dragon’s head sticking out of its scabbard.

  «What is it that?», Yulia asked pointing to the small dragon, «Why are you tied to this child?»

  Dasmond sighed, then began to speak: «For three years I trained myself hardly. When I learned the art of the sword, I was ready to fight the Dragon again. I came to this mountain and found its cave, but it was empty. I thought he had escaped, even the priests were on his trail. Those long-bearded old men went far and wide to look for the Dragon. I followed them up to here and they too, like me, were amazed to see a little house in the middle of the lawn. From the little house came some small baby’s screams. Those two raved about a child, Son of the Dragon and heir of his power. They tried to approach the house, but the wolves and all the animals in the woods opposed them. They ran away, they could not do anything against that whole army of animals. I approached him, made them understand that I was in good faith. When I entered in the small house, in a wooden cradle and laid on wool, there was a child, “Damian, The Son of the Dragon”. The name was written in the Language of Men on a ticket, held at the foot of the cradle by a black dagger. Since that day I have helped the animals to take care of it. Now he is 5 years old, but he demonstrates more for what he can do. The Dragon, when he hit me, let a part of himself enter inside me. I can not say what it is, but I know for sure that it is something evil and that unfortunately I feel it also inside Damian».

  «Yilawid, this is the first word you taught me, Dasmond. Now I understand its meaning» Damian said.

  «Yeah, Yilawid, or Life. Now this little ibex and his mother will have to escape. And we must leave as soon as possible, Damian. The village was destroyed!» Dasmond said.

  «Did you teach him “The Language of the Gods”? He speaks very well and is only 5 years old!» Yulia said, amazed.

  «And he knows something else. Talk to the animals and they understand it. It is said that a language of the Gods was taught by the Divine Creature to the first men of the village. It is the mother tongue, from which all the languages that exist and will exist. A language that few speak and that few can fully exploit. Damian can also talk with the animals, because the Language of the Gods allows those who speak of being understood by the other in his language and, to the one who speaks, to understand the words of the other in our language» explained Dasmond.

  «Yes, like a little while ago. Those two men talked in a different language, you answered using our language and they understood you! But talking to animals is something I never imagined!» Yulia said, shocked.

  «It was Latin. Those men were Romans, I recognized their language because I spent time
with the village chief Xandor. With his white sphere he could see the things that happened in the other Worlds» explained Dasmond.

  «Dasmond, the bad guys come!» Damian said.

  Strange noises were heard in the forest, they were strong and heavy steps. There was a deafening roar on that high ground. The two ibex escaped with raised legs.

  «Down! All down!» Dasmond promptly shouted.

  Twenty darts were thrown at them. Furius, on his white horse, at once noticed the presence of Damian.

  «Take that child! Finally I found you! The other two kill them!»

  Dasmond and Yulia stood before Damian, they were ready to defend him. Two Romans attacked the young man who used the sword with mastery and defeated them in no time, while Yulia with his blade kept another one at bay.

  «Red eyes! They are demons, Yulia!» Dasmond said.

  «Fururuah. Here it is finally! The animals are no longer here to protect you!» a priest said with a hissing voice.

  «Faruruah. They ran away! These two can’t do nothing against 100 demons!» added the other old priest.

  «Vile! Did you organize everything? You will pay for it!» Dasmond said, rushing on the demon who was fighting Yulia.

  «Where did the animals go?» Damian asked scared.

  «Do not worry. It will be Zakhior’s work, he will have warned Kinhooq and brought all the animals to the Elven World» Dasmond explained.

  «Fururuah. Reinforcements have arrived thanks to the portal of Mount Kòlgota! It is time to bring the Son of the Dragon into the Hell!» a priest said.

  «Faruruah. It is also time to unite!» added the other.

  The two priests opened their mouths and a black smoke came out and enveloped them completely. When the dark fog cleared, two reptile-looking demons appeared. They remembered a black iguana, they had two completely red eyes with no iris or pupil. They had three fingers on each of the two hands and two feet, they had small nostrils and a red mane that started from the head and reached the tail. They stood proudly. Suddenly the red eyes of all the men lit up at the unison.