-Oh... I see. Well, my name is Mani, a pleasure.
(Said the man with a smile as he extended his hand to Morgan.)
Morgan took Mani's hand and stood up.
-Sorry for how I reacted earlier... It's just that I saw what you did to him. But now that I look at you closely... you look completely different compared to a while ago.
(Said Mani, eyeing Morgan from head to toe.)
-Different?
(Said Morgan, confused.)
-Yeah! You had a stinger on your tail, some kind of fur... and those weird wings.
(Said Mani, impressed.)
Morgan was perplexed. He didn't remember any of that... but deep down, he knew he had done something.
-By the way... what happened to the people who were there? I brought the old man here because he was looking for a woman... What became of her?
(Said Mani with a worried tone.)
-Don't worry, they're fine. They said they would go far away from here.
(Said Morgan with a smile.)
-Really...? You were protecting them?
(Said Mani, surprised.)
-A-ah... I guess...
(Said Morgan, a little nervous.)
-Wow! I've never seen a Zorath like you...
(Said Mani, impressed.)
-I'm not a Zorath!
(Said Morgan, somewhat offended.)
-Impossible! You must be one.
(Said Mani, still impressed.)
-If I were one of them... then why could you say my name?
Mani fell into thought, his expression somewhat comical.
-Shit, you're right! I could say your name!
(Said Mani, very impressed.)
-But... but if you're not a Zorath, then... what are you? What kind of creature are you?
(Said Mani while inspecting Morgan closely.)
Morgan struck a heroic pose, lifting his finger to the sky with pride.
-Uhum... I am Morgan, the axolotl!
(Said Morgan proudly.)
At that moment, his body began to glow. His clothes fell to the ground, and he returned to his original form.
-Ahhh! What's happening?!
(Said Mani, scared and impressed.)
-Hahaha! I did it! I went back to my original form! Now she won't be able to make fun of me...
(Said Morgan, very proud.)
Mani approached to get a closer look.
-Incredible! Is this what you wanted to do a while ago?
(Said Mani, impressed.)
-Impressive, right?
(Thought Morgan arrogantly.)
But his pride didn't last long... Reality hit his mind like a rock.
-Are you... a fish? But... don't fish need water?
(Said Mani, confused.)
-Oh, that's right!
(Said Morgan, scared.)
Morgan started jumping frantically.
-Water, water, water!
(He screamed desperately.)
But Mani just watched him, not understanding anything.
-Ah... are you dancing?
-I'm dying! I'm dying! Human! Human! Human!
(Thought Morgan in despair.)
Morgan's body glowed again, returning to his humanoid form. He collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath.
-Ah... I thought I was going to die...
(Said Morgan, afraid.)
-Oh, oh! Ahhh! That was fucking incredible! I've never seen anything like that!
(Said Mani, very happy and excited.)
-I'm glad my near death entertained you...
(Said Morgan sarcastically while dressing again.)
-Sorry, sorry... Well, then... what will you do now? Do you have anywhere to go?
(Said Mani friendly.)
-Ah... I hadn't thought about it... Actually, I don't even know where I am...
(Said Morgan, a little embarrassed.)
Mani thought for a moment.
-Well... In your situation, I think the best thing would be to go to Fallen Crown, the capital of all the kingdoms. It's where the other Zorath races live.
(Said Mani with a more serious tone.)
-Is it far from here?
(Said Morgan, thoughtful.)
-A little... Three days by carriage. I have to return to Nytrhindor to report what happened with the old man. If I don't... they could do something to my wife... Sorry...
(Said Mani, sad.)
-Don't worry... I understand.
(Said Morgan kindly.)
-I won't reveal your name... and I don't have to give a very specific description either. I can say you were that creature with a stinger and weird wings.
(Said Mani with a smile.)
-Thank you... That helps me a lot.
(Said Morgan with a smile.)
-Oh, I know! Nytrhindor is in the same direction as Fallen Crown. If you want... I can take you as close as I can.
(Said Mani with a smile.)
-Really? Thank you!
(Said Morgan, very happy.)
-All right... Then let's go.
(Said Mani enthusiastically.)
Mani climbed onto the carriage and took the reins of the horses. Morgan sat beside him.
-Onward!
(Said Mani, excited.)
The carriage began to move, starting their journey toward Fallen Crown. Along the way, they talked as if they had known each other for years. Mani told him about his wife, how they had been separated, and that he could only see her once a year with the promise that if he worked hard, one day they would live together.
-And tell me, what's your purpose, Morgan? I can call you by your name, right?
(Said Mani, friendly.)
-Yes... of course... And my purpose...
(Said Morgan, confused.)
-Well, mine is to work hard to live in a house in the woods with my wife and child. I work every day enduring what those bastards do to me... but I do it for them.
(Said Mani with a big smile.)
-If you don't have a purpose now... don't worry, friend. I'm sure one day you'll find it.
(Said Mani, patting him on the shoulder.)
Morgan smiled.
-I hope so...
(Said Morgan sincerely.)
After several hours, the sun began to set.
-Soon we'll see a road that splits in two... You'll follow the straight path. If you walk, you should reach Fallen Crown in about two days.
(Said Mani cheerfully.)
-It's a shame... I would have liked to meet your wife. I'm sure she's a great woman.
(Said Morgan with a smile.)
-She is, friend... she is. She has long mint-colored hair and eyes like two beautiful rubies... Besides, she looks adorable with her pregnant belly. She's very funny... To me, she's simply the perfect woman.
(Said Mani with a warm glow in his eyes.)
-Wow... You really love her, huh?
(Said Morgan, happy for him.)
-Like nothing in this world... And soon my son or daughter will come... I don't know what it will be, but I'm already looking forward to it. I'm sure it will be the most beautiful thing in the world... But I'm a little afraid of not being up to the task.
-Don't worry, Mani. You'll be a good father, I assure you.
(Said Morgan with a big smile, giving him a thumbs up.)
-I hope so, my friend... I hope so.
(Said Mani, sighing as he looked at the sky.)
Finally, after a while, they reached the fork where their paths would separate.
-Well... This is where we part ways. Just follow that straight path. When you see the floating castle, you'll have arrived.
(Said Mani kindly.)
-Thank you for bringing me this far, Mani. I hope we meet again, and this time you introduce me to your wife and child.
(Said Morgan with a big smile.)
Morgan jumped off the carriage and prepared to continue his journey, but Mani stopped him with a firm gesture.
-Wait... Let me give you something.
(Said Mani, as he climbed down.)
The man slid a ring off his finger: a silver jewel with a ruby cut in the shape of half a heart embedded in the center...
Then, he took Morgan's hand and carefully placed it on his palm.
-Here. This is my engagement ring. My wife has the same one; she carries the other half of the ruby in hers. It's not much, but if it helps you... use it, sell it... or whatever you need.
Morgan stared at the ring in awe. It was too valuable, too meaningful. He tried to return it, almost indignant.
-No! How can you say that? I can't accept something so important.
(Morgan said, visibly ashamed.)
Maní smiled serenely, a genuine expression of affection.
-Take it, please. Even if you don't use it, keep it safe until we meet again. Consider it a promise.
(Maní said with a warm smile.)
Morgan, with a lump in his throat, clenched the ring in his fist.
-I promise I'll give it back to you.
(He said with complete certainty.)
Maní nodded, satisfied.
-Good... that's fine.
(Maní replied with pride.)
-Well, it's time for me to go.
(Morgan said, with renewed determination.)
-Yes... Good luck, my friend. Just promise me one more thing.
(Maní said, his expression now more serious.)
Morgan stopped and looked at him curiously.
-Yes...?
(Morgan replied with expectation.)
Maní took a deep breath, as if every word he was about to speak weighed heavily on his soul.
-This world is a horrible place, Morgan. The beings you'll meet are true monsters... Promise me you won't become like them. Promise me you won't be one of them.
(He said with concern and a hint of pain in his voice.)
Morgan smiled, with the confidence of someone who has never seen true horror.
-Don't worry. I don't know what I'll find out there, but I promise I'll never stop being who I am.
Maní exhaled with relief.
-Good... I'm leaving now.
(Morgan said with a faint smile.)
-Farewell, Morgan... the Axolotl.
(Maní said, returning the smile.)
Morgan continued his journey as Maní climbed back into the carriage and took the detour that would separate them forever. Before entering the forest, Morgan turned his head and saw Maní in the distance, waving goodbye. He did the same until he finally disappeared among the trees.
Morgan walked and walked until night fell quickly, wrapping the forest in a cloak of shadows. Tired, he approached a crystal-clear river and drank some water. As he leaned over, his reflection stared back at him: his gills, his eyes, his hair... his face.
-Ahhh... I wonder what my mother would say if she saw my new appearance.
(He murmured with melancholy.)
Morgan sighed and closed his eyes.
-Well... I guess it's time to rest.
He focused his mind on the image of an axolotl. Slowly, his body began to glow. His clothes fell onto the damp grass and, within seconds, his humanoid form disappeared, leaving behind a small axolotl that slipped into the water.
-Well, it seems it worked.
(He thought to himself as he swam among the aquatic plants.)
He found a small bed of algae and lay down, letting the fatigue consume him. His eyes closed slowly... until a metallic, pungent smell pierced his senses.
The stench was so strong it woke him immediately. His instinct screamed danger.
The water around him began to darken. He couldn't distinguish the color in the dim light, but he knew something was wrong. He quickly swam to the surface and regained his humanoid form, dressing hastily.
He began following the river, moving cautiously toward the source of that nauseating smell. He walked a long stretch until he finally saw it.
Something floated in the water, sunk at the bottom. The darkness didn't let him see it clearly.
He raised his gaze. In the distance, a small cabin stood by the riverbank. Next to it, three much larger structures, made of reddish wood. They looked like stables.
A bad feeling gripped him.
As he approached, the putrid smell became unbearable. It was as if death itself had permeated the air.
He stopped in front of one of the stables. The air was hot and heavy, as if something inside was fermenting in the dark. His heart pounded in his chest, part of him screamed not to open the door... but he did.
And then, hell unfolded before his eyes.
Bodies.
Dozens of human bodies hung from the ceiling with rusted hooks piercing their flesh. Some were split open, their organs exposed, dripping a thick, dark liquid into wooden buckets. Others had been dismembered, their limbs tossed to the floor like waste.
The sound of decomposing flesh filled the air with a wet, nauseating squelch. Flies buzzed over the bloated corpses, their wide eyes reflecting the horror of their final moments.
Men. Women. Children.
Some bodies still had recognizable faces, eyes wide open in eternal terror. Others... were just unrecognizable lumps of meat.
Morgan felt the world sway around him. His legs trembled, his stomach churned violently, and without being able to stop himself, he vomited on the floor.
Cold sweat ran down his back. His hands clutched his chest, trying to control his breathing, but it was impossible. His heart raced, his mind spiraled into panic.
And then, a deep, elegant male voice broke the silence.
-Excuse me... who are you, and what are you doing in my stable?
The tone was calm, almost polite, as if nothing happening there was out of the ordinary.
Morgan turned his head, terror etched on his face.
A tall, slender man, dressed in an impeccable red and white suit, watched him with a faint smile. His long black hair cascaded over his shoulders, and his crimson eyes glimmered with a sharp gleam. His pale skin was almost translucent under the moonlight.
-Are you alright, friend? Are you lost?
(The man said, tilting his head slightly with sincere curiosity.)
Morgan tried to answer, but his voice refused to come out. He could only stammer, terror gripping his throat like an iron claw.
The man stepped forward, his presence becoming more imposing.
-Wow, wow... friend, you look quite scared.
(He said with a soft laugh, as if the situation amused him.)
Morgan finally managed to stammer out a few words between gasps.
-W-w-what is this...? W-what the hell is this place...?
The man raised an eyebrow, genuinely confused, then smiled kindly.
-What do you mean, esteemed gentleman? This is clearly a stable. Here, the meat is cut and separated... from the animals.
Morgan felt his skin crawl.
That tone.
That calmness.
As if he were talking about something as ordinary as preparing breakfast.
Then, a glimmer in the darkness caught his attention.
He looked up...
And he saw her.
Her body hung from a metal hook piercing her back. Her long mint-colored hair fell over her pale face. Her eye sockets were empty, her eyes ripped out. The skin of her stomach was punctured by a huge hole that went straight through.
But what froze Morgan's blood was her hand.
On her finger was still the ring.
A silver ring... with a heart-shaped ruby.
The memory struck his mind with crushing brutality.
"My wife has the other ring. She has beautiful eyes... like two rubies... and long mint-colored hair."
An echo from the past whispered in his head:
"She's pregnant... we're expecting a child."
Horror turned into something deeper.
Something worse.
The man in red noticed his reaction and smiled softly.
-Oh... are you interested in this piece, gentleman? What a pity, there are no good parts left.
Morgan's body went numb. His vision blurred. His ears buzzed.
But the man wasn't finished.
Suddenly, he unfurled a pair of black wings from his back, beating them elegantly. He rose into the air and, with a simple motion, tore the woman's corpse from the hook.
Her body fell to the floor with a dull, wet thud. Like a sack of meat.
Morgan wanted to scream, but he had no breath.
The man landed gently beside the body and, with a casual motion, raised one of his hands.
Then, with brutal force, he plunged his arm into the woman's chest.
The sound of flesh tearing and bones cracking echoed like a macabre symphony in the darkness.
A second later, the man extracted something bright and red.
The heart still dripped fresh blood.
The man observed it with curiosity, as if evaluating the quality of a fruit at a market. Then, with a kind smile, he extended the hand toward Morgan.
-It may not be enough, but if you're a good cook, I assure you it will be exquisite. Besides, it will help keep your skin healthier.
He winked playfully.
Morgan couldn't take it anymore.
His legs buckled. His hands trembled uncontrollably. His stomach clenched so hard he could barely breathe.
A gut-wrenching scream erupted from the depths of his soul, echoing into the night like an infernal lament.
One he would never forget.
Neither him...
Nor that monster with the gentle smile.
End of chapter
Next chapter: They're Just Animals.