In the Realm of the Vulture

In the Realm of the Vulture
(To Name the Unnamable)

Oh, dearest gods from above
Where do I finally get off?
Have I offended you in some way
That I must always run away?
To receive only hatred –
have I asked for too much?
And to be labeled a wench…
Am I always to be punished as such?

Anonyma held Abyssus firmly under her arm and with Morbid on her shoulder rapidly she ran. They went up north, to the land of high mountains, blue deeps and sun of gold. As they entered the realm, strangeness gathered all around, there was not a whisper to be heard and the air was sound – some eagles hovered high and low, Anonyma felt scared, she knew not where to go.

Dear friends, where are we? What fantastic land is this … and what people there will be?

The green hollows of Abyssus lit in passion, Morbid looked at them and stated in his own fashion:

This is the land of a grand heredity, cousins of mine, undoubtedly!

As they advanced, Abyssus murmured: this is a realm with history so ancient! In life, one finds few people of such mold, they may not have always good fame, but their heart is that of gold!

They crossed chains of steep mountains, and silent forests – when they finally reached a beautiful shore again, the sun was setting down in all majesty, bathing that world in fiery hues – the crowded city was buzzing with vibrancy, with chocolate skinned people that smiled so pleasingly.

They look so simple, even antique in a way – passionate hearts in the night, firm beings during the day!
They are quite different, as we shall see! – said Abyssus knowingly.
Different, yet similar to our own kind – they may be mere mortals, but in our universe their patterns are easy to find!

And Morbid looked tremendously pleased, as he stated the matters he observed diligently.

They felt the foreignness of the place as if it were alive, yet in a funny way, it did not come to their fright. People were kind, helpful, some even sweet, and though one could see how they were shy, they seemed always to be ready to fly!

It is so odd – truly, how different they are – so unlike what we’ve seen so far! And Anonyma looked at her two trusty friends …I find it hard to say why… but, indeed, I feel at home, and as peculiar as this seems – I know I will be happy here, by all means!

They are very gentle people, yes, indeed! yet never toy with the heart of any such man, for they have demons you do not want to feed!

Oh, Morbid, you silly, silly bird – you always see only the very dark side! What say you, Abyss, shall we send him for a ride?

The skull at once shivered and shook, and with great effort in this way he spoke:

You are in a severe state of shock, sweet little doll! We should go up that hill, observe from there the life of this haven, and then you’ll understand it all!

So the three went up the knoll, and settled into an old abandoned bastion they refurbished – they gave it back its mediaeval splendor, its austere touch, its ghostly presence – soon it became the city’s attraction.

Though the people of that old port seemed quite discreet, Anonyma wanted to take no chance as to have somebody find out she was from another place, one of great deeds, infamous gods and humans with surreal grace – thus she chose a new name to represent her best: Luleblu, as she felt was her immediate zest.

Every morning she’d come down from her dwelling – most elegant and lean, looking like an exotic flower or a gracious feline – to take a long walk with her old companions, through the city on the shores of the bright briny.

During the day she thought of the book of knowledge she had saved – yet what to do with such a gem, what glorious road with it would be paved?

At night her eyes filled with sparkling rays, the kind that one sees in drops of morning dew, the kind that might form rainbows when the gods in the skies weep – for her sorrow was strong, and her suffering deep.

Do not cry, sweet child – for you shall know love again!

Oh, dear Morbid – love for me is a torture – a torture in vain! I try to know, I try to learn, I try to write, then some mortal appears, and I lose my might! I taste ecstasy for some time whilst I dare – then mishap comes, and I am left with nothing but despair!

Morbid and Abyssus, on old imitations of tango, would look at one another and wink – Luleblu was so passionate, in a childish fashion at times, so ardent in her convictions, so earnest in her ways and commonsensical in her longings that they felt at loss as to how they could help her not become game to some mischief when she’d try love to regain.

And mischief they felt in the salty air – for a bird of prey would always overfly – when and where Luleblu would go out, the vulture would appear and stay nearby.

Abyssus would whisper: I see its plumes so black, as if it were of your own nation!

I see them quite plate, as if the feathers were made of your very countenance! What can this mean … to all this, what is the substance?

Morbid felt anguish as he said this, Abyssus as usual was a bit more skeptic. In the city there was much talk, as usual, on a silent tone, on the streets there was eternal and idle chatter, but this time it was told as if it were of some serious matter. In those parts of the world, an old, great family had always had the upper hand as to life and liberty.

Luleblu always heard of their name being spoken, she thought nothing of it, she felt no desire to be acquainted to their lot, she did not look down on them, but neither felt the rush of their plot.

She felt happy in that territory, and worried not what the future might bring to her story.

She did not feel the menace of the bicolored vulture, all the contrary, she felt amused by its presence.

My silly, old raven and my dull, taciturn skull – you are both jealous! Can’t anybody ever approach, without me getting from you a reproach?

Her two faithful friends were in a state of panic – yes, they had done her wrong in the past, yet they loved her so strongly that now they felt the gast.

The frightful fear came from the raptor that had its own curse, to go black in the middle of the day, and in the night silver-like grey. Two souls were entrapped in the body of the winged predator, kin they were, one dim on the outside, yet shinny within, one light in appearance, yet murky inside – they sometimes split to take human form, but together in front of others they’d only hide, they concealed their weakness, and showed only their pride.

One sunny day Luleblu was going through the city, she felt so confident, she looked so pretty.

A young man with soft suntanned hue came to her side:

Hello, little beauty! My name is Emrin! – he had gorgeous black eyes, but if only she could have understood what contained his grin.

Luleblu felt quite assured to talk to him, his manners were light, his looks gentlemanly – moreover, he was so very polite. He seemed to have seen much of the earthly world – but she did not realize how much of the spiritual one he had no intimation of.

His appearance was dashing … in that territory and part, his name was on the lips of everybody whenever they’d part, he knew when to speak, and when not to – she was enthusiastic to have met him – as to the danger she was in, she had no clue.

Oh, poor little Luleblu!

They met every so often – Emrin was a joyful company, Luleblu was comfortable in his presence, but did not think much as to how she felt, had she but done it, she would have been spared.

One late evening as the sun was sinking into the sea, a dark, gloomy man came – and she said:

Do you wish to speak to me?

Yes, I like you so much! Could I come near you?... your shiny, long hair I’d love to touch!

Luleblu was shocked!

The nerves of this barbarian – who does he think I am? Some promiscuous woman?

He had nothing special in the way he looked, but staring in his brown eyes she felt she had been somewhat hooked.

Luleblu felt appalled at her own emotional state – how could she feel delighted in the presence of such a ruffian? How could she even accept his visiting her? Why didn’t she send him away? oh, where was Emrin, why did he not come more often … why not that day?

He is a busy, important man – but really! … couldn’t he make time, since he said he loves me so dearly?!

The dark sided raptor was there day after day, the dark skinned man came every night at the fortress, his respects to pay. Morbid hang around him, looking, listening, almost sniffing, Abyssus fixed his hollows onto the man’s collar, inquisitively thinking. Luleblu grew happier, laughing and giggling, she skipped day and night – she felt like a child, she remembered how she’d do just the same, when her father had been a young man, and she his little treasure …

But the dark man had a rough, too direct manner – he scared Luleblu whenever he’d come too close, he spoke very little, she had no idea what was his purpose.

When Emrin would consider contacting her, she felt much safer, for he never came directly forward. He was a sinuous soul, never showing what was onward.

There is news in town – shrilled Morbid to Abyssus – Anonyma’ll be down! People talk of what will be, which of the two will have her! In the meantime, there’s unease in the house of the powerful family – they’re not very pleased of Luleblu’s attractiveness… Abyssus shook himself with dismay – whatever could they do for neither of the two raptors to have their way?

You say they’re both as bad? I for one consider the swarthy one..

Morbid flew over Abyssus and after some time replied:

Brother, they are kin, their character must be alike, no matter how much they try this to hide!

Day after day the dark vulture swirled over them, night after night the dusky one came – and more and more, Luleblu chirped like a little, shy, forest bird and bloomed like a wild, delicate, white flower – clearer and stronger, hour after hour. Even the man’s looks opened to a more radiant aspect. Morbid and Abyssus felt more at ease, though the news from the shore was nothing to please.

But still, there were nights when after the shadowy one left, the silvery predator made its comeback – and days when before the black vulture became present in their sky, Emrin came to entrap Luleblu’s attention, though inside, after the dark one she’d cry.

Lule, dear girl, you should stop this play – make your choice, name the man! Then the other send away…

Oh, Morbid – I can choose nothing, for neither one has asked… and I have a hard time to make up my mind… the dark one I find interesting – so very much… yet the young one has more of the worldly touch…

To make up your mind?! – Abyssus gave out a cry –isn’t it your heart that should speak?! But listen here, I’ve found out high news, from a confidential leak! A seagull came just the other day, you were both in the city, the bird sat at the window and we had a chat… Emrin’s avatar is the silvery raptor, the dark skinned man – Paemrin’s his name – is attached to the black vulture… they both belong to that revered family, they have a curse placed on their title …

What could be the nature of such a spell? – asked Morbid and shivered – Oh, dark fears that haunt my soul – things will not end well!

Ay, Morbid, brother! Your intuitions have never yet failed… the two men have enraged the gods from above, they have tried both to seduce sweet Innocence …

The nerve of these contemptible feudal bodies, dreaming to reach the heart of the sweetest of goddesses!

Morbid quivered so nervous, knowing how noble Innocence was and how she had always helped them in the past, being not only chaste, but extremely just.

Ay, friends – I tell you – the curse has fallen on top of these two fools in all righteousness… they have aspired to the heart of the purest of stars… for them it was but a game, they always compete and cheat, and then they never truly love – like two birds of prey, they lure the victim, devour it and then run away!… but when the Mother of All and the Supreme Father heard, they were at the brink of madness, they put these lands through hell, they sent the worst evils of the world, blinded by rage, they almost destroyed the place, for the arrogance of such two men, many had to pay with what was most dearest to them!

Had the skull and the raven not been so heated by the story they might have seen the despair poor Anonyma had been dragged into.

Her almond-shaped eyes where swollen with salty, bitter tears running down her pale face, her little body was trembling in a feverish way as she thought broken hearted Oh, father, father, had I been crazy all this time – had I lost my senses again, this time in the worst way, to fall entrapped to such barbarians’ schemes, to such foul play?! Shame on me, shame – had I at least have chosen one… but stupid me, taking my time to see which can enter my heart, and which I would have to discard! Ohhhh, the fool that I have been!

Oh, the poor people – in such a tragic way having to pay!

Yes, Morbid – I tell you! Finally the elders of the port went to plead and pray, asking the gods to have mercy on their homes and find some means to make amends …for finally, pure Innocence had not been touched! So the gods united and in council they took the decision, the two men should have their destinies shared – two eagles in one armor ... they cannot fully separate, one is man in the day and bird in the night, and vice-versa, they are eternally linked – until the day they learn to respect womanhood and stop hunting together…

Hm! Hard task for a pack of hungry beasts! … our poor little one, luckily she also hasn’t been touched, yet her confidence for surely they’ve smashed…

Seemingly, as the seagull told me, the two lords were well on their way to achieve the charge and have themselves freed of the curse.. but then Luleblu came up their path, and they forgot what was the mission they had…

Of course, of course – our Anonyma has such a sweet way – she could make crazy the coldest man even in the middle of the coolest day!

But Morbid my friend, this is not the real problem at hand! The thing is that the great family is angry, for the desired outcome has been hindered…and Anonyma’s expulsion they demand!

Oh, great gods from above – can there be no peace for the little dear, do we have to run again, far away even from here?!

By the way, where is she, where has she gone?

Luleblu had run alone into the evening light, she went to some empty shores to try to think… she had had enough of all, of friends, of men, of trusting and of love – of what had been up to then her existence – she wanted a moment for herself, she wanted to take a moment, and her heart to listen!

anonyma-realm-fotiniky

In the Realm of Fotiniky (Love in the Agora)

Who would have ever imagined
That I could ever fall in love
With somebody that would harbor
An emptiness so profound
Within the depths of a spirit
That presents itself so high?
Who would have ever imagined
That I could ever stoop so low
As to fall madly in love
With the perfect offspring
Of a society based only on glow?

In total distress and torn by severe sorrow, poor Anonyma found herself crying like mad and running again, never thinking of what was it that she had lost or what should have been her gain.

In her flight she had taken with her the black bird on her shoulder, looking in its huge eyes she felt she knew it from an era much older. Yet she could not exactly remember - who was this and why suddenly its eyes would turn to ember?

This time I will choose a large city, towards the sun rise, of people with free souls and open minds! A place where my moods and my virtues shall be seen neither as madness nor as sin! I shall look for a place where lame bourgeois standards hold no value, a place where one can get lost in the crowd, where my personality will not be seen as standing out so loud!

Anonyma ran and ran, until she reached an ancient city that lies next to a vast port, in a southern country whose name is Democracy. It was in the Levant that she had stopped, in that big, busy polis, down by the sea, where proud stood the building of one of the world’s oldest University.

Reaching that place the raven left her alone, she would have to discover this part of the world by her own.

She thought again how brilliant it would be if she could only plunge unknown into reality. So she changed yet again her name, took one she thought would shed light unto her nature and not her descent, thus she would be called Fotiniky.

The city was huge, with its crowded white buildings. There were hills on every side, but nothing was too leafy. The light was blindingly bright, the people not so fair, men would pass her by giving whistles while they’d stare. Women looked haughty, life utterly busy, from everywhere she heard chitters and chatters, at a moment she felt slightly dizzy.  

Oh, how exciting it is! How good to be here! I feel like a little blue fish that escaped a luxurious, nocive aquarium to rediscover the ocean so beautiful and deep – here is where I’ll find happiness and into veritable knowledge make my leap!

She took the identity of the pretty daughter of an appreciated craftsman of the rhetorical art, coming from a neighboring place a little more to the north, she rented a beautiful space in the center and went to the Academy to put her registration forth.

She was keen to learn of the mind and soul, to penetrate in the depth of abstractness was now her goal. So with great enthusiasm she entered through the gates of the old shrine that harbors the virtues of the human mind, but still she felt a rush in the depths of her heart, a sensation of déjà vu was playing there its part.

While going through the fatiguing process that all bureaucracy throws in one’s way, Fotiniky pondered

Some find their refuge between the walls of churches and cathedrals, forever searching for the light of faith, I find my sanctuary between the walls of academies and schools, forever searching for that one light that will set me free – could it be that the heart or reason holds the key? Then again, others will blindly confide in what states and offices will offer in exchange for their life, without ado they will renounce their own liberty, for a mere coin or two – isn’t that a pity? I prefer my independence to keep, no matter how much suffering that might entreat!

Fotiniky was happy, overwhelmed with elation, for her life finally presented itself as simple, no dark clouds looming from the horizon.

As a neighbor she had a girl from a land where the sun sets down upon the hills and the spirit -  she was a little, round thing named Marmely, she had light-chestnut hair, skin rather fair, big large eyes, a simple mind from which sprung silly, transparent lies. But she was a good nature, though light in her tastes – Fotiniky felt amused when hearing her tales, she felt diverted whenever a handsome boy would pass their way and she’d hear Marmely say

Oh, if I could only get the attention of this cute, sweet boy, how I’d love for him to become my toy!

Within the grounds of the Academy they made friends with Agapy. She was a thin, tanned girl, with the blackest hair in the world, eyes like coal – they went easily on fire, for Agapy had a temper that could dethrone gods and raise the mortals from the mire. She knew of strong feelings, of true friendship and long love, but she could also be cruel and cunning in her heart.

Going through the streets that led to the Agora, near an old ruined building they met a poor man, a fool with a lamp that wanted no riches of the material stock - he was only interested in what was offered by the highly intellectual flock.

He looks at all three and asks kindly

In these parts of the world one always wants to know: to whom one is speaking? is it someone to keep, or to let go? … and there are two questions in order to find that out – the first “what do you believe in?”, the second “what do you wish for yourself?” – these are the two pillars on which the human spirit will rest!

Marmely, light headed as ever, thought it right to answer the first, feeling very proud of her verbal burst:

I believe in the spirits of little unseen creatures, the existence of ghosts and the teachings from the Far East, I trust that if one arranges things in the right way they’ll bring good fortune or so they say! I’ve read about these in a wonderful leaflet and seen colored photos in some magazines. As for what I wish, like all, I wish for money – for there’s nothing that by it one cannot get! I want loads of gold, just like you, I bet!

Agapy lifted high her Dorian chin and in a passionate manner spoke out her mind, for this was her whim:

I believe in the spirit of the brave that rise to fight – to preserve long-lasting tradition, to maintain liberty and gain superior right – for our ancestors have given to humanity all that is true, we should be acknowledged as superior beings with a blood so blue! As for what I wish for me, myself and I – it is of no great consequence, I only want my name to be written on the firmament in the sky!

The poor fool looked at Fotiniky and with a gentle smile, addressed her:

And you, lovely white flower, what have you to say? What are the two columns that sustain a spirit so high and a mind so rich? Could it be that you are from another part of the world, an enchanting witch?

At this moment Fotiniky felt a shiver all through her being, she looked at the man and could hardly withhold her amaze. Whilst looking at him with her green almond eyes, she felt once again her pulse raise:

I truly believe in the power of education – I believe that genuine education lifts the spirit from the beastly state and makes it human – unfortunately poor education pushes man towards the state of speaking animal, which happens to be the worst kind of beast running free! As for what I wish… I only wish I’d find my Dulcineo and he’d forever love me!  

The man looked at them, then as he started speaking looked down again:

For you that desire such matter as gold coppers, it is a waste of valuable time to spend in some faculty, assisting to lectures. For you proud daughter of the people of Korinths, I would advise after school to enter politics. And you, airy spellbinder from some mysterious citadel, go to see the orations of Sophianous in the antique University on this hill!

With great wonder the three girls went to attend to the lectures of the University where they had registered as students. They also decided to assist to the famous classes of the most prominent and highly acclaimed mentor of the academic life in the region – Sophianous by name, Byzantine by ancestry, the words that came out of his mouth would bring to all intellect spiritual reverie.

Thus, early the other day Fotiniky made her way towards the aula where the great master of thought held his classes. She went and she sat exactly in front as to be able to see and hear the grand man she had heard of throughout the city. And then he came, with his athletic posture, his melancholic hue and long, flexible curls of silver and grey, his eyes were huge emeralds looking her way. Fotiniky felt again the shiver through her frame, there was something familiar about him – she had met him before, not only as a name.

Know thyself and thou shalt know the Universe and the secrets of the gods! Who am I and who are you? Could we be one entity, or are we to remain eternally two?

Fotiniky was fascinated, struck with awe, she felt she had heard such enlightening things, in another life, centuries before.

At the end of the lecture she could hardly speak, she went through the halls of the faculty and when Sophianous came to her she could release only a squeak.

He smiled at her with candid affection and told her in a kind voice

Come to my office and while exchanging ideas let’s rejoice! I trust you like reading, I see you are the inquisitive kind – I have a large library that will serve your soul and your mind!

Fotiniky entered the philosopher’s own retreat and was astonished of what she found there, for there were books to fill up a stadium, on a shelf was a familiar old lamp, on another a cranium.  

So, you’ve met poor Yorick, I see!

Strangely enough, master, a beloved friend I’ve had for a long time, whose wisdom and teachings had the essence of the divine! Your friend here, Yorick, reminds me of this fellow – I wonder where he is now, what is he doing, is his life mellow?

Wisdom is a gift from the gods more valuable than gold, but being able to impart it to others is a blessing that unfortunately not many hold! You have been extremely lucky to have met a soul that could hold both qualities at the same time, in only one mold!

I’ve had at a time two friends of mine, one was dark and one was light – but I must have lost them in some sort of fight!

True friends never leave us, they always come back, maybe not in the same form, but that is no lack!

Sophianous knew exactly what Fotiniky could achieve, he had understood from the very start: what was her nature, what was of her mind and what of her heart. He had fallen in love, as a mature man, with the pretty little one and wanted next to her to continue to live, to help her to grow and through her the power of women to show.

Fotiniky, you are both graceful and wise, you in the world must impose the example of how women can rise!

So they both spent long hours of research, Fotiniky would read frantically and calmly write, Sophianous would help her now and then – they were in ecstatic delight. She had become quite a name in the Agora, men would acclaim her, women adore her!

Oh, but the eternal fancies and moods of Fortune, how they ever turn and ever return - life might be a great mystery, but one thing is forever sure, bad luck never fails in its constancy.

One day it happened, an international gathering held under the auspices of the Academy in the East, Sophianous was proud - he’d have Fotiniky officially presented at the grand feast.

Among the people that came, there was a couple from the land where Hercules had thrown the pillars of the antique world: an illustrious professor with the aura of a macho, a brunet man by the name of Allsaintus – and she was his lover, another fine label in the list of academicians, her name was Hombrya, dark as a black olive, plump and plane, she had the features of a man, towards spirituality she showed no gain. She thought of herself as of a Jeanne d’Arc, but in all truth she had little value – but that was not seen as vital – for her lover Allsaintus had written in her name all the works that brought her the title!

When the four met, at seeing Fotiniky, Allsaintus’s eyes were on fire, whilst Hombrya’s heart fell under jealousy’s empire. And as all know, when envy and suspicion enter a woman’s breast, blood will be spilt and nobody shall know any rest!

Day after day Allsaintus would be unusually gay, whenever seeing Fotiniky his eyes would kindle, whilst Hombrya’s temper turned to that of a mare on which one cannot put any bridle. She started to gather all information she could attain on Fotiniky in an attempt to hunt her down as a game.

Fotiniky tried hard to keep out of the way of the eminent professor and his over-possessive consort who came from the land of the dying sun, but it was as hard as for a young dear to keep out of the reach of the poacher’s gun.

Oh, Sophianous, master to my mind and of my emotions, let me stay in your office and continue my studies, I wish not to appear at the feast! Allsaintus is so frivolous, as for Hombrya – she seems little more than a beast! She treats me with sneers and speaks of me ill, she talks of me as if I were a wench with absolutely no skill!

Of course, my lovely, she does all that – she hates you terribly and how could she not? You are everything she isn’t: intelligent and witty as the goddess of reason, your heart is of gold, in it there can be no treason, you are strong yet delicate like an imperial lily flower, gracious and spiritual like a swan in its final hour! But you must not let your passions take control, you cannot let yourself be intimidated, you must reach your goal! People will always try to limit you in your way, take no notice of them, you’re not made of the same clay!

As the day came of the grand, final banquet, Hombrya had stirred within the polis the people in hatred. She had taken all that could be said of her own lot, and put it as a label on Fotiniky’s plot – for Allsaintus had written all that Hombrya had signed - and turned this case as if it were Sophianous and Fotiniky’s kind. Thus it came out that the little eastern flower had not written a single line, but had lied hour after hour. The people in the Agora, passionate and quick of temper, did not take the time to investigate the matter. They concluded in haste they had been tricked and decided to take revenge on the two that had played the so-called charade.

During the day Marmely came to visit Fotiniky and she told her with fear in her voice - but in her eyes one could see large spite

Fotiniky, my friend, take care of yourself tonight!
For that cruel demon, that I’m obliged to call fellow countrywoman, she is of the wickedest mold, and she swore on the Bible that in the Agora your head she will hold! She is a despicable person, full of frustrations, for everybody knows that her lover eternally puts her the horns! Yet when thinking of you she feels such gloat, that she wishes to make of you the sacrificial scapegoat!

Fotiniky felt weary, sick and sour as she went to the feast – but Sophianous looked at her with love pouring out of his eyes and his breast!

They mingled among all the academicians, the ones from were cultures rise and those that burry the treasures.

Passing through one of the corridors, Fotiniky met with Agapy who had come to announce her

Fotiniky, my dearest one! You must flee at once, take Sophianous and run!
I cannot hold them, they will neither listen nor bargain, they want your heads on a silver platter - they have gone totally mad, no respect even for the alma mater!  

Fotiniky had bitter tears in her green eyes as she told Sophianous to what extent went Hombrya’s lies. But Sophianous would not hear, he said they must stay, the people of the Agora were no animals, they would listen to common sense, there would be no cause for panic or distress.  

As Fotiniky was trying to make her speech, the riot was coming in close reach.

Looking at them she gave a powerful sigh and thought to herself

They might not be animals, taken one by one, but put together they make a ravaging flock, humans lose all consciousness when representing a stock!

They invaded the University, they light it up from their torches, they destroyed books and furniture, they felt the need to dismantle, they wanted to catch Sophianous and Fotiniky, although once caught they did not know how the situation they’d handle.

The guests all ran out, Hombrya was in total ecstasy, Allsaintus never looked back to see what had been left of the magnanimous Academy - and the two that had there been trapped.

Sophianous took Fotiniky through the secret passages in a hurry and closing a huge door said

Off you go towards my study!

But my love, what will you do? Come with me and let’s try to flee!

No - my love and my life - there is no use! If I do not block this door, they will get us in a matter of seconds, you must run off without me, but never forget – I have always loved you and in you I put all my devotion, you must take womanhood and give it a new notion! Even more, try to show to the world: education should not be the slave or the mistress to industry, but the eternal goddess of love and liberty!

But love of my life…

No buts, be on your way!

With huge tears coming down on her cheeks, Fotiniky ran into the office. Entering she saw on a shelf the great book of knowledge, she took it under her arm and with great frenzy she measured the room.

Oh, dearest Yorick, whatever is there to do? We are the only ones left, me and you!

In the very next second the hollows where Yorick’s eyes had once been lighted up with green rays, showing the way towards the window.

But, surely, it cannot be so – to go into the abyss – this is what you’re telling me to do?

The green light becomes more intense, Fotiniky almost thought she had seen a smile on Yorick’s face.

Oh, dearest friend! Oh, prince of pure light! You come to me from such a glorious time! Let us run into the world, let us not become part of this crime!   

Fotiniky, Anonyma in truth, picks up the skull and to the window reaches, whilst looking down into the night they hear flaps and screeches.

The winged knight with his dark plumage comes for the final rescue - he brings in his beak a long, sturdy cordon – Anonyma fastens it firmly and tells her friends, still crying abundantly  

Let’s go now! There is no time to lose – I have the book of knowledge with me, let’s put it to some use!

anonyma-academic-affair

In the Realm of Jasmine (an Academic Affair)

And so once more poor Anonyma found herself running away, with her few belongings, with the few books she could carry, running, thinking, crying, but not looking behind. She knew Abyssus would not follow her, she knew he loved her, and that he’d probably be looking out the window with tears menacing his eyes, but she knew he would never come after her, not at such a time.

Running and crying she thought of her father, she missed him so dearly, she felt so very small, wounded like a bird, hurt like a child and lonely as only a woman can be at moments in her life!

Oh, Father, when telling me <My love, you’re such a dreamer you wouldn’t know to choose between day and night!>, dear Father, how could you have been so right? Yet the problem I wish to know is which to love and which to let go? In life it is such that when we find the right man, we do not care much - yet when we find the wrong one we would give all, even our honour, as to taste a drop of his amour!

Tired of running, eyes red from the tears that came down in waves, she halted a minute and saw her situation in all its painfulness.

How could I have been so foolish as not to see, neither one has really loved me! I continue to ask myself which one to choose, but in reality solving this dilemma has absolutely no use – for neither one of them is free to love, neither one can understand my need, and even if they would, neither would come to my relief! One has the heart as black as his eyes, the other a soul colder than ice! Oh, dear Father, how could I have been so blind and not see, their ego is too grand to let live in it any Beauty? Father, oh, Father, where should I go from here? How long must my voyage be in order to uncover that secret that will make my heart jump with glee? … There must be an answer to my quest and yearning, I will go into the real world, and find there my learning!

Petit Anonyma searched high and low, until she found a place in the real world to call her own. It was a small, provincial town, with a tremendous bourgeois life, but all wrapped up in a glamorous academic gown. 

This is just the place I’ve been searching for, a place where towards knowledge I can find the door! I wish to forget and I need to find a cure to my desire, I wish to express my feelings and for this end Language I must acquire! In a country that lies towards where the sun sets I will find my peace, I will be tranquil and find my ease! I will lose myself in this busy little gathering, I will be anonymous, and forget of love’s distressful laboring!  

Timorously she looked about her and observed the customs, she understood they were not prepared to understand of life’s higher values. The people seemed to aspire for so very little, craving for objects, they regarded money as having true glitter. To the mind and soul almost nothing they would grant, but rejecting the body absolutely no want - they’d give in to any petty longings, but allocate no place to love and its courtships. The funniest thing Anonyma understood was that although all this was done in broad daylight, they would reject the idea and hate anybody telling them so with all their might. To Beauty and Truth they showed nothing more than scorn, yet they had the arrogance to say their souls had high adorn.

Poor, humble souls! Poor, innocent devils! Wouldn’t they know they are subject to the worst of perils?! Why cannot they understand they put value on nothing? Why cannot they see their lives are just a bluffing?  

Anonyma understood the pitifulness of the real world, but nevertheless she was curious to learn its worth. So she started to make for her a new identity, putting much into her style, but leaving out much according to the requests of the ruling superficiality.

I must be pretty and sweet, for this appears to be what they admire, yet I must not forget to be intelligent, if I want to survive in this mire! I must be free, but not too independent, I must be interesting, but not passionate, for their middle class minds cannot be much questioned! Above all, they cherish their comfort and so-called riches - in the end they’re nothing more than hypocrite wenches!

First and foremost Anonyma changed her name to Jasmine, a gift from the old gods the real world had long forgotten. She assumed the role of a prosperous lawyer’s daughter, a highly educated girl, with the manners of a lady. She was a vision of loveliness – ah, what a pity!

She clapped her hands and instantly appeared a bag of shinny pounds. She presented herself as a delicate flower from a land in the east, in this new world her father should have been seen more honorable than a priest. She herself would have been treated as an angel fallen from the skies, if these people could have been able to see true value where it lies. But this was not to be the fortune of Jasmine – for the heart of human beings is full of loathing!

She went on through the streets of the old town singing merely, she was happy she’d started her life as a student in the University!

I shall learn so much! I feel I shall discover the great secret I search for, I shall receive all the teachings I truly seek and adore in the classrooms that lie between the walls of this temple of lore!
The clock struck five as Jasmine went to her class, she sat down in the line, next to the others. Her deep green eyes were looking down, little was she aware that when lifting them up she would lose her heart and life would come to a fresh new start.

There he was with his huge dark eyes, with his raven’s black hair and his skin not so fair, standing in front of them all, but giving her a stare. A stare that would stir in her troubled soul tempests she felt she could not control. And his voice, so manly it made in her heart a gore - where had she heard this voice before?
Oh, the pain! Oh, the delight! The anguish, the pleasure – she felt she was going crazy, she could not eat in the day, nor sleep in the night. In a second she had forgotten all, where did she come from, what was she searching for?

Days went by and she knew no rest – he was so handsome, so intelligent – was he to be the one that would give a name to her quest?

But what is the name of this master of words? Benvenuto – highly praised and much renowned - a man of letters, whose name wears a crown. A man in his fifties, one that has wondered the seven seas –  along the way he has gathered titles and favors of so-called ladies, poor little Jasmine – what were her odds? Oh, hazard – you are the revenge of the gods!

But she could hear not the voice of reason, she lost track of common sense – oh, heart, thy pleasure is called treason!

In her passionate, yet carefully controlled way she would go to see him in his sanctuary. She struggled to learn, if not for her own awareness, at least him to amaze, but the small creature would tremble under the weight of her feelings.

She could not understand Why is it that some times I see him looking at me with so much interest, but then at other times he puts so much distance? Why is it every time I come next to him I can’t even remember my name, I can’t even articulate two words – how I wish he’d do something!

But Jasmine’s problems were far bigger than the ones of her heart, for a cruel, influential woman by the name of Yora was nourishing for her a great hatred! A hatred that sprung from the noblest feeling - she had been rejected by Jasmine and now wanted her end. She would stop at nothing: lies, intrigues, plots and slandering.

In the meantime a young, rich and dashing lad by the name of Giovanni had set his desire on conquering the delicate, eastern flower.  

Yet Jasmine would not hear of him, she had no room in her interests for some other but her master, she could not conceive of being anybody else’s mistress. Of Giovannis and Yoras she would hear not, only next to Benvenuto she wanted to find her happy lot.

But the young man was shrewd and infatuated with himself, he knew no shame in his attempt. He wasn’t prepared to suffer defeat, he would have Jasmine even if he’d have to cheat.

Manly as he was, Benvenuto had doubts: isn’t the sweet little thing too pretty, too young? What would people say if I’d invite her out? Isn’t she poor, coming from the east, maybe she just wants through me to gain access at the bourgeois feast?

Whilst the two dark knights were with Jasmine dreaming, Yora was against her plotting and scheming: gathering all data she could put her hands on, trying to find out where exactly she had come from. She would invent words Jasmine had never said, she tried to denigrate her in every way she could - and how easy it is for anyone to believe a pretty woman from a distant realm can only have devious intentions and dim secrets to hide – sadly indeed, this is the way things go in life!

Every day Jasmine went to school, most happy in her torture, she tried herself intelligent to prove. But she could not think of anything but his dark-brown eyes, his sonorous voice, his manly posture – to her his words felt like ambrosia from the deities, she felt she could love him until the end of the galaxies.
She felt immortal when he looked at her, she felt she could fly whenever he passed her by. If ever it happened that he would speak to her, she would be afraid to answer as not to err.  

Oh, Father, whatever am I to do, could it ever be that he’d love me too?

In the same time that Jasmine lost her rest, Benvenuto himself could not sleep with excitement – he constantly thought what he could do to present himself in a way that would help to her conquest.

Yet while he put much attention in how she would see and hear him, the voice of society kept in his head creeping. It constantly told him how ridiculous it would show for him to appear in public with a woman that had such a glow.  

On top of it all, does she even like me? With our women it’s so very simple, the ones that have an interest, will jump onto the man without the least distress. This one is strange, what does she want? She looks at me in such a passionate way, yet she doesn’t come onto me, she seems like she wants to play! But what could be the nature of this game, is it that through me she wants access to money, position, fame?

Whilst their meetings in his sanctuary grew in intensity, and both were mad with delight, Yora contacted Giovanni and joined forces in this fight.

Jasmine would look into Benvenuto’s profound, big eyes and feel again what she had thought she left behind. His handsome tanned hue, the pace of his voice, she was so in love with him she hardly dared to rejoice.

Maybe she’s just shy, or maybe…could it be true, that she is one from the old school who waits for the man to come with the first cue?

After having passed the final test, Jasmine sent a missive to her master, telling him in verse what she could not otherwise express.

Since the first moment I have met you
I have known eternity
And love too!
I cannot imagine, nor do I dare to ever aspire
That you might consider me worthy
Of your interior fire!

Receiving her letter in his sanctuary, Benvenuto felt like a god from above, he couldn’t believe what fortune made him the preferred of the loveliest girl in the burg, the one any man would have given anything to see without her garb.

Intoxicated with the idea of attaining the mysteries of the one so desired, the one whom had stirred such gossip and jealousy, Benvenuto went and asked Jasmine if she would like with him to marry.

“Jasmine, my little white flower, I am not as sophisticated as you, or your countrymen! I am a barbarian, by comparison! Yet I want you to wed me, let us live together and be forever happy!”

“You know I worship you, my love, my life - but I will never be for you the perfect wife! You know I cannot conform to the vulgarity of this world, and neither to its hypocrisy! I will always be perceived as having odd ways, people will look at you and comment what we do in the nights and in the days…”

“Sweet child, for this I do not care – for once in my life to be ecstatic I wish to dare! For once in my life I want to know what true love is and not just taste of physical bearings! For once I want to see if life I can capture, and stop this mimicking – you, Jasmine, you are my rapture!”

Next to the sea, in a small village of old valiant people, the two exchanged their passionate vows – how blissful they felt, whilst Fate was sharpening her poisonous arrows.

Giovanni was enraged, he felt he could put fire to the bourgeois town, Yora was laughing like mad while telling him her plan:

“The gods are on our side, can you not perceive? They are so much in love, they’ll falter easily! When feelings are so strong, one loses common decency, if another comes whispering lies, one will trust presently!”

The burg was all astir with the news of such liaison, people could not believe that Benvenuto married the pretty Eastern.

Beautiful as they were, full of joy and so involved with each other - they looked like a match made in Paradise, they were a handsome sight for sore eyes.

But then it came, Yora’s old tricks, simple as they were, they had all the effectiveness.

She started a rumor of a debt Jasmine would not pay her back, a petty sum of money nobody knew about. Jasmine didn’t even understand why was the old hypocrite making so much scandal, for two pieces of worthless coins Yora wanted a battle.

“I have no debts with you, you sneaky, cruel creature, but if you wish those coins, I’ll gladly have them delivered!”

“No, my pretty, I’ll have nobody give them to me, but you and only you, personally! Come in the dark, next to the river, we shall meet there, and I’ll relief you of your commitment! But come by yourself– I want to see you alone, do not bring your man, or any other person.”

Meanwhile, as planned, Giovanni met with Benvenuto and gave him a smile:

“You should really feel shame, such a beautiful woman, and you are so lame! Poor little creature, to have such a pitiful obligation, two mere coins, but you do nothing for her alleviation. Luckily for her to me this is trifle, and as we are for a long time lovers, I will relief her of such baffle. If you don’t believe me, then come this night, next to the water, then maybe you’ll see the light!”

Benvenuto felt the ground was shaking, his nerves started boiling, his heart was trembling.

What is this clown speaking of? What coins, what debt? And how could he be her lover – have I been but a fool, has she been my trapper?

Later in the night all went to the river, the moon was coming out, they all felt the fever.

“Anonyma, sweet little thing, you came as we planned, just at the right timing!”

Jasmine, Anonyma to say the truth, stopped for a moment, not understanding the scheme, but she felt something dirty was the going. In the first place what was Giovanni doing there, in the second, how could he have known her true name – what was this? What kind of game?

Benvenuto was in the bushes, he saw Jasmine not saying a word, and applying his values he made up her worth. But wrong was his judgment and blinded by his prejudices, he did not see Yora was just a few steps away, the mastermind of this disgrace, having her say. Blinded by jealousy, he misinterpreted all of Jasmine’s saying and doing, the way she rejected Giovanni he saw as her intricate wooing. 

This is the kind I have married, this is to whom my name I’ve given – I brought her into this marvelous world, and for an idiot I have been taken!

He thought of going and killing the arrogant youth, but then he thought of how that on his image would prove! The great Professor, the great Academician, subject to a jealousy crime – what monstrous perdition!  
Yet he could not let the little pretty one to get by, how would the world regard this well-crafted lie? His spouse, a woman that not only has debts, but goes around flirting with young lads! He, the old goat, with horns as apparel, he would not pardon her, she has to go to hell!

Thus he sent her a short, simple message I am waiting for you, my love, in the sanctuary!
He would kill her there, with his bare hands, then would drag her little body out in the balcony, and throw it in the interior court – people would think she had died from her own volition within the grounds of the Academy, no one would find it strange, since to them she seemed to come out of an old tragedy.  

Anonyma felt strange, she felt very worried What is the meaning of this, how could he know? I left him in his study, in the house, not long ago!

As she went towards the University trembling in the obscurity, a big black bird came to her side crowing loudly.

“Oh, leave me alone, you silly dark fowl, can’t you see I’m in a hurry? Can’t you go somewhere else to howl?”

But the bird would not let go, he came next to her, sat on her shoulder, and gave her a bewaring stare.

Then she understood, she foresaw it all, and without hesitating decided in a blink, she had to run off again, this time taking nothing. Nothing but tears, leaving nothing behind but one big lie, she was so ravished, felt this time she’d surely die.

Realm-of-Abyssus

In the Realm of Abyssus (beyond the depth of intelligence)

“Fool is not the one that will not see,
Fool is the one that will not understand.
And that fool is me!
Fool is the one that understanding
Will not let go!
And I know it to be so!
Fool is the one that having said good-by,
Will return!
As I shall do so, by and by!”

With huge bitter tears in her green sad eyes Anonyma grabbed in haste her old friend, Abyssus the skull, and a few of her most valued books and ran out of the white tower.
She ran, looking desperately behind her, looking and faking terror, looking and hoping. Deep down inside her, desperation grew as she saw Morbid was not following, seeking her pardon. She would have given anything in the world for him to come and stop her.
“Oh, Morbid! Why are you not following me, shouting that you are free? Why don’t you come to tell me it’s not true, and that Brujella does not own you?”
As her slim, agile body leaped through the vegetation of the forest, she was pressing her few belongings to her youthful breast. But in her flight she did not observe the skull as it came to life.
Run did she day and night, leaving far behind the white tower and the dark knight.
In the end she could run no more, she felt her feet and her heart sore.
So she stopped into a clearing in the woods, where she built herself with a snap of the fingers a hut.
She felt miserable and sad, her head felt heavy and her heart bad. She could not believe that the love of her life did nothing to stop her and keep her next to his side.
“Within his huge, dark eyes there is a rebel soul entrapped! One that managed to enchain me … enslaved, the one that thought would never be gained! Oh, the idiot that I am, how can it be that I love him this way, refusing to accept the truth as clear as the day?”
Anonyma felt fury and frustration, she took the skull again from the shelf and flung it through the room trying thus to quench her temper.
“My dear! You keep on crying and throwing me from here to there, I’m only good to you when you fall in despair! I have had enough of this, now I would like for you to give me a kiss!”
Anonyma shivered in shock, she looked at Abyssus with her eyes sparkling with inquisitiveness, she could not understand, what was it all about, this business at hand?
“I love you so, but you don’t even know! I love you more than the one that is dark, but you won’t even remark!”
Shocked as she was, Anonyma didn’t feel mistrust. But troubled was her soul, and her eyes sour from the abundant tears, she leaned towards Abyssus and gave him his kiss.
In an instant the skull came to life and transformed into a prince, with vivid green eyes that showed huge intelligence. His hue was fair, his long hair brown, it was slightly curly, as it came down.
Anonyma looked in great wonder, her old silent friend … yet another?
“Abyssus, you sly old fox, finally I see you out of the box!”
“Anonyma, you dear little thing, I have waited all my life to be with you on an equal footing!”
“But Abyssus, my dearest friend, you must explain it to me, where is this going, to what end?”
“Anonyma, sweet, lovely flower, I am to be your love up to the final hour!”
“But Abyssus, we are so much more friends!”
“Love and friends… they sometimes go together, to the ultimate ends!”
“I swear to you, dear friend, I do not understand… I am confused… I am not in demand!”
“You should start much more to think, and let aside so much feeling…listen to my counsel, this will be your healing!”
“Abyssus, I do not know what I could say… I hear you speak, but I do not see which is the right way!”
“Now you are hurt, you feel confused, but in time, at my side, you will stop feeling abused!”
“Oh, Abyssus, my dear! Oh, if for a moment I could just stop and think! If I could stop hurting, maybe I’d see how we link!”
“I will have patience and you will feel our link, in time! I will forever love you and you will be mine!”
“But he always is in my thoughts and my feelings, he is for me as a master…”
“My little one, philosophy is the ruler, language realizes only the plaster!”
“Abyssus, hush! This cannot be true! Language rules over all, I know it … and you know it too! Man ceases to be human out of language’s hue, to it we all have some form of due!”
“Language gives us the form, philosophy puts in the content! When you will see this truth, you will need no other proof!”
“Proof of what, I pray?”
“Proof that you will love me some day!”
“But, Abyssus, my dear, I do love you in my own way… you are my friend, you are…”
“I don’t want to be your friend, I want to be your man! I don’t want to be the second, but the first in your plan!”

“Oh, dear gods, you that give reason… why are men so childish, why do they bring to the heart only blister?”

“Abyssus, right now I feel I am in agony, we shall speak of this in due time, when I shall feel more as mine!”
“Free you are like the birds in the sky, you only need to break the chains, since you have given your good-bye!”

Anonyma would hear his eloquent words day after day, she would look out the window, but never see Morbid coming that way.

“Time will cure you of what ails you now! Time has bitter pills, but heals every wound!”

“Time is no doctor and it never cures a thing! Yet time is a good pedagogue in its teaching! Thus I will learn to live with this scare, although with a heavy heart lacking yare…”

With a broken heart and tears in her eyes, Anonyma couldn’t sleep, but look up to the skies.
“Oh, gods, why? Why should I crave to be cured of love? Why can’t I just be happy in it, singing like a dove? … So many have known him, so many, but not I! So many have loved him … why? Father … why couldn’t I? To have made love, I and him, at least would have been something to live after, if only in the dim!”
Days and nights went on by, Abyssus being there and growing every time less shy. Seasons changed and other seasons came into being, Anonyma felt desperate and Abyssus was cheering.

“She shall be mine, I shall have her at last, and the black night – I’ll take him out of her dreams with an easy blast! How silly of Morbid, how lacking tact, not to know how a woman needs a man to act… his absence of trust can only come from too much lust! And my little white flower, how pure and so sweet, she cannot even dream that he loves her so deep!”
Abyssus and Morbid had been very close, once in their life, they were of the same blood, they were born of the same mould, one that makes consciousness alight.
Distinct in appearance, they had the same air, Morbid was dark, Abyssus was fair, yet they both had sharp minds and profound souls, they seemed like two sides of the same coin, one could swear.
When as children they would play, their mothers would watch and comment with a laugh: “Look at Morbid, the dear little one seems so tough!”
“Yet, in truth and inside, he is so shy! While Abyssus, by his gate, one would never imagine he’s in fact the confident guy!”
But growing up, their roads would part, each one choosing his own art.
Yet the separation was not to be light, for before saying “Good-bye!” they had a serious fight.
“What is it that you know?! Abyssus, you don’t have a clue! I shall find out all, and if you want, I can include your name, too!?”
Morbid was of a happy nature, franc and open-minded, he had no superiority, he wanted to protect the ones that could no more but object.
But Abyssus felt hurt, he took it to heart, Morbid had spoken with arrogance, had put distance between them and left him apart.
Abyssus knew Morbid to be smart, but now he felt that in this, he was lacking common sense and had to be dismissed.
“Morbid, you are but a presumptuous fool! Of course I know nothing, you think you know more? The question is: from this sea of ignorance can we ever reach the shore? Will we ever be able to sit with the gods at their table? Will it ever be for us acknowledged, to eat from the apple of knowledge? I know these questions, they do not let me sleep at night! I hope one day I’ll see at the end of the tunnel the bright light!”
“Abyssus, you are so lost in soliloquies you’ll never find the light, if it would hit your eyes! You forget of the concreteness, you go wondering into the abstract so much, that real things are out of your touch!”

Abyssus took his things, and left the old domain of the family without many partings. 
He retreated from the world, he lived secluded, ever seeking to find the results of the questions that disturbed him so in the nights.
Aristocratic in his ways, bohemian in his manner, with his huge melancholic gazes, it didn’t take long until one of the goddesses over him lost her senses.
None other was she, than airy Infatuaty. The goddess of frivolous love and silly little thoughts saw in him the one she wanted to tie her knots.   
But Abyssus would not hear of it, he wanted nothing of the sort, although her love he accepted, he didn’t take the whole lot.

“Now, who does this mortal think that he is, refusing such a gift from a goddess?”

Infatuaty was in a state of rage, she could have had the world on its knees, she wanted to punish the young prince and send him into the eternal abyss.
So in tears of fury Infatuaty flew high to the sky. She went straight to the Mother of All and started crying with sigh:
“Oh, sweet mother, to be cursed so! He does not love me, but I can’t let go!”
“My beautiful one, what exactly is it that you wish!”
“My wish? Why mother, I want to give him a severe punish! I should have his head off! But no! it would be too easy, it would be like letting him go!”
“Then name your price! What is it you have in mind for this daring slice?”
“Daring indeed! How could he make love to me, as if I was a nothing? Always lost in his thoughts, always wondering high, was I not there? Was I but a lie? To ignore me so, to put me second in place? I, who am the queen of all hearts, to be taken only for parts? He believes he is smart, superior to others, he thinks he can reach truths beyond the capacity of mortals!”
“Is that so? I wonder how your father didn’t know?”
“Of course papá has no idea! How could he know? when the man lives secluded from the world, completely out of it, not bothering a soul; he is no counterfeit, he desires no material goods, despising gold and all that mortals praise, he worships truth and knows the value of it! He will not have pecuniary riches, he is seeking for enlightenment, he is not like the rest, he is out of the pattern!”
“My dear Infatuaty, what you say is so grave! Why, this one might teach the rest how it is not to be a slave!”
So the gods reunited to talk ... what should be done with the one who lived the life of the true, the one who would not have gold, understanding its little value.
The Father of All was furious and in despair: “I’m sick of those two, I’d love to blow them in the air!”
“One was seeking for the absolute truth, the other came so close to it, he could have had it for proof!” Enviar was jubilating, he was jumping with delight, he had a thing with Morbid, but neither did he see Abyssus in a good light. As Morbid was by now roaming in the world, and instead of speech his crow only the heavens would reach, Abyssus had to be dealt with just the same, and to be brought to nothing more but public shame.
“We should have him forever silenced, the arrogant prince! He thinks he is so very smart, we should take away his philosophical bearings!” the young gods would shout, being jealous of the promising sprout.
“Let it be a lesson to all who wish to think, I will turn him into a skull, and thus his dignity will sink! If he thinks he can discover what for the mortals is undercover, he should try doing it so, as a head with no toe; he should try to inspire the people, sitting on a shelf that is feeble! Let him woo spiders and webs, instead of goddesses!”
As Abyssus was shrinking to the level of thinking, sweet Innocence appeared again talking with eloquence.
“What has he done? why punish him so? He has tried never, nobody to woo! My dear step sister has given herself freely, he never promised her anything that she did not receive willingly. As for his connections to humanity, they are of little consequence. Your attitude is inhumanly, it has no godly bearings.”
The Father of All looked at his most beloved of daughters: “So what would you have, my little princess?”
“I think the fair prince should be given a chance, the settlement should not be definite! At a fair maiden’s second glance, the spell should immediately bounce; at a kiss, he should turn back into a prince, but only from one with a mind so inquisitive!”
Sweet little Innocence had a glow in her blue eyes, she wished to know Abyssus safe, for him she would even tell lies.
The Father of All pondered in his mind and after a moment he gave not a decline: “If this is what you, my dear, truly wish, then let this be to this story the ultimate finish!”
Infatuaty when seeing Abyssus reduced to a mere object of what he once had been, threw him down on Earth, among the living. But little did she pay notice to where he had fallen.
Thus did the fair prince reach the shelf where the father of Anonyma let him an abode to make for himself.

Anonyma had not yet come into being, the wizard and his wife were still honeymooning. Those were the times of blissful happiness, the enchanter was a powerful man, his wife was young and gorgeous. Love was everywhere in their house to be found, and soon they would be expecting a child, this was no doubt.
Anonyma came, sweet, white and shy, but her beloved mother had, for this reason, to say good-bye.
At the very moment Anonyma was picking life’s thread, Morbid flew into their lives, taking the place upon Abyssus’ head.
Abyssus saw the little darling growing, he had been her playmate, she had always used him for the throwing.

“Now she has turned into a lovely woman, I cannot let her into the hands of my cousin!”

“Abyssus, my dear, I know so little! I wish I’d understand more, I wish I was not so illiterate!”
“My little white flower, you read and write these books tonight, and we’ll have them discussed tomorrow, by light!”
Anonyma would read, would learn, would write, she’d look up to the sky and cry in fright: “Where is he now, why does he not come? What have I done wrong? Does he not love me, not even at sundown?”
Nights of torment would go by, days of calmness, spent next to Abyssus.
Anonyma started at last to feel much more at ease, she felt the security, but not the bliss.  Her heart never forgot those huge black eyes, but at a certain point she started to doubt they’d ever seen real lives.

In the distant forest, in the small, cozy shed, life was going about, seemingly without any threat.
Yet life is never so smooth, it will kick us in the head with its heavy, dirty hoof.
Infatuaty seeing that Innocence’s stipulation came into being, felt a fury that would not know margins, she felt silly, she would accept no bargains.
“Men are so stupid, men are like sheep, they would follow each other, would pile up in a heap!”
Thus Infatuaty spoke to Anonyma, explaining the details, telling her of the deal. Anonyma felt sick, her heart would not heal.
“Tricked again, cheated by two lice, am I to be treated only as a vice? Am I to be seen only as a passage to forgiveness, can I never be more than a mistress? ”

Abyssus cried, he tried to plead with her: “I love you dearly, don’t leave me into despair! I want to live my life next to you, for the rest of my days, don’t be too hasty in getting me out of your ways!”
“You love me so, as not to let me go; but for sure, you’d not have me for your spouse, you tell me fancy words, but you’d never sign the documents!”
“Where does this come from? What is it all about? You know I adore you, there can be no doubt!”
Anonyma could not explain to him what had possessed her, she did not understand herself, where it came from, all her madness.

“All that I wanted was to be left alone, with my magic and my books, with my solitary little life; but then he appeared, with those gorgeous dark eyes, and promised me all, in a package of lies! After that, all I wanted was to be left with my tears, to spend the rest of my life in solitary years; with my books and my magic, I asked for nothing more, but then came the other, with his huge green eyes, and all I wish now is to run through the door, and never see anybody, anymore!”

“My little white flower, what are you seeking? Do you think the world will be to your liking?”

“I don’t know, Abyssus, I cannot tell! But I must see for myself, otherwise I’ll forever be living like in Hell! I must try out my luck, otherwise I shall live with a doubt! I must seek, for otherwise my life feels bleak!”

Anonyma ran away, from their hut, one day. And Abyssus with a tear, looked out the window, thinking without a sneer: “With all the love one can give, the woman will go out, into the world, to live!”