In the Hands of Monsters

“Ona! I know you can hear me. Find Anan for me, get him here as quickly as you can!” Nothing. He was mad. But then again, when was he not? He’s so hysterical sometimes. All the time. How can that be my reflection? Wasn’t he supposed to be at least some resemblance of his master?

No one ever had any explanation as to how Ona was born, or rather made. Was he my creation? Then why isn’t he even remotely obedient? How come some magical creatures can see him, while others can’t? What powers does he have?

“Ona! It’s not the time to hold grudges.” I yelled, rattling my chained hands in anger. I didn’t know how much time I had, or if anyone was keeping guard close enough to hear me, but my only chance was Anan, and to get to him, I needed Ona.

“Oh, I didn’t hear you there, Delano. You seem to be quite far from me.” Sarcasm reeked from the puddle outside the cave, my only source of a reflection. I have learned that even if I don’t see it, my reflection can appear in any reflective surface nearby. Just one of the secrets Ona decided to keep to himself.

“Yeah. I’m chained to the wall, as you very well know. Can you please just get Anan?” I begged.

“You need my help, do you? I thought I was just a worthless piece of your imagination, that’s only a pain in your neck.” A description I have given many times when irritated, and one that is also true ninety-nine per cent of the time.

“Oh, come on. If I die, you die too. That’s motivation enough. Get a move on!”

“Not before an apology.” Why he collects ingenuine apologies from me, I will never understand. Yet I gave him one anyway. “One day, one day you’ll see….” Another ominous threat. Anan always hopes it means future cooperation, but I know Ona. He’s building up to something. The moment either of us learn how to break this bond and be free, we will. That’s when I’ll have to worry. That’s when Ona will reveal his true self.

Long minutes passed, I listened for footsteps. I heard them… Not the ones I wanted. These were heavy, slow. They were accompanied by deep voices and the clatter of armour. Humans. Once again, our greatest enemy rears its ugly face. Of course, that’s who caught me. Who would drug their prey to make them incapable of fighting? No one plays less fair than humans.

“Haha, one boomed, seeing my starved, bony body hanging against the wall. “You really caught him? The great Delano. Finally, where you belong, you puny nature spirit.” His money was apparent from his looks, his posture, his clothes, his weight; it was obvious there was never a day he had to go without.

“Shackles? This is where you think nature should be? How would you move your trains? How would you sail? What would feed your fires? If you kill this planet, you won’t be alive for much longer.”

“Oh, shut it. You did well, boys,” he turned to the three lanky figures behind him, all grinning wide, proud of their achievement.

“Yes, drugging someone is a really difficult task, mostly when done by three goons. Did you come up with it all by yourselves?” I couldn’t resist undermining that compliment. It was so undeserved. They growled in true brute fashion; no actual response was delivered. Even their boss seemed phased, by my brazenness or their stupidity, it was hard to tell.

“Hey, master, your brother’s on the way. Although four on one seems a bit cruel, even from you.” Ona, always with the best timing.

“Ona, don’t.” Was all I could manage without revealing too much.

“What is he on about?”

“He keeps talking to some Ona. We thought he might be hallucinating from the poison, but that should’ve left his body by now.”

“Have you checked the perimeter? Maybe he has some partner somewhere. Did you search him?”

“We did all of that. No one was anywhere near his camp. He had a bag which we took, it had some charms and potions, nothing else. We took all his necklaces, which weakened him greatly.” Of course they did. I haven’t slept in days, food was sparse, only Anan’s charms kept me in fighting shape.

“Hmm.” I could see his brain working very hard, trying to figure out what, if any, risk Ona poses. “Fine. Keep guard, nonetheless.”

“When can we finally collect the bounty?”

“Patience. I want to experiment a bit. It’s not every day you get your hands on such a strong… spirit.” He laughed at his own joke. No one joined in.

“But, sir. We need the money.” One of the goons dared interject.

“We don’t, you do. And if you want any of it, you will sit tight, guard this mongrel, and let me have my fun.” There it was, the quick meeting of glances between the three. There was a bigger plan. Should I let it happen or get involved? How easily would it be to manipulate them? Could I convince them that the treasures of their leader are worth more than my bounty?

“Delano? You awake?” I heard my voice ask. Every inch of me hurt. Breathing seemed like torture instead of my tether to life. I moved, trying to shift my body into a less painful position. A ridiculously hopeless task.

“Yes,” I muttered, my voice coarse from dehydration.

“Anan is waiting for my word. He has a plan.”

“What plan?”

“Too long to explain.”

“Then why ask for my permission?”

“I brought up the same point. Poor boy, seems a bit dependent. You haven’t raised him to be sure enough.”

“You decide. Only let him if you’re sure he’ll survive.”

“You’re offering Anan’s life to me, are you aware of that?”

“Yes…” I felt weak, and my mind cloudy. Yet the alarms were still ringing loud enough for it to be hard to ignore. I had to, nonetheless. Anan would not rest till I’m free, and I was in no shape to help him. Ona, as much as I hated it, was our only ally.

With a small hum, Ona left. Leaving me to my chamber of agony, that my body has become. I let my muscles go limp, at least conserving some of my dwindling energy, and tried to stay alert to any noise from outside. My mind played tricks on me, some of hope, as I heard Anan’s voice, some of terror as I heard the heavy footsteps and the rattling of coins.

“Brother, wake up. I cannot carry you any further. I’m afraid it would open up your stitches.” I couldn’t decide if I was dreaming or not. I opened my eyes, the light blinding me.

“Anan” was what I tried to say, but no coherent sound left my throat.

“Please, Delano, I need you to try and walk. Just till we get somewhere safe.” I felt something cold being pushed into my hands. Trusting the voice that was leading me, I drank the contents of the small vial. I felt somewhat more human afterwards. Exhaustion still threatened to take over, but at least my vision returned, and some of the fog lifted from my mind. I saw my brother kneeling beside me, looking through his bag of charms. With a twinkle in his eyes, he brought forth one I saw many times. He looped it around my neck. Magic now coursing through me, I was able to stand. Ignoring the stabbing pains all over, I started to walk.