Viktor

by Francesco Leo

  “Well, if you’re here I think Vilsius’s spell managed to get you gliding in the right way, then. Nothing was left to chance and nothing would have happened: the lack of air in the library was the proof that allowed me to understand your level of reasoning in critical situations, but, if necessary, you would have had access to a reserve of inexhaustible air through some spells that Dandelion has kindly applied on you when you met. The enemy wizard, who was killed by an allied soldier that prevented him from striking you with the fireball, is an example of how you were safe. Everything had been studied to be solved in the best way in case you couldn’t do it with your own strength. Congratulations to the new chosen one and his friends.”

  “New chosen one?” Selene repeated.

  “There will be no chosen one, I left everything. I’ve already told you,” Viktor said coldly.

  “Chosen one? Does someone want to explain what’s happening?” asked Gabriel.

  “The legend of the Star of the Prophecy you were looking for this morning is true and the gods have chosen Viktor.” It was Dandelion who replied this time.

  “So you Elders knew everything, but you preferred to keep it a secret from us?” Selene asked with perplexity.

  “Exactly. We did it to see how far you could come by yourselves.”

  Sinus’s answer brought silence into the room, even if it didn’t help to answer the questions that crowded the heads of the three youngsters.

  Suddenly, there was a loud explosion of glass preceded by a roar, and the walls of the room began to crumble.

  Large irregular cracks emerged on the walls of the room; the plaster fell and crashed to the floor like a very thin crystal plate.

  Everything was destroyed revealing a new environment beneath that shattered illusion, like a snake that sees its own skin shed off to give birth to a new, stronger skin.

  When even the atmosphere outside and everything else dissolved, a monastery identical to the one of the previous day appeared: the scene in which the fake siege was held had been destroyed to make way for reality and the clear sky that the youngsters had missed so much.

  The light of the sunset passed through the magically reconstructed window of the great hall and everything returned to its place.

  “How did you know I was coming?” Viktor asked Sinus when everything was calmer.

  “We Elders and the Members of the Star are always in touch. We knew you were aware of your brother and Selene’s position, so it was easy to understand where you would have gone after leaving the Den. The other three Elders are now discussing with Galaeth about what happened a while ago: they are miles away.”

  “Could you explain to me and Gabriel what happened from the beginning? I cannot believe Viktor is the protagonist of an old legend to ...”

  Sinus interrupted Selene with a wave of his hand. “You cannot believe he’s the protagonist of an old children’s legend, and yet you strongly thought it was true with Gabriel, didn’t you?”

  “Yes but...”

  “But it is so. I think your friend has to explain many things to you and maybe you could talk better after a wash and a little rest.”

  The three were silent waiting for Sinus to add more, but he only asked Vilsius to accompany the youngsters to their quarters, and he nodded without saying a word.

  “Did you leave your saddlebags outside the monastery?” Vilsius turned to Viktor as they descended the steps of the central tower.

  “Given the state I found this place in, I left them outside: they would have slowed me down.”

  “Well, the idea is always smarter than launching into a fight with bandits all alone,” Vilsius pointed out, smiling.

  “My friends could have been in danger,” the boy answered calmly.

  The elf nodded and continued to smile, returning to speak only when the four went out in the open air.

  “Anyway, I arranged to send your things to the lodgings.”

  ******

  After getting back on their feet, the youngsters dined with supplies offered by the monastery, then Viktor explained all that he had experienced in every detail, from his kidnapping until that evening.

  His two friends couldn’t conceal their confused thoughts and their amazed and incredulous faces, but at the same time they knew that Viktor would never lie to them; moreover, after all, they too had believed in the legend of Arald and the Star of the Prophecy.

  Only one thing the young chosen one had preferred not to speak about: Xemnath’s diary.

  He no longer wanted anything to do with legends, weapons and tasks he had deemed inappropriate for him, and yet he didn’t want to tell them about that diary: it was as if something kept him bound to that ancient manuscript and he wanted to understand what it was before discussing it with the others.

  That evening they kept talking until late, moving further and further away from the recent events until they reached moments of their tender childhood, when there were no responsibilities nor problems and fears.

  Speaking of the past was the only way to relive the events of a carefree time they missed so much, events that would never be repeated, feelings that would never return.

  However, that evening, it seemed that something of their childhood had returned: laughing without the least bit of sorrow, without fearing the present or the future, without the fear of making noise.

  LIKE OLD TIMES

  “I remembered narratives of frivolous characters and troglodytes with nostalgic sympathy; they were inadequate memories of what I had to become, yet I liked to think that one day I would be able read these stories again, told to children without any kind of burden that could torment my destiny. At first, the idea of being a kind of hero attracted me, I was nearly satisfied, but the problems began when I grew up.

  The more time passed, the more the concept of responsibility evolved within me and it immediately seemed that my fears of being inappropriate for my job would take over. When I was scared of what awaited me, I took refuge in one of the stories my father told me as a child, full of bizarre characters. Among them, I still remember that adventurer who left for unknown lands to learn martial arts: he was travelling with a small ruffled, furry dog, hovering in the air in a soap bubble that he used to move from place to place.

  As a child I could have spent hours imagining myself in a flying soap bubble. I wonder if it was comfortable or as funny as I thought ... but it doesn’t matter anymore now. We grow up and as we grow up many other concerns arise.

  Strange, life: today you’re here and tomorrow you could find yourself who knows where doing who knows what. I am proof of this.

  I would never have imagined my situation, nor would I have imagined myself writing the memories of my childhood on a piece of paper. But it is almost pleasant.

  When at my age you write about your past while knowing the amount of wrinkles you have on your face, then you can really say that you have lived. It’s my case.

  It is a matter of great satisfaction for me to remember everything in my life, even the details like the man in the soap bubble. It means that I didn’t want to cancel anything that was and is positive: what I know today I owe to what I was yesterday.

  This diary is proof of my experience, despite the efforts and responsibilities that have been entrusted to me, I would never deny it.

  I would never have made these reflections, once: obviously over the years I have become sentimental ... funny how things can change without the slightest warning. I will try to leave as many memories as possible in this writing, so that you, who are reading, can understand my past and what I want to convey, the values I want to teach you.

  Writing makes me feel good, it’s like an outburst and at the end of the day it’s like me communicating with you from the future. It’s almost anguishing, thinking about it. I hope you can learn from my pen and succeed in your task.”

  Viktor gently closed Xemnath’s diary.

  He too had wavered a lot about his job; he would have preferred to avoid everything, but
in the end he had managed to accept his own destiny.

  Xemnath seemed to be fond of the diary he was writing and hoped that the chosen one would read it.

  The young man no longer knew what to think: it was too late to make any decisions. He, Selene and Gabriel had stayed up late, but he was the only one who still hadn’t fallen asleep. In spite of exhaustion, something seemed to stop him from sleeping, like the buzz of an annoying insect in his ear.

  Finally, when he swore he had glimpsed a flash of light from the bedroom window, he gave in completely sprawled on his bed.

  ******

  The magenta light of dawn left room for a cloudy and gloomy sky, while a light but dense snowfall was covering the monastery, turning it white.

  When Viktor opened the door that led to the inside of the monastery a slight gust of wind froze his skin and the sound of the tree fronds occupied his mind; he immediately withdrew into his warm lodging.

  “Funny how the weather varies so quickly and randomly.”

  He positioned himself near the fireplace hearth at the entrance, getting lost in the light.

  There was no trace of Gabriel and Selene.

  He decided to wait a bit before looking for his friends because he didn’t know the monastery well, and with that snow he was afraid of getting lost.

  The shadows of the lights from the brazier suddenly changed into Viktor, Gabriel and Selene years ago: they were joking and chasing each other around the fire while First and Trust were busy chatting with a group of villagers standing on the short, fragrant summer grass.

  He could feel the sensation of the breeze that grazed him, the smell of the desserts prepared by the women of the village and the chatter of the villagers on his skin.

  Finally, he returned to the fire in the warm room.

  Forcing himself to drive negligence and worry away, he pushed himself up with his arms, put on a long, heavy coat of dark fur, and went out of the quarters.

  He took a few steps and looked around to decide which way to start searching for his friends, but all he saw was the outline of the central tower and a pile of pebbles stacked together next to a green anise plant, a few steps from where he was.

  The wind howled again and the young man tightened his grip on his fur coat as he began to walk toward the northern part of the complex.

  “I have to move, if I stay still I’ll end up freezing ... but where could they be?” he wondered, as the sound of broken ice under his feet mixed with the sound of the wind.

  He made his way by putting his hands in front of his body, then came under a small stone arch in front of a sturdy wooden door with metal polishing.

  At the peak of trembling, he pushed the door inward and opened it; he went down the spiral stairs, passed a stone arch, went around a wall and found a large circular room full of shelves and books of all kinds.

  He entered the labyrinth of manuscripts. He thought he was alone, but a sweet, confused melody made room between the echoes of his steps: it seemed like a carillon.

  The young man leaned over a shelf and noticed Sinus from behind.

  He stepped forward slowly: the music dissolved in an instant.

  Sinus turned to his side. He held an oval medallion decorated with flowers in his right hand, while a silver string tied to the object fell back into the emptiness. Opened as if it were a book, it contained a picture of a lady-elf.

  “It wasn’t meant to play,” said Sinus, closing the photo frame and re-placing it under his tunic. “I added the melody with a spell ... it helps me remember her.”

  “Don’t ... don’t worry, I was just looking for my brother and ...” said Viktor, but was interrupted by the Elder.

  “The elf in the picture was a friend of mine. She was a musician and what you heard was one of her compositions: she would have liked to continue playing ... she left like the others during the War of Oblivion, many moons ago. I think she was the only person I established such a deep bond with. A bond that time has severed by now.”

  “Why…why are you telling me this story, Elder?” the young man asked in a wavering tone.

  “To help you understand that even if I have suffered, even if I have lost a dear person, I have continued dreaming and living with my dreams, up until I have arrived where I am today. I know, it’s much easier and convenient giving up and throwing in the towel with the excuse of not being able to do or endure something, but it is certainly more satisfying to arrive to a goal after so many sacrifices, after having fought and conquered something singlehandedly.

  “Are you referring to my choice to…”

  “Yes,” Sinus cut short.

  A long silence followed.

  “In the beginning Xemnath too preferred to run away from his destiny…,” the young man thought.

  “I think that, if the gods have chosen you, it’s because they saw in you the potential to succeed where they can’t. Don’t underestimate them. Not again.”

  Viktor was pervaded by the firm conviction that Sinus was right: he wanted to flee because he feared he was inadequate, that he would let everyone down. He wanted to go back to the times of fun and parties with Gabriel and Selene; he longed to remain with the people he loved.

  He wanted everything to be as it was a long time ago, but reality made him realize how hard it was.

  “I believe in you, Viktor. We all believe in you,” said Sinus, giving him a loving pat on the shoulder and moving away.

  “If it hurts, why do you keep looking at her photo?” he asked.

  The elf didn’t turn around when he heard the question and waited a while before answering.

  “So I won’t forget I once loved.”

  Silence reigned once more in the library before Sinus got back on his feet.

  CHOICES

  G abriel and Selene were waiting with Vilsius for Sinus to return from the library.

  After a short time they heard the double doors to the big room open and the Elder appeared in front of the youngsters.

  “You should return to Viktor, I think he’s looking for you,” he suggested while he crossed the room to arrive to his stately seat.

  “You told us that you would have spoken to us once you got your strength back…” Gabriel replied.

  “I met your brother in the library… I tried to convey to him what he wanted, but by now it’s up to him to take the next move. He doubts about the task he is entrusted with, and until he’s sure about going further on, we can’t force him to. As for me you can remain in the monastery the time you deem necessary.”

  “We thought it was something that involved us to…”

  “In fact, it does. You are the gears that make Viktor move, without you he would be lost: all that he has done and will do, will be possible only thanks to you. The loved ones at his side can transmit the necessary energy so that he can carry out his mission: you two can only stimulate him to go on.”

  Selene and Gabriel exchanged a glance, smiled and nodded: if this was the gods’ wish, they would comply.

  They decided to go to Viktor immediately to speak to him and Vilsius accompanied them down the stairs as soon as Sinus dismissed them with a wave of his hand.

  The Elder remained in silence gazing at the snow that kept falling with a blank look on his face. “I only hope that you can handle it,” he said to himself.

  ******

  The two cold youngsters immediately appreciated the warmth of the apartment.

  Viktor appeared at the door of his room, then opened it completely, heartened not to be alone.

  “Where were you? I was looking for you ...”

  “We went to the Elder,” Gabriel explained.

  “Ah, yes ... I forgot we should have gone to him, but it doesn’t matter, I met him and I think I know what he spoke to you about.”

  “What do you think you’ll do?” Selene asked, staring into his eyes.

  Viktor didn’t keep eye contact, struck by an unusual sense of embarrassment.

  “I will try to fight. I will t
ry to live up to my expectations: it will be a way to make the people who accuse me of not being able to bear any responsibility go back on their words.”

  He turned around again, this time smiling, and then went back to his room.

  “Is it only my impression or it wasn’t it particularly difficult to convince him?” Gabriel said, turning to the girl.

  “He had already chosen, apparently. Better to leave him alone for a while, anyway ... it will be better to prepare something for lunch!”

  Selene took off her coat and headed for the kitchen, while Gabriel stared at some paintings on the clean-coloured walls and unfamiliar places.

  Viktor’s bedroom door opened and, silently, with a dark face, he headed for the kitchen. “Viktor ...”

  “Yeah?”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing, I just miss the past ... of what we were, while now I look at myself in the mirror and see a weapon in the hands of the gods. I know that fighting in this way means fighting for a good cause, but I’m afraid I’m not up to the job.”

  “If you have been chosen ...”

  Viktor interrupted him with a wave of his hand.

  “If I have been chosen, it is because the deities have seen in me the requisites necessary to defeat Zergh: I know, I have already heard it. However, it’s difficult to get used to living with this weight on your shoulders. In fact, I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to it.”

  “You will ... Selene and I are with you. You will see that one day we will return to our normal life,” Gabriel answered, embracing him with an energy that only a fraternal gesture could release.

  ******

  A couple of days passed before the three decided to leave. “Who polishes these floors must truly be prey to a manic sense of cleanliness,” Gabriel observed as he walked on the floor of the Hall of the Elders. “Imagine how long it takes between the lodgings, the library and the other areas we haven’t visited.”

  “Do you think the Elders clean the monastery in their free time?” Selene joked.

  “No, but maybe they have someone do the cleaning up.”