Deep in the depth of thetemple the legend would be reborn. A power discovered and remained through hislove and desire for one woman. A fist thrusted a hole through the temple asquick as lightning and as loud as thunder through the brick walls that blockedhis path. He peered outside the hole to see the stars as well as the moon. He stoodupright while his mask shined blue, his armor polished from the stars while hiscape flapped in the wind. Slowly he leveraged his hand with the magical weaponsfound in the chamber. They laid upon the ground near the forest of ShadowMountain and shined upon the moon. The moon was full among the dark, blue, sky.Suddenly with great will his body became larger. The boulder, from themountain, was kicked out of his path with the proof that he was no longer weak assome had thought.
Theprincess continued to comb her hair while she soaked herself in the tub of hotwater until it was soft and wet as could be. Jenna was busy helping Aarilinaget ready for bed and knew that the High Tower was limited. She looked into themirror, as the handmaiden combed her hair back, to look upon her gorgeousness.Her white skin reflected pure and her dark, brown, eyes were sad as she kept thinkingin deep thought of her future. Jenna stopped what she was doing and left tohave a group of handmaidens fetch more hot water. Aarilina rinsed her face withthe water thinking about her attractiveness even more and knew if she was to belost father would never be able to forgive himself. Aarilina’s magnificence wasa symbol to all the people that Aria is the beautiful nation and no escortcould resist her.
Thebranches of the trees swayed down as if the wind took effect on them. Furrengeestepped over the brushwood and stood looking in the distance with the castle inhis eyes as well as the kingdom before him. The animals ran in all directions,the mice and rabbits ran to take shelter into the ground or in the trees. Thewolves and wildcats took refuge running away from the stranger. The giant tooka step upon the old bridge made of wood and stone. It faltered apart insplinters of wood, sharp and deadly as well as the broken cement blocks thatfaltered in the water. Through depths of the cold, mucky, water, Furrengeegathered his strength to overpower the river and grew bigger as he lifted hisfoot out of the water.
Hereyes were hazel brown, some thought they were dark brown, and viewed the attractionof herself to the mirrors that surrounded her. The servant returned with the ointmentused for the princess fingernails. With the help of Jenna polishing her fingernails while bathing in the tub. Aarilina began thinking about her future withoutAnimus. Would life be the same with out her other heart? “Jenna if you lovedsomeone so much would you kill yourself to see him in the after life?” “Childwhat speak is that. In a matter of days you will become queen of the kingdom!”“Please answer the question. It’s important,” replied Aarilina as she closedher eyes. “Well I don’t know he would have to mean more to me than life itself.”That was all Aarilina needed to hear to make a decision about her future. AfterJenna was finished polishing Aarilina’s fingernails she helped the princess outof the tub and dried her well with a towel. “Leave me please. I want to bealone.” There was a slight pause with Jenna who knew her mother well and obeyedAarilina to give her some space. The princess’ life wouldn’t be the same, shewould take her life before giving her heart away. Beside the soft touch of ahand caressed to the chin, her eyes did not blink for they welled up with tearsof hopelessness. The princess slipped her nightgown on as she thought was thistruly the end? Surely not. He would cascade through the doors and have hertepid and warm body fall into his. With the breath that would cast knightsasleep in a single bound she blew a kiss goodnight to the candle light. It castfrenzied shadows along the walls of her room as she slid into the covers andsnuggled into a bed that was not hers. She would dream of her soul mate and theadventures that would be explored.
Theoverbearing giant stepped over the walls of the first gate which was heavily guarded.At night there was not that many guards since the guardians, archers and the hunterswere resting. The guardians and a few knights ran out of their towers to defendthe castle only to come to a surprise halt. They lowered their swords and axes whilewatching the giant walk past without even noticing them. After their shock cameto an end it seemed sensible in their mind to attack while they still could.Furrengee looked down on them, they looked like ants that you see walking alongthe ground after the rain. In the deep subconscious of Furrengee was therevenge that he was looking for to step on them and crush them like bugs.Thoughts embraced through Furrengee of Animus as a child. It was revealed that therich nobleman children picked on him for living a poor life as a peasant.Except this time it had to be ignored if he was to survive revenge and selfgreed. Other wise it would destroy him from getting to where he wanted to be.
The archersgriped their bows and shot arrows that were poisoned. The arrows could not embedthemselves into Furrengee’s body; the powerful armor worn was made of somethingunimaginable. It looked like any other armor, only the mask granted its gift tobe invincible to who ever wore it.
Thefew brave knights that were there tried to slay the giant, but failed. Furrengeewalked on with his heart pumping for the woman he loved. Some of the warriorsfled, those that got in the way were accidentally stepped on by Furrengee. Thegreat warrior felt no pain or pity for those that inflicted pain upon him.
Aarilinawas awake unable to sleep in the High Tower that was nothing more than a prison.Voices in her head chanted of disaster about Animus, kingdom, and life. Herwants and desires were jumbled and unfocused as she watched the chandelier movefrom the wind. Life was anticipated to a different viewpoint of an uncertain future.Would she live or die? The princess would marry no other except Animus who wasdeemed worthy. Aarilina made her mind up to the final end of a royal life. Herred lips trembled to the self dought that he was alive and if he wasn’t shewould die! It was arrogance that the king would disagree and fulfill the needsfor her. It was what she feared more than anything in the past. Just thethought of being sad her whole life she perspired sweat through her cheeks aswell as the shakes in such arms. The body was hot as though she had the flu. Whenclosing her eyes images of father, who was burned alive, from the dreamsurfaced to scare her. She tried to keep hope that her paramour would come to therescue.
Allwas not lost, for Furrengee had stepped over the second gate and was inside thecastle grounds. The masked giant looked around through numerous towers manytall and small. Some were lit and full of life others were dead with thedecayed scent of emptiness. He looked through the blocks and stone that werelit, none of them held her captive, until he looked up to the highest towerwhich was higher than he. Furrengee gathered all the strength there was andgrew in size to match the height of the tower.
Aarilinawoke up to the apprehension of the cool breeze drying her face. It pushed someof her long, black, hair back in peels and clumps, blowing into such a strikingappearance. She rose out of bed while pulling her hair over her ears and lookedat the window. It was wide open, inviting the cool breeze into her room. Herchilled naked body was like ice with every current wave of air. Aarilina felt herbody tingle as though she was being watched. The brown eyes stared at thewindow with the white curtain and felt them reach out for her with invisiblehands. Suddenly, something jerked the bars as well as broke the glass upon thewooden floor. The princess listened to the metal bars roll along the woodenfloor. Her intuition revealed that the wind broke her window. Aarilina quietlytiptoed to the corner of her room where she was back against the wall. Withevery deep breath of anticipation goose bumps made their way to her skin. PrincessAarilinus had never felt so cold upon her limbs, but felt the cold sweat embraceher forehead. The monarch turned around peeking around the corner to see whatthere was to fear and saw the window curtain blowing in the wind. Then Aarilina’seyes grew wide after witnessing a giant eye looking at her.
Neutraland strong they revealed no love or hate, because it was a mask. The eyes of theperson wearing the mask looked at the princess and melted with her.Through her chilling screams. Furrengee gentlygrabbed the princess with his hand and brought her out to see the tremblingbody and shiny eyes. Princess Aarilinus was scared at first, but felt a senseof love through its eyes and Furrengee felt it. As the masked giant walked awayfrom the tower he closed the hand in a cup to protect the princess from harm.The archers, hunters, guardians and knights had regrouped with a plan todestroy the horror that invaded the king’s castle. Furrengee cradled theprincess carefully as though she was made of glass and did not want to looseher for anything. Every arrow was ignored and every spear thrown at him whetherit hit him or missed was forgotten.
Thedark stranger did not bother to return an attack of annoyance. The knights andguardians engaged the catapults with lit fireballs. The knights lit the loadedcatapults with a torch and shot it at Furrengee.
Thefireballs thrusted their way through the night with each crackle and screamwhile it collided into the middle of the giant’s back. The masked giant turnedto see where they came from and noticed the wicked contraptions shooting thefireballs at him.
With emotionaleyes, Furrengee raised his right hand in front of his mouth and blew a slightwhistle transpiring a curse upon the atrocious contraption. Aarilina held ontothe masculine chest of the warrior while watching the battle carry over fromthe top of his hand. Furrengee continued the long journey to the first gate andsaw the archers before him, shoot their arrow lit with fire. The arrows stuckdeep into his chest as the giant wiped them off like clumps of food. A fireballcascaded through the air and hit the giant in the head. Furrengee turned aroundand held his hand out to catch all the fireballs. He folded his hand andcrushed the orbs into diamonds and let them fall to distract the soldiers. Thewarrior turned around to make his final destination while the soldiers stoppedin their tracks to gather the diamonds, to satisfy their greed.
Furrengeestepped over the brick wall of the first gate with each cascading vibration.The rabbits and squirrels ran away from the path to take cover in the trees. Hewas strong and powerful while walking through the woods like a diabolic machine.“Come on he’s getting away,” declared one of the knights to the greedy soldierspicking up the diamonds. He jumped to his armored steed loaded with every weaponimaginable. Other knights loaded another steaming, steely, ball into thecatapult. The flickered light of fire streamed from their torch they cut itwith the swiftness of their blade. Suddenly the steely exploded with a big boom,the sharp ringing in the knight’s ears was not all that alarmed them. The wholecatapult was on fire and so was the screaming knights running for the nearest cowbath.
Twenty fireballs flew through the airscreaming their names until the giant came to an abrupt stop, turned around,thrusted his hands out and fired them back to the ground. Scattered chunks ofblazes were blowing the catapult to pieces and defaced the knights.
In theeyes of the guardians and warriors, never had there been a power displayed likethis. Battles that waged war have always been fought in an army in the thousands.What made this invasion different was not that a single person broke into thecastle gates, but this person was a giant. The troubling questions that emergedfrom their minds was how could this be possible?
“Wakeup the king! We’ve got an evil witch at work!” ordered Sir Seres as he turnedhis head to Sir Anson, who turned to find the king’s advisor and guardian, Sir Bombardis.Sir Bombardis ran deep to the king’s chamber and found him sound asleep. “Sir,the princess has been taken!” commanded Sir Bombardis as he lit some candles towake up the king. “When was she taken?” demanded Ruke as he rubbed his eyes andtossed the blankets aside. King Owen enjoyed his royal sleep as always, but dislikedanyone waking him up. This time it was different and King Owen jumped out ofbed to change into his clothes.
“Shewas just taken now, your highness,” replied Sir Bombardis. “Princess Aarilinusis the only living heir to the throne,” murmured King Owen as he tried to thinkwho would betray him. His gut feeling revealed to him that Animus was involved,but it was washed away when he remembered that the Dark Wolves would have rippedhis body apart. The haunting question remained, who would dare challenge the kingand on what grounds would war prevail? “Assemble the soldiers! Whether theylike it or not we’re going to get her back. Now!” he shouted as his face turnedred. “Your highness the suitors already left to rescue the princess. Theknights and archers left with them to slay the giant,” informed the knight. “Iwill go with a small contingent to see that this is solved.” The king swung hisnight cap off and watched it bounce off the wall, behind his bed. King Owenturned his head to the faithful guardian, Sir Bombardis, and raised hiseyebrow. The advisor nodded as he panned his eyes from the ground and back intothe eyes of his king. “There is nothing to see! It towers the castle and it hasno fear for the knights. It instigates the catapults to explode!” exclaimed theguardian as he turned around for the king to dress himself. “I must say yourmajesty, is it possible that the legend of Furrengee exists? That the power oflove exists in a mask? Love so powerful that invincibility and desire exist asone?” “Yes those things are true, but I always thought of it as a legend.” Theking’s lying lips muttered as his eyes looked to the wooden floor then to hisknight. “How do we stop something invincible? We are no match for him!”
Theking stopped what he was doing and felt that the guardian caught him in histracks. King Owen buckled his pants and put a sweater on as he turned around toface the guardian while preparing to speak. It seemed clear that there wasgoing to be some explaining about the mask. “The mask resolves around thefeeling of pure love. With this power the deepest desire uses the mask’sendowment to stop anything in its path. As long as the person wearing the maskdid not inflict pain on the innocent, all would be well. If there wasdestruction or greed the guardians of the mask would curse the possessor. Alladversaries attacking the possessor would perish in the bestow of a curse.” “Ifthe mask resolves around love, why did you send suitors to retrieve it from thetemple?” “I wanted my daughter to marry somebody who could not only protecther, but broaden the road of wealth and royalty for the family. A long time agoI dreamed that the mask was real, but whenever I awoke, it seemed like nothingmore than a fantasy. My wife passed away seventeen years ago, Aarilina’s motherand queen to the throne. When I read that a single mask worn by anyone couldbring a loved one back to life, I began sending knights to locate and retrieveit. The mask has unimaginable power to make people around you grow jealous andgreedy that is why it is placed in the citadel.” “How do you know so much aboutthe mask and the citadel?” “I’ve read the legend since I was a child and havemade it known by sharing it with others. Ten thousand years ago five sorcerersruled the corrupted land until a warrior stood up to them and their great army.A rebellion was led by this giant to free mankind and the kingdoms forced to beunited by these evil sorcerers. Legend entails that a rise of power, forged byFurrengee, freed all men. A powerful wizard by the name of Xaggess joined theresistance and through war they breached the sorcerers, leaving them defeated. Furrengeeand Xaggess exiled the sorcerers in an abyss concluding that with suchwickedness they should never be aloud to escape. The balance of Ayana would be extinguishedand life as we know it would be corrupted. It was written in prophecy that theking of Aria would set the Dark Wolves free and corruption would return in thebloodiest of wars.” “But sir who would do such a thing?” “The Great Prophets predictedthat King Animus would rule after a masked giant invades the castle groundssetting the sorcerers free.” “But we do not have sorcerers in the abyss; weonly have the Dark Wolves.” “The Dark Wolves are the sorcerers you half wit!” “Whathappened to Furrengee and Xaggess?” asked Sir Bombardis. “I don’t know, thegiant was killed in a love triangle and Xaggess disappeared,” answered the kingas he walked out of the bedroom followed by Sir Bombardis to assemble thesoldiers.
Throughthe blundering echoes of earthquakes and the sound of falling buildings theDark Wolves waited patiently after hearing the loud thunder transpiring fromhigh above. The moment had arrived for them to escape their prison and toprevail through the immortality of life. Rampant looked at his small band withswift assuredness that they would not be locked in this dark pit forever. “Don’tworry my friends we will be set free and with great freedom we will cleanse theworld!” Suddenly the prison was breached with falling rock and the Dark Wolvesfluttered their wings. They screeched in great praise as they flew out of thepit and into the world of Ayana.
Furrengee sat downcross-legged in Humming Forest, next to the beautiful waterfall that filled asmall, but ravishing stream with the reflection of the moon. The giant hand touchedthe ground. He let Aarilina move gently out of his immense fingers. Her smoothagile body was clean and white. She crawled along the ground like a woundedbird as her eyes slowly looked up at the towering mask that looked below. Herheart began thumping and thumping as the thought thickened of how to escape.Princess Aarilinus quickly panned her head down to the ground since it was toofrightening to look upon the giant. Suddenly, the princess stared at the giantconsumed with long, black, hair and black armor. The monarch feared for dangerif such brown, innocent, eyes dared to look in the eyes of the mask would shebe transformed. The myth from her bed time story suddenly came alive and waskneeled before her. Aarilina wondered if she would suddenly wake up from thisdream or find herself visited by another bedtime character. Aarilina rememberedthe stories well, read to her by Jenna when she was only eight years old.
Minutes went by until hersenses revealed it was not a dream and that the dream came true. Aarilina didnot runaway like she planned and became brave while turning her exquisite eyesto get a better look at the leviathan that had gallantly rescued her. Who wasthis person that had come? The question haunted the princess’ mind as her cheeksgrew numb and lips trembled with high hopes. Maybe it was the mystery in thedream she had last night that began to fill Aarilina with excitement. Fathertold her that Animus was gone forever, which shattered the good heart that heldAnimus’ face in such a beautiful mind. If Animus was gone who was this maskedgiant that seemed to read her psyche and know exactly that she was in the HighTower. The voices emanating from the mask were both men and women and could beheard in Aarilina’s ears as a million voices. They weren’t the voices of Animusand this fueled the princess’ mystery even more. She could not understand whatthey meant or what they were saying and could not make them out in words. Only inthoughts did a thousand images of men and women appear to have all the answersto endless questions.
“Who are you?” she demanded. “Someonewho would die to be in your arms!” a familiar voice replied.
Furrengeegot up from his cross-legged position and slowly began shrinking until he waseye to eye with the princess. The armor began to disappear and the giant put afinger over his mouth as though meaning to hush while slowly renouncing themetal mask from his face. Beautiful flashes of light illuminated over the maskand went in all different directions as it was just over his face. He pulledthe mask down just below his chin, unmasking his identity. His hair was thesame length as it was before. He still had the dreamy, blue, eyes of a princeand the facial feature of a boy in love. “Animus!” embraced Princess Aarilinussurprised and emotional as she hugged him. “Aarilina!” cracked Animus. “Ithought you were dead!” “Well I was close to being dead, but I was able toescape.” “Animus how can you forgive me for all the rotten things I said toyou?” “Even you have to admit that’s pretty difficult for your father to breakus apart. I’m not going to let something untrue bother me,” replied Animus.
Thetwo were together, now, forever through eternity. They hugged and kissed likenever before with undamaged yearn for sempiternity. These lovers were made foreach other and no nullity could break it. She looked in his eyes, her smileanswered to a hundred wishes since the first day she laid eyes on him. Hetouched her back with his fingertips as they came closer to each otherexquisitely. She touched his chest and neck with her finger nails, the wayAnimus longed for it. “What is this power you have found?” Aarilina whisperedwith fascination to her hero. Animus looked at the mask that was in his handsand had to remind himself that it was real. “It is the key to your heart, Theanthem to a choir, the jewel to your father and the key to the locked doors ofpower. With this mask I will marry you and we will rule the kingdom together!” Aarilinagrinned at Animus with her eyes, which enchanted whispers of secrets to hisheart. Her hair was attractive as well as the soft white skin that rubbed upagainst his chest. She cracked a grin as her bangs crowded over such afine-looking appearance. The two looked at each other for a long time andwondered where to begin. While there eyes met each other they sensed the othersdesire and knew their needs were met, now that they were together.
Withthe stare of the moon Animus could find no words comparable to Aarilina’selegance. The moon became just the moon and the perfect face became more thanthe water he drank on the farm. Animus touched the beautiful expression of openlips as the princess closed her eyes. It was smooth as it was soft, yet itremained hard and sculpted as great as the creator had planned to build.Aarilina leaned down from sitting on his stomach to touch his lips with hers.It was sweet as it was gracious and all she could do was beg for more. Freedomto do what they wished became reality in their world.
Themask, once worn by a great warrior, helped tie feelings of passion for eachother. Aarilina laid her head upon Animus’ chest and heard his heart beat,which sent her dreams of despair away into the darkness of the night. There wereplans to watched the rise of the sun as the sky displayed the birth of a newday.
“Tell me you love me,”whispered Aarilina with every syllable that plucked such lips. “I love you,”the voice of the farm boy versed back in lullaby. “I love you too,” with a kissthe light touched the peasant’s chest. “Tell me about the mask, how does itwork?” she asked. “Well,” began Animus. “When I wear it I can feel aconsciousness that I have never felt before. Millions of voices, memories,decisions made sometimes with or without my consent and sometimes before Irealize it. The mask of Furrengee is made up of countless lovers who had lovedmany times before. That is what makes the mask so strong. The mask can bringback past lovers who have died. All that matters is how badly you loved them.The facade can’t be used to attack offensively only defensively. It’s like thespirits inside the mask would not let me destroy them. I could only put a curseon them and made the contraptions blow up. When the soldiers attacked me, themillions of love spirits put the curse on them with me which doubles the power,”cracked Animus. “Incredible,” Aarilina grinned.
Animusgot up from lying on the leaves with Aarilina. The night was anticipating, transformingitself from dark blue to light blue. With the surface of the moon still insight, Animus felt the aching in his soul. What if he was dreaming and wouldawaken back in the temple. Animus pinched himself and realized he was notdreaming. “I should protect you now, I’m vulnerable when I don’t wear the mask.”Aarilina got up and rested her head upon Animus’ shoulder and imagined no daywithout him. They would not be separated again and father would try to killAnimus, but she would die for him. Aarilina would cascade through a rain offire for him if it meant that they would remain one. “Animus lets runaway fromhere,” Aarilina began with the trembling in her voice. “Runaway with me. I havenothing here and I want you, I need you!” she repeated.
Animuscracked his mouth and was about to pick up the mask from the tree stump when Aarilinastood in front of him. Her eyes glazed into his with the simple kiss to suchfirm lips. There was only the rich imagination of being together under thewaterfall. Suddenly the princess’ voice penetrated the night with the emotionof water splashing into a pond. “Tell me you love me!” “I love you with all myheart’s desire,” replied Animus. “Then lets runaway together!” exclaimedAarilina. “We will after I face your father with the mask.” “You are sotouched. How do you know my father will keep his word?”“Ibelieve he’s going to want the mask enough to keep me alive,” began Animus ashe starred endlessly into her eyes like a diamond upon stars. “Besides you needto be crowned queen of Aria.” “No I don’t! Not with a father such as mine.” “Thepeople of Aria need you. You give them hope, dreams, happiness, joy, forgiveness,justice and the ability to choose what Aria wants.” “Say that again, that wasbeautiful.” “Imagine what power awaits you, my princess, after I face yourfather with the mask then you can execute the goodness shown before you.”
Animusmoved Princess Aarilinus aside as his eyes looked at the mask while the thoughtof King Ruke Owen took its shape in his mind. He thought about how hard heworked to possess the mask with so many hardships against him. His eyes turnedto the metal mask forged by the warrior and the souls that possessed it. Animuskneeled down to pick up the mask and felt its smooth exterior. Suddenly he wasstricken with fear as an arrow embedded itself into the hollow eye piece of themask. The thought to grasp the mask soon withered in agony as sweat perspiredfrom every pore, which sent shivers up his spine. The peasant’s eyes shatteredas his jaw began to shake to the tyrant staring upon him. In all desire todestroy Animus with one stroke of an iron fist the thought of the king emerged.Ruke would bring victory against the one who caused the destruction to the beautifulnation. The king would get revenge against the farmer for taking his daughter.
Animusraised his head slowly as such eyes lifted to the large number of knightsslowly enclosed around him. The sun lifted from the distance against Animus’back while dawn embraced him into the new day. In eyes that begged for theencouragement of what was meant to be his. He felt the metal exterior of theking’s sword as well as the significant loss of Aarilina. Slowly the skyunfolded to a dark blue with the sun peering from the horizon. The archersstood before the peasant with their crossbows aimed and ready to strike.Thoughts unraveled like a house of cards, which was comparable to an emptyheart. Animus felt the thoughts warning him in the weight of his legs shakingin fear. Then as he sighed with the wind of Humming Forest that there may stillbe a way, he felt the mask within his reach. Humming Forest was the place ofbonding with Aarilina that revered in a memory of eternity. Animus looked intothe princess’ eyes and saw how frightened she was. Only one answer emerged in Animus’mind, which was the moment where the mask would change the king’s mind forever.Suddenly Animus heard the sound of a horse gruffing in the distance as thepeasant looked deep into the forest and saw more men on horses hiding within thetrees. Animus recognized one of the men that crept out as King Owen. Hissoldiers stepped out from hiding behind him and joined their king.
It wasin this moment that Animus felt his triumph back fired The king would have himkilled and steal the mask. Animus took a step towards the king as hate staredhim down with the sound of a growl. The men on horses closed in at about twentyfeet around the lovers and stretched their arrows back upon their wooden bows. “Notanother step, peasant. I won’t hesitate to have you killed!” began King Owen ashe looked At Prince Tusk, Prince Domineer, Prince Lordoriouse, Prince Rubin andPrince Corsair. Animus knew without the mask he would be unable to becomeFurrengee. Everything that he has ever known to be good would be lost. Suddenly,Animus remembered something that his father told him. If no one stood upagainst the king then no one would! “You’re quite a survivor farmer, Itorched your home, killed your family, threw you to the Dark Wolves and you justkeep turning up.” “You are a liar!” answered Animus in anger for he knew thelaws of the kingdom that no home on a claimed land would be destroyed. “Fatherhow could you?” demanded Aarilina. “Daughter do we have to get back into thistopic again of why?” “I told you I’m never going to marry any of the men you’vechosen for me!” exclaimed the princess “Aarilina bring the mask and come along,”King Owen demanded as he looked around to the trees and the sound of chirpingbirds.
Animuslooked around in fear at the knights and saw anger in their eyes. His eyes metwith Prince Tusk and felt hatred from him. He was the same man that deliveredAarilina’s message. It suddenly made since that Prince Tusk knew where hisfamily lived and left them to burn to death. Prince Tusk glared back at himwith his mighty, brown, eyes as his night mare gruffed. “Father please--”begged Aarilina. “Come along and say good-bye!” interrupted the king.
The archersstretched their bows as Prince Tusk, Prince Domineer and Prince Rubin stretchedtheir bows, loaded with an arrow in each string. They may as well shoot the peasantand Aarilina for the sin that was witnessed by King Owen. Aarilina turned toAnimus as such eyes twinkled like the stars and watched Animus’ eyes shineback. Something inside her knotted up like a string and the princess felt herheart split in two. She could feel it in the goose bumps along her neck, thefear of expecting the fiery will of another person’s hate. Aarilina wasn’tgoing to loose him again, she would take a hundred lashes to the death if itmeant saving him. Aarilina imagined taking the mask back to Animus and unleash itspower of greatness.
Withthe fine touch of lovely hands she grabbed the mask and felt its smooth metaltexture of a warrior that wore it thousands of years ago. Animus wore this mask,would the same be bestowed upon him as a great, heroic, warrior of the land.With each step Aarilina made came the voice of her mother telling her the willof her heart. She felt the power as her eyes welled up with tears and that lovewould endure fear.
InAarilina’s mind she felt her mother walking near. The great queen’s ghostlyimage, standing foot on end, held her hand that held the mask. With suchassurance Aarilina feared nothing more than death itself and prepared each stepfaster to father. She sensed with the lightning strike in her back and thenumbness in her jaw that Prince Tusk was going to fire his arrow anytime.
Withgreat speed she turned around and branched each leg apart in a motion she neverknew a princess could possess. In slow motion, she watched Animus open his armsas a crack from his grin opened up. Suddenly, it began to frown with sadness asAarilina felt something strike her back. Something sharp and wicked ran itsheat through her left shoulder blade. It thrusted itself out the middle of herchest as she continued to try and breathe. Blood dispersed from the wound likea river through a meadow. Princess Aarilinus had seconds before she would layto rest while the words slipped through her lips. Aarilina closed her eyes withthe feeling of pain as she took her final breath. “Runaway Animus! Hate stridesbehind there eyes like knives!” “Aarilina! Come back to me!” cried Animus as hecradled her in his arms. She was so fragile, weak and innocent. What servicecould a farm boy offer her. “No. Please no!” cried Animus.
With shakenlegs and trembling arms he laid her down along the ground. He felt the volcanicanger erupt as he buried his face on her abdomen. The greatest thing in his lifewas lost, forever. Animus looked up at the king as his watered eyes and redface shared no comfort for any man present. The king already had his hands fullscreaming and yelling at Prince Tusk for shooting his arrow prematurely atAnimus only to hit his daughter. “I am going to have you executed!” exclaimedKing Ruke Owen. “You will do nothing of the sort for my father will declare waragainst Aria and I give you my word that my father will wipe you out!” “Youfool I will have you castrated and fed to the Dark Wolves before your fathereven misses you!” “Would you like to solve our differences now!” declaredPrince Tusk as he pulled out his sword. Sir Norcom and Sir Voles pulled outtheir swords as other soldiers turned their directions to the rogue prince. Theking shook his head in disappointment and completely understood why hisdaughter didn’t want to marry Prince Tusk. “Layyour sword down sir.” ordered Sir Norcom. “Are you deaf?” asked King Owen as hestared deep into the princes’ dark, brown, eyes. “LAY DOWN YOUR SWORD!”
PrinceTusk threw down his weapon upon the ground and turned his eyes back to thesight of the king’s angry eyes. Never before did Prince Tusk expect to have theking rise against him. “You will leave these grounds affective and immediately.I’m merciful this once for the threat you have made against my life, but youwill be slayed upon sight if you are seen at my castle!” exclaimed King Owen.“This is war!” answered Prince Tusk as he rode off through the night on hisblack stallion. The king had made it quite clear that there would be nomistakes and his daughter would not be harmed. Prince Tusk had broken that ruleand now would be banished from the beautiful nation.
King Owen turned to hisfaithful princes’ and looked deep into their eyes. He promised each of them achallenge to retrieve the mask and marry his daughter. Now he would have tobreak that promise and risk going to war with them. “I regret to inform youthat I must have you leave me in peace. I have lost my daughter and have nochallenge!” “You’ve given me the opportunity to meet your future queen,”replied Corsair. “Yes,” answered the others. “She did have a lot of qualitiesthat other women don’t have,” answered Lord Lordoriouse. “Princess Aarilina wasa woman that perceived herself as not giving herself to anyone,” began LordDomineer. “I’ll be leaving now,” began Prince Rubin as he nudged his head to SirSebastian. “The loss of a man’s daughter deserves to grieve on his own. Itshould not invite the intentions of others.”
All five Princes were goneand King Owen had a new problem. A peasant was staring at him with anger andheld the mask tightly in his hands. A drop of sweat began running down the sideof the king’s forehead. Animus laid her down on the grass as he heard the kingmutter among the knights and archers. The beat of the horses’ hoofs ran in thedistant filled the peasants ears, but nothing could prepare him for the loss ofwhat laid before him. Animus weeped and set his head upon the princess’stomach.
Angerfor the right reason surfaced in his great, blue, eyes towards the ones thattook Aarilina away. Animus raised his head up and stared at the king with eyesso vengeful that it made his heart ach. With such hatred what would it do forhis soul? Animus suddenly heard his father’s voice. A single beat with hisheart as such word of wisdom entered the boy’s ears. The mask would notallow any offensive attack through its possession only in defense against greatevil would it prevail. The mask of Furrengee surely would have to let himtake the lives of the loveless that took his ardor, beginning with the king.Who cares if the fiduciaries would vaporize his soul rather than take advantageof the positive power. Why not burn the rules and step on the king with a giantfoot. His cheeks veered in a red rouge as his eyebrows slouched downwards. Hecould feel the numbness in the parts of his back as the tightness persisted inhis clenched fist. “Animus, now wait a minute,” began the king as he watchedAnimus touch and look at the mask. He pondered in thought about its power andwondered if the legend was true. Did Adam, his father, actually wear it? Animuslooked into its eye piece and saw someone who looked like him with long, black,hair. Images of a young handmaiden who was his mother was also shown. It washis parents when they were young. “I meant no harm to my own daughter, I loveher.” “Just as you would love to see her life spent on someone you deemedworthy. Yea you just wanted to kill me and marry Aarilina to a better suitedman!” screamed Animus. “Animus I apologize, but seeing you marry my daughterand run the kingdom does not settle in my stomach. Nobody would ask a farmerhow to engage in war with another kingdom and no thanks to you I just declaredwar against Prince Tusk.” “You arrogant, foolish, pig! How dare you displayignorance because of you Aarilina is dead, because of you I was banished forloving her, because of you I retrieved the mask of Furrengee to prove myselfand because of you I will do what must be done,” declared Animus as his eyesglared deep into the king’s eyes. “I curse you old man. I curse you all, withthe power to understand and accept me for who I am!” The peasant cried as hekneeled down and gripped Aarilina’s right arm.
Animuscontinued to stare at the king with all but one thought on his mind of taking alife. He would will himself to return the princess to life as she was beforethe piercing of her heart. The king would be given these memories of the pastchildhood along with Adam’s visit to the castle. Before the king would speak aword of condemning. A flood of these memories would rule his mind and haunt himfor the rest of his life. “Today she was my soul mate and today the princesswill be my wife!” exclaimed Animus.
Allwas quiet because the fate of Aria was in question. King Owen feared what powerthe mask would unleash. The toll unveiled upon the kingdom would be final.Animus placed the mask over his face and right away the magical armor and capeindulged once again. His hair grew long and dark while emulating the greatwarrior. He did not grow into a giant to crush the king and his men. Animuspicked up Aarilina’s limp body and pulled the arrow from her heart. He quicklyplaced his hand over the wound, which healed and lifted her body over his head.For a long time the mask began to flicker tons of white light, brighter thanthe sun, which touched everyone’s eyes.Faces and voices spoke through the deaf ears of injustice.
Thesweet innocent voice of the queen, Aarilina’s mother, began walking towardsAnimus. The peasant watched the shadow walk towards him and knew very well whoshe was. She kneeled down as a soul to the limp, splitting image of the queenand began whispering her daughter’s name. “Aarilina,” spoke the queen slowly asher glowing face hovered over her daughter. “Aarilina open your eyes and return to yourplace as queen of Aria,” replied the beautiful figure as she touched herdaughter’s neck. With a slight smile she bent down and whispered into the princess’ear. “Aarilina.”
SuddenlyAarilina opened her great, brown, eyes to the sight of the rekindled queen kneeleddown before her. It was amazing, Aarilina didn’t want to breath because thesight of how beautiful her mother was. It was like the sound of harps playingin harmony to an unimaginable sunrise. The princess turned her head to see thepower of the glowing mask. It blinked off and on with the color of white waterdripping out of the eye holes. Some as Animus’ own tears.
The mask’swhite light grew brighter and stronger to reach all of the archers, trackers, knights,guardians and hunters. They watched asthey soon shed their tears of the wrong they had done. It was the emotionsexpressed by the mask of all the people who possessed the facade in the past.The king stared at the blur clusters of bright light that showered into hiseyes. Memories clustered outwards into his mind as images of both hisdaughter’s past and Animus’ past combined. It revealed everything of why a princesswould deem Animus as more than perfect.
Understanding Aarilina’sheart’s desire was Animus and realized as king he would have shattered hisdaughter like glass for forcing her heart upon another. He was wrong to thinkthat a poor boy’s heart was unworthy for a princess. Especially for a daughterfit to be queen. He witness the greatness of Aria as well as Aarilina’s voiceto motivate the people of Aria to win a war against the forces of evil. Was theprophecy of a Brokenheart destroying Aria a hoax? Maybe the prophets weremistaken?
Theflashes of white light stopped and the queen that visited her daughter wasgone. Animus looked at the princess as she slowly turned her eyes and head tothe sight of sunlight. She was alive with a healed heart and grimaced a fragilesmile to the knights as well as father. King Owen jumped off his horse quicklyas excitement filled his body to hold her in his arms. Animus slowly broughtAarilina back to her feet again to renounce the mask from his face revealingthe blue eyes and blonde hair that remained as true as his heart. Many of theknights and soldiers began running to the princess in great relief that she wasalive. “I’m so sorry! Will you ever find it in your heart to forgive me!” criedKing Owen as he held her in his arms. It was magic that she awoke from the deadand it was just amazing. No king would ever expect a son or daughter to comeback to life after taking an arrow through the heart. “Of course I forgive youfather,” she answered with assurance and set her royal hand upon father’sshoulder. “Father I saw my mother in my passing!” “I was told by her that she’swaiting for you. What does that mean?” “It doesn’t matter. What matters is thatyou’re alive,” answered King Owen. “I love you.” The words spilled out like thesound of wolves howling in cries. “I’m in debt to you Animus for saving mydaughter’s life. It seems to me that you are the only match for my daughter andI welcome you to my kingdom.” “I don’t know what to say?” replied Animus inshock for he didn’t believe that the legend was true. “Say you’ll accept,”cracked King Owen.
Thatmorning preparations were made by the king for Animus to be knighted andcrowned king. Thousands of people witnessed the peasant kneeled before KingOwen. As the king slowly pulled out his royal sword Princess Aarilinus watchedfather brush the sword up against the young man’s two shoulders.
Itfelt like a dream, who would have thought King Owen would be knighting apeasant. Animus’ family was present at the knighting ceremony and waived theirhands in high spirits. They were all dressed in satin and silk, the finest of nobleclothing to witness such a gracious event. “Rise, Sir Animus Brokenheart,”cracked King Owen as he watched the knight rise up with the shiny, silver,armor. The wind brushed up against the long, blonde, hair in differentdirections as Animus faced the people he was sworn in to defend. The crowdscheered while clapping their hands and with the huge wave of love for him theknight bowed with a smile on his face.
PrincessAarilinus stepped out in the sun with Sir Animus Brokenheart. She was dressedin the red, satin, color dress with a gold belt and was wearing a pearlnecklace. The golden crown sparkled against the glimmer of the sun. It was notshining as much as the smile on her face. “I’ve got to go,” replied Aarilina“Go where?” asked Animus. “My handmaidens have dresses for me to look at andtry on,” she cracked and bestowed a kiss upon the knight’s lips.
Animuswatched her run away inside the corridor of the castle with about ten handmaidens.The knight was ecstatic and couldn’t wait to see her again. He turned his headto the cheering crowds and pulled out his sword to raise it in the air. Thecrowd went wild and it sent excitement through his bones.
Afterhours passed and preparations were being made to wait. Animus turned around tosee his father with a grin on his face. “Father!” said Animus. “I’m happy that your alive son and want you toknow that I’m very proud of you!” “Thank you, I never knew something like this wouldhappen to me.” “It did! Does it make you happy, Sir Animus?” “Well I’m soon tobe crowned king this late afternoon, but yes I’m very happy with what hastranspired today.” “What about you?” began Animus. “What do you and mom gotplanned?” “Well we’re going to go away on a special adventure while yourbrothers and sisters are taken care of by Aarilina’s father. I do have onequestion what was it like walking around the citadel?” asked Adam as he crossedhis arms. “It was like a special adventure,” smirked Animus as he shook Adam’shand and looked forward to the hour.
Thechurch packed with people of all ages, but soon it came near for Aarilina towalk down the aisle. She was dressed in white with slivers of gold, silver andblue through out the dress. The white veil covered her perfect face and King Owenstepped beside his daughter as they marched. He was dressed in his fancyclothes with golden necklaces. His long red cape was dragged behind him as hiscrown fit perfectly over his head. “You look like your mother,” replied KingOwen as he held her hand tightly. “Thank you, father.” Aarilina answered as shekissed him on the cheek. She knew father was nervous, but with a grin shefocused such eyes to Animus. Animus was dressed like a prince with silky clothesand his hair combed nicely. The princess felt a strange knot in her stomach andsuddenly a tear fell upon her cheeks. Aarilina felt herself fit in a dream thatwould never let her wake up. The presence of her mother walking side by sidemade the day more admirable. They were face to face and felt each other’shearts beating together. Minutes seemed to swing by fast as Animus and Aarilinalistened to their vows. Animus unraveled the veil to see the princess’porcelain face and witnessed such wonderful eyes looking at him. He dried hercheeks with his finger after hearing, “You may kiss the bride.” The princecracked and leaned to the princess. He took Aarilina in his arms and kissed her,realizing that this day was never leaving his memories.
The two began running down the aisle as rice was thrown at them. Thedoors opened and they made their way to the carriage chased by loved ones. Thecarriage door closed and they rode off to the castle and stopped to the stable.“Animus what are we doing?” asked Aarilina. “You wanted to run away together. Thisis our chance!” cracked Animus as he led the way to two white stallions. “OhhAnimus they’re beautiful, but where did you get them?” “They were brought hereas a present from Prince Corsair who found out you were alive, but couldn’tattend.” “Where shall we go?” “There are some mountains overlooking the bluffsjust east of here. I thought by that time we could watch the sun set.” The twojumped on their white stallions and trotted off from the stall led by Animus.The castle gates opened up and Aarilina imagined herself free as a bird, freefrom the cage that held her captive. Animus cracked as the wind brushed upagainst such cheeks, knowing forever the mask had changed their life.
It was dusk and Ruke Owen sat on his bed, under the covers, writing thediary. There was a knock at the door and the king raised his eyes as he set thefeathered pen back in the ink. Ruke shut the book and slid it under his pillowand sat up before preparing for whoever would enter the room. The sound of the knockpersisted until the king finally cleared the roughness in his voice.
“Comein.”
The door opened and Adam appeared before the king. KingOwen’s eyes widen in surprise for he didn’t expect the rogue warrior to talk tohim. Adam looked at the king with kind eyes, with honorable eyes. They werefilled with sorrow and regret for the past as well as what was revealed fromKing Owen.
“My sonis very happy. I haven’t seen him happy like this for a long time,” smiled Adam. “What made you decide to allow PrincessAarilina to marry Animus?” “I was wrong about your son,” began King Owen.“Animus saved my daughter’s life. I hope someday you can forgive me for whatwrong I have unleashed upon you in your past.” “I forgive you,” answered Adamafter a couple minutes of silence. “Thank you,” grimaced King Owen as hewatched Adam turn around to leave. “Nobody is perfect and I’m happy that thecold bitterness is gone between us,” replied Adam as he turned around to watchedKing Owen crack a grin before closing the door.
Ruke Owen pulled the diary back out again and beganwriting his thoughts of the day that would never end. Suddenly he heardsomething peculiar from his left and slowly turned to see the mask was near. Thevoice was Queen Aarilinus, long deceased had she been and now she was speakingto him. Come to me my lord. The words seemed to bury themselves insideof him like a lamp. He tried to ignore the voice that entered his mind and cutoff any sense of hope that the mask actually worked. King Owen turned his headto the mask just as he heard the feminine voice again and saw the beautifulface appear in his wonderful mind. Don’t be afraid of me and don’t be afraidof the light. King Owen turned his head forward to see it was her. She stoodbefore him looking as beautiful as the day that ended for him. Her brown eyeslooked upon him with the grimace upon such a gorgeous face. Queen Aarilnusbowed her head to the king. “Ruke come with me,” she exclaimed while holdingher arms and hands out.
King Owen rose out of bed to step towards her and hoped she was not a dream.She was smiling at him and waiting to be held in his. Ruke touched her handwith his and realized that Aarilina, his wife, was real. The sound of a heartbeat was the most beautiful thing that entered his ears as he realized his headwas near her chest. “My lord Ruke there’s a place that we can go to live inpeace!” she replied while opening her mouth. Come. Come into the light. Comeinto the light my lord Ruke. Her thoughts embraced his.
The next morning was a day ofmourning for King Owen. Countless numbers of subjects attended the funeral. Itwas a dark day for the kingdom as they lowered the casket into the ground. Thelovers were dressed in black clothesandthe knights carried out the new queen’s orders.Animus held Aarilina during this time of tears and felt how unpreparedshe was for father’s departure. “I didn’t get a chance to say good-bye,” criedAarilina. “It’s all right,” assured Animus as he looked through her black veiland knew that he would be there to comfort her.
The sun poked out from the bluffs in the distance, which showed abeautiful sunrise. Images of father tossing her up in the air as a child appearedin Aarilina’s mind. She could still hear her own laughter from the time of a younggirl. The days of chasing after her in play, to tickle her. Despite the imagehe held that presented itself as evil, King Owen loved her very much. He aloud Aarilinato play with the children when she was younger and explore the castle. “Yourfather would have wanted you smiling for your future” replied Animus. “I didn’texpect him to leave so soon,” she sobbed. “He didn’t leave you. He’s watchingus just as your mother has been watching you all your life. You are going to bea powerful queen that will inspire the people of Aria to do wonderful things,” answeredAnimus as he wiped the tears from Aarilina’s eyes. “Your right,” she wiped hereyes and looked into Animus’ grin. “Look at what is created for us!” exclaimedAnimus as they both looked at a rainbow in the sky over the most beautifulsunset ever seen. “He’s here with us. I can feel it,” declared Aarilina as thebiggest grin revealed itself in a laughter over the pain.
Suddenly Aarilina saw the beauty that the day brought for that instant. Shelet a smile emerge from her face and let out a laugh. Aarilina could feel theold king and queen leave them now. She closed her eyes and imagined them wavinggood by as they ascended into the air. Queen Aarilinus and King Animus stepped intothe reality that was more than a dream. It had only begun.
