Juice
Some of Narcissus' memories I committed my first murder when I was only seven years old.
At that moment, when my hands were tied to the rough, iron chains of the dungeon, I was expecting only one thing: execution.
My childish thoughts ignored the fact that I would no longer see the dawn of tomorrow and found the death that was about to happen in front of everyone's eyes thrilling.
I thought there couldn't be anything more exciting than walking to the gallows with your own feet and then watching all the people of the city from up there, their faces filled with worry and their hearts wishing you to stay alive. I might even get the chance to see my father. I thought he might be at the execution site to see his seven-year-old son die, and that thought made me insanely happy.
As silly as it seems now, it was healing at the time.
I was not crazy.
After all, what boy could come to terms with the truth of his own death?
So my brain took the only way it could to keep me from the deadly anxiety of death: making it attractive.
The oppressive silence of the prison in which I was shackled suddenly disappeared, replaced by the hum and noise of the soldiers.
The Great King, Nemesis, enters.
After a loud scream, I heard the sound of the steel door of the dungeon opening, causing me to open my eyes.
A young man in a red robe entered.
The first thing that caught my attention was his sword.
Its body was made of red ruby, and its crystal handle was as black as pitch, and
It seemed stronger than its blade, which was strange in itself.
He wore a crown of gold and his eyes were a little darker than blood red.
I asked with a face buried in ambiguity.
- Are you... a king?
He took a few steps closer and stared into my eyes.
The red pupils of his eyes flashed for a moment, and then all I felt was an overwhelming heat that filled my entire being. I shook myself and the chains rattled. I felt heat emanating from the person in front of me; as if he could burn me with his gaze.
- Can you... finish it?
A moment later, the heat disappeared and my body relaxed.
I was sure he was King Nemesis, the king everyone said could turn you to ashes with just his gaze.
He took a step towards me and looked at my face; after a short pause, he said:
-You are strangely beautiful
- I know
I had heard this phrase from the townspeople thousands of times throughout my short life.
He raised one of his eyebrows.
-do you know
I've looked at myself in the mirror, my lord. I didn't know why, but he laughed at my words, although it didn't last long, and his serious face took over again. He stepped back. I needed to know why the king had come to see me the day before my execution. As I opened my mouth to ask, another intense heat attacked my body.
He was looking at me, his eyes sparkling just like they had a few moments ago.
My body temperature was rising higher and higher every moment. I was burning.
I cried helplessly
- Why... are you doing this...?
I was writhing in the heat, my clothes were soaked with sweat, and I couldn't stand on my feet. I was dying before the execution.
My thin khaki shirt clung to my body, and I was pulling and shaking my arms so tightly, as if by doing so I could break free from the chains that had been holding my delicate shoulders and poor wrists above my head for days.
He stopped when there was nothing left for me to melt.
- the guard
He had neither raised his voice nor sounded threatening; but the guard ran into the prison with such terror that if he had arrived a little later, he would have been sentenced to death.
-open it
-It will be obeyed, my lord
He slammed his iron sword on the ground in homage and then came towards me. The moment the king looked away from me, I felt a wave of cold in my veins and I was able to breathe properly.
When my hands opened, I shook my shoulders a little. A terrible pain coursed through all my cells. I massaged my right wrist with my left hand, trying to ease the pain.
-Prepare my horse, we'll return to the palace.
The sword was struck again.
- It will be obeyed.
Then he left there quickly.
After being released from the chains and feeling a little cooler, I could feel my energy draining away. There was no strength left in my body to stand.
I asked listlessly
-how did you do that
-Actually, I should ask you this question.
His answer was a bit strange. I didn't understand what question he was asking me?
But for now, consider this your punishment.
- My punishment?
He turned away from me and walked towards the exit door, which was left half open. He answered at the same time
-You must learn to speak respectfully to the king of your land. Now follow me.