“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen!”
It was a grand stage, the black velvet curtains were drawn close. Letting the mind wonder what impressive things await the audience.
A figure stood still at the center, not allowing any pair of eyes to wander off from her presence. With her arm outstretched to the side in a gesture of warm reception, her satin voice was full of vitality.
Donned in a suit of opulent red with a mask on her face of the same color, the spotlight made sure she was vivid. Like a burning flame in the midst of darkness.
Murmurs started from the upper and lower boxes. The opera house’s sole purpose for tonight is this grand auction.
Among the voices, one was heard sharply in his area.
“She is stunning as always. Operating this auction for decades but still looking ever youthful.” Who knew who said it?
The people coming here were all anonymous. But the person who spoke only voiced out everyone’s thoughts.
“Too bad, she can never be bought.” It was a gruff tone.
The people around became uneasy. Everyone knew the taboos of the auction. None should bring up buying the auction master. Previous people who were brazen enough to mention this were never heard of again. And so, even their outside personae were revealed as the news would report big names going missing.
Back to the stage, the auctioneer has her perpetual smirk as though she wasn’t aware of their hidden thoughts and desires.
“Tonight, we will enjoy another delicacy to the eyes. As always, the grand finale is showcased by yours truly.” She bowed. “The last exhibit, Acedia!”
The heavy curtains opened.
Her grand auctions would always end in a bang and tonight is no exception. After priceless treasures from all over the world, the last piece would always be a living, breathing human.
The crowd ooh’ed and aah’ed. The spotlight shifted to a man of honey skin, and long hair.
“Raised in the lands embraced by seas and mountains, Acedia has freedom and wildness in his bones. What will happen if all of this is taken from him? Do you have the ability?” Her magnetic voice resounded and bounced back on every wall.
Those who heard her got excited, clenching their armrests and short of shouting the prices on the tip of their tongues. Her figure can’t be seen anymore, hiding in the shadows but her voice beckoned them.
The starting price was announced. Many placed their bids.
Acedia lay there almost naked while being gawked at by a hundred or more people. The lights blinded him but he felt their stares
Silk sheets covered his lower body. Chains bound his neck and limbs. His mind was dull from all the drugs administered to him.
How and why is he here? He forgot them all already. He ran out of thoughts to escape from the unfairness of it all.
Somewhere from the corner of his eyes, he noticed an obscure figure, like it was slithering in the darkness. Terror gripped his heart. This woman… no, this creature.
He didn’t want to see them again. Hurry, sell me. I don’t want to stay in this place even just for a day more.
Not knowing what awaits him, Acedia just wanted to get out of this hell.
When the bidding was over, a clinically obese man was pushed to the stage in his custom-made wheelchair. This man had a sleazy look that couldn’t be hidden behind a mask. And he kept rubbing his fingers together as though he couldn't wait. “Miss, my assistant will handle the rest.”
“But of course.” The woman gave a perfect smile.
In Acedia’s eyes, it was wicked. There seemed to be a heavy stone weighing down his stomach. And it got heavier the more the man neared him.
Why? Why?
Why him of all people? Why did he need to experience these things?
His body convulsed in an attempt to show his repulsion. But who was he to refuse?
A hot and sweaty palm touched his stomach and he almost frothed in his mouth. Tears welled up in his eyes.
Behind the fat man, he saw her. She slowly turned her head as she felt his desperate stare.
Seeing him struggle, she gave a smile. One that could only be called pure and guileless. Her expression stayed like that as he was dragged away to his new home. New owner.
The guests were all leaving. The night was over.
She walked back to her dressing room without turning the lights on her way. There was nothing to fear in the dark.
There was no one in the halls as if a big event didn’t happen just now. Of course, the staff of the opera house didn’t exist. She didn’t need them.
Opening another door, she was greeted by the moonlight coming from the windows.
She sauntered in a trance.
Then, a question echoed in her mind. The meaning would loosely be, ‘What do you want to be?’
It was a sound etched with divinity. One that still awed her to this day.
‘A hunter,’ She remembered answering in her true voice. ‘I will hunt all the devils and the fallen. There’s only me who can give them hell.’
She recalled the feeling of amusement emanating from Him and when she opened her eyes again, she was here.
The vanity mirror caught her reflection before it shattered into thousand pieces. Her real visage is something this world can’t handle.
Her name cannot be uttered.
But despite it all, her lips curved at the corners. Her eyes flashed in what seemed like an ephemeral glow.
“Now… who’s next?”
-fin-
Media Source
Amiel
God is with my people.
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