“Trust? Do you think I don't know of the cubby ways of the Garden?” His voice hardened. “How do you think we got here?”
The Old man remained silent and that infuriated Alaris even more.
“There is nothing in this Garden that I trust. Nothing here that is worth my obedience,” flames danced around his fingers and as a response to the rejection of their Master's offer, the snakes that stood behind the Old man hissed harshly, heading for him. But the Old Man raised his hand, saying something to them in a language Alaris couldn't understand.
They retreated.
Alaris frowned.
A language he didn't understand? What Realm hadn't he visited already? To what Realm did this language belong? Who was this man?!
He was certainly not ordinary but who was he?
“Well, you must make an exception for me and make it quickly,” he looked past him into the distance that led to the mouth of the cave that was nowhere close to where they were. “Gaya is coming.”
Alaris balled his fists.
He was caught between a tight space and now he didn't even have time to think?!
This creature or Gaya?
Remembering that Star-headed shaped creature infuriated and disgusted him.
Anything was better than Gaya.
“What shall I do?”
The Old man smiled, revealing his crooked teeth.
“Come here quick! And take the thing in the basket. It is something you must possess for this to work.”
Alaris bent to pick Belladonna up. He felt the need to wake her up. Although the Old man had instructed that he shouldn't wake her and she would do that on her own accord, he was still unsure if trusting the old man was right. He was also scared that not allowing her to wake up on her own accord might cause some damage to her.
Did this old man even know what he was doing? Or was all this mere amusement to him?
Well, he would play along, just to see how things would turn out.
“Leave her be. You must approach the basket alone.”
With a second thought, he left Belladonna on the cage floor.
“Your lover will be well soon enough, I assure you.”
This was the second time the Old man was making the same mistake of referring to Belladonna as his lover, but Alaris felt no need to correct him.
It was of no significance if he did.
“If this is a trick, even the beings of the Highest Realms will not be able to save you from me.”
Alaris headed to where the small basket was on the floor. It was turned upside down. He wondered what would be in there as he tipped the basket open with caution.
A snake slithered right out of the open space, and with a speed he could fight, the small snake moved on his hand and bit him on his neck.
Alaris crashed to the ground with a thud, as the Old man’s laughter echoed through the cave.
His snakes hissed and two wrapped themselves around Belladonna and Alaris, taking them away.
___
___
“My Love!” Gaya said as she stepped into the cave, a smile planted on her lips. “How have you been?!”
“Exactly where you’ve left me,” the old man replied.
Her heels clicked against the Cave floor as she approached. It was unnecessary; after all, she could float. But why must she? When she could use this opportunity to flaunt her new accessory.
Finally, she could see him, and a smile crossed her lips.
That face? Again?
Her prisoner could only take the image of those he had captured or killed, but ever since he had brought him here, he had forgotten the images of the many he had killed in his past and he had lost his control over all the captives he had before.
All he could remember was his last victim, this old man.
It wasn't that long since he had been here, just maybe a hundred years.
Even she was unsure because of how short it was.
It certainly felt like some days ago but she just couldn't remember the day of the week.
He should be able to remember so much more but he just had a really bad memory.
How unfortunate for him.
“I haven't taken a step, forever on my knees for you.”
She smiled. “How obedient.”