The Long Night

“I woke up to the sound of birds singing, and race raced toward the smell coming from the kitchen. Dad had made Papaya Cookies. I could smell the warm cinnamon and apricot-like arouma3. Around the corner was Lirath using his right-sided sleeve as a cover from the smell, just like Mom. They always said the cookies smelled terrible, and wondered how Dad and I liked them so much. I walked by Lirath as he held his book to his left intently reading something weird. The book was old, a bit torn in places, the page he was on listed some sort of winged creature. I sat next to him and asked, “What’s that?”

“Oh, it’s just for research.”

“Into?”

“An old cult on the mainland,” Lirath said, as he smiled at me.

“Should you be reading that? What does Dad think?” I hated that I sounded just like Mom.

“All knowledge is useful, and I borrowed it from Dad.”

Lirath went back to reading, and as I turned, I could not help but laugh. He had just turned sixteen, and I had the joy of watching our artist create his tattoos, as with our people they tell a little bit about us, Lirath’s told the story of a student, one who would always seek knowledge, a sun that signified his bright spirit, its rays unlike mine had waves, a manta followed under the sun jumping in the waves. A small manaia to the left followed the manta. This mystical creature has the head of a bird, the body of a man, and the tail of a fish. It is known to give the owner protection from evil. 2

As Lirath set down the book and joined us at the table, I had a much different set of tattoos. See women in my village typically get flowers8, but I was the firstborn of Kaisara the great warrior, so I got special treatment and was allowed my own story at sixteen. I used my right arm, and back, as the canvas. The sun, just like my brothers was prominent, but I chose shark teeth for my sun’s rays, underneath an ocean since this place is my home, and with it a shark. Underneath the shark were scales that circled my entire arm, and underneath were smaller spears. All these were warrior markings, but on my back was our people’s animal, a flying fox, for my people maternal instinct, but for me my family.2

I approached the kitchen, Mom had just started to put the meal in the oven, her Sunspark Elven Eggs4. It was like cake, made of eggs, and Mom would always add our favorite ingredients to the inside. I knew once it was done, I would be greeted with the best combination of bacon, bell peppers, and ham. As I sat down at our wooden table, Dad with a wave of his hand created bright fiery letters across the sky that spelled out “Sorry, but I have a gift.” We hugged, but over his shoulder I saw by the door, his sword, and backpack ready to go.

“Sorry Reina I must leave again.”

“Another big job?” I asked, as I tried to fake a smile.

“Yes, but I got you something.” Dad said with a beaming smile as he handed me a long ornate wooden box.

I hastily opened the box. Inside was a steel-forged long sword. Its grip had runes carved into it that read, “Amuia le masina, e alu ma sau”1; which means ”Blessed is the moon which goes and returns! Men die and return not.” Around the lower end were shark teeth. Etched into the center of the blade was a gold branch with leaves. Highly decorative just like mom’s sword.Dad laughed as I noticed, and said,” I believe in you to take care of this house while I am gone, and with this tool you can take care of threats that require more than mind and words.”

I hugged my father for this amazing gift, and with tears in his eyes, he kissed me on the forehead as we headed back to the table. After our last family meal for a long time, Dad gave us all a heartfelt goodbye. I grabbed my satchel, then followed Dad down our seashell steps, through the grass, and into the village. While our house was a closed-concept home with walls and rooms, most of the town had an open-concept circular house. No walls, no windows, just the coral, sand, and rocks for flooring with coconut leaves and wood for a roof8. Everyone knew my father, and when he had his bag, it meant he was on his way to the mainland. The village waved to us, and some even shouted,

“Good Luck Kai may the sun bless and protect you!”

My dad smiled, and I whispered to him,

“So that book you gave Lirath?”

“What about it?”

“What cult is it about?”

Dad paused.

“It’s nothing to worry about. Just some group that failed to summon an Aitu8.”

I sighed in relief.

“I am glad you asked, but I assured your mother, I trained both of you well should the book be cursed. “Dad let out a small laugh.

“You trained me with bark, and old wives’ sayings, not steel and prayers.”

“It is all the same, Renia. It’s not like we have had any issues on this island. Nor is this your brother’s first read of an occult book.Everything will be fine.”

“I know it’s just. I paused. I don’t want anything to happen while you’re gone.” Dad patted me on the back, and I could not help but smile.

By this time, a large crowd had joined us and followed us to the dock. There a large ship awaited for my dad. A massive lion was on the front, its flag a bright blue with gold light. The gangway dropped as my dad approached before he took another step, he held my hand and said, “I love you, and I will return soon. Tell your brother to practice some more of his ice magic, and to prepare for his test.”

I nodded,

“As for you, hold onto your sword, your traditions, practice your fire magic, and when I return, I will have the written portion of the test for you.”

“How should I prepare?”

“History, science, math, and religion.”

“The boring stuff.” I frowned.

Dad let go of my hand.

“A warrior must also be wise on and off the battlefield.”

“Yes, Dad” I said with a bit of a snark. He laughed while rolling his eyes. He warmly said,

“One last thing, head to the market and buy some fish for dinner. Emilia, your sweet mother has not taken my sudden leave well, let us both try to ease her nerves into this.”

Dad handed me enough copper for a medium-sized fish. I nodded, as he walked across the gangway Dad was met, by King Jessie himself! He greeted my father with a long hug, and then they walked slowly down a hatch below deck. The boat left, and in less than a month I had to say goodbye to not just my dad, but my hero. The crowd cheered as the boat left.

I rushed to the market to grab some fish. A marlin was on sale for six pieces of copper that would leave me with two. The man thanked me, and soon. I walked inside, to the wonderful smell of fruit bread. I placed the fish in the sink and smiled at Mom who wore this long-defeated frown. She forced a smile on her face as she wrapped her arms around me, so I asked, “What’s wrong? Is it Dad?”

“No honey. I’ve gotten used to it.What about you?”

“Fine.How’s Lirath taking it?”

“Good, but I worry about him sometimes.”

“Why? He’s just reading.” I said as I began to wash the fish.

“It’s just that book.I worry about its contents.”

“Oh. Mama, this isn’t” –. Mom interrupted me.

’You know your brother; his curiosity knows no bounds. I just worry something will latch onto that.”

I nodded.

“So, what did your father ask you to make?”

“Oh. He left that up to me.”

“Ahh, so the head chef found his replacement.”

I ran to find Lirath to see what he was up to and found him in his usual spot; the closet that separated our rooms. He was reading intently, but I startled him with, Boo! He jumped and crawled at me as he threw his fists to no avail.

“What was that for!” Lirath yelled, scared out his mind.

“Had to see if you were paying attention.” I laughed.

“I--what do you want?” Lirath put down the book.

“Just checking on you? Here, take this.” I handed him the reaming copper coins.

“What?” Lirath stared annoyed, but received the coins and placed them in his pocket.

“Figured you could use it for a book.” I smiled.

“A small one. Anything else?

“I have an idea.”′ I grabbed his hand and began to drag him out of his reading corner. “Let’s go sword fighting in the forest, and you can tell me all about your book.”

“I love to but” – Lirath escaped my grasp by pulling against my wrist. He did pay attention to last week’s lesson. I smiled at this fact.

“But what?” I interrupted.

“I’m close to finishing.” I looked at his bookmarker and he had about a hundred pages left. “I just wish I could learn it all quicker you know.”

“Learn all of what?”

“Science, Art, Math.” He said with a bright smile.

“Why rush?′ I tilted my head and tapped my foot.

“So, I can be a warrior like you and Dad.”

“Lirath”. I hugged my dear brother. “You don’t need to rush your knowledge journey to be like me at all. You have your own gifts.”

“I guess. We should go before it gets dark.”

I nodded.

We grabbed our wooden swords, ran to the front, told poor mom where we were going, and I assured her I would have my little brother’s safety as a priority.

We ran off into the woods to the nice clearing. Encircled by trees we practiced all types of sword styles, from one-handed to two-handed, we even dual-wielded. Lirath the entire time had a huge smile on his face and a lot of mud.We went for one last spar as the sun began to set. I ended it quickly as I took and running start, slid across the ground, and swept his leg with the hilt of my sword.

“Why are you so good at this? he said as he got to his knees.”

“Practice.” I said with a smile, reaching out my hand to help him up.

“Wish I had more time.” He ignored the hand for a moment, then grabbed it.

“Don’t fret, the more we do this the better you’ll be.” I pulled him up into a hug.

“I just want to be good at combat like you and Dad.”

“You’ll get there give it time.” I smiled at him.

“What’s the score?”

“Don’t worry about it, we should get home to make dinner.”

“Reina. Please.” He begged.

“Okay, twenty-two to two.” I said as my smile fadded.

“Dang.”

“It’s okay I’ve been doing these four years longer than you.”

“I—you are right, let’s get home.” He walked home defeated. I tried to help him keep pace.

We arrived home, and as we walked in Mom was reading one of her elvish history books. She smiled, and asked,

“How did it go?”

“Reina beat me twenty-two to two, but I’m going to get better.” Lirath said.

Mom smiled at him but glared at me.

“You did well Lirath, why don’t you go freshen up first, while your sister and I make dinner.”

Lirath rushed off to the wash house out back.

“Reina.” Mom began. “You got to take it easy on him.”

“I did. He’s getting better.”

Mom smiled.

“You let him win those two.” She laughed. “Okay let’s get dinner started.”

Mom had already begun to cut up the fish, so she asked if I could grab some pele leaves. I went into our garden and grabbed about fifteen leaves.Mom and I spent the next hour marinating the fish in lime juice, boiling salt, onions, garlic, and basil leaves in coconut milk, and once that was done cooked the fish in the sauté we made, and pele leaves for thirty minutes3.Lirath must have smelled the wonderful food as he bolted to the kitchen.Mom smiled with each bite, and after dinner, Lirath asked,

“Do you think I could borrow the copper pot7?”

“For what?” Mom asked.

“An experiment with my ice magic.”

“What if it breaks? It’s the only one we have.”

“I can repair it,” I said.

Mom nodded as she ate her last fish. “Help with dishes first then have fun but remember bed by eleven. We have to head across the island at dawn to see your aunt.”

We both nodded and gladly brought the dishes to the sink. Lirath washed them with his water magic, and I dried them with my fire.

After a few hours of board games, and chatting with Mom, she gave us a hug and kiss goodnight. Lirath ran into his room with the copper pot, and I lay in my bed waiting patiently for the joys of sleep, but just as I was about to feel the sweet hug of sleep, my cup of water fell to the ground. Strange as that was, I closed my eyes and woke up to a loud bang from my closet. Now Lirath’s bed is on the other side of that wall, so I thought it had something to do with his restless sleep. I sat up in bed and observed the room, as the smell of sulfur invaded my nose. From the corner of my eye, I saw a shadow as it moved past my window. We have so many nocturnal animals I paid no mind, but then the sound of one of my drawings squeaked open. I laid back down, annoyed, and rather confused. As I lay down, I felt the overwhelming feeling that I was being watched. I had been hunting with my dad, and a few wild dogs had walked past our house before, but this was different, it was as if something just out of sight watched from every waking shadow. I tried to fall asleep, but then I heard a scream,

“What are you! No leave!”

It was right after my door slammed closed, I jolted up and tried to open my door to rush to Lirath’s aid, but it would not budge. I pounded on the door as I pushed with all my might to open, but nothing. I sat at the door and thought about what I could do. My brother screamed again,

“You can’t have her!”

Just then my entire room erupted into chaos, my covers flew at the window, and my pillows flew against the wall. The glass cup on the ground flew past my head. I darted to the safety of my bed, and just watched as the circus continued. I blinked, and it stopped. My door inched open, and I expected to see my mom, or my brother, but nothing appeared except the pitch-dark shadows. I waited as I tried to catch my breath, and my heart pumped rapidly. I wanted to check on my brother, but I felt this dread right outside my door, like something stalked the shadows. I made a deal with myself to go up to my door, look around the corner, and call for my mother. I did just that, but there was no reply. Nothing. I eased the door closed, grabbed my covers, and hid under them. I wanted to sleep and embrace its comfort, yet the small squeaking noise prevented me from latching on. I peeked over my covers, to see my door opening by itself, not fast, but slow like a parent peeking into their baby’s room to make sure they are asleep.I inched the covers away from my face and began to feel my heart race, I slowly put one foot out of the bed, and just as it hit the carpet, My door slammed closed with a loud crash, and as I fell to the floor, my instincts took over. I grabbed my sword from my bedside table and took several careful steps toward the door. I placed my ear against it, expecting to hear Mom, an intruder, or my brother, but no it was worse, it was nothing. Silent. I placed my hand on the doorknob and twisted slowly, the click of the door broke the silence. I crept down the black hallway and made it to my brother’s room. My hand was on his doorknob, and I thought about rushing in, but I realized that may have given poor Lirath a heart attack, so I knocked and said,

“Lirath, you, okay? I’m coming in.”

“Please don’t it—”

Before he could finish, I opened the door and found his room in a worse state than my own. His bed was filled with claw marks. The closet door lay disjointed off the hinge, a pillow lay on the ground and its contents thrown about, but some strange bird wings lay in the pile.Lirath looked like he saw Tiapolo6 himself, as I followed his gaze to the ceiling. A shadow much like I saw in the hallway hung from the rafters.The shadow darted to the closest screaming and hissing as the closet door slammed shut, as a voice echoed,

“A gift for a price.”

I grabbed my frozen brother, lifted him over my shoulder, and darted to our mother’s room. I pounded on the door screaming in Dad’s native language,

Aitu! (Spirit!) Tiapolo! (Devil!) Tina! (Mom!)Fesoasoani! (Help!) 6 8 1

Mom opened the door half asleep; her jaw was nearly to the ground as she said,

“Honey you are pale and have your sword out. But more importantly, why do you hold your brother like a bundle of logs?”

“There is a spirit, something dark, it ransacked our rooms.” I said as I tried to slow my breathing.

“Honey you’re a grown woman there is nothing to fear, just some nightmare from the stress of your dad leaving.”

“Mama, please listen it’s not because I miss Dad, I was fully awake, please, help.”

“Okay. I understand. She said with a smile. She grabbed a cross, and her old linen prayer book.”

“Come darling put your brother down and follow me to the living room.”

I placed my brother down and grabbed his hand as I followed behind Mom.We moved the couch back a bit and made a large circle. Mom placed candles all around and had us sit in a smaller circle. Mom’s back faced the hallway, I faced my mother, and Lirath faced the kitchen illuminated by moonlight. In between us, Mom sat at the cross. We sat in silence for a moment until a low growl emitted from the shadows. Mom placed her finger on her lip, and she commanded,

“Leave. You are not welcome.”

A shadow darted across the room toward the hallway.

“I was just going to pray for a safe sleep for you both, but it seems something far worse has entered. Lirath sweetie, Mom said as her eyes followed something. What did you do?”

“I –“Lirath let out a bit of a whimper. “I just wanted to be like Dad.”

Mom turned to Lirath.Her hands clutched the cross.

“Lirath!” Mom said with her chest. “What did you do?”

“I summoned the thing the cult failed to.” Lirath said, rushing out every word.

“You what!” I shouted.

“Clam yourself, Reina.” Mom grabbed my hand.

“Honey.” she began as she looked Lirath dead in the eye. “What did you summon?”

Lirath looked up not wanting to look Mom in the eye as he said, “I don’t know its name it was – “. Lirath went pale as his eyes bulged.

I heard skittering above us, and then we all sat paralyzed. Mom sat motionless refusing to look up, but my brother and I saw this large bat-like creature, as it crawled across the ceiling and left scratch marks in its wake. I blinked and the large creature crouched behind my mother.Its face was like a flying fox, but just its skull with a black stone mask. Its eyes or lack thereof were massive holes of black emptiness. The creature opened its mouth to emit this horrible screech and I saw its mouth. It had three rows of teeth on top and bottom. The noise stopped and it almost seemed to smile at the sight of me. As quickly as it came it vanished. I began to pray as Mom brought both of us into her embrace. I said, “Stay calm, don’t make any sudden movements.”

“What was that?” Lirath asked.

“Whatever it was it was trying to scare us out of safety”. Mom said.

“That’s not what I saw in the book though. “Lirath said confused.

“What do you mean?” I asked. I removed my mom’s arm from my shoulder I stared into the darkness awaiting it’s next strike.

“The picture had a dog, not a bat.” Lirath said while nodding his head.

In that moment behind Lirath, I saw the bat creature again.I watched in horror as I saw more details, its long red scaly skin used its claws to throw bottles, pans, and cups to the ground. It then threw a tantrum showing its tattered wings. It flapped them knocking everything in the kitchen over creating this loud symphony of noise. It then just stood there wings out at about the length of our eight-foot-wide kitchen.

Mom turned and saw the creature and moved one of the candles.

“Mom what do we do!” Lirath shouted.

“Breathe and give me a moment.”

The darkness showed its real self, A dog, but that thing had eagle-like wings, a long tongue that hung out its mouth, paws in the front, but bird legs in the back7.It wasn’t large, about the size of a couch. The longer I stared, the more I felt my heartbeat. My eyes began to close, and I felt my body give out. Lirath yelled, “No you can’t have her!” And with that my body, heart, and soul felt at ease for a second. I fell to my knees and caught my breath.

“Who are you talking to”. I - began to ask, as a voice echoed in my head.

“One must die.” A voice said.

“What! No. No one is going to die.” I said, thought in defiance.

“One. Must. Die. Tonight.” It commanded.

And just as soon as the voice finished the dog vanished. We all looked at each other not wanting to admit what we had just seen, but I turned to Lirath and asked, what did you ask of it?

“Just for science and history.7"

“I see.” I said. Annoyed

“Mom, I didn’t know it required a sacrifice.” Lirath said as he hugged her about to bawl his eyes out.

“All demons require something”. I said as I stood up.

“Mom, what do we do?” He asked.

Mom gave me that look. That one that said she didn’t have a clear answer.

“I’ll fight it?” I asked, but already made up my mind.

Mom shook her head and gave me a cross.

“Can you be clearer?” I asked, rather annoyed.

“You’re not fighting it, but we need to do something.” Mom said trying to think.

“I’ll grab the book. I said. “Lirath, where did you leave it? ’I asked as I looked around expecting a new assault.

Lirath frowned. “It’s in my room closet.”

I grabbed my sword and placed it on my shoulder. I nodded. In my left hand was the cross in my right hand was empty gripping onto the wall as a guide. The abyssal hallway echoed tapping from within the walls. I picked up my pace as I reached Lirath’s room. The room is in a worse shape than when I left. The floorboards were ripped up, and glass from the window was everywhere. Above Lirath’s bed, the ceiling seeped blood dots were lined up in a pattern I could not see from the hallway. I took a deep breath and charged in sword first. Nothing. I looked at the bed and the blood dot pattern read, One Life to Live. One Life to Die. I understood what it wanted, but the demon wasn’t going to get a soul, not mine, not my mother’s, and not my brothers.As I turned to the closet door I heard a shuffle behind me.Lirath said,

“Hey. Sorry, I left it in the bathroom. Come follow me.”

I took a deep breath. Lirath did not follow me, he was not the brave one, and Mom would never let him walk into this without a weapon. I got closer to the closet. The door began to rattle, and a pounding noise came from inside. I inched closer, and I felt a cold breath down my neck followed by something hot that felt like it pierced my sides. I reached for the door as I heard a scream from the living room. I wanted to run, but I opened the closet door and the screams, cold, and piercing heat all stopped. I grabbed that black linen book and ran out of the room and down the hall. I heard extra footsteps follow each of my own, and as I picked up the pace so did it. I turned to see the bat creature towering over me with its hands almost to my ankles.I turned and showed the cross. The creature hissed and dissipated. My mom shouted,

“Reina, are you okay?”

“Yes. I think.”

I followed the sound of her voice and sat in the circle. My whole body shook as my mom hugged me.

“It’s okay now. We got you.” Mom said as Lirath joined the hug.

“So now what?” Lirath asked.

“Let’s see how to expel the demon,” I said with a fake smile.

Mom and I turned page after page trying to find what the dog creature was called, while Lirath kept watch. Each page was either filled with a different demon or nothing at all. The symphony of noises began again this time all around us. I gave Lirath the book and said, “You found it the first time. I think you should try to find it again.”

Lirath shook his head. “I don’t want to cause more problems.”

“Lirath. You must look for it. It wants you, at least, it seems so. I said.

Lirath slowly grabbed the book from me and rushed through the pages.

“Found it!” He said with a mix of joy and fear.

At the top of the page inked in faded black and red was the name Labolas, right underneath was the same demonic dog we saw in the hallway. The pages detailed what the demon could do upon summoning it. Instant knowledge of all Science and History, and a free question on past or future. The summoning conditions required a magic circle, blood, and copper7.

Mom sighed. “I should have stopped you. ”

“I should have listened.” Lirath said.

“Well, is there a way to send it back?” I asked.

It detailed how to control it, but we lacked much of the ingredients. Coal, more copper, and Saint blood. We all turned to each other unsure of what to do.

“So, it wants a life for the gift of knowledge?” I asked.

Lirath nodded.

“Then let’s offer it” – Mom stopped me.

“I’ve seen this once before. Only a human life will stop it.”

“Then I will fight it off.” I said as I stood.

“Do you understand what you are up against! Mom yelled. This isn’t some sort of practice or hunt with your father. I am not losing either of you. The night will only last five more hours. Perhaps if we take turns keeping watch, we can get some sleep and head to my sister’s.We will be safe there until can learn how to expel it.”

“I’ll take the first watch,” I said.

“No. ’ll go first.” Lirath said.

“That’s not an option.” I began.“We need to have two on at every watch.Lirath, you rest. Mom and I will take the first hour.”

Mom grabbed a pillow from the couch and placed it on the floor. Lirath didn’t bother to argue and just laid there. We sat in silence for what seemed like hours. Mom had one hand on my shoulder and one on the cross.The shadows came and went, and each one dashed across our vision and into nothing. Later the noises came back, screams, and a crash. Sometimes a pot or pan flew across the kitchen and near us, and once the furnace sparked on. We just sat and watched over Lirath, until we discussed who would sleep next,

“Mom you should take a rest.”

“Honey. You’ve been up all night you should.

“I’ve seen too much. I would feel safer in the sun.” I said just as a candlelight blew out.

Then I saw a glowing red eye. It slinked near the floor and used its paws to put out the flames. I swung my sword carefully over the three candles, and then I used my own fire magic to relight them. With each candle I lit a shadowy paw that came and snuffed them out. I screamed, “STOP IT! “Then I threw a small fire bolt. The blood red eyes just sat above the flames. I could make out its fur, black and mangled, a diluted yellow crown around its neck. The demon smiled, its bright white teeth were the brightest detail in the room, its tongue wrapped around six candles and knocked them into a few crosses. It vanished, and then a crash from the back room jolted me to look behind, but nothing, then another crash to our left. Then just as things seemed to quiet down a scratching noise from above and below emitted. The one below was soft, only audible due to the quiet, but the one above was loud. Mom gripped the cross and began to pray, but just as she said amen the cross erupted in flame. She tossed it out of the circle and then turned to me with sadness. I realized what she had done, and what it had wanted. “Help this poor family father.” I started to pray.

“No help.” A voice echoed.

“Protect us.” I continued.

“No protection.” A voice hissed.

This continued with each simple phrase we only stopped praying when we felt a drop of liquid from above. I opened my eyes to see a few drops of this weird black liquid landed on my hand.Mom looked and went white as I felt my body move. I looked to my shoulders to see a black hand and then saw another; I kept moving closer into the darkness. Mom reacted fast and tossed my sword, and just as soon as I grabbed it the hands went away. We both took a deep breath and foolishly thought we had a break. I saw the same hands trying to grab my mom, so I lunged forward with a fist aimed at whatever was behind her. I landed on top of my mother, and those red eyes were all I saw as I looked up. Then silence. I quickly went into the ottoman that sat just inches into the darkness. I found three lanterns I made with Dad just a few days ago and lit them with my fire magic. Sure, they would not last long, but it added overhead light. I also found two small makeshift light sticks. Lirath made these long tubes with a small candle inside. I lit those as well as they produced a strong light around our feet.

“Okay, sweetheart. You should rest. Lirath and I Will keep watch.”

“Mom, we discussed this earlier. I will spend the rest of the night with Lirath. You can watch over me just before dawn when it will be the easiest.”

Mom woke Lirath gently and smiled. She laid down and went out in a moment.

“Is it over?” Lirath asked.

“Nope. Worse.” I said as I hugged him.

“Any ideas?” Lirath asked.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“To kill it?” He asked rather out of character.

“Our goal is to survive and then run in the morning.” I said. As I inched away

“No survival one must die.” A low voice emitted from Lirath’s mouth that was not his, as his eyes turned black. I grabbed my sword as he walked closer. I wanted to swing, but instead I shouted, “We are going to survive!” The lights began to flicker. Then my brother fell to his knees, as tears fell down his face,

“Sis? What is it?” he asked, confused.

“It’s using you. Not great, but we can – “A growling voice interrupted me.

“One. Must” – I yelled over it, “No one is dying tonight demon! Get out of our house and back to hell!”

“Sis. You’re going to make it –”

Lirath was cut off by a loud bang, and then every light around us began to flicker like a verbal assault. Then shadows darted all around us, red eyes appeared behind Lirath, and scratches formed on the ottoman. I just brought us into the maw of fear.

“I am not backing down”. I said, shaking like I was held in cold water.

“Choose now!” A hissing voice said.

“Not happening!” I shouted.

“Then I will.” A growl emitted.

Lirath stared into my eyes, tears down his face. He pointed behind me, and I knew what that meant. I mouthed I loved you, but then Lirath shouted, “Take me! Not her!”

I watched as Lirath was picked up from the center and thrown into the hallway. He gripped our carpet and mouthed “I love you take care of Mom.” I followed his white shirt despite the deep darkness and watched as my brother was dragged down the hall by a pair of bony hands. In an instant, he was gone.I heard the slamming of his door and the shattering of glass.

“Mom! Mom! Lirath! I tried to wake her up, but she lay motionless.”

I knew I had little time, so I grabbed my sword and a lantern and rushed after the sound. Lirath’s door was broken as if something smashed through, the wall closet to the forest was smashed as well. I slowly walked in and noticed the blood throughout the room, I looked out the door-sized hole where the window was and expected a body, but instead, I found drag marks, a shoe, and blood splattered on the sand. I rushed after the marks.

I hopped over tree trunks, dived under branches, and crawled through a thin brush. I made it to our clearing where we trained every day. There in the center was that dog, mouth opened vertically. My brother was in pieces beside the monster, but the monster hunched over with something with dark feet inside its mouth. The creature like a snake slowly swallowed this dark figure whole. I ran and struck the monster in its chest, it spat this dark figure out of its mouth and roared. It slashed at me, and I barely dodged the first; however, the second hit me in my face. As I fell to the ground, I felt everything slow down around me. I watched as the demon tried to drag my brother’s body, but the shadow that was in its mouth punched, kicked, and bite the monster.The creature in anger roared, and then began to fly – over to me. The shadow rushed over and stood above me, arms flailing, but monster just stared at me, and then it all went black.

The next thing I saw, wasn’t my brother, mother, or even father. It was my house in disarray.The wooden bench next to me was in half. I sat up and looked around the room, the walls had many claw and sword marks etched into them surrounded by blood and this weird black substance. The floor looked to be the same, I went to get up, but pain shot through my body as I tried to stand. I fell face first onto the floor, and around me, a puddle of black emerged, I rolled over and saw from my chest, this black substance flow, and two massive wounds, that slowly began to seal shut. I had not seen Dad heal like this nor anyone in our village. I tried once more to get up. I had to find Mom, perhaps she knew what happened, but first I had to grab something to help with this wound and blood. As I walked into the hallway bathroom the lamp overhead flickered on and off. I flipped the switch, and in the mirror, I saw a lot of weird things, other than the wound that was slowly closing, I had dark black hair with a hint of blue, and my eyes looked about the same color, no longer bright blue, my skin while still dark had become somewhat lighter, weirdest of all my bare left arm now had tattoos. I spun around and tried to figure this out and found them to be an exact match of my brother’s tattoos. I jolted backward, hit my head on the wall, and slowly descended the wall until I sat over the air. I took a few deep breaths, remembering I had to find mom and fast, and walked into the hallway. The small light above the hallway flickered, as a shadow cast across the wall.Something drew me to watch it, and so I did. My shadow morphed into a humanoid figure that looked like my brother, it waved at me – and mouthed thank you. I blinked, hoping it was just stress that caused me to see, but nope it was still right there. I began to hyperventilate and ran to my parent’s room from whatever clue I could find. There room was a total mess, pillow stuffing covered the floor, multiple holes in the bed, my sword in the wall.

I inched into the room and the painted blood over the bed frame was the words. Your life for theirs.It started to make sense, but I could not dwell on it, I had to find my mom. I grabbed my sword and continued to look for more clues, perhaps answers. I walked back into the bathroom; my wound was now closed, and that was probably the least of my concerns. I ran into my brother’s room where this whole thing started.Still a hole, still a mess, then I turned to my brother’s bed and hoped it wasn’t what I thought. There on the bed, my brother’s body positioned like a doll laid torn in. I cried over the body, “I am so sorry! Lirath! Please! I could not save you!”

As I cried, I felt someone’s hand on my back, I expected Mom, but fell to my knees as I saw the same exact shadow from the wall. It was my brother Lirath! Minus all his features. As the light faded so did he. I understood a bit more and walked to my room. I wanted to grab some new clothes, as I could not stay here, though. As I entered my room and flew some flames at the candle. I found my mom. My hopes popped; I felt tears try to form, but nothing. I hugged the body in silence. I put the details together. Lirath’s deal had not gone as planned, he now lives as a shadow, and moms dead. Why could I not be the protector dad wanted me to be? I failed! I thought about what to do next, leaving them here in their beds was the first idea, but I couldn’t do that I had to give them a proper burial. I grabbed my brother first, and with the garden shoved dug a couple feet deep8. The entire time, I repeated a prayer, “My brother, I am sorry, I failed you I failed Dad, and now unlike the tide you won’t rise and fall, only lay your head against the dirt and rest till –.” 8

I sat on the ground, as I didn’t want to admit he was gone, but I had to keep going, so I made two small wooden crosses. I placed my brother’s cross in the ground, as I shouted, “I hate that you’re gone, It’s my fault! I couldn’t protect you!” I fell to my knees and hung onto his cross, and then I felt something grab onto my back. I watched as my shadow stretched out, then rose. I began to shake, as it walked closer to me. This was it, was all I could think, as I closed my eyes, but when I opened them, I was embraced by my shadow warmly and tightly. The shadow placed a notebook and opened it to a blank page, and with its finger-painted ink letters. It first wrote its name Lirath and then wrote three words,

“Safe with you.”

Research notes:

Authors Notes:

Food:

Harrington, Michael, et al. Pacific Islands Cookbook. AIMS Nutrition Work Team 1994.

Newman, Kyle, et al. Heroes’ Feast Flavors of the Multiverse. Ten Speed Press, 7 Nov. 2023.

The Pacific Islands Cookbook helped to create Papaya cookies. An interesting fruit desert Reina and Kai’s favorite. Depending on the person, papayas are known to either taste and smell terrible or amazing. The Cookbook also helped explain how to prepare the Fish for dinner, and the ingredients. Lastly, Sunspark Elven Eggs a Dungeon and Dragons Elvish Breakfast. This was helpful in creating a piece of the eleven cultures, as it was something tangible that the reader can taste and smell.

Language:

Craig, Robert D. Dictionary of Polynesian Mythology. New York, Greenwood Press, 1989.

Pratt, George. A Grammar and Dictionary of the Samoan Language. 1893.

Robert Louis Stevenson. The Beach of Falesa. Whitefish, Mt, Kessinger Pub, 2004.

These three sources together helped me to incorporate the Samoan language into my story accurately. They were also useful for reference prayers, and burial sayings and chants.

Samoan Culture:

Turner, George. “Samoa, a Hundred Years Ago and Long Before.” The Project Gutenberg eBook of Samoa, by George Turner, 6 Apr. 2024, www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/14224/pg14224-images.html.

Robert Louis Stevenson. The Beach of Falesa. Whitefish, Mt, Kessinger Pub, 2004.

Emori, Roberto. The Polynesian Tattoo Handbook. N.P.] Tattoo tribes, 2011.

These three sources helped the most with creating an accurate Samoan family. Emori’s detailed book on the art of Samoan Tattoos was a worthwhile purchase, as it let me know how to position the art, and what the mean. Stevenson’s work of fiction helped immensely in understanding their culture even from a perspective of so long ago and helps that he lived on the Samoan Island himself.

Lastly, Turner’s extensive book on the Samon culture covered everything from burial practices to how Samoans make their homes. I don’t know if I could have done this piece without this source.

Horror inspirations:

Hereditary. Directed by Ari Aster, Flim, A24, 2018.

Aster’s use of family and The Lesser Key of Solomon is significant to the film’s entire feeling that hope is pointless. Evil had a plan and was going to win. It was important for me to understand how to use the Lesser Key in a realistic way.

Midnight Mass. Directed by Mike Flanagan and James Flanagan, Steam, Netflix, 2021.

This Miniseries centers around a man who has hit rock bottom and looks to religion to find himself. However, the Island is under the control of a cult that serves a fallen angel vampire thing. While the monster is there, the main point of the series is the man trying to find himself. It is a drama first, and a horror second. I wanted to have my story be family first, and horror second. So, I took notes on how they achieved this.

The Conjuring. Directed by James Wan, Flim, Warner Bros. Pictures, 2013.

Wan’s work on the Conjuring scared thirteen-year-old me for three weeks. I was terrified of that dark. Why? The family is trapped in an average home. Their dad is away most of the time, and it’s up to a group of teenage girls, and their mom to stand against the evil spirit, who wants the mom to kill her own daughters. I love my family, so the unease, and the idea that every noise, every scratch, and every small pull of hair was something from the other side trying to get them alone terrified me. Today, this very idea was something I wanted to try to emulate. A family stuck and fighting for their souls. I took long notes, and practiced explaining the jump scares, and uneasiness even during what some would call the safe moments. Putting on screen what happened in my own words has certainly helped me create captivating horror senses within this piece.

“The Lesser Key “of Solomon, Goetia, The Book of Evil Spirits.” The Lesser Key of Solomon | Project Gutenberg, 30 Mar. 2024, www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/72679/pg72679-images.html.

Inside this book are pages of demonic creatures used in many movies. Penalty of legends about the book itself. Glasya is earl of hell and takes a dog form on earth. People would want to summon him for easy access to all history, art, and science. Said to be released through copper and magic seal. The demon is noted to grant the summoner one answer on past or present. Perfect for a teen like Lirath that wants to be more like his dad, and to know if he is coming home.

References

Craig, Robert D. Dictionary of Polynesian Mythology. New York, Greenwood Press, 1989.

Emori, Roberto. The Polynesian Tattoo Handbook. N.P.] Tattootribes, 2011.

Harrington, Michael, et al. Pacific Islands Cookbook. AIMS Nutrition Work Team 1994.

Hereditary. Directed by Ari Aster, Flim, A24, 2018.

Midnight Mass. Directed by Mike Flanagan and James Flanagan, Steam, Netflix, 2021.

Newman, Kyle, et al. Heroes’ Feast Flavors of the Multiverse. Ten Speed Press, 7 Nov. 2023.

Pratt, George. A Grammar and Dictionary of the Samoan Language. 1893.

Robert Louis Stevenson. The Beach of Falesa. Whitefish, Mt, Kessinger Pub, 2004.

The Conjuring. Directed by James Wan, Flim, Warner Bros. Pictures, 2013.

“The Lesser Key “of Solomon, Goetia, The Book of Evil Spirits.” The Lesser Key of Solomon | Project Gutenberg, 30 Mar. 2024, www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/72679/pg72679-images.html.

Turner, George. “Samoa, a Hundred Years Ago and Long Before.” The Project Gutenberg eBook of Samoa, by George Turner, 6 Apr. 2024, www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/14224/pg14224-images.html.