Hilma
Flash Fiction | Fantasy
I should have known there would be tentacles. Neck deep in a pool of filthy water with veins tangled around my legs, I waded through the murky abyss as it slithered toward me. Like a chameleon, its opaque skin merged with the water, disappearing as it sunk underneath.
Lowering my head, I steadied my body, eyes stalking through the debris for a glimpse. A ripple approached from my left side. My head turned, but nothing was there. A splash beat against my eardrum as the hairs on the back of my neck stood.
Hands by my side, I reached for my throwing blades, pulling one from each sheath. My body turned in its direction as my fingers grasped onto the paracord wrapped handles. Fixated on the shadow moving underwater, I raised my arms. The stainless steel reflected off of the moon peeking through the overhanging dead branches enveloping the night sky.
My heart stampeded in my chest as its large body leaped out of the water, thrusting toward me. I raised my left arm. The first blade flew through the air, landing in the creature’s chest. My right arm followed, tossing the blade toward the creature. Its screams bounced off of the blue sky as the tip landed in its left eye.
The creature’s heavy body crashed into the water. A wave rampaged toward me. My eyes widened as I attempted to swim away, but the water opened its enormous mouth, swallowing me, carrying me to the bank before spitting me out onto the soil.
I lifted my body off of the ground. My eyes drifted toward the water. Dead at last, the creature’s body floated on top. I struggled to get to my feet, staggering a few steps before finding my footing.
I continued my venture back through the woods, beyond the hidden path, past the cemetery gates, and toward the abandoned castle. A sigh parted my lips as I stepped onto the bridge. Surrounded by water, the stone pillar stood in the middle, towering over damnation’s ocean. Its reflection blinded any attempt I made at gauging the water’s safety.
One foot in front of the other, I made my way to the middle of the bridge. A smile peeked through as I approached the entrance, but my confidence was shattered as I crashed onto the stone. My body dragged across the bridge, leg hanging over the edge as my fingers searched for something to grasp onto.
The movement stopped. I glanced down at my ankle. Long grey fingers clutched onto the stone. Yellow eyes peeked over the top of the bridge. My body slithered backward as it pushed itself over, crawling toward me.
One dagger remained on my belt. My hand latched onto the handle. I pulled. It didn’t release from the sheath. I pulled again but couldn’t get it free.
My eyes widened as it lunged toward me, mouth open, sharp teeth. I pulled and pulled, yanking it free as the monster landed on top of me.
Liquid spilled all over my neck as a foul odor poured out of its opened mouth. I rolled the creature off of me. It lay lifeless. The tip of the blade at the top of its head. I grasped onto the handle resting under its chin, pulling out the knife as my eyes darted around the water.
I waited for a few minutes, expecting more to appear, but they didn’t. A mist rose from the waters as I made it to my feet and sprinted toward the castle entrance.
The heavy door battled with my ego as I attempted to make my way inside. Opening it enough to slide through, my eyes landed on the banner hanging from the wall. Black with gold trim, it bore the letters of her name–Angrboða, and rune–Ac.
As I moved closer, I heard faint chatter coming from another section of the castle. My feet hurried through another door. They stood in a circle–forty-nine men and women. All eyes landed on me as silence hovered over the castle walls.
“Ella, welcome.” Völker tapped his cane on the ground three times before everyone applauded. Silence returned as he raised his left hand. “You’ve proven yourself a worthy warrior.” He bowed his head. I returned the favor.
A woman moved behind me, removing my belt. She placed a new belt around my waist. Black with gold trim, like the banner hung in the other room. Runes were etched into the leather–Ac, Os, Ear, Ior. She slid a new set of knives into the sheaths before joining the others.
“Angrboða–Hag of the Ironwood demands our loyalty. We’ve been chosen to protect Earth from time’s abominations. Creatures–monsters spit from the abyss to wreak havoc upon man. Many have tried to join us. Many have failed. You, like the others in this room, have survived her tests. This is a great responsibility. Death awaits all of us, so I must ask–are you ready to die?”
“Yes, I am.”
Völker closed his eyes, chanted the coveted naming spell gifted to him by the Wolf Queen. His deep blue eyes crashed against my soul as his lips parted. “From this day forward, you shall be called Hilma.”
© 2023 Rena Aliston. All rights reserved.
Great scenic description in this. The initially placid, mirror surface of the lake came to life in my brain, and the castle gave me instant Skyrim Volkihar vibes.