Devoured- Chapter IV: Insanity and Neglect

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Insanity. It is a state of mind wherein one cannot truly distinguish reality from what is imaginary. It is when the mind cannot grasp a holocaust of thoughts, and ideas that are seemingly delusive. Where the mind enters a world, which it can never comprehend.


The evening was still young, and the chilling wind gently hollers throughout the huge backyard of Thirne Manor. Inside, a man walked slowly, as his footsteps echoed across the hollow corridors of the manor. Karael. It had been three days since he first walked those corridors, and since then he had always met up with Baron Heinrich Leizt.

There was a deafening silence. The manor’s great corridors were empty during the evening, since there were only a few who lived in it. Only the baron’s personal servant Ludiere, his lovely mistress Precille, and two of his caretakers, dwell with him inside the ghastly manor. Strauss usually stayed there, but he was sent out on a journey to Berlin and had still yet to come back to Aüzwerth.

Karael entered the baron’s study. There, Baron Leizt sat on his favorite chair, listless, staring outside the huge window of his study. He seemed to be captivated over the bright, crescent moon. Karael smiled. He walked towards the baron and joined him at the table. He examined the baron as he sat down at one of the neat furnishings next to the broad square table.

“It looks wonderful, doesn’t it?” Karael remarked.

“Indeed. Such a wonderful sight.” The baron replied.

A brief moment of silence enveloped the room. The moon’s partly lit surface shone light through the delicate windowpane. Karael took a deep breath, placed his right hand on his chin as he bowed, then devilishly smiled. The baron stood up and went towards the window, taking a closer and better glimpse at the moon.

“It can be yours.” Karael exclaimed. “I can show you eternity.” He added, as he walked towards the baron.

“Show me then.” The baron broke out his silence, turning his attention to Karael.

Karael raised his left hand and extended it in front of baron’s face. He whispered a barely audible chant “Vade Maledictio Satana”. As he stated those words, the baron’s eyes widened in disbelief. Karael was imparting him wisdom, men could never, in the course of their life, attain nor comprehend. The great wisdom of the heavens, and of hell.

The baron witnessed every mystery, and every answer behind it unfolds in his eyes. The secret to immortality, limitless power, eternal youth, all had unraveled before his very eyes. He could not believe, however he was greatly pleased.

Karael watched the baron slowly being consumed by everything he had shown. He grinned, and started walking to the door. He stopped for a moment, midway to the exit of the room, without looking he stated, “—fools can never gain eternity.” Then he continued to walk towards the door, and exit the room. The corridors of the manor remained still, and quiet. Karael walked along and found himself standing at the manor’s great gallery. Clouds passed, covering the crescent moon. The sky turned red. A thunderous horrifying laugh suddenly roared, and echoed throughout the entire manor.


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Neglect. It is a feeling of sheer disregard. It envelops the heart and the wholeness of being. It is not sadness, but an intense feeling of emptiness. Where in one had been devoid of care, and love. It is a black hole that eats up the very source of life.


The terrifying, monstrous laugh continued to linger, echoing throughout the vast corridors of the manor. The walls shook, as it contained the thunderous laughter. Then soon after, it ended. Silence once again reigned over the manor. The sky was now filled with dark clouds. The moon was now nowhere in sight. A huge bolt of lightning struck the heavens. Rain started to fall.

Terrified, the tenants of the manor began to cower themselves on their respective rooms. The baron’s mistress, Precille, was worried, yet too terrified to check her once loving beau. He used to breathe her with utmost love, and caressed her with warmth. Now, he had gotten too cold. He had obsessed himself with the mystery of the murders, and now he had been driven mad, by his delusions of unearthly powers.

“You should not take all the pain.” Karael sighed an air of love, as he entered Precille’s chambers. Precille, in her slumber gown, was surprised yet teary-eyed. Karael took a deep breath. He marveled at Precille’s beauty.

Precille looked Karael’s way, bowed her head as she sighed, “He had never mistreated me before. Never had I felt so unloved.” She burst into tears, flowing to her cheeks, down to her delicate lips.

Karael sat down on her bed, beside the sobbing maiden. “Tears do fall and dry. Yet, truly there is no need to cry.” said Karael in an assuring voice. Precille said nothing. She was too succumbed by emptiness.

The rain continued to pour. Lightning flashed, thunder roared after. The night grew colder and colder. Karael was still. The lovely maiden grew weary, and hopeless. “—I was never strong.” She muttered.

Karael then braced her towards him, then he whispered, “Love me, and you will be embraced by these hands, that would never cease to caress you. Throw away all your lament. I will show you love that would never falter.”

He pressed his lips against hers, as he gently laid her across her satin covered bed. She was surprised, yet she gave in, her heart assured by the words the man had spoken quite sweetly to her. She lay still while Karael carefully undressed her of her queenly robe, and his hands idly moved to feel her warm, silky bosom. Her mind began to wander elsewhere, as Karael tastefully engulfed her into his manhood. He continued on, taking full liberty over her.

The night’s cold air had been replaced by steaming heat of passion. They went on, as the rain pours much harder. The heaven seemed to wail heavily over their dissolute affair.

Karael, after the intimate episode, rose up from where Precille soundly slept. He looked at her, and smiled. He had contented himself. Slowly he dressed himself, bent over the sleeping maiden, and covered her with blanket. He kissed her cheeks one more time, and whispered in her ears, “—you are the vessel of my love.” Karael tread towards the door silently, exiting Precille’s chamber. It was all going smoothly, he thought to himself. He nodded to himself in fulfillment, “It will be over soon.” He then wore his round cap, and then, as soon as he did, he vanished into thin air.