« What is it about you that has frightened everyone who dares to venture beyond your doorstep? » I shouted from a distance.
« He who finds courage to venture into my halls will find none left to go back » Shouted back the Behemoth as I could feel the surge of wind towards me, wind tainted by an evil scent.
« You know what mother used to tell me? »
The beast, airing an expression of curiosity stuck his head out from deep inside the cave but without a sound.
« Oh well then, this is quite the long story, none of the locals could bare through as they all found it boring, but you seem to have all the time, I doubt you have other plans ? »
Silence was my answer. I felt comfortable enough in the cave and began telling my story to the beast. Why was I telling him my story? Because none of those who went in with swords came out alive, we know only rumours about the destruction he’d caused but for the past century no one has seen him up to any bad. Curious as I was I headed to the beast’s lair to find out.
« And there you have it, that is what Ma, may her soul find peace used to tell me, she’d scold me for the tiniest things, you do know what a mother is don’t you? ».
« I have watched humans for a long time, I know more about them then they of themselves, I have yet to see a display of power » Said the apparently offended creature.
« What is your story anyway? I have told you mine and now is your turn, what brought you to these lands? » I backed down a few steps avoiding a spontaneous swing of claws.
« And why should I let you, puny as you are talk to me as equal let along hear my story? » Exclaimed the Behemoth.
« I do know that you are not eternal, if you would be so kind to tell me your story, I promise you immortality »
I felt the wind stop at the end of my sentence, I had an earlier imagination of the beast’s form but for him to come out to the light I was brought down to my knees, I knew for once that my life ends there.
« Know your place tiny human! You cannot grant immortality, mistake me for a fool once more and I shall not hesitate to relieve your shoulders, I’m only keeping you alive so you can entertain me » The wind was now stronger than before and almost sharp enough to cut skin.
« I see you underestimate my kin, tell me cave master, do you know how to read? »
At the monster’s confirmation I took out my own book, that in which I have written about the world’s greatest beasts, originally I sat out to hunt them and bring them down, but all my years of training went in vain when the first beast I ever slayed was protecting a little girl, I swore that from that day on I shall never slay or hunt another beast, and if it comes to life or death, I’d die in atonement for my sin.
« This is the eternity I promised every creature I encountered. Wyverns, Dragons, Fairies, Mermaids, overly attached Amazonian women, shape shifters, vampires, werewolves… Pretty much all of them. As you can see they are not there in body but in soul. Their stories, feel free to read them, it would take you a full week »
I knew my life is not to be spared, so the least I could do is pass down my work, even to my own slayer.
The promised week had finished, I spent most of it chewing carefully on the very little food I had or sleeping, but the Behemoth never blinked, and he kept reading throughout the entire book.
I woke up to the unsightly face of the beast disturbingly closer to mine, surmounted by his breath.
« Your book is not complete, I do not enjoy what is not complete » he said.
« I stand in a room with the cloture to my book, that is dear beast, you! »
« Why have you not given this much space to the others? Were they any less of story-tellers? » The beast asked.
« Oh not at all! The Medusa had quite the story about turning the man she loved to stone due to his simple stare »
« A Medusa and a human, she must have turned him to stone against her will, her powers are uncontrollable… Such a weakness » Murmured he who had full will over his power.
« I must also inform you that I will not be writing any of the last pages, you see during my time in this cave I realized something, you are not Behemoth the beast, you are Behemoth the curse »
The beast’s eyes lit with fire.
« You never meant to kill anyone, but you are cursed to kill everyone who enters this cave and tries to leave, I know not how to lift your curse, nor if it’s bound to your existence, but I know that you will be the one to write my last pages, that is dear friend… My dying wish »
« A friend? » He rhetorically asked while going through the pages of the book. « What is a friend? Why is he not in the book? »
« A friend is someone who means you no harm and protects you, even with his dear life »
I broke down to tears at his next question.
« Do you mean the beast you slayed? A Cyclops was it ? I cannot see through you clearly for your spirit is fogged human »
« Oh indeed! That was her friend alright » I murmured as I walked towards the exit of the cave.
« I will be joining you soon, human, you have my word that I will finish your book » Those were the last words I heard as I felt the mighty claws pierce through my heart yet as swiftly and smoothly as if it wasn’t meant to end my life.
If anything at all, the beast’s claws ended my suffering, I granted immortality to the creatures of land, sky and sea. I think I have atoned for my sin. I found eternal rest…