CHAPTER 8: The Mohan (Part 6)

CHAPTER 8

THE MOHAN (Part 6)

I finally release the Mohan. He falls to his knees, weakened and humiliated. All his rage has vanished. He knows he is no longer stronger than the townspeople.

—Now —I say —, doesn't this bring back memories?

—Chía… —the Mohan whimpers, tears spilling from his eyes —Have mercy.

—Mercy? Like the one you showed to all the women you kidnapped, tortured, and killed over the years? That kind of mercy?

—I-I know I did wrong… I know I did terrible things! B-But that wasn't really me, I swear! It… it was the chaos magic! Yes! It corrupted me! A lesser demon like me couldn't control it! Y-you know me, Chía. I'm nothing but a coward! Besides my minimal control over nature and my small pocket dimensions, I can't do anything else! Y-you just said it! I'm too scared to protect myself! I was having a really good time with the agreement I had with the town! B-But I thought the chaos magic would make me more powerful, to protect them from other demons, y-you know?! I was a fool! I only wanted everyone to be safe, I swear!

The Mohan's cynical words only fuel the mob's anger. They step forward to strike him down, but the leader raises his hand, stopping them.

—No! —the man declares —Ofelia said this woman is a goddess, right? And she just saved us. Let her finish this. We may want revenge, but humans cannot interfere with the duties of the gods.

This is the Mohan I remember: pathetic, weak, afraid of his own shadow. It is both infuriating and sad how such a pitiful creature could cause so much suffering. I want to destroy him so badly. I want him to suffer as slowly as possible. Is this because I have regained part of my chaos power? Or is it because looking at his face brings back terrible memories of my past self? Maybe Chía seeks justice, but deep inside, Huitaca craves vengeance. Maybe it's all of the above. I need to stay in control. I cannot let my newfound power consume me. I still have a mission to complete.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath before speaking.

—Who, Mohan?

—W-who what? —The Mohan stammers.

—Don't play dumb with me, you hairy bastard! I know you didn't obtain my power on your own! You're weaker than a toddler! You lack both the intelligence and the courage to steal chaos magic from Bochica! Who gave it to you, and where is the rest of it?!

—N-Nobody, I promise! I-I just found that fragment of power by pure luck!

—The moment I suggested you served someone, you panicked. Seems like you don't want me to know who your master is. I'll ask one more time, Mohan—who are you working for?

—Ch-Chía, please!

Furious, I grab the Mohan by the neck and lift him into the air.

—No more pleas, Mohan! —I roar —Talk now or die!

—Miss Chía? —I hear Ofelia's frightened voice.

—Enough with the "Miss Chía", child! You're annoying me! —I snap.

Ofelia immediately falls silent. I feel… anger. So much anger. I know I shouldn't have said that. Ofelia risked her life to save me. She is a good person, an incredible person. Her kindness shines brighter than the light that illuminated the forest moments ago. The only words she deserves from me are gratitude and humility. But right now, child, I am unworthy of that kindness. At this moment, you are witnessing the final moments of Huitaca, goddess of Chaos. And trust me, this will not be pleasant.

—Please, Chía!! —The Mohan begs —If I say anything, he will kill me!

I release the Mohan, but before he can hit the ground, a giant sphere of water materializes around him, suspending him in mid-air. It seems I have regained my water-controlling abilities as well, though not at full strength.

—No, please! Let me go! —The Mohan sobs.

—One final question, Mohan: where is Bochica?

—I-I don't know!! He disappeared ten years ago! At least, that's what I was told!

—Ten years… ten years. Now I remember. Old Carmela told me your reign of terror began ten years ago, right? I bet all that goodwill you showed the town was only because you didn't want any trouble with Bochica, the Civilizing God himself. He was the only god who enjoyed walking among mortals, visiting the people he cherished. Sooner or later, he would have arrived here. But when he vanished, you were finally free to do as you pleased, weren't you? Especially with that little fragment of my chaos magic boosting your strength.

As I speak, the water sphere expands, slowly enveloping the Mohan's entire body. He wails for mercy, his words dissolving into incomprehensible babbling. I glance at the leader of the mob and give him a small nod. He nods back, understanding my silent message. He turns away, covering Ofelia's eyes as he leads the townspeople back. Then, I turn back to the Mohan.

—CHÍA, PLEASE!! I'M BEGGING YOU FOR MERCY!!! —The Mohan wails.

—Mercy is not something to be given freely. Only gods have infinite mercy and compassion… but I am not a god. Not yet.

—CHÍA, NO! PLEASE, NO—GHGHGHBLGH!!

I silence the Mohan's pleas as the water sphere engulfs his head. He thrashes desperately, trying to free himself, but it is useless. He is drowning—slowly.

—Chía is not here —I murmur —. Only Huitaca remains, one last time. You wanted recognition and reward from me? Your wish is granted. I am about to disappear, and I have chosen you to be the first to follow me into darkness and oblivion. Your name, my name, and every demon's name shall be forgotten by history—and Chía will make sure of it. Redemption is not supposed to be easy… Farewell, Mohan… and farewell, Huitaca.

With those final words, I crush the water sphere, obliterating the Mohan. The sphere turns crimson before exploding, splattering his blood across my body and the forest. Silence falls. The townspeople are frozen in shock. Then, as they realize their tormentor is truly gone, silence shatters into a chorus of cheers and sobs of relief. Their nightmare is over.

The people rush toward me, lifting me into the air in celebration. I hear their gratitude, their joy. It has been centuries since I was adored like this. I should be happy. And a part of me is. But when I see my blood-covered hands and Ofelia's fearful expression among the crowd, I feel nothing but disgust. My rage and thirst for vengeance consumed me. I am still far from redemption.

We return to the town, where the leader of the mob—who also happens to be the mayor—announces that he will organize a grand celebration. Not only to mark the end of their suffering but also to honor the memory of the Mohan's victims. He insists that the event should be dedicated to me, their savior, but I refuse.

—All the credit belongs to Ofelia —I say —. She saved me, she helped the prisoners escape. And to you and the townspeople. You arrived just in time. Without your help, the Mohan would have killed both Ofelia and me.

The Mohan's fate was deserved, but knowing that I let myself become Huitaca again, even if just for a moment, is more horrifying to me than anything that monster could have done.

Later that night, I stand alone in the town square, lost in thought. The place is silent, almost eerily so. Then, the mayor approaches.

—How's Ofelia? —I ask.

—She's fine —he replies —. She broke a rib, but it will heal. Other than that, there's nothing to worry about.

I exhale, relieved —Thank the gods… Listen, I'm glad you're okay, but I have to go. My mission isn't over. There are creatures out there far more powerful than the Mohan, and they could cause even greater horrors than what you suffered here. I have to stop them. It's my duty.

The mayor studies me —Oh, right. You're a goddess, aren't you? Ofelia called you the goddess of the moon, but as far as I know, the moon has no gods. Bochica is the one in charge of it, the protector of the night.

He pauses, looking at the sky.

—Come to think of it… It's been ten years since the moon disappeared. Also, we don't know any goddess named Chía or Huitaca.

I whisper to myself—Truly forgotten by everyone, I see.

—What was that?

—Nothing —I say —. It's better this way. As I told the Mohan, the name of Huitaca must be completely erased from history.

—And Chía's name as well?

I don't answer.

The mayor sighs —I don't know what happened between you and the gods, but one thing I do know—Chía, you are a good person. And good people deserve second chances. We may not have known you before, but you are our savior, and from now on, you are our goddess as well.

—I'm not looking to be worshiped —I reply —. I don't deserve it.

—But—

—But nothing —I cut his words —. I appreciate your words, truly. But trust me, I've done terrible things in the past. I seek redemption, yes, but right now, I'm no better than the Mohan. I don't deserve your kindness…

I hesitate before adding.

—Please, send my regards to Ofelia and tell her I'm sorry for being such an ass to her.

I turn to leave, but then I see familiar faces. Old Carmela… and beside her, Andrea and her daughter. My breath catches. I never imagined they were the family Carmela spoke of.

Their eyes glisten with tears.

—Old Carmela, Andrea, I…

Before I can finish, they rush forward and embrace me all at once.

—Thank you! Thank you so much! —Carmela sobs.

—I'm sorry for not believing in you, Chía —Andrea says —. You truly are a kind goddess.

—Thank you, Lady Chía! —the little girl chimes in.

This is the first time a human has ever hugged me. I never let them touch me before. And now… I feel… I feel…

The mayor smirks —And what about them? Do you not deserve their kindness either?

I can't hold it in anymore. I break down, clinging to them as tightly as they hold me.

—I'm sorry! —I sob —I'm so, so sorry! Please, forgive me!

Later that night, after the tears have dried, Carmela invites me to stay at her home. I accept with humility—she is my first human friend, after all. To my surprise, I find that Ofelia is staying there as well. When I enter Andrea's room, she lights up.

—Miss Chía! —she exclaims.

—There you go again, kiddo.

—I-I'm sorry.

—Don't be. I'm just messing with you —I sigh —. If anything, I'm the one who should apologize, Ofelia. You were kind to me, and I was rude in return. I was such an asshole.

—Yes, you were

—…And you agree that easily?!

She giggles—then winces, rubbing her side

—You okay, child?

—Yes, don't worry. I've been through worse. My parents' training is much tougher, believe me.

—Your parents are starting to intrigue me, Ofelia. By the way, shouldn't you be at home? They must be worried sick.

—Oh, that… —she says sheepishly —We're not from here. We arrived last week when someone from the town contacted my parents to help with the Mohan. But on our first night, I got caught.

—Your parents were hired to slay the Mohan?! What are they, anyway?

—Just a couple of humble demon hunters. Their names are Mauricio and Yuri.

—And you say that so casually? —I shake my head —Never mind. If they were meant to kill the Mohan, where are they now?

—I don't know. Maybe they're still searching for me. I'm starting to worry.

Suddenly, a voice echoes in my mind.

—Chía?

My breath catches.

—Sugunsua?!

Ofelia's eyes widen —S-Sugunsua?! You mean THE Sugunsua?! The Father of Humanity?! The Invisible One?!

—Hello, Ofelia —the voice says gently —. It's a pleasure to meet you. Listen, I don't have much time. Chía, I need you and Ofelia to return to Iguaque Lake. We need to talk.

—What? What for? —I ask, but there is no answer.

Ofelia trembles.

—Sugunsua wants to talk to me?! But… but I'm just a humble peasant! Why would he want to speak with me?!

I exhale, steeling myself.

I don't know, kiddo. But we'll find out soon enough…

TO BE CONTINUED…