Prologue (9)

"This is Babida the lumberjack, the Killer of the Monster of the Forbidden Mountain. He was awarded the medal of the highest honor and merit by the reigning Emperor's deceased father, the Great Batang IV, for his bravery and heroic actions during the attack of the empire about fifteen years ago by the Terror of the cursed Hill," Suzie's maternal uncle disclosed the past to her.

"Oh, Loba, God of the gods! That's him Bibi." Grandmother reacted, her eyes wide open in amazement.

"Yes, mom! There is no doubt about it," Uncle Bibi stated.

Just right after the true identity of the man the young Miss Suzie and her grandmother believed to be a stalker was disclosed, the neighbors came out massively to raise the hero of their younger age: Babida the lumberjack. They surrounded him while hailing his name and hugging him time and time again.

"Babida the lumberjack, the savior of the Batang people, the slayer of the Monster of the Forbidden Mountain," they chanted.

Surprised by the story Uncle Bibi has just told her, the young maiden Suzie was piqued by an itching curiosity. She began, confused, a set of questions to her late mother's sibling.

"But Uncle Bibi, I don't understand. Where is the Forbidden Mountain? I have never heard of it, though I have been in this land for the past eighteen years. I have never left even once," she interrogated her uncle who was all ears.

And she went on: "You said the Monster's aggression took place fifteen years ago, meaning I was a three-year-old toddler back then. So I must have witnessed the sad event but as I am speaking now, there is no souvenir emerging from my mind. Why is it that?"

Her uncle was still mouth shut as she elaborated, even more, her stance: "Why is it that I had no idea who this man, Babida the lumberjack, was? Are the empire's heroes forbidden to show up in public? Or is it simply forbidden to speak about them? Which of course makes no sense if that is indeed the case."

Done with her litany. Suzie's uncle cleared his throat and replied: "Well, now listen to me very carefully my little darling!"

And suddenly, a powerful storm erupted. The sky became dark then drops of rain began to fall. The crowd that orbited the woodsman was dispersed. The latter was left standing straight in the middle of the yard. Big Momma went back inside the house, inviting her grandchild Suzie and her son Uncle Bibi to do the same but they ignored her. The rain got stronger.

Uncle Bibi got at the same time a flash memory.