The Palace Beast

*** MONTHS LATER ***

Bonnie's sleep was abruptly disturbed as she jolted awake, emitting a startled cry of "No!" while breathing heavily. The nightmare she had just experienced was by far the most dreadful one in her entire life. In order to reassure herself that it was solely a figment of her imagination, she carefully examined her body for any signs of injury. Upon confirming that it was merely a product of her subconscious, a sigh of relief escaped her lips.

As her mind raced with various thoughts, Bonnie was interrupted from her contemplation by a gentle knock on her door. She hesitated for a moment, contemplating who could possibly be seeking entry at such an unearthly hour. Nonetheless, she rose from her bed and swiftly made her way to the door. Upon opening it, she was confronted by the sight of a tall imperial guard positioned outside, clutching his spear with precision. The guard immediately bowed in a profound display of respect upon sighting Bonnie, addressing her as "My princess!" His armor glistened with a polished sheen, and his helmet remained securely tucked beneath his arm. Bonnie detected a sense of urgency in his demeanor, prompting her curiosity as to the nature of his visit at such an untimely hour within her chambers.

"What's the matter?" she asked sternly.

"The king was brought in this morning by an old man. He is unconscious," said the guard.

"What!" she exclaimed, turning a blank face. "What happened?"

"He was found by the old man in the woods, my princess. That's all I know," the guard replied calmly lowering his head in reverence.

"Where is he now? Take me to my brother," she said with a sense of desperation.

"Of course," said the guard as he led the way to the king's chamber.

As she entered her brother's chamber, now the newly crowned King of Maxis, Queen Afi positioned herself at the edge of the bed, her gaze fixed upon her unconscious son. Bonnie, approaching the bed, was suddenly joined by the hurried arrival of Kay. "I came as soon as I heard what happened," Kay announced, making her way towards the bedside.

Acknowledging Kay with a brief glance, Bonnie deliberately avoided eye contact with her mother, Queen Afi, and took her place behind her. Directed solely at her brother, King Afa, Bonnie gently grasped his hand and softly remarked, "He's becoming cold."

Queen Afi hastily interjected, "The healer is already on his way," but her words were disregarded by her daughter, who paid them no mind. Before long, the healer entered the room, carrying a long wooden staff and attired in a white robe, a small leather bag secured across his shoulder. Queen Afi rose promptly from her seat to welcome the healer, remarking, "I'm grateful that you have arrived."

"What's wrong with the king?" Bonnie cuts in sharply with her eyes fixed on the healer.

The healer steps forward towards the king and carefully places his right hand on his forehead. He closes his eyes in a deep concentration, as if searching for something hidden within the king's body. After a few minutes, he releases his hand. The healer glances at the Queen and the Princess, who have been anxiously watching the whole time. Taking a deep breath, he turns his attention back to Queen Afi, his face etched with concern. "I'm afraid the king has been attacked by a Dybbuk, a malevolent spirit known for possessing and tormenting its victims," he says, his voice low and serious. The Queen gasps at the news, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. The Princess looks on with a mixture of fear and confusion, not fully understanding what is happening.

Kay's eyebrows furrow in confusion and her eyes widen with curiosity as she interrupts with a question, "Dybbuk? What is that exactly?" It's as if she's never heard of this mysterious creature before and she's eager to learn more. The healer began to explain the concept of a Dybbuk, a wandering soul of a deceased person that has the power to possess a living body until it is exorcised. Bonnie was taken aback by this information, her eyes fixed on the healer in disbelief. She asked with a stern tone if this meant that her brother was indeed being possessed by a Dybbuk.

The Princess and Kay are not familiar with the name Dybbuk, except for the queen who has been hearing about the creature for some time. During her childhood, the queen listened to many travelers who shared stories about Dybbuk and how the malicious spirit preys on its victims. According to the tales, Dybbuk is a possessing spirit that is believed to be the dislocated soul of a dead person. Once it has achieved its goal, it supposedly leaves the host body, sometimes only after being exorcised.

"From the look of things, the Dybbuk did not succeed in possessing the king," the healer said.

"Then what are you talking about?" Kay cuts in.

"The Dybbuk has its fragrance inside the king and will come back to finish what it started if not handled," the healer said. He then switches his staff to his right hand and started observing the king once more. "What are we supposed to do now?" Queen Afi.

Although she was the first to get to the king after his attack, the princess doesn't want to believe her mother was acting in good fate to see the king well. She made up her mind to keep a close eye on her mother and watch her every mood. "We need to cleanse the king and make him whole. If not we will lose the king to the land of the dead forever," said the healer.

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"What then are you waiting for? Get to work," Bonnie said.

This is the best part of the healer coming and this is exactly what the princess has been waiting to hear, 'the solution, not the problem.'

"I need to get the ingredients for the cleansing, my princess," he replied.

"How much time do you need for that?" Queen Afi cuts in.

"It won't take long if I go now," he said.

"Very well then, do your best to come back because the king's life depends on it," said Queen Afi.

As she heard her mother refer to her brother as king, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of rivalry. She glanced at her mother with a surprised expression, then quickly turned away. Her thoughts drifted to a recent dream she had, in which she was killed by a creature. When she woke up, she found her brother lying unconscious. She couldn't help but wonder if the dream was a bad omen, and if it meant that she was going to lose her brother. She didn't want to lose him, and the thought of it made her uneasy.

Bonnie's thoughts were rudely disrupted when Kay leaned in and whispered in her ear, startling her. "This shouldn't have happened if not for that maiden," she muttered, her voice edged with frustration and anger.

Bonnie could hear the resentment in her tone, and it made her uneasy. She knew Kay had never approved of her brother's choice of a maiden as his queen, but it wasn't something she wanted to discuss right now. "I don't want to talk about the maiden ever again," Bonnie replied firmly, her voice laced with a hint of annoyance. "I need to respect my brother's decision as my king and a brother to me." She couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. She knew her brother had made a controversial decision, but she couldn't help but support him.

This situation is really weighing on Bonnie's conscience. She can't help but blame herself for what happened. She believes that her interference caused her brother to pursue the maiden, and now she's worried that the dream she had was a warning about his fate. She's tormented by the thought that her actions may lead to his demise, and she's struggling to forgive herself for what she sees as a grave mistake.

Kay's voice cut through Bonnie's thoughts, interrupting her once again. "At your command, I can have that maiden arrested," she whispered, her tone suggesting that she was more than willing to carry out Bonnie's wishes.

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Bonnie turned to look at her, her expression serious and contemplative. "This is not what my brother wants now," Bonnie replied, her voice low and measured. "My brother is fighting to defeat death, and we need to support him. Not just as our loved one, but as our king. As good people of Maxis, we owe the king our life, honor, and respect. It is our duty to stand by him and help him in any way we can." Bonnie's words were firm, and there was a hint of frustration in her tone. It was clear that she was tired of Kay's constant reminders that they could use their power to manipulate others. Bonnie believed in doing what was right, not what was easy. She knew that her brother needed their support now more than ever, and she was determined to give it to him.

*****

The sun was setting behind the hills, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink. Bonnie's anxiety grew as the healer was nowhere to be seen. She paced back and forth, her heart racing with worry. "He promised he wouldn't be long," she muttered to herself.

Kay tried to comfort her, "Patience, Bonnie. He's probably on his way and will be here soon." The silence of the evening was only interrupted by the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze, as they waited for the healer's arrival. "There is no time! We need to revive my brother!" Bonnie yelled.

"Yelling will not revive him, just relax," Queen Afi cuts in.

The atmosphere in the king's chamber was tense as they waited for the healer's return. Bonnie and her mother hadn't spoken all day. Bonnie was seething with anger and couldn't contain herself any longer. She turned to her mother with a deep frown and let her have it. "So you're just going to let the traitor take my brother's throne? No wonder you're not bothered, you were hoping Drew would take it from him." Bonnie stepped closer, ready to face the consequences of her outburst.

The tension between Bonnie and her mother was palpable as they stood face to face. "Watch your mouth," her mother warned, "I am still your mother and the Queen of Maxis."

Bonnie didn't back down, her voice low and steady, "My mother was dead long ago, and you are no queen of me."

Just then, the door to the king's chamber burst open, the sudden noise making them both jump in surprise. As they turned to face the intruder, they were met with the imposing figure of a tall, shadowy figure with glowing red eyes. It was unclear who or what this entity was, but Bonnie and her mother stood frozen in place, watching it warily. The figure said nothing, but simply stood there, its eyes locked on the two women.