Das Mädchen in Rot - Chpt 7 [English - US]
Das Mädchen in Rot [English - US]
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Das Mädchen in Rot (German: The girl in red) is a dark version adaptation from the original story wrote by Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm. The adaptation tells the story of Nella - a young girl that lived with her family in a tribe and her father was killed by a black Wolf-Being (it's how the tribesman call the werewolves) as he and a friend of him saved the young Nella. After she reached her full age, Nella was summoned to be part of a cult where the grown up women wears a red mantle and depart from the tribe to the Great Mother's house for the Ancestors blessing to keep the Wolf-Beings away from the tribesmen. According to the Oracle, the Great Mother's house is deep inside of the forest - the same where the Wolf-Beings and other dreadful creatures lurk inside, preying upon the visitors that venture without a portion of cautiousness.
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Introduction:
About fifteen full moons ago, an ancient tribe lived in what would become a forest. This tribe was known for worshiping a mystical entity whose form resembled a wolf.
When the first Red Moon rose in the sky, the people of that tribe began to transform into the image of the entity. No one knew what happened to make them become the image of the entity, but it was said that the wind carried various howls throughout the world.
One night, a small group of hunters entered the forest in search of food. And when they spotted the first deer to take back to the tribe, a huge figure appeared and devoured three of the hunters who entered that place, leaving only one of them to tell what happened. He said the creature that killed the others who went with him had the shape of a man, but the head and fur of a wolf.
And it was on that day that the tribe began to fear the wolf creature that attacked our people in the forest.
Chapter 7
The sun was setting on the horizon. The forest grew colder and colder. Squirrels hopped from branch to branch on their way to their dens in the trees. Birds flew over the fallen tree trunk. Their sounds echoed throughout the cramped space.
Inside the object, Nella lay unconscious with her arms crossed, her hands covering her shoulders, and her legs drawn up. She was emotionally shaken by the revelation of William's nature and the impossibility of returning home. With nearly everything lost, there was nothing left but the Wolfslayer, the sword capable of slaying the monsters that tormented the tribe. However, as the boy warned that the other werewolves were aware of it, the journey to the sword proved difficult.
Then she heard something approaching her. It was the sound of some creature sniffing for the girl's scent. And through that hole in the trunk, a white snout appeared, sniffing for Nella. It was Hvit, sent by William to protect her, as he could no longer do so after the argument they had regarding that whole revelation.
Hvit sniffed the girl's face, licking her nose and cheeks, slowly waking her. Nella opened her eyes to see. Her slightly cold nose touched the girl's skin, and the wolf's face was in her view.
“Hvit…” said Nella, surprised but still sad.
The wolf made a serene sound.
“Aren't you here to take me back to William?”
Hvit gave a somewhat understandable response. She shook her head slightly from side to side.
This eased Nella's heart, knowing the wolf had come to keep her company. The girl slowly climbed out of the trunk, even though it was difficult due to the narrow space. Then she hugged Hvit, feeling his fur and the warmth emanating from her. Nella and Hvit shared a moment of affection and tenderness.
“Hvit, I'm so scared. I… I don't even know where to go.” The girl said, crying but keeping the wolf close to her.
Hvit didn't answer. She kept her eyes fixed on the Girl in Red's face. She sniffed and licked the tears streaming down Nella's face.
In the midst of that cold, almost dark setting, something caught the attention of the two characters: something shiny, a light blue hue with a predominance of white.
“Look,” Nella called. “Could it be the Forest Spirits?”
Hvit barked, confirming Nella's words. The girl stood up, approaching one of them. Most of them were shaped like people, children to be precise. They wandered the forest at specific times, with this being the first one Nella would witness.
The big question that crossed the girl's mind was: Are these the same Spirits that the Elder said would come and manifest themselves and help her on the Great Journey, if the Great Mother were alive to prepare her for this communion?
In both cases, Nella approached a Spirit-child. As she approached, her face turned to look at the Girl in Red. To her surprise, it was Nella's face from when she was little.
“Wait. You're…” she asked, surprised. “…me?”
The spirit creature stared at the girl without reacting or speaking. The other Spirits gathered around Nella and Hvit, forming some kind of circle. Nella grew nervous, looking at them all. They all had the same expression, shining on the spot where the two travelers were.
“Hvit, was this part of the Great Journey?” Nella asked, looking at the luminous wheel formed by the Spirit-child.
Hvit, in question, didn't respond. She was a little overwhelmed by all of this. And when everyone was gathered, the Spirit in the form of Nella as a child addressed the girl.
“You. You traveled far away to be the first of many to find us.” The Spirit said, her gaze and expression neutral towards the girl.
Nella was surprised to hear the Spirit speak. Not many people had the ability to speak to or see them. “Can you… understand me?”
The Spirit-child nodded forward. “Yes. Just as we understand you.”
“Please. Help me find the Wolfslayer sword. I need it to save my tribe,” the young girl pleaded, wearing the red cape and extending her left hand to her chest.
The Spirits remained quiet, without moving, without reacting to Nella's request.
“What you're looking for is dangerous. Many like you risked their lives to come here in search of the Wolfslayer, but got lost along the way. Many never returned.”
“I know the Great Journey proved too dangerous. I faced challenges and obstacles no one else dared. I had help along the way to get here. I owe them my life,” Nella replied, reaching out to stroke Hvit's head.
“And where is the other traveler?”
“The boy with brown hair.” Said one of the Spirits that made up the circle.
“He…” Nella said, still reeling from what had happened. Images of the scene where she saw William talking to the black-furred Werewolf in the clearing, of the boy's transformation from her escape, where he tried to convince her to give up the Great Journey, flashed back. “…we parted ways. I discovered he's a werewolf.”
The spiritual entity in front of the girl nodded forward, understanding Nella's last words.
“We know you have suffered at the hands of the Wolf-Beings, as have your family and your people.”
“But that is no reason for you to harbor fear or resentment because of his nature,” completed the other Spirit in the circle.
“No?”
“No. Because the boy is part of your life. He needs your help, just as you need him,” replied the Spirit in the form of Nella.
Nella turned her face away, hearing her say she would need his help just as William would need hers. “I'm afraid I can't turn back now,” she replied, looking back at the Spirit-child in her form. “I know the journey to the sword may cost me my life, but please… help me find it. Help me save my family and my tribe.”
The Spirits stared at the epicenter of the circle, at Nella and Hvit. The girl expressed concern as her plea was transmitted. Later, she responded again.
“Very well, Nella. We will show you the way to the sword. But remember: the Wolf-Beings will do everything in their power to prevent you from retrieving the sword.”
“I understand.” The girl concluded, paying attention to the Spirit, with Hvit being by her side.
The circle broke up, with the others heading off to form a sort of trail, winding through the trees. Nella looked at the wolf, her head bobbing forward as a signal to continue the Great Journey. With nothing more to say, the two travelers continued on the path illuminated by the Spirits.
////
As dusk crept over Nella's tribe, several people were preparing to wrap up their activities for curfew. Children ran across the yard toward their homes, one of them stumbling in the snow. Her mother came over to pull her to her feet, brushing snow and dirt off her coat.
And in the midst of it all, the child pointed to the entrance of the tribe, the silhouettes of several armed figures growing on the blue horizon. Some of them carried lit torches to light the way to the tribe.
The other tribespeople were surprised by the arrival of hunters from another tribe. Mothers held their children close, fearing they would react negatively. The Chief, descending from the hill with his green cape and wolf coat draped over his shoulders, had a slightly troubled expression, but he hid it with a slight smile.
“Welcome, noble travelers from afar,” greeted the elderly man with a beard and silver hair. His arms were open as he addressed the leader of the hunters.
The men armed with axes, spears, and torches stopped to greet the tribe leader. The blond man addressed the Chief, removing his metal-tipped wooden helmet to reveal his scarred face.
“What brings you to this humble tribe?”
“I am Ulfric, leader of the hunters,” the blond man introduced. “We have come here to speak with the Elder of this tribe.”
“The Elder is making arrangements to communicate with the Spirits. I'm afraid she can't speak to you,” the man with the silver beard and hair replied.
“We heard your tribe was in trouble. And we came to help.”
The tribal chief smiled. “I appreciate your willingness, but I'm afraid we don't have much to offer, or we have a problem that requires your help.”
“We've heard that you're being tormented by vile creatures that attack at night. The Wolf-Beings,” said one of the hunters, causing a sudden reaction from the villagers.
“We've heard they've come from the forest and are causing fear among travelers, disrupting trade routes. For this reason, we're going to hunt them in the forest,” said Ulfric.
The last statement caused an uproar among the villagers. Everyone was stunned, surprised, and frightened, speaking almost simultaneously. Seeing all this, the Chief let out a scream.
“Silence!” His voice silenced the villagers. “Ulfric, I appreciate your willingness to end the Wolf-Beings threat, but you have no idea how powerful they are. Not even your courage can help you face them. I'm afraid I can't allow them into the forest.”
Nella's mother saw the group of hunters gathered in the courtyard. She walked past her acquaintances and neighbors to get ahead.
“We hear that you make pilgrimages deep into the forest. Young girls wearing red cloaks searching for the Great Mother,” said another hunter, carrying a spear and a wooden shield.
“You call it the Great Journey. Are we right?” Ulfric asked.
Hearing that, the Chief asked a question, frowning with curiosity mixed with discontent.
“And how did you hear about the Great Journey?”
Two hunters on Ulfric's left stepped aside, allowing the hooded man to pass. He stood beside the hunter leader, removing his hood. Many villagers were surprised to see that face. The Chief, however, was not pleased. It was Johann, already advanced in age. Wrinkles marred his face, graying hair, and a slight thinness.
“Johann,” he said disgruntledly. “What are you doing here?!”
“I bet he was part of this tribe. He told us all about you and what's going on here,” Ulfric said, keeping his eyes on the Chief.
“What this man did was unforgivable. He brought shame on his family and his name.”
“I did what was right. I wouldn't risk my daughter's life for the Great Journey!” Johann said.
“But you condemned everyone in this tribe!”
Then, several villagers booed and cursed at the man who fled.
“Traitor!” shouted an overweight woman.
“You have condemned us all!” shouted the seller of pots and vases.
“You should have gone to your daughter's place!” shouted the goatherd.
The entire village cursed Johann. Several hunters from the other tribe gathered with their shields to protect their flanks from possible attack. Ulfric and the man beside him remained staring at the Chief. Again, another shout of silence came from him, silencing the villagers.
“It doesn't matter what intentions you have here. This man is the main source of our torment. Because of him, we have lost many loved ones in this village!” he replied, pointing his index finger at Johann.
Everything seemed to be turning cruel for the man who had been part of that village. He was met with a negative reception and framed as the one responsible for taking Juliet out of the Great Journey and for dragging Nella's father to his end by going after the girl in the forest.
And in the midst of that tumult, a voice called out to him.
“Johann!” It was Nella’s mother, calling to him as she walked through the crowd.
Hearing that, the man turned his face to see her.
“Dora!” he called, addressing her.
“Johann. What are you doing here?” Nella's mother asked, extending her hands to the man.
“We came here to help you. To help everyone in the village,” he replied, holding her hands.
Seeing that she was alone, Johann asked about the girl.
“Where's Nella?”
“She's on the Great Journey,” the Chief replied, catching Johann's attention. The man in question was astonished.
“Chief, how… how could you?!”
“She chose to participate in this sacred ritual of her own free will. She is fulfilling the duty she was given.”
Hearing that speech that the girl who was once rescued by him on the day her father was killed by the black-furred werewolf, now left to play her part in the Great Journey, Johann stood up, confronting the Chief of the tribe.
“Chief, please let us speak to the Elder. Ask her to stop this!”
“I will not allow you to violate what is sacred. Furthermore, you have no right to…” the silver-haired man said, being interrupted by a female voice coming from behind.
“I grant this permission!” replied the highest authority in the tribe.
Everyone was astonished to hear the Elder's announcement. She was coming down the hill, wearing a white dress and a red cloak, the same color as Nella's own red cape. Four priestesses accompanied her, holding the ends of the cloak to keep it from dragging on the cold, dirty ground.
The Chief was stunned by her words. Johann, Ulfric, and all the hunters watched her address them.
“Elder,” said Johann, surprised and almost distressed.
“Elder. You should be in your hut, making preparations to communicate with the Spirits,” the Chief said, indicating that she should focus on what was more important than receiving the hunters.
“Your concern is remarkable, Chief, but unnecessary. The Spirits have spoken.”
“And what did they pronounce, Elder?” Ulfric asked.
“I fear the Great Journey is compromised. The Great Mother is dead, and Nella is heading to a dangerous path.”
Hearing this, all the villagers were stunned. Fear emanated from them now that the important figure who would help young Nella proceed to the next stage had fallen. The girl's mother was frightened. She had sensed from the beginning that the Great Journey would be too dangerous for her only daughter.
“Yet, a spark of hope remains.”
“How?” asked Johann.
“I grant you permission to go into the forest to look for Nella and help her. She needs your help, Johann. Just as she needs your help,” said the oldest woman in the tribe, addressing the man who fled the village with his daughter.
Johann nodded, answering her affirmatively. Ulfric and the others nodded. However, a voice came, voicing opposition.
“Elder, I protest. Are you going to allow these hunters and this traitor to enter the forest and interfere with the Great Journey?” the Chief protested to the Elder.
“I understand your position, Chief. But I'm afraid there's not much you can do to maintain the original course. We don't have enough resources or people to enter the forest.”
“But, Elder…” said the Chief, being interrupted by the final speech of the tribe’s spiritual leader.
“It has been decided,” the Elder concluded. She turned her attention to Ulfric. “Noble hunters. You may settle here in the tribe. Your journey has been long and exhausting. Please accept our hospitality. That is all we can offer you.”
Ulfric thanked her for her kindness. “Thank you, Elder.”
With nothing further to say, the Elder headed for her hut, the priestesses following her. The Chief looked displeasedly at Johann, then at the spiritual leader, who then headed for the hut at the top of the hill. Johann went to Dora, Nella's mother.
“Dora, is it okay if I sleep at your house?”
“Not at all, Johann. Your home may have been undone after you left. But I accept your company,” the girl's mother agreed.
Ulfric and the other hunters set up their own tents of animal hides, fur and wood to sleep in. The villagers felt a sense of relief now that several armed men had established themselves to protect the tribe.
////
At the Elder's hut, the Chief was storming toward the entrance. One of the priestesses stepped in front of him, blocking his path.
“Sir, the Elder needs to rest. You should wait outside.”
“Get out of my way!” the tribe leader shouted, pushing the girl to the ground as he walked towards the woman.
“You should be more patient and humble with people, Chief,” she replied while standing on her back to him as the girls took off their cloaks and dresses to bathe.
“You shouldn't have allowed Johann and the hunters to enter the forest and interfere with the Great Journey,” the Chief replied. The girl he'd knocked down got up with the help of her colleagues, wiping a patch of blood from her mouth.
“You know very well that outsiders should not be part of our ancient traditions.”
With that said, the Elder asks the priestesses to leave them alone. The red cloak is removed, leaving only the nearly transparent white dress, allowing light to pass through to reveal her body.
With only the two tribe leaders left, the Chief confronted her.
“Why did you do that? Why did you give them permission to enter the forest? They have no chance of facing the Wolf-Beings.”
“Chief, you have always followed our teachings and guidance according to the will of the Spirits. We have remained united for many years.”
“But still, there are certain things we must keep alive. Our traditions! And you know that!”
“I must remind you that you follow the will of the Spirits through me. All of us. I am their voice,” the woman replied, her tone serious.
The Chief remained silent, staring at the Elder.
“When something goes out of its natural course, we must follow the changes, regardless of what we want. It's not me as a person telling you that we should let Johann and the hunters go into the forest. It's me as a spokesperson for the Spirits.”
The man was silent for a moment. He sighed, accepting the reality she had spoken. He looked to the side, then back at the Elder.
“As it should be, Elder,” he replied, in a less aggressive tone.
The tribal chief turned toward the hut door, preparing to leave. In an instant, he heard one last word from the spiritual leader.
“There's one thing that intrigued me.”
Hearing that, he turned around.
“What would it be, Elder?”
“Many years ago, when we began the Great Journey, one of the priestesses saw you heading into the forest.”
The Chief remained silent when the Elder asked that question, as if he had a secret. A secret he'd kept from everyone for many years. Images surfaced of him entering that place alone, teeming with werewolves. And then reality returned.
“And after that, you were seen entering the forest on the day Nella's father was killed while he and Johann entered to rescue the young girl from that place.”
That question made him nervous. The images came back with force, with the Chief placing his right hand on his face.
“What were you doing there when you should have been with us, making sure the tribe was united?”
The storm of images haunted him. Both his hands placed themselves on the temples of his head.
“Chief, are you okay?”
“I… I need to go, Elder. It’s been a busy day, full of things to do. I need to rest,” said the man, tormented by the images.
“I understand. You better rest for tomorrow.”
The tribal chief left the Elder's hut and headed to his own tent. The stress and conversation with the woman had left him psychologically unstable to the point where he couldn't continue the conversation. However, something worried the Elder. Somehow, the tribal leader was harboring a dark secret, but he didn't want to reveal it to everyone.
////
Night fell, and back in the forest, Nella and Hvit followed the path laid out by the Spirits, with the entity in the form of the girl from when she was a child guiding them to where the sword lay. The landscape was covered in snow, with few trees around them. The snow fell lightly, allowing them to walk through the open space.
In the middle of their journey, the two werewolves sent by the other were standing on a hilltop, watching the two travelers cross the white terrain. The gray and the dark brown watched them patiently.
“The girl is heading towards the Wolfslayer.” said the dark brown-furred werewolf. “That means Brown has failed to comply with our brother's orders.”
“Our main mission still proceeds,” said the gray-furred werewolf.
“Right. But we need to catch her and take her to the Alpha without instilling fear in her.”
“Yes. But how do we do that?”
The dark brown-furred werewolf threw a handful of clothes onto the floor. Most of them consisted of fur coats, woolen pants, boots, and a leather belt.
“We can transform into humans. That way, we can escort her to an extension of the cave entrance and have her go to the pack in place of the sword.”
“You know that our transformations can be reversed during a Full Moon. By assuming werewolf form, we won't be able to assume human form.” said the gray werewolf, separating some pieces of clothing to wear when he assumed human form.
“I know that. But this is the only way.”
With nothing more to say, the two werewolves transformed into humans, their wolf forms regressing to a less monstrous appearance. Claws shrank into fingers and nails. Snouts became mouths and noses. Thick fur turned into fine hair, leaving the rest of their bodies exposed to the freezing environment.
With both naked, they grabbed clothes to put on. The gray werewolf had the appearance of a 64-year-old man, and the dark-brown one, 49. Their werewolf characteristics remained, with the dark-brown one retaining his muscular build, tall height, blindness in his right eye, and a scar over the area, as well as thinning hair on the sides. The gray one remained of almost average height, with a gray beard covering his mouth, sharp teeth, and a missing portion of his left ear. They wore white and cream fur coats, ochre-yellow pants, and dark boots.
////
Nella and Hvit headed toward the cave where the Wolfslayer sword was kept. The Spirit guided them across the white horizon.
To the girl's surprise, she heard a voice calling her.
“Hey! Excuse me!” a voice called from behind. Nella and Hvit stopped to listen.
Two male human figures approached the Girl in Red and the wolf. What Nella didn't realize was that these men were actually werewolves, disguised in human form to accompany her to their lair instead of the sword.
“Hi.” Greeted the girl, and was welcomed by both of them. “Who are you?”
“We are travelers from far away,” the gray-haired man replied.
“We ended up getting lost in the forest,” the dark-brown-haired man added.
“And you? What are you doing here, girl?”
“I'm looking for a cave. They say it's on the outskirts of this place,” Nella said, smiling as the wolf backed away, wary of their scent.
“Cave, huh?” the gray-haired man said, rubbing his bearded chin. “I think I've seen this place once before, but I'm not sure.”
“We don't know the forest very well. I think you can help us,” said the dark brown-haired man.
“Yes. I can. There's this path I found. It was created by the forest lights.”
“Forest lights?” said the person with dark brown hair.
“Never heard of it,” said the gray-haired person. “Besides, I don't see any of those lights.”
His words took the girl by surprise. She felt she was the only person capable of seeing the Spirits and communicating with them. Others didn't have the same ability as some people in the past. Instead, she smiled. “Don't worry. You can come with me while I follow the path. Right, Hvit?”
Hvit growled when he caught their distinctive scent. This worried the girl, as she wasn't aware of the imminent threat posed by those two individuals. Nella caught the wolf's attention.
“Sorry. Hvit is a little agitated after everything we've been through.”
“No need to worry, girl,” said the dark-brown-haired man.
“We are going with you,” the gray-haired man added.
Without anything else to say, the small group continued onward, following the path Nella had traced because she could see the lights created by the Spirits. The two disguised werewolves smiled as they followed her, waiting for the opportunity to lead her to the Alpha.
-x-
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