The girl punched me in the face and pushed me to the ground. My head was ringing and I tasted blood. “Use me!” The voice sounded in my head. The voice I've tried to ignore for a number of years now. I was trying to stand up, but the girl kicked me in the ribs, sending me back down. I whimpered in pain.
“Yes! Kick her again, Maria!” Some boy cheered.
“Why do you let them hurt us like this?! Use me! Fight back!”
“No!” I shouted loudly. Maria, daughter of the mayor and the leader of my tormentors, stopped mid-kick. She and her group of underlings had made my life a living hell. Every time I went into the village, or I was in the vicinity like today, they appeared to torture me. I managed to run away more often than not, because Maria wasn’t a fast runner, but she didn’t have to be with a bunch of boys on her side. This wasn’t my lucky day though. I had every right to hate Maria and I did when I was alone with my bruises. I had quite different feelings when I saw her. To say Maria was good looking would be an understatement. People said she was blessed by Alaría, the goddess of beauty and fertility. The truth to be told, she looked like a fertility goddess herself. She really must be blessed. I thought enviously, watching her jiggling breasts from my lying position. She is even bigger than my mother was in her changed form! It’s no wonder she doesn’t run too much these days. Her hips weren’t far behind her chest, wider than anyone else’s in the village, complemented by a round bum. Her waist was still pretty slim though, even if it was clear she had gained some weight recently. Her dress was made to cover up this fact and it was doing a great job at that. It wasn’t perfect though, so I could see the outline of her well fed belly in it. She definitely wasn’t starving as often as I did. A nasty grin appeared on her attractive, yet chubby face.
“No? And why not?” She kicked me again. “What are you gonna do about it, hm? Are you gonna run to your poor, sick mummy?”
I jumped to my feet, burning from inside out. “Yes, that’s more like it!” Suddenly it darkened, the sun getting blocked by a dark and heavy cloud that wasn’t there just moments ago.
“Don’t you dare talk about my mother!” I shouted. Maria stepped back, all of the sudden afraid of me. It was strange to see the bully, who was more than a head taller than me and at least thrice my weight, to back away from me in fear.
“What’s wrong, Maria?” I asked mockingly, in a voice that sounded alien to me. “You’re not afraid of a little girl like me, are you?”
Maria frowned and gritted her teeth. She rushed to me and punched me in the face. My head was thrown backwards by the strength of the blow. The weird thing was, I didn’t feel any pain. Instead, Maria howled in agony, holding her clearly broken wrist. The voice inside my head laughed and I couldn’t help but grin, as I saw the faces of terror on everybody’s face. Maria ran away crying, leaving her minions standing there in confusion. “So, who’s next?” All the boys ran away as if they just saw a monster. Maybe they did. I sighed, regretting I didn’t manage to keep my emotions in check. This is only going to mean more troubles.
I dusted off my clothes, regretting once again the lack of any curves on my body. I still had some time, sure, but it didn’t change the fact I looked way younger than I really was, due to my short stature. I often imagined what it would be like to have curves like Maria’s. I often tried to convince my mum to teach me to change my appearance like she did, back when she still could, but she kept telling me I lacked control of my own powers and it was too dangerous to try it because of that. I didn’t know why I was failing so hard with my studies. Even simple spells were an issue for me. When I wanted to use magic to lift a chair, the chair hovered in the air for a second or two, before crumbling into pieces. The shadow in my head always laughed at that. It was really strange. I got quite good at calming exercises, seeing the light blue fountain in my head, representing my mana, but whenever I tried to pull on it, the shadow appeared, magnifying my efforts. I still didn’t understand what that shadow was. My mum was horrified when I told her about our interaction a few years back, forbidding me to talk with it ever again.
I didn’t go to the village very often, but every time I did, I became the target of insults and hatred. I didn’t really blame the kids for bullying me, because they only did what they saw from their parents. Not everybody was hostile though. Lars remained quite decent, but that probably was only because money was all he ever cared about. Then there was Timmy and his family.
“Mae Mae, are you alright?” Timmy asked, rushing towards me. The baker’s son was a bit younger than me, but he was already taller than I was by a fine margin. It wasn’t any big achievement though. I hate that everybody is taller than me! I hope I still have some growth left in me…
“I’m fine.” I lied, gritting my teeth.
“Your rib is broken.” The shadow said. “You should have let me stop them sooner. You should have let me stop them years ago! We should burn them to ash!”
“Leave me alone!” I shouted, startling Timmy. “I mean, I just don’t want them to pick up on you because you’re talking with me.” I said, trying
“They already do it because I’m fat!” Timmy said, poking his protruding middle.
“Well, at least they don’t beat you…” I said, wiping blood from my broken lip.
“I wouldn’t let them!” Timmy boasted, his face twisted with determination. “I’ll protect you as well!”
I smiled. He’s such a dreamer. No wonder he likes old stories even more than I do.
We arrived at the big house, where Timmy lived with his parents. Timmy’s father, the baker Timothy, was clearly doing well. The word was that his sweet creations were getting famous even among the nobility. We entered and were greeted by Timmy’s mother.
“My poor dear! Are you hurt?” She asked immediately after she saw me.
“I’ll be fine, thanks Helene.” Every breath hurts though… I made a bad move and cried out in pain, clutching my side.
“That’s nonsense! Let me take a look.” Helene didn’t wait for my response and pulled me to the next room, where we could have some privacy. “Take off those rags!” She commanded and I obeyed without questions, revealing my slight body, covered in bruises. “Oh my! I knew you were slim, but you’re just skin and bones!” The voluptuous lady exclaimed. She frowned, looking at the bruise growing over my ribs. “The kids did this to you?”
I nodded.
“We have to tell the mayor! This can’t keep happening!” Helene said.
“He won’t care. It was Maria.”
“That little minx! She’s got half the town wrapped around her finger, but I can see what she is!” Then Helene touched my ribs and I winced in pain.
She frowned even more. “It seems broken. It must hurt like hell!”
I nodded again.
“Wait here, I think I have something to help you.”
“I told you it’s broken.” The shadow said.
Trying to ignore it and wanting to occupy my mind, I stood up and walked to a mirror that hung on the wall. I had to stand on my tiptoes to see my face properly. Why am I so damn short?! I looked at my face, covered in cuts and bruises. I looked very much like my mother, with waist long waves of shiny copper hair and big emerald green eyes. I could have been quite pretty if I wasn’t covered in bruises all the time. I looked down at my body. And if I didn’t look like a child!
I must have made a bad move after that because I almost fainted from the pain.
“You know I can help you fix it, don’t you?” The shadow said.
“You can?” I asked, surprised, because until now it only showed interest in destruction.
“Fixing a bone is easy!”
It felt as if I was making a deal with the devil, but I nodded. “How do I do that?”
Three loud cracks sounded and I fell down to my knees. The pain was still there, maybe only slightly less agonizing, but I could breathe again. I breathed out a sigh of relief. That’s better.
Timmy’s mother returned with a jar of some ointment and a clean dress that must have belonged to Timmy’s sister Libby.. I could already tell the dress was going to be too big for me.
“Here. Your mother taught me how to make it years ago.” Helene said, handing me the ointment. “It should help with the pain.” Then she placed the dress on a table. “And here you have some clean clothes.”
“I can’t take it!”
“Of course you can take it. I insist!”
“Won’t Libby miss her dress?”
“Libby’s got plenty of other dresses. Besides, she had grown a bit too stout for it anyway.”
I wasn’t used to this kind of generosity and I was starting to tear up. “Thank you! How can I ever repay you?”
Helene waved her hand. “It’s the least I can do. No one deserves to go through what you’re going through. Clean up and get dressed, then come to eat with us.”
I was wrong about the dress, it wasn’t just big, it was gigantic! The dress was so large, I would have been able to fit inside it twice and still had plenty of room. I had to tighten it with my belt, so it wouldn’t fall right off me. I was starting to have doubts Timmy’s older sister could be too big for this piece of clothing, when it seemed even Helene could fit inside it comfortably. With how short and skinny I was, the dress fell all the way down to the floor and had to lift the hem, so I wouldn’t drag it behind me. The dress itself was absolutely gorgeous, better than anything I ever wore before. The cloth was soft and light like a dream and I felt like a princess wearing it. I took a brush and almost broke it, trying to untangle the mess of my wavy hair, falling down to my waist. Once I was satisfied, I gazed at my reflection. I look so pretty! I thought, enjoying the feeling of looking pretty for the first time in forever. I still had nasty bruises on my face, but they couldn’t hide my good features.
The door leading to the dining room opened with a loud wheeze, stopping everybody from their feasting. Timmy gasped and stared at me with his mouth open, while his father gave me an impressed nod. Libby didn’t seem too interested and started with her sizable meal again. I haven’t seen Libby in quite some time since she started helping her father in the capital city. Getting sturdy was the polite way to describe her growth over that time. The truth was, she got fat. And I mean like really fat! Helene was the fattest woman I have known until now, but she seemed rather thin, next to her daughter. She might have been even bigger than her father! It was hard to tell with them sitting though.
“You look gorgeous, hun.” Helene said, stopping me from staring at her daughter. “Come, sit down and eat. You must be starving.”
Only then did I look at the table and started to salivate. Never in my life have I seen such a feast for such a small number of people! It looked as if the Harvest day returned early this year! No wonder they’re all so… stout. I thought, sitting down on a sturdy chair.
“Don’t be shy, dig in!” Helene encouraged me and without second thoughts I started to eat.
I was stuffed to the brim! I may have not eaten even half as much as anyone else, but it still was more food than I normally ate in a week. In amazement I watched as the huge feast slowly disappeared. Finally, even Libby stopped eating, placing her hands on her distended gut, sighing happily.
When everybody was able to move again, the whole moved into another room, where a lit fireplace gave us its cozy warmth. As it has been for centuries, sitting around a fire was made for telling stories. “Now, that was a proper meal.” Timothy said, patting his huge gut. “It reminded me of that one time, when Libby and I were invited to the king’s court. You wouldn’t believe in what splendor his majesty lives! ‘Till the day I die, I won’t forget the moment when we were presented to the king. He shook my hand! This very hand!” Timothy said, raising his right hand for emphasis. “He said…,” Timothy paused for a moment, overcome by emotions, “he said he never tasted a better cake!” Timothy sighed and took a big swig from a glass of wine. He wiped his lips with his hand. “Now I want to hear some story! Who knows any good story?”
“Melody knows great stories.” Timmy shouted. Everybody’s glance turned to me and I felt the blood rushing to my cheeks. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.” I said nervously, my throat suddenly dry. I’ve never spoken in front of more than one person.
“Come on Mae Mae, tell us some story about Aeniel!”
“Very well, I guess I do owe you for how nice you’re treating me, despite the hatred it might get you from others. A story is the least I can give you.” I cleared my throat. “The story I’m about to tell you is the true story of the legendary warrior Aeniel and his run in with witches.” Timothy cursed, and Helene said a little prayer to the goddess of good. Despite their wealth and good hearts, Timmy’s family still were simple people, fearing magic and seeing it as something unholy and evil. I stopped talking, but after a few seconds Timothy encouraged me to continue.
“The story took place in a village not dissimilar with the one we live in now. Aeniel was still young, but his fame already preceded him when he visited the village and people celebrated him like the hero he was. Aeniel, arrogant in his youth, took great enjoyment in the fact, only too eager to accept all the gifts that came with it. What Aeniel didn’t know however was that there lived a witch in the village. A witch who was quite jealous of Aeniel’s popularity among the folk. Mae Mae, looked nothing like her wicked nature would suggest. In fact, she was a maiden, renowned for her beauty far and wide. Even to this day we can find her in works of well known poets as the most beautiful maiden ever known. Mae Mae’s hair was said to be as red as copper, rare among the folk and always a sure sign of beauty.” I blushed at the last line, but my voice remained steady. “It was said that a single gaze into her poignant green eyes was enough for any man to fall madly in love with her. And if not her face, her body was sure to make the trick, for she was the first blessed by Alaría. Mae Mae, well aware of the spell she held over men, decided to use it to her advantage. As beautiful as ever, she walked into the tavern where Aeniel sat surrounded by his admirers. As strong and brave as Aeniel was, he was still only a man. As soon as he spotted her, he stood up and their gazes met. Enchanted by Mae Mae’s beauty, Aeniel stumbled through the crowd, not caring who he shoved aside to get to the one his gullible heart was yearning for.” I paused, taking a look around my listeners. Only Timmy has heard this version of the story before and I could see how everyone was hanging on my every word. I really enjoy telling stories!
“Aeniel must have known something was amiss!” Timothy exclaimed. “He must have seen right through her!”
Helene smirked. “Yeah, right. Because men’s brains aren't placed in their nether region.” She giggled and Libby joined.
“Shhh! I want to know what happened next!” Timmy said, staring at me intensely.
“Aeniel fell for Mae Mae, as if she was the only woman in the whole wide world. Some say she did it by her beauty alone, some say she cast a spell on the poor Aeniel, but soon he did everything what Mae Mae told him to do. Our beloved hero was on the way to become a despised ruffian, who took whatever he wanted. It didn’t take long and the villagers started coming to Mae Mae, asking for help with her devoted lover. That made her very happy indeed for she now had full control over the village. Everybody with power craves and seeks for more power and witches most of all. Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months. Half a year had passed when Aeniel’s good heart awoke from its slumber. He tired from the looks of disdain villagers had for him and his soul longed for another adventure. Aeniel was becoming restless. Mae Mae saw that despite all her physical qualities, she couldn’t keep Aeniel wrapped around her little finger for any longer. It was said that witches sold their souls to the Dark One, the nameless god of all evil and so their hearts knew nothing of love. Alas Mae Mae grew fond of her toy and despaired that he would leave her. She couldn’t bear the thought of Aeniel finding solace in another woman’s arms and decided that if Aeniel was not going to be hers, no other shall have him ever again. Mae Mae in her malice decided to send Aeniel on a path of certain death.”
“Women!” Timothy growled.
“Shhh!”
“Using Aeniel’s pride and arrogance and using all the charm she still held over him, Mae Mae convinced him to take upon himself a quest deemed impossible. How could a simple man stand against the king of all dragons and hope to prevail? Mae Mae, afraid that Aeniel would somehow find a way to slay the beast, coated his blade with a potion of her dark alchemy, designed to make it brittle and weak. Something occurred with what Mae Mae didn’t expect however, for she never could imagine she could be betrayed by her own kin. Her younger sister, whose name was lost to time, witnessed everything and because she had fallen in love with the handsome warrior, she told him what Mae Mae did. Aeniel didn’t want to believe it at first, but when he broke his sword with his bare hands, he knew he was deceived. Remembering all the bad deeds he made because of her, Aeniel was ashamed and furious and in his blind fury, he went to confront the gorgeous witch. Armed with nothing but his bravery, he stood no chance against her magic however.”
The room grew dark as if even the flames were holding their breaths to find out how Aeniel got out of his troubles.
“The witch ran deep into the forest and our foolish hero followed. He found her waiting for him in a small clearing, under an ancient looking tree. Blinded by his lust and desire, Aeniel failed to see what foul being Mae Mae truly was and when he realized, it was already too late. Mae Mae cackled, when Aeniel tried to land his hands on her, pushing him aside as if he wasn’t more than a baby. Laughing Mae Mae started to grow in front of his very eyes. Slowly at first, she grew taller until she was at least twice his height. Terrified Aeniel started to back away, but the witch didn’t let him get away from her. She grabbed him with the strength of a dozen men and sent him flying across the meadow. This could have been the end for the hero we all know and love, another adventurer lost in history. But the gods had different plans and so they sent him a savior. Mae Mae’s younger sister confronted her and in an awesome clash of magic that shook the very fabric of our world, they fought for the life of our hero. Mae Mae was far more powerful than her younger sister, but in her arrogance she underestimated the power only love could grant. Mae Mae lied defeated, but with her dying breath she cursed her sister to never leave, preventing her from roaming the world with Aeniel. Mae Mae’s sister walked towards where the fallen witch lied. She fell to her knees, weeping at her loss. Out of the blue sky, a lightning struck where she was kneeling, hitting both sisters. Mae Mae’s body disappeared and her sister started to change. It seemed as if she absorbed the fallen witch into her. Her plain brown hair grew longer, slowly turning to copper red and her brown eyes turned green. Then her body started to change as well, her narrow hips growing wider and finally her small chest started to fill up, until it was the size of small pumpkins. Aeniel stared at the transformation, afraid Mae Mae might have possessed her sister’s body, but one look into her eyes told him it was not the case. Where Mae Mae’s eyes were hard and cruel, her sister’s were gentle and pure. Aeniel stayed with the witch in the village for several months, undoing what wrongs he did, but eventually his restless feet caught up with him and he left, leaving the love of his life behind, never to return. And what happened to the witch? Some say she died a long time ago, but I think she’s still there waiting for her Aeniel to return. And thus concludes our story of Aeniel and witches.”
A laughter sounded in my head. “Your mother is such a liar!”