DEMACLI, THE LEGION DEMONIAC
24 A.D. in the region of the Decapolis
Three nights later, he returned to the villa disheveled and dirty. He tiredly lowered himself to the ground next to the gate. A servant saw him and quickly brought Habbi.
“Master, we searched for you for days.” Seeing that he was aslpeep, Habbi shook him. “Master… master!”
Like waking up from a bad dream, Demacli sat up straight, looking around in confusion. He grasped Habbi’s sleeve and croaked in a parch voice, “Wha… what happened to me?” After drinking some water that a servant hastily brought, he said, “I woke up in a cave some miles from here. I don’t recall anything.”
“We are bringing you home,” his father said. “Habbi will stay to continue the business. My son, according to the priestess, you have been fooled by Ate, the goddess of mischief. I have heard that she had been casting her spells among the Jews lately. But I have heard of a prophetess of Hermes hiding in Cadasa in the region of Phoenicia that may free you. We must go there.”
“I hate to leave father but…”
“I know, my son. You have built so much, but I think you need not fret for I think you’ll return.”
But deep in his mind, Demacli heard a thousand laughters.
24 A.D. in the region of the Sidon, Phoenicia
“Can this hovel be the place?” The father asked their guide. The house was no more than a dilapidated shack in the edge of a forest miles from the nearest village. Though it was in shambles, there were signs of habitation.
“Oh yes, witch be there! But me no go near. You go… you go.”
Demacli was feeling a little better. The voices were not so overwhelming since they left the village they were lodging in for almost three weeks looking for this elusive prophetess.
He and his father got off the horses they were riding. The guide took the reins of the horses and rode a short distance away to wait for them. Together, they approached the shack and when they got close enough. His father placed a hand on Demacli’s arm to signal a halt.
Then, he called out, “We seek the prophetess of Hermes. We seek her aid.”
No answer came but Demacli noticed at a window a torn curtain move. Clearly, someone was in there.
“My son needs your help. I have silver to offer.”
They waited outside for about an hour, then suddenly the door opened and a feminine voice said, “Come in.”
Demacli was expecting to see an old chrone but to his surprise, they were met by a beautiful woman. She was not young but still held the beauty of her youth.
“I am Elpida. What makes you seek me? I am no longer a prophetess. Since I was cast out of Greece and returned home here where I was born, I have been branded a witch because I heal the poor with my poltices and potions.”
“Then, it is your healing that we seek,” said the father. He told her all of Demacli’s condition.
She had Demacli sit before her. She took his head and cupped his face with her hands. She looked into his eyes for what seem the longest time.
“I have come across this before,” she sadly said as she sat back rubbing her face like she was tired.
“This is not the work of the goddess of mischief. This is much older… even older than our gods.”
“What can we do?” asked the father.
“I cannot help you. All I can say is that in time, the spirits that dwell in you will eventually take control of you. You will be capable of doing despicable things but it will not be you. It will be them. There is more. These spirits are evil and they are spiteful toward us who walk this world. Legend says they were once favored but then, because of the evil done by their leader, they were cast down here on the earth never to return. They will torment you. Those evil things that you will do, you will be aware of it and it will drive you mad.”
Again the father asked, “Is there no hope for my son, ever?”
“I have traveled the earth seeking wisdom. Knowledge I have collected from Greece, Egypt, Sidon, Phoenicea, Persia and even the lost religion of ancient Mesopotamia. In every one, I have gleaned the existance of one God who is the god of all gods. It is to this God that these evil spirits fear the most. If there is any hope, seek those who worship the one God. Go to the Jews.”
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Greeting friends…
I hope you are enjoying the 10th segment of my ebook, FAITHFUL ENCOUNTERS. Here we pause the story of Demacli. We will see him again 7 years later. Meanwhile, we jump forward in time to 30AD to the story of Andrew, the first disciple.
Feel free to leave your comments below. I look forward to read your comments and constructive inputs that will help me direct my creative thoughts.
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Thank you.
Until the next post.
Johann Q.
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Johann Quisumbing 