This is a short tale from long ago. I actually posted on another forum, but decided to share it here. I hope you enjoy
THE GRUEL
"Mommy, Daddy, tell me about the Gruel." A young girl asked her parents. Oryon told her tales of a ghastly beast that tried to kidnap a beautiful girl and make her his bride. But a kind, lowly soul found the girl and saved her from the monster's grip.
"Will she ever have to learn the truth, Oryon?" Laila asked, her husband who saved her in more ways than one.
"I hope he finds someone new. I will die before he takes her from us." Oryon vowed.
Time passed and Nya grew into a beautiful young woman. For nineteen years, her parents never let her out of their sights. They feared she'd be taken, and they would not be able to stop it.
They shared a look and their hearts filled with dread. They had been warned that this day would come. For nineteen years they protected their precious daughter, but she would ask. She would have no choice. You see she was chosen. She was chosen to belong to a heartless monster.
Many Years Before
The Gruel had existed for centuries preying on the fears of the planet's inhabitants. He controlled all of the elements. At first, the world existed in perfect harmony. Animal and plant alike grew and blossomed. Then one day, a storm occurred and darkness arrived.
Unable to exist on an earthly plane, The Gruel retreated his own sacred plane. He watched the planet's inhabitants never really belonging and becoming angrier by the day. For almost a millennia, he exacted mayhem from his hiding place.
One day, as the demon watched, the most beautiful one of human kind came across his vision. He had to know this creature. He watched her intently. For years he followed her. Then one day, he appeared to her father.
Her father was the exact type of person he liked dealing with. He had no sense of self and would sell his soul for his next fix. Offering him baubles for his daughter would be easy. As Gruel expected, the man sold the girl to him. His only request was that Gruel waited until she was of age.
He watched her every day, at night he appeared in her room. The she met him. He started to kill the young human that dare touch what was his, but he waited. Laila really cared for the human, but it did not matter. One day, in a few weeks she would be eighteen and he would claim her.
However, fates had other plans. The night before her eighteenth birthday, Laila went out with that pesky- human. Gruel had to check on his kingdom. He would bring his bride home soon and they would start a family.
Laila was turning eighteen and she knew what she wanted as a gift. Slightly after midnight, Laila and Oryon shared their virginities with one another. Realizing his lady love was no longer pure. Gruel was furious. He stormed their familial home; confronting her father with whom he had a pack.
"Gruel, I am..." her father stammered. Gruel smacked him clear across the room. They had a deal and he failed to deliver.
"You lied. You failed to keep your word." Gruel was livid. "She was to belong to me."
Laila gasped. She had no idea. The Gruel would destroy her father and she had to speak.
Facing her, this woman, the monster growled. "You are mine, Laila. For years I have waited. I will not be denied. Tomorrow, I come for you. If you value your family, then you will be waiting.
Laila cried as Oryon faced the demon. Gruel laughed, and said "Both of you, be here tomorrow." He left, leaving destruction in his wake.
