By Yvonne Mnzno
Centuries ago in ancient Etruscan civilization, there lived in a small village in Cadore a man whose wife was said to be a Longana. The wife did not only possess a beauty and intelligence far greater than any other humans but also an unusual ability to perceive nature and events. Years passed, through their ardent prayers to the gods, the couple's long awaited day had finally arrived one early morning. They were in awe as an albino child whose skin and hair glowed a radiant white and eyes similar to the color of the skies was born. The child was described as "la ragazza bell'e bianca" - beautiful and white, and so was named Bellianca. However, hours later, the joy from the couple' heart was immediately replaced with grief when they realized that the babe became still and cold. They mourned and cursed blatantly the god's for their cruelty and jealousy in stealing their daughter away from them. Later that night, on fullmoon, the couple still in deep sorrow decided to bury their child. When they were about to close the lid of the coffin, they heard a shrill wail and what they saw was not the white-haired babe they knew. The hair now was black as well as its eyes. When the mother picked up the babe, she envisioned death which momentarily blinded her that she staggered. Her shock was even worsen when she saw Bellianca's hands were real gold, just like the coffin where they had laid her. They believed the gods punished them for their insolence and blasphemy. And so the mother kept this terrible vision from herself, afraid of what was to come. It is then that the couple understood that Bellianca was endowed with an unnatural gift and fate they have to protect whatever the cost.
16 years later, Bellianca grew up as beautiful as her mother but was confined within the boundaries of her home. Her parents, afraid of Death's grip just waiting outside those four tall walls, imprisoned her. "But for how long?" Was always her question. Fate has robbed her the right to live normal. This, she realized the day she learned her true ability. Whenever she cried or when she's extremely sad, her hair and eyes would turn black just like her mother's and her arms, at her will, would become exactly the same trait and color with any metal she touches.
Everything had changed after Bellianca's 18th birthday prior to the Ostrogoth's invasion to Italy and the death of her father whom with great valor waged war against the Germanic tribe. Both mother and daughter fell into depression. Bellianca's white radiance was rarely seen while her ability was gradually evolving. Now the land was under a new rulership and kingdom. Odoacer declared himself Rex Italiae "King of Italy" and became most popular in scouring the land for exceptionally beautiful maidens, collecting and playing them like dolls.
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| Bellianca and her mother |
Months after, a little rumor creeped out and spread within the village. This started out as an old man's claim, telling his neighbors about two fair nymphs or goddesses residing in some forest. Many laughed and ridiculed the codger's babble but somehow a young man, who was listening among the crowd, became curious as he wanted to see for himself these creatures they're all laughing about. His name was Februus, an apprentice to the king's smith.
So he went, searching into their village's forest until he found her, sleeping among wild flowers, astounded by an ethereal beauty. "Even the goddesses' themselves will be envious." He was about to go and inform the king with this such beauty when the lady woke up. There and then bloomed a friendship, and weeks after flourished into love.
Odoacer grew restless and disgruntled with all his consorts, his kingdom and with the dispute regarding the Romans. By now, the rumor in Cadore was brought to his knowledge and he ordered Februus, a dweller in this place, to fetch the nymph to his throne. True to his love for the maiden, Februus defied the king and returned empty handed. The king, greatly displeased, ordered him to the dungeons and unfairly sentenced him with treason. The next day, his death was announced to the whole kingdom. When Bellianca learned this, her eyes lost its soul and turned as black as coal.
Her mother, unusually blind with all these, awaken one morning and found her daughter missing. In her wide search in the forest, she bumped into Februus who was also searching for Bellianca. There, the young man told her everything. The mother was so furious that she wanted to kill the man right on the very spot he was standing but her love for her child overcame her that she agreed for the both of them to find her. They combed the woods, coves, caves and other possible places in the forest but still they couldn't find what they were looking for. Disheartened, the mother went back to their sanctuary forever waiting 'til the end while Februus returned to the palace to resume his duty.
When he arrived in the palace, he went immediately to his chamber and focused everything into the sword he was making, wanted to forget his sadness over Bellianca's disappearence. Also, he couldn't quite understand the king's sudden change of heart for setting him free and keeping him back for no apparent reason. For this, in particular, he thought that it was because of the imminent war with the Romans. Beheading a great sword smith and soldier like him would be such a waste.
***
It had been weeks of torment and pain for Bellianca, daily watching her dearly beloved but only from afar. Never a single night when her tears wouldn't fall. If she could only call out his name...
***
Finally, one day, Februus finished the sword and named it "Bianco" (white) as an honor to Bellianca. Hours later, the king sent for him and was told to bring his majesty's new sword that he made. Head bent, he came with the king's sword, accompanied by guards to the throne. He bowed low and unwrapped the sword. Februus handed the sword to the king but made a mistake of lifting his head. What he saw made him frozen in place far too long that the king shouted his name. Seated at the right side of the king was the second most beautiful being he set his eyes on. For a second there, he believed he saw Bellianca. If only his beloved had ebony black hair and eyes, then he would have certainly fought for her at that moment. Unfortunately, the king's call dragged him back to reality. Februus immediately apologized to the majesties, embarrased for staring at the young queen.
The Gothic War took place and Februus went to battle all for the queen's namesake. "All'inferno con il re, all'inferno con la mia vita. To hell with the king, to hell with my life." He thought. "This is for the Queen and for my beloved.Tutta la grandine la regina!" He shouted and surged the enemies with all that he had.
***
Bellianca's eyes almost turned blue at that moment when their eyes met. And it would have so if it were not for Odoacer's interference. In Bellianca's gladness, the tip of her hair turned white but Februus missed it along with everything that was supposed to happen.
Bellianca, with full determination and courage, was planning to tell the truth to Februus once he comes back. Thoughts of the two of them living happily and peacefully together in a faraway land was enough that it brought her back her white radiance that she lost for many months now. It was only for her love's sake that she changed her name and gave herself to the king the day before Februus' death. With much sadness in her heart, she haven't noticed that her hair and eyes turned ebony black until the day of her marriage when she saw herself in front of the mirror.
She was nervously pacing back and forth in her room, setting their tryst and elopement in her mind. She never let bad thoughts ruin her mood, and she always assured herself that Februus would come back alive. Oh how she prayed to the gods that they will accompany him in victory.
It was past midnight and she was still awake and confined in her room when trumpets sounded within the castle. One heavily wounded soldier arrived and with him were the swords of the general and brave soldiers who perished in the war. At once, the swords were delivered to the wives and household of the soldier's family except for one that was carried in the smith's quarters at the back of the castle. She directly went to that quarter, careful so no one would see her. When she arrived at the door, the beating of her heart went wild and loud that she feared everyone might be awaken with it. It seemed that her body has a mind of its own as she entered the room, leading her to the place that drove her mad.
Last thing she remembered, she was running away, felt more like flying until her wings could take it no more and she fell deep into the abyss.
Bellianca awoke in a strange place. It was pitch dark and cold. "The Underworld. Yes, I'm in the Underworld. Februus will come for me here...and we will be together...for eternity." But as soon as she opened her eyes, the moon welcomed her and illuminated the surrounding woods and the long gleaming sword lying beside her. She took the sword and lifted it with both hands towards the heavens. She felt the cold fine blade and ran her fingers through it. She had with her both Februus' armor and sword. Now, she's ready to be with him, forever, in the underworld.
***
Bellianca woke in and out of conciousness. She heard voices and seen blurred faces, whispering incoherently and bustling about.
"What? The queen tried to kill herself?"
"Si. But its all right. The gods favored her. She was only sleeping..."
"It had been months and the baby..."
"..no...no. It musn't...It can't be."
"It's coming out!"
Bellianca couldn't comprehend clearly what they're talking about. Confused by all of this, she tried to speak but no words would come out, instead a long loud scream escaped from her. She felt pain all over her body specially in her middle. She had this throbbing sensation inside her stomach like some creature kicking, fighting, wanting to get out. She heard words of encouragement and commands from voices in her head. She wanted badly to claw open her stomach and remove the thing that was causing her so much pain. She gritted her teeth and with all her strength and will of seeing Februus again, blew her final and ultimate scream. It was then that every men in battle at this moment bellowed in chorus with the Queen and it echoed throughout Italia and throughout history.
*****
All these months, Bellianca had been neglecting the child inside her, Odoacer's son. Her act of suicide using Februus' sword was feared by the court, the Vehrar Drealli, as it could endanger the child. However, their belief was proven to be wrong. Back then, when Bellianca touched the blade, her body, her skin as well as the baby inside her absorbed its essense. Her evolved ability was transferred and consumed by the child therefore it didn't in any way harm her or her son. Her unexplainable immense sorrow and trauma for Februus' death was the reason that her system shut down and she fell in a coma. Even in this condition, the baby thrived and survived. Her mother's vision became true. The dead woman she saw in a pool of blood with a dark babe was Bellianca and the child that established a whole new eminent and powerful empire.
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Sorry if this is REALLY long *_*"
I dont know if this is considered to be a fanfic but uhm i hope it would be o_o
I hope you enjoy reading Ami Daeth's family legend :D
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