Secret Unveiled: An Undead

Mozuta trembled with fear. Jawozina pulled him out of the swirling smoke and brought him to the front of the residence. The sounds of dancing, joyful singing and conversation could still be heard coming from inside. However, Mozuta saw no reason to share the guests' joy. Once again, he was alone with the woman who claimed to be his mother. How had things come to this? Her bony arms held him in a tight embrace. Glancing at them, he shuddered.
She was no longer wearing gloves.
Her arms looked just like Leontina’s. He noticed she had puppet-like joints as he looked at them.

Damn, it won't hurt her if I bite her, he thought.

Heh, so I’m actually capable of making a joke in a situation like this.

His own thoughts helped to calm him down a little.

Leontina was counting on him. This was no time for fear.

“I’m so happy we’re together again! No one will stand in our way this time! You’ll become one with your wonderful father!” Jawozina shouted gleefully.
Mozuta decided to ignore her. Listening to her wouldn't achieve anything. She had rambled on about the same things at the underground castle, and now, no matter what he said, she wouldn't listen. She would just go on about her love. He preferred to focus his thoughts on looking for the possibility of escape. He looked around. Something rustled in the branches of one of the trees along the path.

A familiar little head emerged from among the colourful leaf-covered trees.

Mozuta's face lit up at the sight of the liho. The little creature had followed them!

Although he was being held tightly, the boy could still move his elbow. He reached out slightly and beckoned the liho to come to him.
“Darling, what are you doing?” Jawozina asked.
Just then, the liho leapt onto Mozuta’s head and snuggled against it. The boy glanced around frantically and spotted an owl flying straight towards him. He swiftly turned his head to the side and the bird hit Jawozina’s shoulder instead. Startled, she loosened her grip. Mozuta seized the moment and broke free from her embrace. He ran a short distance away and raised his hand.

Mr Twardowski’s words echoed in his mind:
“If you want to summon me, form a circle with your right hand that frames the moon. As if you were looking at the moon through a small telescope made of your hands.”

All he could do now was hope that the wizard had seen the signal.

Suddenly, someone grabbed his arm and pulled.
“How dare you run off like that?” Jawozina snarled. When she spotted a small liho approaching Mozuta, she recoiled in disgust and kicked it as hard as she could. The little creature yelped and fell silent.
“How could you?” Mozuta cried out.

Then, hearing footsteps, they both turned towards the sound.

The ballroom, which had been filled with music and laughter just moments before, fell silent.

Mozuta took a deep breath.

“Has something happened?” An elegant nobleman appeared at the entrance to the residence, wearing a coat instead of the traditional Pollechian kontusz.
It was Count von Firnau.
“Nothing, darling. Look,” said Jawozina, smiling warmly as she tugged at Mozuta. “I have something better than the souls of those petty nobles,” she announced, pointing at the boy with her free hand. “Our little ray of sunshine has decided to return to his mother.”
“A pity it wasn't of his own free will,” Mozuta blurted out.
Jawozina froze. Her cold gaze fixed on the boy. Her face held none of the warmth she had shown her beloved.
“How dare you speak to me like that! You’re insulting your parents!” the woman screeched.
“I don’t recall you raising me,” Mozuta pointed out. The more he talked back, the less afraid he felt. But perhaps he should keep quiet. There was no telling what the woman might do if he angered her too much.
“You ungrateful…!” She raised her hand to hit him, but the Count stopped her by catching her arm.
“Don’t get upset,” he said dryly. Then he leaned towards Mozuta and began to examine the boy closely.
His eyes were hollow and devoid of light. His complexion was pale, accentuating his lack of expression. No smile, no grimace. Nothing.
Mozuta’s heart began to race and he broke out in a cold sweat as the Count touched his left shoulder.
“He looks like an ordinary boy. Hmmm,” he mused, tightening his grip on Mozuta’s forearm. The boy groaned as a wave of pain shot through his entire body. "When the boy was born, he didn't spark my interest. But now he's older, I can't help but wonder..."

Then, the Count tore off Mozuta's left arm.

The young boy’s eyes widened. He couldn't believe what just happenned.

Jawozina let go of her son and stepped aside. She watched coolly as the boy collapsed onto the pavement, howling in pain and clutching the spot where his arm had been.
“So it is true!” the Count exclaimed gleefully. He held up Mozuta’s severed arm. “Look! It isn't bleeding!”
Mozuta’s arm had been torn off, yet not a drop of blood had flowed. It looked like a model, crafted to resemble a human limb for anatomical study.

Mozuta heard count's joyful news. He stopped screaming and touched his shoulder.
He couldn't believe it. He felt absolutely no pain.
Why?
He looked at the Count, who was walking towards him. Just moments ago, he had seemed to have forgotten the very meaning of emotion. Now, a smile twisted the Count’s face, making Mozuta's throat go dry. The fear he had just managed to conquer came flooding back.
The Count’s face contorted. Two long fangs erupted from his mouth, extending well past his chin. He grew even paler and his gloves tore open as claws burst through.
“We did it, Jawozina. Now I’ll be able to live a normal life.”
Then he lunged at Mozuta, baring his fangs and aiming for the boy’s heart.

Mozuta closed his eyes.

But he felt nothing.

Instead, he heard a loud thud and a groan, followed by a scream from Jawozina.

He opened his eyes.

The Count was lying flat on the ground in front of him, with a man dressed in white standing on his back. Gold and silver embroidery made the man gleam in the darkness. A fine white hat topped with a colourful rooster feather plume covered his head. His moustache was so long that he had tucked one end behind his ear.
“I didn’t expect such a soft landing,” he announced.
Mozuta recognized that cocky voice.

"Mr Twardowski!" the boy shouted joyfully.

“Hey, kid! We're finally meeting in person!” He stepped off the count proudly, picked up Mozuta’s severed arm and handed it to the boy. “Here, you dropped this.”
“Uh... thank you?”
“You’re welcome,” the man with the moustache flashed a toothy grin.
“Now that you're here, the dragon...” Mozuta tried to give the note to the wizard but didn’t finish. Mr Twardowski held up a hand.
“Shh, let's deal with them first,” he said, pointing to Jawozina, who was helping the Count to his feet with great care.
“Time for a little fight.” Mr Twardowski hit the palm of his hand with his fist.
“Yes, sir!” Mozuta waved the arm he was holding in his right hand. They would keep the pair occupied for a moment. Once Leontina had finished off the demon and joined them, Mr Twardowski would deal with the dragon while she banished the two spirits.
“Just one thing, kid. If I sense the dragon might wake up, I’m leaving you here alone with them,” the wizard from the moon whispered.
“I hope it won’t happen,” Mozuta shouted as he ran towards a small curled up animal. “Hey, little guy! Are you all right?” he asked. Liho got to its feet, albeit unsteadily. Mozuta smiled at the creature.
“I’ve got a special mission for you. Tell my master to finish off that demon quickly and join us here!”
Liho wagged its tail happily and bounded away, quickly vanishing into the smoke that enveloped the surrounding area.