Legends of Amacia Return of the Beowulf
Chapter 30: The Sign of True Friendship

The Sign of True Friendship

The next morning about eight-thirty Hannibal woke from his slumber. He yawned and rubbed the side of his face with his hand, suddenly aware that he was in bed and not in the healing chamber. Wondering how he got there, he rubbed the sleep out of eyes, suddenly becoming aware that someone was in the bed next to him. He looked over and saw Selina lying on her side, facing him, sound asleep in her nightgown. He then noticed he was wearing pajamas as well. Puzzlement filled him as he tried to figure out how both he and Selina got from the Healer to their own bed and dressed them in their pajamas. He rolled toward her and heard her purr. Her hair was disheveled and partially covering her face. A sense of peace emanated from her as she slept peacefully. He smiled softly as he reached out, pushing her hair aside and caressing her face. As he did, he finally concluded that someone, probably Enoch, Kida, Electra, or Nathanael had brought them back to their quarters after the Healer finished healing them of the Kaitian pneumonia. “God help me,” he whispered as he caressed the side of her face. “I love you so much it hurts.”

Just then, he heard Rachel crying in her sleep over in her bed. He sighed and slowly got out of the bed as to not disturb Selina’s peaceful sleep. Walking over to Rachel’s bed, he noticed that she was sobbing softly in her sleep and had compassion on her. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, he slowly reached out and shook her gently, saying, “Rachel. Wake up. You’re having a bad dream again.”

Rachel woke with a start, flinching as Hannibal touched her. “Relax Rachel,” Hannibal cooed in her ear. Her head snapped around as her eyes flew open with terror evident. However, when she looked upon Hannibal’s concerned face, she immediately latched on to him, sobbing hysterically. Hannibal gathered her into his arms and cooed in her ear, “Shhh. It’s all right. You’re safe. No one’s going to hurt you.” He rubbed her back and rocked her gently trying to calm her, wishing he had the gift of the Lynxian purr. “Peace, Rachel. Let go of the terrors,” he said softly, “Be at peace, little one.” Between his rocking her, his rubbing her back, and speaking peace to her, he calmed her down in a couple of minutes. Once he did, he looked her in the eye asking softly, “Another dream of the dungeons?”

Rachel nodded silently. After a few moments, she sobbed, “When will it end?”

Hannibal embraced his adopted daughter, kissing her on the top of her head, saying, “It takes time, Rachel. But just look at how far you’ve already come. You recognized me this time as a friend and not a guard when you woke, which means that you are slowly dealing with it. Before you know it, the dreams will not haunt and terrorize you anymore. Just believe in the Lord. He can put an end of your nightmares.”

Rachel looked up at him with hope in her eyes. “Can He really do that?” she whimpered.

Hannibal smiled sweetly at her, saying, “Honey. You shouldn’t even have to ask that question. Just look at your hand if you think He can’t. He gave you your hand back. He surely can deliver you from the nightmares.” He placed his hand on her head and prayed, “Father. You hear the cry of your little one here and know what she has endured and continues to endure. I ask you Father, in the name of Jesus to deliver her from the nightmares that torment her. Give her peace in her mind and freedom from the evils that were done to her. Heal her mind and soul. Only you can do this Father. Only you have the power to do this. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.” As he prayed, the Almighty moved and immediately gave peace to Rachel. She stopped whimpering and a peaceful look came over her face as she laid her head in Hannibal’s lap.

After Hannibal had finished praying, he stroked her beautiful almond hair that was almost to her shoulders. “The Lord will help you. Our Father in Heaven loves you more than you can ever know. He will help you deal with the nightmares,” Hannibal said softly as he stroked her hair.

Rachel suddenly sat up, looking at him. “Daddy, who is Jesus,” she asked.

“Jesus is the son of the living God, who you know as the Almighty Ancient of Days,” Hannibal replied softly, smiling warmly at her. “He is the messiah who came to save His people from their sin. You, dear Rachel, are one of His people as I am. He died for your sin and the sin of the world and was raised from the dead by His Father, the same Father and eternal god that I pray to, the same God that delivered you from the dungeons and restored your hand.”

Rachel was puzzled, but her spirit burned within her at his words. “I don’t understand, daddy,” she said plainly.

Hannibal sighed, saying, “I know, Rachel. You are not the only one here that needs to hear the words of the Lord our God. Wait a minute. Let me show you something.” He rose, going to his dresser and retrieving the Bible from one of the drawers. He returned to her, and sat with her, saying, “Do you see this book?” She nodded as he opened it to John 3:16. “This book is the very word of God Himself,” he explained. “He gave His word to the people of the surface. Listen to this one verse. ‘For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ This is one of the most profound verses in this whole book. Unfortunately, many of those on the surface do not believe that this is the word of God or that He even exists.”

“How can they not believe that He’s real?” Rachel asked, perplexed, still not understanding, but open to the possibilities. “He gave me back my hand.”

“I can see that you hunger for the truth,” Hannibal replied. “Many of the people on the surface who don’t believe in God are like the people that believe in the Emperor. They have bad spirits on them that prevents them from coming to the light.” He looked her directly in the eye saying, “The people that brutalized you are an example of what people without God can do. They become animals without Him, willing to do just about anything to satisfy their appetites, no matter what they are.”

Rachel shuddered a moment at the thought and said, “I still don’t understand, daddy. What does this Jesus have to do with the people that hurt me?”

Hannibal put a loving arm around her, saying, “I have a great story to tell about this man, Jesus. But there are many more who need to hear it too. Could you wait until we could get them together? Then I will tell you the story of the Lord our God.”

Rachel nodded as she reached out her hand to touch the book. He held it over in front of her so she could see it. It was written in English. She gazed in fascination at the thin pages and the strange writing on it, asking, “What kind of marks are these on these pages? I’ve never seen anything like that before?”

Hannibal smiled, saying, “That is the writing of the surface. It is one of the primary languages of the surface peoples. It is called English, and it’s my primary language. I learned your language shortly before I came to this land.”

Rachel was fascinated with the writing in the book. “English…This is English?” she asked.

Hannibal nodded, saying, “Yes. Many of our people can read and write this language. Did your parents ever teach you to read and write your language?”

Rachel reflected and said in a subdued fearful manner, “No. Mom and dad never taught us to write or read. The Emperor forbade it. Anyone who was caught with anything that even looked like books was immediately taken away by the Dark Ones and the soldiers.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry Rachel. I should’ve known,” Hannibal replied apologetically. “Would you like to learn to read and write?”

Rachel was stunned at the request. “You can teach me to read and write?” she asked in amazement.

Hannibal nodded with a smile, asking, “Do want to learn?”

Rachel was suddenly overjoyed and threw her arms around him, crying, “Yes! Oh, yes daddy! I’ve always wanted to be able to read.”

“Good,” Hannibal replied pleasantly. “It will take some time, but we’ll teach you many things about the world and the Lord our God. By the way, have you made any new friends yet?”

Rachel’s attitude suddenly became subdued again as she replied, “Not really. I really like Kida, Grandma, and Grandpa. They make me feel wanted. I also like Althea, Suko, and Tala because they like me. Emma and Elle are okay too, as are Arabella and Dr. Drew. Even Andrew and Hunter are really nice to me. Nemesis is okay too when he’s around, but I haven’t really seen anyone else. Josephine is also nice and so patient with me. I like her. But no one else has really tried to be my friend. I don’t know. Maybe I’m too weird for them. Maybe I make them too uncomfortable being the way I am.”

“No way you’re too weird for them,” Hannibal insisted. “They don’t know what they’re missing. Have you met anyone your age yet?”

“No,” Rachel said softly, “I’ve seen the other boys and girls my age, but they don’t come around me. I think it’s because I’m like this...you know, no arms or legs. I think it makes them avoid me.”

“Hmmm, have you tried to make friends with them?” Hannibal asked softly, being very careful not to accuse her of anything.

“Well, not really, daddy,” Rachel admitted after a bit of hesitation. “I’m scared they’ll make fun of me.”

Hannibal sighed, putting his arm around Rachel. “I know what you mean,” he said. “I was a bit of a loner myself when I was your age. I was different and everyone knew it, but I didn’t know why. Most of my classmates in school teased and bullied me mercilessly. Only a handful of them ever tried to be my friend, and I treasured that friendship with them. I wonder what those kids who teased and bullied me would say now if they saw what I am now.”

“You were made fun of and picked on when you were my age?” Rachel asked with great amazement.

“Absolutely,” Hannibal stated. “My piercing intelligence and uncanny abilities to do things no one else could even as a child made many of those children afraid of me. Because of that, they picked on me mercilessly, calling me names or throwing things at me. One boy even tried to kill me.”

“What happened to that boy?” Rachel whispered.

“He died, along with all his friends,” Hannibal stated grimly, “But I didn’t do it. They made the lethal mistake of dragging me into a haunted house infested by a powerful dark entity. The entity killed them and I escaped with my life. It’s a very gruesome, sordid episode of my childhood and I don’t think it would be wise for me to tell you about it right now. You have enough nightmares from what the Emperor’s people did to you without me dumping more carnage on you. But one day, I will tell you the full story when you’re well enough to take it. I promise.”

“You mean a monster really ate them?” Rachel asked with a tremor in her voice.

“Yes, Rachel,” Hannibal replied. “It was an honest-to-god monster very similar to the bad spirit that infests the Emperor. One day, I will have to return to that house of horrors to get closure for it. But that will have to wait because it’s on the surface far from here.”

“I thought the monsters only lived here?” Rachel said softly, clinging to Hannibal.

“I wish that were true,” Hannibal admitted. “But there are monsters everywhere, not just here in this cursed underworld. Many of them actually serve the Emperor. I can only hope that when we deal with the Emperor, they’ll crawl back into their holes and never come out again to plague humanity.”

“I’d like that,” Rachel stated, “What happened to your friends? Are they dead now? Did the monsters get them like the boy who tried to kill you?”

“No, they aren’t dead that I know of,” Hannibal assured Rachel. “Most of them I lost contact with, but I know they’re still alive somewhere living a normal life. They don’t have to deal with the monsters we do. For that, I’m thankful.”

“Did any of your friends stay with you?” Rachel asked.

“A couple of them did,” Hannibal replied. “But most of them fell by the wayside.”

“Do you regret having friends when you were my age?” Rachel asked pointedly.

The question surprised Hannibal so he hesitated for a moment before answering. “To be honest, no,” he said softly. “The few friends I had made my childhood bearable, at least until the monsters came and killed my family in front of me like they did to your family. After that, I got lost in the Darkness until our God rescued me from myself.”

“Monsters killed your family in front of you when you were my age?” Rachel asked, again astounded.

“They did, but I was fourteen when it happened,” Hannibal admitted. “I lost myself and my soul for almost thirty cycles because of it. I became like the Emperor and hunted down those responsible for killing my family. I think I’ve told you about this before while I was still Hanna.”

“Oh, yes, you did. I remember now. Did you kill the monsters that killed your family?” Rachel replied softly.

“Yes, I did,” Hannibal admitted quietly with a tone filled with regret. “I killed every last one of them with my own hand, even those who ordered the hit. As a result, I became lost to the Darkness until the Lord our God had mercy on me and dragged me out of that pit. Killing out of revenge turned me into a monster like the Emperor. That terrible mistake even now still haunts me. That’s why you shouldn’t kill anyone, particularly out of revenge. Our God is the only one capable of handing out proper justice. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“I’m not sure,” Rachel stated, “But I do know I hate the people who did this to me and wish them dead.”

“You should let go of that hatred,” Hannibal stated softly. “It’s that kind of hatred that ruined my life. Besides, Nemesis saw justice done on those who killed your family and made you like this. He said he killed them himself. I have no reason to doubt his word, so you don’t have to go on hating those people. He’s an honest bear.”

“It’s hard,” Rachel admitted, “Does having friends help you?”

“It certainly does,” Hannibal answered, smiling sweetly. “Having friends who can help you in your time of need can make all the difference. Had my friends helped me when I lost my parents, things may not have turned out this way for me. It’s possible I may not have gotten lost in the Darkness for almost thirty cycles. But that’s not how it turned out for me. Had my friends really been there for me, the pain and hatred I felt for those monsters that took my family may not have led me astray. Friends...true friends help each other in their time of need, and they keep each other from doing stupid things. Since the Almighty rescued me from the Darkness, I’ve tried to keep myself surrounded with true friends who are willing to tell me the truth, even if I don’t much like it. My friend Harry is one such friend. He’s always been honest with me, and many times, kept me from doing really stupid stuff.”

“When did you and he meet?” Rachel asked. “Is he one of your friends when you were my age?”

“No, I met Harry much later,” Hannibal stated, “In fact, I met him right after the Almighty rescued me from the Darkness. It’s as if the Almighty sent him to make sure I didn’t screw up and fall back into my old life as a dark wizard. He’s the closest thing to a brother that I have left. We’ve been practically inseparable since then.”

“I wish I had a friend like that,” Rachel stated.

“I think that could be arranged,” Hannibal replied. “But you’ll have to be willing to take a chance and meet other people. Are you willing to do that...meet other people outside our immediate family circle?”

“Maybe,” Rachel answered hesitantly. “But how will I know whose my friend and who isn’t?”

“Trust me, you will know in your heart,” Hannibal stated. “When Harry and I met for the first time, I felt that I’d known him forever and could trust him. That was a major thing for me too because up to that point, I never trusted anyone, even myself. But when we met, I felt so at ease with him. It was like I could tell him anything, even my deepest secrets, though I didn’t really do that. I never regretted meeting Harry. He’s the best, and I’m not just saying that. Your true friend will most likely affect you in a similar way.”

“I’ve never had a true friend before you rescued me, daddy,” Rachel stated. “I just don’t know how to make friends.”

“Just be yourself,” Hannibal insisted. “That’s all you need to do. Those people who will be your friends will accept you just as you are, no conditions. That’s how Harry and I became friends. We accepted each other just as we were flaws and all.”

“I’d like to have a friend like Harry,” Rachel said softly. “But where do I find her? Does she have to be my age? Does she need to be like me?”

“Not in the least,” Hannibal stated. “In fact, she doesn’t even need to be a girl. Your friend could be a boy, or even a hybrid, or maybe even one of the draken younglings of Aeolus. You shouldn’t confine yourself to just boys or girls or even humans. I consider Argus, Aeolus, and Tethys very close friends. Just know that a true friend will be there for you when false ones desert you.”

“How do you know the difference?” Rachel asked.

“That’s a very good question,” Hannibal stated. “To be honest, I’m not sure, but I know from my experience with Harry that a true friend sticks with you when things get really bad. When the pressure is on, they will stand with you, and not break and run away, as the Emperor’s troops often do when things get tough for them. Often, true friends are willing to lay down their life for each other.”

“This is harder than I thought,” Rachel murmured. “Why does it have to be so hard?”

“It’s only as hard as you make it,” Hannibal replied. “I know you’re afraid to take a chance on making new friends. I too have the same problem. Let’s face it. I’m not the poster boy for making friends. I have far more enemies than friends. But you can’t let it stop you from taking a chance on people.”

“You’re not going to force me to make friends, are you?” Rachel asked fearfully.

“Absolutely not,” Hannibal assured her. “I’d never force you to make friends with someone. If I were to do that, you’d never trust that person and you’d never be friends. Furthermore, you wouldn’t trust me and most likely resent what I did. Remember, real friends trust one another explicitly, but that trust has to be earned. I’ll encourage you to make friends, but I won’t make you. You must want to make friends before it will happen. Surely, there must be someone out there that’ll be your friend without any conditions. Maybe even someone your age.” Just then, he remembered Jacob and Rebecca’s little girl, Crystal, who was in the infirmary with her parents. “I’ve got it,” he chimed. “There’s a little girl named Crystal that’s in the Healer right now who’s your age. Would you like to meet her?”

“Why is she there?” Rachel asked.

Hannibal sighed and said, “Do you remember yesterday after our little ride with Aeolus, how Selina and I had to go and because there was an accident in the ruins?” Rachel nodded as he continued, “Crystal and her mom and dad fell off a step pyramid in the earthquake we saw while we were flying with Aeolus. In fact, I need to go see them. Would you like to come?”

Rachel nodded, but added, “Before we go, could I use the bathroom?”

“Of course,” Hannibal replied as he picked Rachel up, taking her to the bathroom.

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