The Delirium of the Conquistador

    By Marco Antonio Espinosa Chavez

    The Delirium of the Conquistador cover image

    30 May, 2024

    three women sitting on a bench in a cobblestone street in a town with a clock tower in the background, massurrealism, a stock photo, Dosso Dossi, award - winning photography

    Donna Maria was sitting with her friends, Donna Clara and Donna Isabella, in the village square, discussing their fellow villager's unusual behavior.

    two women standing in an alleyway in a village with stone buildings and cobblestone streets, one of them looking at the camera, massurrealism, a detailed matte painting, Celia Fiennes, promotional image

    Donna Clara nodded, her wrinkled face reflecting deep thought. 'He was a normal man till he found that book in the cave,' she said.

    a man in a robe is reading a book in a cave with a cross on his chest and a cross on his arm, gothic art, a character portrait, Dionisius, rembrandt lighting

    It all started when Don Juan, a Spanish conquistador, returned from the cave, carrying a weathered book, his eyes filled with a strange madness.

    a man in a long coat standing in a cave with a fire in his hand and a flashlight in his hand, fantasy art, a detailed matte painting, Dirk Crabeth, promotional image

    He began to rant about a terrifying truth hidden within the pages, claiming that all humans harbored something within them that went against God.

    a group of people standing in front of a building with a clock on it's face and a woman in the middle of the picture, antipodeans, a renaissance painting, Celia Fiennes, promotional image

    Donna Isabella sighed, 'The villagers are scared. They believe the cave is cursed, and Juan's madness is a result of that curse.'

    two women standing next to each other in front of a crowd of people on a cobblestone street, massurrealism, a character portrait, Celia Fiennes, promotional image

    Donna Maria shook her head, 'I think it's the book. That old thing has something dark within it. It's the cause of Juan's delirium.'

    a priest sitting at a table with a book in front of him and candles in the background in a church, romanesque, a character portrait, Andrzej Wróblewski, promotional image

    Father Gonzalo, the village priest, was equally puzzled. 'I've tried to reason with Juan, but his delusions are strong. The book he found... it's not of God.'

    a priest standing in front of a bunch of candles in a church with a book in his hands and a cross on his chest, romanesque, a character portrait, Ed Benedict, promotional image

    'We must find a way to help Juan,' he added, his voice echoing in the quiet church, 'and discover the truth about that book.'

    a group of women standing next to each other on a street at night with a full moon in the sky, magical realism, a storybook illustration, Dosso Dossi, promotional image

    The women agreed with the priest. 'We need to unravel this mystery,' said Donna Clara, 'for Juan, and for the safety of our village.'

    two women standing next to each other holding a lantern in their hands at night time with the moon in the sky, massurrealism, a detailed matte painting, Eva Gonzalès, promotional image

    'Yes,' Donna Maria added, 'We can't let fear rule us. Let's begin our quest tomorrow. May God guide us to the truth.'

    three women standing next to each other on a street at night time, talking and laughing, with a tree in the background, massurrealism, a stock photo, Celia Fiennes, promotional image

    The women parted ways, their hearts heavy with worry but also filled with determination. They knew the path ahead was fraught with danger, but they were ready.

    three women in long dresses standing in front of a table with a lit candle on it and a full moon in the sky, magical realism, a detailed matte painting, Art Brenner, award-winning photograph

    As they walked home under the starry sky, they prayed for strength, for guidance, and for the courage to face whatever darkness the book held within its pages.

    The Delirium of the Conquistador

    AI Historical Stories