The Antagonists We Love To Hate #7

This week, the most hated antagonist award goes to Mora

Mora is an evil-minded, power-hungry woman form the alternate history, magical realism novel series, The Ancestors' Secrets. 

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Punished by the ancestors long ago, Mora has waited centuries for the chance to reunite with her beloved Joland and to gain power over the Hunor clan. Revenge has kept her alive for over 1600 years, and she's been working on her evil plan.

What is an antagonist?

In storytelling, the antagonist is the opposer or combatant working against the protagonist or leading character and creating the main conflict. In conventional narratives, the antagonist is synonymous with the “bad guy,” while the protagonist represents the “good guy.”

Interview with Mora

Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Mora, I was born 1600 years ago in a small village. Everyone thought that I was just a pretty girl, an insignificant nobody, but I knew I was destined for great things. When I met Joland, the love of my life, he gave me immortality and showed me what I was capable of. We craved power to punish all who wronged us. We wanted to rule the clans, but we couldn’t succeed back then. Our time will come, you'll see!

How did you end up in the situation you’re currently in?
You mean surviving in this old, withered body incapable of dying and tied to my bed? The Royals and Elders were furious when they found out many centuries ago that Joland had shared the gift of eternal life with me. The Elders took away my powers to keep my body young and separated us, but they couldn’t make us mortals again. I had lived so many lifetimes, alone, because Joland was exiled to a timeline in the distant past. As his punishment, he couldn’t move forward in time with me. Although my body is useless, the power of my mind allows me to reach the remotest part of the world and beyond. The one thing they couldn't take away from us is our eternal connection. Although he's in a different timeline, we can communicate.

How's that possible?
We have access to the collective and we use it. I see you want to ask what the collective is. It's similar, but a lot more than your primitive internet. Making the connection wipes us out physically and mentally, but it's worth every second so see and hear him.

Do you have any regrets?
Yes, I have only one regret. I regret that I wasn’t smart and careful enough back then to overthrow the Elders and Leaders to gain ultimate power over the clans.
 
Would you kill for those you love?
I have love only for Joland, and I’ve killed many in my life to get the chance to reunite with him. Killing a mortal is like squashing a bug. They die, anyway.
 
How do you think others see you?
Who cares what others think? I don’t. But I guess they see me as a cold hearted, calculating person incapable of feeling remorse. And they’re correct. I don’t care for anyone accept Joland, and anything other than to gain power to rule the clan.
 
Do you have friends?
Haha! Friends, no. Nobody loves me and I hate everyone. I have servants to do my bidding, and that’s enough for me, for now.
 
Who is your greatest enemy?
The Royals and Elders of the clan. I hate all with a passion, but my time will come to take my revenge. If I thread carefully and plan every step, it will be soon.
 
Do you believe you will be successful in your quest?
Yes, I do. I’m immortal, so I have plenty of time to plan and control my pawns in order to reach my goal.
 
What is your greatest fear?
My only fear is the possibility that I’d lose my ability of mind control. My body is useless, and without the power of my mind… I don’t even want to think about that.
 
If you could have three wishes, what would they be?
My first wish is to unite with my beloved Joland. The second wish is to regain my strong, youthful body, my full powers, and gain ultimate control of the clan to rule and be admired forever. My third wish is that you’d stop bugging me and go away.

"I wanted to write a story that I would enjoy reading, and I asked myself. What if there is a secret society with strict rules and laws that exist hidden among us? What if certain members come to possess magical powers? What if those abilities could be used to do good as well." Erika M Szabo
Ilona resigns to live the simple life of a small-town doctor, but her life goes into a tailspin on her birthday. After being thrust into a world of clan mysteries, obscure traditions, and beliefs, Ilona’s life is drastically changing. She starts to develop unusual powers which she finds exciting as well as frightening.

Mora's fury

​If Mora could spit fire, she would have burned her castle down to the foundation. “What the hell’s going on?! Is there anyone in this century that doesn’t interfere with my plans? Now, instead of hating her, the stupid boy protects her.”

Mora’s inside was boiling with anger and frustration, and it took her a while to calm herself enough to think. “Everything seems to be going against my plans. But why? Partly because that moron Seer wanted to protect her… wait a minute! This is interesting development… What if?”

She gathered all her energy, cleared her mind, entered the collective and channeled Joland, “Can you feel and hear me, my love?” projecting her thoughts through the time fold.

It took Joland by surprise; “I didn’t expect you to call me so soon. I’m afraid you’re going to exert yourself, darling, so make it short.”

“I had to contact you because my plans were compromised by the meddling fools. Listen carefully. I don’t have too much time. Watch Mundzuk very closely, follow his every step. It was foretold that he will be the father of the child, but the prevision doesn’t mention who the mother will be. Watch him like a hawk and train your troops, because it’s going to take much more to stop them than I anticipated. I might not be able to destroy the Chosen One in this timeline, so we have to look for other possibilities.”

“I have my men ready, but it’s not going to happen for another two years in my timeline.”

“I know, and I’m doing my best to stop them, but it’s not going to be easy. The final act might fall on your shoulders.”

“I’ll be ready.”

“Joland, one more thing I have to ask you, have you any knowledge of the Chosen One’s Destiny Box?”

“I’ve overheard a legend from the Elders. The box contains secrets from the ancestors, and only the Chosen One could open it.”

“Do you know where this box is?”

“I only know that it’s passed down from generation to generation in the family of one of the Chameleon bloodlines. I don’t know which family and I don’t think anyone knows.”

“I think it’s the family of the Chosen one in this timeline, but I’m not sure yet. I have to go, darling, love you forever.”

“I love you, longer. Rest my love, we will meet again.”
​
Mora severed the connection and, being mentally exhausted, sank into deep sleep.

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