Sardinia is a land rich in myths and legends, and among the most chilling is that of S’Orcu 'e Tziviriu, a monstrous creature that has terrorized shepherds and travelers for centuries. Even today, on windy nights, some swear they can hear its breath whispering through the mountains.
The Beginning of the Legend
In ancient times, when nights were darker and shadows deeper, the shepherds of Tziviriu spoke of a giant ogre who lived in a hidden cave among the rocks. They said his body was covered in coarse, black fur, his eyes burned like embers, and his voice rumbled like thunder. Most terrifying of all, it was whispered that he feasted on human flesh, particularly that of children.
Sardinian mothers told this story to their children to keep them from straying too far from home or disobeying. They warned that S’Orcu 'e Tziviriu emerged from the shadows when children misbehaved, and those who wandered too far never returned.
A young shepherd boy, no older than ten years, named Pietro, curious and fearless, refused to believe such tales. “There are no ogres! They’re just stories to scare children!” he told the village elders with a defiant smile. But one day, his small flock mysteriously disappeared into the hills. Desperate and determined to prove himself, Pietro ventured beyond the known lands, towards the dreaded cave of S’Orcu 'e Tziviriu.
The Encounter with the Ogre
The moon was high when Pietro, with his tiny shepherd’s staff clutched tightly in his hand, stood before the dark entrance of the cave. A cold wind blew between the rocks, carrying the stench of burning flesh. As he cautiously stepped forward, his foot struck something hard. He looked down—and his heart froze: bones. Small bones, some still clinging to rotting flesh. His blood ran cold. They were the bones of children.
“Who dares disturb my rest?” a deep voice rumbled from within. The boy swallowed hard but stepped forward, trying to hide the trembling in his legs. “I am Pietro, and I want my flock back!” he called out bravely, though his voice wavered.
From the shadows, an enormous figure emerged, its head grazing the cave ceiling. Its breath was heavy and rancid, its hands massive and clawed. “Your flock is mine now. And perhaps... you will be my next meal.” The ogre grinned, revealing teeth as sharp as daggers.
A Desperate Escape
Pietro, remembering the elders’ stories, knew that ogres feared the light. From his small leather satchel, he pulled out a tiny lantern, the only comfort his mother had given him for his lonely nights in the fields. With a swift movement, he ignited it, illuminating the beast’s grotesque face. S’Orcu 'e Tziviriu roared, shielding its eyes. “Cursed human! The light blinds me!”
Seizing the moment, Pietro dashed deeper into the cave, where he found his flock trembling in the darkness. But beside the sheep lay torn clothing and broken toys—evidence that the missing children had never returned.
With a sharp whistle, he led the flock out of the dark lair. The ogre, still disoriented, tried to grab him but stumbled over the remains of its victims.
Pietro’s small heart pounded as he sprinted toward the exit. He had escaped! He had won! The village would hail him as a hero... But just as he was about to cross the threshold of the cave, a giant shadow loomed over him.
A clawed hand clamped around his tiny ankle.
His frightened scream was swallowed by the darkness.
The Legend Lives On
That night, the sheep returned alone to the village. The elders waited for Pietro, but the boy was never seen again.
Since then, shepherds have warned their children about Pietro and the ogre of Tziviriu, reminding them never to wander too far, for in the darkness, something far more terrifying than a mere shadow may be lurking.
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