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An orphan. A poor, lost child of the sea; broken, abandoned, unwanted. Nobody knew where I came from, who my parents were, or even what to call me. No ships had been reported missing, no families searching for a child, it was as if I were created from the ocean itself.
This was what I had always been told whenever I asked about my childhood. I had been found on the shore, unconcious and unaware of anything about my previous life. They took me in, comforted me, raised me. Funny, really. I considered them my family, my guardians, parents. But the only name I had ever known them by was them.
Who were they? Such a good question, but with no certain answer. They were a close-knit group of villagers, come together for a common purpose. They were tired of the tyrany that ruled the country; they wanted to end the dictatorship that controlled their lives and brought such misery and hardship; they were going to overthrow the government that held their village in its tight grasp. And they believed I could help them acheive this goal.
Thus begins the most difficult and painful journey of my life.
Shuffling along the darkened passageway, I glanced up at the silent guard accompanying me. His square jaw closed tightly, he stared straight ahead, fist constantly gripping the base of my wing, guiding me along the dimly lit passageway. I hid a smile in the veil that was wrapped around my face, the custom for young unmated girls in the village. I knew I was making him uncomfortable. For years I had been by far the most attractive female for miles around, and this I knew. Though hidden now, the veiled tradition was only observed in the strictest of situations, in everyday public I walked openly without the mask, enjoying the steady stream of admirers I had.
The guard had said little in our trip through the maze of tunnels and passageways underground. A word here to warn of a low ceiling, a murmur there asking me to watch my step. The half hour travel would have been quite boring if it hadn't been for my constant toying with the poor Hissi. I would flip the veil slightly to the side, just enough so that he could catch a glimpse of my full features, and then chirp out a girly "thank you" or giggle. This wasn't how I always acted. I was usually a quiet, almost shy thing with little to say and having little interaction with others. My mannerisms were quite un-feminine, actually, so I was surprising even myself with the amount of entertainment I was generating by making the fumbling guard uncomfortable.
I ceased the playfulness, however, when I saw we were nearing the council chambers. It wouldn't do to have the elders spying my "undignified" behavior. With my free wing, I adjusted the veil over my face so that the lower half was completely disguised, and then took several deep, calming breaths.
Being summoned to the elder's council was somewhat of an unnerving experience, even if one had gone through it several times (like myself). One was always treated the same: no matter what the reason that you were summoned, you would always be treated like a prisoner, a criminal. This might have had something to do with the fact that the elders, especially the women of the group, found fault in everything they observed, no matter how insignificant or unimportant it may seem.
The guard knocked on the door twice. Almost immediately the thick wooden door swung open, and I was roughly shoved forward into the room. Resisting the urge to massage my wing where it had been in the Hissi's tight grip for so long, I blinked rapidly, trying to get my eyes to adjust to the sudden surge of bright light I found myself in. Several gruff coughs alerted me that I was in the presence of others, so I willed myself to remain still while waiting to be addressed.
Seated in a half circle around me were twelve elders, 9 of them male and 3 female; obviously even the gender biases of the present day had leaked into the council. The silence was broken by an unapproving tutter from one of the females. Her gaze bored into mine, mouth turned down in distatste. "Young ones these days. Lowering their veils more and more with each passing day; I wouldn't be surprised if one day they just did away with them altogether.".
An agreeing murmur rippled through the crowd, and I knew this wasn't the best way to start off with the elders, especially since I didn't know why I had been summoned in the first place. The male on the furthest left, an old withering creature that was seemingly all wrinkles and sagging muscles, spoke above the mumble. "Hush Alexandra, we didn't call this young one here to chastise her." A quick wink in my direction let me know that he was on my side, and I felt comforted to know that I wasn't completely surrounded by hostile strangers.
The group was silenced by that one comment, and I continued my quietness respectfully. Nothing angered the elders like an impertinent adolescent. A voice to my right spoke sharply. "Well, I suppose you are wondering why we brought you here, is that so?" I cast my eyes to the floor, wondering what the best answer was. If I answered yes, truthfully, they might think of me as disrepectful. However, if I answered no, they would probably consider me thoughtless. Slowly, I replied softly. "Yes, sir.".
I guess this must have been the right answer to choose, because I met with no dissatisfied mumble. The same elder continued, his voice weak in his age. "We have...a problem. I'm sure you've heard of the organization working to overthrow the government that currently rules us, yes?" He paused briefly while I nodded intently. "Well you see, recently, they've expressed to us a sudden interest in you. Rather, they have always asked us to monitor you, but for the past few weeks, we have been given stricter orders about you.".
I was unable to surpress the shocked gasp. "Me? What could they possibly want from me?" As soon as I spoke, I knew that my outburst wasn't looked too kindly among the group. Several of the females let out angry hisses, and I received many glares from various spots in the room. The speaker, however, kept calm, both his voice and gaze remaining steady.
."When you came here, everybody knew that you would grow to be quite the beautiful creature. We were asked to make sure that you learned well and grew into a charming and respectful youngling." Here, his eyes twinkled and my face flushed. The idea that I had been discussed previously, probably many times before, was slightly unnerving. "I believe we've done our duty well, and apparently, so do they. They asked that we summon you, prepare you, and send you to them. They have a great task that you, and only you can help them with.".
I sat in stunned silence, warily keeping my thoughts to myself. I still didn't understand how I could possibly be that interesting, and was wondering what on earth I could do for them that no one else could.
The one who had defended me earlier spoke now, his voice heavy with genuine concern and kindness. "You will be accompanied to their meeting place tonight, where things will be explained to you as fully as the organization deems necessary. From that point on, you will take orders from them, do everything they say, and hopefully, help bring us closer to freeing us from the tyranny that possesses the land.".
Nobody spoke for quite some time, and then at last, the elder at the center of the table raised his head. "If there is nothing further to discuss, you may leave now." He nodded to someone behind me, and I turned to see my guard friend from before. He reached to grab my wing once more, but I was not ready to let him cut off all circulation in that wing once more. I jerked it back, glaring defiantly at him, before turning to lead myself to the door. The rest of the elders had already taken up conversation, probably about my bold behavior, but I ignored them. I was so focused on escape that it took me several moments to realize somebody was whispering my name quietly.
Peering around quickly, I saw that it was the elder who had spoken so kindly to me. His eyes were round with urgency, and he spoke quietly so as not to draw attention to ourselves.
."Seviper, I just wanted to warn you, about your meeting tonight. The organization, they will be made up of people from the village, people you know, people you trust." I was startled by the intensity of his whisper, and I suddenly became uneasy about my meeting tonight. Still, I forced myself to pay attention to what he was saying, as he seemed very bothered about the matter. "When you arrive at the meeting, just remember...These people really do care for you, no matter what you think.".
Such a strange thing to tell me. What did he possibly think, that if I saw somebody I knew there, that I would suddenly become furious with them? That I would turn my back on someone I loved just because they were a member of an organization? It made me sad that he thought so little of me, although I was also under the impression he was just a crazy old man. But I had to mind my manners, he was an elder. Ducking my head gratefully, I murmured a soft reply. "I will keep that in mind, thank you for letting me know ahead of time." His face lit up happily, and I turned away toward the door, putting the strange warning out of my mind almost immediately.
I barely remember the travel back home. I let the guard lead me through the maze of tunnels and chambers, following him mindlessly. When we were back above ground, I hardly registered the bright sunlight and fresher air, simply sliding over the dusty ground without a word to passing friends. My thoughts were centered on the upcoming summons; and more specifically, what they would want me to do for them.
The organization was incredibly powerful and had a very high influence over all the people of the village: even those who weren't considered members. Surely any job they needed to be completed could be done by any number of other more talented, useful people.
-Work in progress, check back later! 8[D ((I like to work on things out of order, so some of the chapters may have stuffs in them. DUN LOOK IF YOU DUN WANNA SEE THE SPOILER.
A reunion of sorts.
A mission doomed to fail.
It was difficult to take in my dramatic new appearance. The first time I saw myself in a mirror, I was immediately disgusted. What had those stylists done to me? My eyes had been highlighted with a powdery substance over them, and my veil perfectly positioned so that my face remained mysterious and vague. The natural white swirling patterns that covered my skin had been accented with shimmering white gems, and even though the overall effect was beautiful, it didn't feel quite right. I was unable to peel off the rhinestones, but managed to rub away some of the powder before I met up with Djinn once more.
He waited patiently outside my room until I had finished, and so I hurried outside to see what he thought. When I pushed away the curtain, his gaze took on a serious tone, the sparkle in his eyes dulling. I looked down, searching for his source of discomfort. "What, is something wrong?"
He cleared his throat gruffly and avoided my eyes. "You look so grown up…" I allowed myself a slight smile, before remembering that he wouldn't be able to see it behind the veil. I gave him a light hug and he continued talking, his voice cracking several times.
."This mission…It's so dangerous. We were so against allowing you to participate. I was so afraid for you, for what might happen if anything went wrong, even what would happen if everything went accordingly. You have to understand that we love you so much. I can't bear to do this to you, but we--." A slight shudder rippled through him and he closed his eyes tightly, his voice dropping to a murmur. "Seviper, we didn't make this decision. We were threatened.".
I pulled away from him, and stared at his face carefully to make sure that I heard his words carefully. "They told us that if we didn't comply…Sev, they held a blade to little Airae's neck. What else could we do?" His eyes were wide with terror and stress, and I found myself frozen in place. I had forgotten that these people I was helping, they took their work with the utmost of seriousness and graveness.
I blinked slowly, letting this sink in. At last, when I heard the footsteps of guards coming around the corridor, I gave Djinn one last hug. "Everything will be fine, I promise I won't let them hurt Airae." He returned my hug and then released me, turning me towards the direction of the impatiently waiting guard. "I know Sev, I know. Bye baby.".
I slithered away from him, , worried that this would be the last time I would ever see my father.
When I neared the guard, I was pleased to notice he was the same who had escorted me to my earlier meeting with the elders. He placed his hand lightly on my back to indicate which direction we were traveling in, and I decided to get as much entertainment out of the situation as I could. It seemed like it would be a while before I would have fun again. Glancing up at him through wide eyes, I pressed against his arm and snuggled towards his warm body. It was all I could do not to burst out laughing when, eyes widening in shock, his face flushed and he quickly stepped away.
I didn't recognize the path we had taken on the way to the room, but we soon arrived back at the chamber where the Thrahyn adjourned. The guard nodded his head towards the thick door, and I figured he was still too embarrassed about my flirting to try and steer me in the correct direction. I murmured a quick "Thank you," then knocked on the solid planking.
The door swung open almost instantly, as if I had been expected. A timid face peered around the frame, and I concealed my shock at seeing Varyn's frightened eyes staring into mine. If he was here, then did they also have…I pushed the door open further a little more roughly than I should have with my younger sibling standing behind it, but that didn't matter. I had to see if they had the rest of my family.
As I burst through the doorway, I was met with the restraining hands of two burly guards. Their shoulders were thick and wideset, and I couldn't help but shake as I was held between the two. I was unable to move, unable to follow my every instinct and run to comfort my wailing siblings. For sure enough, my little brothers and sisters sat huddled in a corner, their frantic little faces showing their terror and confusion. When I saw the trickle of blood streaming down Airae's face, and the bruise beginning to form around Lyssa's eye, I went berserk. I writhed about, trying to sink my fangs into the two guards, yelling, howling, anything that would release me and allow me to go to them.
Eventually, though, I was able to control my struggling. However, I could not keep the growl from my voice as I addressed the chief of the Thrahyn. "Why are they here? What has been done to them?".
A smile played on the edge of her lips, as if she found the entire scene amusing. Raising her eyebrows, she walked around the table and began towards me. Upon her approach, the guards' grip on me became tighter, as if they were worried about me trying to attack her. But there was no danger of that. I wouldn't harm the person who held my family's life in her hands.
."Why, my dear Seviper, they haven't been particularly harmed." As I let out a frustrated hiss, she sighs and rewords her phrase carefully. "No permanent damage has been caused to your siblings. They were simply brought here to insure your cooperation. You see, we weren't sure that even if, once you were in the Capitol, that you would follow our instructions. And we can't have that, can we? Especially now that you are armed with such important information as to our whereabouts and specific members of the leadership." Her eyes narrow, and I suddenly realize that they brought my brothers and sisters here because they are afraid of me. Afraid of what I know, and what I can do with this knowledge.
My mouth suddenly felt very dry, so I licked my lips before replying warily. "I would never do such a thing that you're suggesting." She rolled her eyes, and continued walking toward me, so that her face was almost touching mine. "You see, girl, that your word isn't enough. Don't worry, if you comply with everything we ask, the younglings won't be harmed." She stopped talking, and from a pocket in her belt she pulled out a thin piece of twine. Connected to one end was the most gorgeous blue orb, the inside contained a swirling blue material that convulsed and pulsated in the light. At the center of the matter, was a brown dragon emblem. The object was so beautiful, yet so unlike anything I had ever seen.
."This is a communicator that our magicians created. It will enable us to talk to you wherever you are, and whenever we wish." She slid it over my head and is rested on one of my spines, hanging over my chest. I stared down at it, transfixed by the hypnotizing motion, until she continued talking. "When we use it, you will be able to see us, and we shall be able to see you. And if you should disobey our orders…" Her voice lowered to a dangerous level. "You will watch your family being murdered, one by one, along with their parents.".
So this is how they plan on controlling me. My body went limp while my mind processed this information. Every time I made a mistake, did something that displeased them, the young ones would be hurt. And I would be made to watch. And even worse, I would watch Djinn's and Rhia's reactions to the suffering I caused my brothers and sisters. I closed my eyes, wanting to block out the world. But the whimpers of Airae, Varyn, and Lyssa cut through my reverie like nothing else could.
My voice came out in a throaty whisper, because I didn't have the strength to do anything more. "I'll behave." The head of the Thrahyn nodded, a sweet smile playing on the edges of her features. "Of course you will. Now, you have already been briefed on the mission, so I see no further need for discussion. You will be accompanied into the citadel with the next shipment of prisoners, and as the story we've fabricated for you is quite delicious," She grinned maliciously while my insides churned. What kind of criminal had they made me out to be? "We are quite confident that you will be taken into the dungeons, and soon begin your ah….interaction with the prisonmaster.".
As she walked back to her seat, I imagined all the parts of this plan that could go wrong. What if I was simply killed immediately? What if the executioner didn't even meet me, and one of their other artists of torture worked on me? What if he didn't even feel anything towards me? The list dragged on and on, and by the time I just gave up on this, I had considerably dampened my hopes for this. Even if it did work out, I still didn't see how I could get out of this without some extent of physical or mental damage.
I took several deep breaths to calm myself, for I was on the verge of losing myself again. As she sat down, I stared at her, waiting for her to continue. I had nothing left to say. Apparently, neither did she, for the council member to her right nodded at the guards who still held me aloft, and I was released roughly. Still shaking in anger, I turned away and started toward the door, not looking back.
As the wooden cart lurched along the dusty road, I noticed the faces of those around me. All were ashen and fearful, with varying degrees of panic and desperation. This wasn't very reassuring, but I swallowed my fears and concentrated on the task ahead. I figured that it wouldn't be fairly difficult: I already entertained myself in flirting with the village boys, how much different could this be? Yet I knew that this wasn't going to be some petty infatuation on his part: he must actually fall in love with me. Enough so to abandon everything at my simple wish and follow me into the unknown. To do so, I would have to be so very convincing in my task, I would have to stand on the verge of loving him myself. Anything less, and the whole plan would fail. And on this point, the majority of my fears reside.
When the citadel came into view, my heart sank even lower. With its cinderblock walls that towered unbelievably high, carefully guarded entrances and the thick layer of grime and filth that covered everything was the very embodiment of despair and hopelessness. Although this, of course, was a prison, so obviously its outer appearances would be gloomy. But it wasn't just the exterior that frightened my very soul: it was the stench of death and misery that engulfed the senses as soon as the place came into view.
I closed my eyes as the cart pulled up to the only gate, unable to face the thought that my last view moments of freedom were coming to an end. I listened to the casual, cheery even, chat of the cart driver and the creatures who manned the gate, and then the wooden frame beneath us jerked forward and our journey resumed.
I finally opened my eyes as the gate's doors began to slowly creak their way back into position, my eyes devouring my final glimpse of open land and happiness. When the oak planks groaned into place, I felt something inside me go limp. That was it. Who knew if I would ever escape this desolate place alive? It was as if I had just sat and watched the last of my years die before my eyes.
I wanted so badly to curl up, shut out the rest of the world and simply sleep. It would be such a relief to be able to escape into the safe world of my dreams, but I could hardly do so on a rickety cart, full of grief-stricken passengers headed to our deaths. So I crouched on the damp straw, waiting. Waiting.
I don't know how long it was when the wooden buggy jolted to a stop, but when it did, its entire contents flew forward, forming a tangle of creatures. We struggled in silence for several minutes; everybody too drained of feeling to yell or argue. When I managed to separate myself from the writhing crowd, the conductor of the cart was in the process of unlatching the door. I waited patiently to the side so that I wouldn't get caught up in the bustle of those trying to free themselves. When the majority of them had gotten out of the cart, I followed behind, careful to stay away from the hungry whip of an irate guard.
They commanded that we march forward, and so we did. Through stone passageways lined with great gargoyles, across an open courtyard full of withering and dying flowers. How suiting for such a place. At last, we came upon a set of dank stairs, leading down into the very heart of the castle. I slithered cautiously down the first few steps, wary of the panicking crowd before me. Apparently several of our group are afraid of underground.
Several angry shouts erupted from above me, and I was violently pushed to the side as the bristling guard forced his way to the cause of the holdup. I heard gruff yelling, and then the area before me cleared quickly, as nobody wanted to be in the way of the whip-happy Tonu. My eyes widened in shock as his arm shot upwards, his fury directed at a frail old man who seemed barely able to move properly in his age. Without thinking, I let out a cry of alarm and hurried towards them. I wasn't sure what I was going to do, but I knew that I had to do something to prevent the wrongful punishment of this fragile elder.
I threw myself at him just as the whip began its descend towards the man's unprotected back. My shriek of pain was cut off by the guard's furious yell. Where the leather had struck me, I felt blood trickling down my back and open flesh stinging. Before I had time to do anything else, the butt of the whip rammed me in the jaw, and I was knocked unconscious.
When I awoke, I was inside a tiny cell, dimly lit and seemingly as ancient as the castle itself. I lifted my head but quickly lowered it once more as stabs of pain laced across my back. I managed to turn my gaze towards the rust-covered bars, staring at the flames eating away a candle that was my only source of light. A bucket rested beside the entrance to the cell, and I assumed it contained water, but I was too weak to try and reach it, even though my throat burned with thirst. I closed my eyes, hoping to fall back into my less-painful sleep when a voice reached my ears from several cells over. I was unable to see who was talking, but the voice was filled with terror.
."Please, please stop this!" The speaker was sobbing as they spoke, and I detected a note of hysteria underneath the initial panic and fear. I wanted to reach out and comfort this person, as they seemed quite upset, but I wasn't able to muster the strength. Besides, I supposed I would have plenty of time to make friends with my neighbors.
But I was truly shocked when a voice answered in return, but this once contained no hint of terror. Instead, every word was saturated with icy malice and contempt. "Shut up, worthless scum. I guess you've had enough for today, I'll see you again tomorrow." Even though I couldn't see him, I sensed the cruel grin that accompanied the words. And then a slithering sound, the scraping of scales against the rough stone floors. Growing closer.
I wished I could scramble upright, assume a more dignified and less vulnerable position than flat on the floor, but once again the lacing pain in my back forced me to lie still. So I suited myself with turning my head and gazing up at the prison bars resentfully.
As my eyes glazed over with a cold hatred, I remembered that I was supposed to be making this fellow like me. And shooting spitefulness at him probably wasn't the best way to do so. So I hastily assumed what I hoped was a pose of both beauty (well, as much as I would be able to in such a position), and openness.
Two choices that will end in disaster. Choose.
Trapped.
I stared at the cold walls surrounding me. There was only one window in the tiny room, letting in light along with a warm breeze. I slithered over to the opening, staring down at the ground far below. Would he have put something over the window to prevent me from escaping? I cautiously extended my wing, surprised to find that it passed through smoothly and undisturbed. I pulled it back inside, and leaned my head over the sill. The earth was so impossibly far down, there was no possible way for me to escape without falling to my death. The injury to my right wing I had sustained previously had healed wrong, and I knew that I would probably never be able to fly again. I wondered what he would do if I leaped out the window, just to escape forever in this prison.
At this moment, the breeze suddenly turned icy. The room behind me darkened, and I sensed the presence of something behind me. Jerking around, I saw him. But he had changed, he was so different it pained me to look at him. But it had to be him. The same grin, same twinkling eyes and cool mask hiding all emotion. However, everything else had been altered. Rather than the dark navy I was used to, his scales were now a deep copper red. Those sparkling blue eyes I admired so much now glittered a brilliant shade of light green. But midway down his neck, his body disappeared into a mass of swirling black cloud, a convulsing vortex of dark matter.
There were so many things I wanted to say. So many things that needed to be said. But the first words that bubbled to my mouth were a result of shock and exhaustion, I wasn't thinking clearly and immediately after speaking I wished I hadn't.
."Rhhola...what did they do to you?".
His eyes widened, and then narrowed in fury. "What did they do to me?! What did THEY do to me?!" His voice wasn't loud, but it still hurt just as much as if he had screamed at me. He made no move, but a blunt object struck me on the side of my face, knocking me to the floor. Ignoring the pain on my cheek, I remained on the floor, letting him bruise me with his words. "YOU caused all of this. Because of you I have become this. Because of you I suffered through the most agonizing experience anybody could possibly imagine. Because of you I died. Don't ask me what they did to me, beause we both know very well who's to blame.".
I closed my eyes, remembering that night. It hadn't been fair. How could they have put me in that situation: make me choose between the death of people I loved? I had justified my choice with the fact that I hadn't known what they would do to him, but it was clear that he wouldn't have made it out of that forest unscathed. But it wasn't fair. It just wasn't fair.
I wanted to explain to him. I wanted him to understand why I chose as I did, that I everything we shared was real. I wanted him to know that I had never meant to hurt him, that pain caused to him cut into me three times as deep. "Rhhola...I'm so sorry." My voice only came out as a whisper, because as I spoke, my chest began to shake with racking sobs, great choking gasps that took my breath away. Even as I said it, I knew that whatever I told him would make no difference in his thoughts of me. What I had done was unjustifiable, unforgivable. Whatever I said, it didn't matter. It didn't matter.
He remained silent, but maybe I imagined his glower softening, his gaze losing some of the icyness. Slithering over to him, I passed through the mass of swirling blackness around him. It did nothing as I walked through it, but the chilly vortex formed small ice crystals on my scales. His skin was much warmer though. He was taller than me, as he had always been, which made it so much easier to rest my head on his shoulder. I closed my eyes, soaking in his warmth. I was too content to wonder what he thought of this, whether he would hit me again or whether I had been forgiven.
He made no move to reject nor return my affection, just stood stiffly while tears leaked out of my eyes onto his rust-colored scales. "I love you," I murmured, taking a shuddering breath to try and calm my crying. I waited for him to say something. I longed for him to respond. Even if he simply dismissed my statement, I wanted him to do something other than wait in this awful quiet. We remained there for a while, until my weeping became more subdued and less noisy. At long last, he spoke. His voice was hard and cracked in places, as if he were finally letting out words that he had waited so long to say.
."After...after you abandoned me (here I let out a small whimper), "I had never been so terrified in my life. They somehow managed to release the spirits--the spirits of all those I'd killed and tortured before. They chased me throughout the forest, never ceasing their manic pace, and finally, I collapsed, unable to continue on. I waited for them to come kill me." He sucked in a quick breath and I realized I had been holding mine in as well. "You can not imagine what agony they caused me. I knew it was punishment for all I had inflicted in my lifetime, but it was so much worse, knowing that you did this to me purposefully.".
He paused, as if collecting his thoughts. I sensed that he was editing parts of the story, as if he still cared enough about me to not want to cause me additional pain while thinking about his.
."The spirits spoke to me then. They told me that I had done so much wrong. Caused so much suffering and sorrow that they had decided upon a special 'reward' for me." I glanced up at his face to see that his eyes were tightly closed, the color drained from his face and his snout quivering.
."They explained a process of the deepest dark magic. I was....they killed me. Then brought me back to life to torture me again and kill me once more. This was repeated many times." I shut my eyes, wishing that I could block out the image in my head. I didn't want to listen to the rest of the story, but I knew I must. "They told me that once a soul was split from its body enough times, the body would eventually become without form, and the creature an immortal being that they could control." He opened his eyes, and I was surprised to find that they were clear and thoughtful. His voice became quiet and calculating.
."I was put in charge of...a maze. Of sorts. It's a labyrinth, but one of completely unimaginable concepts. This creation...is tuly remarkable really. The entire thing is living and breathing. The maze watches, it acts, it thinks." Rhhola gulped in several quick breaths. If the moment weren't so serious, I would have thought it funny. "The maze draws its energy from a source of life. The creature is bonds with becomes one with the labyrinth, they work and act together." He was staring at me now, watching my face for a reaction that wasn't coming. Because I knew what he was going to say next yet I still hadn't comprehended it. "Sev, I am the maze. It breathes with me, it thinks with me...This maze. It isn't for the living. It serves a purpose.".
."When creatures die, they must pass through. It is my job to...test them." He shuddered ever so slightly, and I knew that unlike his other job, this was one that he did not truly enjoy. "I have to create horrors from the pits of my darkest imagination, unleash them on the victims of the maze and watch as they struggle in a battle for not only their lives, but for their souls. In such a system, it is impossible for the weak to triumph." He dropped his gaze; he was too ashamed to look at me.
."Children, elderly, sick. I must not hold back against any being, no matter their condition or who they are. Sev, it kills me. But I have to keep doing this.".
I pulled my head slightly off his shoulder so I could look him fully in the face. I was thoroughly shocked. I had known him. I knew who he was, and that was why I loved him; because even though he loved his former hobby, he had always stuck true to his values. He would not harm elders or younglings, would not torment an ill creature, even though he caused pain he did only what his masters ordered him to. He was a monster, yes, but he had control. But this was completely different.
."Rhhola, you can't just murder innocent people! You can't miaim poor younglings or force a sick person to fight for their life against an unknown terror! Rhhola this is wrong!" I bared my teeth at him angrily.
He backed away from me, his eyes glazing over with that cold mask. "I have no choice! I must do this, it doesn't matter whether I like it or not, nor does it mean anything what morals I value!".
I let out a low growl. Those wordss struck an emotional chord, and it was difficult to keep myself from leaping at his throat. My words came out slowly, and I put as much venom into them as I could muster. "There is always a choice. Don't stand there and tell me that you have no choice..
He glared at me for several moments before replying. "Would you like to know why I must do this? Because of you. Because you betrayed me, they were able to capture my esscence in the midst of those deaths. I have to obey them. I'm forced to." His voice was rising along with his temper. "You ruined my life, and if that wasn't good enough, you destroyed my death as well!".
I opened my mouth to speak but he cut me off before I could respond.
."Don't bother. I should have known what you were as soon as I set eyes on you. I guess sometimes the most gorgeous creatures are also the most hideous. I'm glad they've placed you here. Your only escape is death. And when yours catches up with you, I'll be waiting, my love." The last two words were uttered with such spite that I cringed away from him.
He stared out of the window while I searched for words to say. He turned back toward me, with a grin stretching across his face.
."Make music for me. It's what I survive by now, its what feeds my energy. But music is so hard to find in such a place of death and despair." He raised an eyebrow, while I stared at him in bewilderment.
."Write songs. Poems, pages upon pages of music, just for me. When I return, maybe your song will soften me. Maybe your songs can teach me to love again. Just make me beautiful music, and I'll try to feel for you again." He twisted his head to the side to look at me from a different angle. "You really are beautiful, you know. Make me beautiful music. And I promise I will do my best to keep death as far away from you as possible. I'll give you a new set of wings. I'll give you freedom. Just make me beautiful music.".
I couldn't speak. I was so stunned at his sudden mood change that I had no thoughts; my head was spinning with the lies he was creating, for I knew they were nothing but cleverly woven lies. But that one phrase stuck in my mind. Make me beautiful music.
He turned away from me and his entire being began to shimmer and distort, as if he were disappearing. During this process, he turned around, the same sly grin stretched across his features. "I don't love you. I never have, and never will." And then he vanished.
Make me beautiful music.
My head was spinning. Make me beautiful music. I needed to lie down, but the room was swaying and the bed seemed to awfully far away. Make me beautiful music. Suddenly the floor rose until it was touching my face; or had I fallen? Make me beautiful music. I reached up with my good wing, seeking something to grab onto for support while I tried to regain my balance. Make me beautiful music. It landed on a solid wood desk, but when I tried to upright myself, my claws skittered across the surface, dragging down a pile of fluttering papers that swirled around my head. Make me beautiful music. One of the sheets of blank paper landed in front of my face, and as I stared, the words were burned into my mind. Make me beautiful music. I needed no pen, as soon as I thought the words they appeared on the paper: how convenient. Make me beautiful music.
I bleed my heart out on this paper for you
So you can see what I can't say
I'm dying here
Cause I can't say what I want to
I bleed my heart out just for you
I shall wait here, just like a princess waiting on her hero to come rescue her. And when my prince comes, I'll have so much beautifu music to show him he will be overjoyed. Maybe I'll gain my freedom. Maybe I'll earn a new pair of wings. Maybe he'll love me again. And so I wait, making beautiful music for my love.
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