The earth is careening straight down the tracks to hell and the humans are at fault.
Trapped in the dungeons of an ancient burial grounds and tortured to the brink of insanity, the God and Goddess of balance have been separated, unleashing a terrib...
Like a soft blanket of light, the fire slips out of the door and feeds me the information of several directions. The west is an air supply, the east somewhere deeper and colder.
Torches beyond this prison flicker in response to my own fire, but only illuminate small images in my head for a moment. Other cell doors. Rusted shut over time. Yet this Cellar appears well kept, swept, and dusted.
My door is clean.
This cell is the only place manicured.
Perhaps the others are graves. The foundations of this building are built around bodies and secured with magic sown into the very fabric of the earth.
I pull the fire back through the cracks and into my room, topping it eternally on this candle.
My brother's blade is not labeled falsely. They earn titles through generations of slaughter or creation. He's taken some of our siblings. Slain children of theirs and left his own to wander freely if they follow his ruling.
These very well might be graves.
Footsteps scrape against dust and paved flooring, strolling casually to the front of my door. "How's the concussion treating you, Iridian?"
A small laugh escapes me. "I don't have one, Brother. Such human ailments don't often plague me."
Though my neck did ache and it is true that my muscles are sore, I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing such things. They weren't more than discomforts anyway.
"Someone hit the cut-throat button," Kiel chuckles a little bit. "I don't know where you think that's going to get you,"
"We both know I'm not stupid enough to assume I'm coming out of this until you attempt to kill me again."
I'm sure he goes through a few things in his mind. Kiel's breathing changes for a moment, whether it gets softer or turns into a weird huff I wouldn't know. There's undetectable emotion without seeing his face.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Iridian."
I scoff, sliding my wrists into my lap. The chains rattle again. "I read your blade, Kiel. How many of our siblings did you kill? How many of their children? You might be able to slaughter the lives of many, but the reason I exist is far different than the Gods of Assembly or Safety."
He stutters slightly.
"You were hoping I didn't see right? Hoping I didn't catch the shock on your face when the blade didn't pierce my chest... I know that's why I'm trapped in a gravesite. Or what I can imagine is one. The other cells are memorials for the dead, yes? Is that why this is the only clean cell?"
Kiel's mouth moves to make words, I hear soft, angry mumbles but nothing solidified.
"So you panicked... Grateful I was incapacitated by the hit to the fireplace and hoping I wouldn't have the Mana to break out of this shithole of a cell. Trapped me in chains with more modern magic than the Temple, yet still old enough for me to feel their temporary... I can only assume because this whole situation is to you. That you can kill me and I will die. Or perhaps drive me insane in the dark. You panicked and shoved me in this dungeon of demons and you're just as unsure about any of this as I am."
"You don't know what you're saying," he snaps, smashing the door with his fist. "I'll make you regret ever opening your damn mouth."
I take a deep breath, sighing to myself. "Will you, Kiel? I don't know if what I hear is remorse or fear... But what I do know is I suffered nearly 97 years of insanity and torture... I already wish I was dead. So please do break me, but there's already nothing left."
The tension drops, the weight of sadness, and grief sinking the rage.
He makes a noise to speak, but instead turns on his heel and walks away. The steps are even and slow. It's almost as if the silence is an apology in and of itself.
I know better.
I know that the Fates are the most emotional of any deity. Their souls contain the most empathy in the spectral realm. Nothing could change that.
Not even demented corruption.
Watching Daniel has taught me a lot of things. Being soft isn't always a weakness, his strength is in the balance of determination and understanding. A fact I will forever be envious of.
To feel so deeply and love so hard while making well-guided decisions... Reminds me similarly of Lindon.
Though there are merits to the edge and brutality of apathy, I cannot condone everything I lack.
Kiel reminds me of something in the middle, yet his decisions are misguided and frightful. Malleable. He is confused and easily manipulated. Perhaps ending his existence is where I begin.
Perhaps the God must kill me. Perhaps he has no choice and the world is all meant to explode.
But Kiel will carry this Guilt with him into kingdom come.
Of that, I will make sure.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Good Morning Destroyers!
I'm sorry I disappeared for a little bit, but with Father's Day and all, we all were busy huh? Welcome back! I'm so excited! I get happier with every chapter I write!
I hope you all enjoy, let me know what you think! Don't forget to vote and comment and I will shower you with all the love XD
