« Reply #1 on: April 20, 2021, 11:24:30 PM »
February 775I shall find no rest.
A request from the man of the Long Death. He sought a guide through the mist and I did not heed the Vistani's omens.
It was to be a simple journey through the Mists. We have done this before, but I was comfortable. Complacent. The grinning skull shrouded in robes stared at us, gleeful and hateful in equal measure. It entrapped us, bid us find the Ezrites it hated and craved. The omen reminded us of the albatross around our necks. The cage was sprung and there would be no light to follow. No stars to guide us.
I began to advance on this jailor, but fear choked me. Could we even defeat it? What if I remain in this cage? What if she were trapped here forever? I would not do that to her at any cost. When those guided by the lost shepherd were found, it was inevitable. The fear spread like a pestilence and infected all within the cave. The dragon drew their ire and the anchorite spoke her words of power. Fire came and brought death not only to us but to those she once guided. The fog settled around my mind. Instincts seized me, the next moments were a blur. Anticipation. Claws and teeth rend their flesh, I tasted their blood and smelled their fear. Hunger. I listened to the blood-curdling screams as the predator tore its prey to pieces. Excitement. My fear and panic lessened at each went still. Triumph. My teeth sunk into the anchorite, her flesh melting into my jaws. Victory. I felt the thrill and it was terrifying.
I stopped and watched the crimson water, the dozen lying accusingly, faces of death staring out in the abject terror I felt within. The woman’s head dangled by threads of sinew. Threads cut by teeth as the hunter wrestled free from his quarry. Still, in the moment of the hunt, I saw the survivors -- children and a frightened father. I at their mother’s remains and retched.
The pause was an eternity. I broke my taboo once more. I needed to help them escape this cage. I opened my mouth, but I was not kind. I barked harsh orders and bid them follow me with a veiled threat. I thought I would lead them to freedom, but the grinning skull greeted us once more. It took the survivors and watched me. I watched. She cried for me to save them. But it was the only way to save her from this cage. Her life was worth more than theirs. He took them, and I felt hollow. There was no worse feeling than to lose her.
I accused the pale snake. It was his fault, not mine. I said it again and She agreed. The voices laughed. I could not shake off the dark intrusions that I relished the kill. As I wiped prey’s blood off my face, I knew I had no fault.
I awoke, but the nightmare did not end.
« Last Edit: June 15, 2021, 03:47:26 PM by Chaoshawk »
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"In all chaos there is a cosmos, in all disorder a secret order."