To the Stars End- Original Soul
Page 31
Take your weapon for defence, and flee north to the forests of Cross.
Do not leave the forest or seek aid from guards or woodsmen.
Wait in the forest for the beasts and monsters to come and kill you.
“That's it? Run away and die?” She staggered to her feet as the Kneel commanded finally faded. Her voice sounded distant even to her own ears. “Is that what you do? Anyone who knows too much you just run them off to the forest and let the monsters do your dirty work? Are you that much of a coward?” She wiped at the blood that was blinding her. And caught motion at the top of the stairs next to the master.
“Oh yes. I am a coward. And proudly so. But I am the lord of the Menagerie, master of men and monsters. I give all a sporting chance.” His grin split his face once more as his eyes flashed with light. A massive figure emerging from the shadows next to him.
Goldenhorn’s massive head dipped low to the ground as he stopped next to the master. His skull glittering in the torch light of the Colosseum. The top of his horns and skull all the way down and over his eyes and muzzle was covered in a thick layer of melted gold. The blinded Kathani huffed in massived ragged breaths, clearly in pain as he came to stand next to their master.
“Do you like my work? I finished your project. Though much like your uncle, I’m afraid I am no good at filigree.” He barked another vile laugh and rapped a knuckle atop the solid plate of melted gold spilled over the Kathini’s head. Goldenhorn groaned and dropped to his knees, Flinching away from the pain as his one good ear that had not been covered in gold flattened back across his skull.
“You’re disgusting.” It was all she could muster as she took a step backwards, moving down the stair. The command in her mind flashing into the center of her vision, urging her body to obey. The memory of the pain she would experience if she resisted forcing her body instinctively to obey, leaving her no choice but to follow the commands. She shook her head, dispelling the message to the corner of her vision.
“Come now, I am making it fair aren't I. The blind against the feeble minded. Now run along Mongrel. Run away from your guilt. Runaway from from your failure. Run from your shame from your blood-stained hands and murder of your own beloved Uncle.” he barked a short condecending laugh. “You have until sunrise before this thing comes for you. Go. Run. Run away... and die.” He patted the gold head of the monster, stroking the metal with a sickening fondness for the creature’s suffering in his glowing blue eyes.
Lifting his heavy gold laden head, Goldenhorn turned in her direction. His hot breath steaming from his thick nose as he flicked his ear her way. A slight chuckle slipping from him as he nodded to her slowly. “Heh. Hey Kiddo... You have name?” He asked her once more, his tone light and friendly despite his condition. The question hung in the air between them. In it she felt a pull, something unspoken in those words. The elf Lord Takagi Kindredstar— her master—rolled his eyes and disappeared into the darkness of the Colosseum. Not bothering to glance back to them he scoffed. Flicking only a dismissive wave of his hand at them, his thin profile illuminated by the cold flash of his array dispelling.
She turned away from Goldenhorn as she reached the bottom of the stairs and paused. Tucking a strand of hair behind a slightly pointed ear she looked back over her shoulder to the monster, her friend that would be her death, and smiled. “No… I don’t. But I will get it back.”
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[1]Absolutely brutal. This went to dark places I did not expect. Well done!
[2]added a few comments. my idea was to make people fomd of the beloved Uncle and then give them a "oh the feels" moment when she kills him and burns the place to the ground. this is the spark moment that turns into another person. the moment everything changed.