Abrelictus

I stared up at the tower before me. It was covered in gold. Maybe it was even completely made of gold. I wouldn’t put it past the builders.

My Sister stood before me, her blonde curls dancing around her face from the breeze. She gripped her simple axe tightly, ready to use it. The edge was chipped from chopping wood, and later foes.

All done with me at her side.

I had promised her, way back when she was new to the world, that I would have her back no matter what she chose to do.

I wished I could regret that promise. Especially when the first mortal fell before me and begged for its child’s life. I don’t regret it.

“Ready to bloody those claws of yours?” Sister looked back at me, her feral grin showing off her fangs.

It wasn’t a question. At least, not to me.

I nodded. My lack of a mouth meant I couldn’t respond any other way.

Thick, red tears began to pour from Sister’s eyes. She threw back her head and shouted her hunting cry.

The world screamed in terror.

Poor thing.

Sister charged the gold tower, a river of blood already flowing behind her. I unsheathed my claws and ran after her. I don’t want to be left behind.

The glimmering doors broke easily under Sister’s hardened muscles.

Mortals fell to their knees before us. Their cries sounded like dirges. Like what they sang at Mother’s pyre.

Bright, wet crimson decorated the walls, floors, and us. It was almost beautiful.

Sister was leading me up flights of stairs. Mortals were hiding at that top. I could smell them. I could smell their fear. It was thick in the air, mixed perfectly with the wet smell of iron. There was another smell too. Unknown to me.

Water poured from my eyes.

Sister reached the top first. I leapt up behind her and eyed the two hallways leading in opposite directions. The smell of Mortals came from both.

“I’ll go right.”

Sister trotted away, nose in the air. I turned down the left hallway.

It was quiet.

I flattened my ears and held my arms up, ready to claw out attackers’ eyes.

…

A crash echoed from far ahead. Where the Mortals were.

I could smell a trap.

But I have to kill the Mortals, or else Sister will be disappointed. Plus, if I don’t kill them, Sister will, and she’ll fall into the trap.

I picked up my pace.

…

I rounded the last corner and saw several dozen Mortals ahead. They were all kneeling. Silent. Still. Even the young ones. It was like looking at statues.

I raised my claws. Then brought them down on the nearest one. It made no sound as its throat was torn out of its body.

If I had a mouth like Sister, I would frown.

I tore into the next one.

No cries rang out, no begging, no weeping. Not one Mortal made any noise.

My heart beat fast in my chest as I raised my hands to rip apart the last one, a Mortal child. It had blond curls like Sister. It was the only one so far to do anything. It was looking at me. The young one’s eyes were the same shade of brown mine were. It looked- it looked sad. Sad for me.

I froze.

It spoke.

“Forgive us. We can’t forgive you.” Its eyes held me captive. I didn’t realize what it said until the scent of a trap overwhelmed my nose. I tried to step away, but the blood-stained floor below me turned to quicksand and I began sinking.

For the first time, I screamed. My face ripped open, forming a mouth where no mouth should be. I could feel the sand sucking me down, sucking my very soul below.

Sister’s footsteps shook the tower as she ran towards me. She would be too late.

My arms were sucked under, then my shoulders. Her footsteps came closer. The child cowered, crouched on the floor and hid her face in her arms.

I should have killed you, if only to spare you.

As my head was about to be sucked under, Sister skidded around the corner. Her eyes widened in horror.

“ABRE-”

I disappeared under the sand.

…

I was blinded by light when my eyes next opened. I was floating in the middle of all the light, a dark door in front of me. A huge mound of glimmering dust rested on my hands.

Caught you.

I jolted, sand slipping through my fingers.

Who’s there?

I am.

What?

I’m someone you killed. The voice offered.

That’s a big list to narrow down.

It doesn’t matter.

Okay.

Where am I? Where is Sister?

You are in a prison. Your Sister is not.

I jumped to the important part of the conversation. How do I leave?

You can’t. Your Sister must rescue you before the sand you are

holding drains away.

I closed my fingers, slowing the draining sand to a trickle.

What happens when the sand runs out?

You die. And I have my revenge.

Oh.

I’ll wait then.

And I waited.

And waited.

And waited.

…

I gazed upon the sand slipping off my hands.

Or was it stars?

It’s not important.

Sand or stars, it was all the time Sister had left.

Left to save me.

Glitter escaped my trembling hands.

I glanced up.

The door leading out of my prison of light was still shut.

Was she even coming?

Of course she was.

Is she?

Shut up. She won’t leave me.

The pile in my hands shrank more.

How many years has it been?

It’s only been a few days.

So naïve.

It has!

Right?

You are not young anymore. You should learn.

…

Learn what.

The voice didn’t speak.

I ground my teeth. It felt odd having them.

The stars were slipping away faster.

Please hurry. My thoughts sounded loud.

My hands were light now.

They weren’t light when this started.

I could see the brown stains on my hands again.

Blood.

Blood on a killer.

Feeling guilty yet?

I swallowed.

There was barely any sand left.

Ignore it.

Guilty for what?

So you don’t know. Tragic.

I got the feeling the voice was being sarcastic.

The prison of light was getting dark.

That’s new.

The stars were almost all gone.

She’s not coming.

Told you.

Very helpful.

I could be sarcastic too.

I learned from the best after all.

…

Who was the best again?

It’s so dark.

Why… why is it…

The sand.

It’s gone.

Oh.

Goodbye, Abrelictus. May you rot even in death.