Looking across the battlefield;
One Brave Soldier
One Cowardly Refugee;
Both understand
Their means of doing are different
Even so
Death ensues;
One Brave Soldier
One Cowardly Refugee
Both understand
War is only a means of death
Even so
They can't seem to see;
They can't look past
Their own-
-Noses;
Death ensues;
Once there was a boy that had the attributes of the devil. Black hair and green eyes. He was viewed as ugly, a hideous demon and was kicked out of the village into the forest. The little boy was just six years old when they banished him. They hoped he would die there, but the boy could see things in ways others could not. He never missed a single shot, be it him throwing a rock or shooting a bow. And he could create traps that would leave the greatest hunters in awe. He was so patient that moss would form on his head when hunting. He was truly a genius in his own right.
The boy would go about hunting in the forest for years after until he got completely used to the forest and its quirks. One day the boy took a trip to the plains to hunt some food. He had killed an elk with a spear and went to collect his food. But in place of the elk he had caught he found a baby girl. The baby girl had a head full of short silver strands and beautiful golden eyes. There was a tag attached around her arm it read “Ko”. He assumed that was her name. The boy for some strange reason unknown to even himself he kissed the girl on the forehead. He wondered where the girl came from, but soon worried about other things.
The boy was constantly living a life extreme danger and could not take care of a baby. And he did not want the baby to die. How could he let something so precious die? Therefore he decided to bring the baby to his old village. Even though it was a treacherous journey he knew he had to do it. He needed to save the mysterious girl named Ko.
The young man travelled miles upon miles for weeks on end until he finally reached civilization. By then the pelts he used as clothes were in tatters and he had cuts all over his body. Even so he was smiling, he had finally accomplished his goal. Now all he had to do was sneak the girl into the village. He already had it planned out. The boy would go at night, and leave the girl at an orphanages doorstep. He hoped that she would be okay.
That very night he arrived the boy snuck through the village gate in the cover of the shadows. He ran down the street avoiding the occasional drunk. He was scared of the villagers, and people in general. He practically feared them like they were demons themselves. But he pushed through for the Ko’s sake. Finally the sound of his rushed footsteps stopped and all that could be heard was the wind blowing. He put the girl in a basket he weaved and brushed her hair assure. He kissed her on the forehead and wished her luck. Without a word he left the village.
But never really left, he always stayed at the forest's edge watching the girl making sure she was okay. The village accepted the girl saying she was a gift from God. She had God's attributes after all, silver hair and golden eyes. She was looked at like a princess by the common folk.
Day after day, year after year he watched her grow up. Never interfering only watching, he just wanted to make sure she was okay. He only ever looked away to gather food.
He watched his little girl grow up and soon she was almost sixteen and he was twenty six. He was happy to see she had friends, and longed to meet her. But he forgot how to interact properly with people after being away so long. He was afraid he would be pushed away.
The day of Ko’s sixteenth birthday something happened. Ko started screaming and writhing on the ground in pain. Her hair started to glow, and suddenly she stood up. The young man felt a strange evil power emanate from the girl. Ko was jerking weirdly and her pupils mutated into deformed spheres and shapes. The young man went to help her but she started running in the opposite direction.
After that she started a ruthless slaughter, she left no one untouched. She would kill people with a flick of a finger and bat of her eyelash. She truly was godlike in this sense. She killed the people that looked up to her so much like they were nothing. The boy ran after her and found the village streets littered with corpses and people wailing in pain. He kept running until he found her at the center of the village. He talked to the girl begging her to stop the massacre she was creating. He asked her just to go back to how she used to be. To that Ko replied “Who are you?” And punched him full force in the chest. He was sent flying and felt many ribs shatter and break. A rib had surely punctured his lungs and he was losing his lifeblood fast. The boy laid against the building he crashed into smiling with blood dripping down the side of his lips. He reached into his makeshift belt and pulled out his knife. He saw Ko and smiled even more. With a grin that reached his eyes he threw the knife.
The blade soared through the air and by the time Ko heard it she was to late. She had turned around only for the knife to pierce through her head. “Wha-.” Is all she could get out before she died. Unfortunately for her this young man never misses.
The young man crawled over to Ko’s corpse and looked her dead in her wide open eyes. They were still beautiful. The young man pulled the knife out of her forehead and kissed right where he had when he first met her. It was a kiss of death and life. He took the knife and stabbed himself straight through the stomach and waited to die.
With this he could finally be together with Ko. The real Ko.
“She had such a nice voice.”
The young man boy smiles and dies.
The man died nameless to everyone. He died a hero in the eyes of the villagers. And a villain to the people who know the full story. But to him, he was just dead.
A new horizon brings new hope;
Hope seekers gather here
Treasure and Riches is what they hear;
Kings proclaim an ant is an elephant
Creating conflict all anew;
When you gather at the horizon in search of hope
In its stead, the church chimes ring red;
They come for the gold
And leave to the rich man below
Despair is all they know;
Hope is on the Horizon for new adventurers to seek
Hand in hand the cycle repeats
Hope brought up
So it can crash down;
Leaving nothing left
Not even the crown;
Pandora’s Box foretells
Do not trust it
A wolf in sheep's clothing;
Hope
Masked despair;
A new horizon brings new hope;
Beware;
I scratch another tally onto my worn and damp jail wall and sigh while laying in the corner of my cell. Day 2190, Otherwise known as...my sixth birthday. I don’t even know why I’m keeping track, it’s not like anyone here cares. Nor anyone out there for that matter, no one seems to even know I exist. And when they do know who I am, or what ever I am they proclaim me a devil. I am some monster in their eyes, not because I murdered someone, not because my mom died after giving birth to me. No I’m a devil in their eyes because of my shining silver hair. They only allow me to live malnourished as I am in this hell hole because I have God’s green eyes. That’s right, you heard correctly because I have nice eyes they let me live. I must be the best of both worlds then! Get it because I have green eyes, but silver...ha...I honestly would kill myself here and now if not for the fact I am afraid. I am afraid of being reincarnated again just to be ostracized because of who I am. What I am. I figure I will always have a prison whether it be a forest, or a churches dungeon. I figure I will always be held captive because of who I am.
I can create things in my head, I can make them disappear when I want to, or make them stay. I miss Ko...I never let her leave my side not ever. She stays beside me, I know she is a product of my imagination. I just don’t want her to be gone. She’s all I have, all I have ever had. She and I are both dead now.
I can see where I would need to throw a rock to hit that cockroach from across the room, and I can shade them red so it is easier to hit them. I can block out the feeling of hunger and starvation. I can also remember what happened the day I was born, the one here, and in my past life.
But I can never get away it seems, from these people. They look at me with their shadowed eyes and deem my existence wrong based on the color of my hair. They are the reason I gave up on my life. They are the reason I lay in the corner of a cell waiting for the day I die.
I lived in this dungeon for six years now right below the church that proclaims they know the way of God. Well here’s what I think about their God and everyone else’s God...go fuck yourself. Go shove your condescending face up your ass, and then maybe you’ll begin to realize just how much of a shithead you really are.
I raise a middle finger to the sky, and leave a great big smile for that special someone , and I slowly drift off to sleep. This was my special prayer I do just before I go to sleep because what kind of person would I be not to pray in church.
Never do I sleep in my bed because that would just be giving the church too much power over my life. I snicker, I have lived two lives but have not actually lived one. I want to hold onto what little I got as is. The church holds no power over me because of this, I’m happy. *Sniffle*. I don’t sleep in my bed because of the bed bugs…
///Two Years Later\\\
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
“Hey kid get up! Time for food.”
“Yeah, yeah Tom the weather outside is looking fantastic. How are the kids? Is Deborah alright?”
“Shut up and eat your food! You may fool the others but I know you’re not insane. Not yet at least. Honestly can’t believe you’re still alive.” The burly man said in an almost proud manner. I swear the guards here have been getting closer and closer to me. Last time Tom brought me a spoon to eat my gruel.
“I mean a spoon! What a great guy.” Oops did I say that out loud? Whatever. He’s a softy anyways.
“Shut up boy, we only gave you that spoon because you make such a big mess when you eat. Seriously, it’s like more food than we actually give you ends up on the floor than in your mouth. You’re wasting good food you know that you little shit.”
“It’s okay Tom I know you don’t mean that. You all love me here. That’s why you gave me free housing and that good food.” I say with my best smile. It’s fun annoying Tom he’s such a dipshit sometimes.
“My name isn’t Tom, and we keep you here because you’re a danger to society! So take your food and die, it’s getting really boring bringing you food day after day.” Tom looked really angry now, so I put on an even more stupid ignorant look.
“Tom how do you suppose I would hurt society? I mean I am a weak eight year old boy after all. I am so malnourished I probably couldn’t run ten feet if I tried, so really how do you ‘spose I’d hurt society Tom.” I put on my best demon like look and make a creepy smile.
“It...you’d...you would use your devil powers and possess people that’s how. Yeah, that’s how. Fucking degenerate scum.” Tom looked kind of distant now, I hope some fucked up questions are just bouncing up there. Like why is an eight year old in a dungeon with a bunch of other hardened criminals? Is he really that bad? What did he do wrong? I even got the last guy fired when he tried to break me out. I made him feel so guilty over the course of his work years...what a fool. It’s too bad he didn’t realize there are sensors in the cell doors.
“Tom did you know it is my eighth birthday, I’ve spent a total of eight years in prison now. Aren’t you proud of me I kept track.” I start tapping on the cold stone floor and hugged my knees even closer in the corner of the prison. I keep staring at Tom. And then I stare some more. He suddenly got really grim. His face contorted into a shadowed mess and the one distant torch highlighted his face.
“Just eat you’re fucking food. I got work to do.” He said in a deep low voice while sliding my food through the small space on the bottom. And then he turned around to leave, soon he disappeared into the shadows of the dungeon.
“Don’t worry Tom I’ll be here if you need me! Be sure to come get me if you need anything.” I say as I start shoving the rice and bread into my mouth. My taste buds are so dead and unused at this point that the food almost tasted good, but that’s not enough to make the gross leftovers taste that good.
Soon I finish my meal and immediately afterwards I get to work. I start doing my push ups, planks, crunches, and a lot of foothops on different legs to keep physically well. Of course I will never actually get really strong or anything because of the lack of food. But I can at least do my very best to get some form of muscle and strength. I have been doing this since I was four because it is a good way to distract me from my extreme loneliness. I’m really surprised I am not insane as of now, or at least for the most part. But I have a feeling that it has to do with my brain and the way it is.
By now, my eighth year here, I have thought up one thousand sixty three different plans to escape, all of which are physically impossible for me to accomplish at this moment. I just need something to happen. Something totally revolutionary to happen, then I’ll escape. But until then I’ll be here. Waiting. In the corner of my dark and damp cell.
I’ll wait.
///Two more long years\\\
I can feel her stares. They’re piercing the back of my head but I can’t turn around to see her. I can’t face Ko. She hates me I can feel it. What have I done. Ko! I need to get out of this cell. Now! She won’t stop staring...it huuuuurts. I put my hands around my head and start screaming. That way I won’t hear her stares...they’re so loud. I can hear them over my screaming, I can’t take it anymore I’m just going to look at her. I’m going to be her big brother...just like old times...yeah. I slowly look behind myself but snap my head back to its original position. No! I can’t face her like this. Let me out of here!
“Let me GOOOOOOOoooooooooooooo….why, what did I ever do to you guys. DO YOU GUYS KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE! HUH?! I live everyday of my life in this filthy prison, and lived everyday of my life in that filthy forest. I fucking hate the forest. Coincidentally I also hate prison. I HATE you guys, you hear me! I HATE YOU AND YOUR FALSE FUCKING GOD! GO FUCK YOURSELVES!”
“Hey kid. Shut up or I’m calling the guard.”
“Hey old man, YOU CAN GO FUCK YOURSELF TOO YOU OLD SACK OF SHIT!”
“I’m giving you one more chanc-”
“SHUT UP! Shut up shut up shut up shut up shut up shut up shut UP!:”
“Guards the kid has gone crazy! Come here quick!”
“HAHAHAHA!”
*Thump thump thump* Footfalls could be heard as the guards entered the dungeon. I didn’t feel anything around me, everything was just...fuzzy? I bring my hand up to my mouth, blood? I think I just had an aneurysm. I look up to see guards lifting me up but my vision fades into blackness. I struggle to keep awake, but slump down like a rag doll in the end. I wish I had never caused a scene.
…
….
…
“Wha-...where am I?” I shield my eyes because the brightness blinds meeeee holy shit it’s bright. I instantly open my eyes and look around, I instantly see hundreds of people that surround me jeering. I don’t know about what nor do I care. I am outside. I smell the air and look at the clouds, and see the hundreds of buildings that crowd my field of vision. I try to move to get a better view of things, but I can’t for some reason. In fact I can’t move any part of my body, and I’m suspended in the air. I look up and down...I’m on a huge cross. Why? Why? Why? Why?
“Hello people of Coelfern! I Sir Victor Pond of the First Path, bring you a devil child! Today we are holding the destruction of this foul being, and we hope that you partake in doing so. For the sake of our Father! Rocks only cost one note, and you can even use a whip for six! Buy fast people the rocks and whips go fast!”
*Cheer! Cheer!* “Kill the demon. Fuck him up. I used six notes on that whip, he better feel the pain!” The people surrounding me were screaming things at me, somethings I couldn’t even understand. Somethings I didn’t want to understand. People are cruel. So cruel. I can’t even die in peace. Is it because I’m weak? Is my existence wrong? Why am I never allowed a moment of peace?
“Any last words foul scum! Don’t keep the audience waiting!” The man said in a bright excited manner. You could feel the greediness radiating off the bastard like the sun gives heat. Am I really going to die because of this church sellout freak and these other freaks?
“Yeah I got some actually. First things first! If you are a black haired male then you like other men! And if you are a brown haired female then you like other girls! If you have blue eyes then you are a wimp virgin who could never get a girlfriend. And whomever has silver hair is the sexiest player in the whole entire world. And if you have green eyes you are the strongest and mightiest warrior ever!”
“That's not true! I don’t like men! Shut up demon stop spouting lies”
“Huh? What are you guys talking about? I don’t lie, how could I possibly lie? It’s all true. At least half of the guys here are gay, some may even be for each other. I’m looking at you Todd, Jeremy.” Two different guys started looking very worried at this moment.
“Stop spouting nonsense! Let’s just start beating him! Yeah! I’m not gay!”
“Huh? But *ouch* I’m a demon because I have silver hair *Augh* I’m a demon-Fuuuck-because the church deemed me so. So why can’t I make you gu-Stop It Dammit-guys into gay or lesbian lovers huh? THOSE ROCKS HURT! I’ll have you know I haven’t killed anyone in this life! Nor do I plan to in the next! SO WHY? WHY Kill me? Tell ME dammit!”
“It’s because you’re a demon! Yeah you have silver hair! There’s no way you’re not a demon! Yeah the church told us so.”
“I Sir Victor Pond command you to shut up!”
“Heh. Everytime I ask I always get the same answer. *cough* You can’t face the truth because you don’t want to. You’re all scum you hear me! You proclaim me the demon in your life, and refuse to take a look in the mirror. You’re the one lynching a ten year old child right now scum.” I’m dying, I can feel it, my life blood is draining at this very moment. I am disappointed. Just...disappointed. At life, people, everything.
“Stop talking! Jeez this really puts me out of the mood! Why have you not died yet?”
“God, dearest God. I know you won’t *cough* do anything now, nor will you ever. Fucking scum. So Satan, please just erase these fools from the earth. They have failed at their duty to live their lives. I believe in you. I saved your kin. I’m calling in my favor. Unless you go back even on your word.”
“What’s he going on about now? Someone just kill him already! We’re trying!”
I feel her eyes, they’re piercing my head like a needle slowly pushing its way through the back of my skull. It’s back, that pain, she never left, she never does. I don’t let her.
“Now save her did you, don’t you think that’s a bit excessive? Considering you are her murderer after all. You’re lucky I like all things death otherwise I’d be really mad right now.”
“Please just get rid of these people. These sick...inhumane people. Get rid of them. Erase them please!”I was pleading now, almost cracking from the pain.
“ Oh you want me to erase them do you? Nope I can’t do that, no no no, God would be very angry if I did that. Very, very angry.
“Pleas-”
“-But I can do something similar. All you have to do is accept this one little deal. Nothing important really.”
“I accept.”
“Not even gonna hear the small unimportant details?”
“Nope.”
“Well then, see you in the afterlife Cleo.”
“Who told you that nam-”
I was cut short as the glaring pain the back of my head encompassed all my body, and I started spasming. I felt all the blood vessels in my body start popping and my eyes started bulging as if popping right out of their sockets. I grinded my teeth and felt foam come out of my mouth, and my muscles started contract. What little of what there was at least. Soon black dots started appearing in my vision, and they slowly clouded me from seeing anything around myself. Soon after, blackness. Everywhere.
“Hello Cleo. How have you been?” I start shifting around in the darkness, looking everywhere, I try shifting around on my legs. But once again I find I am locked. This time nothing is holding me in place. Literally. I finally find the source of the voice.
“Ko? Is that you Ko?”
“Yes Cleo it’s me your little sister Ko”
“No, impossible you never even knew my name. No one did except me and mom.” I had a bleak smile now.
“Satan told me Cleo, he told me everything you did for me. Everything you did to save me.”
“Do you remember Ko? What I did? Do you?!”
“...”
“Tell me.”
“Tell me dammit!”
“Yeah, I do, so what? You did it for me, and that’s what I care about. You saved me Cleo. You saved me from myself. I was something different then, something evil, and you killed that evil”
“I did didn’t I.” I smile a little more.
“Of course!” She smiles in that way she always did when she was young. It’s a pity…
“Hey Ko, come closer I need to tell you something.” She starts running over with an even brighter smile.
“What is it Cle-”
“Whoever you are feel free to stop using my sisters body. Fucking scum. You really think I’d believe you? You think I’d believe Ko went to hell because a demon possessed her? Her and that demon are separate beings she’d never have a recollection of what happened.”
“What are you talking about? Cleo you’re acting cra-”
“Do me a favor and shut the fuck up.” Ko look surprised, but soon her face calmed down revealing a smile. Unlike her previous smile this one was a cruel, death like smile, and she walked closer to me. Our faces were almost touching, but strangely no heat was emanating from her body. She was cold, stone cold.
“I gave you a chance to live here peacefully until everything was over, but you just had to go and ruin things didn’t you. Just like back then, and just like now.” Suddenly Ko’s body started transforming, into the thing, into the thing from my past. And her long claw like fingers wrapped around my neck. She started choking me.
“You’re trapped her with me, and you can’t do anything about it. You should have just accepted me as Ko then things wouldn’t have needed to be so painful. I hate all things living you know. I only acted like the little wench because Satan told me too.”
“Don’t call her that.”
“Oh, what are you gonna do about it filthy human trash? I can call her whatever I want. Bitch, slut, whore. She did get with a lot of men after all. You must have known. You were watching weren’t you.” Suddenly she chokes my harder and drags her claw across my forehead leaving a bloody trail.
“No-Nothing. I’m gonna do nothing.” It’s time for an exorcism.
“Haha what are you stupid or something? Just die quicker so we can both be done with this.”
“How ‘bout no.”
Suddenly the demons arms snapped back and then raised into the air. She slowly started rising higher and higher. Until she was at perfect level for what comes next.
“Did you seriously think you could capture me in my own mind? Really? Well I have something to tell you, illusions don’t work on me bitch. Never have never will. I suppose my noggin is something really special isn’t it. Well this puts you in a really awkward position doesn’t it.”
“I’m going to-” I cut her short imagining she can’t speak. It really is stupid to try to take over someone else in their own mind. If they have half a head they could do some really nasty stuff.
“No demon, it’s my turn to do the doing. I’m going to put you in a world of hurt you scum.”
She starts struggling wiggling back and forth like an alive worm on a hook. She starts screaming inside her throat, and I let out a low laugh.
“What...could you...possibly...do...to...me?”
“Oh I’m surprised you can speak. I applaud you *clap clap clap*. But we really have to get on with this. My body can’t handle the strain of a demon for long. I’m going to have to torture you fast.”
Time for work…
“Jeez dead already. I should have been more careful. You got off easy bitch. You didn’t feel half the pain of Ko and I.” It’s time to go I guess. I wave my hand and suddenly a wave of light invades my vision and I block out the sun with my arms. I take my arm away from my eyes slowly and look around. I am surrounded. All of them are dead. I was sitting in a pile of blood, and I can’t seem to stand right now. Everyone in the village, dead, just like that.
“Awesome.”