“If you leave nothing to regrow, even the immortal can experience the mercy of the Great One.”
The young girl watched as her mother set the body on the pyre alight. It went up at once with a hot wind, ruffling her feathers. The bound creature within the fire moaned and wailed, but was soon drowned out by the crackling roar of the flames.
She felt her father’s warm hand stroking her hair as she clung to his leg, watching the figure writhe and stiffen and go black in the heat. The air was sweet around them, as if they were burning only the fragrant wood, and there was no fear in her. Only fascination, watching her mother’s strong back with awe as sparks danced around her like shooting stars, illuminating her halo.
“There is no place in a harmonious world for creatures such as these,” she continued, her voice even and allowing no question. “It is such beasts that bring strife and misery to the people, and it is our duty to pave the way for THEIR return. We cannot allow such beings to walk in THEIR light, among the faithful.”
Her mother turned back to her, fixing the girl in her stern gaze. There was no joy on her face– this did not bring her happiness. The girl understood that this was her most solemn duty.
“As well as yours,” her mother said. “Soon you will be stable enough to partake in our work. You will grant a most merciful end to those wretched beasts that threaten the peace of our system. Remember, always: suffer not the unworthy to live in THEIR shadow.”
The girl thought she understood. They remained until the fire burned low, and then out, leaving nothing but a smoking pile of carbonized wood. She kneeled beside the ashes, where the charcoal-black hand of the beast stretched out in their final plea for mercy.
She placed her small fingers against it, watched it crumble to dust, and felt nothing.
1 - Day 236 (neutral/apathy?) - taken
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“If you leave nothing to regrow, even the immortal can experience the mercy of the Great One.”
The young girl watched as her mother set the body on the pyre alight. It went up at once with a hot wind, ruffling her feathers. The bound creature within the fire moaned and wailed, but was soon drowned out by the crackling roar of the flames.
She felt her father’s warm hand stroking her hair as she clung to his leg, watching the figure writhe and stiffen and go black in the heat. The air was sweet around them, as if they were burning only the fragrant wood, and there was no fear in her. Only fascination, watching her mother’s strong back with awe as sparks danced around her like shooting stars, illuminating her halo.
“There is no place in a harmonious world for creatures such as these,” she continued, her voice even and allowing no question. “It is such beasts that bring strife and misery to the people, and it is our duty to pave the way for THEIR return. We cannot allow such beings to walk in THEIR light, among the faithful.”
Her mother turned back to her, fixing the girl in her stern gaze. There was no joy on her face– this did not bring her happiness. The girl understood that this was her most solemn duty.
“As well as yours,” her mother said. “Soon you will be stable enough to partake in our work. You will grant a most merciful end to those wretched beasts that threaten the peace of our system. Remember, always: suffer not the unworthy to live in THEIR shadow.”
The girl thought she understood. They remained until the fire burned low, and then out, leaving nothing but a smoking pile of carbonized wood. She kneeled beside the ashes, where the charcoal-black hand of the beast stretched out in their final plea for mercy.
She placed her small fingers against it, watched it crumble to dust, and felt nothing.