>>6127783Once, they were manageable. Four of their number had always leapt to her defense, shielding her from their poisonous whispers. But now, even their protection felt fragile, like a crumbling wall against the unrelenting flood of guilt and self-loathing.
They had always shielded her from the chorus’ burning gaze and piercing screams, even before that fateful night – the night the Jedi’s blade destroyed a village and brought down a mountain. Despite her flaws, despite the atrocities committed in her quest for power and vengeance, their love had been unconditional and uncompromising.
<span class="mu-i">“You were spared while we were slaughtered!”</span>
<span class="mu-i"> “Only by joining your family can you correct the mistake of your existence.” </span>
<span class="mu-i"> “You wear the mantle of the Dark Side, but beneath it, you are but a scared child.” </span>
<span class="mu-i">“Merciful gods, why did this one have to survive?”</span>
Once, she might have cried. But crying meant hoping that someone would come to her aid. In the darkness of that terrible night, someone had eventually had, and for that, she was eternally grateful. But that had only been later – much, much later when all that had answered her cries were echoes and the crushing weight of despair, heavier than the mountain that had buried her for what felt like an eternity.
Beneath Mynydd Morgen, the little girl she had once been and never would be again had run out of tears.
All that remained was her Revenant.
The taste of iron filled her mouth; she had bitten her lip without realizing it. But the pain grounded her, giving her something to focus on. She seized it, and the despair burning in her mind turned to anger. And that anger became a spark, igniting a bonfire of fury from within the depths of her soul.
Was her weapon a crimson blade, blood-red like the moon? Or a brilliant gold, like the one that had cut down the chorus? It didn’t matter. In the battle rathing within her mind, they all fell the same. As they always had. And as they would, until her vengeance was complete.
<span class="mu-i">Murderer…</span>
One by one, their voices fell silent.
<span class="mu-i">Coward!</span>
One by one, until a blessed quiet was almost within reach.
<span class="mu-i">Traitor!</span>
One by one, until only four familiar shades remained.
<span class="mu-i">Join us…</span>
One by one, until she could picture her ultimate desire.
<span class="mu-i">Die!</span>
One by one, until the Revenant could destroy the Golden Man.
<span class="mu-i">Center yourself!</span>
But the shadows twisted and churned, frothing like a dark liquid. They surged into a pillar, and she jerked back just in time to avoid being engulfed. The mass rose high before retreating, revealing a figure – a man/dragon.
It was a paradox. Cloak/wings of darkness enveloped him like a mother’s embrace. Gold and teal weapons/talons gleamed, ready to strike. Yet within his eyes and heart pulsed the power of the Light.
<span class="mu-i">Calm down!</span> His voice was muffled, as though heard through water. <span class="mu-i">We’re both going to fall if you don’t-!</span>
(cont.)
