Within the crust of Planet Eris, beneath the ice, is my underground temple complex. The very presence of my darkness chokes the soul-stolen rocky halls. My beautifully, ornately bare cultists gather as planned, successfully bringing Kurai with them. Ah they even have her in the initiate's garb already. Delightful.
Slipping out from sweet little Koriath was the hardest part of this plan. Kidnapping this human girl for the ritual was just like foraging for tea herbs. Bound upon an earthen altar this Earth girl who resembles Kurai. The same cold frightened skin and pouring raven hair. For what may seem like mere moments to us, is ages for humankind. My spell keeps the human alive and from aging; fresh ingredients only for my brand.
My worshippers continue their fun with the little ritual of reading and reciting poetry disguised as the false history I have taught them. Once they are done, they ascend the stone stairway toward me, leading my adorable little Raven Princess up toward me.
I have trained her well for this moment. With pride, I take her tiny talon in mine and she stops struggling. She obediently follows my footsteps as I lead her before the altar.
"Lady Kurai, partake of the ceremonial eyes and see Truth." Charismatically commanding as I spread my wings behind her.
"Aw’mmy...it's still alive...this is mean." She tries to whisper through her trembling tears.
Like the good parent that I am, I take a knee to be with her at eye level, making sure her little soul is caught in the gravity of my gaze. Then petting her head as I whisper in her ear. "Do not ever call me Aw’mmy again, formal language only. Now do as I say if you have any hope of leaving this gods forsaken planet alive." Parting from her with a deep kiss to her cheek before I rise up again.
Kurai looks just like her father as her tears cascade out of her pretty little ruby eyes. Her talons trembling as she places her talons on the captive little ape girl’s face. She is blessed to not have been hatched a male. Two Koriaths is too much. She would have met a more cruel fate.
These two however become locked in each other’s terror. Lifting my eyes only for a moment, some of my little toys are also becoming altered by the little god-mutt’s screaming. I cannot have that. Not yet.
"It is far more cruel to torture it. Do it quickly and quietly, initiate." Keeping my voice calm.
I gently guide Kurai's talons toward the human's eye sockets. Slowly positioning them into place for her, one digit at a time.
"I'm sorry." She whimpers, her unsteady talons caught between eye and bone.
"Use more force. Be swift." Encouraging her.
What should have only taken a single moment takes what feels like an aching forever, until Kurai holds the human’s small brown eyes in her bloody, trembling talons. Finally, I can truly infiltrate her thoughts, her dreams, her prayers.
They were staring back at me. What have I done? Was I weak for wanting to live? That girl wanted to live- wants to live. Oh no she's still alive... I can see it in... her gaze. I hear Kurai think.
I must hide my laughter of delight. Looking toward my little gathering of toy minions before me with my wings spread as wide as my smile. "The initiate will now eat the eyes, consuming, ingesting the truth. Then sacrifice their doll to The Void." Speaking proudly.
I'm terrified. Aw'ddy! Come save me now! Please! Please please please save me Aw'ddy.
I love her useless prayers to my little enslaved demi-god.
Kurai looks around. Where is he? He is never this late. I have no choice… Time is running out. I have to eat them…
She opens her mouth and with haunting hesitance, puts both human eyes into her mouth. Eyes... have a strange-not taste- feel.
She slowly starts to choke as she chews through her tears. There is a gross squish and a horrible crunch. Doing this... eating eyes... with so many eyes on me. Creepy. Gross.
Keeping my smile for my worshipers, but my eyes send Kurai a death threat. Speaking softly with the side of my mouth. “Good girl. Now swallow.”
I hate it, I hate her! I’ll kill her when I’m big enough! ... Wait... what is... this? Sensation. Warm? Hot? The room feels like it's spinning and going up and down all at once.
Oh her thoughts are delicious. Sweet little Kurai, you won’t do anything to me. You may not even make it to be old enough to become the next Guardian of Darkness. I trained you as a perfect pet for my little friend. I designed your cruel conception. You are nothing but a doll of my crafting.
One of my priests ceremoniously hands me a jeweled boning knife. Guiding this initiate's tiny talons down to the top of the ape child's throat.
Mid cut, one who I thought was a worshiper, reveals his true colors within his prayers. This is horrid, I can hear the princess's thoughts in my own mind. She prayed to The Emperor. Little does he know, I can hear him.
I can hear all of my former devoted ones. Dark Shepherd, save us! We made a grave mistake! She is not a prophet, she is a predator. A spiritual predator!
Looking up and locking my eyes into this dark fairy’s bleak eyes, one of the guards I personally hired. Your precious emperor is not coming to save you. You and all heretics will die here. Casting my voice into his soul without moving my lips.
Continuing to guide Kurai to cut the human open. Her talons drop the blade, but thankfully I am a good, supportive, mother as I hold her talons closed.
Kurai’s thoughts start screaming. I don't want to do this. I'm not a murderer. AW'DDY HELP- I didn't see it before, the blood. The blood flows like rivers from the altar. It leads to a stone. The rock has veins. I see the girl. What is that? Light? It hurts. How can light be good? It blinds! It burns! No wait... I think... I think I'm drunk. How can I be drunk without drinking? What do they call it?
"Sister Kurai now joins our family. The blood of her human doll. The last of the pieces." Smirking as the chanting of my faithful begins.
The stone begins to open.
A feeling blacker than night
Darker than fright
Void
"Great and beautiful Void Made Flesh." Triumphantly I declare as I turn to face the stone.
A hominid abyssal being steps up from inside the rock. Two of my priests pick up Kurai and carry her over to it, as I guide them every step of the way.
Lifting Kurai from them and into my talons toward that blessed being. The bodies of those who got cold feet, who were traitors, who were not true worshipers begin to wither and fade as my friend graces us. "We, your loyal followers, welcome you with the gift of our newest void sister. The Darkest childling of Pleasure and Antagony. Yours to keep." I proclaim.
I did not want to say anything. My withering flesh is forfeit. Following Empress Malencia's lead to kneel. So many of us are fading. My heart secretly cries for The Dark Shepherd’s salvation. Poor thing.
Another set of traitors die with their final thoughts.
"All to you. All to your glory." Those still living chant in loyal, faithful, unison.
The Great Void... smiles... my eyes... heavy. Kurai struggles to remain conscious.
Close your eyes then little gift. I plant my words into her mind to sedate her.
Stepping into flesh and form before us, a greatness I will eventually conquer and become, but for now I have my fun with.
Those who were so loving and loyal now perish purely in It’s presence. Creatures of The Night are so weak.
Finally, my little friend speaks to us as It takes the little present I made for It from my talons with a smile, almost as malevolent as my own. "Your Void God accepts the offering."