POV: Cabil
Location: ??
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Ashes—the crippling scene of scattered corpses stayed forever clear in his mind. Memories of The Falling flooded his thoughts, submerging them in dreadful despair…
Ashes, they flurried in the musk of dry fog as young Cabil stood over his mutilated father. The last strength in his beat knees caved in, falling in a mixed pool of blood. His breath rattled, his chest heavy after the battle. The brittle and cold air of decay continued to choke away the last remnants of his sanity—his town was now a barren wasteland, a graveyard for the innocent taken by the horde. The very thought left his eyes swelling up with tears, teeth clenched, fist tight. And with a shrill agonizing scream, he shouted to the merciless deities above. Why? Why must they live in misery, in death? With, these heartless monsters!
He couldn't let his approaching sister see the remains of their father, taking her into his arms and warding her eyes from the disturbing sight behind him. She looked up to him, muck and debris smeared on her round cheeks. "Where's mommy and daddy?" A low-pitched grunting soon followed her question, his head turning over his shoulder. The shadow slugged from the depths of fallen panels, and as it staggered into the light, Cabil's eyes widened in anguish. His heart sank, snapping his head back to his sister. "Go back to the market, Sy."
"But—"
"—Listen to me! GO BACK, NOW!" She ran, as quickly as she could, never looking back. He faced the walker, his hand stretched out in a burst of flames. "In… inciner…" Cabil flustered, unable to muster enough courage to torch this undead creature. He gripped his elbow, trying to steady his quaking arm in place as he glared down the charging flesh eater… eyes, fixed, focused, the exchange, soulless, and deadly…
CAW
The ominous crow startled him, his journey coming to an end. He powered down the hovercraft, dismounting beside the remnants of his childhood home. Unchanged, just as he would expect from his last yearly visit. The King had no intentions of rebuilding this small town long forgotten. Cabil himself didn't care for its reconstruction, the people killed from the onslaught irreplaceable. Through the dust and grime, he trekked to the basement, the rattling chains already audible where he cautiously kept distant by the steps. Sorrowful moaning echoed down the vast darkness of an abandoned brick dome, and the soft steps circling themselves prompted Cabil's head forward.
"Hey, there."
The creature squealed in response, his presence distressing it still. Cabil watched his visibility, straying far from the high windows, steering it away from a frantic lunacy. "I know I should visit more, but I hate seeing you like this." He stifled the uneasiness in his voice. "This wasn't what I pictured our reunions to be like. Forgive me for keeping you this way, but I… I just couldn't…" He sighed. "I'm not giving up on you. Remember that. There's a cure out there, and I'm going to find it. I can feel it—I'm getting close! Just… hang in there for a bit longer. I promise, I'll fix you. Happy Birthday." He staggered up the steps, hands over his ears to block its loud cries from his departing. He couldn't bear its torment, suppressing his tears until he left the house. Slamming the door behind him, he burrowed his face in his hands, the memories of his decision haunting him always.
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