Marching clouds:
Callon sighed, sweat clung to his forehead as he carried a human on his shoulders, the human's limbs were tied to stop him from moving, although small twitches could be seen on his legs.
It was quite unnerving to see Cassian still walking, flailing his legs in the air even after Callon has picked him off the ground.
Incomprehensible mumbling could be heard escaping from Cassian's mouth but Callon had no time to listen to that.
Well he did catch a few words.
Empty thrones.
That was the only thing that was clear to him.
Everything was incomprehensible blabbering.
Cassian's water deprived throat still spoke, the hoarse sound similar to those of the undead.
Well Cassian wasn't any different from an undead, was he?
Maybe if you compare them both, the undead may seem more sane.
...
My shoulder felt sore, my eyes blinked and each the time the darkness increased, I can't go on like this without sleep.
But thankfully no matter where you start from inside the marching clouds, you can leave the area after a three day travel.
By now at the very least two days have passed.
Which meant that they were close to leaving.
I adjusted my grip on Cassian's legs to stop him from falling off, his slight movements on the leg kept on decreasing.
He has run out of stamina.
And I think he hasn't completely lost it.
Maybe, just maybe I can bring him back.
Bring him..
But why?
Would I get any benefits from this?
No.
So why?
I don't know.
Is it because of his regeneration? That can't be even if he has a blessing from a god it doesn't seem that strong.
Or do I think of him as a comrade, companion even.
Do I?
I don't know.
This is on pure impulse.
And I want to see him alive.
Is this kindness?
The 'emotion' that I have been acting out for validation?
Is this true kindness?
It tastes bitter.
It's not take and give or taking everything, it's giving and not expecting anything back.
Kindness was bitter.
A kind of bitter I like..no, a kind of bitter taste that I could endure.
Frustration welled up in my heart, emotional attachment and feelings were all abandoned by me the moment I left my kingdom.
So why?
Why are they coming back to me?
Haunting me endlessly.
Was mother right all along?
Was I truly kind like she said?
No I wasn't.
How would the words that escaped a prostitute's mouth be true?
I'm a mistake.
Half my life, that was my name.
'Mistake.'
But mistakes often end up as a success right?
No.
Mistakes are mistakes.
And they should stay that way.
I stopped my contemplation, the past can't solve the current predicament nor was it able to fill my stomach.
I focused on my way ahead, the thin fog has thickened and it would start to get difficult to dodge the marching giants from now on.
The fog started to be heavy, along with Cassian's weight it started to burden my shoulders.
It was best for me to abandon him but I didn't.
I don't know why I'm doing this but I'm sure I will see it through.
I will stay as his companion if he can get his sanity back.
I still need to think logically, don't I?
Despite my impulse to stay with him if he remains as a mindless human I will abandon him without second thought.
As if agreeing Cassian mumbled something.
I chuckled.
That was a bit funny.
********
Cold blood went through my nose and into my lungs, it flooded my internal body through the massive tear that ran through my throat.
I was immobile, not even being able to twitch a finger.
I tried, I tried flailing my arms, I tried kicking my legs but nothing happened.
The chilling sensation on my open eyes kept my mind from falling asleep.
It felt nice..
Not too cold nor hot.
It wasn't in the middle either.
A good type of coldness.
The blood was thick, extremely so, it felt like slimy and seemed semi-solid.
I could feel it squirming around and ultimately squirming inside me.
Daron filled my vision, nothing could be heard by my ears.
My sense of smell has long been lost.
Only touch remained.
Alongside pain.
But pain was the least of my worries.
An escape.
I don't know how long it has been since I've been trapped here, maybe I've been already turned into a cloud statue.
Who knows.
Ah...
Anything.
I will do anything to escape.
"Anything."
Suprise.
My first response was suprise.
I, I just spoke, didn't I?
And my sound was clear even under this squirming mess.
The blood started to sizzle, it turned solid, my blood turned solid.
I wasn't able to breath the blood anymore which was a relief.
Truly a relief.
I was now buried in solidified blood, previously I was drowning in it.
No..
It wasn't blood.
Eyes, teary eyes touched all over my body, tongues licked me, teethful of mouth bit onto me, hairs prickled my skin.
A new kind of torture.
Inside this small enclosure, it was claustrophobic and unnerving.
Uncomfortable.
I wanted to struggle but I couldn't.
I could only just sit there and experience it.
I hated it.
I truly hated it.
Frustration.
I'm frustrated.
Death is easier, clinging to my dreams sounded nice but is there any hope for me to escape now?
Just why?
Who can answer me, just why?
Is it due to my hatred of gods or something else.
Why?
The tongues stopped alongside the mouths.
A deep guttural voice rang, almost rupturing my ear drums.
Despite the darkness, I knew the voice came from those tongues and mouths.
"Why not? After all we are a vision of the past."
It was torture, their voice filled with pure agony.
Some sounded like a child, an adult, a teen or some elderly and they all had something in common.
Pains and wails.
Thousands of souls were trapped inside a massive flesh heap.
The pity I felt for Lilith has long been abandoned.
She deserved it alongside those demons.
Another voice came.
"It's fun isn't it? We suffered the same but worse and have you ever felt grateful after we saved you Cassian?"
Oh..
I know them.
The ancient humans, the first ever humans, my ancestors whom were turned into a hivemind of flesh by Lilith.
They are still suffering inside that temple, aren't they?
But what does that have to do with me?
Frustration turned rage.
I don't care if I can't move anymore.
Do they think that them suffering makes it okay to torment me?
I don't care about them, matter of fact I've already forgotten about them.
This sensation and their words just brought back memories of the temple despite only little time being passed.
The guttural voice rang again, however this time they were laughing.
Giggling children, mocking teenagers, joyful adults, raspy elders.
Mocking me.
They were mocking me.
I just want to escape from this hell.
"You said you'd do anything right? Why don't you beg?"
"You wouldn't, your pride doesn't allow you to."
"So how about a deal?"
Deal?
Really?
Would I accept it.
Would it be something I accept?
"Why don't you be forgotten, erased from history and memories, and maybe we can help you escape."
No-
Out of reflex I said 'No'.
However I wasn't able to say it physically using my mouth.
The only thing that escaped my mouth since entering this blood well was 'anything'.
So, they knew I couldn't answer.
A cruel joke.
My mind faded.
I fell unconscious.