I'm not alone here.
Penguin?
…
Penguin?
…
I floated in a vast perpetual night. What should I do? Why am I here?
Is it a test or something? Are you there?
Yes.
The shadows of the dark world around me twisted and warped into fabric. I looked up and followed its path.
Oh my god.
A huge behemoth of a woman stood before me. I couldn't see her face. I could only see her veil. No way. He said—
"I see you. You're the last one..."
No. She can't know.
"Mother said I should spare you."
The behemoth kneeled down and her pitch black wings raised into an arc behind her.
Above her head was an orb darker than night itself floating above her.
Horses whinnied and pounded the earth with their hooves before running around me. I could hear them even if I could not see them. Her chariot.
Holy shit.
"You're not strong. Nor are you especially beautiful. You look nothing like them."
"…"
What do I even say to that?
"You chose me tonight? Surely you know…how many of my children were slain by your kin."
"I know now."
"You're not from here. You're from a forsaken planet."
My eyes widened and I looked at her veil.
"You know about Earth?"
"I created the earth."
"Why? Why did you make anything? Why would you make people?"
"It wasn't up to me then and it's not my decision now."
"I didn't choose to be here. Why did I come here? I was happy when I was gone. I never wanted a second chance. Why am I here?"
"Only my mother knows and she rarely answers my questions."
"Are you going to kill me?"
"Do you want me to?"
"At first. But now I feel…"
She supplemented dryly."Attached."
"Yeah. I mean yes. What'll happen to my siblings if I leave them behind? Will my father hurt them?"
"That's not something I can tell you. But I'm sure even you can foresee the answer."
Yes. There's something about me that he wants dead. But if I'm gone. Who will he set his eyes on? Harley.
Erichean. The triplets. Eris? Even Derrick.
I don't want to leave them. I don't want them to get hurt.
"I don't want to die yet. But I know what it's like to lose someone. I'm sorry your children are gone and I'm sorry that I was born. It wasn't my fault or my decision either. But I'm sorry."
"That's not your apology to make anymore and it's superfluous to me. I'm not going to smite you today."
The hidden meaning behind her words sent a bolt of lightning through me.
"What about tomorrow?"
"There is an entire universe between today and tomorrow. Anything could happen."
She gets up slowly and I can sense she's about to leave.
"Wait! Can you tell me what happened to my older brother? The one that died? Please? I know it's hurting her."
Her tone is ridiculing."You still dare to ask from me?"
"I know. I know. But it's not about me. It's about a mother in pain. It's about my mother. She's still your child, right? I know I'm wrong. I know I was born wrong. I just don't want her to carry this forever. I want her to rest in peace. I want to avenge that loss for her so she can let go of all of that anger. Please?! I just want her to be free!"
"…"
She turns her back on me. No. Everything is going to go to shit. She's going to abandon me. I'm going to be godless and she's not going to want me.
Niathe is going to abandon me at best and kill me at worst.
I have to run. How can I run from them?
Her mournful voice echoes."Elixir."
I raise my head and tears stop trickling down my face. What?
"A forbidden passage gave birth to an elixir. Which gave birth to a tragedy. That's all I'll say to you."
She spits out her final words. "Get Out! Child of the Traitor."
The primordial night evaporated around me and a hook latched onto my belly button.
I looked down and realized where I was.
Floating alone in space. The entire world turned beneath me. The hook pulled and I was sent crashing down into my body.
Blood spurted out of my mouth and I was lifted from the water bowl. I heaved and coughed the disgusting liquid. Get it out!
Niathe urged me."What did she say?"
Efret tried to comfort me."Don't rush her. She's a child. She needs rest."
Niathe ordered."Check her back. Make sure of it."
Soft hands pried open the soaking frilly dress I was wearing and pressed down on raised skin.
"It's done. She's been accepted."
What?
Maternal and forgiving my ass! You lied to me. I want a refund!