IsabelleI felt a cold sweep through my body, making the hairs on my spine rise up. As I contemplated turning around, my heart was racing. I twisted slightly, cautiously raising my eyes to see the awful thing staring at me. Despite everything telling me to flee, I was so overcome with fear that I couldn't move.Run! Get away! My legs won't move; why? I screamed, "Move, damn it! Move!" in a state of desperation. My legs eventually began to move on their own.Over my head, the cliff was engulfed by a gulf of wind. I kept sprinting til I had to stop to regain my breath. I finally threw a glance behind me to witness two creatures engaged in combat. One large, brawny creature possessed a sinuous, gray lizard tail. His preferred weapon was a war ax, which he used with great dexterity. His red war armor was ragged, and you could see the scales on his back, some of which were missing in a few places, as well as a few scars that were clearly visible. His damaged, f
LucianI vividly recalled her death many times a day in my head. Neither portrait nor photo could unease the despair and loss I felt every time the memory replayed. All that I can think of is I'm not fast enough. Not strict enough. The left side of my nose violently twitched. I inhaled swiftly—thinking it would calm me, but there isn't much that could stop it— and just as quickly exhaled. I only got like this when im anxious or furious. I get anxious and firefilled when that memory comes to mind. I'm a fucking king. I don't fear; I AM FEAR. "Sir," Yuhan quietly inserted."Not today," I sighed."Then when? You have to stop sulking someday. You have things to do now," Yuhan tried to coerce me. "I'm supposed to be mighty," I exclaimed. Yuhan nodded, "You are mighty, my king."I rolled at my eyes at the useless attempt of comfort. "Bullshit," I called him out. "How do I let some twisted fuck stick a damn spear through my wife?" I continued venting my frustrations before Yuhan could
Lucian"You're actually considering it," Yuhan stated. "Was it that good?"I paused my duties. "What?" I asked with a puzzled look. He returned a blank stare and shook his head as if I were a mind reader. He finally made a gesture with his hands; a hole on one hand with a finger sliding in and out from the other hand."We didn't have sex if that's what you mean," I clarified. "More of a surprise to me than anything really," he spoke earnestly, "You know you think with your dick.""I've led many armies while simultaneously enjoying the immense pleasure of thinking with my dick," I countered. "Has it ever stopped me before?""She's different," he added with a sigh. I dismissed his small talk and picked up my notebook once again. "Sometimes I don't know if you're coming or going." Yuhan moved a chess piece. "Checkmate!" And before I could peek, he was thin air. "Always in my business," I muttered."I heard that," Yuhan's voice sounded within my study. "I wanted you to. Why are you lo
Lucian sat on his balcony accompanied by Yuhan, who he showed mild interest in tonight, as he stared into the abyss while fidgeting with some sort of marble."Yes I heard you," Lucian said to Yuhan. He picked up his glass of whiskey, finishing it in a swig before facing Yuhan. "I'm always listening."Yuhan could see the despair on Lucian's face. "How are you feeling?""The same as always," Lucian said. He opened the whiskey and filled his glass right below the brim. Yuhan threw him a concerned glance, but said nothing. "And how do you usually feel?"Lucian was upset. "Ha! You wanna know how I feel? I could burn the world right now and I have nothing stopping me. I'm a king who does nothing. I'm the so called devil and I haven't done shit to live up to it. I can't describe how I feel. I'm so angry and sad and then I get angrier and sadder."A knock at the door snatched both of their attention. Lucian sighed, "I really don't wanna move," he gave Yuhan a blank stare before downing his g
It must have been days, lazing around the lake being unkept, not tending to my kingly duties."Slow down," Yuhan cautioned. "If it gets to going down like water, you're already fucked," he warned from the bubbling spring as he floated by. "Go have kids so you can boss them around," I waved him off. "I would have a long time ago," he started seriously."Alright, alright," I said before he began. "I'm sorry.""You knew I liked her," Yuhan stated. I blew a breath. "I didn't." If I recalled correctly, she came onto me like an uncouth vixen. "It wouldn't have mattered," Lilith swooped down from the sky just in time to join the discussion. "All the girls have eyes for the king, not for his lapdog."Yuhan discontinued floating and started standing to face Lilith. "Look who's talking, but I guess you know from experience, don't you? Only difference is he went for her and not for you," Yuhan finished."Whoa. Boo-hoo-hoo," Lilith feigned a cry, wiping her imaginary tears, "not my fault he f
I was lying in a hospital bed, my body feeling the numbness of the painkillers and the fatigue of the fight I had endured to get here. My head was throbbing in pain from the constant beeping of the machines surrounding me, I had lost count of the number of times it beeped, but it seemed to be a necessary part of my care. I felt a wave of emotions overcome me as my eyes tried to adjust to my surroundings. I could see my family and friends, all looking worried and scared, their faces a mixture of worry and hope. I wanted to tell them not to worry, that I was okay but my words were stuck in my throat, my voice suddenly feeling so far away. All I could do was lie still and try to relax, knowing that I was finally safe and that everything was going to be ok. I was hoping that one day soon I would finally be able to go home, dreaming that it would be over.My family cleared from my room momentarily as the doctors talked to them. A lone doctor entered, short and graceful in his stride, and p
LucianThe council of angels convened to reprimand me for my past transgressions. I stood before them, impassive and unafraid, though I was slightly amused by their haughty expressions and sparkling wings. I could hear their naughty whispers, which seemed to be a combination of disapproval and bemusement. I was ready to accept whatever punishment they deemed fit. The triad of angels governed from behind the wooden podium bench in their assigned choirs, conversing and giving me the evil eye as I paid no attention to them, fancied by the stone golems they'd turned into guardians.The angels conferred amongst themselves for what seemed like an eternity before finally delivering their opening argument."You have been charged with many crimes, the major crime being that you defied God and led a war against him, endangering humans and breaking the heavenly rules. You are also charged with 100 counts of murder, 1 count of kidnapping, 20 counts of unsolicited visiting to the human world, & 5
"Everyone say cheese," Mr. Spay clicked the camera, the flash capturing the smiles on our faces at the end of our senior trip. "I've had a wonderful year with this group. Throughout the fighting, teenage angst, hormonal decisions, and boy trouble, I still wouldn't change a thing. I know you all have a wonderful future ahead of you and I hope you enjoy life's journey there." We cheered for our principal as we boarded the bus with our baggage.I found the back of the bus, sliding next to Lucian. "Look," I took the photos of us out of my memory box and brought them up to the light. "Don't we look great together?" He smiled, giving me a simple yes. "Not big on words today," I teased. "I enjoyed the trip. It was over too quick." Lucian replied, "Time always flies when you're having fun," he gently caressed the love bite from the previous night on my thigh. I blushed in silence as he turned his head to the window to watch the scenery pass us by in a blink outside. "You know you haven't b