I wrote this one a while back, based off a combination of a dialogue and picture prompt. While I do not have the picture prompt anymore, I still have the dialogue prompt.
Guys, it hurts. XD
The Prompt
"Please, my arms - I can't. Wipe my tears, don't let them see."
The Story
Child of men…
That’s what the sage had whispered to me.
Child of men, what dost thou seekest?
I had looked up at him with wide eyes, not understanding the strange fire glowing in his eyes.
Dost thou seek fame?
My thoughts flitted to the unhappy faces of my sovereigns.
Fortune?
Cold, hard chunks of metal glittering in the harsh light of a curled moon. Useless.
Love?
The warmth of my mother’s arms around me flooded my mind, and I shook my head. I had that already.
What dost thou seekest?
My heavy armor seemed to drag me to the castle’s hard stones as I struggled up the last few steps. The tip of my sword drooped to the floor, the dark blood of those who opposed me shining in the dim light.
Finally.
Bittersweet joy cascaded through my heart like a miniature waterfall as I spotted the ornate wooden box in the corner. I had spent years trying to reclaim this treasure, spent nearly all my strength time and time again on dead ends, and lost the lives of those close to me in a quest to regain what my people had lost. The Raker had stood against us, but finally, his end had come, and I as the only survivor had the responsibility to find the cherished thing and return to my homeland with it.
The only one left. A burning lump swelled in my throat as I thought about what those words ment, my fumbling steps carrying me closer to my goal. Klern, Zavid, Luia… they’ve all fallen.
My thoughts flitted through the green pastures of my childhood, the golden sunlight and sweet roses, the laughter of my sister and warmth of the fire. This was what I was doing this for. This was why I had fought so hard, cried so hard, and now struggled so hard to complete the last portion of my long mission and reach that treasure.
A wild screech tore through my ears like a piercing arrow. I whirled, weary adrenaline surging through my veins as I spotted a grey blur out of the corner of my eyes.
Dragrats.
The dreaded swarms of Raker were the stuff of nightmares. With Raker finally gone, I had thought they would be dormant.
I couldn’t fight them. Not with their speed and ferocity. There was no way. This was where it would end.
Run. They will not approach the box, the voice whispered in my mind, and I obeyed in an instant. I had heard that voice before - in fact, this was the voice that had guided me through all my trials.
I forced my aching feet to take on leap, and then another, dashing towards the carved box with every ounce of strength I had left. Something latched onto my arm, but I brushed it off and fell to my knees before the box.
The dragrats hovered above me, unable to approach.
And for the first time in many years, I rested. I leaned my head back, closed my eyes, and enjoyed the sensation of breathing. Even in this evil lair, with the smoky torch and twisted creatures, there was a silver lining to be found.
Help… the voice murmured, weary and resigned. I can’t hold on much longer.
And that’s when I heard the crying. Softly at first, as if whoever it was didn’t want anyone to notice, but then quickly giving rise to the heart-wrenching sobs of someone who could no longer hold it all back. My head jerked up, my eyes flew open, and I stood.
There, behind the box, was the treasure I had sought for so long. A girl, her tangled brown hair swirling around her face like the elegant vines of a willow tree, was sobbing her heart out. I couldn’t see her face because of the mask of chocolate strands, but I knew who it was. The one who had guided me this long.
Aleithara. “Leitha?” I murmured, pulling back the cowl of my hood so she could see my face.
Her brown eyes were terrified as she jerked her tear-stained face up and stared at me. “Seira!” she whispered urgently. “You shouldn’t have come!”
“I know,” I murmured back, “but I had to. It’s over, Leitha. Finally. We won.”
Suddenly a look of fear contorted her face as she ducked her head back down, squirming until her hair fell across her face again. I noticed the ropes binding her to the ornate box. “What’s wrong?”
“Please, my arms” -she twisted the features, straining against her bonds- “I can’t. Wipe my tears, don’t let them see.”
I slid my sword into my scabbard, my bicep practically groaning in relief as the pressure eased. Kneeling, I reached for her face and brushed away a tear. “Why?”
“Too late, Princess,” a deep voice rumbled from right behind me. I whirled, my heart leaping into my throat with fear. “You’re too late.”
Someone needs to finish this story for me. XD I started a Part 2, but it petered out after a little bit. I am still intrigued, though!! What do you think? Why can't Leitha let her tears be known? Who is Raker? Will Seira be able to save Leitha? And who is the child of men spoken about in the first part?
Until next time,
Take courage, pursue Adonai, and smile while you still have teeth!! ^_^
This is so good!!! XD
I love how as writer's we write something so emotionally investing, and yet don't know how it ends and can't finish it ourselves. XDD
But seriously! GIRL! You write such great fantasy! I want to read this book! Somebody write it, or I might end up doing that, but I can't write it like you do! 😂
This is so beautiful and agonizing. 😭 PLEASE someone write a Part 2!!!!