(no subject)

[nohalation]

[The memory starts with the sound of footsteps, echoing in the hallway. The footsteps belong to Angel who seems to be walking with steadfast determination, carrying a large flag in her arm. She's a little younger in this memory, but this expression has more life to it than her child self.

I must ask mother.

I have to know the truth.

She hears herself say these words over and over as she approaches the Throne Room where her parents should be. As soon as she reaches the closed doors, she feels her entire body freeze in place.

Something isn't right. Something isn't right at all.

When she opens the door, her instincts are proven correct by the smell of blood. On the floor are the dead bodies of her parents, and the court that had followed her parents.

And right in the middle of the room is her brother, looking at her and smiling.]

Comments

[mourningson]

[that smile of his is cold and empty. his eyes, too, bear no emotion.

at the sight of her, he rests the blade of his bloodied axe on the floor—she sure has bad timing. if she were here just a minute sooner, she could have walked in on the act.]

It's done. They're finally gone.

[nohalation]

[nohalation]

...

...Brother...?

[mourningson]

[he gestures to the bodies]

Don't you recognize them? Or perhaps—you can't anymore?

[nohalation]

[Dusk looks down at the bodies once more, but this time she's unable to take her eyes away from what she's looking at.

For some reason, she finds that she cannot help that her eyes are drawn speccifically to her mother's long and beautiful hair, soaking in the pool of blood on the floor.

How strange. They're not moving.

Her eyes can't seem to peel away from the scene, but Dusk speaks up anyway.]

...you killed mother and father...?

[mourningson]

[he's studying her face, why isn't she as relived]

I removed them. Not only them, but the rest of that damned court, too.

[nohalation]

[She slowly finds herself crouching over near her mother's body and gently reaches for her shoulder. It's still warm, too.

Almost instinctively, she starts to shake the shoulder very lightly as if it would wake her up. She knew by the amount of blood on the floor that it was impossible, and yet she could not help it. She knew this body was lifeless, and yet.]

Mother, wake up. I have to ask you something important. Please do not be angry for me disturbing you.

[mourningson]

[he watches on, blankly, not moving from his spot]

Sister.

[nohalation]

[turns her head slowly at Dawn, staring.]

...Who are you?

[mourningson]

[snorts]

I am Halation's new ruler. Do you get it now, Dusk? Is it coming together yet?

[nohalation]

I do not recall my brother's eyes looking like that.

[She goes back to try and shake her mother's shoulder, but she freezes when she realizes that it has become colder than before.]

...

...Oh, brother, they are dead. They're...really dead. Brother, they're dead. I have to ask mother a question, what do I do?

[mourningson]

[—that's not something he'd expect her to say about him. this isn't the reaction he expected either.

he remains silent, opting to hold his tongue—it's almost like this is the last time he thinks to worry about her feelings.]

1/2

[nohalation]

[She looks back down at the dead body, fiddling with her mother's hair between her fingers.

"Mother, I think I want to try to find happiness. I do not know if someone like me can find it, but if my kindest brother, Dawn, is with me and if my wonderful friend, Walnut, is with me, I do not think it is impossible. I think I will be able to find it so I want to try. We can stop father, we can stop the killing, and then we can finally be free.

But mother . . .

I am afraid. I try, but I cannot forget it, that time you were kind to me. I try to forget it everyday, I try and I try and I try to forget because it hurts to remember it. But I wake up and remember every morning, the sensation of the hairbrush. Do you remember? That is why I am here. It is not too late for you, is it? You are still human, aren't you?

Will you come with us?

She had practiced this speech in her head over and over

and over and over

and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over .]

[nohalation]

Ahh...

In the end, it's another dead body.

[mourningson]

It won't be the last dead body. There will be more. I have to take very long strides towards my ideal future for this kingdom.

In this future, I want less blood spilled... and for that to be done, their blood needed to be spilled first. Consider their corpses a series of stepping stones—which is a greater honor than they deserve.

Their deaths were necessary, sister.

[nohalation]

...what do you mean it is not the last dead body...? Why?

[mourningson]

There are a few reasons.

[nohalation]

What...reasons...

[she's talking but somehow, her voice seems extremely detached.]

[mourningson]

I cannot simply call a stop to the executions. They're necessary, though they need to be regulated.

[then, his voice softens just a bit]

And most importantly, I must remove anyone who dare stands in my way.

[nohalation]

Why.

[mourningson]

What do you question further?

[nohalation]

All of it because I don’t understand.

[something feels wrong]

Brother, if our parents are dead, there is no reason to keep killing so I do not understand why you say you cannot stop the executions. If you are the next ruler, of course you can stop the executions?

[mourningson]

This kingdom's misery is what keeps the world in balance.

1/2

[nohalation]

[She has to grab her head for a moment as the world starts to spin, ignoring the blood on her fingers.

Our parents are dead. They actually died. They CAN die. Father is dead. Father is dead? He's really dead?

He can die?]

The kingdom's...misery...?

[No he's not dead. He's right here, right? Standing before her is-]

[nohalation]

[no, this is brother]

[this is brother]

[this is kind Dawn]

[right]

Brother . . . what are you talking about? We do not have to kill anyone anymore. We do not have to kill anyone. Because . . . because our parents are dead.

. . .

Right, they are dead?

[The world resumes spinning.]

No, we can stop the misery now. No one has to be miserable anymore. I have to tell mother . . .