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Wading through corpse infested knee-high waters, a petite woman carrying an ornate umbrella fashioned in red—whistled a quiet tune. All as a monolithic shadow slithered along behind her. The longer she walked—the sicklier the shattered moon became. The womb of something greater than any of them was visible through the cracks.
There, standing before the celestial body—thus the woman declared,
“I am the 77th princess of Cartesia, Elise. The sole heir to this ruined world. I have come to fulfil my duty to my people, wherever they may be scattered amongst the stars. To finish our revenge against you, wretched scourge of the earth.”
The still water rippled from the fury pouring out of her. Elise’s too long shadow bended in unnatural ways—each inky tendril poised to stab the heart of the plague. There was no hesitation, no fear—only the burning desire to end this nightmare, once and for all.
No response.
Even as it destroyed her homeland with its maddening light—there was never a response. It was futile to expect anything else, she still did. Was it wrong? Elise didn’t care, dead women walking shouldn’t have to care about anything else but the moment.
It opened its eyes.
Honed by years of protecting her people—Elise blocked its gaze by grabbing hold of the countless broken corpses that surrounded her with her shadow, and covered the sky with them.
Spat out with visible disgust on her face, Elise glared at what she knew lay beyond the sky,
“How unsightly. To force me to adopt such measures? I shall have your heart for that.”
A minute passed. Then another. And another. And then-
Bloated bodies fell down like rain as countless tendrils sharper than any sword—reached for the heavens. It struck true. There was still no response. Elise was paralyzed by a once in a lifetime sight—the moon was bleeding silver. Carrying the souls of all who had fallen had taken its toll on her but, this reinvigorated her back into the state she was before the weight of the crown followed her every step.
If there was anything else you wanted to do, if you weren’t burdened by your role—what would you do, Elise?
They say the universe surrounding our world is dead, right? Well, I would like to confirm that for myself.
Would you let me follow you?
Of course—who else would write down my accomplishments?
I see that you haven’t changed from your younger years.
Would you want it any other way?
The crumbling remains of the felled God orbited the Earth.
To carry out such a feat—had a great cost. Far too much for one mortal to pay.
The last words that the 77th princess of Cartesia would ever say, was said in a whisper,
“Will I see you again?”
Cradled in the familiar cold of her shadow, Elise took her last breath.