A bleeding moon's pulse

CHAPTER 1 | ACT 1

━━━━ ''ACT 1'' ━━━━

This celestial 'vault' was tailor-made to fit pearlescent beings. It was sugary sweet darkness, one just as delicate as porcelain. It dissipated once you swatted at it; looking back at your flailing hand, you could only come to the conclusion you were grabbing at nothing. No reward lay in your palms. You tried, time and time again getting the same result. When you realised that you were not 'one of the lustrous' this land was crafted for, you were devastated.

This wasn't a direct derivative of warm amniotic fluid, one that greeted and accepted all.
It was different. You knew so, because those lustrous beings were made of stardust and light, gracing one another with their beaming glow. They shone and danced, treasured pearls. Cold, freezing stars that you first assumed to be warm to the touch.

You were but a simple cavalry soldier in comparison to them. They came from a better place than you, seeing as they haven't lost the gleam in their eyes. No, this vault wasn't a derivative of anything. It was different, unique. Ever twisting and contorting, forming straying spirals and errant curls of its own. This was an unusual form of darkness.

That was because it was cold. It snagged at you with canines of black, and ripped away parts of you one by one, becoming progressively more mutilated the longer you stayed in its tightening grasp. But you adapted. You became sharp, cold-welded steel. You became jagged and worn with time. Just as expected. Just as expected...

—

One of the pilots seemed ready to lunge for any hand that reached out to them. Another stood with their hand crossed in front of the other, defensive and cold. The last pilot's calm demeanour was more approachable. His tired gaze could've fooled just about anybody, diverting attention from his sour inner displeasure. The three did not plan on speaking until someone initiated a conversation, and that is what they did.

All of them were unsure about the orders given to them that day, to carry out their mission to attain freedom. At first, they were sceptical, and even reluctant until they were finally introduced to their aircraft. "Salute 5-14-4 " they called it.

The wings of their floating ship sparkled with freedom at first. They had no choice but to accept the metal shield, and hope their Superiors wouldn't go back on their word. Despite the harsh treatment they received, and their personal reluctance, the shuttle was in an excellent state.

They were but another disposable carrier for your Superior's wishes and commands. That's what Lidocaine, Gauze, and Iodine thought of themselves. Purposeless - an entirely blank canvas; That's what next to everyone thought of themselves, considering their behaviours at the settlement.

In some way, they believed they were similar to those who were sent to the blood sea, drowned out by red. Sent to their demise under the promise of freedom. Soon it became evident to the trio, that this mission was indeed, means to put them to death. Days bled into uneventful weeks. Weeks that passed as they waited to meet their destination point. The motives of their Superiors were unknown to them, which was worrisome.

Maybe, this was a form of punishment. Perhaps the settlements were overexerted and their Superiors had planned to rid of those who were excrescent. The settlements were a dump for humanity's lacklustre beings - and they were rampant with disorder. Nothing was regulated unless it interfered with the guards, involved 'escaping', or had someone allegedly 'stepping out of line'. Everything else in this purgatory was sorted out by its residents.

Iodine and Gauze were twins. They quickly caught onto the way the settlements worked and began to navigate them independently.

Gauze ran on leverage and persistence. He was not given the name 'gauze' because he was amiable or warm - instead being named so because he quickly solved most issues and closed open wounds. He is generally closed off and brusque. He is deeply dedicated to his duties and codex -, and for this, he is well respected. Renowned for his wolfish stare, which made others' blood run cold. Gauze was the more aggressive twin, despite the angelic white hair that cascaded down his neck. Gauze was responsible for the violent crimes.