Mirror Soul

Chapter Fifty Two: Birth of a Monster

The world seemed to move in slow motion as Bruce’s body fell. The snapping of her friend’s neck rang through her mind, sounding identical to her mother’s death. When the boy finally touched the debris littered earth no thoughts seemed to form in Layva’s head, she didn’t scream, didn’t cry out, not even a single tear slid down her face. She simply stared at his limp hand, his fingers curling in on themselves.

Meridian peered down at his daughter. “Well what do you know.” He said coldly. “The  Generation’s sacrifice claims another life.”

Layva’s mind gave out. She tossed aside everything she ever was or wanted to be. She took her training, her memories, every experience she’d ever had, her thoughts, desires, morals, ethics, and even her sense of self. She tossed them all into the fire of her unyielding anger, and as she watched the flames consume her humanity she felt something awaken.

The Horizon released a primal roar that seemed to shake the world. Her destroyed body began to heal, the shattered bones and burned flesh knitted themselves back together, stronger than they ever had been. The rest of the girl’s pale skin seemed to melt off of her body, leaving behind nothing but black marble. Layva’s multicolored nails extended into scarlet claws, her lips turned as white as snow, and her long black hair faded into a brilliant silver, the tips shining iridescently.

Meridian watched the girl’s transformation in awe. “Give your all to it!” He encouraged. “Ignite your humanity and let your very soul be the kindling!” 

As the Horizon faded a new creature took her place and stood, her gray eyes began to melt out of her skull, leaving behind nothing but two empty sockets. 

The king held out a hand. “Now come with me. I will show you how to mas-” He was cut off as the nadir pounced at him. The creature swung her claws into Meridian’s face, sending him hurtling into a nearby shop.

The crazed creature roared again before she dropped to all fours and charged her prey. Meridian stood from the wreckage and touched his cheek. He smiled when he found his face dripping blue blood. “Fine. Let’s get it out of your system.”

As Layva drew closer the king threw a punch. The nadir responded by morphing its teeth into fangs and biting the zenith’s fist. The nadir jerked her head to the side, ripping off Meridian’s fingers and spitting them out. The king growled in annoyance.

“Don’t get cocky, child!” He reeled back his foot and kicked the nadir under the chin, sending the creature flying through the roof of the shop and hundreds of feet into the air. Meridian reformed his wings and took after her. Once in the sky the king regrew his fingers in an instant and aimed a hand at the spiraling creature.

A large ball of black energy with red outlines formed in the palm of his hand. “Let’s take it up a notch.” He fired, and the attack went hurling towards Layva. The hollowed eyed creature righted herself in midair, held out her arms, and caught the sphere. Meridian arched a silver eyebrow in disbelief.
With an animalistic roar, the girl spun and threw the energy back to its sender. The bomb exploded as it collided with the zenith, sending Layva flying towards the earth. Refusing to fall, the nadir unhinged her jaw, rammed her hand into her mouth, and bit it clean off. As blood gushed from the wound, the creature jutted her wrist behind her and contracted her muscle.

Her body obeyed her completely and sent her blue blood firing out of the injury. The liquid’s strength managed to propel her upwards, allowing her to rocket towards the king. Meridian chuckled as he witnessed her unorthodox ascension.

“I suppose that’s one way to fly!” He tucked in his wings and descended to meet his daughter. The two zeniths released deafening battlecries as they collided in the middle of the air.
…