The Creed's Emergence

Chapter Fifteen: The Rapier of The Meadow

The pastries and bread were as amazing as ever. The cake had a light and fluffy texture to it, and it was not dry. It was filled with a sweet vanilla filling and topped with vanilla frosting. It wasn't too sweet, and neither was it too bland. It has the perfect amount of sweetness which went nicely with the cake. Anika felt like she was in heaven eating something so good. She savored every bit of the slice, closing her eyes and imagining everything about the cake. She could see every ingredient, and how they worked to make such a delicious thing.
"You seem to be enjoying the cake." Thorn stared down at Anika, all nine of his pupils locked onto her. Anika nodded as she ate, then once she swallowed her food, she placed the fork down. It softly clinked on the plate.
"It's better than what I've had at home."
"I have not tasted anything like that for years... I do not remember anything. Can you describe what the cake is like for me?" Thorn took Anika's hand into his own, holding it tight. He was being careful not to squeeze it since it was so small. Anika was surprised to hear that, but she only smiled wide and nodded again.
"Well.. The inside of the cake is soft like a blanket. It tastes sweet, like the smell of freshly baked cookies. It's a sweetness that is not too overpowering, or too dull, like warm bathwater after a long day. The frosting stuff tastes smooth like mud on the shore of a river, still sweet but not overpowering." Anika did her best to describe the cake and how it tasted, but her words sounded a bit confusing. However, Thorn seemed to understand what she meant. He was taken aback by the descriptions and began to imagine the cake himself. If he had a lower jaw and the ability to eat, he could feast on so much food. Yet, regardless he was still happy the way he was. If there was a scarcity of food, he wouldn't have to worry about starvation.
"Seeing how well you two go together makes me wish I was able to experience the same." Splinter sighed, closing his eyes and crossing his arms. He was a little jealous, yet at the same time knew no one would want him. He was missing part of his face and looked the second most battle-worn in the group. But he was more likable than Bramble, at least. Out of everyone, besides Moon and Crow, he kept himself in control well. But women wanted human men who worked, were rich, and many other things. Not some eldritch horror like him. People were usually afraid of him or kept their distance from him.

"Maybe someday you'll find someone special, Splinter. It just takes time." Anika looked over at Splinter, keeping that warm smile of hers. She knew there was hope for anyone. There was someone for everyone. It could take years for someone to find the perfect person.
Splinter opened his eyes, then he looked up at the ceiling, seeing common bluebells in one of the hanging flower pots. For a moment, he recalled something...

Was it sunlight? Warmth? His memory was hazy, but he thought he saw light and a vast meadow of tall grasses and bluebell flowers. He was in his uniform, bloodied after a harsh battle during the night. His bloody sword dragged along the ground as he made his way into the clearing where the meadow was. He limped, but stopped at one point, seeing someone standing in the middle of the meadow playing what looked like a lyre of some sort. Many small songbirds fluttered around them, singing like there was no tomorrow. He swore that it was a strange woman, she had horns that were like those of dragons, spiraling at the tips. She wore a crown of flowers, but Thorn couldn't quite recall what the rest of her looked like.
She hadn't noticed the Decrepit. But then a deer emerged from the forest. It approached the woman, but as soon as it saw Splinter, its ears perked and it quickly ran away. The woman turned around to look at him but was startled by his bloodied appearance. But her eyes... He remembered them well now. Even if they were full of fear, her eyes were like an endless ocean of colorful flowers, golden with many colored specks and streaks. She cried out to him, begging him to not kill her. Splinter could only drop his rusty rapier in response and step back. Clearly, she had seen something else in him, even if he meant no harm to her. He kept his distance, then he spread his arms out, dropping his guard for her to see that he wouldn't hurt her. His instincts told him to attack, and end her life. She could have been part of the Sect or a Raider. But he held back no matter what happened to his body. It twitched and his arms moved on their own, but he did everything to not pick up his rapier. His vision went red, and voices echoed in his head, urging him to kill. He heard his heartbeat much louder than anything else. Then, he collapsed onto his knees, coughing and wheezing. The woman panicked but kept her distance as well. She was wary of him and wasn't sure if he was trying to trick her.
But slowly, she approached. She wasn't sure what to do about the stranger suddenly showing up. Splinter looked up at her, his body shaking all over. He said something to her, maybe telling her to run away or knock him unconscious. He couldn't harm someone innocent, she didn't seem like an enemy. But his instincts still screamed for him to kill. Then, they were silent. The woman had held out her hand, and a soft green light came from it. It felt warm like sunshine and gentle like a Spring breeze. Splinter's body felt heavy, and he soon fell over onto the grass and flowers, asleep.