To Just Exist

Hunger

Their bodies withered, mere remnants of their former selves, as hunger gnawed at their cores. Hollow cheeks and sunken eyes marked their faces, echoes of starvation. Whispers to indulge in one's own flesh—he drools at the thought. "What would a limb matter if the pain of starvation ceased?" he wonders.

"Brother, do not give in," the familiar voice whispers, with a withered tone. He weakly raises his head to see his older brother. The sight of him now brings him pain. The two of them support each other to the window of the concrete castle, peering over the desolate kingdom—nothing but dust and gloom. Everyone left for greener pastures, as the scorn turned the land to nothing.

"Look what's become of our great kingdom—a barren land with nothing: no tree, no inhabitants," the older brother laments. In a fit of rage, he hits the concrete frame of the window. A moderate crack snaps through the concrete. The younger brother just stood there, looking at his withering brother. "What did you expect? This kingdom was great, but the inhabitants were not going to stay with a dying kingdom," the younger brother stated. As his knees gave out from underneath him, he sat there, hunger gnawing at him again, drowning out the voice of his brother and replacing it with sinister whispers.

The older brother firmly placed a hand on his brother, offering support and a glimmer of comfort amidst the desolation.

The rhythm of footsteps echoed through the hallway of the concrete castle. "You two, with me," the voice demanded, suffering from the effects of starvation. The stern figure stood there, his gaze piercing with pure red eyes that seemed to hold both intensity and mystery. His striking features were enhanced by his jet-black hair, which cascaded effortlessly, framing his face with an air of sophistication. With a chiselled jawline and a strong, confident presence, he exuded an undeniable sense of authority.

The brothers obediently bowed their heads to the presence and, supporting each other, rose to their feet. The brothers trailed behind him, their steps echoing softly. "What are we going to do, Father? Our kingdom... it's dying," the older brother questioned, his voice filled with concern and a hint of desperation. Silence filled the hallway as the figure looked over his shoulder, his piercing gaze casting a terrifying glare upon the older brother. "Don't you think I see our kingdom dying?" His words carried a disturbing sense of fear, causing a shiver to creep up the brothers' necks.

"You think you could do better?" The figure turned to face his eldest son, his expression stern and unyielding. "Icon, are you questioning my reign as king?" Icon seemed to tremble in front of his father, his voice faltering as he replied, "N-no, my king, I didn't mean to upset you." Their father glared at them as they continued their journey throughout the castle in silence. Two silhouettes stood side by side up ahead.

A small, petite girl stood there, her once-charming stature now bearing the harsh toll of starvation upon her fragile frame. Her delicate figure had become painfully thin, accentuating the protrusion of her bones. Despite the hardships etched onto her visage, the remnants of her delicate horns still adorned her head, serving as a reminder of her otherworldly nature. Beside her stood a tall and busty girl, whose once alluring presence had been diminished by the ravages of starvation. Her once ample curves had wasted away, leaving her figure gaunt and skeletal. The elegance of her height was marred by the fragility that now emanated from her weakened frame. Her once graceful tail, which had once been a symbol of her individuality, now hung limp, devoid of any strength to move.

They all stood there in silence, as no one dared to speak, as the anger of their father was clearly visible. Icon stood there his younger brother's arms over his shoulder "Icon I think I'm alright now" the younger brother whispers.

Icon nodded, relinquishing the support of his younger brother's arms. "Now, since we're all here, I want reports on recent findings," their father demanded. Icon stepped forward; the weight of the situation evident in his voice. "We are now completely out of food as the scorn has decimated our crops, land, and animals. The scorn is rapidly expanding and has already corrupted 86% of our region, my King," Icon said, the bitterness of sadness seeping through His words.

Icon could feel their father's piercing gaze upon them, but it held no anger, only a profound sense of sorrow. Their father let out a weary sigh. "If it truly has reached 86%, then we will have no choice but to leave. He frustratedly whispered "And what of our inhabitants? Have they managed to make it further south?"

"No" her tail went limp as her imposing stature quivered, swaying forward under the weight of her harrowing memories. "I tried everything in my power to shield them, but the creatures of the Scorn proved insurmountable," she lamented, her voice sadden. "They tore through me effortlessly, as if I was inconsequential, and descended upon our innocent inhabitants, consuming them mercilessly. I could only bear witness, helpless, as they ruthlessly ended the lives of my cherished friends." She turned her head away, unable to confront the anguish in her brother's eyes. "What I struggle to comprehend is that they didn't devour me. Instead, they fixated on me with a loathsome hatred in their eyes, encircling me as if to mock the fact that they had murdered those dear to me." A potent blend of anger and profound sorrow permeated her voice, leaving an indelible impression of raw emotion Her father loomed over her, his gaze laden with a desolate expression, as though he anticipated their demise. He placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder, offering a feeble semblance of consolation. "You did everything you could," he uttered softly, his voice tinged with a mix of resignation and compassion. "It was their choice to leave despite the dangers. "I warned them that venturing out meant risking their lives, but they insisted. Whatever unfortunate fate befell them; it is not our responsibility." 

She fell into a heavy silence, her head bowed in contemplation. A surge of anger ignited within her, and she could not contain her frustration any longer. "Don't you care about our kind?" she spat out; her voice laced with fiery indignation. "How can you say it's not our fault? You're their king You heartless bastard!" She glared up at him, forcefully swatting his hand away from her shoulder as she took a step back. He remained unmoving, his bleak countenance unyielding, as her words hung in the air. She turns her back on him going back standing beside her sister. 

With a weary sigh, his gaze shifted towards the youngest, a silent command for her to reveal her findings. Stepping forward, she cleared her throat before speaking. "Well, our court has successfully obtained what you sent them for," she stated, extending a folded parchment towards him. As she presented it, her horns tilted slightly, accentuating her curious expression.

However, his response remained curt and dismissive. "It is nothing that concerns you at this moment," he retorted, abruptly shutting down her curiosity. Instantly silenced, she couldn't help but let a sly smirk grace her features as she gracefully retreated into the line, ready to resume her place among the others.