Unsevered Ties

Limited Run 8

A/N: Art by SerinityAInferno and the AU story of unserverd ties is on her profile :3 Also guys I'm so amused by myself, if you guys aren't laughing I'm ashamed

8

Sand once a white tan now sat onyx black, the stretch of it sitting along miles and miles of glistening water. Well, as much as it could glisten with most of the Sun blocked from touching this piece of the world.

At the edge, a small group of people fished the water, their little herd of sheep sipping at the water as the makeshift group of nomads enjoyed the day.

Here in this place, the creatures did not roam. Beyond the sandy and rocky borders, they littered the land, but this piece of land remained untouched. They didn't know why, but they thanked the Gods for the blessing.

"Momma look! A big fish!" A young girl with black hair and smudged face showed her mother the flopping beast, its size nearly as big as her.

From far down the beach line, her mother smiled and cheered for her, the sound of the sheep in the background. She couldn't see what made her mother stop and turn away, but she did know that was the last time she saw her mother.

How could one so young do anything more than drop her prize in fear at the bubbling ooze rising from the water? A monster like a blanket of death rising high, turning what little day they had into night.

Like the sweeping hand of death, the black blanket swooped down, devouring everything it desired. The cries of the sheep were silenced, much like the screams of the people being engulfed.

Dark brown eyes turned black as the shadow engulfed all. Life ended as soon as it touched anything living. She ran, despite knowing the shadow consumed her mother. She didn't want to go and find her. If she wanted to live, she had to run. Even in the young, fear and survival drove her instincts. Little legs took her further down the coast, the black sand making it hard to run.

As if offering a haven from the monstrosity bubbling from the water, a large jutting cave appeared, the obsidian like build gleaming despite no reason for its shine. Inside felt safer than outside. That thing came for anything that breathed.

She ran as deep as the cave would allow; her ragged breaths echoing in what seemed like an empty space. Ahead of her stood a wall like crystals, dark and glittering. The vision engulfed her dark eyes, a humming coming from the crystalized formation. It seemed to beckon her...call her...

"No, little one... run away... you have to run away..."

She turned at the voice but saw nothing and no one. Her feet brought her closer despite being told to turn away and it seemed like the black wall turned translucent, revealing... people? Her eyes sparkled with the alluring image, the humming calling to her.

Inside, a figure bound by black vines, their body pulsing with onyx veins, watched on in misery. This place, that's all it was; a slow, miserable death. Someone so young didn't belong here.

"R-run please," the dry voice and cracked lips begged, emerald and topaz eyes faded and dull. It was too late though, the beast, the devourer, the Void... it was coming.

"Little princess, are you all alone? Where did your parents go?" The gravelly voice came from nothing, from an endless shadow. "Would you like me to take you to them? I know where they are."

The little girl stood, frozen, unable to move. Slowly, the blanket swirled down into the shape of a man, large and bulky, with a thick beard lining a harsh face. "Come here, sweetheart, you're crying. Don't be scared. Let me take you to your mother. She's right outside."