Killing Butterflies ( Inspired by Lewis Blisset)

Of Masks and Mirrors

"You know, even while I'm involved with the rebellion, I usually work alone." Vespera remarked mildly as she set to work prying open another hatch. For the past few minutes, they had been discussing many things. Most importantly, exactly how many level there are to the house and how they were going to get down there. 

Apparently, there were four basements to this house. The first basement, which they were in, was just a place for a quick break and distraction.

 "As you already know, we oppose the Governor. So we do some illegal things down the levels below. This level is to hopefully persuade people that we are not hiding anything. We don't usually use the surface floor." Vespera had explained calmly, as if she wasn't going to face execution or worse if the things they did were discovered. 

"So, you're just going to take me on a tour?" Selene asked suspiciously. "You're not scared that I'll tell others?"

"Nah, you're a Mariposa. Nobody will believe what you say. Besides, how do you think you're supposed to get out of here without me?" Vespera didn't look up from the mess of copper and silver that she was fiddling with. Selene had no idea how it was related to opening the hatch, but she didn't feel inclined to ask after learning the specifics of the other one.

True. Vespera would not let her out without verifying her loyalty, and Selene had no doubt that she would leave her down here forever otherwise. Somehow, the fact didn't incite the same panic and claustrophobia as it did before. Perhaps Vespera was growing on her. 

Selene could empathize with her situation. Perhaps it was that darkness that tied them together, the disease lurking in their blood. Perhaps it was the shared feeling of being abandoned completely by the world.

Just then, the hatch swung open with an ominous creak. Selene peered down the hatch, remembering to stay a safe distance away lest Vespera gets any ideas again. At least there was visible light, a slice of gold, resembling the faint glow of a crescent moon. 

And two very distinct, very bright eyes looked back at her. 

"Reminds of that saying, "if you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back at you", doesn't it? Say hello to Void. He doesn't bite, most of the time." 

Selene just stared at her. Vespera was dead serious. "You never disappoint, do you." Selene muttered to herself. "Well then, I think I am adequately prepared for whatever physical torture you have for me."

"Oh, Selene. You can never be adequately prepared." Vespera smiled, a lopsided grin like a mischievous child, so at odds with her seriousness just a few moments ago that Selene couldn't help but smile as well.

Just then, a very cold and very slimy tentacle closed around her ankle. Selene's eyes flashed with rage. "I'll kill you for this—" She just managed to force out before her voice was swallowed by the darkness. 

The City of Arcluna was grand and beautiful. Houses stood along the pathways like silent sentries on duty, casting shadows across the ground. Majestic and multi-floored, they were once peace offerings to quell the warlords. Aylin could never even dream of owning a house like this, at least not in this lifetime. 

Aylin stumbled through the concrete road — concrete!— and into the heart of the wealthy district, where the colors seemed to bleed from every corner, spilling into the street like sunlight after a storm. He squinted, half-dazzled by the gleam of polished marble and half-blinded by the dizzying array of hues that adorned each grand house, each doorway, each shimmering column. He couldn't stop himself from staring. The painting of the building burnt like the Sun against his eyes, displaying a status of wealth and influence that he had never envisioned being possible. For him, even a stone pathway was an object of wonder and awe.