Hollow Truth

Zephyr's Dream

He was soaked in blood. It dripped from his limbs, filled his eyes, mouth, nose, ears, every cavity in his body. His breath was more of a gurgle, but he wasn't afraid. In fact, it was exhilarating.

"Zephyr." Who was it disturbing his thrill? He couldn't tell through the red liquid. Their voice was familiar though.

"You've killed so many, Zephyr. You shouldn't even exist, monster."

"You're existence is disgusting."

"Worthless."

"Fake." Zephyr shuddered as more and more voices reached his ears, filling his mind with images he couldn't understand. Eyes... They were all eyes. Every pair was filled with anger and hatred, including his own. Attempting to clear the blood from his face, Zephyr started to feel the long awaited fear. The blood wouldn't stop. Why wouldn't it stop?

"You left us."

"Alone."

"Alone and out of place."

"But I was the only one there!" Zephyr screamed it, gagging as the blood flowed from his mouth. He didn't understand why he had said it. He couldn't understand. So many voices, so many eyes, so much blood.

"You're existence is a lie."

"You'll only hurt those who have taken you under your wing."

"Not even Ren will be able to understand you."

"Monster."

"Liar."

"Hopeless fool."

"Shut up!" Zephyr covered his ears, trying to get a breath. He was drowning. Drowning in blood. Was it his blood? No, he didn't need to ask. It was the blood of those he had abandoned, the ones who were tormenting him.

"Kill." Zephyr tried to scream, his head feeling as though it was being split open.

"Kill." He desperately tried to claw the blood from his eyes, the pounding of his heart picking up pace as he tried to get a taste of the air.

"Kill." The blood suddenly emptied from his body, allowing him to fill his lungs with oxygen. Falling to his knees, he panted, his hands balling into fists. He stayed like that until his heart had calmed. When he looked up, he found he was in the gray world again. Bile rose in his throat, and his stomach heaved. What was this hell?

"Welcome home, Zephyr." A beautiful apparition stood before him, her arms held open just for him. Her hair was long and white, reaching her bare feet. Her body was clad in a graceful white dress. Zephyr allowed his eyes to rise, his blood running cold as he reached her face. She had no eyes. Her mouth stretched into a twisted smile, and she stepped toward him.

"No, stay away!" Zephyr scrambled backwards, trying desperately to escape the woman.

"It's no use running. This is your reality, Zephyr."

"No it's not! Stay away!" A strong pull began dragging him toward the apparition. Desperately, he tried to stand, collapsing as his legs were swept out from under him. Zephyr clawed the ground, trying to find something, anything to hold onto. A hand latched on to his, and for a moment, Zephyr felt relief.

"Monster." Zephyr followed the arm up, his breath catching in his throat as he stared up into Ren's face. It was rotted, the skin peeling from the bone, one of his gold eyes hanging out of its socket. Gagging, Zephyr tried desperately to free his hand, tears blurring his vision. The brittle bone snapped easily, the sound shaking Zephyr to the core. Once again he was dragged toward the apparition, writhing as more and more hands reached for him.