Arisu [ #JustWriteIt - Horror - Complete ]

Chapter Nineteen - Checkmate

"Scarlet-ringed eyes, the brute did see.
Now your life belongs to me."

Coryn awoke underneath a sky of silver constellations. Rivers of autumn wind rushed past him, whispering mythical words to his ears. They were not of their world, could not be understood by the hearing of an earthly being.

He was tied to one of the bell tower's tall pillars by his own golden threads. They snaked around his body and glowed with life, luminosity.

That wicked demon had stolen the coil of magical thread and used them to bind him with no hope of escape. How ironic.

His head didn't feel hazy as it usually did. He was wide awake, more so as if someone had thrown cold water over his face.

And the bell was slowly ringing, one toll after the next. For once, its tune was not somber, but fruity. Deep, eccentric and strange.

Once.

Bathed in the moonlight, the roof was quiet and so still. The storm had passed without him, drifted away before he had a chance to call upon its lightning to attack the creature standing before him.

Could he remember the last time he'd been immobilised, unable to move or defend himself? Bitterly, the memory came back to him. How many years ago had it been since then? Since he'd had his eye stolen?

Now, nothing mattered. Alice's death had shattered him. He was at the mercy of the White Rabbit, the one who'd now shapeshifted into a clone of himself.

It was over. And he'd lost.

Twice.

He'd promised to protect Alice from harm. The look of hurt, the look of betrayal he was sure he'd seen in her eyes before it was off with her head.

Was Trick even still alive? If so, then he'd failed him too. Failed as a guardian, and as an older brother.

Thrice.

Coryn slowly raised his head in reaction to hearing its quiet footsteps. He had nowhere to left to run, no more tricks up his sleeve, no way to give back the harsh cards that had been dealt to his hand.

"... If you're going to kill me, just make it swift and quick..." His voice ran flat.

That's it?
There's no more fight left in you?
You aren't worthy of your title as an Arch Mage.

"... You're right. I'm not."

Four times.

A ripple of pain shot through his shoulder, to which he only bowed his head. A part of him, a small piece of his subconscious, knew that it was nothing compared to what was in store for him.

Five times.

- His other was concealed and safe, but his exposed eye was locked in a hypnotic gaze with the ones of his parent's killer. Demonic possession, as it was called.

I would pity you.
But I don't have a heart anymore.
So I won't.

Six times.

Coryn felt the swish of another nighttime breeze blowing through his hair. Was it a final farewell?

- It felt as if he'd been stringed up like a puppet and the monster was the master. His feet moved, and he couldn't control it. He was walking towards the Halloween spirit, walking straight to the waiting claws of evil.

Seven times.

All of a sudden, something swiped past his vision. He gasped as it sank its claws into his robotic eye and tore out the piece of machinery in a volley of red sparks.

Eight times.

- He stopped in front of the monster and stood still. His voice was choked back, he couldn't even command his lungs to breathe.

Couldn't protect Trick. Couldn't protect Alice. Couldn't even protect himself.

Mmmhm.
Now the other one.

-And now, his own hand was reaching towards his face. He'd known what was going to happen before it did. And there was nothing he could do to stop it.

Nine times.

Coryn shuddered and closed his remaining eye, feeling a warm tear trickle down his cheek. His veins froze. His heart froze.

Ten times.

The End...?