LESSER
“Monsters are stones, humans are flowers.”
- Anonymous
[Original idea]
The darkest of nights could never compare to the abyss that was Fasia. During the day, minerals and gems sparkled like artificial sunlight, but when the sun dropped from sight, the underground world was covered in tenebrous shadows.
For hundreds of years, stone men ruled under the surface, while humans ruled above. It was the way life had always been, and always would be.
Or so they thought.
As the sun rose, a tiny crack from the surface let in the light, illuminating the millions of jewels underground, almost like a chain reaction. Talc trudged on to work, despite the half darkened caverns above him. The creature kept his head low, his dull, stoney skin leaving a minute trail of ebony dust. As Talc arrived at the Kinderfields, he raised his head, gazing at his work place. Around him was large walls, millions and millions of different minerals and stones protruding. Pink, purple, blue, green and hundreds of other colors filled up the Kinderfields. Beside the miles of walls was a brightly lit building. The word KinderCo. was glowing against the azure bricks and black, stone walls.
Talc didn't hesitate to enter the building, turning his key in the door, and going directly to his office. All that lay in the miniscule room was a picture frame hanging on his cubicle wall, a stack of files and paperwork, and a clipboard. The stone man grabbed his board in passing, writing down a few things, and then flipping a large lever on a white surface.
The lever groaned, and suddenly a brighter light blew up in the wall areas where all the jewels protruded. It was time to begin the work day.
“Good morning,” Talc muttered to a passing stone woman.
“Talc!” The female replied, waving rapidly at the male. She grinned at him, before pulling the large dark creature into her tight embrace. As he pulled himself from her grip, their stones grinded against each other, creating a glittery black dust below them.
“Erudite,” he said weakly, sleep still obvious in his mannerisms. Erudite seemed oblivious to his energy - or lack thereof.
“It's such a bright morning,” the crystal said to Talc. “Everyday, over and over, we get to witness the wonders of the birth of future Fasians. We get to see all the delights of new children.”
Talc sighed. Erudite, though a beauty - with sharp, crystal skin and iridescent stones - she was so naive. Day in, day out, the stone man witnessed the death of children, crying of newborns being sent off into orphanages, and the hateful resent of the Luster children. The Luster children were the gaudy stones or jewels who all the parents wanted or envied. To be a Luster you were beautiful, handsome, sparkly, glossy and colorful. Lusters were ones who were always chosen. The Lesser children were the gaunt, and unflattering, like Talc. The dark and dusty gems with no life to look forward too. It was almost a shame to work in the Kinderfields, being a Lesser yourself. It was a constant reminder of his social status.
“See you,” Talc uttered as he pushed past the Luster, Erudite. She seemed confused as the dull Fasian made his way out the door, down to wall 33.
Talc arrived at his designated wall, grabbing his check board. The lights above him gave him the the necessary tools to remove the stones. The wall was decorated in multicolored minerals, most not ready for removal. The walls were high, almost a hundred feet, and a thousand feet in width. As big as Talc was, he always felt small in the Kinderfields. It was unsettling. The Kinderfields always had a feeling about them, as if they were as alive as the people surrounding them.
A crack sounded throughout the wall, making Talc whip around. His eyes searched for the source, when a glint towards the end of the wall caught his attention. Talc jogged down, his tie bobbing from side to side.
“What?” The man whispered, when he spotted a pink stone.
It was pale pink, and crystal like. She was a Luster, no doubt, Talc thought, writing down her number and grabbing his equipment from his pocket. Wearing a helmet, heavy boots, and his dust safe coat, he used his pick to chop at the wall around the Luster child. As he gave the tool a final swing, the wall gave, and out tumbled the pink gem, landing in Talc's arms roughly.
The child began to cry. “Hush,” Talc whispered, cradling the baby in his large arms, rocking her from side to side. Her sharp crystal features began to soften, and she gazed into his eyes with her own curious, blue ones. Little jewel droplets felt from the corners of her eyes, clinking softly on the scuffed floor. Talc bowed his head for a second,
“You're a pretty one,” he murmured softly, stroking her cheek with his large dark thumb. A little dust marred her, but she seemed to not care, and stuck his thumb in her own gaping aperture.
Talc was absorbed by her childish innocence, and smiled gently, before settling her in a basket. The dull Fasian grasped his clipboard and wrote down her stone type, effectively naming her, “Cyrilovite” or Cyril for short. Talc hefted her onto his other shoulder, rocking her gently. Cyrilovite giggled. Talc glanced around before tossing up the baby in the air. She shrill laughter pierced the cave, echoing around.
Talc sighed and put the baby onto a carrier that would take her to the birthing center, where parents would chose her and take her home. Most likely, she'd be one of the first chosen. Waving goodbye one last time to baby Cyril, Talc pressed the button, and her basket was taken away.
YOU ARE READING
HeRo (Sⓗort Stⓞrⓘⓔs)
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