What Lies Between ✔

Origins

Trigger warning: mentions of rape in this chapter.

11

Nameless

The woman's voice was mesmerizing. The calm, swaying tone it carried almost distracted me from the stream of words, but there was no way I could pull my ears away from what was being sung. It felt as though they were weaving around my bones, clinging to my being.

Last Born, you've been sleeping,

When shall you wake?

Last Born, blackness is creeping,

Which path shall you take?

The woman was standing, back turned to me, in front of a tall, full tree. The thick trunk of the tree was twisted, giving it an ancient sort of essence, one you would find in a soul that had witnessed many seasons. The greens of the leaves and the grass were wonderfully vibrant. It took me a minute, but I realized the little glinting orbs that were hanging off the gnarled, waving branches were golden apples.

Golden apples? That wasn't right, but my mind fluttered away from them and back to the song that had begun to seep a low ringing into my ears.

Serpent, cold and slithering,

Light shall be your end,

Serpent, will is withering

How far shall power bend?

The woman distracted me from the uncanny tree. Her hair poured to her waist, it's corn color shining as the soft wind breezed through its silky length. She wore a long, dark green dress that plummeted down her back and fell to her bare ankles. Even though I couldn't see her face, it was obvious this woman was gorgeous. I wanted her to turn around just so that I could fully know her beauty.

Hunter, fierce and cunning,

flames shall lead your way,

Hunter, blood is running,

In death shall he stay?

The fluent melody floated around and through me, as if being cradled by the air. I felt weightless, like I could float with the words if I allowed myself to be lifted away by them. The only thing that kept me grounded was that ringing, which seemed to steadily become shriller and shriller the closer I got to the tree.

Shadow, feared and veiling,

Light shall make it stark,

Shadow, good is failing,

Shall you remain within the dark?

What did the words mean? I couldn't really bring myself to care. I took a step closer to the woman. I wanted to stand with her, to sing with her, though I knew for sure I had no such talent. I continued to walk closer and closer to her, the feeling of wanting to see her face –wanting to know her – growing ever more urgent. The ringing was a wail now.

Son, bright and shining,

She shall take light's place,

Son, evil is binding,

You shall be the second face.

I wanted to cover my ears, but I was almost to her then. I was an arm's length away, ready to reach out and tap her shoulder.

Children, brave and willing,

The end is coming soon,

Children, love is killing,