Defilement: Atem x Reader

Prologue: Kingdom of Fire

Blood. It was everywhere, on his once pristine clothing, coloring it the same shade of red that soaked into the sandy earth below his feet. Weary. Heavy. But you must push forward. Continue onward and back home. Back to your kingdom. 

Back to her. 

Navy blue heavens littered with stars above him scattered away, blackened by pitch black clouds of smoke. Burned his nostrils and made him choke. Must keep going. Almost to the gates, you're the only one left alive. 

Only fire and ravished buildings of your once great empire now lie in ruins of red and orange. Those you swore to protect now lay dead. Strewn corpses of young and old littered the streets, stabbed upon make shift wooden spikes. Can't stand the sight of them. Those whom you promised to your father you'd protect. To keep safe.

Everywhere he went, more carnage. More blood. Near vomit at the full bodied stench of death around him. 

Where are your precious gods now, dear king? Shouldn't they had prevented this from happening? Fear made his weary and sore feet kick up in speed. He had to get back. He had to get to her. To make sure she was safe from this hell. 

They laughed at him, denying him that wish. Laughed at those who placed all their faith in him. Their hope. They laugh because they know he's nothing. Mortal. Simple to kill. They laugh because they know their time is ending. Their reign over the people's hearts. But they will get karma for this. Oh, they will ten fold. 

Kneeling on the red ground in cold numbness. Endless tears streaming down his face, sobbing loudly. Clinging onto the lukewarm body of his betrothed. His beloved. The one he valued above his kingdom. Above his own life now lay motionless. Lifeless in his arms. The once soft and vibrant E/C now blank with the shade of death.  Eyes that once shown bright with life, warmth, and love. Love for him. 

His soul wept and screamed in agony and rage. Agony at losing his light. Rage at the deities who laugh at his anguish. For they did not care. 

Anger at himself for not staying as he should have in the first place. 

''Dry your tears, boy. They will not bring your heart nor kingdom back.'' Tri colored hair whipped around at the disembodied voice. Tone sympathetic yet not. ''This was all the work of the so called 'gods' you worship is it not? How many more souls must be sent to their domain this evening?'' It soon became apparent that whatever or whoever was speaking to him wasn't present. 

''Do not try and ignore me boy. I know you can hear me.'' Hear? Yes. Seeing is a different story. 

Wait a moment. A shadow. Something black and inky. Formless before him now taking shape. 

''You hate them now, do you? You should. They had taken everything you worked so hard to protect. Your kingdom, your people. Including your precious light. You poor, weak little being.'' The ink like figure snickers before that tone from before came back. This time, now lifeless. ''You want her back, yes? That was the main reason of your hasted return here? To this nightmare that was once your life.'' A solemn nod. 

If the thing had teeth, it would be grinning right now. 

''...What if I told you that it was possible? No, no. Not revival. Reincarnation. While one may not have all the memories of their previous selves, there are still some things left behind to aid them in remembering. Should they want to know that they're nothing but shadows.''

He stayed silent. This was madness. Insanity. He shouldn't even be listening to this vile creature and yet...

He wanted her back more than anything. And he didn't care. It was all that took to seal it. To seal him and his fate. Now bound to take who ever faintly resembled his princess. By denouncing the gods, his fate was none other but his own. And he was determined to keep it that way. Damned the consequences. 

Blood red colored the sky that night. And his eyes as well.