The Orb And The Onslaught {COMPLETE}

Chains, Stains and Esskandr

    The lack of light, sounds, even thoughts were all things she'd grown used to, even the terrible smells were nothing anymore. The cages were, after all their bedroom, bathroom, they were life and they could do nothing but live with the hand they'd been dealt. She couldn't remember a time outside of the cage anymore, she didn't want to remember. It wouldn't change anything, it wouldn't help her, it would only cause pain; a crushing pain in her chest that didn't ease until she buried everything deep inside. 

     The shackles and chains had become an accessory, she wore them like bracelets, twisting them around to hear them clang against the metal of the cage. It was almost like the sounds she'd pushed away, dancing that she'd promised herself never to think of again. She forced her thoughts down and brought them under control. She laid down and stared at nothingness, this was the only entertainment she allowed herself. 

    There were few things left to think about anymore. The silence was her friend, the darkness her comfort. She had learned to accept her predicament and how it would finally end. Acceptance was her strength, it kept her from becoming weak and kept her mind as it is, or what was left of it. The ritual would start soon, she had heard it spoken of by their feeders, either they didn't know she was alert enough to listen or they didn't care.

    Either way, she knew exactly what would happen next. They would be led to the room that would set them all free. Laid upon the altar and sacrificed for the power the leader desired. The power to change and rule the world as they saw fit. But she didn't have to care about that part, she wouldn't be around to see the world in ruins. It almost made her smile, though she knew she couldn't get her hopes up just yet, for fear of them being dashed by some unknown delay. 

     The ritual had to be timed perfectly, she knew every detail must be correct otherwise their captors wouldn't do it. They had waited too long and taken so much, it had to work on their first and only try. She wanted them to succeed, it was the only way she would be saved from the living nightmare she endured over and over. It was so close she could taste it, and there was something in the air that said this day, or possibly night, was different. 

     Suddenly a sound, something unusual could be heard from the other side of the iron door but it was foreign to her ears. They only knew silence and the clanging of metal or the feeders voices, this sound was none of those things. Was this the beginning of the end? She climbed to her feet and looked pointlessly in the direction of the iron door. The chains swung against her ribs, leaving tiny bruises that she barely noticed, every one of her senses was pointed at the door. 

      Any minute now, their robed captors would walk in and lead each of them away, she just had to wait a little longer. She could hear the chains of the other prisoners clanging as they got to their feet or moved in their cages, they also knew something was happening. The air was thick with anticipation, every single one of them was ready to be a sacrifice in the name of Esskandr.