Burned Out [Completed]

So Now It Works

   Before I opened my eyes I knew I was dreaming. More pressing: I knew where I was. As soon as I opened my eyes, I’d see a maroon sky and stumpy black skeleton trees. And sure enough, there it was.

   I stood, brushing the gravelly soil from my knees, taking in my surroundings and breathing in the stuffy air. Wynn was really over rating this. I just had to sleep to win a ticket to crazy god-land, forget meditation.

   There was no wind. Charcoal grey clouds hung in the stagnant air and the tree branches stood silent watch over the area.

   I walked a couple feet in the direction of a sun that was somehow fierce and dull at the same time when I felt something rush past behind me. I spun around, sure it would be Nick again, but nothing was there.

   I wasn’t sure if I was relieved or more on edge than ever. I cast my eyes balefully over the cracked ground before finally turning back around, only to find that the thing that was behind me was now in front of me. I stumbled backwards, tripping over a jutting rock and landing on my butt.

   A massive cat loomed in before me, and by cat I mean ferocious, man-eating leopard. Its pelt rippled with taunt muscles. Its spotted fur seemed to be interwoven with flames.

   If I had still been standing, its head would’ve easily lined up with my shoulders, so from my current point of view, the animal was positively massive. Its intelligent eyes glowed brighter than the sun and they were fixed on me.

   Then, amazingly, it opened its mouth and spoke in a female voice. “So the whelp finally shows up.”

   Its voice was smooth and comforting, the complete opposite of the bleak landscape, but I heard a dangerous undertone, like a fuzzy blanket that had been tossed over some shards of broken glass.

   I’d do well not to say the wrong thing in front of this beast. You know, if I could manage to say anything at all. Honestly, I’d had enough life-altering experiences to last me at least a decade or five.

   I slowly stood up. “What do you mean?”

   “You have kept me waiting. That is something I do not appreciate, especially after I so kindly sent you that warning when the Lurrera’s boy was coming for you.”

   “I’m sorry, but I don’t know who you are.” I said, but I had a sinking feeling that I knew exactly who this thing was.

   The leopard started to circle around me, making a low growling noise. It was all I could do not to run away screaming. I tried to muster the courage I’d felt when facing Jin, but this encounter had an entirely different weight to it.

   “Ah, the ignorance of mortals. I had almost forgotten. It was better all of those years ago, at least people recognized divinity when it stalked them.”

   I tried to swallow, but my throat just gave a dry click. “You’re Sute.”

   She was in front of me again. I didn’t know that a leopard could smile but she was definitely glad to be addressed by name.

   Suddenly, she was enveloped it a glowing cocoon of flames. I raised my arm, covering my eyes until the inferno disappeared.

   Standing regally where the leopard used to be was a woman at least eight feet tall. Her face was the epitome of elegance.

   Her eyebrows arched over cruel golden eyes. The shadows on her face framed her nose and accentuated her full scarlet lips. Her hair seemed to burn with its own inner light, falling halfway down her back in a cascade of ruby curls.

   Her dress was black, shot through with veins of red, making it loosely resemble a volcano that clung to her body. Black, red, and orange laces curved delicately around her long arms.

   She was without a doubt the most beautiful woman I’d even seen, but there was a coldness to her beauty.

   I did not trust this...goddess. Holy crap, I was standing in front of a goddess. That was the ultimate screw you to my lack of religious faith.

   “Oh, how I’ve missed that look of awe.” Sute smiled sweetly. The smile didn’t reach her eyes. “However, the amusement you provide will not be enough to win my favor, whelp.”

   I stared at her. My mouth had gone dry. “If I haven’t won your favor, why do I have these powers?”

   Sute’s golden eyes flared. “Careful, whelp. You tread a dangerous path.”

   She stepped forward and it was only by a display of either sheer will power or possibly a mild case of petrification that I didn’t stumble backwards again.

   “Still, I suppose I did see a certain amount of guile in you when you were presented to me all those years ago.”

   She reached out and brushed my cheek with her slender fingers. From someone else the gesture might have been comforting, but from Sute it just made me even more terrified. “Do well not to prove me wrong, whelp.”

   She drew her hand away and the world went dark.