Rewriting Seven Years

8. Wilting Flower

Beasts of darkness circled Makurow, but he took to the statue as the lantern in the dark. Not one beast dared to pass into the light—rather they backed up burrowing into the shadows. A wild hiss drew Makurow's attention. Pulling his sword out, aiming it into the endless darkness ahead of him. Wind flew chills against his neck.

Snake slowly floated around the statue, staying feet away from it. "This thing won't stay lit for long," Snake whispered loudly.

"I'm just gathering my powers." Makurow stumbled against the statue as the light slowly faded.

"You better have enough we still have a whole night ahead of us."

Makurow looked over to Snake, his happy, joker look became scared and concerned. The fear in his eyes soon transferred to Makurow. The darkness slowly creeped upon the two, chewing at their toes. Makurow felt weak. Not enough of the statues power has transferred to him—he would have to get into the statue. The inside of an indestructible stone. Makurow took a swing in the last remaining light, sharpening the blade on the light rays and absorbed in any that it stood in.

Makurow took a jab at the stone, leaving no marks against it. Returning the sword to both his hands he lifted the sword above his right shoulder. Darkness pulled on Makurow back, leaning him off balance. Falling over as he hurled a mighty swing against the stature. Light exploded from Makurow's sword gathering at the hit, and then like a water disrupted by a thrown rock, the light separated, deformed and then collapsed together. Creating then an indent in the statue, opening light to the dark outside. The darkness began to vacuum light out of the statue. Makurow scurried to his feet, shoving the dull tip of his sword into the crack. He could see the sword becoming sharper and sharper, but the statue began to crack, the invincible stones jagged surface, crumbled and cracked, as it turned to a soft sand, slowly falling off every inch.

Makurow could feel an evil pulling him away from the statue, hands clenching to his shoulders and dragging him down. Vines wrapped around his ankles and anchored him to the ground. "Snake get these off me." Makurow pleaded. He stumbled closer to the statue as a huge chunk broke off in front of him. Hands relax on his back—light spanned farther as the statue broke open.

Makurow curled his head to the side. Snake stood on the edge of light and darkness, coughing and wheezing while clawing at his face. Light, like souls, escaped his face. Crawling out of his eyes and through under his lips. At each cough, light launched from his mouth, gathering together to vanish into the dark.

Snake's body formed to completion, scales flutter throughout, his claw shined of gold, giant claws grew from his feet, and his eyes glowed a haunting red. Snake's head dipped down, and the light stopped escaping his mouth. Makurow stood in the glowing light, basked in awe to the monster sitting at the edge of the light.

Through the blackest night, monsters of darkness crawled out from hiding, approaching a slow breathing prey. "Behind you, Snake!" Makurow alerted without thought. Just then a beast jumped at Snake. Holdfast for a strike. Snake, awoke from his unconsciousness, rotating around and grabbing the beast by the neck, and with his claws pried the monster's eyes lid open, forcing to look into Snake's eyes. Snake sent the monster shaking and trembling, while the beast surrounding, slowly backed off. Maniacal laughter and soul absorption, Makurow observed.

Once Snake was finished with the animal he tossed its limp body into the darkness towards the other monsters of darkness. Makurow let out a quick, loud breath. Snake slowly eased his head towards Makurow's direction. Snake no longer possessed a happy grin, for now it was deep and frightful. "Makurow," Snake said in a long, deep, scary voice. "I'm complete," he said softly, "that means I don't need you anymore." Snake shot his body facing Makurow. Makurow stumbled backwards tripping over rubble from the statue. The statue no longer stood any resemblance to what it was hours ago. Pieces scattered everywhere, crumbled to sand.