"for the beauty of the rose, we also water the thorns."
Descendant of Loa lineage, Karliah Shango stems from masters of Haitian and the old Oyo Empire Vodou. After the nuclear wipe out, she finds herself thrown into leadership with little comprehe...
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The distinguished scene was laid out in front of Michael once again. He'd lost count of how many times he'd been tormented by the memory, by the guilt, the hatred and anguish. The scent of burnt flesh lingered within his nostrils, his chest growing heavier as he looked over the stakes.
A fourth one sat between the corpses of Ms. Mead and Ariel Augustus. Squinting, Michael treaded over to it, standing upon the block as his eyes raked over the flesh, burned beyond recognition. He held out his palm, his fingers shaking.
The sudden vision of Karliah's amused expression entered his mind, along with her laugh, her smile, her skin, her beady eyes -
And then her tortured screams. The sight of her screaming in agony, bound to the stake as her body was engulfed in flames.
His blue eyes grew wide, brows perched as he shook his head frantically.
"No. No, no, no, please-" He shrieked, dropping to his knees with a cry.
His trembling hands ran over the ash, staining his fingers black as a sob elicited from his throat, "Come back, please don't leave me, please," He whimpered. "I can't lose you too."
"You killed her." The familiar stone cold voice of a woman rang through his ears.
Peering over his shoulder, he met her gaze. Her blonde hair flowed past her shoulders as a swift breeze ran through the air. She walked towards him defiantly, black umbrella propped above her head.
He glared up at her through damp lashes, "I didn't do this." He hissed.
"You led her down this path. Her blood is on your hands as is everyone else's," she spat. "Had you truly loved her, you would've listened."
His lips parted, a stifled cry passing them as he shook his head once again, his blonde curls dispersing in turn. "I did love her."
"Michael?"
He looked up, recognizing the girl's voice.
"Michael, wake up." She spoke in a hushed tone.
Lurching forward with a gasp, Michael opened his eyes, finding himself in Karliah's dimly lit chambers. Her arm wrapped around his shoulder, "Hey, it's okay, you're okay," she reassured softly, reaching up to wipe away the tears that'd gathered upon his pale cheeks and tucking his dishevelled locks back into place.
He met her worried gaze, chest heaving as he fell into her arms.
She paused, surprised by the sudden outburst, before wrapping her arms around him. She shushed his cries, raking her fingers over the warm skin of his back as she rested her cheek atop of his head. He held her tight, arms squeezing around her waist almost as if he loosened his grip in the slightest, she'd disappear forever. He couldn't bear the thought of it, having to relive the pain surrounding losing someone again.
