A Story To Be Told (Croo short stories)

A Matter of Inheritance

[,,, you know this is Alitia]
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A delivery driver looked down at the parcel in his hands.

He was at his own planet, for once. Igni. It wasn't his favourite place to be, but with business as tight as it was, he had little choice in coming here. People didn't really have a need for delivery drivers anymore.

Still, it was one of his last deliveries of the day. The (natural) light around Igni was fading. He'd be able to see his wife soon.

The parcel in his hands was addressed to a party called 'CHALKY' as the sender put it. Instead of a house, the address was a tiny river. One overflown with pollution and such by now.

With a spring in his step, the delivery driver headed down the river.

There wasn't much of them. It was why he always made sure to enjoy the atmosphere whilst it lasted - more recently, the rivers had begun to be choked up with pollution, mostly from the large mansions nearby.

He was about to turn back when he saw a figure, sitting on the bench. They were much paler than a regular Ignite. Perhaps they were a foreigner, he thought.

"Party by the name o' Chalky?" He called out to them, realising that the name must've been referring to their... chalky appearance. "'ave got a parcel for 'em!"

'Chalky' turned around to look at him. The first thing he noticed was their freaky whited-out eyes, their black pupils being the only bit of colour in them.

Their skin was covered with various black marks, akin to ink. Even their clothes... somehow. Maybe they couldn't get the stains out...?

"You... you 'ave to sign for it," said the delivery driver, holding out a clipboard, "says 'ere... with your full name and... nickname?"

'Chalky' signed the clipboard, with both their name and nickname.

The delivery driver glanced at their name. In fancy letters, he could make out River Scorn. Their nickname... he couldn't quite make out. It definitely began with a P, but then there was a splotch, so it either ended with dence or ution.

"Scorn, eh? Like that General Scorn?" The delivery driver wondered aloud, "Dead now, though. Funny they didn't give me your name..."

River Scorn took the box from him and began to open it with care.

"This river's seen better days," he continued, "I used to come 'ere! Used to look at the rocks... ah, but there's just pollution here, now."

"I know," smiled River Scorn, speaking for the first time, "It's... it's truly beautiful."

They had finished opening the parcel, carefully producing a silver crown from the box. The box was chucked into the river.

River Scorn stood to their full height, grinning madly. They held the crown up high and placed it on their head, the jewels glittering in the sunset.

"Well... enjoy!" The delivery driver chuckled, not quite sure where to go from here. "I'll be off, then!"

They watched as the leath walked away, back to his wife. This day couldn't have come any sooner.

River Scorn had now inherited the title of General Scorn, one of the most feared people on the planet.

The newly named General Scorn turned eastwards. They had a date to catch. If they had been summoned, then the others would surely be on their way.

It was their first rodeo, and butterflies were already filling their stomach. Was that how the phrase went?

Before they could call upon their magic, they bent over on the bench and began to have a coughing fit. It went on for a while, finally stopping once their hands were coated in thick ash.

They wiped their hands free of the ash and looked skyward. Today was the day they'd make their father and the monarchy proud.

It would begin with the disposing of that leath from earlier.

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wow this is short but
- hatty