A Burning Heartbeat

Chapter 3: Field of Promises

     The Evening Star had shifted in the sky giving way to the first cracks of light from the Morning Star breaking over the scattered mountain ranges spotted with the gigantic mega-fungal wastelands that christened the region with the name of the Plaguelands. It was in these glowing rays that Persephone made her way down a mossy path at a leisurely pace, arms folded behind her head as she walked. The gradual transition of fungus, Carnivora, and sludge to thistling grass, bushes, and solid bark trees marked the regional shift from the greater Plagueland area to the inner sanctuaries of the country.

     The path turned to dirt as Persephone's bare foot dug into the cold soil with each step absorbing the earthy ground like an old friend giving the first of many embraces. She entered into a large field lined with acres upon acres of crops ranging from corn to wheat to cotton and on and on as an overwhelming abundance of life and excess spilled across the inner countryside. At its center, a large wooden cabin rose above the tall rows of the crops surrounding it seemingly nestled into the rolling waves of browns, beiges, and greens.

     It was a full scribe style cabin with deep and dark logs stacked over each other, the ends exposed as they criss crossed leaving the house to blend into the environment around it as it lay unframed by the standard convention of corner post buildings. The grounds around the building had many winding paths leading to and from it as they formed a variety of dirt, gravel, wood, and stone roads each surrounded by lush and full gardens showcasing the wide array of hell flora that burned with vibrant colors or lulled the eyes with its muted greys and beiges though several topside plants were interspersed into the array as one could see daisies, tulips, and roses snake their way out of the dense gardens.

     Persephone made her way towards the cabin passing by the crops as several figures dotted the expanse already working the fields at this hour of the morning nodding towards her as she passed by if they were close enough. One figure approached her from the field pulling up beside her as the two walked the dirt road together in a comfortable silence. The distant sound of chirping and croaks from the local wildlife filled the air between them as several minutes had passed.

     "Soooooo..." The figure spoke up, breaking the silence as her raspy voice slipped across cracking wooden lips. She was shorter than Persephone, her shoulder length red hair peeking through large swaths of grass and flowers that crowned her head holding a pitchfork with a twisted oak staff to match the red cedar of her bark covered body.

     "Soooo what?" Persephone said, smirking with the raise of a dark brown eyebrow as she adjusted the bag on her shoulder.

     "So, did you actually kill the damn thing?" The dryad said, springing forward turning on her heel so that she faced Persephone walking backwards her hands splayed outwards lifting the pitchfork in a stabbing motion for dramatic effect.

     "Well..." Persephone said, face falling with shoulders slumping in defeat as the air grew heavier between the two.

     "Oh, hey, 'Sephone, I'm sorry. Don't let this-" The dryad started, her face lining with concern as the grain of her expression deepened in worry. Persephone couldn't help but crack up, her face lighting up in mischievous joy as her laughter rang out over the fields like a clear, sweeping breeze.

     "It's as dead as the grave it lived in. Gotcha there, didn't I, Roxy?" Persephone said, wagging a finger up and down in a pointing gesture with a wink.

     Roxy huffed stopping in her tracks burying the pitchfork into the dirt path crossing her arms as she rolled her eyes, "Oh ha. Ha. Very funny, Princess. You're lucky you're cute otherwise I would've rooted for the crab. Given the one boot and splotches of blood, it seemed more likely it fucked you up than anything else."

     "That Stygian Mossclaw was nothing against my years of training, Roxy. It has to be after all." Persephone chuckled, flexing an arm as the solid curves of her biceps were clearly defined under the long sleeve black shirt she wore. She started to walk forward patting the dryad on the shoulder as she passed her humming her cheerful tune.

     Roxy's eyes caught on the edge of the forest surrounding the fields following the dirt path that Persephone had traversed. She stared deep into the shadows and thick overgrowth of life and mystery that lay beyond the ancient woods knowing her own tree lay amongst the hundreds that made up the expansive sanctuary of Hell. It was with her eyes trained onto the path that she finally spoke up.

     "You're really going through with it, aren't you?" Roxy whispered, her soft voice light dancing across the space between her and Persephone cutting through the merry buzz that crackled in the air.

     Persephone stopped in her tracks as her heart sank into the cold depths of her rumbling soul, the storm of emotions held at bay only by the will of her smile which had softened into the smallest of curves. She looked ahead of her to the cabin that stood some miles ahead and the smoke that billowed from the various chimneys filling the air with the smell of coal, preserved wood, and roasting meat that lingered in the breeze as a promise of certainty. Persephone sighed casting her eyes downward at her green blood splattered burgundy pants hyper aware of the girl that stood behind her facing towards the mausoleum.

     "Yes. I am." Persephone said, a waltzing reply that curled in the air hovering between the two.

     "I see." Roxy said, crossing a leg behind the other arms pulled behind her, hands clasped together.

     The sound of dirt being pulled and the various whistling and humming tunes that emanated from the field from the workers filled the gaps of silence between the two. A fresh breeze slid across the two as their hair and clothes rippled sideways with the rustling wind that washed over the sea of grains and flowers. The day was beautiful. Far too beautiful for a moment as somber as this. Minutes passed as the two stood there in a settled and unbreaking quiet.

     Persephone lifted her eyes and focused them down to the path of the cabin drawing in a deep breath as she prepared to move forward when she felt the smooth cherry bark of Roxy's arms wrap around her chest as the dryad stood on her tiptoes, head still just shy of reaching the taller girl's chin. The solid wood of the redhead firmly planted Persephone to the ground in a tight hug as she brought her own hands up to squeeze the dryad's arms.

     "Promise me you'll be back." She said, voice cracking from more than just the wood of her lips, "Please."

     "I...I promise." Persephone said, voice firm and steady despite the doubt that lingered in her own heart.

     For that moment, Persephone could've swore she felt a sticky wetness touch her back but just as soon as it came, Roxy laughed softly giving her one last squeeze before releasing the taller girl.

     "I'll hold you to that." The redhead said giving Persephone a playful push forward.

     "Roxy, I-" Persephone started, turning to face the dryad only to see her already walking away slipping into rows of tall stalks waving one arm in a farewell disappearing from her sight.

     "Goodbye." She spoke into the open air dissipating into the wind as she turned towards the cabin once more.

     Straightening her back and squaring her shoulders, Persephone took in a deep breath and resumed her stride towards the cabin. Her eyes locked forward with a renewed determination. Her path had begun long before this moment but now that it was so close to her, nothing could stop her.

     Her boot hit the porch step with a solid thunk followed by the muted footstep of her bare foot, the wood creaking in protest to the new weight that had pressed against the boards of the flat boards already accustomed to the daily beatings upon its back. The scattered maids and servants stepped aside at the sight of her approach bowing their heads as she crossed to the front of the homely cabin front.

      An oak door twice her size stood loomed over its trident wielding visitor as a dark hand grasped the knob and turned. The door glided over the floor with a smooth shift letting a wave of warmth and flavor escape from the opening entryway. Persephone closed her eyes and took a deep breath of the homely air leaning into it as she exhaled in a satisfying sigh of familiar pleasure.

     "I'm home." She said, the smile returning to her lips as she took a step into the threshold of the cabin slipping inside before closing the door behind her with a definite thud.