Post by Void on Dec 2, 2021 0:02:53 GMT -5
…hello?
Hm. Been a while since you showed up.
what happened? where’s sara?
STAR turned on us. It’s not what I wanted, but we need to burn bridges. Destruction is the only way forward.
don’t call her that. she was my… our only chance at peace.
Ha. There’s no chance of that, ever. Anyways, we need to get going, and there’s no way you of all people are going to stop me.
…just don’t hurt her too much.
I will do what I have to do.
We see a familiar clearing. In the middle of the woods, near Castle Rock, Maine, is a clearing. Grass grows tall, but there are no trees. The one landmark in the clearing sits at the center: A shallow, crumbling stone circle, around a large pit dug into the ground. Just barely visible, at the bottom, is a pool of water, jet black under the moonlight.
Slowly, a flickering light appears in the treeline, growing nearer at a constant pace. Eventually, the source of the light comes into focus: A torch, held by a man who at last approaches the treeline. The torch illuminates the mask covering most of his face, save for his eyes, pools just as deep and black as the well. Finally, he steps into the clearing, taking care to keep the torch above the tall grass. With the crackling firelight in the clearing, the trees cast long shadows that seem to ride off into the night, extinguishing any stars they touch.
VOID walks to the center of the clearing, torch still raised above the tall grass. He looks down into the well, setting one foot on the short rock wall surrounding it. Pebbles ricochet down the pit, falling into the water… but making no sound as they cause ripples in the pool.
This is a sacred place. I didn’t really expect it to turn out that way, nine long months ago. I just thought it would be a place that could enrapture you, show you the glory of the Abyss. But, it proved to be a sanctum, a shelter from the cruel ways of the world. First, I saved you from the manipulative old hag named Royce. Then, when he came for me, it was you who repaid the debt. And from then on… our souls were linked.
Together, we grew in power, in fame, in knowledge. We devoted ourselves to the Abyss, and it in turn rewarded us. We brought an institution that had manipulated whole governments from the shadows to its knees, with nothing but our faith. But like any empire, it wasn’t meant to last.
VOID turns from the well. He lowers his torch,setting some grass alight. Without a care in the world, he walks around the well, torch low, setting the whole clearing alight. He looks out on the ring of fire, expression unreadable.
Around the time I first checked in to Devil’s Gate, I said that I wasn’t a wanton destroyer, but a creator. And that was the goal with you Sister STAR. You showed… so much potential. Why, to destroy you would be like destroying a fine block of marble. No, I had to sculpt you, chisel away all the uneven edges until I was left with cold, beautiful perfection. Take away these dull human traits, of compassion, self-hatred… fate. And what would be left would be a glorious acolyte of the Abyss, with whom we could grow to new heights, finally conquering Action Wrestling. But, creation of such a zealot would take care, minute manipulations to set you perfectly on the path to glory. Perhaps at some point I mined away too much. Perhaps I kept some aspects of the marble too rough. Or maybe my art was sabotaged. However it happened, suddenly you weren’t quite as promising. Finally, on that fateful night, you crumbled, fell apart to pieces. You rebelled against the very family that took you in, like a senseless animal. After all the work I put in, I was at a loss. Heartbroken even. Desperately, I tried to put the pieces back together. But now, I see there’s no chance for you. There’s only one sensible thing left to do.
STAR… no, Sara. This Sunday, I will crush what remains of my glorious creation. I will reduce you to dust. If you can’t appreciate the glory of the Abyss as a follower… perhaps you must experience it’s wrath. I will show no mercy. And when you are on your knees, begging for forgiveness… I will whisper to you… "There is no solace for those who betray the Abyss.”
VOID throws the torch into the well. He watches as the black liquid ignites, then walks away, through the charred grass, back into the trees.