Spiegelbilder
Mantineus-Ist German. It means "Reflection". It's in German because it's inspired by E Nomine's song of the same name. It may not be what you think of when you listen to it, but I was focusing on the imagery a little more so than the message.
Disclaimer-I own nothing!
E Nomine-Spiegelbilder(Reflection). I suggest listening to it while you read it. I hope it'll fit with this and that you'll like it.*Try and find one that has English translations*
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The sun beat down on them as they crossed the desert. Their exposed torsos burnt and scorched from the unyielding sun. One was tall and had auburn hair, the other was slightly shorter and had black hair. Neither spoke as they trudged on to another city, their hands clasped together for support. They looked on what was once a lush garden with numb expressions, but deep down they both felt remorseful.
They were not death, but they might as well be, for their mission was rife with it. Which was new. No one died until these two, unfortunate souls were forced to this mission.
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The city they just left was once a bustling metropolis; filled with boastful people that claimed they were the wealthiest town in the Empire. But in its place were the thousands of towers. And it was within one of them that the secret was placed. Placed upon the walls in purple chemicals were the ancient words:
Spiegelbilder
Germanic in origin. The language was ancient and hardly used in this section of the Empire. But, it was what They wanted. They being the Gods.
Specula spectri
Latin. Orders were to give clues and none were as obvious to the Latin-learned scholar as to look at the reflection and find the secret from within if the mirror had, at one point, the Germanic word Tod graced upon it.
But why write these things? What were their purpose?
Like fire the secret spread, killing crops, animals, and people. No one was spared save the two strangers. Strange colored clouds appeared, sending acid rain down upon the town. Horrid, babbling screams were heard above the rabble. Such horrifying sounds and sights appeared. The once beautiful towers began to rust and collapse, even the room bends and breaks. But odd pair had already left it. They stand and watch and in a flash, it is over. They leave the town in dead silence. Their planted secret is cracked and crumbled, but not yet gone.
They are far from the town when they feel it. It weakens them. Fatigue and cramping sets in. They never once thought that they would outlive this curse set upon them.
"Ash," The auburn haired one said. "I think we're done."
The one identified as Ash tightened his grip on the other's hand.
"Yeah," Ash said weakly. His voice, much like the other's, was raspy from underuse. "I guess they're happy with us, Gary."
Their legs break like twigs from their knees and they land on them. Their organs shutdown slowly and from there, darkness takes them.
And from within the darkness both grow large, arctic blue wings and ascend into the light. Whatever it was they did that had cursed them to such a fate was forgiven.
And the secret you ask? Why, it's quite simple, really. The secret is the key to a happy, meaningful life...
END...Sequel Pending!