Gone Batty II: Eclipsed
Chapter 11: Karma's a Bitch
Melody didn't fall asleep until Itzel finally came back. After asking her where she went, Itzel simply smiled and told her not to worry. "Royal business," was all that she really needed to say for Melody to just nod and let it go. She didn't know how the vampyrum monarchy worked, and she didn't have the energy to care.
Melody received a curious look from Itzel when she decided to curl up on the soft moss instead of hanging upside down. Thankfully, the princess didn't question it, something which Melody was grateful for. While she had no qualms in sleeping like a bat, Melody simply wanted to receive some sort of familiar comfort, and acting like a human helped. As the glow from the fireflies began to die down, Melody began to grow sleepy. Now that Itzel was here, Melody finally felt at ease enough to let her guard down. Her eyelids lowered slowly before fluttering shut. In no time at all, Melody was fast asleep.
It is incredible how sleep can be used as a form of time-travel. One moment, Melody was closing her eyes and then the next, she awoke to the sound of two voices whispering to each other.
"Isn't she so cute?" one unfamiliar female voice asked excitedly. "I could just gobble her up!"
"I don't think Itzel will appreciate that, Sesasi," a second female voice replied in a monotonic tone.
"Good grief, Thorn. I didn't mean it literally."
"It's hard to tell with you…"
Melody's eyes popped open, seeing two vampyrum staring down at her.
"Oh… she's awake," the one with short purple hair dead-panned.
The one with the spiked peach-colored hair beamed like the sun, "good evening!" she chirped.
Melody screamed and tore away backwards, as fast as she could crawl.
The lighter colored vampyrum jumped in surprise. "Hey! What gives?"
"We must have scared her…" the darker one guessed.
Melody's hazel eyes were wide as she looked back and forth at the two giant bats. Her heart was hammering away like a chisel inside her ribcage.
"Scared her? Do we look scary?" the peach-colored vampyrum patted her own cheeks, as if trying to make sense of her appearance. "That can't be right. I'm adorable! It must be because of you, Thorn. You always look like you're about to murder someone the way you are always glaring."
Thorn blinked her green eyes slowly. She stared at Sesasi for a long minute. "Rude…"
"What is with all the commotion?"
Melody sighed in relief when she heard Itzel's voice. The princess flew into the room and took in the sight of Melody looking terrified, Sesasi looking confused, and Thorn seemingly not at all interested. Itzel harrumphed and placed her hands on her hips. "What did I say about entering my chambers without me?"
"Umm… don't do it?" Sesasi grinned and stuck out her tongue playfully. "Sorry! I couldn't help myself. I just had to see the little bat that is living with us!"
"I tried to stop her…" Thorn said emotionlessly. "She's slippery."
Itzel shook her head and rolled her eyes, but she didn't look angry. Walking over to Melody, she knelt down with a small smile, "you alright, chica?"
"Y-yeah...but," Melody looked back to the two strange vampyrum as she slowly got up. "Who are they?"
"These are my ladies-in-waiting and my best friends," Itzel answered kindly and giggled, "forgive me. I was going to wake you up first, but… it looks like they beat me to it."
"Uh-huh…" Melody eyed them warily, not sure what to think of them. Itzel had said that no one would enter her chambers without her say-so… so seeing that these two managed to slip in like it was nothing put Melody on the edge.
Itzel noticed Melody's distrust and patted her on the back, "oh, don't you worry! These two won't hurt you. They are harmless. Here, let me introduce you. Miss gloom over here is Rozita."
"Call me Thorn…" The vampyrum female added. "And I am not gloomy. I'm in the zone..." Melody took a good look at her. She had a light lavender-gray coat and a black mane. Her wings were a deep dark purple while the undersides were a pinkish purple.
"You don't have to worry about her- she's a vegetarian," Itzel winked at Melody.
The brunette looked at Thorn in amazement. "Seriously? But aren't you a carnivore?"
"Consuming one's flesh is a repulsive act of mutilation. It may be believed that eating another will absorb the other's power but it is a severely limiting ideology. Eating fruit of the earth is nourishment enough and far more rewarding. Where there is no blood, there is no sorrow. Where there is a seed, there is life. Of course, after life...there is always death. We must always return back to the darkness- a place that is warm and moist like a mother's womb."
There was a long awkward silence.
A gothic hippy… What a combination.
"How romantic…" Sesasi gushed and hugged Thorn, her blue eyes sparkling. "But also kind of disgusting," she added as an afterthought.
Thorn grunted.
"Thorn was raised by fruit bats," Itzel explained to a very puzzled Melody. "She's regarded to be the black sheep of the colony, as you might say. But her experience with plants has made her one of our most valuable medicine bats." She then motioned towards to Sesasi. "And that is Sesasi."
"Hola!" Sesasi let go of Thorn and waved at Melody with a bright smile. Melody couldn't help but feel her own lips quirk slightly and she waved back. Sesasi was like a bright ball of sunshine. She had pale yellow fur and a golden mane. Her wings were umber brown and the underside of them was a light baby pink.
"Sesasi is a bit of an airhead and acts before she thinks, but she's as nice as they come," Itzel winked at Melody. "Try not to take advantage of her, hmm?"
"Like you used to take advantage of her when we were pups?" Thorn asked slowly.
Sesasi's ears twitched, "huh? She did? When?" she looked around in confusion.
Itzel coughed, looking away rather sheepishly.
"Please don't take this the wrong way but… why the sudden introductions?" Melody asked uncertainly.
The princess breathed out and turned to Melody, "I spoke to my brother last morning. I have managed to convince him to give you more freedom."
Melody perked up and raised her head, "you mean-?"
"I don't wish to get your hopes up, Melody…" Itzel warned softly. "He will still try to kill you if you try to escape. But he did give you permission to leave the pyramid as long as you stay within the borders of our hunting grounds. Officially, no vampyrum is allowed to harm you, but… we are a very unpredictable lot… and the jungle is full of dangers. Throbb and I won't always be around to help you because of patrol or other royal duties… so I figured you would need a friend or two to watch your back."
Melody deflated, unable to help but be disappointed. She was still stuck.
Itzel saw Melody's mood dampen. "Hey, chin up- amiga," she encouraged, lightly tapping Melody beneath the chin. "I promised that I'll do whatever I can to help you, and I will. But for now, how about I give you a tour of our jungle now that the storm is over."
The offer was certainly a wonderful one. "I would like that," Melody smiled. She honestly felt a little claustrophobic being stuck inside a building full of meat-eating bats. Besides, receiving a tour would help familiarize her with the surroundings.
"Bueno!" Itzel grinned and clasped her hands together in delight. "Let us not waste any time, then!"
The sky wasn't yet dark. The clouds were a deep orange and the sun was like a golden coin, shining behind the dense trees. It was a beautiful sight to behold. With Itzel, Sesari and Thorn with her, Melody didn't mind the not-so-kind stares that she was receiving from the other vampyrum. She spotted Throbb speaking with a soldier and his eyes turned to her. He nodded at her before smiling goofily at the sight of Itzel.
Itzel winked and blew Throbb a kiss.
Throbb sighed in happiness and melted to the grass- causing the soldier to wave his wing in Throbb's face, trying to snap him out of it. Melody could practically see heart bubbles forming and popping around him.
The first thing Itzel did was show Melody the border of their territory of the jungle. They circled around and Melody was amazed to see just how big their territory spanned. It would be more than easy to get lost. In the rays of the sunset, the jungle was a sight to behold. Compared to the withering forest in Canada due to frost in early winter, the southern jungle was in full bloom all year round. Melody watched in fascination as she watched a flock of macaws fly past them- getting ready to turn in for the night. A group of spider monkeys sat in the branches of the trees, turning their heads as the bats flew past them.
Melody couldn't help but smile in excitement. This was so much more incredible than going to a zoo. Here she was, in the wild seeing life go on without human intervention. She felt like a giddy kid in an amusement park. Giant flowers and fruits were growing off trees in bushels. It truly felt like paradise.
As time went by though, the scenery dramatically changed. Instead of lush vegetation, the jungle turned to a wasteland. Melody furrowed her brow as she watched the dead blackened trees pass under her. Dead leaves easily tore off and scattered into ash in the gentlest of breezes. "What happened here?" she asked quietly, breaking the uncomfortable silence that had formed.
"There was a firestorm a while back…" Itzel answered softly, her expression grim. "Like the one you've been in. Normally they don't travel very far due to the moisture… but this one took a lot of our territory."
"Many of us didn't make it…" Thorn added.
"Took out so many other animals too," Sesasi said sorrowfully. "It's been getting harder to hunt."
Melody flinched and turned her gaze back down to the destruction. The further they went, the worse it became. Below she could see trees flattened down in rows- covered in pale gray ash. It was clear that this was the result of one of the bombings…. Turns out, there have been more than just the one she was caught up in when she got thrown off the plane. 'Just how often has this happened?' she worried. "This is horrible…"
Itzel looked back at Melody, seeing the heartbreaking expression on Melody's face. Her green eyes softened, feeling guilty having shown the girl this. "Come, the sooner we leave this place, the better."
Once they have returned to the thriving part of the jungle, Melody managed to catch her breath and even a few bugs. It felt a little strange eating bugs again, but luckily, her bat diet allowed her to enjoy her meal.
Sesasi looked a little grossed out by it while Thorn didn't seem to care. Itzel, didn't think Melody's diet to be strange at all. Instead, she just gave Melody tips on where she could find more insects.
After eating her fill, Melody noticed that she was having a lot of fun. Itzel was a joy to talk to- and Sesasi and Thorn were plenty nice to her too. They even showed her a game where they swung back and forth, upside down from the jungle vines, like swings. The girls were laughing as they tried to tag each other as they swung past each other, all the while trying to avoid being tagged. Thorn of course, didn't laugh- but she did smile. Clumsy as she was, Sesasi was always the first one to lose. Thorn usually gave up pretty soon once Sesasi was out, as to keep her company while Itzel and Melody playfully duked it out. Being smaller, Melody had the advantage of dodging out of the way more easily. In the end, Itzel still won- thanks to her long wings.
After an hour of playing and the sun had completely set, they rested on a tree branch over a gentle creek. They each sat behind the other, braiding each other's hair while Thorn recited a poem for them. Melody sat in the very front while Itzel was behind her. Thorn braided Itzel's hair- and Sesasi… being the special butterfly that she was, gave Thorn dozens of tiny short braids- considering that Thorn's hair was too short to be braided fully anyway. It looked ridiculous, but Thorn didn't seem to mind having her braids stick up in random angles.
*"Remorse arises, and the sun grows dim;
And in the east, her long shroud trailing light,
List, O my grief, the gentle steps of Night."
"That is beautiful, Thorn," Melody complimented her. "You have a gift."
"Thank you," Thorn replied, sticking small white flowers into Itzel's braid.
Their moment of peace ended when a shadow flew over them, startling Melody. She looked up to see a very beautiful vampyrum with the blackest hair that she had ever seen. The spectral bat circled over them until she landed on their branch, right behind Sesasi.
Phoenix smiled pleasantly as she straightened up, "buena noches, ladies. How are we fairing?"
"Hi Phoenix!" Sesasi beamed in reply.
Itzel frowned and stood up, her demeanor suddenly becoming guarded. Melody peeked from behind her, curious. "Phoenix, what do we owe the pleasure of your company?" Itzel asked politely, her jaw tight.
"I've heard the rumor that we are housing a little guest," Phoenix replied, her head tilting with intrigue. "I couldn't help but confirm it for myself. Is it true?"
"As you can see, yes," Itzel side-stepped partially so Melody was in view.
Phoenix froze. Her yellow eyes widened and there was something akin to horror that blazed within them. "It can't be…" she muttered and she flexed her claws at her sides. For a moment, Melody thought that something was wrong, but Phoenix gave a honey-rich laugh. Whatever tension that was there melted instantly. "My, my! I never would have believed it unless I saw it with my own eyes." She flew around them and landed in front of Melody, eyeing her up and down. "A silverwing. It's been awhile since I have had the pleasure of… conversing with one."
Melody smiled at Phoenix and held out a hand in greeting, causing Phoenix to raise her eyebrows in surprise. "Hello Phoenix, my name is Melody," she introduced herself.
Phoenix stared at Melody's hand for a moment, as if debating whether to take it or not. But a friendly smile graced her face and she reached for Melody's hand. "It is a pleasure." The second their hands clasped each other's, Melody's amulet flashed. Phoenix hissed and tore her hand away, her eyes squeezing shut in pain. Phoenix clutched her hand tightly to her chest, as if burnt- her fur bristling.
Startled, Melody moved forward to try and see what was wrong. "Are… you alright?" she asked worriedly, unaware of her amulet's sudden ramification. The hostile glare Phoenix gave Melody stopped the girl in her tracks. She gasped and instinctively took a few steps back. Phoenix's shadowed eyes gleamed savagely in a warning. Her lips curled up into a hateful snarl, baring her black fangs.
"Phoenix…?" Melody tried again, more nervously. Her eyes nervously kept darting to the vampyrum's teeth, unable to help but shiver at their unnatural coloring and sharpness. The last thing she wanted was to be attacked.
Itzel took a step forward, ready to defend Melody if needed. Thorn frowned at Phoenix's sudden shift and Sesasi looked like she had no idea what to do.
But the antipathy softened into a guilty grimace. Phoenix let out a heavy breath and gave a forced smile, "forgive me… I have hurt my hand during my last hunt. I didn't think it was this bad."
Guilt filled Melody, "oh...I'm so sorry. I didn't realize..."
"Do you want me to look at it?" Thorn offered. "I know of many medicinal herbs…"
"No, that's alright," Phoenix backed away from them, her eyes constantly shifting to Melody with suppressed alarm. "I have a faster way of treating it." After quickly excusing herself, Phoenix left the girls with uncertain thoughts.
Inside a dreary wet cave deep in the dead part of the jungle, there was a loud snoring sound that echoed throughout it. A dark ashen undead vampyrum growled in annoyance as she sat on a ledge. Her dark eyeless sockets narrowing as black ooze slowly dripped from them. Her fists clenched around the stones that she was throwing into the water below. She turned her head towards the younger ashen-colored male who roosted above her, sleeping in peaceful oblivion. "Will you shut the hell up?!" she yelled up at him.
The younger demon snorted awake, blinking his red eyes in slight disorientation. "Wha-...?" he muttered before glancing down at the seething female. He sighed and raked his hand through his spiky black hair in agitation. "Shut up yourself…" he muttered, "freaking banshee." He closed his eyes and gave a wide yawn, showing off his razor sharp black teeth.
"What did you call me?" she hissed, tensing into a crouch.
"Karma, that's enough," a deep male voice stopped her from lunging at the adolescent.
Karma turned around blindly towards a large, muscular vampyrum who was glaring down at her with cold red eyes. Like the other two, he was gray in color, only lacking hair on his head. Instead he had a thick mutton chopped beard that ran along the sides of his face.
"Oh sure, Cabrakan. Go ahead and defend your baby brother," she snapped with sarcasm.
"I am not going to tolerate needless fights between the two of you," Cabrakan growled. "If Phoenix returns to see you-"
"Phoenix has been gone for months! She hasn't even come back once for an update!" Karma exclaimed. "And here I am, stuck with the two of you. I swear, if I have to listen to Zipacna's snoring any longer, I am going to rip his bloody tongue out and stuff it down his throat! You know what? Screw this. Screw the both of you. I'm out of here!" She unfurled her crinkled torn wings.
"We can't leave the cave without Phoenix's say-so," Zipacna drawled sleepily from his roost, stopping Karma from taking off. He was not at all fazed by the violent threat that she made against him.
"To hell with that bitch," Karma scowled but flinched when her wrist was snatched by Cabrakan. She snarled at him but Cabrakan just stared calmly down at her.
"To go against Phoenix means going against Cama Zotz," he warned with an underlying edge.
Karma bristled and tore her wrist away. In frustration, she swiped down at the water with her claws, disturbing its peace with a loud splash. It smoothed out once more as she stood over it. But surprisingly, it cast no reflection back at her… or any of them for that matter. "I bet she's having a jolly good time out there, cozying up to her betrothed," she mockingly squealed, waving her hands around with fake enthusiasm. She batted her lashes to top it off.
The black ooze dripped down her chin and plopped into the water before spreading on top, like oil.
Actually… it was oil.
"I hope she comes back soon," Karma growled as she wiped the oil from her cheeks. "I have been dying to give her an eye-for-an-eye."
Zipacna gave an amused snort. "Yeah? Well, here is your chance."
"What?" Karma blinked and then her ears perked up, hearing the sound of flapping wings. The familiar scent sent her reeling. "Mistress!" she spun around with a wide nervous smile, "you are back!"
Phoenix didn't even spare Karma a glance as she flew past her in a rush.
Karma stood there stunned, miffed at being ignored. She then wrinkled her nose, "is something burning?"
Phoenix landed in front of a grotesque Mayan statue of a bat. She winced as she slowly drew her arm back and got a good look at it. Her trembling hand was charred black and it was only spreading up her arm- already up to her elbow. The fur and skin was flaking away steadily. With a pained grunt, she shoved her arm into the statue's open jaws. Phoenix muttered a few ancient Mayan words and the statue's eyes began to glow red. The mouth lit up as if there was a fire inside. Phoenix's muscles spasmed and she clenched the stone teeth with her other hand. After a moment, the glow died and black smoke blew out of the mouth before it vanished.
Pulling her arm out, Phoenix flexed her claws. Examining her wing, she was satisfied to see that the burns had completely healed. Phoenix gave a sigh of relief.
"Mistress, are you well?" Cabrakan landed behind Phoenix, his eyes narrowing in concern. "That wound…"
"It was divine magic," Phoenix said as she continued to examine her hand, worried that there might still be lingering effects. Her eyes darkened as she clenched her fist.
"Divine magic?" Cabrakan was taken aback. "How is that possible? The only one who possessed such power was Nocturna."
"Nocturna?" Zipacna said her name as if it was a foreign word. He looked over his shoulder down at them. "Isn't she like… dead? Last time I checked, Zotz snuffed her light out."
"Apparently not all of her power disappeared with her," Phoenix frowned deeply. Her attention snapped up to the statue and she stared intently at it. "Cama Zotz will want to hear of this."
"Eeyuch…." Karma crossed her wings as she stood behind Cabrakan, looking less than thrilled. Cama Zotz wasn't going to like the news.
Phoenix flared open her wings as she raised her arms towards the statue, "Cama Zotz! I beseech your council!"
The cave began to tremor and the statue's eyes began to glow once more. Rocks and debris fell from the ceiling, forcing Zipacna to leave his roost. He and Karma both scampered behind Cabrakan in fear, while the older demon held his ground- using his wing to block any falling stones.
Phoenix smirked toothily, exhilarated that her god had heard her voice. The water began to boil behind them, causing Karma to shriek when one particular bubble burst a little too close to home. Hot steam filled the cave before it finally grew silent.
Phoenix knelt down on one knee and bowed her head before the statue, "my lord."
A heavy breathing could be heard from the statue's mouth. "Phoenix," boomed the voice of the death god. "My faithful angel of carnage. It has been a while since we last spoke."
"Yes, Cama Zotz," Phoenix smiled as she peered up from below her thick lashes.
"I take it that everything is going according to plan?"
"Yes, Goth has returned and is now King. He has commanded his colony to gather sacrifices for your uprising."
"Good," the voice purred.
Phoenix closed her eyes for a moment before continuing calmly, "my lord. I am afraid that I do have a few concerns."
There was a momentary pause. "Speak," Zotz allowed.
"Goth currently has a silverwing girl in custody. She goes by the name of Melody. She wears a questionable trinket that is filled with divine power- something that strongly resembles Nocturna's. I am unable to touch her without deteriorating." Phoenix frowned as she lifted her head to the statue. "What do you make of this?"
"Nocturna's amulet, it is the vessel for my sister's remaining power. It cannot be touched by those who have condemned their souls. It is the only thing that can hurt a demon. Yes, I am aware of it's existence. So… Melody was it now?" A deep chuckle made the cave tremor, causing the demon servants to cower. "How quaint. To think that fate would lead her to come down here to pay us a visit. I am flattered."
"My lord?" Phoenix looked confused. Zotz seemed to be up to date with everything.
"Why Phoenix, I'm surprised that you haven't recognized her. The two of you go way back."
The female vampyrum visibly paled. The mental image of Melody shifted in her head. Brown thick locks into black. Hazel eyes to sapphire blue. "No… it can't be," her voice shook. "She's… she's…" Dead. She was supposed to be dead.
"Princess Seraphina, demi-goddess of dreams. Daughter of Nocturna, goddess of the night. Reborn."
Phoenix clenched her black teeth together with such force that they emitted a spark. Her clawed hands dug into the soil. Reborn…. Reborn?!
"It would appear that my sister had a few tricks up her wing. She had managed to snatch her daughter's soul before it could descend into the underworld and hid it where I would never dream of looking; inside a human babe. But now that the girl's of age..."
The amused calmness left Zotz's voice and it took an angry turn. "As it stands now, Melody's existence threatens my resurrection. I want her destroyed, Phoenix."
"Yes, my lord." Phoenix bowed her head, her eyes burning with rage. "I will not fail you."
"I expect no less," Zotz breathed before the statue's eyes faded. The cave cleared and the oppressive tension disappeared with the mist.
The cave was silent for a good few minutes and Phoenix did not move from her spot, glaring at the ground.
A shrill laughter broke the silence. It was Karma and she was doubled over with treacherous glee. "Seraphina?! You mean the same pretty little tramp who stole Aktun out from under your nose?!" Karma threw her head back as her body shook with laughter. Cabrakan and Zipacna slowly edged away from her as a low growl arose from Phoenix's throat. "Oh, this is gold! You can say bye-bye to your precious King Goth now! You don't stand a chance!"
In a flash, Karma found her head underwater and she screamed and choked. Phoenix held her down, eyes glowing with fury. "I see that gouging out your eyes and drowning you in the oil mines for fifty years did nothing to quell your tongue." She pushed down harder, crushing Karma's skull against the sharp rocks at the bottom. Karma helplessly flailed beneath Phoenix as the water grew black. "Perhaps I'll need to tear that slippery thing out as well?"
Zipacna smirked, considering the irony that Karma threatened him with the same thing. I don't think she can hear you," he stated lightheartedly while leaning against his brother. Cabrakan watched in silence as their partner was brutally punished.
Phoenix glanced back at Zipacna before releasing Karma.
Karma gasped for air as she emerged and coughed and sputtered and cried with pain.
"What do you want us to do now?" Cabrakan asked.
A ghostly image caught Phoenix's eye and she turned to the exit of the cave. It fluttered softly in the night before disappearing. "For now, you'll continue to do your usual jobs. There have been many deaths as of late thanks to the bombs," Phoenix ignored Karma's gasping. She turned to the two brothers, her gaze imperious. "Round them up and take them back down underground."
Cabrakan bowed his head, "yes, mistress." Without another word he flew out of the cave while Zipacna groaned.
"Ugh, what a drag...I could have hibernated for another year…" He followed after Cabrakan.
Karma didn't waste anytime to get away from Phoenix and flew after them as well.
Phoenix stared after them until the demons were out of sight. Her eyes darkened hatefully as her thoughts went back to the silverwing. To think… she actually dared to come back. "well...Melody. I will make you regret for ever being born." With her claws, she sharply raked them across the cave wall, causing sparks to ignite and leaving long gashes among the stone. The sparks landed in the oil-polluted water, alighting the water inside the cave aflame and it raced deeper inside. Phoenix spun and walked further into the lit cave, her wings billowing behind her as the immense heat rose in waves.
"For how long have I been waiting, for this chance to come? It is grating." Phoenix had finally managed to get close to what she wanted. Goth. The hell she was going to let him slip out from beneath her claws. She draped herself against the wall as she smiled, thinking of him. He was incredibly handsome with a dark nature that was nestled inside him. She found him deliciously appealing. Phoenix was absolutely delighted when had Zotz told her that she could have him. "His eyes belong solely on me. His heart is mine for the keeping."
Phoenix raised her hand up to the statue of Zotz as she sang, "Cama Zotz, you gave a promise to tear him away from the wretched goddess!" The reminder of Seraphina made her sick to the pit of her stomach. She watched as the play of tiny shadows of Seraphina and a male vampyrum flew around each other harmoniously on the walls, "he was mine before she stole him. So I stole her life instead!" Phoenix's shadowy wing swept down, destroying the image of the demi-goddess. The male shadow flew around erratically where his partner once was.
"My claws through her flesh, it bled! Her ribs ripped apart, stained red! Her heart in my hand," Phoenix grabbed a nearby stone and it burst apart when she clenched her fist, "I had her watch me crush it! I gave her to you, to devour!"
Phoenix turned her eyes to the male shadow, who was huddled down in agony, and they softened with longing. Her large shadow approached the male vampyrum's tiny one. He backed away from her touch, bristling. Her eyes hardened at his rejection. "It's love that brings us pain, it churns…" she blamed his weak emotions. Aktun Zotz was meant to be strong with not a shred of vulnerability in his black heart. "Deteriorates our minds and burns. The murderer is love!" She destroyed his shadow as well in one fell swoop. "It had him screaming. Death's not the end, but a brand new beginning."
Phoenix turned to the glowing water and inside it she saw the image of Goth reflected back at her. He was scouting the perimeters with his soldiers. Phoenix sat down by the water and gracefully trailed her claw around him, causing ripples to spread outwards- framing Goth. "Now he's here. A king in all his glory. Lustful and cursed, as goes the story. How I long to claim the place by his side. As a queen, as a ruler and as his bride."
The image blurred and instead was reflected the playful image of Melody as she laughed with Princess Itzel. Anger bloomed in Phoenix's heart, seeing the girl so happy and carefree. Phoenix sneered, knowing very well that it would be worth seeing the crystalline vibrancy of those eyes fade into death once more. The idea of killing her soothed Phoenix and a cruel smile spread across her face. "Melody, my dear- it's over! Your song is done. It's mine to take over. Saint Nocturna cannot save you. I'll have you fall down on your knees!" The flames swallowed Melody's face.
"My claws through their flesh! She'll plead! Their ribs ripped apart, they'll bleed!" Phoenix couldn't wait when she could start sacrificing all those insignificant small bats. "Her heart in my hand, she'll watch me cush it. Their souls are for Zotz to devour! I'll save her for last- for Goth. She'll squeal and she'll squirm, like a moth. The murderer is love, it'll have them screaming. Death's not the end, but a brand new beginning." She'll make sure of it. Melody will spend eternity in hell.
Phoenix turned and walked towards the exit of the cave, the fire dimming and sizzling out. "I will take matters into my own hands if I must," Phoenix flexed her claws as she stared out into the night sky. She could hear the screams of the souls that her minions were hunting down and she grinned. "It is high time that I destroy her once and for all." She laughed and flared open her wings before taking into the sky. She could see that one stray ghost bat had noticed her and dashed in the opposite direction. Its panic drove Phoenix after it, the thrill of the hunt rushing through her veins. It zigzagged through the leaves, trying to shake her off, but Phoenix wasn't Zotz's right winged bat for nothing. In an instant she was in front of it. She lunged her feet out and pinned the spirit down. "My claws through their flesh, they'll plead! Their ribs ripped apart, they'll bleed." The ghost struggled beneath her but she towered over it triumphantly. "Her heart in my hand. I'll have her watch me crush it. Their souls are for Zotz to devour." Phoenix's laughter echoed into the night sky.
A/N: Holy crapola. I spent more time on Phoenix's part than anything else. The song sequence was a pain in the butt! That she-demon demands nothing but the best. But that's not the thing I'm sure you're all picking your dropped jaws up from the ground for. Melody is Nocturna's and Loki's daughter, Seraphina reborn. Of course, so many of you have already guessed it by now that it's probably not really a surprise at all. xD You are all too smart for my own good. Then again, I haven't exactly been keeping it too much of a secret with all the blooming hints I've been dropping all over the place. Oh well, for those who have guessed it, you get cookies made out of stardust and rainbows!
For those who are curious, the song that Phoenix sang is taken from the French musical "Mozart, the Rock Opera" - the song's tune being "Le bien qui fait mal." The lyrics have been written all by me sometime last year. Of course, I had to include it in the story.
*The poem that Thorn was reciting is actually an excerpt from the poem "Contemplation" by the Victorian poet, Charles Baudelaire. It's beautiful. Feel free to look it up.
Also in other news, thank you all who entered my contest. I'll have the results of the winners ready by tomorrow evening on deviantart. :) I will also be posting up a Q/A on deviantart for Gone Batty, so if you have any questions about the story, feel free to ask me there!
Thank you for the lovely comments and the faves! You keep me going strong!
See you all in the next chapter- whenever that will be.
