The swamp nestled away in the Caligo forest is just how she remembered it to be. The weeping willows line the banks while the cypress trees stood tall in the murky water, their knees peeking up through the surface. Moss hanging from the cypress branches sways in the stagnant breeze. Through the sound of croaking frogs and chirping crickets, she hears a light hum. She can't quite place it but it sounds familiar. Carefully she gathers up her skirts, slowly tip-toeing her way into the marshy water. The soft of floating orbs shines through the fog that dances about. Fireflies perhaps? Or even Will-o-wisps. There had been stories about if one wanders into the Caligo, they would find the will-o-wisps, and in turn find her on her quest to seek out her lost brother. A silly though interesting tale.
The trek through the water is calm, almost peaceful. Algae clings to the satin fabric of her dress. Every so often she'll see a frog or fish swim past her. At least once she's seen a serpent slither by, leaving ripples in the in it's wake. Besides the regular wildlife, in the back of her mind she knows there's cadavers that occupy these waters. The dead are everywhere. Seeing the headstones and marble monuments sticking up from and floating in the swamp only serve as a reminder. She can't help but wonder when the family graveyard became part of the mire. Once it had been just a woodland cemetery; quiet but marvelous in it's own way. Now though it was washed away.
It dawns on her that she knows not why she's taken this walk. As she starts to think harder on the reasoning, she feels something grab her ankle which causes her to stumble. She doesn't fall however. No, for from the muddy swirls of liquid hands start to grab at her and pull her back. She tries to scream but no sound comes out. She thrashes against the assailants to no avail. The corpses that take hold of her are people she knows she's wronged. Their faces unknown but in her gut she knows she's encountered them. She even swears that one resembles Kallist. Once they've gotten a hold on her she sees her family start to emerge from the shadowy depths. Her aunts and uncles, her cousins. Then her two younger sisters followed by her mother and father. They're all rotten and decayed to a certain extent. within their grasp they hold either lanterns or candles. Her father wears his normal scowl for a moment until his expression becomes uncharacteristically soft. Almost a pitying look. Before some venomous remark can skip from her tongue she is hoisted up. Her brother, Josu, stares down at her as he holds her bridal style. His eyes are the same dark void from when she accidentally cursed him.
"It's time to go, little sister." His voice rasps out. He sneers when she objects and struggles further. "You brought this on yourself."
Josu turns and continues through the water. Her family follows behind him along with the other undead. It's her mother that starts singing a hymn. Liliana immediately recognizes it as one of the songs they'd sing during memorials and funerals. It's also the same time she heard earlier. Soon everyone is joining in - even Josu.
It's a macabre procession that grows the further they go. More of the dead rise up to follow along. No matter what, Liliana finds herself frozen, unable to move. Anxiety begins to take hold of her.
It feels like eternity before they finally reach solid land. A few more feet and they reach a clearing. Gathered around are her current cohorts. Jace is the first to turn and look at her. His gaze is cold, uncaring. Chandra looks so angry she could either scream or cry or set something on fire. Nissa turns her nose up. Gideon is the only one that looks somewhat sorrowful. Liliana fumbles to find her voice to say something - anything! The hole in the ground catches her attention, distracting her.
"Say farewell, Lili." Josu murmurs.
At this point the procession has crowded around the freshly dug hole. This is a funeral, she concludes. Specifically her funeral. Crows linger in the out lying trees. Their cawing seems more like laughter.
"No! No, no, no! Please! I'm not ready!" Liliana begs. Fear grips her heart. Adrenaline rushes through her veins.
It's Jace that responds to her. "No one ever is." His tone is as harsh as his expression. "You deserve it. You're the embodiment of everything horrible."
"Liar." Nissa hisses.
"Traitor!" Chandra shrieks.
"Murderer." Gideon spits.
"No! Plea-" her plea is cut off when Josu drops her into the freshly dug grave. She expects to hit soil. Instead she feels herself hit silk cushions. A quick glance shows she's now laying in a rather lush coffin. When she looks up she sees the eyes of her family, the Gatewatch and hundreds of others staring down at her. When she starts to scream the casket lid slams shut leaving her in the dark. Screams turn to sobs. The sound of dirt hitting the casket rings out. She can barely make out the muffled ring of a church bells.
Tears spill from her eyes as she pounds on the lid. It's to no avail of course. Liliana can feel herself becoming desparate. Her breathing becomes erratic, and she claws at the hardwood top; so much so her fingers start to bleed. The space is suffocating. Liliana swears she can hear the worms wriggling in the dirt around her. The air starts evaporate. Her breathing starts to slow. Her movements now sluggish. The only thing she can think about is her ever-growing melancholy. She blacks out and then -
Liliana awakes with a loud gasp. Tears have dampened her eyes. Dark locks are splayed out with a few pieces sticking to her sweaty forehead. Her skin feels clammy, and the cool air only makes it worse. Light shines flits through the window illuminating the room around her.
It's the apartment in Ravnica, and this is her room. A portion of her belongings from Innistrad occupy the space.
A shaking hand reaches over beside her only to feel empty space. She untangles herself from the sheets before sitting up. She glances at the other side of the bed, frowning. Of course Jace isn't there. He's made it a habit to leave her quarters early in the morning before anyone could get suspicious. Granted, she figured they at least had a clue of what was going on between them. Even still she wished he was still here so that for a moment she could have just a little comfort and affection from him. A silly notion - one that only makes her vulnerable.
Once dressed she makes her way down to the kitchen. She can hear that everyone's already gathered and chatting away. The chattering comes to a halt, and all eyes are on her. There is no malice in their stares.
"Hey, Lili! You almost missed breakfast!" Chandra says between mouthfuls of pancakes.
Jace tries not to let his composure falter much, yet she can see the questioning look on his face. Hopefully he doesn't try to probe her mind. If he witnessed her having a nightmare he doesn't say anything.
In fact, it's Gideon that speaks up. "Are you okay?" He asks. Brows are furrowed and a look of concern is evident on his features. "You don't seem too well."
"I'm not hungry. I've got some errands to run." A brisk reply. However, she doesn't want to linger too long.
The look of worry on his face switches to a small, gentle smile. "Alright then." he nods. "Just be careful and be back soon."
She doesn't reply. Instead she turns on her heel and starts a fast walk out. The sound of their conversation returns as if not interrupted.
Perhaps their company would have been the medicine she needed to calm her nerves. Yet looking at them only reminded her of their dreamselves. But why did such a thing bother her? She was only suppose to be using them! It seems though that she's grown attached to them. Much too attached. That made things more difficult; gave her emotions that would make things oh such more messy.
"One day they'll hate you." the Raven Man taunts. "They'll despise you for what you are and seek to kill you, Liliana."
He's probably not wrong. And that hurts. Liliana knows better. Or should have known better. These fools have grabbed at her heart, each taking some piece.
Even if that day comes, for now she'll savor their loyalty. Maybe if she tries hard enough she can change the tides of fate.
"They'll be your downfall. And it will be all your fault."