Echoes

by whatdotheydream

Voices whisper in the dark. They tell us stories. They watch us. And they tell us stories. But, story, that means lie, right? Because these aren't lies. They tell us so we won't forget. They tell us…because they don't forget. T, only because of angst. Only that. Maybe later blood, or darkness. I suppose it depends on my mood.

2. The Fish Beast

A/N: So, I totally forgot this first time around. I'm trying out a new style, and they're mostly drabbles and such. In this one, I want you to know, "men" and "man" do not refer to "male, boy" but simply "human". That's all, really.

"Once upon a time…There was a fish. It lived…it lived…in a fast, dark river…Deep, deep underground…It's scales were made of gold…And its eyes were flat and white and dead…because it was blind and could not see. But…But…The fish was the guardian of a most precious treasure…For in its belly…it held…a star. And the star…was greatly cherished by many…And many men…tried to…they tried to…find it, and…take it…And…But…Even those who roamed the dark labyrinths…Could not find the fish…Because those who tried…were found…twisted. They washed up from the ground. They were gone. But men…Are foolish. And greedy. And they wanted…the star. So many, many more came. To fight the fish. To take the star. And…And…Nothing. Endless. But a Beast's patience, unlike mans greed, is not endless. And the fish was a Beast. So the fish…rose up from the dark waters…And they were in awe…but the Fish-Beast was not. And it devoured many…many…agony…terror…And man felt that of a hunted boar. And they prayed, and begged…But…The men's wooden idols had deaf ears…And…an island was took…Deep, deep under…It would have continued forever, but…A small child, a girl…Came and, she gazed upon the Fish-Beast…And said 'Guardian, we have done great harm.' And she began to sing, and her voice, beautiful, and…silver…soothed the great Beast…And it sunk back…into the dark. And for hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of years…There was a story…of a giant, hideous Fish-Beast with eyes of fire, that turned these who looked upon them to stone…One who opened its cavernous mouth…And sent…A great flood…of dark water…upon the innocent men…and sunk an island…And would have continued…If not for the child…Who gave unto the heartless Fish-Beast…Compassion…But…it was just a story…At least, most of it…And soon, they forgot…Because…fear forgets."

Tales of heroes, and monsters, and, sometimes, monsters that were heroes. They kept us awake at night, watching, waiting, for another tale. And we knew we would be satisfied. The voices in the dark always knew…when we wanted to remember.