orange

~~~

You were sinking. The dark abyss that had taunted you and your people was finally swallowing you whole. After everything you had just survived, it didn't matter. You went over this edge of no return willingly, hoping the cold would take away the last remaining parts of yourself you no longer wanted. You allowed yourself to fall away from all your bright memories under the warm rays of the sun; willed yourself to forget the chaos slicing through you like the gnashing of teeth and claws.

Everything was silent. Everything was cold. It was a balm to your open wounds, helping time blur from your shock.

It was unfortunate, or perhaps in a way, fortunate that the currents and darkness began to move and flash like the moments during a setting sun. The sudden heat basked your mind in its encompassing fog. It made it almost impossible to be wary when the water vibrated from a dark saccharine chuckle.

"How sad. What poor soul has found their way this far down into my deep? Broken and shattered. It's a wonder you've made it this far."

Giant dark and clawed skeletal hands appeared from within the flashing amber-ed glow, cupping around you until your drifting form settled. A single orb soon followed, lighting the lidded socket of a giant skeletal kraken. Moving you closer to its face, the orb expanded, casting its light further upon your form.

"Oh~ A beautiful thing like you should be flourishing in that light." A clawed finger moved to delicately trace the edges of your fins and tail, its voice softening. "Such a shame... Now your light will be nothing but a dream."

You could barely comprehend the burning energy that came from below, or the unbearable searing heat that entered your body and soul. It was all you could do to stay awake as something nuzzled your head. As the beast purred, your pathetic whimpers went ignored through it's whispers.

"Give all your pieces to me, little Angel. I'll keep you well. Let me turn your shattered dreams into something more radiant."

You don't know what happened after that, but the burning eased and your soul was warm, the dark morphing into twilight. You simply slept with unintelligible words drifting through the shadows.

Things would be undeniably different when you woke. But you hardly had a mind to care. You knew that the moment you went over the edge.