03-25-2022, 01:10 PM
BURN
BRIGHT
BRIGHT
In the dying twilight, Ninazu breathed in deep and slow. Several wanderers had assisted her in dragging this evergreen log to the Condemned’s village, and their watching eyes poisoned her concentration. If Stryker were here… well, her malus flytrap leaning against her paw is a poor substitute, but she’ll ground herself however she can.
Breathing out a steady stream of green-tinged fire, she closed her eyes against the heat against her face. The wood crackled, popped, an explosion of sound.
The malus flytrap jumped and scuttled behind one of her rear legs. Yet Ninazu continued to breathe out, slow and steady, as the heat singed her fur. Her diaphragm squeezed the last of the air out of her lungs. Only then did she open her eyes.
The bonfire’s light cast long shadows across the village. The stars and moon had nothing on the contained inferno raging in their home. The red flames licked the wood. Occasionally, green glinted in the hearth as Ninazu couldn’t help herself but to paw at her creation.
Ninazu turned around, the warmth of the fire sending the malus flytrap scurrying for refuge between her front paws. She glanced at the small bag she’d brought, almost surprised it was still there. Should she really toss… yes, she will.
“I know burning effigies is done for the Death of the Year celebration. But I missed the last two, so I’m not waiting around for another year.” Ninazu’s ear flicked at the nods and noises of agreement from the crowd. Good. They understood. Perhaps Sojourn and the other resurrected would feel the same as her.
“Now is the time to cast our limitations, shortcomings, or barriers into the fire.” Ninazu picked up the small bag and retrieved a black stone from within. She’d taken it as a souvenir when Stryker and her had destroyed the Pitt’s black pyramid; part of her had simultaneously hated and longed for her previous home. How could she not? She’d been their healer, then their leader, and finally imprisoned.
Swiveling on her heels, she tossed the stone into the bonfire. She’d done it so quickly she couldn’t hesitate—the best choice, since half of her throbbed. But it was done. And she felt better, for ripping that burden off her shoulders.
“Who’s next?” Ninazu glanced over her shoulder to the crowd as she pet her foliage familiar.
Breathing out a steady stream of green-tinged fire, she closed her eyes against the heat against her face. The wood crackled, popped, an explosion of sound.
The malus flytrap jumped and scuttled behind one of her rear legs. Yet Ninazu continued to breathe out, slow and steady, as the heat singed her fur. Her diaphragm squeezed the last of the air out of her lungs. Only then did she open her eyes.
The bonfire’s light cast long shadows across the village. The stars and moon had nothing on the contained inferno raging in their home. The red flames licked the wood. Occasionally, green glinted in the hearth as Ninazu couldn’t help herself but to paw at her creation.
Ninazu turned around, the warmth of the fire sending the malus flytrap scurrying for refuge between her front paws. She glanced at the small bag she’d brought, almost surprised it was still there. Should she really toss… yes, she will.
“I know burning effigies is done for the Death of the Year celebration. But I missed the last two, so I’m not waiting around for another year.” Ninazu’s ear flicked at the nods and noises of agreement from the crowd. Good. They understood. Perhaps Sojourn and the other resurrected would feel the same as her.
“Now is the time to cast our limitations, shortcomings, or barriers into the fire.” Ninazu picked up the small bag and retrieved a black stone from within. She’d taken it as a souvenir when Stryker and her had destroyed the Pitt’s black pyramid; part of her had simultaneously hated and longed for her previous home. How could she not? She’d been their healer, then their leader, and finally imprisoned.
Swiveling on her heels, she tossed the stone into the bonfire. She’d done it so quickly she couldn’t hesitate—the best choice, since half of her throbbed. But it was done. And she felt better, for ripping that burden off her shoulders.
“Who’s next?” Ninazu glanced over her shoulder to the crowd as she pet her foliage familiar.
© MADI