» Together

The smell of the Living Tree was still in his nose, heavy on his mind; he thought he caught a whiff of it, but figured it was only memory.

Not even the salt could scrub it from his nose, or take the hunger out of his mouth.

He wanted to plant a garden of them, to save them, to save the Rift, an anchor of power so pure the corruption would fold back on itself—a dream fueled by memories of a golden age, clear waters, life.

He wanted to plant a garden of them, so that he could eat them.

He was a monster, playing at being a hero, a savior. He was cruel and selfish. He was—

He had the matron's trunk in his face, the motion catching his attention, and before he had a chance to protest—something told him monsters don't like glitter—he had a line of sticky glitter drawn across his broad forehead. She murmured encouragement to him, and his long ears fell back against his neck. Perhaps they would. Perhaps they shouldn't. The embarrassed beast sighed, and settled in to wait, and when they were all ready, he followed them to the Pinnacle.

beauty in darkness
kaos in light

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