Kiburat

Lyrea felt like she had been walking for an eternity, down and down the path of light she had strolled, each step as graceful as the last in an unending monotony.

Her only companion quiet as he walked by her side, leisurely looking ahead as his smile grew more and more twisted, pulling his crooked teeth asunder as his bones shook from an insidious laughter.

"Nearly. A bit longer my dear and we shall have arrived at the first part of our journey. The first warden who seeks to block our way."

With her eyes closed Lyrea looked ahead but could see nothing but the path of light, continuing without end.

"I see nothing."

"I wouldn't expect you to. I told you of the grinding of the worlds, all things stagnant in motion, do you think it so easy to intrude?"

"So what do we do?"

"We do not need to do anything when the path has been so painstakingly laid before us."

Taking Lyrea into his arms Koel let the cold of his embrace envelop her as the path of light before them began to twist and shrink, pulling tight to a point until it simply vanished along with them.

In an instant Lyrea could feel the difference around her. A gentle wind blew through her hair as it tickled her delicate skin, the sound of rustling grass as it played over verdant hills and the touch of a sun that refused to warm the cold bones that still embraced her now.

"Where are we?"

"A world by the name of Kiburat."

"It is quaint, rural. Like a home that all can seek refuge in."

Looking around with her starry eyes Lyrea could see the paths of travellers as they exchanged greetings from all parts of the known and unknown, swapping tales for food and thought.

It was Koel's solemn tone that ruined her vision.

"Indeed, it was once a hub of travel… a favourite of another time. Look again upon this land Lyrea, look at what it has become."

Closing her eyes Lyrea looked around once more, as far as she could see.

"I see the interconnection of rolling hills as streams run among them, the shining of the sun as it warms all animals beneath, it is such a joyous place."

Laughter came from Koel as dug into the ground at his feet.

"Look how easily your joyous place is ruined. A single foot and It is torn apart, a stain on your view of perfection."

Crouching down Lyrea scrabbled to push the dirt back into place as she righted the torn grass with her hands, to help it sway and stand once more, not knowing what drove her to such an act.

"Why do I do this?"

"Because perfection is pain, any less and it wouldn't be acceptable. Now follow me and I will show you what this world really is."

Unable to refuse Lyrea stood as part of her still desperately wanted to right the ruined ground. Carried by Koel up among the clouds she gained a view of the world from above.

"All you have described to me is the ideology of peace. You have seen the past glory of this place, and the present nature that it could be if left unguided. Now let me reveal to you its true colour, so that you may be unblinded."

"And if I wish to remain blinded?"

"You have no choice."

In a slow motion without effort Koel hooked and pulled one of Lyrea's eyes out, suppressing her painful shudders with ease as he spoke.

"Now see what I see."

Raising his head high Koel lowered the skewered purple eye as he inserted it into his own cavernous eye socket, even as perfection wept for the ruin brought upon her.

"You have marred me."

"No, I have taken part of your perfection, so that you may see and not be blinded by the past. Now look around and tell me that this is warranted."

Even as pain wrinkled her face Lyrea looked down from upon high, and wept.

Bright tears of crimson red rolled from her cheeks, unable to stop the flow even as she tried to shut her eye, Koel forced her to watch through his.

"Perfection does not belong in this world anymore, it is has become a mockery of virtue."