Because Of Me

Abram stumbled into the room, his breath heavy and his armor bloodstained.

The healers had helped him regain consciousness and healed his injuries from the explosion and the shrapnel of the destroyed pillar, but he was still in the same light armor he'd been wearing before the barbarians had breached the dome.

When the news had been delivered, he hadn't believed it. It just couldn't be possible. But now, as he stumbled into the chamber, his eyes were telling him that it was indeed true.

The air in the chamber was still, quiet, heavy, as if holding its breath. And there, in the center of the room, laid his son.

Darius' body had been cleaned, dressed in the finest armor the house possessed, his eyes closed and his face unnaturally still. He was too pale to look like he was sleeping peacefully.

Kneeling before him was Maria, her shoulders trembling, her hands clasped together as if in prayer. Her head was bowed, long dark hair cascading down her back.