Chapter 13: Eclipse of Silence
He stood atop the jagged cliffs winds howling around his bloodstained robes Shadows curled around his ankles pooling upon frost bitten rock like liquid night Below him the empire sprawled broken and smoldering Rivers snaked through charred plains reflecting crimson sun Cities lay as silent ruins their towers collapsed into choking ash Temples shattered their spires driven into earth like broken spears
He raised his hand Shadows surged across the sky darkening dawn light Black clouds gathered above swirling around his silent form Lightning pulsed within writhing darkness illuminating his face Pale skin marred by old scars Eyes empty and cold like dying stars
The storm obeyed his will
He stepped forward descending from the cliffs Shadows formed beneath his feet carrying him down jagged stone like silent waves He walked across scorched plains passing fields littered with corpses Armored knights lay twisted upon trampled grass Spears shattered Shields split Blood pooled in dark lakes around their ruined bodies Crows circled above cawing with hollow hunger
He ignored them Shadows pulsed around him Each step echoed within silent plains rippling through the earth like distant thunder
At the horizon rose the imperial capital once crowned with ivory towers and golden domes Now its walls were cracked Gates shattered Flames rose from ruined districts Smoke curled into darkened sky Ash rained upon marble streets covering them in grey silence
He entered the capital through broken gates Shadows flowing behind him like silent armies Streets lay deserted Bodies slumped against stone walls Eyes wide and empty Children clutched ragged dolls stained with blood Merchants sprawled across shattered stalls Coins scattered around lifeless fingers
He walked toward the palace at the city's heart Shadows climbing ivory towers like silent serpents Banners hung in tatters flapping within dead winds Guards lay in splintered plate weapons rusted within cold hands Courtyards once filled with fountains and gardens now burned with black fire Stone cracked under his steps Shadows swallowed wilting roses turning petals to silent ash
He entered the grand palace halls Marble pillars rose into vaulted ceilings engraved with radiant sigils Flames flickered within shattered chandeliers Pools of blood spread across mosaic floors reflecting golden tiles now darkened by shadow
At the end of the hall upon the obsidian throne sat the Empress clad in robes of crimson and silver Her black hair fell across her shoulders Eyes lined with tears that did not fall Her hands clutched the throne's arms knuckles white with terror
Ruvan stepped forward Shadows rippled around his ankles coiling up shattered pillars and draping down golden tapestries like silent rivers of darkness
She raised her gaze Voice trembling
Why Ruvan Why do you bring such horror You were my son once I held you within these arms I sang to you beneath dawn light What have you become
He paused Shadows pulsing with silent hunger around her tears
Hope is the sweetest lie Mother
He raised his hand Shadows exploded from his fingers wrapping around her body lifting her from the obsidian throne Her scream echoed across marble halls Shadows slithered across her flesh peeling away crimson robes Bones cracked Blood splattered across golden mosaics
She fell silent Shadows dropped her corpse upon blackened tiles Her crown rolled away striking cracked marble steps with hollow chimes
He stepped past her lifeless body ascending the throne Shadows gathered around him curling across the throne's arms and coiling around his shoulders like a silent mantle Beyond shattered palace windows the empire lay in ruin Towers burned Fields blackened Rivers choked with corpses
He sat upon the obsidian throne closing his eyes Shadows pulsed across ruined halls whispering silent hymns in dead tongues
Today I burned your gods Today I erased your knowledge Today I slaughtered your kings Today I became your silence
Tomorrow I will become despair etched into your bones
Beyond despair I will teach you oblivion
And beyond oblivion I will teach you the final truth
He opened his eyes Dawn burned pale across silent plains Shadows rose behind him like endless mountains of darkness The empire trembled upon broken knees Echoes of silent screams carried upon dead winds
And they would teach the world the meaning of true nothingness