And it was empty.
An abandoned world watches a dry leaf scatter across the buildings, the only sound to be heard.
And there was no one but the world to hear.
This was how it is like when a world is not full.
Then there was a thud, a drag, and muffling noises.
This is how it is like when someone has just committed a case of kidnapping.
Only this time, that part was already done.
Now it was an execution.
There was a stench that soared high above the tiny buildings, daring distant worlds to come find it. That's was a mocking dare was, because not even one did.
That was a good thing.
And finally there was a silence produced from the bird that was delivered to the gallows. Obviously she knew this place; obviously she was trying to savor it like a last meal. Try as she might, it wouldn't work.
They wouldn't let it work.
There was the pushy ones, that tried to drag it on as fast as possible.
Those were the ones that had something better to do.
There were the even more pushy ones.
Those were the ones that hated her.
There were the patient ones that with the authority of an entire nation underneath their tendrils, and decided to take their time so it would be the most painful experience she ever felt.
Those were the ones that hated her the most.
And so all them lined up around the victim. Some were recognizable.
Azelfs was grinning madly at this. She herself had requested to prepare the victim with the torturing so she would be to weak to fight back. She also had requested delivering the final execution, which to her delight was granted after permission from the elders.
Then there was the one that was very, very, very sightly blue. They could not see color but she could. The victim was quite disgusted that Greely would stand and watch her last day, but it was rather not surprising.
Then there was one that like Azelfs,
looked like them but
wasn't them. It stared on at her with expressionless face, though she thought she could see fury boiling inside.
It was more pleased when her lover died, but that was no excused. And she rather corrected herself,
it wasn't an
it.
As soon as she stumbled past
it, she suddenly saw a flash of a trace...of a smile.
It.
That would be
I.
And so
I, along with Azelfs, Greely, and a few others who managed to sneak in, watched as she stepped up the circle stone and stood up straight.
Azelfs knew this was her turn. She selected which lucky tendril out of her eight new ones would be so lucky to end the last of the shivering mess of the bird. She truly was that, after all.
And she reached out and fused all her energy right then and there.
As them and I stared at the last, there was a tremor, a shake, and a gasp.
They all rumbled across the land, daring other worlds to hear.
They did.
That was a good thing.
That was how it was like when a person of high importance died.
However, to them she was hardly worth anything.
Everyone, including I, smiled.
Azelfs triumphantly held the limp body while one of the elders pulled out a gadget and strapped it to the wing. It hummed to life and Azelfs felt the body stiffen and turn hard.
Petrification? Check.
They propped it on the stone. I helped, too.
After fastening it on the stone, Azelfs ripped the gadget off and she and I floated toward the forest which was not far from our present location.
In the dying fireplace a column of smoke trailed up into the trees from embers almost out.
Azelfs and I set the gadget down. I burrowed it into the embers and pressed the button.
Soul Saving? Check.
Mission Accomplished? Check.
Azelfs sighed.
"Why is it that we have to keep the soul alive still?"
I smiled.
" Because she'll not only stay here forever and feel pain, this way she can see us and can do nothing about it, plus she'll never be joined with Zios forever now."
Azelfs nodded solemnly and turned toward to the town again. I followed, whispering a few words.
"Eternal pain is much worse than death."
Epilogue
Some have been foolish enough to believe that they can save Mira.
They are too late.
Now every time you see the statue of the bird high near the Township you will know that she is dead and you can do nothing about it.
And every time you dance in the fireplace of Sarepia you will know that you are paining her by letting her soul see you but, being a soul, can do nothing about it.
And this time I can confirm they have a much better plan.
You may have the beacon, but be warned.
We have destroyed Zios for all to see.
Mira is no longer alive as soon as you see this.
We're going to get the Alphas next.
We're going to get everything back.
