Library:Chronicles of The Death

Chronicles of The Death

Author:	Riya
Publication:	Scholars of Novia
Genre:	Horror (series)
Original Publication
Publication:	Scholars of Novia CONTEST #1 "The Sisters Grim"
Publish Date:	October 6, 2014
Series
Series:	The Grim Sisters' Anthology of the Mysterious & the Macabre

This story by Riyawas submitted as part of The Grim Sisters' Anthology of the Mysterious & the Macabre, but is currently unpublished.

Chronicles of The Death

by Riya

This gate is huge. It is a double-winged iron gate more than twelve arm-spans wide and higher than my eyes can see. I am not sure if it just meets the obsidian sky or pierces right through it. I was here once before. If my memory does not deceive me, this gate was only two men tall the last time I saw it. Then, I pushed it open with ease to release the creature lurking beyond. This time, over three years have passed while trying to make this fateful decision to return to this doomed scene, the Inner Hell.

I am not sure what others call it, but for me this abyss is how I imagine my hell. It can be reached neither by land, nor by sea. Even on wings it remains undiscovered. Only closing my eyes and concentrating wholly on this spot, am I guided there. Opening my eyes again, this place engulfs my consciousness — dark as a starless night. The only object in sight is this solid, plain iron edifice, massive from the bottom to the top, too heavy for a normal human being to budge.

Even I struggle to push this gate open. It was a hard decision to free this monster so long ago, but with all the involved people this time, it could cause a cataclysm. Okay, it is not fair to call it a monster. This is not a beast with three heads or a demon with a thousand eyes on his body. I’m not sure it even has a certain shape. This horror can be found in everything and everybody. That is what the people fear the most. Especially the ones, whom are to blame for my current situation, these avatars, are scared of the Chaos.

They try to chain up this part of themselves behind a door, locked with eight different seals. They call it virtues, I call it a plague. Obliged to follow those rules, all humans aim for the same goal in their short lives, binding them to a uniform future for eternity. Everyone is sentenced to repeat this tragedy over and over again. Known as a time of peace, I call it stagnation. Which not only harms them, it also hurts the one I love, the ever changing Future. She lost the brightness in her once-sparkling eyes and her colorful diversity. Thanks to the avatars she now looks the same every day, every week and every month without the opportunity to break free on her own.

Those invaders entered our world decades ago, an alien element, and still try to impose their ways. They can’t even die and move to the next world like everyone else. I remained quiet, just keeping an eye on them, hoping the people would awake from their stupor and change the world on their own, but nothing happened. The egotistical avatars interfere and rule over a world which they don’t belong to. Now it is time to stand up for my own need — selfish, I am aware — to rescue the one true love I have in this world.

My hand slides over the smooth surface of the gate. It is cold like me and represents the burden I have to shoulder once the gathered Chaos behind is released. Many will lose their lives. It could possibly devour every living soul including mine and the soul I mean to save, but I can no longer sit by and watch her suffering in silence. The consequences of not acting outweigh the risk. Even if I have to put my life on the line, it has to be done. Now. I press both my hands against the gate and begin to push.

Any doubts washed away. With no hesitation in my heart anymore I lean forward. Through the opening gap I can feel the raging heat as a harbinger of the uncontrollable Chaos. Gathering all my strength, I push even harder. Finally opened wide enough, I step beyond the ominous portal.

The Chaos hidden here in me over the years, decades and centuries has grown immense, too much to release only parts of it. However, that was never my intention. I step aside and let it free. I, The Death, won’t regret what I have done and I would do it again should the circumstances require it.

Trivia

• Chronicles of The Death was a runner up in the Scholars of Novia's "The Sisters Grim" contest.
• Listen to this story as narrated by Amber Raine.