little pig

 Legs pumping and pounding, bare feet against the earth, battling to slow Marcus down; shredding his souls inside and out. Spirit broken, he rhythmically lunges forward fiercely to save what's left of himself. An ethereal presence absorbed the air and hung thick in the midnight heavens, choking the dear boy as he fought for breath. only a child, just a boy of 13; the ripe age for her. The eldritch witch, the she-devil, a goddess of death. skulls adorning he slim figure, black leather hugging her spindly arms and bony frame a grandeur display of hell stones, emerald mist and obsidian blades succeeded her. forever perusing, never satiated. Only the freshest souls will do.

Ducking, dodging behind trees and bushes, he whispered quiet curses to the gods for bestowing him with this life. Tears that had long been dry welled up in his eyes as Marcus shook them away, promising to feel their warm embrace once this was over. he remembered all that she had took from him everything she ripped out of his life for her selfish love; his mother who's final moments was clawing at the pit the deity created. only moments earlier was she lovingly rocking the boy softly whispering dreams and fantasies in little ears.

In the heart of their small home she had sat him by the fire to read him stories of great gods and great power and their tails and teachings. but as she sat, smiling warmly, the floor began to ripple and splash. she sank faster than any quicksand he had known about and just as she called out to her son, maybe to run or maybe goodbye, the ground opened just enough. gone. only her echoing screams remained, bouncing from one wall to another surrounding young Marcus in an agonising goodbye remained. he knew Hela had taken her and only Hela would bring her back.

lying low beneath the tree his back forced against it, Marcus lay. in the muddy roots he clawed at the bark , focused on the manic rise and fall of this chest; trying in vain to steady himself. He could not go on much longer. there is only so much running a man can do until he is forced to the edge of his own oblivion. at this point he can either jump and take his fate or root himself in the face of Ethereum. he sunk lower as he could har her aura and flames slowly crackle in all directions, searching.

"come out little pig.        squeal for me darling.    come now I've so enjoyed our game of chase"

Marcus felt shivers on his shoulder blades as he hard her gentle voice grow closer. how could something so divine be so beastly? as he choked back tears and scrunched his eyes he tensed and drew his arms close ready for her to uncover him. the longest 20 seconds passed and as he lay there braced. lightly Marcus raised his head.  flashes of teal and rich cobalt scorched his eyes. his back thrusted forwards as if a vacuum had taken hold of him with unwavering desire.

Waves licked the wooden pallet as it lightly shifted one way then another. strangely the diamond tide was forgiving yet to vast for the boy to see. horizons curve lay only a few miles away, but in every way. no matter what direction he chose he gazed into the same design. an inky blue littered with shards of stars atop a diamond abyss. Marcus threw his fists at the wood beneath him, "evil witch!" he screamed at to the heavens. where ever she had put him he knew, Just as he had before, he would survive it. maybe. but this one felt different its always a new place, new country maybe even new world but never off land. she finally had enough of their game and played dirty.

as Marcus reeled with thought of where he was he failed to remember the sea left him vulnerable to all it horrors of the deep. low groans and whines emanated from below as a void grew below tentacles and claws outlined in black thrashed disturbing the peace of the ocean blue. as Marcus clutched the wood panels close. he daren't look as he felt the find fly into its great jaws as they opened.