Then.
Illumination Antiques burns to a crisp before him, Tombstone allows himself a smile.
Smouldering.
Steam pours from the skin like rats from a sinking ship. My burnt and soured flesh regenerates as my mind washes up upon the shore of sin. I can hear the song of death, licking at the crispened wood as it bends, arches and breaks.
That song is intoxicating. Almost as intoxicating as the smell of firewood and the sounds of young screams bouncing throughout the echo chamber of the desperate night.
“Please dad, wake up…”
Did the song of death touch him? Did it leave a mark upon him like it failed to do me? Would he forever see a reflection of fire and flame, scorched and etched into visceral skin for an eternity, until he rested upon my boat?
In my mind, I held the passion, the panacea for the poison.
A challis so filled with corruption, fear and trickery that a drop of my soul would hardly spill it. I gave it willingly. I gave into the song of death, wrapped my hand around Fernicus’ desperate throat and snapped.
Now I float off to forever with a flutter, these words upon my lips.
Flutter.
Now.
Tombstone stands inside Anthesteria, watching from a distance.
“I never asked for nothing and that’s just what I got.”
“Nothing, for eternity.”
“An existence predicated upon the necessity of a position I knew not that I was undertaking. My pride died before I did and now as I fall, I’m always caught.”
Tombstone listens to the air.
“The song of death played only to me on that night.”
“And when it did, it played on repeat in my mind, El Mariachi Muerte. Like an addictive melody that I could not refrain from humming. A tune that whilst haunting, appeased the ache deep within my soul.”
As Tombstone walks through the level, people run and hide.
“A tormenting sound to most, but to me it reminded me of a time when I acted. It reminded me of a time when I took back control. Those screams, those crackles of burning wood and thunderous sounds of falling debris – it was a ballad.”
“It was a panacea for the poison.”
He stops for a moment and looks down to his right hand.
In it is a gas cannister, the fumes pouring into the colorful homes of Anthesterians.
“I’ve watched the inner light of fireflies, watched the dusk go indigo and blush into a silent night. I’ve birthed an immaculate concept from a pregnant pause and I’ve stood in the august of my righteousness.”
“And the song echoes wantonly, dancing powerfully through the chaos of my mind.”
He takes a deep breath.
“Do you want to be the poison, El Mariachi Muerte?”
He raises the gas cannister.
“Because I have the panacea.”
“And much like Fernicus, the panacea is your end.”
A deep breath.
“You should never fear your end, Muerte. The end is where we meet…”
“And I will send you on your way.”
Then.
Flutter.
The boat.
Fernicus Lamplight.
To be continued…..