Idol

Idols and worship.

Under the veil of darkness, a lone figure strode swiftly through the shadows, leaving only the faint rustling of leaves in her wake. Dressed in a nightgown as white as snow, with various gleaming jewels adorning her equally white hair, Weiss was dressed like a queen. As if reflecting this, her steps carried the gait of a goddess, radiating confidence and elegance with each step.

With all that regalia on her, one would normally think that she was like Cinderella, rushing to the ball to meet her beloved prince. However, this Cinderella wasn’t attending the usual parties and functions she frequented with licentious intent. No, this was above the petty affairs of mortals, a matter far more delicate than the norm.

Stopping dead in her tracks, she marvelled at the glory of her destination, in all its ancient spitefulness. It was a foreboding temple that only appeared under the waning moon, a testament to the height of her master’s power during these grim times. In the face of such supremacy, she found herself taking slower, cautious steps, a stark contrast to the swiftness she carried only mere moments ago. She didn’t know why, but the aura emanating from this place never failed to make her confidence shrivel to the size of a withered prune.

The temple’s wooden door made a slight creaking noise as Weiss gently pried it open to let her lithe form slip inside. Lighting the candles in the four corners of the room, the once pitch black surroundings became illuminated, revealing the likeliness of her master, a gargantuan obsidian statue shaped in the ghastly visage of a dragon. Perched atop an equally large granite pedestal, its red eyes glowered upon her with sinister purpose, as though appraising her like a precious bauble.

Nervous at the prospect of standing before a power far greater than her own, Weiss took a moment to glance at the manacles she had attached to her master’s pedestal. Looking upon the skeletons entrapped within those binds of steel, she smiled, pleased by her master’s acceptance of her humble offerings. It was almost perfect, had she been there in person to witness her master devour their souls, for she left them chained to the statue as fresh sacrifices for his hunger.

They must have died screaming, she noted wryly to herself. It was such a great privilege bestowed upon them, for their deaths slaked his unending thirst for the souls of mankind. The thought of their agonising death was orgasmic, she mused, smiling playfully as she tried to envision their dying screams within her mind.

It was at that very moment that Weiss caught her hands mischievously pressed against her crotch and bosom, as if begging her flesh to partake in the pleasurable thoughts unfolding in her mind. Sadly, the hour for foolishness was long past, as urgent as her desires were.  Taking a deep breath, she regained her composure. After all, the sight of his favourite servant behaving like that was unbecoming of his glory.

He wouldn’t be pleased. Not at all. This she knew well in her heart.

Prostrating herself before the statue, she closed her eyes and began her communion. It was a trivial procedure, done mostly for the sake of formality. Unlike other weak gods who demanded worship, hers demanded action in the form of blood.

“Are we alone? What am I saying, of course we are! No one knows of us. Well… at least no one alive!” Her voice rang through the hall with great fervour, releasing all the pent-up fatigue and stress from the long trip.

Rising from her knees, Weiss took another deep breath, filling her lungs with the scent of sacred incense. While she was normally comfortable speaking to her master with a snivel and a pleading tone, she now felt much more nervous than the norm. After all, she had come not to offer, but to beseech of him. Even in spite of the numerous tributes offered in his name, she dared not demand anything from him, knowing full well of her place at his side.

“Master, I’ve spoken to those who would listen... You know… the ones I’ve told you about last month. They’ll come around soon, as I have. I just know it!” Weiss muttered, her head bowed in reverence as her eyes remained plastered to the floor, afraid of incurring his ire.

Not that he ever mistreated her, no. The rewards for her servitude were many, as was fit for a loyal thrall. Yet, Weiss longed for more, for the mere reward of eternal youth and power was now unable to sate the gnawing emptiness within her.  She longed for followers, partners, anyone who could partake in this glory alongside her.

“But what about you, Great One? Have you spoken to anyone?” Weiss asked, her voice like that of an inquisitive child. “Of course not! I‘m the one who does all the talking and stalking!” her voice quavered with fury, her face red like her rage. Her hands were now balled up in fists, as though attempting to restrain her anger to her master’s indifference.

After all, the prospect of more followers was a mutually beneficial arrangement. In spite of this, her master remained silent to the matter, seemingly refusing her ideas in his usual, brooding manner. This mystified her to no end, even in all her years of serving his every whim and craving.

“And what do you do, hmm? NOTHING! All you ever do is engorge yourself!” Weiss spat, pointing an accusatory finger at the obsidian statue. Decades of lonely servitude had taken their toll on her psyche. Even after serving her master faithfully throughout the years, she couldn’t help but question his behaviour at times. After all, if he was as powerful as he truly was, why did he bide his time so? The world was ripe for devouring, and as his herald and chosen one, she was more than eager to deliver it to his gaping maws. Perhaps he knew something that he refused to tell her, despite their relationship. But then again, who was she to question the will of her divine lord?

Regardless, as much as she questioned and resented her master’s enigmatic plan, she couldn’t abandon him, as that meant giving up everything she had worked so hard for, and that was a fate far worse than death.

She was upset, yet the reality of her circumstances snapped her back to her senses in an abrupt fashion. Realising the folly of her outburst, she rushed forward and embraced the likeliness of her master, tears flowing wildly from her eyes.

“I... I’m so sorry... Please forgive your humble servant! I know you have your reasons for everything.... Little Weiss understands! And obeys!” Weiss cried out in between bouts of hysterical sobbing as she ran her gloved fingers over the cold obsidian surface of her draconic master.

The statue remained silent, its eyes still glowing a bloodshot crimson as it watched her wordlessly in silent contempt. Truth be told, she was a good thrall, a humble servant, and a competent servitor. So long as such acts of insolence were the exception and not the rule, she was still a valuable pawn in this misbegotten realm.

Such was his will, wordless yet commanding, that she would definitely understand. In any case, she was sure to come to her senses. After all, there was no other feasible course of action left for her but continued service.

“Or perhaps you don’t want to speak to anyone, master? Perhaps they are all unworthy… unworthy…” Weiss whispered into the statue’s ear as she embraced her master’s visage, her rage now pacified into a twisted serenity.

“I suppose if you want me to be the sole executioner of your will… then it shall be so.”

Author's Note

Hi!

Do let me know what you think! If you've enjoyed this story, do check out my book on the Amazon Kindle Store, The Best of Aurafiex - A Short Story Collection.

Buy it now at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GX7EVLC

Have a nice day!

Reviews

[hcarson]

I liked this and i think you have done well in the forming of the charecter..nut job that she is...all i would say against it is it could have been a tad shorter as there was no actual reaction to her presence.. (Whether there will be or not, depending how story pans out obviously) i just thought the same thing could have been said in a shorter manner...iam probably making no sense..i have just woke up so please excuse me if i have totally confused you!! Over all i enjoyed the concept of the story, you have a talent with writing as i have already seen in your other writing, you are great with the descriptive scene, really pulling the reader in...just something about the length on my mind but i cant explain it as my brain isnt working haha..brillient job though!!

[Krizito]

Your story's got a real feel to it-you are pretty good at word crafting...and your characters_well they make reading your stories much fun.
I see Weiss as a lonely fanatic..wishing her desires on the statue...believing it to be real...to exist. But does it?

[TheMalady]

This story is good. So good that I almost cursed at my colleague after reading the ending. You're really good in molding your characters into a twisted sociopath. No, this is not a condemnation but a praise. I love twisted characters the most since they are the ones that colors the plot of the story. Your writing style has improved! It has been a long time since I've read your work and this one is one of the best!

I've also noted this line:

- It WAS almost perfect, for she was not there in person to witness her master devour their souls, having left them chained to the statue previously.

Overall, you did well. I just love this! :)

[Richard Patrick]

Very good. The story is well designed. I enjoyed the reading the story, you made
the characters are believible. I can see them doing this. It is well crafted. The resolution and resolve of the queen who has to sentence the humans. To their death, for their god to be appeased
It is a strict world that they lay in. Your story holds the interest of the reader, the first
paragraph has brought the attention to us that we want to read. This...

[felioness]

Well written! If I were to suggest anything it would be to shorten some sentences and bring the writing into the immediate "now" so the reader is in the action with the characters. eg.

She stopped dead in her tracks as she reached her destination, a foreboding temple that only appeared under the waning moon, when chaos was at the height of its power. Her steps were now slower and much more cautious in contrast to the swiftness she carried only moments ago. She didn’t know why, but the aura emanating from this place always made her confidence shrivel to the size of a prune, as though she stood before a power much greater than her own.

The long sentences, though grammatically sound, lose the intensity of the meaning and befuddle the reader, somewhat, often making it necessary to re-read the line. I would also reduce how many times I use the words "much more" in one paragraph. Great story! Some wonderful phrasing and word usages as well.

[Jonathan Lee]

Well written as usual. It would be nice to see it expanded.

[Aurafiex]

What do you mean expanded?

[Jonathan Lee]

It works well enough as a scene, but it lacks any real conflict, climax, or resolution. It suggests some interesting ideas that could be elaborated upon in a more proper story, rather than a simple mood piece.

[Solar]

Seems like Weiss is projecting a lot of her megalomaniac desires onto a statue, like the last sentence reveals.
Idolising the Power over others.

[Aurafiex]

I suppose in a way that is true. She's also a little unhinged.

[richieb]

Auraflex, very well written story. Your description of Weiss is well balanced not lost in sea of adjectives. You have made her sadistic and ruthless yet believable. Your story was well paced and flowed in a tight and neat manner. Good story. Richie B.

[Cyndy Robinson]

Wonderful story. I expected the dragon to eat her at the end though, lol. I love dragons!

[Aurafiex]

Well, its a statue. I guess its more of a god who uses a dragon as its likeliness rather than an actual dragon.