Page 4 of Monster's Maiden

A soft sigh escapes me.

I reach out, tracing the familiar grooves in the stones that forever surround me, each one a testament to my isolation. My fingers glide over the rough surface, feeling every crack and crevice. They are my only companions now, these ancient stones. They offer no warmth, no comfort, only the cold recollection of time's passage.

The yearning within me grows even stronger now. It's a deep pain that cannot be soothed by stone or silence. It's a need for connection. To share this existence with another soul would mean everything.

"How much longer must I endure this?" I ask aloud, though I know there is no one there.

I close my eyes and imagine what it would be like to have someone here beside me. To share stories, to laugh together, to simply exist in each other's presence. It's a dream that seems so distant.

"One day maybe," I murmur to myself, though I know it's a hollow promise.

It seems all I have for now are these ancient walls and the memories they hold. I take a deep breath and stand back up, continuing my pacing. The chamber remains as silent as ever. And with each moment that passes, my heart aches for something more, something beyond this endless solitude.

"Is this all there is?" I whisper to the shadows.

Hunger starts to gnaw at me the more I pace, a constant reminder of my need to sustain this ancient body. The familiar sensation drives me to move. I leave the central chamber and navigate through the twisting tunnels, each step echoing against the cold stone walls.

The scent of damp ground grows stronger as I approach a small pond hidden deep within my sanctuary. The bioluminescent moss lines the edges, casting an eerie glow across the water's surface. Small ripples disturb the stillness, revealing the presence of life within.

I crouch down. The water's surface breaks as a small amphibian-like creature emerges, its slick skin glistening under the faint light. It pauses, sensing my presence but not yet aware of the danger.

With a swift motion, I plunge my hand into the water, fingers closing around the creature's fragile form. It struggles briefly, its small limbs flailing against my unyielding grip. The effort is futile; my strength far surpasses its desperate attempts to escape.

A quick twist of my wrist ends its life. The creature goes limp, its struggles silenced in an instant. I bring it closer, examining the delicate patterns on its skin—an intricate design nature has bestowed upon it.

Without further hesitation I decapitate it and consume it greedily. The taste is pungent and slightly bitter, a stark contrast to the blandness of stone that has become so familiar. The sustenance it provides is minimal but necessary.

As I finish, I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand and rise to my full height once more. The pond remains undisturbed now, save for the gentle ripples fading into stillness. The hunger subsides for now, replaced by a fleeting sense of satisfaction.

I turn away from the pond and make my way back through the tunnels. Each step feels heavier than before, as if burdened by more than just my physical form. The silence of my sanctuary envelopes me once again, the one constant in this endless solitude.

Returning to the heart of my chamber, I resume my pacing yet again. The act is both ritual and necessity—a way to pass the time in this forsaken tomb. My thoughts drift back to those fleeting moments by the pond, where life persists even in the harshest conditions. Their simplicity is enviable.

Here I remain, in isolation—a relic of an era long past.

For now, all I can do is endure this loneliness and hope that one day it will end. My spirit yearns for more than just survival; it longs for someone.

In this vast tomb of stone and shadows, that desire is both my curse and my only solace.

3

LARA

The dae lies still in the snow, a solemn testament to my masterful skill. We kneel around the fallen dae, its lifeless eyes staring blankly at the sky. The cold air nips at my cheeks, but the thrill of a successful hunt keeps me warm. We begin to clean and prepare the dae, our hands moving with practiced ease.

Maya pulls out her knife, the blade glinting in the dim winter light. "Who's taking the first cut?"

"Go ahead," Aiden says, leaning back on his heels. "I'm just here for moral support."

"Like usual," I quip.

Maya chuckles and begins to work on the dae's hide. The smell of fresh blood mingles with the crisp scent of pine and snow. I focus on my task, my fingers deftly separating muscle from bone.

“Remember that time you almost shot me instead of the dae?” Aiden says with a grin.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” I reply. “If I wanted to hit you, you would have had an arrow in your backside.”

Maya laughs, her breath visible in the freezing air. “That would’ve been a sight!”

---