Black Spire
Black Spire
I narrowly kept my life through the treacherous dangers that lead me here, a dead valley, neigh, it was a world unto itself, the dead raise of their own will, the sky a sickly orange, and clouds of dust blot out the sun. The rock and soil stained red, or a dull orange from the horrors of the blood spilled in these lands. The world has truly gone to hell, these are the only thoughts that can permeate my mind as I walk these damned plains towards my likely death. The only thing that can draw the eye in this vast open land was the cause of this nightmare, a black spire, it reached into the clouds, and a surface with uneven cleaving, like an imperfect diamond, its’ base and climbing most of the way up was a surrounding cathedral, tall towers leaning onto the hellish spire behind it, the rest of the building was sprawled out around the base of this spire, and climbing down the steep hill this structure sit upon.
The thin veins of the tower streaking down the sides looked like someone had let thin paint run down a canvas, the bricks seemingly wanting to match both the sickly sight of the land, and the spire that it was attached to, it was a dull brown from afar, the sun shining through clouds behind the structure that seemed to be a call to true hell. ‘Only the mad, or those who wish to die dare into those plains-’
‘You must want to die if you are going there!’
‘You’re insane, you know what you’ll find there, your own grave! You have nothing to gain, you’re just like the rest.’
‘What makes you think you’re so damn Special!’
The voices came to me as quick as the wind, all those who cursed at me, and shunned me for willing to sacrifice myself against this standing pillar of suffering and nightmares. There was never a belief, as all those who come here know their fate, and all think us mad forsaking our lives as if they are but a pebble, little else seems of worth for someone with nothing, so those of great valor who have lost all, and those of nothing who cannot hope for anything all walk the same path.
I walked with a rhythm from my steps and armor, past body upon body of felled soldier, I looked down upon them all, and they were all different, but all shared one truth, they had no master, and bore no allegiance. These were but people of honor, or little else left to their name and life to give. I saw armor torn open like paper, and half buried husks of what was once someone like me. I dare not utter a prayer, this is a land forsaken by all gods, and to only be given to those of sorrow and loss.
I set upon this path long before the decision was ever made by me, this was just the end for me, either by fate, gods, or some magnanimous other force, that I be laid to rest here, regardless of sorrow and grief upon this life I claim.
There I look up and have nearly met the base of my grave. I knew the fate of what comes by entering, but I knew I would not fall till I must collapse, as for all is lost, nothing is to lose. Even if I were to purge this land of this parasite, all who walk upon this land are cursed to it for eternity, so I merely raise my weapon and readied myself as I opened the door.
I leave this for all who come after, all who have vowed for their loss to venture here, be brave, brace against yourself, and stand tall for no allegiance, king, country, or god follows, you are greater unto yourself through this decision than all who damned you here.
More Posts from Mellea-art-home and Others
Mellea sending out some good energy for everyone.
Falling Stars (a random draft idea)
I could feel the breeze brush past my face, the sky a multicolored band, clouds in many shades of pinks, oranges, reds fading to dark grey and black. The smell of damp air fills my nose, fresh and clean, when I start to feel the rain fall, as I fall through the sky like one of the drops. Arms open facing the bottom of the clouds as I fall further.
There is no sense of fear, no dread, the only feeling rushing through my body and mind is the word, ‘Free’ as it echoes through my mind, and covers my body like warm water in a tub. The rain picks up becoming more and more dense as I fall, tears of the sky for my falling, but yet no sadness runs through me. I feel the water drip onto my skin as more and more starts to cover my body, where I start to realize the sunset sky has faded as I look up at the sky of tall pillars of clouds at the very edge still glowing in amber light with stars shining down to me in a vista of endless beauty, with long stretches of cosmic clouds colored into endlessness.
And in front of it all, the twisting world, the beauty of the large clouds, endless sky, and sweet rainy air was my body, my clothes and legs flying in the wind as the clouds deepened around me closing up the sky and light above. The rain having now become more heavy and soaking me to the bone, covering me in a bubble, but for that was not why I wept but for the loss of the universe and endlessness that lay above me.
I choked in a breath, my body convulsing, throwing my arms around and making me almost sit upright. I coughed a number of times, taking deep breaths and holding my hand to my chest to feel my heart beating quickly. And as I slowed my breathing I looked up at the ceiling of an old cabin in the woods. The roof was like an ‘A’ with the… ‘what did father call them? Cross braces? Yeah that’s it, braces.’ I thought of the past few days, and weeks having gone by.
I was breathing deeply, and slowly, and soon my heart came to the same slow rhythm. There was only a bit of light outside, the room being lit by a single window to show a wooden desk with some assorted shadowy bags, and blobs too close together to discern any detail. I could feel my body, I had been sweating slightly, and outside it smelled like rain had just come through, I even felt the tears of my dream where they dripped down my skin.
And I almost jumped out of that skin when my door was abruptly opened by a tall man, I had no idea how long it had been since I woke up, but apparently my father heard the commotion, and so while wearing his usual shorts and no shirt under a robe he tried to ask keeping his voice calm but wavering slightly, “Hon, I heard a loud noise from your room, an-and your coughing. A-are you alright?”
I couldn’t see his face, but I knew it all too well, his buzz cut hair which he said he wanted to grow out, ‘but it seems like it just won’t play nice’ as he’d say, deep eyes, bushy eyebrows, and a short but black beard with a connected mustache all complimented by his dark skin. I could see the twisted mouth through the lack of light, the creases in his head from those upturned eyebrows being so concerned, and those always shining eyes of calming amber.
I replied looking up at the ceiling, arms spread out, “What did you think I fell off the bed or something?” I cracked a smile to myself, knowing full well he couldn’t see, continuing on to say, “it’s fine just a dream, I forgot to breathe, not like I’m dying you know.” being still groggy and realizing what I said moments too late to stop it, I shifted over to my side and faced the wall, covering my mouth with my hand.
I quietly whispered, maybe more for myself, “I-i’m sorry, not what I meant.”
I could feel him walk over and sit in the alcove by my knees, and his soft hand on my shoulder as his concerned stare could always open me up to talking, even if this time it took a little longer, with him lightly rubbing my arm. I eventually turned over with difficulty, my fathers face illuminated ever so slightly by the light from the window, accentuating the bags under his eyes, and the real look of concern for me.
I pushed myself against the headboard, however small it was to make a good backing, and held his hand, not sure what to say but wanting to say everything at the same time the tension feeling like it’s building and my mind starting to race and nothing yet everything feeling like it’s weighing on me, “Hey, look at me, I’m right here, just checking up on you, don’t look so panicked.”
My father grabbed my face to look at him, startling me for a moment, taking in where I was again, and slowing my brain when he continues after seeing that I have calmed down thoroughly, “You said something about a dream, would you like to tell me, or is it about someone you like.” His smile gets lit by the light, which in conjunction with him poking at my side helped kill that tension in my mind.
“N-no not about anyone, it was just a dream of me falling through the clouds during a sunset, with a beautiful sky above me, full of stars and nebulas. And as I fell the clouds started to close in around me with the rain getting heavier and eventually I was covered in a bubble of rain, and I guess that’s why I woke up.”
My father shifted his position up the bed next to me, very intentionally listening to me, despite what I guessed was him being exhausted himself, maybe not even sleeping because of his concern for me. When I was done talking he just simply rubbed my head and said with a smile, “Someone has an active mind. Do you want to go watch the sunrise, maybe I’ll even let you have hot coco.”
I could see the devious smile play across his face, backlit by the now rising sun, and so my face mimicked that energy saying, “I think I’d like that, but you better pay up with that hot coco.” a snicker and evil smile playing from me.
Bit Busy this week, no art, only lore
So I am going to be quite full this week with the real world, so I will give you all a little more Mellea Lore, as she is my personal favorite character I have made. So random facts about her, 1 she can purr, as a genetic hybrid she has enough feline genetics to be able to purr, she only finds this out after having landed on Earth and some exploring with people where she ends up with a caring and comforting friend named Peral, a snow fox. It is both of them laying together on Peral’s couch, helping untangle Mellea’s long thick fur, and during a break from untangling Mellea’s head fur, Peral just starts rubbing Melleas head, (petting her basically) where to the surprise of both, she starts purring. Questions as to why she only figures this out once she’s an adult (18) and living elsewhere, well she never got close enough to anyone else for them to be able to make her feel comfortable for a long period of time to spark that nice feeling to make her purr. So hope you enjoy the Mellea lore dump for her history of being able to purr, the least interesting thing possible.
Practice pose work of my Pathfinder 2E character.
Schedule
As a few observant people have probably noticed I haven’t been posting, not for lack of doing art but a fact of my computer has broken, and am currently borrowing one from a friend for work. So I may be able to get a few updates out on the usual, Sunday, Tuesday, Friday schedule I have been trying to keep for the past time of my blog being up, hope yall enjoy my art as I enjoy giving you the enjoyment and nice art of Mellea and others I end up drawing. So updates may be 1-2 a week depending on how things land, Again I know I am quite impersonal but do appreciate the people who follow and enjoy my, very in development art, and stick with me even over the few months of reviving this blog. So to more furry, and wholesome art and comfort I thank y’all and hope the best coming weeks.
