Storming the Palace

We almost fell over each other as we stormed the palace.

Feet and talons alike tore at the ground below us, disregarding any changes in texture be it stone or flesh.

It wasn’t difficult to visualise our goal, light refracts in peculiar ways upon the spires as it always finds our eyes.

Legs ached as we ran but our tales and accusations pushed us on like a gust of wind.

Rumours or memories of those walls and what was contained within.

Mighty beasts of ancient stature stalk the halls, their forms comprised of designs ever fluctuating.

By the light of one room the bust of a lion may perch upon the carapace of a crustacean born from the depths.

Yet by the glow of a dying candle may glint fangs of a wolf protruding from the bulk of a boar.

Only the eyes would suggest these creatures were one in the same.

Dark voids ever famished.

A chill would run down the spine of any being that pictured such creatures, as indeed ran down mine, pulling me back to our advance.

Perhaps my memory betrayed me, yet I swear I recalled our collective to be more numerous.

Yet as this thought arose, so did the cheer from those grand halls, again drawing my gaze to the palace.

And within, chambers below the gold, glee and glamour slowly filled.

Where once a bright light radiated, now only an amber glow from flickering flames danced upon pools of rising blood.

There was a stillness yet these chambers would overflow to fill the next.

Comparably a tear rose in my eyes, blurring this vision from my sight, and in its place?

Our march had perhaps slowed and thinned however it was hard for me to say surely.

Before a clear reasoning came to me, a single chime rung from towers ahead, demanding attention.

Such celebration as the palace held could not go un-fueled.

And this single chime, as if a parody of what it represented, called to sacrifice.

Though not one to be taken, rather accepted from those that saw fit to offer.

For there were those residing in the halls that saw within the likeness of the mirror, one gift they may offer, perfection.

And to forfeit was their only hope.

Such madness took my breath as my skin crawled away from my intent.

I reached the palace steps alone.

The commotion I expected gave way instead to the echo of my feet upon stone.

Warmth rose from the tiles and held me, taking the weight from my tired limbs as I rounded the corner to those golden chambers.

There we all stood, light caressing our skin and a soft air parading our sighs of surrender.

Red velvet engulfed my frame and wine splashed my cheeks as it was all taken in.

As the cost dripped down to the pools below, a scream was swallowed by our laughter.

All gleamed as I took my place in the palace.