Sixteenths - Verse 4, 11/16 - morale is low

Some consider hiding to be cowardly, but it still works.

3/16.
in which you rode for your life.

You fled the carnage on your elkhound six months prior.
The battlefield thrives on sacrifice, see.

Exactly what are you studying about it?

>_

why animals don't touch the corpses

The bodies aren't decomposing at all. They look exactly as they were before they died.

4/16.
in which you study the bodies, porcelain-perfect.

Corpses don't rot. Animals avoid them.
Today, you crest the hill alone when your elkhound resists.


What on God's green earth compels you here?

>_

you can wake them

You're mad. Both kinds.

SpoilerShow

this name was dropped last verse but I don't have much in mind for the character just yet, have fun

5/16.
in which you can wake them.

Mist swirls silver in the growing dark.
Something whispers: Raise them, Esgil.
Your temples throb.

But why you?

>_

must have been that blood pact with satan. or maybe it was the chili you ate last night... or maybe it was that blood pact with god almighty? man you really gotta stop making blood pacts with everyone

It runs in the family.

It runs in the family.

6/16.
in which it runs in the family.

You turn for the hill, but the dark advances.
Seems you can't escape your forefathers' sins.

What's that behind you?

>_

your four fathers

A woman and a doctor

A Lord, of bones

A dog.

> A half-dead soldier, still trying to fight. Seems they don't realise they were once your subordinate. How did they survive???

7/16.
in which you can't hide.

Spindly fingers grip your shoulder. You whip around.
"Wᴇʟᴄᴏᴍᴇ ʜᴏᴍᴇ," It says, wearing a familiar face.

Who is It impersonating, and how do you feel?

>_

A foe. Resigned.

your pet dog

your fourth father

your pet dog

Yes.

8/16.
in which it's likely symbolic.

It's your fucking elkhound, all bones.
"It's symbolic, right?"
You laugh desperately, helpless.
The shadows caress.

Why don't you resist?

>_

you're in love with the shadows. caress it back

edit: it's the only way you get to see your lost significant other anymore, even if they are a skeleton now... you always thought they could stand to lose some weight anyway

You're starting to lose your grip on reality.