No there isn’t! There’s no such thing as magic! A bunch of fancy words doesn’t make it real, I’m just feeling on edge. I mean of course I would, I’m going to be sacrificed, but that doesn’t make all this bullshit real. 

One of the figures stepped out from the circle, and two others helped them slip another cloak over the first. This one was pure white and adorned with gold swirls. Once the garment was settled, the figure swept towards me. He reached into his draping sleeves and pulled something out, letting it dangle at his side. The object glittered faintly in the moonlight: a knife. 

My heart beat rapidly, I’m really going to die.

Time seemed to slow as the cloaked human - no monster - walked towards me. I mourned the life I could’ve had, the life I would’ve had if it wasn’t for these crazy ass people. I was angry, yes, but more than anything I was sad. I thought I might’ve been happy, for once. 

The figure took one last heavy step. As they towered over me they pulled out a long gold chain. Hanging from it was a delicate hourglass, filled with golden sand. He flipped it over and the rest of the cult members pulled out the same chain and each flipped the trinket on its head.

The sand began to run quickly down its funnel, and as it ran the figure lifted up the knife. The sound of falling sand, a requiem for my death. The last grain fell and the power permeating the circle swelled while the knife came crashing down onto my neck.

Blood welled up from the gash, pushing at the delicate skin until the dam broke and it began to gush from the opening. With each drop of blood spilled the power rose higher and my life drained away.

My consciousness began to fade and the power rushed towards me, wrapping its claws around me, cradling me with sick satisfaction. Then, curiously, it began to sing to me, a soft lullaby caressing something deep within me, coaxing it to come out.

Pain seared through my body, so blinding my whole mind was consumed with it. All the while, death crept closer and closer. Everything hurt so much, I was ready for it, ready for death to come for me. I was ready to beg for it, for anything to stop the pain. Death wouldn’t come though, the other monster had already laid claim to me and it wouldn’t let me be consumed. 

Suddenly, all my senses ceased to work and I was sure death had finally come for me. The pain was gone, and for a moment I tasted sweet satisfaction. I felt like I was floating, free of everything. I didn’t even feel the sharp tug of sadness for the life I could’ve had, but a moment was all it was.

In the distance I could hear a whisper. The voice hissed at me, “Aren’t you angry? These people, they stole everything from you. Don’t you feel angry? Don’t you want revenge?”

At first I ignored the voice, not sure why it was disrupting my peace, but it kept coaxing, “You could’ve been happy. You think this is happiness?! This isn’t happiness, it's emptiness. They made you empty.”

I don’t want to be empty. It didn't come from my mouth, it was like my thoughts floated around out into whatever limbo I resided in. The voice answered nonetheless, “then take back what was meant to be yours. I can give you the power. The power to get your revenge. Do you want that?”

I want what’s mine. I want my life back.

“Then let me help you.”

Ok.

Something bloomed in me. An immense power, a foreign anger. I was filled with rage and power and I wanted blood. Everything turned red and the power ripped out from the depths of my soul. The power was mine all along and now it wanted out. 

My body was hot, like it was on fire and I screamed. The power filled up every part of my being until it couldn’t be contained, so it clawed at my skin, desperately trying to escape. It hurt, but it felt right at the same time. I knew the pain would be worth it, so I gritted my teeth and endured.

The power made a tear in my skin and began rushing out of me, the pain stopped and was replaced by pure bliss. It gathered and formed into a new appendage, a large set of wings that felt so right. They’re mine. This power is mine. My life is mine, and no one will take it away from me.

I came back to myself and saw myself surrounded by the cloaked figures and my anger unleashed on them. No one is going to take what’s mine! The thought was mine but at the same time felt unfamiliar, but I couldn’t find the strength to fight it when I felt so good.

I began my massacre. I ripped into the man in the white cloak with my bare hands which now held weapons at each of my finger tips. I ripped through his chest and pulled out their heart. The body went limp and I dropped it carelessly to the ground, just as they’d done to me. Then, I discarded the organ, freeing my hands for my next victim.

I shot my power towards them, and feathers shot from my wings, sharp enough to cut straight through their heads. Some of them tried to stop me and I entertained the notion for only a second, letting them shoot me, punch me, before ending their worthless lives. 

The last body dropped and I relished in my power, drunk on the high. I wanted more, needed more. Everyone who ever hurt me deserves to pay. I went to move forward, but something stopped me. A barrier made up of a silky green energy. I yelled out my frustration and my power burst out onto the shield holding me prisoner. 

The shield wavered and I felt a wicked smile stretch my lips. I’ll get rid of this puny witch and his friends. Then I’ll complete my revenge. Some part of me protested, yelled out that I wasn’t the one in control, but I was too far gone. Whatever had hold on me, I couldn’t convince myself to try and break free. I was content to have my revenge, and I would have it.