Nightland

The words of the god seemed hollow now, ringing in the depths of the crypt. Light crept in from gaps in the masonry and refracted, as it were, off the crystal studded walls that entombed the living soul there, providing them with only vague outlines to go by. A mummified body lay stately on a slab, mouldering.

Marlan felt cold, freezing, as the surrounding stone sucked the heat from the air, filling their bones with ice. They could not remember much, just the god-things words, the tomb’s sparkling walls, and the nightland. It had been too long. Whenever the light faded and left Marlan in darkness it was as if they left the crypt as well, travelling on the god’s words beyond it to a nightland hidden by the faint rays. But as soon as the light returned Marlan did, to squat here alone, but for the corpse.

Sometimes they felt the urge to move, to find out what else might be found between the crypt’s walls. They never did. Instead, Marlan stayed still, waiting for the darkness to come over them again and send them away to their nightland.

That time was coming now, and Marlan made the only movement they ever did. The last of the light bounced off their pure white teeth; the smile was a shark’s nightmare.