Funeral Of The Drum Lord Jesa
Scotched Earth
Crimson leaden skies rumble with thunder as if space itself is about to collapse. The rumbling echoes across the vast plains.
Somewhere in the southern part of the continent Scotched Earth, the land was flat and completely red with no live vegetation in site, only dried up trees to remind the world that vegetation once existed. The cruel sun beat down, it's one malevolent eye unblinking, and the sky was its co-conspirator with not even a wisp of cloud to soften the harsh rays. The ground covered in small pebbles and brownish-red clay cracked like the rough skin of a colossal giant. The air was thick and hazy with an aura of suffocation and each breath like drowning in lava. The wispy wind was howling with rage, with it also came the scotching heat making the living conditions unbearable. The lizards took shelter in the shadows of the rocks where the ground was not enough to roast them.
A lonely figure of a woman walks in the distant, with the setting sun on her back sinking into a violet sea of light, it made for a beautiful portrait. She was tall and graceful, with long midnight-black hair cascading down her head. She was wrapped in a white garment which covered most of her body excluding her dainty arms and legs, contrasting with her caramel skin. She almost looked like a goddess, the very definition of beauty. She was adorned with golden jewelry and a golden crown with gigantic crimson ruby in the middle, like a rising sun. With every step she took new vegetation would grow and flowers would bloom for the first time in ages in that barren wasteland. Whilst walking barefoot, she gave off a wild sort of beauty and the same time remaining elegant and regal. The heat didn't seem to affect her at all. The loosely fitting garment only further accentuated her delicate figure and wasp like waist.
"Seems like I made it to this broken world somehow"
She had a pale expression and her clothes were stained with blood. The wind around her suddenly started to increase speed. Dark clouds were already forming above as if a terrifying storm was fast approaching, like a primordial beast with its gaping maws ready to envelop the earth. Darkness quietly covered the sky in a blanket of clouds.
"Ah… this is too soon", her syrup sweet lips slightly parted as she whispered, exposing her shiny halo-white teeth. Staring at the sky with her sharp emerald eyes which were like bright lamps illuminating the darkness. She had a dainty nose and sea-nymph ears.
She carefully sat down, after placing a bundle of delicately wrapped sheets in her arms. She leaned against a dried up Msasa tree, slightly gasping for breath. Wincing from the pain, she slowly closed her eyes and started singing whilst caressing the bundle of sheets.
"When you feel empty
When you feel lonely
Just close your eyes
You'll be alright
Alone in a world
Filled with millions of souls
You'll be alright
No need to hold your hand
To know that you are with me
When I look up to the skies
I know just where you are
On the other side
You're looking down upon me
On the other side"
"This is the price for descending. Farewell Kufakwedega", she whispered softly with a sigh.
Finally the echoes of the wailing of a child are heard, sorrowful and eerie.
The Scotched Earth, in this world filled with monstrosities, there is little hope for survival except to fight for your life. The weak are ruled by the strong, a doctrine adopted by the beings of this world since birth.
[Authors note: Kufakwedega is Shona for heaven's demise]
