It was pitch black; silent. The shroud of darkness engulfed the room, leaving only one solitary light illuminating a small cone, swinging gently yet no breeze passes. Within this safeguard, an old wooden hand-carved rocking chair remains, waiting in the emptiness. Slowly motioning back and forth, it beckons for another to sit upon its own decrepit throne.
* Click * Clack * Click * Clack *
This space once devoid of sound fills with the echo of stiletto's, confidently stomping down with each step. In the shadows, emerges the Third Head of Cerberus, ignoring all that surrounds. Her flowing blonde hair reflects the light, almost glowing - as bright as her Eurasian championship - sprawling down her eloquent dress. In her hand, a book almost withered away. Stained brown pages with a silk, pink bow.
Eve Taylor hangs her head low; facial features consumed within the darkness, except her mouth. She gently caressing the threadbare literature with her soft fingertips. She slips her finger into its pages, seeking a particular number. Upon discovery, she licks her lips, smiling hungrily.
"Once upon a time, in a world far away..."
Eve rips back the cover. Colour, images, brightness: all emerge, brought to life within the previously-blackened walls. The story began to unfold in front her very eyes, becoming lost in the story as its narrator...
"... lived a community of humble pigs."
A small village running parallel to a streaming river, lush grass fields with bountiful trees. These happy hogs smiled cheerfully, playing games amongst themselves.
"These weren't ordinary pigs: they were educated, productive, personified. A peaceful society, sticking together to thrive. However, they weren't alone in this world."
Pigs began screaming, running for their lives as their most dangerous predators approached the town; the wolves Their red eyes and sharpened claws looking to wreck havoc to the inhabitants.
"Visits from terrorising tourists were frequent. These rapid animals pillaged, snatching up any squealing pig not fast enough to escape. Those that made it indoors, watched in fear as their brothers and sisters were taken away."
A family of pigs watched from their window, scared. A looming shadow slowly approached them, smiling wickedly.
"The daring wolves followed some to their homes, inhaling big deep breaths and blew their houses down. Frightened, the pigs continued to run, frantically house-hopping until only one structure remained. The invisible brick fortress. Knowing they couldn't get inside, the wolves left to fight another day."
The next day, the pigs exited from their safe-haven, looking around at the rubble. They began work to reconstruct, unmotivated and sadden.
"One day, as the pigs started their routinal clean-up, a nomad pig wandered into town, seeing the destruction that lay before him. The pigs saw him, noticing anger on his face and a fire in his eyes. Almost immediately, this lone warrior began training vigorously, forging armour and weaponry. For reasons unknown, this newcomer became its defender."
A town rebuilt with great hope, the pigs stood defiantly with this warrior at the fore front. The time for the wolves to raid had come once more.
"With his trusty wooden sword drawn, this pig pointed directly at the invaders. Laughing, these invaders proceeded towards the township. The first of these wolves approached, explaining to the pigs through warped poetry they could not overcome their might! Not intimidated by his presence, the warrior swung his sword, slashing at the wolf and took him down."
A wolf with amazing muscles stepped forth, looking to fight.
"The second of these wolves showcases his strength, reminding them he could crush them with his bare hands. Unfazed, the warrior used his sword to vanquish the behemoth."
As the big wolf fell, the last of the group - a female - came towards them, looking at her fallen brethren in horror.
"The third of these wolves became enraged, seeing her friends tormented much like how she tormented the wolves. The beauty challenged this warrior to a battle of champions in their final attempt."
The female wolf and the pig warrior stared each other down before they did battle.
"On that day, they fought to the bitter end with the warrior becoming victorious."
The pig warrior stood tall among the three wolves, cheered on by his people.
"He was praised with glory by defeating the enemies who ambushed and caused grief to these innocent pigs. The were wolves imprisoned for their crimes and the pigs flourished, living in harmony... happily... ever... after."
Eve slammed the book shut. The vibrant world came crushing down, sucked back into the fantasy tome from where it once appeared. All that remained was the nothingness, returning to the empty void where Eve calmly sat, still unable to see her eyes. Her mouth began to move.
"An invigorating novel, wouldn't you say Theron? A story where a group of prey came together to defeat their natural predators. An underdog story any person could cling on to and dream of better worlds. The events told within this version may not emulate the common legends most experience but the message still holds true."
A smirk slowly creeps on Eve's face. She snickers as the story sticks fresh in her mind.
"Unfortunately Mr. Daggershield, 'tis only a myth: propaganda fed to children and lost souls alike, making them believe that such fantasy worlds and legends exist... that a better life is out there if they worked towards the greater good."
She unceremoniously uses her fingertips to pull the brittle pages from its binds, slowly crumpling it up, turning it into small specks of dust with little effort.
"As much as people like yourself want to think they belong within these delusional realms, as much as they imagine, as much as they dress up, as much as they manifest themselves to become these characters... reality sets in..."
She throws the tiny pieces into the air, lifting her head with eyes closed, allowing the pitter patter of destroyed dreams line her face, fusing with her make-up and skin. She smiles, her face muscles twitching as if the particles touch her are almost... orgasmic.
"... and it's all. Torn. Away."
The snickers grow louder as she opens her eyes, directly staring into the light.
"I've been in your shoes Theron, wanting to be that lone warrior standing up to the wolves of society... but I saw the light. I've seen the world for what it truly is: I saw the ugliness this world can create."
Eve slowly outstretches her arms, rising slowly out of the rocking chair. She inhales deeply, feeling satisfied with a face full of glee as she stands tall.
"Instead of cowering in the shadows, rocking back and forth waiting for my own saviour to came along and save me, I stood up on my own two feet, embracing the world for what it is and turned the ugliness into something special; something beautiful!"
She lowers her head, looking down at her own body in awe.
"I've created this Theron: a shining example of what those caught in the cesspit of this cruel, grotesque world can do to change their lives. A poor woman who came from the bowels of the underworld, cast aside by everyone, was able to become a gorgeous, confident woman and a champion of nations! Yet you... what do you represent?"
Eve's face begins twisting up in disgust at the thought of Theron Daggershield.
"A man hell-bent on composing stories for your own pleasure, deceiving people into thinking they can follow your imaginary footsteps. What kind of sick and twisted individual are you Theron, lying to the masses? That by scribbling down random mythical words on a sheet of paper and rolling numbered plastic cube, they too can save the world from the hideous horrors?"
She snickers again, getting even more louder. They become closer to cackles as she reaches the apex of her laughs before she stops immediately, becoming angered with veins pumping full of hot blood. Her eyes-wide open with her stance aggressive.
"No matter what variation your story you wish to come to fruition, the answer will always remain the same Theron! Reality will always be the constant and the reality is, the war you've waged against the wolves will not end well for you, little pig!"
She smirked viciously, almost salivating.
"Congratulations, Theron: you've awaken the Third Head of Cerberus. This fantasy you've created to show the world you can defeat us will crumble with a simple huff and puff of my exhalation: I will blow you away, stripping away the foundations of your being into nothing more but an over-grown child... one that I will devour."
Taylor snatches her championship from her waist, holding it close to her body.
"When it is all said and done, the swine that blindly follow you will scatter, forever in fear that they will never be saved, all thanks to your failure. I, the fabulous and beautiful head of Cerberus, shall stand tall as the Eurasian champion whilst you cower, fleeing into the forests looking for your own glimmer of hope, becoming one of the faceless in the crowd who seek for someone to be that beacon! No matter how hard you try, a roll of the dice won't save you..."
Eve smiles widely, revealing almost sharpened teeth.
"... because I'm the big bad wolf Theron Daggershield... now, let the games begin!"
Taylor cackles, howling in the barren halls, echoing its chilling call as she slowly retreats into the darkness. Eve's figure slowly disappears but the sound of her voice continues to haunt for a little longer. The light in the middle turns off, leaving on the creaking rocking chair going back and forth... slowly coming to a halt.
"Run, little piggie... run!"
