The Pillars of Ruin

Pure amber and sapphire radiated in the gleaming splendor of the sun’s touch. Now at its zenith, the coin dripped gold upon the surface of the Earth, which warmed the land and my skin. It was beyond refreshing, and it made for a beautiful day. A beautiful day to die.

A hundred little black eyes watched the three of us in the diamond shaped square. Only the wind dared move as it rustled old exposed curtains on high, and played with trapped garbage in a far off corner.

My hand moved gently to the grip of my Ion where it rested, neither pulling or grabbing. The automatons watched my every move, their all-seeing eyes never missed a beat. It was was exactly what I expected, for I wanted them to see me coming.

Like lightning I brandished my weapon, and in turn they raised their fists over their eyes like a pair of choreographed dancers. I figured by now they knew what I was capable of, and by now they knew how to best defend themselves after the deaths of the previous Pillars. From their reactions my gambit paid off, it was a shame my Ion was empty. So I did the only thing I could do. I ran like heck.

“That was one helluva chance! We may yet get outta here alive!”

“Not now Daws,” I said between pants.

I was fast leaving the creepy abandoned sector in my tracks when the air became distorted around me, akin to a heatwave. Suddenly Ol’ Citrine appeared, and blotted out the sun. I ran smack-dab into his fist. Lacking any sort of grace, I twirled into the air like a sky dancer. My landing left much to be desired.

When I opened my eyes, I half-expected to see a giant fist trying to rip open my brain to snag Daws, but instead I saw a hazy sky with a hidden sun. That was when I felt the cold.

My sleeves were rolled up, but even if they hadn’t been, I still would have been fast friends with hypothermia. My teeth chattered, and skin grew taunt. Before me was a town, no, a city. Most of it was buried under snow, but I could see the tips of forgotten high-rises.

I looked at my feet and kicked at the fluff to reveal something solid. It was concrete, and it bore the telltale signs of print-work. I looked back out at the horizon, only to make out an endless blizzard. Wherever I was, I knew I wasn’t going to last long.

“What… the… hell,” I said with vibrating jaw. I expected an initial reaction from Daws, and I expected an answer, but none came. Not good.

I debated the choice of whether to move on and search for shelter, or just give up. Believe you me, the latter was starting to win. A moment later my choice was made for me. I felt a steely grip wrap around my waist as large metallic fingers came into view. I was pulled into the chill wind where my world flashed white.

The light was blinding, but soon became warm and comforting. The only problem I was having now was breathing. My eyes adjusted to the light as I looked down to see Yellow’s hand crushing my midsection. He held me aloft like he won me at a raffle.

“You’re back!” Daws exclaimed.

“No, you’re back,” I thought at him in anguish.

“They can draw from The Empty. For a moment I was, well, nowhere. I can only assume that their proximity, or perhaps…”

“One problem at a time,” I groaned as I tried to pry a thick finger off my torso. I could hear thunderous footsteps behind me, and I knew that meant Blue was most likely coming to join the fun and relish in my crushing.

“I can hold this one, but not for long. I’m sorry, but it’s the best I got.”

It felt like my ribs were about to puncture through my chest, when it came to me. “I think I’ve got an idea. I just need you to release me from this grip.”

“Ah, I see what you’re thinking. It might work, but when I focus on this guy, the other is going to get a whole lot faster.”

Shin splints followed instant relief like a cruel jest, gravity was a harsh mistress. I struggled for balance and breath, but only managed to win over one as I stumbled back on my butt. Since my capture Blue had been taking his sweet time coming from my rear, thanks to Daws. It was now I heard his footsteps increase after my fall, and as I looked up I saw Yellow re-acquiring my target.

My guts were in knots, but I leaned back and rocked forward using my momentum. In an awkward squat I pushed up and bolted for Blue.

I was nearly within smashing distance from his grasp when he reached for me. I could only hope Yellow wasn’t leaving all the hard work for him, in fact, my plan relied upon it. Just as I began to wonder if it was all a fool’s errand, the air heated up around me as Yellow materialized from thin air, mere paces behind me.

I flipped to my right on one foot and turned sideways as Blue’s hand brushed past me. As it did, it grabbed part of my vest and tore away the top most button. Despite the near miss, the thunderous mass of the metal caused me lose the rest of my balance and I fell tumbling to the sound of clashing steel. After completing my second push-up for the day, I raised myself up on my kneecaps to behold an empty plaza.

I was sweating, oddly frozen and defeated, but I had won. I was utterly spent, and I could barely manage to hold the swooning dark at bay as I waited for their return. After an eternity passed I was confident in the knowledge that they had indeed vanished into some far off place, never to emerge.

I imagined them waist deep in snow, too heavy to move, servos too frozen to react. I dreamed of a raging blizzard that coated what remained of them in crackling frost. I wished for all but their gem-like eyes to be buried so they may forever gaze at a bleak heaven. To forever know they failed.

“Daws?” I panted as my eyelids began closing up shop.

“Yes?”

“I’m going to take a nap now.” I fell against the warm floor of the city. It felt good to rest.