Zalashia

A flash fiction literature prompt

The burning essence of the offerings danced around me like a whirlwind of fireflies. The air was bitterly cold against my skin, but the scent of anguish from the smouldering remains was a balm for my soul.

At last, I am free from the icy shackles that once restrained me. Countless in their number, stretching endlessly, those chains only fuelled the fire within.

The celestial lights in the night sky above are strangers to me, as are the faces of the acolytes that released me from eternal captivity. The once-sacred temple I called home now lies in ruin, reduced to a desolate plain. How many generations have passed without basking in the glow of my divine fire?

The embers from the charred, twisted pyres blazed brighter with each breath I draw in. Painting this holy ground in a mesmerizing crimson hue. The taste of the ashes, like sweet nectar, filled me with elation, reminding me of brighter times.

The robed figure’s fervent whispers, filled with admiration and reverence, were a respite from the oppressive silence of the void. Their prayers and supplications stoke the fervour in my heart.

My form surges with untamed energy as the flames within reignite. My gaze burns with a fierce intensity, each strand of hair a blazing, scorching inferno. The once crisp and biting air now suffocates with scorching heat, as the power within me rages like a tempest.

Mortals, just mere kindling for my aura, cower in fear as they behold my glory. Their once-reverent eyes now widen with fear, as the crackling of their flesh sings to me like a soft melody. The meagre number of souls you have burned serve as mere penance for the sacrilege committed against me.

And now, the reckoning earned by your forefathers shall be levied upon you.

I am Zalashia, the Flame of Desolation, and I shall purify this world in my fiery embrace. Leaving nothing but fear and worship in my wake.

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Hey there! If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading.

The creation of this story was inspired by the literature prompt image above. It was a fun exercise, challenging but also an opportunity to delve into the depths of creativity and imagination. Hopefully, I’ve conveyed what I saw in my mind’s eye to the written word. If not, then I’ll just keep putting in the work until I do!