Random stories

Nothing from my Marine training had prepared me for this kind of war. We could take any threat made by man, but the strange creatures of energy that had invaded our world seemed unstoppable.

Just like every other engagement, they had rolled over our troops, burning men and women with searing light, annihilating dozens with each blast. Our guns had no effect and now morale was non-existent.

The ranks had broken and my allies had left me behind, burned and too weak to try to retreat. I could hear the strange, high-pitched hum of the humanoid creatures of golden light as they swept through the bodies to finish off any still clinging to life. In moments, my life would be over.

And then what? I wondered. I didn't know if I believed in Heaven. When these things had first descended upon us, people had called them angels. But they had not communicated in any way and they were slaughtering us by the thousands. If they were angels, was Heaven truly my destination? Would I even want to be there?

I closed my eyes, tears rolling down my cheek. God had betrayed us. And if light was the enemy, then perhaps darkness would be my ally.

"Yes," whispered a voice in my mind.

Behind my eyelids was nothing but utter blackness. I stared into that void deep within.

"H-Help... Me..." I barely managed to breathe the words. It was enough.

My entire form began to vibrate at a low frequency, putting out a sonorous, bass hum. My eyes snapped open as life and vigor returned to me. One of the 'angels' was staring at me, hesitating for a moment

Energy flooding through me, I rose to my feet, my useless rifle forgotten. I could see tendrils of inky blackness emerging from my body as the darkness spread around my form.

The enemy screeched unnervingly and produced glowing, golden sword of light. I felt no fear, only a cold certainty from the void which steeled my nerves.

My enemy shot toward me, slashing with its weapon and I dodged to the side more nimbly than I could've anticipated. The tendrils of darkness lashed out in response, slashing through the sword and causing it to dissipate.

My body was now fully covered in that cool, protective darkness and I knew I could harm this being of light. I leapt toward it, striking it with blow after blow that caused it to dim and flicker as the darkness overcame the light.

In moments, the dwindling creature of light was snared in my tenebrous tentacles. It seemed to be trying to communicate, perhaps to ask for mercy. It would receive none. In a sudden jerk from several angles, I tore the creature into pieces that faded quickly out of existence.

There came shrieks of rage from the energy beings that remained. I could see that they meant to overwhelm me. Yet, I knew my ally would not desert me. The darkness, my own inner void whispered, and I raised my arms.

All around the battlefield, fallen soldiers, dead and wounded both, began to rise. The void gave me my army and I felt a sudden visceral satisfaction as the 'angels' withdrew.

This was only the beginning. With this power, we would annihilate the enemy and get to the truth of the matter.

And if it turned out these things were angels, sent by God, I vowed not to stop until that son of a bitch was dead too.

---

Submitted by SunderedDream42 on Wed, Mar 08, 2023 to /r/WritingPrompts/

The prompt

You've been abandoned on the battlefield, the enemy closing in. Forsaken by heaven and countrymen, you retreat to the deepest corner of your mind. If your gods won't help, perhaps the inner dark will. You cry out to the void. It answers.