Puppet

Sneak through the brush, don't let them see you. Draw your knife, mask your fear. Eye your prey, plan your trap. Lure them out, strike their pretty faces. Take their beating hearts, tuck it away into yours. That's why you do it, remember? You don't have a heart. When you smile it's all for the act, and the act is for the show. The show must go on, even when you're gone. This is the way of the world, even as the world turns sour. The cycle churns, even when your task is done.

But your task isn't done, and so you go on. Creep through the dead, watch for the prize. The shadows guide you, and the lies hide you from the prying eyes. Sweet solitude blesses you, and it will bless you until the end. Look for the quarry; don't stop until it's over. You're halfway there; keep walking even as they see you. Wield your blade, prepare to fight, beat them back down into the ground. Bury your trail; leave before they find you again.

You're closer now, close enough to taste the dawn. Fake another smile for the audience, approach the end. Bow to your opponent, ready your weapon. FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!

Duck to the left, laugh as she misses.  Lash out at her skin, scream when she stabs you. Don't listen to the lies she spits, it is venom to the truths I tell you. Shut up, don't listen, shut up, don't listen, SHUT UP, DON'T LISTEN. Pay attention. Lean to the right, grab her ankle. Twist it, pull it back. Appraise the prize as the prize dances away. Your hesitance will be the death of you, ignore the pleas for remembrance and advance.

Circle, circle, circle. The endless battle continues. She flicks her blade down your flesh, your cries are unheard. Snatch her hair from her head; yank it to your face. Whisper into her ear what you'll do after this, watch the fear and fury play across her face. Ignore the odd thumping in your chest, grin as she sounds the death cry. Watch the blood drip from her heart onto your dagger; know that she is gone even when you have her in your hands.

You fool! You've played into my hands, it's too late to reconcile. I have you now, now let me show you the truth as the light comes to eat you up.

She loved you, my misguided puppet. She was your lover, your light in the darkness, the force behind your smile. She owned your heart; it is why you never felt in my servitude. She was the bearer of your children, and you were my hand in their destruction. You broke her, and you were her quest even to the bitter end.

Smile once more for the audience as dawn breaks and the fire rushes up to meet you. Dance your final dance as the flames lick at your face. Go back to sleep, my pet. Rest now, your time is finished, your task is complete. No one will hear you fall apart. No one will mourn your fate as the truth comes to claim you. I will be here, Child of the Night, as the dawn comes forth to drag you back into the stars. Sleep now, I will remember. The show must go on, even without you. Forget your pain, close your eyes. This is the end; let the curtains close on your act. It is time for new blood to take the stage. You will not be forgotten.