prev. / @creation-is-chaos
Elijah attempted to push himself to his feet, but trying to stand on his injured foot just knocked him back down. All the while, Corvus’ words just echoed in his mind. Oh yes, he remembered those lines. It was once that he praised his dear friend for his craft, the way he weaved such powerful poetry so easily. As easy as he breathed. Elijah had been the same with his machines, talent comes so easy to those who are gifted.
But, those memories are tainted. There is no longer any innocence to them when it was not too long after that they parted. Forever changed all because Elijah let his temper boil over once just too far. It was never meant to be directed at Corvus, not when the anger was placed solely on himself. But, it didn’t matter. It was well over a decade too late.
There was a humorless laugh that escaped Elijah as he leaned back on his elbow, staring up at the other, “ Ah, always the perfect choice of words... Yours was a talent unmatched in that, “ he pushed himself up again, this time settling on his knees before Corvus, “ I imagine it takes a different meaning for you now, doesn’t it? Curious... How many lines do you attribute to me now? Gone, but never far, am I? “
The laugh bubbled up in his chest again. The irony in it was far too funny to let pass. Corvus was never far from Elijahs mind, try as he did to drive him out. He could only imagine how close he must be to his former friends’, the one who claimed them to be closer than brothers. Even then with the laughs still threatening to emerge completely, the area around them was completely silent. No birds even dared to chirp and the breeze didn’t even whistle. So many years did Elijah spend hearing Corvus’ voice scolding him, telling him he was nothing, but nothing compared to the power of the real thing. He silenced Elijah’s mind with even a single word and he didn’t even realize it.
“ My creation... of chaos... “ Elijah leaned forward, taking hold of Corvus’ arm to pull himself to his feet-- foot, rather, as he had to balance on one, but kept a tight grip on his old friend’s sleeve, “ You say that as if... it is a burden. It is a gift, Corvus DeVille. Look... At all that you have become. All that you attribute to me, “ he shook his head slowly, “ I would not see you fall. No. You were the willow tree, and I am the man broken at the bottom. “
Elijah shifted on his foot, the other lifted from the ground, and gripped the front of Corvus’ jacket, shaking him just slightly, “ You... have tormented me for years. Told me how useless I am, how pathetic. Do you think it now? Well?! “ he raised his voice, shaking him more violently, “ Because I will show you! I was -- I AM worthy of all you have. All you are. You think me so pathetic, then what are you waiting for?! Do enjoy to see me suffer?! “
The words were not Corvus’, but to Elijah they always came from his mouth. And why wouldn’t they? He looked at him now with those same eyes, that same fierce hatred. It was simply how it was meant to be, to end. Together, as they always were.