WE ALL FALL DOWN- No one is safe in the end of my muse’s story. Everyone important to the story has perished. This can include your muse or not.
There was no disappearing. Cassandra was always conscious, always aware of what Atlas was doing.
Atlas wanted her to see what she was doing.
Brooklyn was the first. Brooklyn, who Cassandra had promised her grandmother she would protect. Brooklyn, who kept secret Cassandra and Dulcie’s crime to protect her sister. Brooklyn, who greeted Cassandra with a punch to the face upon their reunion.
Atlas slammed Brooklyn’s head against a wall until her skull cracked and her brain bled.
Keandra was next. Kind, caring Keandra who’d been at Cassandra’s side her whole life, and who knew her better than almost anyone else. Keandra, who believed in Cassandra even when he couldn’t bring himself to believe in anyone else.
Atlas slit his throat with a piece of shattered glass, then dumped his body at the feet of the Pyrrite Queen who called him her brother.
Then came Jayjay and Owl, who’d found the courage to ask Cassandra if they could change their names to Jaylyn and Owlyn only four years earlier. Jaylyn and Owlyn, Cassandra’s eldest daughters. Jaylyn and Owlyn, who Cassandra loved with all her heart.
Atlas ripped off their wings, then ripped out their hearts.
Then...then came Dulcie, who had already suffered so much at the hands of Atlas. Dulcie, who had lost nearly twenty years of her life in her struggle with Atlas. Dulcie, who had only had three years with the love of her life- Dulcie, who would have made such a beautiful bride.
Atlas granted her a quick death. She snapped Dulcie’s neck.
Cassandra had seen all of this, knew what her hands were being forced to do. Every death made her scream louder, fight back harder, dredging up strength she did not knew she had left in her to take back her body.
Last of all was Paola. Paola, who never, ever stopped believing in Cassandra. Who loved Cassandra with every fiber of her being. Who knew Cassandra would hate what she’d become, and as such, tried to destroy Atlas...while she was still in Cassandra’s body.
Every piece of Paola was so thoroughly destroyed that the stubborn soul that had clung to the mechanical body was destroyed as well.
Paola....Paola’s death sealed Cassandra’s fate. The Capellan gave up entirely- what point was there, when everyone she’d ever loved was gone? The second she let down her guard, the second she stopped fighting, Atlas swarmed around her and snuffed out that vibrant, loving soul.
The stars went out, one by one. By the time Earth was even capable of noticing...it was far too late.