@eldest-sun, from x.
The words sputtered rough from his burned throat, tumbled out like hacked up stones. Beneath armor charred black his breath hitched in lungs filled with magma. He coughed and the spittle felt like the lick of flame.
“ You… sent us to die, ” the commander wheezed, broken ribs like whistles in his chest. Every breath hissed through teeth exposed by a gruesome scar across his lips. “ You sent me to die. If that… is Your wish… then finish me, ” he gestured to himself with one arm, the other wrapped around his midsection. It felt as though he had melted within his armor and was one with it, flesh and silvered steel in hideous alliance. It was only through the immortal strength of his Lord, that ancient blessing, that still the man stood, not tall and proud as before but small and diminished. It was as though the flame of demons had burned away at his very divinity.
“ I am undone. Lesser. ” his voice died to a whistling whisper. With some difficulty he grabbed at the back of his horned helmet, once bright silver like winter skies, and threw it aside. Beneath, his raven locks had turned white. “ This dog... is of use to You no more. ”