Patchwork Universe

Lord Doomshadow · Posted: 07 Mar 2004 10:32 pm Post subject: A Black Bird Falls

The clockwork raven perched on the branches of a metal tree, looking down on a pool of boiling mercury. In a harsh, monotone voice it began to recite.

"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and..."

There was a loud bang from the battlements of the tower which overlooked the pool, and a blob of shining liquid gold shot downwards and struck the raven on the beak. The bird exploded into a shower of cogs and gears. A few scraps of metal floated briefly on the surface of the pond, before dissolving into brightly coloured smears.

It was just possible to hear the faint, creaking whisper from the battlements.

"Accursed vermin..."

Then there was silence. Absolute silence.

The silence of the grave.