Greed
From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki
Title: Greed
Author: Unknown
Into what depths of hell I have plunged, I am bewildered. Dead: yes, but I hunger for flesh to consume through every organ, as I was, by my now eternal companions.
I remember being mortal. In fact, I remember every aspect of being alive; and I lust for it. I lust for the feeling of freedom and self. I lust for the simple things; sunshine and flowers. But I sit in the somber shadows, waiting for greed to embrace a human into our illusive home.
For now I see that the house I once thought was full of riches for my taking, is just barren land, but through our momentary power can be transformed into whatever avid desire of our prey.
I was a thief, and yes, on occasion a murderer. But only if my victim stood between me and gold.
I was thirty years old when I happened onto this house. Funny, I never thought about the fact I had never noticed it before. It was such an easy target - window wide open and no one home. But even if it would have been sealed tight, I would have entered. I was a professional. No locks, no traps, no guards, ever stopped me.
I had only begun my raid when I heard a sound, a movement, a presence. But I stopped only for a second for it had disappeared. I lifted the mask off my sweaty face and wiped my brow. I could not believe my luck. Never before had I seen such valuables left unlocked. Stacks of gold covered the kitchen table, gold and silver jewelry had been placed on the couch and chairs in the front room.
Quickly I scanned the other rooms and found statues, rare magic weapons, golden goblets, everything!. I was in heaven. But then, that noise again.
I was certain I heard it that time. Pulling my dagger from its tucked position in my pants, I walked cautiously around the kitchen. I had found my sunken ship and no one was going to keep me from my treasure. Footsteps behind me, I turned around. No one was there. My heart began a spastic rhythm.
"Who's there?" I whispered. Silence was the only reply. Slowly I made my way to the front room. The jewelry I had seen before, gone. Someone by the door, no...something. I blinked my eyes, trying to make the shallow figure visible.
Closer I walked, until a luminous light blinded me. I watched in amazement and fear as the radiance multiplied, spitting out dozens of fire-spheres.
I dropped to my knees, petrified as the brightness faded from each one and became human form. I held my dagger with both hands out in front of me, for it felt a hundred pounds.
Then, without warning, I stabbed. They didn't flinch. But spoke to me, not by mouth, but inside me head. "You are one of us now."
"No," I shouted, still trying to stab at them with the dagger. But they came at me. I tried to run, but I was still kneeling, my legs wouldn't move!
"You belong to us," their voices again inside my head.
"What do you want?" I cried, quiet surprised at how shaken I had become.
"It is your greed that led you here. It is your greed that we need."
"What are you talking about? I'm not..." But I knew, maybe not before that moment, but I knew they were right. My inordinate desires had almost entirely taken over my soul.
"That's where you're wrong," they said in a victorious voice. "Completely, and that's why you're here.
Your insatiable thirst only to be satisfied by comparable yearnings. And yours is equal to ours."
"I'll change. I'll never steal anything again," I pleaded. But they came closer. I could feel their heat, their hunger. "I'll give everything back that I've ever stolen. I don't need it. I don't want it."
"But you do...and you always will."
They encircled me and slowly closed in.
Their bodies dissolving into my flesh like boiling liquid. My screams met no mercy as the horrifying pain rippled through my lips.
Darkness.
So now, I watch in relentless hunger, as a greed filled man, like I once was, enters through the open window.