Monsters

[Oicha]

Everywhere I go. I see those same monsters. You know, that was the first word of their language I learned. 'Monster.' What makes a monster, anyways? Is it the way we looked? Is it how we acted? Is it the lands we inhabited? Was it how many of us there were? I don't understand. I know what the word means. But I can never understand.

Everywhere I go. I hear those same monsters. Clanking suits of metal, sticks made of steel. Magic that seeks to burn me. No matter how many I am FORCED to kill, just to survive. I never take their bodies with me. I never eat them. I always leave them. Maybe they have families too? I wish I could see mine once more. If I could take back my curiosity, if I could tell myself that it just wasn't worth it. That I should have listened to my family.

Everywhere I go. Those monsters are there first. They wear different skins, made of different metals and silks. Some wear fantastic jewelry, made of the shiniest rocks I've ever seen. But they all say the same thing. When they see me. "Monster!" What did I do wrong? I'm not a monster. Is my sin, that I live?

Everywhere I go. Those monsters try to kill me. I miss those years. The times when all I had to worry about, was if another creature was particularly grumpy. Perhaps they'd swipe at me for coming too close to their dens. But everything made sense. They never chased me so far as these monsters do. They never fought me so hard as these monsters do. Never sent sons and daughters to die in the chase. Like these monsters do.

I rip through a leg. I slice off an arm. I maim, but I never WANT to kill them. But they don't stop. They won't leave and care for their families. They won't leave me alone.

And so?

Everywhere I go. I will kill these monsters. I will show them the ferocity and hatred they showed me and my family. I'll break down their homes and slaughter parents in front of the eyes of their young. Just like they did for me.

Everywhere I go. I will be the monster they envision me as. I'll lay traps, and rip them apart as they fall for them. I'll act as a shield for those that cannot defend themselves. I'll focus their hatred on me, and make them so afraid of me they'll never lay a hand on my kind again.

Everywhere I go. I will make them regret treating a monster as a pet. I will show them that their gilded cages and promises of food mean nothing to us. That we are free creatures. That their oppression means nothing when it meets my hatred.

And Now?

Everywhere I go. They try to reason with me. They tell me they are sorry for me.

Everywhere I go. They tell me I'm not a monster. They tell me I care, and they care for me.

Everywhere I go. They tell me that my anger won't solve anything. It won't fix anything. Are they just afraid of me... Are they trying to trick me... Or...?

Everywhere I go.

I am so very, very tired.

Do Monsters, get tired?