Black Ink on Black Paper

[Mouse]

A half finished book, one buried in a pile of other half finished books in the corner of a purple goblin's room.

Sorted and put away, this one is different than the others. Most of them are simple religious texts or manifestos on spirit summoning and the like, but this one has an author that is not found anywhere else in the collection.

The book is signed, simply,

"To Falke, from Estelmaroon".

Though the book isn't finished, it's a classic fairy tale story. A knight, named Zero, and a noble, with a name once penned as 'John', but long since having been scratched out and rewritten as 'Fable'. The story dictates how the Knight was so intent on impressing the princess, that Zero would often go out on long hunting trips, returning with exotic pelts and stories of grandeur. However, the Princess is never impressed, not for the tales nor for the trophies. When all seems lost, a third party unites them in a room, where they speak, finally, for the first real time-

And in a moment of genuine attachment, the two find they have similar interests. Outside of slaughter, the Knight is an avid reader. Outside of combat, both enjoy watching as the sun rises through their windows. Outside of bloodshed, the Knight finds that Fable is incredibly poignant in their speech, able to talk down all but the most violent of creatures.

The book reaches a crescendo, where on a singular moonlit night, just as the Noble is about to reveal a secret to the entire world- The Knight stops them, and they embrace, and they kiss. Once, lovingly.

The last line in the book.

It does not matter what secret you hide from me. To Hel and back, I will follow you. There is not another soul I would want to spend eternity with, rather than you.

--

But the book was never finished, it seems.

A Novel, By Zicoftryx

For My (And Falke's) Eyes Only

Chapter Three: I Love You