Adventure In Action

Antiheroesgalore Prompt: Copperhead Crash

I awoke in a shallow river, my body ached, my spirit was weak, and I wanted to stay in the water but my disgust of being surrounded by any kind of liquid made me stand up.

It took some effort, but I managed to do it and see where I was.

In a valley.

Not just any valley. But one where the night sky had a purple tint, the moon bled red and the water was darker than space.

"Did Kansas go goth?"

I said, keeping my cool persona strong.

To my dismay, this place was filled with critics  Many, shadowy figures appeared outside the river, covering the hills that made the valley.

They dared not to touch the water which meant if I needed to fight, I could win easily, especially with my trusty whip.

"Cobra...."

A dry, gasping voice spoke my name, so of course I turn to face them.

It was a figure in a cloak, with black water pouring out from where their face should be.

"You need something?"

"Doesn't everyone...?"

He responded with a hint of amusement.

"There are those who need your emotions... who need your body... Who needs your soul.. Or who needs your mind..."

"I'm here for it all"

The last thing I remember is that I fell. And that I had something to do. Whoever or whatever that thing in front of me was, had a lot of talking to do before I crushed them.

Crossing my arms I gave an impatient glare to the thing in front of me as I said...

"You want my all? Sorry geezer, but I don't have time for charity. Ask the retirement home."

"I'm no mortal..."

"Le gasp, really....?"

I said with no emotion whatsoever to make my sarcasm clear.

"You're some kind of monster, aren't you? Well-"

It interrupted me.

"Aren't you the monster?"

"Huh?"

"First, look towards the shadows. Do they remind you of a certain few people?"

I look over the shadows, their figure was too blurry to make out any details.

"They are your sins... The shadows of your past or as you might recognize them..."

"The lives you've taken."

If I wasn't upset before, I am now. The details of the shadows became more defined, and thus I began recognizing a few of them.

"And there's only one place where your past can live... Within the valley of the path, you carved out for yourself."

"You made a manifestation of my choices and consequences?"

I tried to get confirmation on how I interpreted their words, but they ignored my question.

"You're at your end, Cobra... Thus I'm here to collect and judge."

"You think of yourself as death?"

"As you believe yourself to be brave."

"I am wicked. I am evil! But necessary."

"Fear me. For your next path is in my control."

I stare at it, not responding.

"Now let's see here...."

"Enough Shadows of guilt to cover the hills...."

"Enough blood of sin to make an internal river...."

"And a valley deep with self-indulgent beliefs that the horizon is blocked..."

"What do you have to say to this?"

"Well... Mister Evil..."

"I can only say... So what?"

"Hm?"

"You think I fear you? Do you think the weight of my sins is too much for me?! That I don't know what I'm doing!?!"

"I fear no evil, the shadows are mine, and so is the valley!"

"I know what I am. And I don't care if the devil comes to greet me after my death."

"Cause I can smile knowing I lived MY way."

"Now get out of my face!!"

I strike the thing down with my whip. It cracked like lightning the weapon did as I awoke in reality.

It was night, and I was in a real valley with a dead monster across from me.

Coughing up blood, I began to feel the true extent of my injuries remembering I got here after getting kicked out of a plane.

Atop that all, I was poisoned.

So whether or not that hallucination was caused by my dying body or that monster's power was up for debate.

I knew I just had to get somewhere.

Somewhere that could cure me and treat my injuries.

A place to rest.

And could get some food.

I wish it was a hospital. I really do. But my to-do list is just too long right now.

I've seen it in the movies all the time. If I just keep going, it'll work out.

It will...

It will.....

Or I'll die trying...

FIN.