•WALLY DARLING•

°2°

A young, burdened woman lay unwavering on an ornate throne, her crimson skin a stark and bold contrast to the daunting shadows that surrounded her. For what seemed like aeons, this tortured demon had sat upon her throne, unable to shake off the looming veil of depression that had slowly but surely consumed her every thought. But in a fleeting moment of respite, the sound of thundering wings erupted throughout the dimly lit hall. And there, amidst a sea of clawed feet, was a magnificent bird with a precious letter in its beak.

As soon as the woman's gaze fell upon the feathered messenger, her sorrow was replaced with an eruption of pure, unbridled joy. Her eyes flooded with black years, the years stained her cheek as she darted towards the creature with a newfound vigor that she could scarcely recognise, and with trembling hands, grasped the letter tightly in her grasp, not even sparing a thought for the trembling bird in her wake.

For her, this was a symbol of hope, a glimmer of light in an otherwise endless darkness. And with the letter clutched close to her chest, she felt that perhaps, just perhaps, the thick clouds of misery would lift and she would see her master once again.

With a quivering grip, she gingerly tore open the letter, her gaze flitting feverishly between the lines, devouring it hastily. The carefully selected words inked on the page spelled out a spellbinding message...

My dearest Lily,

At last, a newfound calling beckons me forth, and I implore you to join me on this sacred journey. Unveil your true potential as my priestess and walk by my side once more. Allow the bird to be your guide, and you shall seamlessly reunite with me.

Her eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope as she scampered down the corridor, passing by a slew of closed doors before arriving at her own. The blistering pace slowed as she pushed open the door, revealing an intriguing mysterious room. With an aura of mystique, the gothic Victorian decor proffered an air of enchantment. Her hand ruffled through the hangers as she settled on a short dress, hastily packing a suitcase with additional garments.

Stationed in front of the looking glass, she donned her elegant ball gown, revealing her voluptuous figure and donned the shorter attire, admiring herself with a smile of satisfaction.

As she prepared to enter the human world, she knew that her unique appearance would draw unwanted attention. With a sense of determination, she took the necessary steps to conceal her identity. She carefully gathered her voluminous, curly hair, wrapping it artfully around her two imposing horns until they became unnoticeable, styled into playful space buns. Satisfied with her skillful disguise, she added a few finishing touches to her appearance before slipping on her shoes, the anticipation of her destination spurring her on.

Her treasured necklace, a symbol of her master, was the last item she added before placing it gently around her neck. Her suitcase was in hand, and she set off down the familiar corridors with a sense of purpose. Arriving back at the room she had just left, she paused momentarily to collect her thoughts. With a snap of her fingers, the crow that had been perched on a nearby windowsill swooped into her waiting arms.

Now with the crow as her trusty companion, she was prepared to embark on her journey to the human realm, ready to immerse herself fully in the unfamiliar world that awaited her.