Work Text:
February 21th, 1945.
You were on your knees, the cold wooden floor beneath you creaked every time you shifted. The cold breeze of the night, hitting your face gently, as you faced the window, and looked up the worrying sky.
The moon, and the shining, bright stars looked at you with pity, as you whispered your prayers, and begged her to come, and take you away.
"Oh, Mother Miranda," it was a phrase that fell from everyone’s lips. From them, it was merely said in a fearful, respectful manner, but from you it was a plea, a declaration. "Please, come and take me." You pleaded, quietly, clutching a picture of the Holy Divine Mother to your chest, as you wept, and prayed to her, to aid you, guide you, or to end you.
Leaving your windows open, as you waited in anticipation for the sounds of feathers, and crows to greet your ears. You've been calling, and waiting for her, for years now, and your devotion never once faltered. If it had been someone else, they surely would’ve given up already, but not you.
Despite yourself, you still wonder, had the Blessed Mother forgotten about you, her most devoted servant? No, it cannot be. Mother cares for her loyal servants, or so they say.
Patience, and ye might receive the will of the Black God.
Life. Some people tend to cling to it, but not you. Never you. You need out. You need it soon. You don’t have a reason to stay. Part of you hoped she might give you a reason, a purpose to stay, to continue existing in this pitiful place. The other part of you, hoped for her to end your misery in this very moment. You need her to bless you, to die by her hands. Either way, you need her to do anything. You need her.
"Blessed Mother, save me." You continued whispering your pleadings, and prayers, as if someone would hear your pitiful cries, yet, you were very much alone in the darkness of your room. There was no one here, and no one there, so why were you whispering?
You were merely making sure that your prayers were for Mother’s ears only, or so you hoped.
What will it be, dear devotee? Salvation? Or damnation?
Cawing crows. Humming, whirring, and clapping of wings, morphing into a divinity. Your prayers have been answered. You called, and she came. She was finally here.
Without even laying an eye on her. You knew she was behind you. You sense it. You sense her.
Taloned hands started caressing your shoulders, as you closed your eyes, savoring the divine sensation, and relieved for her long-awaited visit.
She was here, at last. But she’d never left you. She has always been here for you. She lives in your mind, soul, and heart. She lives in you.
"Little bird?" You heard the icy, soft whisper, from behind your ear, and you couldn’t help your tears. You were her little bird, weren't you? Or at least that was how you've always imagined yourself. Hers.
You breathed a sigh of relief, raising, and turning around, slowly, and instantly meeting her eyes. Pale blue eyes. They were like the ocean, and, oh, how you loved to not only swim in her eyes, but drawn into them. In the figurative, and literal senses.
The moon highlighted half of her face, features that were beyond this reality. Beyond this world. Beyond everything.
Holding your face with her gold, taloned hands. "Stop your tears, little bird," she cooed, as she cupped your face and brushed the moisture from your cheeks, and puffy red eyes. Gently pressing her palms against your face, palms that were incredibly soft. Cold, and yet, delicate, criminally so. And you leaned into her touch, eagerly. "I'm here."
Words were said so softly, and gently, yet, you felt your soul, and body collapsing, and shattering. This was your end. You couldn’t help yourself, but quickly averted your eyes from her, bowing your head slightly down, as you tried to not fully weep in her arms. Mother, in the other hand, didn’t like that.
"Look at me," she demanded softly, with a dangerous flash of her eyes. Gilded fingers slipped beneath your chin, tipping your head back, to lock eyes with her. To lock eyes with death.
Eyes of frozen seas stared at you. Mother, and her cold piercing eyes. Haunting. Her eyes, were haunting, and frightening, in the most pleasant of ways.
"I will take your pain away,” she promised, in a gentle whisper, as her stern expression softened, with a slight smile on her face, planting a soft, but deep kiss on your forehead. “I will tuck you into the most comforting darkness there ever was.”
Death indeed was inviting.
"I will take your pain away, forever." She assured again, with a slight nod of her head, that told you, she was certain of her ability to do so. That was it. She was taking your troubles away, and relief filled your entire being.
And all you could muster, was a teary smile, as she took you between her arms, wrapping her midnight, soft, and majestic wings around you, keeping you held under her, and so close to her, unbelievably so. Burying your face into her delicate neck, nuzzling and embracing your downfall, gladly so.
Death indeed was the warmest embrace there ever was.
Hail the Angel of Death. Hail the Angel of Mercy.
Mother came to collect you, as she came and collected all the souls before you, and now, it was finally your turn. She will take care of you, keep you safe, until it was time for you to born anew, like she had done with all the others before you.
Divine Gracious Mother Miranda was known for her wrath, as much as she was known for her kindness. And, oh, how you preferred and longed for the latter.
Death, it seemed, truly was the sweetest of releases.
Moments of the Holy Mother whispering gentle, and sweet promises to your ear. Kissing your tears away, as she embraced you, and rocked you back and forth, making you feel... so much lighter. Floating. Drifting. Ascending.
"I’ve got you." Divine Mother muttered, as she continued stroking your hair, curls combed between her talons. And that was the last thing you heard before you scummed into complete unconsciousness.
Floating through the air that promised never hitting the ground. Greeting the void, the silence, and the darkness, as they all welcomed you with open arms.
Your savior. Your downfall. She was the wicked, and the Divine. All in one.
In the end, there was only her.