Bleeding

By SMYGO4EVA

Red. All they see is red. The color of blood, the vital fluid of humans and gods alike. The red river flows from the once great Phoenix, the guardian of a country torn by the savagery of war and blood spilling from the bowels of living creatures. Hatred was the downfall, between the gods as they were thrown from their thrones. Straight from the heavens, but stained with the callow blackness reaping the chosen warriors and the damned priestesses.

Suzaku, the phoenix and the protector of the country of Konan. The beautiful flames krept spilling from the beak to the path of weakness to its enemies. Fire was not only its element, but the beauty brought to the bloodshed. The caws of victor ceased as the dragon ripped out its throat, red and orange rubies tainting the Suzaku-no-Miko, her robes soaked and cuts all over her pure and clean body. Her once pure and clean body was bloodied by the screams of pain belonging to her comrades.

Seiryu, the dragon and guardian of the country of Kutou. The merciless behemoth was born from the sadism of the lust of war and victory, further proving its worth to the warriors. However, through the deception and manipulation of one worthy priestess, Seiryu-no-Miko, the sun has come to hate the dragon and all that it stood for. The dragon in its heart became the beast that it really was and saw the phoenix as its true adversary.

Genbu, the black tortoise-snake, and savior of the country of Hokkan. An abomination of a creature, worthy of love and peace, and one of Heaven's lore. Impure as the soul of many, but suspectible to dreams and ambition. Beyond the dimension the gods seek, the serpent produces the venom poisonous as the sun and moon amalgamated. It lurches back and sinks its fangs into the white tiger's neck, the roars of anguish just as sweet. The Genbu-no-Miko would only coil and tremble, tears spilling from her own eyes.

Byakko, the white tiger and the ruler of the country of Sairou. The tiger saw the venom bite into its soul and how beautifully white was transformed into burgundy so fast. Eyes like steel, soulless even, like crystal winter that paled in comparison with the hot flames that consumed him. With a final roar of anguish, the majestic tiger fell dead on the bloodstained battlefield. The echoes of the roar burned into Byakko-no-Miko's heart and soul, letting her succumb to life under insanity's hellish rule.

In the end, the gods fell to the red rivers and sanguine grass unworthy of their sacrifice. Merciless or compassionate, the Four Gods were bleeding endlessly, staining the innocent maidens forevermore.