//------------------------------//
// Raise 
// Story: Death Becomes Her 
// by daOtterGuy 
//------------------------------//

“Was it worth it?” Thanatos whispered into Somnambula’s ear. “Is it everything you wanted?”

“Do not taunt me, Thanatos,” Somnambula replied. “I knew what I was getting into when I chose this path. This is exactly as I expected, no more, no less. I have no regrets.”

“None? Not a single one?” Thanatos asked.

“None,” Somnambula reiterated.

“That’s what I like about you, Som.” Despite not physically seeing him, she could hear the grin in his voice. “No matter how reckless or impulsive you act, you never look back. It is both admirable and stupid in equal measure.”

“And what does that say about you?”

He cackled. “It says that I have good taste.”

Somnambula sniffed dismissively. “Do you not have something better to do with your time than pester me? Perhaps finding some poor foal to scare and butcher?”

“I’m afraid I can’t leave your side, Som. We’re bound, you and I.” Thanatos said. “We’ll be together for a long while to come.”

She scowled. “That is acceptable, so long as—”

“My people go free,” Thanatos finished. “You are quite repetitive sometimes.”

“... Indeed.”

“Well, the key to their cell is in your hooves. Raise the spear, and then you and your so-called people will be free.”

“Then if you shall be stuck with me, I shall endeavor to relish your company.”

He laughed. A hollow sound.

Somnambula rolled the staff between her hooves. A macabre scepter of bone with the skull of some unknown entity on its head. The dead, her people, swelled underneath her, a sea of rotting corpses howling for their release.

“... Thank you for this,” Somnambula said. “I should have said so sooner.”

“I assure you that I should be the one thanking you.” Somnambula heard the faint hint of amusement in his tone. “I have gotten far more from this partnership than you have.”

“And what might that be? You never specified.”

“A lot, dear Som, and not something I’m willing to share.” She felt the phantom of his breath tickle her ear. “Do you not have something more pressing to attend to then interrogating me?”

“I do. Thank you again, Thanatos. To our long, unliving partnership.”

“To our long, unliving partnership,” Thanatos repeated.

Somnambula raised the spear. It shined with dark light, illuminating the cavernous room she was in. A crack appeared in the glittering diamond ceiling above. Another appeared followed by many more. Thin hairline cracks became thick as fissures, burrowing into the stone.

The spear glowed brighter. The pressure underneath her grew. They were almost out. Somnambula could feel it.

Crack. The ceiling began to crumble. Bright sunlight flooded into the chamber. A victorious yell echoed amongst the corpses. Somnambula and her horde burst through the opening.

Somnambula and her undead horde of thousands had finally become free.