Prompt 246 - monarch - Illyria

[guardian-erin.livejournal.com]

Title: Illyria
Author: Guardian Erin
Rating: PG
Fandom: Angel
Disclaimer: I do not own any character here
Summary: Illyria's thoughts



The world has changed since I last left it. My time was ruled by immense creatures, pure blooded creatures that could rip entire dimensions to shreds. Demons like myself, except no others could withstand my power. I was tricked, cut down and forced into a tomb for a millenia. My armies turned to dust waiting for my resurrection. It concerns me that I could have been so easily subdued and left trapped in this shell – a body so fragile that even with my powers drained it threatens to split open and betray me.

But these hands. They are useful, I admit. And I never thought there could be a joy to appearing like a weak species. As Spike would say, it's the look on their faces when they realize they've been beaten by what they thought was a human girl. Or as it may be, the look on their faces right before I free the flesh from their skulls. I've stopped doing that so often. Not because Spike disapproves, but because I've grown bored of it.

Spike insists that what we're living through now – this hell on earth, this demon rule – is not normal. But he hasn't lived as long as I. This is my world, and I realize it is more fun when nothing recognizes what you are, or how quickly you can pull our their entrails. We fight as we breathe, and we war endlessly. This is my world once more.

I want to gather land, servants, foot soldiers. I know how to sculpt the world to become my kingdom. I know how to clutch it in my grasp and make populations fear me, worship me. But this is not a route that Spike will permit me to take. Not after what happened to our first flock. He placates me with tales about the greatest wars in the history of mankind. They are inferior and laughable compared to my own history. I told him so. He became very upset with me. Now I listen quietly – how foolish I was before. This will allow me to understand how humanity wars, the strategies that won, and learn their most powerful weapons. Someday I could take it all. I haven't yet decided if I will.

The life of a monarch is tiring in this day. Spike tells me that although wars still happen, the worst seems to be in the past. Leaders have to worry about the well-being of their countries and subjects while keeping peace. I am a machine for war. This daily life of slaying suits me well.

Spike makes suggestions for the future, when LA returns to its former human-run state. He talks of finding a place over a hellmouth, where we could continue our routines. We would destroy anything that would kill a human being. He's quite soft for humans. He sometimes even forgets when I assume the form of Winifred Burkle, that I am not really one of the humans. How could I be? This form is human enough, and I am glued to it. Fred's memories plague my head, more confusing than enlightening. But how could I be human? Not when I was born into chaos, and reigned over dimensions with perfect all-consuming war, and demanded as much sacrifice from my subjects as loyalty, and never knew a human thing like love. Even born anew into this human form, with the gift of her thoughts, it is all too foreign to me. The way that Spike looks at me when I pretend, like I've cut him open. I could never be.

Comments

[slaymesoftly.livejournal.com]

Ah, Illyria. So complex, and yet so simple in her needs and desires. Well done.