wrongwayskeleton

It blots out the clear sky like a spreading flat Rorschach test. You will always see them coming—if

not alerted by the inky blemish in the air; then the fragrant drift of lotus petals on the wind—or

discerning the sound of ethereal flutes, drums, and harps ringing in your ears. These signs

announce their approach. (Get ready) From that hanging black spot they emerge, assembling on the

ebony cloud/ that forms around their feet. (You’d be excused for mistaking them for angels.)

Immaculate, all-identical, vacant eyes, buttery phosphorescent skin. Garbed in gossamer textiles

suspended in air in defiance of  gravity—always cooing. Nestled among them, one monumental

unmoving apparatus. Another of their kind? A siege engine? This long moment is the sole

forewarning for those far below—-swifty they unleash a torrent of  arrows blanketing the ground from

the heavens.

Achromous pronged bolts and tridents assail you from above, pinning you to the ground. They prefer their
captives intact—but will not hesitate to fetching your dismembered form. When they have quelled their
prey—They repel down from their cloud— gather you in clam shell containers, and abscond through their
ink-black gate returning to their stronghold: the moon. Where certain & unknown horrors await.  

Should you reach their distant cloud you’ll find it quite solid. The weapon in your hand slices through
them quite easily, akin to a heated knife though solid wax. Their movement is sluggish and phlegmatic,
they hardly register your presence; slowly turning to face you as they’re sliced to pieces, as their sept
falls alongside them. As their nimbus dissipates and they smash into mush on the ground. It would be fatal to assume their languid baring makes them vulnerable —their bodies , hollow like lotus pods, are dark pockets holding vicious surprises. Jeweled fish hooks sink into the skin of your back—the silken filament pulling you closer. Teethed-Cages surge forward, latching on

with a calculatedly cruel bite.

(They’ll never take you by surprise - though they often appear at the most inopportune of moments).
Fortunately they’re not bright,  and their horrid eyesight enables evasion, or even hiding in plain sight
for the daring. Or just lie on the ground with your sword in your hand… taking your chance waiting
for them to come down and collect you.