Death Throes of an Age (2023)
Flavius shuffled slowly into the mausoleum, inhaling the ancient dust as he and his retinue kicked it up. Solemnly, he approached the sarcophagus, which lay toppled on its side. The stone was riveted with cracks and chunks missing, obscuring the once intricate sculpting it had been adorned with. The most prominent fissure came up from the bottom corner, striking across the carved face of the hero whose likeness represented the corpse within, and curved down his body and into the other side. “Gaze upon your forebearer for the last time,” Flavius said. “We have failed him in life, so we deserve our death.” *** Flavius sighed, kneeling down. His helmet, pitted and faded, crest missing hairs, lay on top of the bust, vines creeping around it. He lifted the battleworn helm, trying to summon his strength. It was heavier than normal, and as he placed it onto his own head, he looked into the splintered mirror in front of him. The harder he attempted to s...