Imperfect Perfection

Fingers pointed, and I could hear the mournful cries of the people down below on earth. They had noticed the large fiery ball descending quickly into the earth’s atmosphere and in a flash all that was left was…me. 

            After Argos crashed into the Earth, the Earth reacted with a ripple of disaster, leaving nothing but a pile of rubble and death behind. Surrounded by what was left, Argos awoke slowly. A tattered, dusty wing slid behind him. The muscles in his body ached as he forced himself up from the ground. His first sight of the earthy creation was the great hill that surrounded him. Weary, Argos began to make his way up the hill on foot because his wings were too weak yet to carry him beyond his intentions.

            Atop the hill were the ruins of an old shop that had been knocked down by the wave. Entering cautiously, with the goal of being sent to this dreaded place lost in his thoughts, Argos began to explore. The thing that he’d been sent for  seemed not to be there so he proceeded to the door.

            “Hello?” a young female voice sounded.

Argos turned quickly, but all he could see was a pile of rubble and a mirror that lay against it projecting the sky above it.

 Argos growled in frustration, “ Do not play with me, Vile Temptress!”

Alert of his surroundings, Argos looked about the room, but he found absolutely nothing. A giggle came from the left. Argos turned his head, looked down at the mirror and saw the reflection of a lovely young lady. Oh, how her sweet red hair flowed perfectly along the lines of her body. Her deep blue eyes lingered on his, beckoning him to help her out of the mirror.

“It’s just a projection. It’s not real.” Argos began striding away, but something stopped him dead in his tracks. The lovely maiden was singing, her voice so sweet and perfect Argos could not help but reach out his hand and pull her out of the mirror.  For moments they stood there gazing at one another.

But as quickly as Argos had fallen into the trance, he came back to reality. He shoved the wicked wench to the ground. Remembering his orders to kill the siren, he pulled the sword from his side and swung it at her. After he missed, he lifted his arms to complete a blow after finally cornering her, as she was good at dodging . When he started to drive his sword down, he found himself paralyzed. Argos’ eyes closed, his arms slowly fell, dangling at his sides, and his body slouched as he stood there.

It was now morning and a manly grunt was heard. It had taken Argos some time to reboot the system that was installed inside him. Finally the winged cyborg was able to open his eyes, Argos saw that his prized possession had run away. Argos growled in frustration and clashed his sword against the half crumbled wall beside him. The building fell completely, and instead of walking, the great wings that rose from his back took Argos up into the air. It wasn’t long before he saw something moving on the ground. Argos swooped down to take a closer look.

She was running across the desert when Argos saw her. He drew his sword and dived at her. Surprised to catch nothing, he tumbled to the ground and got up quickly. Raising his arms and pulling them down, his sword was now caught with her own.

Their swords clashed as they scrabbled around each other. Argos found himself on his back from an unsuspected leg sweep. Instantly the wretched siren had jumped on top of him and tried to stab him. Before she could, Argos punched her in the jaw and she fell motionlessly on top of him.

Argos’ eyes widened at the feel of her cool skin pressed up against his skin. Her beautiful vibrant red hair fell to his shoulders and surrounding him. He pushed her limp body off him. Argos picked up the sword and then dropped it in sudden weakness. She looked so helpless and so heavenly as she lay there unconscious. Argos dropped to his knees again and a tear fell down his cheek.

“What have I done?” He muttered sorrowfully.

            Argos sat by her side for quite some time. He watched her slowly breathing and waited for her to wake up. He hung his head in shame of what he had done and regretted punching her. Just then she woke up with the sight of this angel looking cyborg  that had been trying to kill her and she jumped back, skittering back on her hands and knees.

            “No, no!” Argos exclaimed. “ I mean you no harm. Please let me explain.”

            Sitting a little ways from Argos, she listened to him explain his actions. “The Great Being has sent me here to sever the head of a siren and bring it back in order to become a man.”

             “How can that be?” The Siren asked. “The Great Being ordered me to sever the head of an angel to become a woman!”

“What difference does it make?” Argos looked down, “ I can’t do it! I…love you. So here, take this and sever my head to please the Great Being!”

The siren took the blade slowly and stood up before him. “In the name of Argos and my self, Niet --” She raised the sword high and then slid the knife across her neck, severing it wide open.

“No!” Argos caught her limp body and rocked it with tears streaming down his face.

“ I… Love… You.” Niet choked out before she died.

Argos picked up her body and sadly made his way to meet the Great Being.