SOMEWHERE ELSE
A man lay sleeping on a mountain of stone.
Dust covered his body.
His hair tangled with dirt and dried leaves.
A faint halo hovered above his head.
A voice echoed through the darkness.
Soft.
Playful.
"My love."
The man's eyelids twitched.
"Midas."
He groaned slightly.
"…is it time?"
A memory flashed through his mind.
A black coffin.
Standing upright.
Blood smeared across the ground.
Midas slowly opened his eyes.
The world around him changed instantly.
Flowers burst from the earth.
Trees heavy with fruit grew in seconds.
A river appeared nearby, sparkling in golden sunlight.
Voices echoed through the air.
"Our loyal executioner."
"The right hand of the gods."
"My conqueror."
"He who makes me a prisoner in his heart."
"Midas."
Midas sighed deeply and rubbed his forehead.
A woman made of soft pink light wrapped herself around him from behind.
She laughed gently.
"Oshun missed you."
Midas groaned.
"This prostitute is giving me headache."
Oshun giggled.
"You always say that."
A rusted staff suddenly appeared in front of them, planted firmly in the ground.
Ancient symbols glowed across its surface.
Midas stared at it.
Then he stood slowly.
Dirt fell from his body like dry rain.
"It's too early," he muttered.
Oshun squeezed him tighter.
"But he is awake."
Midas frowned.
"You still want to kill him?"
Oshun tilted her head innocently.
"As the deity of love and fertility, hostility cannot be condoned in my domain."
Midas opened his mouth.
"Bull—"
Oshun covered his mouth.
Just for one second everywhere turned dark
"SURPRISE ME".
She kissed his cheek.
Midas sighed and placed a glowing flower into her hair.
"Then you should have no worries."
He smiled faintly.
"I am my servant's servant after all."
Oshun began fading away.
"A keepsake?" she asked softly.
Midas looked toward the distant horizon.
"His head."
The garden vanished.
The river disappeared.
The flowers died instantly.
Only the mountain remained.
And the staff.
Midas stretched lazily.
"Now then…"
He scratched his head.
"…where did I drop that coffin again?"