The Murder Of Crows

Slinking out and sneaking around, he crept out of the dormitory. Making sure his steps were quiet, he creaked open the door and closed it softly. And as he ran lightly, he heard the chiming signaling Deadlight. He sped up, caring less for stealth now. And into the gardens he ran. And rushing up to him, an oncoming shadow, a glimpse of black upon black, a beak, many beaks, all rushing forward, too quick for him to react. And the last thing he saw as he stared into the Mu-
Utter darkness.

-

Utter darkness. It was the first thing Styx felt as she jolted awake. She felt slightly disturbed, and reached out to her friends.
Guys? She sent out
I'm feeling... weird.. Like someone got hurt. Is everyone okay? Cocytus asked.
They all sent their affirmations. Except...
Lacier? Hello? Kestrel called uncertainly.
Shit, where's he? He can't have been removed from the link, can he? Lethe thought, worried for his safety.
The group met quickly, telepathy not giving the same comfort as physical contact.
"His bed is empty. Where could he be?" Phlegyas said the moment they met.
They started walking, too anxious to just stand around.
"I do not know, where does he usually like to go?" Acheros asked, Acherus having flown overhead to search for Lacier.
"He likes going..... He likes going out during Falselight to the garde-" Cocytus stopped.

A horrific sight confronted them. There were midnight black feathers everywhere, covering the garden with a macabre atmosphere. And Lacier was there, in the middle of it all, where uncountable numbers of crows were flying all around, all pushing for their place, their turn, to peck out his eyes. Lacier was floating in the midst of the chaos, seemingly oblivious to the feasting of his eyes. His face, when not obscured by the swirling crows, was blank and emotionless and his eyes were mere sockets. Pecked clean. Lethe was the first to break from the haunting sight.
"Eff!" But she doesn't say eff. "I'm gonna get th-"
And there was Mr. Ary coming behind them. "Students, stay back! It will not harm us if we do not disturb it!"
Lethe choked back a sob. "That's my friend there! I'm not going to just stand here while his eyes are getting eaten!"
"I have already called in the Fang! They will deal with this, child! Pull yourself together! Students, stay back!" He called out once more as more students emerged to see the terrible sight.
The rest of the group had to physically restrain Lethe as they all tried to keep their tears in but could not. And all the while, the crows continued to peck at the empty socket which once used to house his eyes.
And the Fang arrived. The Fang, the wolfen police best suited for dealing with magical cases, ran in. At this point, the crows suddenly stopped their hectic movements as one and faced the group of Fang. Lacier opened his mouth, and a deep voice echoed out, seeming as if all the crows echoed his words.
"The Murder has chosen the Next. Expect the Next soon."
With which, the crows all flew away and Lacier being carried by their talons.

"No! Lacier!" Lethe cried out, pain and grief laced in her voice.
A Fang came up to them, saying in a deep gruff voice, "Clear off. There is nothing to see here anymore. Your friend is the Next. The Murder has chosen."
"Uh, sir, I think we're going to have to stay for awhile. None of us.... We gotta deal with the loss first sir." Acheros said slowly to the Fang.
"Suit yourself. We don't need evidence or anything." The Fang walked away.
As they consoled each other, they overheard Mr Ary talking to one of the Fang.
Mr Ary was saying, "You need to send a message to the Lunatic Eden now. They need to know that the Murder has chosen and chosen a mere child. There has been no incident of the Murder ever choosing anyone that young before."
And Lethe shakingly asked, "What was that? All.. all those crows.. What's the Murder?"
Kestrel replied slowly and tried to remove whatever emotion she had from her words, "The Murder Of Crows. It's a... thing. I don't know what it is. But each year, it chooses. It chooses the Next. I... The Next is a seer. The eyes.... are pecked out, for sight beyond sight. The Next advises the Council of the Lunatic Eden. But.. Lacier.. is.. dead." The word sounded more hollow and empty than it ever had before. "He does not.... live anymore. That is just a shell inhabited by the Murder now. Lacier... is dead."
Lethe's sobbing renewed as the hard and cold truth hit her.
Styx, having better control of her emotions, asked, "Then... what is the Lunatic Eden?"
"You've never heard of it?" Surprise overcame Cocytus's grief for a moment. "It's a place. Where madness reigns. Where logic is tossed aside like the laws of physics. Where you cannot lie. That's what is said. None may dissemble within the Lunatic Eden."
"The Council is ... mad?"
"No, they merely rule from there, for lies are impossible within."
"And Laci-, the Next will advise them there? Oh eff!" Lethe didn't say eff. "He was the first person whom I talked to here! He is, was, my best friend! He was my first true friend, ever!" She started shouting. "And effing life takes him away to be some effed-up fortune teller! What the eff is wrong with the world!?"
She didn't calm down quickly.