In the Mines

By James Milne

Death is just the beginning. When Canary died, she did not just find a new life for herself, but she became the catalyst for forces that would shake the foundations of the entire world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Milne
• Release date: May 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215471579

Book preview

In the Mines

James Milne.

In the Mines

Death is just the beginning. When Canary died, she did not just find a new life for herself, but she became the catalyst for forces that would shake the foundations of the entire world.

Death is just the beginning. When Canary died, she did not just find a new life for herself, but she became the catalyst for forces that would shake the foundations of the entire world.

Copyright © 2020 James Milne.

All Rights Reserved.

Wish of Wishes

chapter, WishofWishes

Canary

She fell to the ground, coughing weakly. Too weak to raise her arm to scrabble at the wall of the cave in again, not that any of that mattered. She was trapped here, and now she was dying here.

Her eyes drifted tiredly shut, and she stopped breathing altogether.

Huh?

Canary fell, drifting head over heels, tumbling in the dark. Lost to the endless abyss. She didn’t know when it would end, or if it would. Strangely enough, despite the warped reality, she felt comforted, rather than confused.

Accepting.

Oi. Wake up. Can’t sleep here. Don’t even know how you got in here...

Canary opened her eyes slowly. The ground still felt like it was becoming staircases, but she could see it now, and it was solid. Had she just fallen asleep? She should be dead right about now.

She took a slow breath, and spluttered into coughing, leaning up weakly on all fours as she blew dust into her face and made the hacking even worse. It wasn’t mining dust, though. It was rougher than that. Just the general build up from things being old.

Ew! It breathes! Gross! Gross! Stop breathing on everything!

Canary looked up blearily to the voice, What’s... With the... Shouting?

A green haired girl was staring at her from behind a pot-plant, also covered in dust. Not just staring... Cowering? Canary knew that she was the least intimidating person that she knew. Why would anyone be afraid of her?

Canary rubbed her head, feeling the ache. She sat down slowly on the ground and looked around. It looked like she’d woken up in grandma’s house two decades after grandma had expired. Pot-plants, books, and even that weird hard candy that nobody ever actually liked to eat.

Where am I?

The green-haired girl stared at her, What... Are you?

Uh... Canary. She shrugged, Last thing I remember was... There was a cave-in. Are you a nurse?

What is a nurse? Are you a nurse?

Canary shook her head, No. A miner. How do you not know what a nurse is?

How are you here!? The girl exploded angrily, aggravating her headache.

Canary rubbed her temples, Could you... Not do that? My head is killing me. I don’t know how I got here or even where here is.

Then hurry up and expire, organic!

Canary stared in shock, Did... Did you just... Tell me to die?

The girl stared back at her fearfully, No... No... What are you doing?

Canary sniffed.

The girl recoiled behind her plant.

She sniffed again, trying to keep the flood waters back. She was lost and confused and her head hurt and she thought she was about to die and... And the dam broke. The tears came flooding down, and she began to warble.

No! No! The girl came running out from behind the plant, Stop that! Stop moisturising! Please! I hate it.

I hate you. Canary cried, rubbing at her eyes, I don’t know where I am!

The green girl knelt in front of her, hands moving cautiously, attempting to touch her without actually... Touching. Oh, stop it. Please? I didn’t mean to make you... Do this. Ew. So much ew.

Shut up! Canary yelled and pushed her, knocking the girl onto her back with a crack to her skull that echoed in the room. She stopped crying, and breathed in sharply, Are you okay?

I am undamaged. The girl replied sitting up and rubbing her head, No, wait. A bump. Ew. I’m swelling.

Can... Can we start over? My name is Canary. She smiled weakly, I’m a miner. I dig for shiny things.

The green-haired girl looked at her, with a frown, Well. Canary the Miner... I don’t know how you got here. This room... Is my world. The people who whisper to me call me Amber. I suppose that’s as good a name as any.

Amber? Canary smiled, and wiped her cheek, That’s a pretty name.

The green-haired girl shifted uncomfortably, Um... Thanks. You’re not moisturising anymore. Does that mean you feel better?

Do you mean crying? I’m sorry. I cry a lot. Canary took a shuddering breath, I get picked on for it. But the world is so big and scary... And I’ve always been alone. My family died when I was little. I don’t cope with things so well.

Amber cocked her head, What is... Family?

My mum and dad. Big sister. Canary smiled sadly, a tear running down her cheek as she remembered them, freaking out the girl again. She wiped her face and took a deep breath, Where are your parents?

Parents... Mum... Dad... Sister... Amber shook her head, Sorry. I don’t know what any of those things are. But they sound important. I’m sorry you lost them. Please don’t leak.

Canary smiled, I’ll try. This is your world? You ever been outside your room?

No... Amber said slowly, Why would I? This is my world. I can do whatever I want here. And no organic has ever managed to sneak in before.

I didn’t sneak. Canary glared, I woke up here. If you weren’t so freaked out by basic things like crying, I’d accuse you of kidnapping me. So... Any way I can leave the room?

Amber stood up and scratched her head, Leave...? I’ve never really thought about that before. Hmm. I suppose it might be possible to turn the room inside out. That will return you to wherever you were... But, no. No I don’t like that.

Canary sighed, Isn’t there a door?

What’s a door?

She stood up and looked around the room. There wasn’t a door. Or windows. Or even light sources. Yet, she could see everything easily. Where was the light coming from? I... Guess you don’t have one.

Amber sighed, Eugh. Fine. I’ll be gross and see the picture in your head. Better than wrecking my room. Hold still.

Canary went bright red and froze still in confusion as Amber planted a peck on her cheek. She turned slowly, eyes wide, What was that?

The green-haired girl was too busy wiping her mouth and spitting to hear her. Gross! Gross! Gross! Organics.

You kissed me.

Amber glared at her, I formed a psychic bond so I could peek inside that gooey fleshsack you call a brain. Ew. Anyways... Door. That’s the square thing that opens and shuts, right? To form a connecting pathway between two places.

The girl snapped her fingers and pointed. Canary looked over and stared at the door. Uh... Why is my bedroom door suddenly here? And how? Are you magic?

Magic... Don’t know that word either. And not peeking inside your squishy thing again. Amber shook her head, Goodbye, Canary.

She smiled weakly at the strange girl and crossed to the door and opened it slowly. She stepped through it and stared in confusion. The door fell shut as she looked around her bedroom. She turned around and opened the door again, and saw the hallway.

Canary walked out of her house, dumbfounded, and stared as she saw the town. She could hear the bells as the town ran to deal with the mine collapse. So that really had happened.

Had she... Died?

C... Canary?

She looked over at the surprised man standing in the street, What... Happened?

— — —

Amber

She dropped onto her rug and snapped her fingers, summoning up a fireplace before she even realised what she was doing. It was as comforting as the scrap of memory she’d touched from the young girl suggested.

Huddled in front of a fire, holding herself, that was one of Canary’s favourite memories. That is why it had got scooped up when Amber had finagled a quick and weak little link to her that... That was still intact.

She sat up quickly, staring over at where the door was, as she felt Canary’s fear and confusion still pulsing inside her head. How did that fleshy meatsack manage to form a connection that had lasted this long?

Scratch that mystery.

Exploring that could wait until she discovered how the creature had managed to enter her domain outside Canary’s world. Leaving someone’s world wasn’t supposed to be possible!

Getting in here was supposed to be even less possible.

Amber launched to her feet and gathered up the dust clouds and interrogated them. Which proved as pointless as it sounded, but this cleaning idea of Canary’s sounded interesting. It changed the decor a little. Made things feel new, even though they weren’t.

Amber scratched at her face, feeling irritated. This connection with the fleshy meatsack... Thoughts like that would make Canary moisturise... Make her cry. She didn’t want to risk making her cry.

She shuddered at the thought.

Amber focused, and found the psychic trail of Canary’s confusion when she fell into the room. She had been falling, falling... From... Oh no.

She ran over to the door and flung it open, and froze, too scared to walk into the room she could see. Thankfully, it didn’t seem like she would need to. She could see the girl rocking on her bed, hugging a pillow.

Amber sat down in front of the doorway, feeling like it might be rude to interrupt these tears.

Canary sniffed sadly, and let out a low whimper.

Amber’s bottom lip pulled down and her head pulled back at the horrifying sound. It was truly, and utterly, disgusting. Yet, the feeling trying to burrow into her... Wasn’t. It hurt. Made her wish she knew what it was like to... Cry.

Please stop.

Canary’s head jerked up and she stared, Uh... Amber... What are you doing in my hallway?

Ew. Gross. I’m in my room. Amber shook her head, Sorry. I didn’t want to interfere... But... There’s something you need to know. I worked out how you got into my room.

Canary glared at her, I died.

Died... Amber said slowly, The termination of your organic existence... Yes. That does seem to somewhat describe a small part of what happened. Unfortunately, it was only a small part.

Canary clenched her hands on the pillow, knuckles going white, I’m dead. But everyone can see me. Touch me. But they found my body.

Ew! I don’t need the details! Amber shook her head in terror, Look, this is sort of... My fault. You died, and your soul went looking for its next world. Usually, that’s the hot one. Actually, you’re the first not to go there in... Um... I don’t remember.

Canary looked at her strangely, So... What was supposed to happen?

I don’t know. Amber shrugged, Never happened before. I think... I was supposed to grant a wish or something?

Canary glared at her from behind the pillow, Fix it.

Fix... What exactly? Amber asked.

Fix it! Fix it! Fix it! Canary yelled, Make me not dead! Not a zombie or whatever I am!

Amber sighed heavily, So... Do you want to downplay your expectations a little? I didn’t know what a door was. I have not a clue how to go about fixing you. You’re organic.

So, what are you, then? Canary glared at her.

Me?

Canary sighed and swung her legs over the side of the bed. What... Are you? A genie? Is that why you grant wishes?

The voices call me Amber. She shrugged, I... I’ve never been outside my room. Not once. Never wanted to. So I wouldn’t call me a genie, whatever that is. More like a... Thing. A thing that is.

The girl rolled her eyes at her, Wow. That clears it up so much. You’re a thing. So obvious.

Amber cocked her head, Your words say yes, but your heart says no. I’m confused.

Canary rubbed her temples slowly, So... What happens now? I am dead, right? Am I going to have the Grim Reaper chasing after me to fix the balance?

Grim Reaper... This picture you have... Oh. A minor one. Death. Amber tapped her chin, Probably not. He’d have to ask me permission first. And like I’ve said, nobody comes to my room.

Did you just call Death one of the minor gods? Canary’s eyes widened, Are... Are you a goddess? Is that the deal with voices that whisper to you?

So many whispers. Amber shook her head, They all sort of blur together. Everyone has a demand, even if they try and say it like they just wanted to talk to me. No one ever just wants to talk. Is that what a goddess is? Someone who is forced to listen to the drivel you people trot out?

Canary stared at her, Prayers. You hear people’s prayers. No wonder the gods never respond. Getting your attention is impossible. You’ve never even left your room. Amber... You’re that Amber! Amber the Green Goddess of All Creation!?

Amber played with a piece of her hair, I... Guess? But what are we going to do about you? I don’t want my mind linked to a... A... Whatever you are. It’s totally gross. You have so... Many... Liquids...

We’re... Linked? Canary asked uncertainly, I thought you just looked in my mind to see what a door was.

Me too! Amber threw up her hands, But it’s still there! I have no idea why. Your mind burrowed into mine, and it isn’t leaving. It isn’t fair. You need to stop it.

How the fuck would I!? Canary exploded angrily, I can’t use magic! That’s your thing, isn’t it?

Amber’s bottom lip quivered, You’re being mean.

Do... Do you even know how to cry? Canary glared at her.

Amber looked down at her floor, Yes. Now. I’ve got you inside my head. Where Amber ends and Canary begins isn’t so clear anymore. You call yourself a crybaby. I don’t want to cry. Please don’t make it happen.

It’s not gross. It’s sad. Canary whispered, walking over and sitting down on the other side of the doorway, I... I guess I just thought the gods had everything figured out.

All I did was make the world. What happened next had nothing to do with me. Amber shook her head, Didn’t want to know. I was bored, okay? I was bored and thought it would be fun.

Canary laughed weakly, That’s... Well, that’ll upset a lot of priests. So there’s no great meaning to life, then?

I dunno. Amber shrugged, Ask the other... Gods, is that what you call them? I made them to take care of the world. I didn’t make organics. That’s just ew. Can you imagine the clay sticking to your hands as you make things like you? Ew!

Humans. Canary stated, Though, technically, I’m not actually human. Quarter elf.

Amber’s tongue stuck out as she felt bile curdling at the back of her throat. Why did you have to put those images in my mind? Bad enough that... Humans... Exchange fluids. Interspecies fluids. All that sweat... Eugh.

Canary giggled, You’re fun, Amber.

She blinked in surprise, looking up at the blonde-haired woman sitting in front of her. The blue eyes looking at her with mirth, and yet the deep sadness still seated there from a lifetime of horrors. Memories lying just below the surface.

Amber was so very old. The very last of her kind. The first as well, but that didn’t mean anything. She couldn’t just sit here and watch Canary cry.

She took a deep breath, Fine. All of this is sort of my fault. If you really wanted, you could just go back to your life. People will call you dying once a miracle and get over it. Or you could move, and nobody would ever know. I’ll do what I can to help.

Canary nodded slowly, Huh. Suppose I should just go back to life. I just... Hoped that there was more than being a miner. Dangerous life, cut short once already. Doesn’t exactly provide for the best of lives. But I’ll take it.

There... Is... Another option. Amber hesitated, recoiling at the mere thought of it. Except the fact was... She owed Canary. She had set up the system so that when someone finally died a true and perfect saint, they would come to her. And when the first had... She hadn’t recognised it.

Canary cocked her head, Meaning of life, type stuff?

Not... Really. Amber screwed up her face thinking, That sort of stuff belongs to the thing that made... Humans. I owe you a wish. A wish of wishes. I don’t know what your world is like. I made it, but it has been a long time since then. I think. But you want a better life. I owe it to you to try and make it. You could... If you asked, I would have to stick around you. Enter your world.

Are we really that gross to you? Canary raised an eyebrow, I don’t want to be mean. And you’re a goddess. You shouldn’t have to do things you don’t like.

Really? I had to do things I didn’t like all the time, back in the beginning. Amber said in surprise, Sorting out petty squabbles with the minor ones. Death was always throwing tantrums if he couldn’t get his way. I wouldn’t say that gods get to do what they want. They have to argue and manipulate the others, all the time. I hated it.

Gods have politics. Canary said another word that Amber didn’t understand, and that was too complex for their link to explain the meaning of. But... You didn’t answer. I don’t want to be mean to you. It would be mean to make you come into this world if you hate us.

I don’t hate you. Amber whispered, I’m... I’m... Scared of you. There. I admitted it! I am scared of you and tears and -

She cut herself off as she saw the liquid swelling up in Canary’s eyes. She smiled weakly, Please don’t.

A single tear slipped down the woman’s cheek. Trying.

Amber smiled weakly, I’m scared of things I don’t understand. I’m a... Coward. That word of yours seems to fit. I don’t understand anything outside my room. But it wouldn’t be fair for me not to help you. That would be breaking one of my own rules.

Canary wiped her face, as if irritated she had cried. Me, too. I was scared when I... When I was dying. Then I saw you. Your room. It wasn’t so scary anymore. Confusing, but not scary.

Okay. Amber nodded, making her decision and stood up, fingers clenching on the edge of the doorframe as she took a deep breath, Can you move a little?

Canary scooted back on the floor, and looked up at her, What are you going to do?

Something ridiculous and stupid and terrifying. Amber nodded firmly, I can’t believe I’m actually going to do this. I’ve never done this. I don’t know how the others are going to react, but they won’t be happy, and they won’t have a choice neither. I am going to do the right thing. I am.

Canary stood up slowly, smiling at her, Do you have a teddy bear? I like cuddling things when I want to be brave.

No. Amber made a face, Cotton stuffed with animal pieces. Ew. Why would I want something like that?

She shook the thought from her head, took a final deep breath, and stuck a toe tentatively into Canary’s world, bringing it down to touch the floor slowly. She felt a shock as she felt a softness, a wetness, to the killed tree spread out to make a floor. She felt herself gag as the rest of her toes spread out across the surface.

Her fingers cracked the doorway as she stood there, one foot in the world she had created, but the rest of her still firmly planted in her room. She tried to shake off the feeling, and forced herself to toss her full body into the world.

She recoiled, floating above the floor and scraping her foot quickly.

The door snapped shut behind her.

— — —

Canary

She jumped as the door boomed shut, and as it did, she heard someone knocking on it loudly. She was also terrified by the green-haired woman floating above the floor and trying to stop the air from touching her.

Who is it?

A gruff voice came through the door, Cani, is that really you?

She sighed and stood up, walking over and cracking open the door, Yes. It’s really me, Victor. No, I don’t want to talk about what happened. No, I don’t really understand it. I was alive and then I was dead and now I don’t... I don’t understand.

You’re not dead. Amber said crossly, I thought I made that bit clear?

Victor frowned, Have you got someone in there with you Cani?

Canary winced and let the door swing inwards, Victor, Amber. Amber, Victor. He’s my boss.

Amber glared over at him, So you’re the one responsible for all that mining dust on my floor!

He looked up and down, Cani... Is she floating?

Victor. Amber. Canary repeated slowly. Not that she would blame him for not getting it right away. She hadn’t.

The mining boss nodded slowly, looking at her, I... Uh... That, Amber?

The green-haired woman pulled at her hair uncomfortably, So much dust in the air. I don’t know why you tolerate it, Canary. Can... Can I knock the dust down? Please?

Canary shrugged, I... Guess?

She suddenly understood why dust had been on every surface in Amber’s room. The goddess breathed a more relaxed sigh and looked at the man again, He’s dirty. I suppose that is to be expected for an organic. Eugh. I hate this world. So clingy. What did you want, person?

Victor. Canary repeated with a little irritation, He’s my boss, Amber. Be nice.

Cani... Do you have... A goddess... In your room? Victor asked in confusion, I know you’re part elf, but isn’t this joke going a bit far?

I can’t do magic, Victor. Canary crossed her arms, You know that.

An illusion? He asked, staring at the floating feet tucked up.

Amber blew out her cheeks, Oh! Victor! I know you now. That irritating little voice. Always complaining that women are too stupid to know what is best for them. Demanding to know why you are gods’ gift to womankind, but that they won’t accept you. I can tell you why. You’re a jerk. A mean jerk.

His face tightened considerably, and Canary cowered, crying quietly as she waited for him to slap her.

Amber shot forward in the air, arms crossed, Don’t you dare threaten my Canary. Don’t deny it. You’re thinking about it. With your slow trickling thoughts in that gross little flesh sack inside your skull. I’m her... What’s a stupid human word for it? Friend? Guardian? Something. You pick on her, and I will pick on you.

Victor nodded slowly, So. A witch masquerading as a goddess, then. You made a deal with a devil, Canary. I’m sorry. The council has to hear about this.

Amber pouted, He doesn’t believe me. Why doesn’t he believe me?

The miner turned and left, and Canary stared after him in shock, They’re going to kill me. Burn me at the stake.

Huh? Amber spun around on the spot, What do you mean they’re going to... Witchcraft is outlawed? Well, that’s stupid. Magic isn’t evil. It’s divine. Demons only have it because they used to be holy. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you.

Canary waved a hand idly, Like this?

Amber sighed heavily, Hey. You’re lucky I can talk to people like him at all. Not like I grew up speaking a language.

She stared, No... Language? But... Didn’t you use the Words of Creation to make the world?

Your world wasn’t exactly the first thing I made. Amber shrugged, So, I suppose I did make up words to help me along with making it. But that was just to make it easier, so I didn’t have to tidy up all those pesky rules of physical things. I didn’t have to use them.

Canary took a deep breath, Well... With that little terrifyingly heretical statement, I’m going to go try and beg the council not to kill me. But they’re going to think you’re a witch, so... Could you hide? Please?

No. I’m not hiding. Amber said crossly, I might think the world is gross, but it’s still mine. I won’t be letting anyone accuse you of nothing.

She sighed and walked out into the bustling village. She didn’t have to walk far. An angry mob was already on their way, with knives and pitchforks pumping the air. The mine had collapsed again, they wanted someone to blame. May as well be the girl who died and came back.

— — —

Amber

The mob stopped in front of them, an old man with gross thoughts pushing his way to the front. He pointed an accusing finger, Witchcraft! What further proof do we need? It floats before us, bold as brass!

I’m not a witch. Amber glared at him, But then, you’ve never prayed to me, have you? Wouldn’t recognise any of the others, neither. Heartless, faithless, cretin.

Canary stared at her in horror, Please don’t.

Amber leaned in to the old man’s face, matching his glare, and waited for his mortality to collapse. It didn’t take long for all the memories of his sins to come bubbling up in a terrifying truth. Mortals never really did forget what they did wrong. They tried to forgive themselves, but mostly they couldn’t. Just lock the memories away.

There was only one person who could look Amber in the eye and not feel a creeping sense of existential terror.

The man stumbled backwards, and whispered, Kill the witch.

Amber jerked her head back in surprise at the response, a moment before a pitchfork struck the air near her, the tines bending so as not to touch her, too terrified of angering her.

This apparently agitated the crowd even more.

Amber sighed heavily, Fine, fine. Let me see... Statue to Red, over there. Is he your town god?

The elder glared at her again, You pretend to cavort with the gods, witch? Heresy! Unforgivable heresy!

I’ll take that as a yes. Amber nodded and glared at the statue, Oi! Red! Sort them out.

There was a small pop of air, knocking the crowd back before the two of them, swirling slowly to reveal a man in armour, wielding an enormous hammer in one hand. He towered head-and-shoulders over everyone, turning slowly.

His red eyes like burning coals saw her, and he inclined his head, My lady.

Amber shrugged, Don’t care. Don’t care. These people are trying to hurt my Canary. Don’t like it. And they keep calling me a witch.

Red spun to the crowd, knocking the lot of them to the ground, Who dares to aggravate the Green Goddess? Who among you dares to tread upon sacred ground with such arrogance?

Nobody answered him.

Amber shrugged, That one. But mostly all of them.

Ignorance is a trait among these petty ones. Red replied stiffly, I apologise on their behalf, my lady. I have heard many of their prayers. There are those among them who are not altogether selfish.

The god paused and turned to the frightened and crying girl by her side, Canary. I have heard your prayers, oft. Selfless, and intelligent. You have my gratefulness.

Oi. Amber warned him, She’s my saint, not yours.

Red held up his hands, and took a respectful step back, before bowing to the blonde. It is an honour to meet the First Saint of the Green Goddess.

Canary stared at her, Wha... What is he talking about?

Amber shrugged, Something, something, rah rah. Who cares? It’s boring. What’s important is that these people don’t piss me off by trying to hurt you again. Ew! Gross! What is with your idioms, Canary? Do they have to involve bodily fluids!?

Red pointed his hammer at the crowd, Whosoever brings harm to Saint Canary, or insult to the Green Goddess, brings a calamity upon this land. From this point forth, I will not just abandon your people, I will curse them, for such an affront. Your mines will become fruitless, and your wells run dry. You have been warned.

The god vanished, as his statue nearby cracked and shattered, falling to the ground in huge and noisy chunks.

Amber clapped a hand over her nose to stop the pesky