A while back, a friend of mine who streams on Twitch asked me to write him a short piece he could use to practice his voice over skills. This is the result:

“All things end.”

The high priest readied the ceremonial dagger in the flames while the others stood in a ring around the raised slab in the middle of the room.

Bound to the slab was the sacrifice. He had told them he didn’t need to be bound; being chosen to serve as the vessel was the highest honor, and he rejoiced in the glory.

The high priest drew closer to the slab with the ceremonial dagger held high in the air. The others fell to their knees and began to chant, beseeching the goddess to accept their offering, to come to them in their time of need and deliver them.

The sacrifice felt his limbs begin to twitch against their restraints. His breath became shallow. His pulse throbbed in his ears.

Another step closer came the priest and the dagger. The sacrifice began to struggle more desperately, unable to control the instinct to flee, to survive. A low moan started in his throat. He wished his heart would not beat so loudly against his breast; it gave the priest an easier target.

Now the high priest stood next to the sacrifice and put a long, slender hand on his shoulder. The touch made him cry out, though the sound was muffled against the gag.

The dagger glinted in the firelight as it rose high in the air—

—the sacrifice began to thrash—

—its point aimed at the sacrifice’s chest—

—he changed his mind—

—the dagger dove—

—he didn’t want to die—

—and thudded into its mark.

And the sacrifice went limp.

The high priest tenderly stroked the sweat from the sacrifice’s brow. One hand rested there on his forehead while the other gripped the hilt of the dagger, buried deep in his flesh. Blood dribbled out around the blade and pooled on the slab.

“All things end,” said the high priest. The others shuffled forward and raised their arms skyward, swaying like trees, their chants a low hum.

The sacrifice’s eyes opened. The high priest removed the gag so the goddess could speak. The others fell silent and leaned in.

She said, “All things begin.”

Anyone else have chills, or is it just me? Let me know what you thought!