#Writing #BloodofSilenceSeries #DanceTillOurEnd #DTOE
"You were the one who could've rescued me
You were the one in the end
Crossed all the borders just to look for you
I never saw you againIt was carved in stone
But I'm just skin and bone
And now i'm aloneI fought and fought hard
And I could've died but I got scarred
A terrible ride, ride"-- A Terrible Ride, Lizard Boy
Hades
Years ago, I had given her a gift.
"What is it?" she giggled.
"Just keep your eyes closed. Give me your hand."
She did, and gently, I placed a concept crystal on her palm before covering it with my own. I had specifically designed this particular creation with the intention of it being formed by both of us, and I intended to do just that.
I bid her channel her aether into the crystal, and she did. Before long, a glittering key on a chain appeared. On its back was the engraving 'C & H', and she opened her eyes to watch in awe as it shimmered in the light.
The key had been designed as a symbolic representation of a lily flower. At its top, the sparkling metal wove the outline of three petals with a jewel at the centre.
It was a promise, I had told her. A promise that no matter what, she would always return home. There was no point, after all, in a key without a lock to wait for it.
The lily flower was a symbol of rebirth. It was often used as a promise between individuals to meet in the next life.
While we lived for an age, it was not eternity. And while our souls held countless memories of all lives, they didn't always come to our physical vessels in full.
There was no guarantee that two would be reincarnated in the same era, let alone find each other again.
Even still, it was a nice sentiment.
"You may have noticed that two of our number are missing," came the voice of the emissary.
I never liked this part. For formality's sake, the emissary would always point out her absence for any who weren't already aware. I was always keenly aware, however, and it was but an irritating reminder.
Right about now, he would tell us about the mission she'd gone on, what it was she was to achieve, and what the outcome would bring us...
"'Tis with regret that I must inform you all that two of our seats have been vacated."
I froze with a murmured "What?"
My eyes grew wide as I tried to wrap my head around what it was he'd just said.
"Two? That's the first I've heard of this."
"And are you going to enlighten us as to the reason for their departure, emissary?"
His expression hardened. "Fandaniel is gone."
"Gone? What do you mean he's...gone?"
"Shit, the bastard went and did it."
"You don't mean...?"
"I sensed it when it happened," he explained. "Fandaniel's aetherial flow halted entirely, though I know not the reason for it. It can only be assumed that it was his own doing."
His aetherial flow? Then that meant...
My eyes unfocused, scanning the billions of little lights that made up our world. Sure enough, I spotted his soul drifting. It would soon leave this realm as the currents delivered it back unto the Underworld.
"Gone..." another murmured, as if trying to make sense of the word.
"And Cynthia?" I questioned urgently.
"I received a letter of resignation from her yesterday. She has relinquished her title due to 'personal persuits'."
"'Personal persuits' in a time like this..."
"You knew naught of this, Emet-Selch?"
"She told me she was going away for a while." I stood, clenching my teeth in anger as I bit back tears at sinking feeling in my stomach. "I assumed she'd been sent on a mission, I had no idea that she was..."
Pacing briskly to the doorway, I slammed my fist against it. "Damn it all, I have to find her!"
"Not many see what will become of them
Not many know what's at stake
Too many stay content inside their walls
And then the Earth starts to quake
I used to be calm
But now this ticking bomb is gonna go off
I fought and fought hard
And I could've died but I got scarred
A terrible ride, ride"
Cynthia
It was strange and unnatural, this nothingness that seemed to go on forever. There was a substance--somewhere between ash and sand--covering the expanse in every direction. It was a struggle to use any form of magic out here, and I knew I couldn't stay here long.
Far in the distance, I could see the outline of Amaurot--dwarfed in size, as a good 80% of the city lay in ruins. It was the only thing as far as the eye could see, and I wondered if it was the only thing left in the entire world.
"We really are the only ones left..." I murmured, sensing a familiar presence behind me at the soft crunch of sand.
"I thought I might find you out here," Hyth smiled. "Hades is looking for you, you know. It's not too late to go back."
I smiled sadly. Of course he was.
I shook my head nevertheless, "It's too late for me now, Hyth. You know as well as I do that I have no place in Amaurot anymore."
"And where will you go?"
"I have a duty to fulfill. Whatever fate deems a worthy retribution for my actions will be where I end up. Perhaps I'll be forced to live with the burden, perhaps I will waste away out here... It is of no consequence what happens to me, but..." I trailed off, clenching the stem of the flower in my hand.
Turning around, I gave my friend a smile. "When the time comes, I want you to give this to him. Tell him I'm sorry. He'll know where to find me; I was always terrible at hiding from him."
He frowned, but accepted nonetheless.
I remained for a short while in the wasteland. Zodiark's magic had not yet spread this far away from Amaurot, and it was one of the few places that had not yet moved on from what we had lost.
My parents, my brother... There was nothing left of them, and I knew there was no point in looking. Nevertheless...
Gently, I placed a lily in the sand, whispering "I'm so sorry...I failed all of you."
The flower quickly withered away, and my tears disappeared almost as soon as they landed. I couldn't stay here much longer, as the emptiness began to tug at the edges of my aether.
"We'll see each other again some day. I promise you that, so please...please let me finish this. I can't fail them again."