The sun in the shadows

POGCHAMP??????????????

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*three days later*

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Moon bless you Anon, this was a wonderful message to wake up to! I'm always happy when people enjoy my Dolin. My favorite character in fiction, so I want to do him justice. It's fun to see him in non-apocalypse scenarios too, where he can be slightly more chill.

I wish I had more spirit for writing right now, I think I'm kinda burned out. I guess that's natural when you've done a thing consistently for two years+. But I still want to get to stuff eventually, even if I'm slow. I'm proud I've made over a thousand posts of mostly writing over this time that I had fun with. I really don't want to just give it up completely and I LOVE all the people I've gotten to write with, you're all so amazing!

“WAAAH! And now something huge appeared out of nowhere?! …”

“Huh? I mean… I guess I’m a newcomer. It’s… okay…? But hey, if you’re apologizing, does this mean you brought me here? Is this your home planet? Am I going to be experimented on?! Cool! … Wait, no, don’t experiment on me!”

“I thought I’d take a nap to visit Gensokyo in my dreams, but…”

“What world is THIS? And why did my phone get swapped?! That’s cruel!”

“That would be correct~ If it is your first time I would recommend taking in the experience by yourself.” Waka himself preferred to be alone in any onsen, even though he was used to them.

“So, there is an onsen nearby~” He knew exactly where he would be spending a lot of his downtime. Not to mention it would be nice and warm.

“Told you,” the little rascal continues, impudent. “Nothing hap-”

A large, bright green moth the likes of which he has never seen and she maybe once in all her travels leisurely zig-zags in the air; moves away, past the shore, through the ferns, into the woods, then disappears.

Heysel and the kid look at each other, wide-eyed and so baffled they don’t speak, for a moment and a moment only. Then the thought that they should be running after it flashes bright and red into their minds.

They begin running. Their feet kick up clouds of sand.

She’s a strong runner, and she bolts through woods daily because of what she does for worship, but this isn’t woods she knows- this isn’t wet Farron that she memorized every tree and root of; her carefulness makes her slower than the boy running along with her, who in turn runs like he’s got wings through rustling leaves and low hanging vines, flies like a sparrow across the forest and soon enough he’s so ahead of her she can’t see him much anymore.

And even if she can’t see him, she hears his yell loud and clear.

“He’s here! HE’S REAL!”

Heysel’s heart feels like it’s about to burst. What is she supposed to say, now, as she meets him? I’ve heard of you from my father. He thought you a legend, but you live! I have so much to ask you and I can think of nothing.

She levels her breathing. Still, her pulse is frantic in her ears, as she emerges from the thick greenery, into a small clearing — and she sees the kid, starry eyed, staring — hears him say you don’t look like a mermaid — looks up and…

“…Is this a joke?”

Before her very eyes lies no river-sea god. She knows this, because elegantly waiting, the moth they’d followed now slowly crawling on his finger, stands Gwyndolin, the Dark Sun, leader of the Darkmoon Blades.

“You’re supposed to be in the water!” the kid laugh-shrieks, marveling at the snakes protruding from under his gown. To his delight, the inverted mirror of Heysel’s sheer horror, dimming to disappointment.

“What is this. You- are you here to kill me or something, Gwyndolin? Not your style to do so personally, but. Let’s be clear with each other.”

Gwyndolin also finds himself rather shocked. First, he hadn’t been expecting a child, especially not one thinking he is the missing god. He raises his hands out, disturbing the moth which flits back off to its business.

“N-no, I am not— Ah, a mermaid... I—”

And before he has a chance to formulate a response, it’s her. That odd Finger of Rosaria. No wonder he’d felt something was off. Gwyndolin props himself back up to complete seriousness, resting his hands behind his back with a forced air of confidence.

“Heysel,” he speaks her name in solemn greeting. “No, that will not be necessary today. I am here because thou called for me, although perhaps not intentionally. Thee and thy friend here are searching for something I am also looking for. Thus... I would like to propose a truce while we search for the missing ocean god. That is, if thou wouldst have me.”

The many snakes sniff the air while they watch the two. The salty sea air is so different in wonderful way... but he’d best keep his attention on Heysel. Though, she wouldn’t be so terrible as to attack him in front of a child, would she? One snake looks curious towards the boy who seems fascinated.

Selenie couldn’t help but chuckle as Menphina proceeded to dart over like a child to the buildding, and start scaling it. Good, he had a handle on his claws already. What he lacked in build in his original form, he made up for it with his mind. This might actually go well, for all she knew.

Whereas it took him time, it was all too easy for Selenie to fly up beside the building and wait there for him. Still, she was willing to wait-one of the rare moments she actually was able to be patient. She watches him, knowing his heart is still probably pounding in his tiny little chest.

But he goes for it anyways, much to the Warrior of Light’s endless delight. With a grin all her own, she takes off after him, and laughs as he quickly takes to it. She flies beside him, and gives him a thumbs-up. 

“Well done! Like a wavekin to water! Time to enjoy yourself, and then, we’ll let you rest. Afterwards, we’ll get to teaching you the sprint and jump method!” She praised.

@darkmoondelusion 

From here, the wind made it almost effortless to keep going. Every so often he flaps to not drop the altitude, letting it carry him forth. His friend flies close, and Gwyndolin can’t help but let out laughter at the feeling of freedom.

The Stars bequeathed a gift to the islanders that he swore he would not trust, yet he gave it a chance... and it did not turn out poorly. He allowed himself to have this opportunity of euphoria, despite his stubbornness.

“Let’s go higher first,” he shouts to Selenie. “I want to see the Swirling Gulf from here!”

Keeping the pace, Gwyndolin flies higher and towards the Golden Ward. They wouldn’t have to go much more to see the edge of the island.

“How about a hug?”

“I heard a drink called “hot chocolate” is good at warming up the body. Perhaps try that?”

Selenie has to admit, Menphina wears the look well. She knows it likely won’t last forever, but his excitement at the prospect of being to fly on his own was contagious. There was a simplistic, primal joy in flying-one she didn’t really focus on, as her life had shaped her into something more bitter and sarcastic. 

It’s very easy for her to take to the skies. It’s something she’s been doing for years. She practically doesn’t have to think anymore about taking wing. And, given her life as a Dragoon turned god-slayer, she was very, very, very fit. Menphina was certainly kind, brilliant, and skilled with magic…

But he was a bloody twig. Certainly a tall one, yes, but still a bloody twig. Nothing like Selenie in that aspect. 

Shite, she thought silently, I hadn’t thought that one through…

Thankfully, he comes up with an idea before she has to try to conceive of one herself. She nods in agreement.

“Not a bad idea. Starting from up high will cut out the need for you to sprint, jump, and lift off from the ground. It’ll let you get a feel for the wind and how to time your wings. I’ll stay close, just in case you don’t get it the first time around.” She then looks around, turns, and points to a higher building nearby. 

“Let’s use that. You want me to carry you up there, or do you think you can handle yourself?” She asked, looking back at him.

@darkmoondelusion 

That building seems sufficiently high. Gwyndolin darts over to the wall, looking back to make sure Selenie is still there, then leaps up and hooks into the brick side with draconic claws. For as much as Seath hated his lack of armored scales for denying him immortality, it was now benefitting the moon god by making him much lighter than most dragons.

Even though it takes him a while, he crawls all the way up to the roof. It reminds him of all the times he looked over balconies in both Anor Londo and Irithyll, imagining the freedom of the sky, desiring it more than anything. To think that he may finally experience it by himself now...

Gwyndolin backs up, swallowing any fear. With a running leap off the building, he spreads his six crystal wings out and catches the wind into a glide.