Daily Writing Challenge ā November 2025 ā Day 5 ā November 13th ā Sunshine/Morbid
{Introducing Aeriāthein Cindersinger, my newest OC.}
Kaliraādiaās voice was like golden sunshine, lightening up any room she was in, lifting Aeriās heart and mood, and charming any man, or woman, that happened to be within earshot of her. When she sang, it was magical, when she laughed⦠Aeriāthein fell in love with her after their first date. She was irresistible, a delicate, bright bird that refused to be caged.
Her hair was like spun copper, glinting in the light like it had embers embedded in it, her eyes were the most beautiful green he had ever seen. Not the Fel green of most of his kin, but a deep, beautiful emerald, and, oh, they were so soft and understanding. She had ivory skin and a spattering of freckles that dusted her nose, cheeks, and the tops of her shoulders. He would learn, later, that they trailed down her back, arms, and legs.
How lucky was he? Every time he looked at her, he was amazed she had chosen him. He seemed to be her opposite in nearly every way; ebony hair, light violet eyes, deeply tanned skin. He was as soft spoken and reserved as she was outspoken and bubbly. But, gods, did he love her. And she loved him, more importantly. When she, and her parents, accepted his offer of marriage, he thought he might actually die from happiness.
Their wedding was held on a gorgeous spring day, the sun as bright as her laughter. He cried when he saw her in her wedding gown, he couldnāt help it, she looked like an angel, her red hair a coppery halo around her beaming face. She was even more beautiful than the flowers she carried, more so than the church they were in, even more wonderous than the day they had been blessed with.
Aeri had never been so happy in his entire life, and they stayed happy for the first ten years of their marriage. They had a daughter, Elizara, and then a few years later a son, Sendanis. They were a mix of them both; Eli had Aeriās black hair, and her motherās emerald eyes. Sendanis had his eyes, and his motherās copper curls. Eli was quiet, while Sen was just as outspoken as Kalira.
Until it wasnāt. Until Arthas and the Scourge. Until nearly all of his people died, his city was razed, and his daughter, his beautiful, bright, solemn baby girl, his first born, was taken by the walking cadavers that lurched through the city.
Everything fell apart after that.
Sendanisā laughter stopped, he grew quiet, brooding, pulled away from Aeri and Kalira. And his wife⦠Well, Kalira couldnāt stand to look at Aeri anymore. She said that every time she looked at him, she saw Eli, and it broke her heart all over again.
Kalira took Sen and left. The divorce papers followed a few months later.
He had never been so sad, so heartbroken, in his entire life as he was when the courier handed him the packet. He begged her to just try to work through it. He begged her to go to therapy with him and Sen, or even alone, but she wouldnāt.
She said that some things just couldnāt be fixed. So he let her go. He still saw Sendanis, every weekend, and during the summer, every other holiday, but it wasnāt the same, it would never be the same.
Kalira remarried, some minor noble that Aeri didnāt know. They ended up having more kids together, a boy, and then a girl. Aeri chose not to meet the kids, his heart couldnāt take it. What if she looked like Elizara? It would break him, again, and he wasnāt sure his heart could handle it.
He threw himself into his work, which Kalira said was morbid, but someone had to bury their dead, and help their families honor the fallen. And besides, the dead didnāt leave him, they didnāt disappoint him, they didnāt tell him some things just couldnāt be fixed.