BLINDING &. RADIANT!

❝ my dear friend, my successor as azem. to you, i entrust the future. it is time that you wake, for the never-ending journey calls for you. walk free, &. bear the light for others to follow, as you've ever done. title of azem shed centuries ago; now, you must become the warrior of light. ❞

THE SCIONS.

she gives it a moment, ... then another, ... until she finally turns toward him, this time, with a slight furrow to her brow. ❝ something is bothering you, is it not? ❞ a question without being one. it is a statement that she knows, but still, with all of that grace within her that foes have mistaken for a lack of violence co-existing aside it, she allows room for denial anyway.

the thirstless shore is no la noscean beach but even now in the dead of night, it serves its intended purpose. both sarastus and the rest of the scions know that should he ever be missing during a restless night, z'mhati has gone to seek solace in the wild. sarastus tracks him easily, and not just because there are crystarium guards around to ask. mhati stands on the bleach - white sands at the end of a slow trail away from the imperative, cold waves lapping at his feet, and he welcomes her with a brief smile. he's ever only this quiet when something's on his mind, and of course sarastus is quick to ascertain that too. she turns to question him after a silent look skyward; for once, he can't bring himself to meet her radiant gaze, a beacon in the dark.

instead he pretends to adjust the sling of his boots over his shoulder. the habit to hide doesn't discriminate. yes, it's a beautiful sky ... and yes, something is bothering him. " y'know, i don't mean t' argue the way i do, " he says. it's seemingly apropos of nothing, but he's sure sarastus has heard about the last and most recent spat with the exarch, " but so much about this gets my hackles up and i ain't ever kept quiet about what bothers me. "

the waves retreat and then return, and the chill encourages him to speak. mhati's tired, and not because of a lack of sleep. " i've already gone through this. i showed up at cartenau, i did my part against the empire because it's what i had to do, and when the dust settled i was a memory. i wasn't even a name without a face, i was a title. warrior of light. 'n somehow, i survived t' see myself go from flesh and blood t' tale and recollection. i can't remember the number of times i wanted to speak up and say that was me, that i left the plains with my brother's body, whenever i heard mention of it all. but i never did. i didn't want thanks, i just ... "

mhati can't say it doesn't matter to him to go unacknowledged. he straddles the line between humility and selfishness: whenever he helps, he wants the world to know he was there. there's nothing worse than being a shapeless memory, with voids for eye sockets where the soul ought to be.

" i don't want that to happen t' you. you might be fine with that, you might say that it's fine 's long as you helped but legends always start with someone. and that deserves preservin' as much as the deeds themselves. " though he's turned his gaze to sarastus at last, it doesn't last long; he stares down at the sand. " that's all it is. "

I KNOW ; IT IS THE SENTENCE THAT BREWS ATOP HER TONGUE! she knows, that the way words have spilled from his lips toward the g'raha, the exarch, ... golden heart beats against her chest, the weight of worlds colliding. it aches, yet, it is not her place to stand in-between it, not unless teeth dig in too deep. her own past has woven it to her ; that to aid, to be there for others, does not always mean to stand as a shield, nor the sword ... sometimes, it is enough to simply be there. &. so, she shall remain, as long as her lungs draw breath. they have done so defiantly, across space &. time.

she also knows, just who he is as a person. never could she imagine the man standing beside her to remain silent, when he senses something wrong. never could she imagine him remaining motionless, not taking a step ahead in defiance of fate. that is who he is, she knows.

so, it is voiced, ❝ i know. ❞ angelic melody, edges smooth &. refined. she glances ahead toward the waves, their gentle lullaby. ( you know now what is 'neath dark waters, hero. home recalled, remade. a ghost-town bestowed to your shoulders, now. )

SO, THE CHAMPION OF THE STAR STAYS ; STEADY AS THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE SUN WILL RISE AGAIN, EVEN WHEN THE FIRST LIGHT FLICKERS WHEN IT CO-EXISTS WITH THE DARKNESS! because m'hati speaks further ... a story of his that she has heard pieces of he has trusted with her enough. not all in order, not all at once, but slowly, the brush paints a fuller picture. &. so, it does now again. ethereal golds turn their attention away from the waves &. the stars glimmering above, focus poured upon his features, even when his attention remained ahead ... in memory.

perhaps it was easier for him if she would look away, as well, ... but she can not bring herself to do such. not with the depth in those seas of gold, the solemness deep.

but what makes her expression shift, the slightest thing ; lush lips parting ajar, just barely, ... brows furrowing in a mark found, when he speaks that he does not wish that to happen to her. knowing her, the added part of how she might be fine with that, she might say it is fine as long as she has helped, but that legends start with someone, &. that deserves preserving as much as the deeds themselves.

the way those words land with their effect is visible for him to witness upon those ethereal features underneath cold &. pure light, before she is left to watch how the sand draws his attention. a statement that carries so much weight, so much history ... she feels it as if was physical. so too, does the warrior of light turn her attention downwards, golden heart heavy. ❝ i am sorry. ❞ the words come out, steady, even in their softness. not hesitant, never that. the knowledge, that part of the aggravation in him that poured toward the exarch, though not only because of fate tugged at her strings, but at least to be a part of the cause ... it remains within. precious thing, even with its heaviness. ❝ you did deserve thanks for all that you did, ❞ a pause, ❝ you do. the source would not be where it is, had it not been for your deeds. ❞

that, she allows to exist there on its own. it deserves to be heard, it deserves to carry the weight of the truth in it. she knows he said he did not want thanks for his deeds, but by his words, deeds of something legendary deserve to be preserved.

❝ i wish that you would not worry for my sake, ❞ she speaks only well after, attention not upon him, but in the stretch of the horizon once more. however, there is a spark of humor upon her expression, although slight, ❝ your observations are never lacking, ❞ &. then, it fades toward the steadiest part. ❝ for i am exactly of the mind you worded me to be. ❞ she was prepared to wilt away to corrupted light, even when the suspicion of what it might do to her had reached her ears, before it was theorized aloud by y'sthola. she had given her all for the realm of first she knew nothing of in the beginning. she has always been ready to lay down her life, if it saves others, if it saves the star. she has been the monstrous instrument of destruction, a burning sun. one day, the brightest star will burn out.

❝ it is a beautiful thought, that those deeds could carry on somewhere, ❞ the sentence scrapes her throat, when it compares to all that has unraveled just in the passing days.

the truth of herself, of this long lifeline. the truth, that she now carries the burden of remembering. the fact that now, she is among those very few who remembers what came before.

"of course they will." the sky above elpis softens into amaranthine twilight, gold surrendering at last to violet as the first stars begin their patient vigil. hythlodaeus lies beside @sarastuss in the grass, all careless sprawl and lazy elegance as he watches their kindling, one by one, pretending, however briefly, that neither of them has anywhere else to be. for now, they allow themselves the fiction of solitude, despite the near certainty that hades will soon materialize out of sheer irritation alone, as always. a prospect they would not willingly trade for any other.

THE PROMISE REMAINS ; &. SO IT SHALL, AS LONG AS THEY DRAW BREATH! that was the the core of it after all, was it not? ... to return, together. she finds solace in that, to know that even as now, whenever should she call upon them, her dearest of friends would answer ... but to know, that when one day, each of them have seen their duties full-filled, their hearts content ... they will face what follows, all three of them together. another adventure, always waiting!

but now, there is comfort of resting against the soft grass, in this peaceful solitude they have found. wind barely teases the flora around, but its faint whisper can still be heard every now &. then. she hums in acknowledgement &. the very same amusement then, upon his statement of that the sun, moon &. stars are good at that, remaining. even when everything else insists upon changing.

THOSE GLOWING GOLDS FOCUS UPON THE SKY AS WELL ; WARM LIGHT COMPETING WITH COLD ONE. one hand is underneath her head, the other over her chest, resting loosely, fingertips just faintly touching the edges of black mask, with the golden details.

but then, he spoke out the other part ; how it must be comforting to be so confidently awaited, &. the added factor that she who holds the seat of Azem must have grown used to that.

her head tilts then, aureate gaze focues upon him, &. there is a playful expression that decorates her features, bare for him too see. for there was no need to conceal, not here. not between them. ( &. besides, have you ever not been the one to not care for strict laws? ) ❝ now, you say that as if i assume every time i am away, you and hades look longingly into the distance and wait for my return. ❞ she jests, her expression radiant with it. but there is a steadier current underneath ; the fact, that there is truth in his statement ... for she knows. again, the solace in this ever changing world, was that she knew she had someone to return to ; a home, that was not forged of four-walls, but by presences. her head tilts toward the skies again, looking upwards towards the stars, their cold &. pure light shining down upon them, waiting for the moment hades would eventually appear, reluctant as he might dress it as initially.

she speaks then of others, companions scattered across distant lands, names and places that drift by him like smoke. none stirs recognition. and though, he keeps composure ... frustration pulls at him. to know so little, to hold nothing but skill and instinct, and name alone. clive's gaze lowers briefly. ❝ i would settle for no less, my la — sarastus.  ❞ he catches himself, the correction immediate.

the wandering stranger shifts carefully again, angling himself to grant her better reach, despite the discomfort it brings. clive's jaw tightens, teeth grazing the inside of his cheek. her touch, it is light, barely there, just fingertips upon the warmth of his skin. an unnatural heat emits from clive, almost like when one's too close to a furnace, or open flame.

before radiant light blooms from her palm, spilling across his wound like dawn over darkened ground. clive's breath stills, his eyes widening by a touch, as the flesh knits itself whole beneath her touch, the cut by coeurl is sealed, without so much as a scar to remember by. only the blood remains, and ruined fabric. cobalt eyes lift, lips parting in his surprise.

A LIGHTHEARTED CURVE DECORATES HER LIPS ; TO WITNESS HIS EXPRESSION, THE STATEMENT THAT FOLLOWED WAS ENOUGH TO DRAW SUCH AN EXPRESSION FORTH UPON ETHEREAL FEATURES! more so, it is because of the relief of the aid she could bring ... to witness clive press his hand lightly against his side, &. when she witnesses no wince, no sign that pain lingers? golden heart eases. there is gratitude embedded into her expression as well, for his words bring forth a steady warmth with each beat against her ribcage.

then, humor spills more brightly ; an audible flow of melody, amusement exhaled with a soft sound as her head dips briefly with it, before golden eyes find cobalt once more. ❝ i am afraid that is a talent i can not even call myself adequate in, ❞ the admission comes forged with the same lighthearted humor. it is followed by a warm smile, &. another true statement, ❝ but give one word to my friend tataru that you are in need aid with tailoring, she will follow through, and then, proceed to go beyond your expectations. ❞

that is the beauty of it all ; the way that in this world, everyone has their talents, ways they can aid ... things that have a greater effect than imagined, even if it would feel small compared to deeds of others. &. that is why, the champion of the star feels as strongly as she does about the fact that because of every helping hand along the way, that is why she, &. others, can push forward. to forge ahead.

another exhale, akin to a huff that is just as warm as the initial one, ❝ before you know it, you would have a whole new look made to suit you perfectly. ❞

THERE IS A SLIGHT SHIFT THEN ; LIGHTHEARTED FLOW FORMING INTO SOMETHING STEADIER AGAIN, SOMETHING QUIETER. it happened, when he voiced that he was better, thanks to her efforts ... that she, upon his words, was quite extraordinary. if watched upon, the shift is there, in oceans of gold. within herself, there is that shift as well ... new, &. yet, familiar. then, perhaps it is a saving grace before the sensation glows brighter in her eyes, he asks where she learned such a talent.

but first, her smile ; smaller, this time, but no less warm, ... more steady, more true with the depths of it, acknowledges what came first. ❝ you are kind to say so, ❞ gratitude spills true, not that a tongue of hers nor eyes like hers could ever truly forge lies. a blessing where it can be a curse all the same. ❝ as to how i acquired such a skill, ❞ centuries flicker inside her mind, the kind, guiding voice echoes within. a sense of longing comes forth within, alternating once more the look of golden hues ; not a place to belong to anymore, no longer a voice she can reach out for. instead, there is a graveyard, ... but even so, flowers bloom upon the mounds. for the story forges on.

❝ i once had a mentor, who taught me. ❞ those radiantly melancholy eyes speak with warmth ; of the person who was simply venat, ... a friend, a mentor, a guide. not hydaelyn, not the divine thing that set course for all that has come forth. just her, the person before it, the person sarastus always knew her first as. the warrior of light remains knelt slightly to the side of him, next to the bed, ❝ she was one of the most skilled people i knew. to this day, i admire her greatly, and have a lot to thank her for. ❞