OCtober 2019 Day 16: Zhaleh & Arman 

Zhaleh, another character from my personal project Trevus (x)

Sacred Grounds of Aferah, for my personal project Trevus (x)

3.

She used to look up in awe at the mural.

Not much still exists above ground in Aferah. But this - a huge mural in one of the rocky formations near the city - was lovingly maintained by the community, even if it meant a colossal effort.

It’s the biggest piece of art in all of Aferah, they say proudly, right before adding, as it should be. Only the biggest and most beautiful things for Aferah the Woman, in all of Aferah The Planet, as it should be.

She was their saviour after all. Their God. Their Protector.

They had survived whatever had caused the Scarring because of her. They didn’t know much, but they knew that.

But in her most bitter moments, she wondered why Aferah had bothered. They were slowly being smothered by the sands. The scorching power of the sun was killing them slowly. Water was more scarce than ever - had it not been for the Tears, and they would have died long ago.

But even that will end one day.

A quick death then, versus a slow death now...was that what Aferah had saved them for?

But Zhaleh was a jaded woman nowadays.

Once, she had looked up in awe at the mural. It’s the biggest piece of art in all of Aferah, they say.

They are wrong.

. Inspired in this.