Saivix

Naomi -->Willow-->Saivax




‘-lo?’

An inaudible whisper in her ear, a shadow at the edge of her eye.

Salix turned her head slowly, focusing on the air in front of her.

‘Hello?’ She called, reaching out to touch nothing.

She frowned, pulled her hand back, but reached out again.

No, there was something there.

Somebody.

There was somebody who wasn’t in the middle of Anphal’s open plaza.

She growled, narrowing her eyes at the air and waved at her nameless Ignis to come stand beside her. He obeyed, amused.

‘There. Right there.’ She gestured to the spot in front of herself. ‘Do you sense it?’

The Imperial nodded, mouth a flippant smile. Damn man didn’t take these things seriously! Just lounged around, pleased to coast on the reputation of his bloodline.

She growled and grabbed the back of his head roughly. ‘Focus!’ She shook his head, ignoring his annoyed protests. ‘Look. Listen.’

‘Pffgh! For what?!’ He asked, attempting to pry her hand from his dark hair.

‘A person.’ She tightened her grip.

‘There’s nothing there!’ He turned a dark eye on her. ‘You’re imagining things, Voidborn!’

Such an attitude for a still nameless ingrate!

‘Mother Willow give me strength to not slap this man!’ She hissed and forced his head forwards. ‘Focus! Or I’ll get to see how Wicked feels about one of her sons being turned into a fae!’

The black haired Ignis stilled and squared his shoulders, attention focused on the space ahead. ‘What am I supposed to see? Hear?’

‘An echo.’

‘Of. What.’

‘Of somebody saying “hello”.’

The Ignis tilted his head downwards a bit, eyes narrowing a fraction. Minutes trailed past them as they stood there, staring at the air. People passed them and gave them confused looks as they went.

‘A child.’ The imperial said finally. ‘It’s a girl. She’s lost and very confused.’

It was her hidden brother’s child, her magic told her.

‘She’s come very far.’ Salix reached out her other hand, the Ignis mirroring her move. ‘Strong girl, very brave.’

Had he sent her here? Why?

‘Tenacious.’ Her partner replied as they grasped the space. ‘Good start. Existing is about will.’

‘Enforce her form and set rules.’ Salix continued while the space in front of them rippled and crackled with power.

Maybe it was a flex? Or an apology?

‘Hello?’ A small voice echoed in the plaza. ‘Hello?’

‘Give her a name…’ The Imperial said, watching lines being drawn in space. ‘She has to have a name.’

Letters with mangled versions of her name flashed in her mind.

‘Saiv…ix.’ She said slowly as her mind’s eye focused on one name. ‘Saivix. Your name is Saivix.’

The entire plaza shook as reality was warped. A girl with red eyes and dark skin snapped into view.

The little one looked like her father. Same wild hair.

Saivix blinked several times, looking at their hands holding her shoulders.

‘Hello…’ She said, eyes wide with joy as she suddenly moved towards them and wrapped her arms around Salix's waist. ‘Hello!’

‘Lucky you had a name ready…’ The Ignis smiled down at the girl.

‘What’s your name?’ The little one asked brightly, not noticing the embarrassment that flashed over the Ignis’ face.

‘Um...I-’ His expression faulted a bit. ‘I’m…’

‘Lokhan.’ Salix said, losing the grip she had on his hair. ‘His name is Lokhan.’

The Ignis’ head snapped over to her, eyes just as wide as Saivix’s.

Salix smirked, ruffling his hair. ‘Now. We should introduce you to Vuundaris.’ She said to Saivix and picked her up. ‘She’ll be so pleased to meet you.’

‘Um…’ Lokhan started shakily while she moved away, followed by several of her curious relatives. ‘She’s sure to ask who her parents are…?’

‘Oh, that’s easy.’ Salix waved at him. ‘It’s me and you. Come on then!’

Lokhan made a sputtering noise, a small smile lighting up his face as he hurried after her.

She never was quite sure why her hidden sibling decided to poke her that day. Was the girl a display of power? An apology for the attack? Was he hoping she would settle for one of his children? Let it go?

She would not.