Topaz

Chased the light.

Topaz saw the light once as a child, after getting lost in the caves. Somehow sunlight had been reflected down, so far down, and she saw it reflected off a pool. It hurt her eyes at first, having lived in darkness all her life, but after they adjusted to the faint shimmering she was transfixed. The patterns dancing off the walls, the way it shone off her crystal scales. She loved every second. It was hours before her parents found her, but she was still by that pool, watching the light. When she asked what it was, her father cast her a stern look and told her it was something she would hopefully never see again. At that time she didn't understand, but growing up she realized how afraid her family seemed to be of the light. But that time is had seem so calm, so happy.

So one day she decided to search for that pool again. It took months, but eventually she did. Her heart leapt when she saw it, like an old friend. Laughing as she did as a child she swirled the surface of the water and danced in the patterns the light made as it was reflected.

Then she started her ascent. It was a long and difficult journey, but she never gave up. Not even for one second. Every time she turned a corner and found the light brighter, the air warmer, her heart leapt with joy.

Topaz now lives her life above the surface, basking in the sun. She sometimes wonders if she could go back and convince others the sun isn't bad, but... she didn't really want to go back to the cold, dark place of the underground.