Atria

We were so young when it happened. He and I were both of wind descent and I had basically known him my entire life. So of course I fell for him, for my best friend.
Seagaze, my sweet love, I dedicate this song and those forever more to come to you…

Seagaze – that’s his name – was the first and only friend I’ve ever had. A little sliver of an imperial; he seemed to have been bred for his chosen occupation. Ever since he was young, he would slip in and out of any river or stream we came across, finding fish for us to feed upon. He was there, remembering my name when no one else would. And they forced us apart.

So… I trained in my profession. Working hard every second I could spare, learning how to serve the deities tooth and claw. I eventually became good at what I do, selected to move from my wind clan to a light clan so heavily tainted by shade that rumors have spread across Sornieth about the beasts that lie in that area of the Hewn City.

After preparing for my trip, I was given an extravagant farewell by the lair that I grew up in. Streamers, confetti, baked pastries, hugs and tears and farewells. Faking a smile and small talk, I scanned the vicinity, flitting from area to area, looking. Found him, bingo.

“Before leaving me again, would you come with me? One last excursion; we can talk about what we’ve missed with one another. No obsession with deities or fish, no distractions. Just us.”

Paraphrasing, of course. But I went with him. Let’s just say I’m incredibly unstable on boats. But goddess, was the view worth it. I don’t recall where we went, but we chatted and laughed and joked as we passed lava that spilled out onto the water, watched sparks of electricity dance in the air, and soon passed into Light territory, where we grew drowsy in the warm glow. With a tender, loving lullaby, I sang my childhood love to sleep."