Flashback The Morning After the Fall

[Elysium]

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The Shinya stared in disbelief. ”They serve Zintila, goddess of the stars…” He sincerely hoped this strange Ethaefal did not plan to interrogate him until sundown. It was just barely noontime and he didn’t have the energy to answer every inquiry of Mizaharian life. Christy mercifully stepped in. ”Right. She’s just an Alvina now – that’s a demi-goddess. The Priesthood is called the Constellation and they serve her absolutely. She lives in the city… In a place called Koten Temple.” Her chestnut eyes gleamed with awakened fervor. ”The Lord of the Moon, the Lady of the Sun and the Goddess of the Stars are all honored here. Tanroa as well – oh, she’s the goddess of Time.”

Christy continued to distract Xavior over the next bell and a half, detailing every known member of the Pantheon. She told him of Ivak and the Valterrian and the death of Sylir, the God of Peace. ”It was a terrible thing,” she explained. ”The Suvan King stripped Queen Kova bare and painted a message in blood on her chest. He hung her up on the gates for everyone to see. Ivak was so enraged that he almost destroyed the whole world.” She sniffed delicately. ”What a love theirs must have been.” The wistfulness in her eyes spoke volumes of passion and regret.

”Anyway, in the process he nearly killed Syna and Leth. Syna saw Zintila fall and she almost rushed to her aid. Leth saw the incoming attack and shielded them both… But it cost them dearly. There was a time where neither the sun nor the moon came out to shine.” Christy looked up at her newfound friend with a frown. ”I’m glad I did not live to see such things come to pass. It’s been five hundred years since the Valterrian and I don’t think the world would care to repeat it.”

The Shinya listened quietly, observing their interactions. The Zith was hungry for information. Then again, he’d be too if he fell from the sky into a strange land. It was no longer even a question of whether or not he was divine. It was more a matter of keeping him safe. With unproven innocence, he’d be subject to attack from unaware Shinya patrolmen. This way, he’d be known by sight.
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[Xavior Silhouette]

Xavior’s long ears were erect and poised toward both speakers. The short answer left Xavior hungry, but as Christy chimed in the Shinyan’s words grew to hold more ground with him.He became engrossed in the knowledge being given to him. Demi-gods, gods, and goddess, each with their own purpose and their own followers. Then the story of what the land used to be began to make Xavior fantasize about what life was like during that time. “Alahea sounds like it was a good place and the Suvan Empire.” Christy’s voice soon faded as Xavior continued to visualize. But as she continued to tell him about Kova and the love shared between Ivak his expression of fondness and child like amusement slowly melted away as the ugliness began to show. Ugliness of man first and then of a god. “Christy,” he interrupted her, “are you to say that this world is caused by a god’s love? All of that strong allegiance and unity dismantled because of a marriage?” He settled back some and pressed his back onto the wall, “a divine shouldn’t interfere with the order that those that aren’t divine fall into. A god should understand the substantial politics of why marriage occurs and most importantly sacrifices must be made to maintain peace. Ivach er Ivac sounds selfish.” His voice was now filled with disdain. The pause in his opinion was out of shock, ”where did that come from?” A short glance toward Christy and at the Shinyan, just to gauge their reaction for a moment before he felt the need to continue, “selfish in the fact that those that worship him and others have been killed, slain, innocent. The movements of man forward I’m sure were interrupted as well. I bet this room wouldn’t be the way it is to this day if the Val, Val, the cataclysm didn’t occur. Stagnation of culture, advances, arts, cut short because of one thing.” He paused and scratched the dreadlocks that adorned his head. A mild look of surprise flashed across his face as the thick locks surprised him. He studied them for a moment as he ran the lock between his fingers, “passion, love. But what is the fate of one compared to the fate of many? Because Kova was put in an unsavory position and was not forthright with the warlord, he acted predictably and it cause civil war. But what is war compared to what you have right now, a broken land with people who live in fear of each other and of gods.” He took a long breath as he discarded the lock of hair over his shoulder as he slid down the wall to sit on the floor. In deep thought, he remained silent. His questions quenched for the time being as a bell seemed to slip through his fingers like the fine, beach, sand through a child’s fingers. His head perked as a thought crossed his mind. “The cataclysm, does that have some cause as to why I was returned back to this world? I’m not here because it was my father’s will, but because of something that this, Ivak, had ignited?”

[Elysium]

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”Hey now!” Christy looked somewhat indignant. She’d listened to his opinion with tact, but seemed increasingly disconcerted. ”Not a one of us can presume the intent of Lhex. As time marches on, I can’t help but feel like this is as it was supposed to be.” Her chastisement was purely maternal and the Shinya smiled in secret. ”It may seem selfish, but love is a beauty and a terror.” She inhaled deeply, preparing her explanation.

”You see, to know love is to understand what it can do. Mortals don’t have anything else to live for. Ivak went mad – literally – from seeing what happened to poor Kova and he destroyed half the world. I don’t think it was right, but I can understand.” She frowned. ”In the end, the gods aren’t so different from the men. The same love that nearly killed us all is the love that saved Syna from her demise. You just have to look at it and understand that to give yourself to someone can have great consequence.”

Her mouth a grim line, she pressed on. ”As for not being forthright, the Suvan King would have hauled her across the coals just the same. He was a terrible man or so I’ve been told. It’s rumored that he’d stand and watch as the passerby ridiculed her and he would laugh. Maybe it’s just that – a rumor… But he too, is to blame. Who would shame someone in such a way?”

The Shinya took this opportunity to interrupt. ”You have much to learn of the world,” he said quietly. ”This life is great and terrible. But it is about purpose. Kova’s purpose was to be shamed and die for her people. Ivak’s was to rage about the land. This fall of yours was predestined, as are all things. Perhaps you should think on your purpose as the sun sets this day. What shall you do with this life you’ve been given?”

Christy nodded.

”When Syna and Leth were struck, a rift was caused in goldenlands. You fell from a hole in the sky.” She sighed. ”If you don’t have a name you can remember, just choose one. I think you fell for a reason and I’m glad you’re here.” To that, she beamed. ”Many people suffer abuses for what they are. But you can use this mortal seeming to an end! You have the power to figure out just what you’re meant to do.”
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[Xavior Silhouette]

Xavior’s ears slightly folded back as he listened to the explanations and views. “Mmm I did not know there was such a god that dictated everything in life.” Xavior rubbed his chin some, “He must have a great sense of humor.” He smiled at his own joke, but continued in his thoughts, “and yet he must have a great plan in store for those who live in the next generations. Am I a part of that plan?” “I can tell you one thing,” he continued with only a slight growl in his tone, “I’m not sure what I would like to do with my life. Perhaps I’m destined to leap from a cliff and into the ocean to allow my soul to drift off the side of this world. Where the sky meets the body of stars, where gods dwell, where I once lived. Or I can choose to remain here and attempt to aid the condemned, find peace, and xavior, tsk, savior.” He corrected himself with a flick of his hands. He turned to look at the sky as began to turn orange, “I would have chosen the former, I had the chance to drown in the ocean.” He paused a moment as time continued to slip by, “had the chance.” He repeated to himself, “Maybe I do have a purpose is there something greatly wrong in this world that needs to be changed?” He briefly turned his gaze back to the Shinyan and Christy, “I do have much to learn I agree. But I would love to rejoin my love in his domain.” He looked down a bit, “But I can wait, this world is becoming more and more promising. But where would I go to learn more about the world...without being killed by those less accepting of the form I manifest when the sun’s rays dominate the land?”

[Elysium]

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”The library,” Christy replied quickly, eyes alight. He would not kill himself. Christy had nothing other than altruism to live for and to protect the celestial being she’d met the previous night… Well, she’d do anything. ”There is a place called the Bharani Library. You should go there by night,” she recommended. ”I wouldn’t really go anywhere during the day if you can help it. But all the buildings and businesses of the city stay open after dark.” This was meant to be cheerful, a happy thought.

”So what should I call you?” She moved to sit next to him. ”I’m pretty sure every Ethaefal picks a name. I met one at the Twilight Tower – he’s a teacher there. There’s another one that works in the Observatory, I think. You’re not alone.” She smiled a magnificent smile, so contagious that even the Shinya could not resist. For a grown woman, Christy Ellis was positively adorable. ”At night, I can take you to the Temple of the Moon.” She gestured to the slowly darkening sky, a subtle gradient of orange and blue. ”The Chandra are the priesthood of Leth and they can provide better counsel than I.”

The Shinya glanced back curiously. The transformation would undoubtedly happen soon. He was more or less interested to see just how a monster could become a man.
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[Xavior Silhouette]

“Why no got with Xavior as my name,” the ethaefal nodded his head. “It sounds nice, even though it was a blondered word.” Xavior focused on Christy’s words and began to feel a slight tingle, perhaps of excitement. What he felt was foreign to his body. “I would enjoy to meet other’s like me Christy, thank you. This library though, I’m familiar with the term but am sure of its meaning. The priesthood, I’m particularly fascinated in. I hmm.” That strange tingle seemed to grow as the sun descended beyond the horizon. Xavior speech became broken as if he couldn’t hold a thought, distracted by images that he could only see. Christy’s mouth moved but Xavior’s ears couldn’t pick up a sound. “Why can’t I hear her, and what is that. A string of light, and another! Do they not see it?” Xavior’s eyes looked back and forth between the Shinya and Christy. Both sets of eyes stared at him as the bright glow of the strands that connected the Shinya master to Christy and other objects around. More of the web-like strands appeared and temporarily blinded Xavior’s vision. He was not frightened however, instead the light seemed to be as commonplace as wind. The sight that greeted those who watched Xavior’s body was a rare sight. The wings of the zith’s form seemed to grow cracks like thin stone. The fur grew rigid and brittle susceptible to the even the slightest of breezes. A chain reaction seemed to happen as the upper most strands of fur broke off and cascaded down to other pieces of fur. Each light touch caused the earth bound form peel away like a fragile eggshell. Each clump turned to dust that shimmered in the moon rays that seemed to pierce even through walls. The dust so fine, it flowed like water as the tips of Xavior’s antler like horns were revealed. Like a whale that breaches from the ocean, Xavior’s true form was slowly revealed. The violet, glassy, antler-like, horns stretched almost to the ceiling as his body seemed to grow taller than the earthly form. The fair skin of his body seemed to retain some of the shimmer from the glittery ash continued to flow down toward his feet. Hair, white as the snow that had fallen overnight, settled over his ears clean and fresh. The flow of the earthly form never touched the ground as it fell from his body. It only swirled like a fog just above the ground before it quickly faded to nothingness. The process only took seconds, even though to Xavior it felt like a year as he remembered details of what had took place the night prior. ”They are gone now, those strands.” With curiosity in his tone, “did you see those strange blue lights? They were so bright.” Of course his question would seem nonsensical, even with that pleasant tone in his voice. A deep rumble, masculine and commanding, there was no longer hints of uncertainty. It was almost as if Xavior had become balanced, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. “They were like yarn tied to everything around, it was beautiful.” He chuckled and scratched the back of his head, before his piercing violet eyes seemed to look over the Shinya. “And there you have it sir, you get to see an Ethaefal.” There was a warm smile that played across his face, a jovial hint in his delivery. “Thank you for being here with me Christy,” Xavior kneeled some and gave Christy a tight hug, “I really mean it. I didn’t mean what I had said earlier. All is well now, right?” He directed his gaze back toward the Shinya.

[Elysium]

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”Xavior,” Christy mused, testing the word aloud. She nodded slightly, as if in agreement. ”Even blunders can be beautiful.” After all, the man himself was a blunder – ripped from the heavens, cast into the unforgiving sea… But before they could go any further, the final sliver of sunlight sank below the horizon, a flaxen moon rising slowly to take its place. Both the Shinya and the woman gave a simultaneous gasp as the Zith made his splendid transformation. It was as if the moon itself wove a web of light about him, turning his previous mortality to dust.

Though he spoke, they could not hear the words. It was only after, when his crown of horns glittered against the turquoise sky that he was audible, saying something about strands of light. Both individuals were completely dumbfounded. Even more so for Christy, swept up in the astonishing man’s embrace. It took a moment for her to reciprocate, still amazed at his unearthly beauty and grace. He smelled of sweet soil and wildflowers… Perhaps from when he fell? Closing her eyes, she relished the moment. Her heart beat faster.

”All is well,” the Shinya said lightly. ”You are free to go. I will send word that you’re not an enemy, but hear this. Do not travel often during the day. It will be difficult to conceal yourself and while I can convince my brethren to let you be, with common folk I cannot. Many men and women have lost children to the Zith, here in Lhavit. It is entirely possible that your presence could ignite a full-scale mob. Discretion is the better part of valor.” He winked.

”Finally, if you wish to do this place a service… Go commune with Leth. Perhaps he will have the answers that you seek.” Christy pulled from his arms as if to inspect him. ”I can go with you,” she offered, brushing a strand of hair from his face. ”If you’d like, that is. Even is likely expecting me back.” Slightly crestfallen, she frowned.

”He’ll be happy to hear you’re alright…”
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[Xavior Silhouette]

There was a long moments pause before the soft facial features curled into a warm smile. No longer was their a hunch of hostility in his posture, gone were the bestial glares once cast toward the Shinya and even toward Christy. In the room the tension seemed to dissolve as a more comforting aurora filled the space as the Zith vanished. Xavior stretched his arms above his head, which he had to fold delicately across the ceiling. "Mmm I'll be sure to make my interactions during the day limited," his body settled out as he stepped closer to Christy and even placed his hand on her shoulder. He chuckled lightly, "it is funny though. During the night a time full of shadow, intrigue, and for some fear, we cling to our lanterns to reveal what is hidden." Xavior began to massage Christy's shoulders in thanks, "but when the sun is high in the sky we forget about our lanterns that we cherished in the dark. It is only when we encounter the dark once more that we regain the appreciation of the lantern left behind. I just hope we all never forget our lanterns and the light it brings in our life." Xavior's hands settled on Christy as his eyes brightened some at the suggestion, "that is a wonderful idea." His chin lowered as he looked down at Christy, "now that is a choice I have no say in. You've spent your entire day with me in this cell of confirmation and solace I couldn't dare insist that you come with me for the night as well." He smiled with a gentle smirk and brought his hands to the sides of her frowned lips, "you look silly when you frown." He chuckled to himself and let her head free from his grasp, "smile and tell him the good news."