Flashback Principles Of Nothing

[Xavior Silhouette]

Spring 2nd 502AV Night had descended across the city and the moon cast its light from above the sea. The silver light flashed like fish across the glassy water and shimmered in an unpredictable pattern. The clouds that had concealed the sky most of the day had cleared and allowed a clear view of the stars above. Their light soft but plentiful and seemed to help illuminate the city further. Oil and fire lit by Reimancy burned slowly and flickered a warm, amber, glow in pools that never stood still. Xavior sat in his room and stared at the journal, ink, and writing brush illuminated in the pool of such light. It danced across the wooden surface, window open and allowed the cold air to gently blow into his room. Curtains were open as the moon’s light reflected off the undisturbed, basin, of water. Hands began to open the journal and looked over the text written on the first page. “You didn’t have to do this,” he said to himself. Lips curled into a small smile as he re-read Christy’s note, “but this will help, thank you both.” He turned the page to the first blank page within the journal. He readied the thin brush and loaded it with sweet scented ink. He twirled the tip on the lip of the ink well and created a fine point before he began to write: Spring 2nd 502AV Today was the day I realized that no matter what I do I will never fit in. My cursed form is going to prove to be a great hinderance of my existence, one that I fear may lead to injury or even death. But I am stuck with it, it is what Leth has chosen after all. The path set in front of me by fate is going to be tough but the sooner I learn to live with this, the stronger I’ll be. A thought occurred to me while I was in flight and am glad that I am able to write it down and make it final. How does one become invisible? But what exactly is invisibility? It is obvious to me that physically achieving perfect clandestine appearances is not in the realm of feasibility. But one doesn’t actually have to be transparent in order to not be seen. But then that leaves stealth. While the ink dried, he brought the handle to his chin in thought. Eyes moved toward the window for a moment and looked out at the moon and ocean. Clouds had begun to roll in and gave the light a diffused and soft glow. “I am sorry Leth, but I simply do not think I can live with my body the way things are going now,” he looked back toward his journal. “Though if the moon and sun were in the sky at all times I wouldn’t have to be reminded of my earthly nature,” a hand moved up to brush the hair from his face. Fingertips grazed the base of his antler-like horns and only grumbled, “but that is not feasible either. But what is feasible?” Stealth preys on the idea that what isn’t know can’t possibly hurt or kill a prey. But stealth is only broken when the target becomes aware of the danger in front of them. Could this be the key to invisibility? Everyone has the innate sense that there is danger, but we believe that the danger lurks out there. Away from ourselves, in the forest, but not our neighbors and certainly not the man who flashes a friendly smile as they pass. But why am I saying that who wishes this perfection of stealth has ill intentions? Perhaps I just want to be left alone. Xavior pulled the brush back and sat back. Eyes were drawn to the words that had flowed onto the page, “alone? Isn’t that what I really am when all is said and done?” Xavior sighed and pushed himself away from the simple desk.

[Xavior Silhouette]

He stood and walked to the basin and looked into the cooled water. He could see his face, or at least what he assumed was his face, in the reflection of the water. The moon’s light softened by cloud and fog gave his skin a soft opalescent sheen. Strong cheekbones and an angular face more pronounced as the moon’s light illuminated him. “I see myself yet what I see might not be what others see,” his hands dipped into the water. Water splashed across his face, fingers massaged the smooth and warm flesh and brushed any grime that had fallen on his body. His gaze fell back to the basin and watched his image distort from the drips of water from his face. His breath drew in deep, even, draws as he continued to just think and stare into the water. Though he could not see it, his body’s aurora began to extend toward the water. A voice could only be heard by Xavior, a deep baritone, rich, but coarse called to him. “Say, I love you Leth with all of my heart. Please take me to sanctuary and free my mind in turmoil,” Shadow said. Though such a manifestation of a disembodied voice would normally cause alarm Xavior felt that the voice meant no harm. With his eyes cast toward the basin and an incantation given Xavior lips began to mouth the prayer. While he did the pupils in his eyes dilated as his own djed reflected back toward himself. The hypnotic laced Djed began to sooth his mind and gently guide him to a trance. As he finished the last line his eyes were shut and body remained where it was stood. Though within Xavior’s mind his eyes were still open and watched the basin’s water begin to bubble and boil. Steam rose from its surface as it began to push up toward his hands that gripped the stone. Frozen he didn’t move away from basin nor feel alarm as the heated water moved like snakes up his arm. The clear liquid began to grow white, gold, and more viscous his old clothing being pulled from his body and dissolved. “You should be able to move now Xavior,” a familiar and rough voice spoke and drew Xavior’s gaze away from the basin, “come quick, we have much to discuss.” Xavior turned away from the basin near his window, violet eyes, met the deep blue of Shadow’s. The zith stood in the double door frame and was backlit with a warm, soft light. Xavior noticed the high ceilings of a grand bedroom decorated richly with tapestry, paintings, and sculptures. It was a chamber fit for a king or a god. Shadow had been dressed in a long and layered loincloth of silk and stood out against his black fur. The light cloth tickled the smooth, marble floor as he moved into the room. A fur, segmented, cloak was tied around his neck and sat comfortably over his back but allowed his wings freedom. The fur was a mix of white and gray, possibly a fox, and was accented with gold furniture. Xavior felt under dressed as his form as he knew it was naked. But the water continued to flow over his form and soon began to solidify. A gentle warmth fell on his shoulders as the water merged into the top of a cream colored, silk brocade, robe. Sleeves began to grow along his arms and hung loose from squared shoulders. The cuffs were wide and enveloped his hands, the opening gained a gold silk trim. He felt his torso being covered in fabric as well gold latches held the robe over itself and soon lashed together at his waist. It continued to flow toward his ankles and soon concealed his bare feet. The water slid along the black, marble behind Xavior and spread like a curtain. It looped around his neck and tendrils swiftly latched themselves together. Turned to gold, the rest of the water was made into fabric, a cape to complete his outfit.

[Xavior Silhouette]

“Now that you are properly dressed, we go meet the others?” Shadow said. “The others? What do you mean?” Xavior replied. He began to walk toward the Zith who reached his hand out to place it on Xavior’s lower back. Shadow pushed him out the door with him and walked through the long hallway. Long, wide, arches stood in grandeur. Tapestries lined the wall and depicted various scenes of the cataclysm, the moon, and many other scenes that he did not understand. “You’ll see soon enough,” he replied and led him through an archway that branched off from the main hall. But Xavior noticed a young boy who stood at the end of the hall. Though it appeared the child was laughing he could not hear it. A wooden sword was in hand, body lunged it at nothing, a shadow spar of sorts. But the thing that struck Xavior as odd was the hairstyle seemed to match his own. “Wait, wait Shadow, who is that kid?” Xavior said as the child vanished from his sight. “Him? No time to go into detail, but you can explore that mystery later, you may find him to be quite insightful at a later time,” Shadow continued to lead him toward a door. “This is main hall, we would like to discuss something that you have recently touched on out there.” “Out there?” “Yes, you’re in your mind after all,” Shadow grunted and pushed open the door and revealed a spacious hall with a table sat at the center of it. Xavior’s brow crooked as he looked at the occupants who sat around the table. Faces were unfamiliar and some were even indiscernible, a porcelain mask drawn over their faces. They all stood once he entered the room and turned to face him. “Good evening sir,” they all said in unison. “Uh, hello,” Xavior said meekly. Those who had gathered in the hall murmured amongst themselves before Shadow’s voice boomed. “Give the man a break, this is something he hasn’t done in a long while. Quiet yourselves,” and they did. Shadow turned his attention to Xavior and walked to a chair. “Please sit,” he said. Xavior nodded his head and walked over to the offered chair. He sat in it and made himself comfortable. Though he wasn’t consciously aware of it, but his body within Christy and Evan’s home had done the same and seated itself at the desk once more. But within his mind the others at the table took a seat after he had settled in. “I guess this is some sort of council then?” Xavior looked over at Shadow who nodded. “Okay then, please would you reintroduce yourselves to me?” Shadow spoke up first, “I’ve introduced myself as Shadow and although that is my name I can only remember it by the good grace of Leth and Lhex. But in this room my name is Soul.” Xavior brow furrowed and head tilted at the response. The two masked figures, one in black, the other in white stood. Their masks had the same ornamentation but were reverse of each other much like their dress. A man’s voice boomed from under the black figure’s mask, “my name is Fear and I represent uncertainty, survival, and am the keeper of resolution and evolution.” A woman’s soft voice came from beneath the white figure, “and I am Perseverance, the one that helps you through Fear’s darkness. I also represent ingenuity, cunning, and we both represent wisdom,” the woman’s gloved hand moved to grip Fear’s hand. “Someone has to keep this loud mouth in check after all.”