Third Tether of Lunareth, Tidelday, 120th Cycle of Threads
The Deep Night stretched its dark veil across the heavens, the stars scattered like memories, and the moon glowed with solemn purpose. A few more breaths and Solus would lend us the sun for the First Light — the day the love of my life died sacrificing his own for the future of what is now the fallen kingdom.
"It had been 17 Cycles. Thanks to you, the moon still chases the sun." I sighed, talking as if Kael is still here. I, myself, have been through 20 Cycles, each one as meaningful as the moons that passed. "You would've reached your 20th Cycle by now. But what can I do?" I talked to the darkness by my window.
It felt like countless beats had passed and the first ray of the sun finally penetrated my window. After a moment of silence, I heard a voice called out softly by my bedroom door.
"Admnagr…"
I turned to look, and it was Amara, my grandchild. She has these beautiful beady eyes, long silky hair, and she's just like a ball of sunshine — it's like Solus himself carved her. She climbed onto my bed and gave me a gentle hug. "Admnagr? Why won't you visit us in Regalis?" cried out her tiny voice. "I am too old, sweetheart…" I simply said and embraced her in as well. Somehow, she accepted my reasoning and hopped out of my bed. She then uttered, "But we'll still go around Sanctara, right?" She continued to beam at me, remembering the promise I made her a few Moons back. I nodded my head in agreement, and, in turn, she yelped and went downstairs as I followed soon after.
The morning light extends itself throughout the kitchen where Elia, my daughter, cooks. I smiled seeing the daughter I raised by myself. "That smells good," I finally uttered as I placed silverware on the table. I remember the time when Kael and I used to live together in Primorion; he'd cook for me and pamper me whenever possible, especially during his days off when he's not in the capital protecting the entrance to the Heart. Amara sat on the dining chair, swinging her tiny feet in excitement. Finally, the aroma of the sun-kissed stew reached my sense of smell. As Elia finished serving our food, she sat down and prayed before we ate.
"Solus,
Keeper of heavens,
Bless this meal before us,
Grant us strength in your light.
Under Solus, we rest."
"Mama! Come on, faster!" Amara's squeaky voice echoed through the walls of the house as Elia finished washing the last dishes. After a few beats, we're finally heading to the capital city, Mediora. Throughout the ride, Amara continued to babble about her first experience riding the Aeropharion as well as the things she knew about the vehicle that may or may not be true. But at last, we're finally here. Mediora bustled with life, the majestic Sanctum Solis towering above, its intricate carvings proclaiming the capital's glory. Throughout the whole city lies small colorful market stalls that came all the way from Adnexa. The smell of the spices and street foods lingered in the air, inviting Sanctarans and tourists alike. Aeropharions hover over our heads, the wind humming in return, heading towards the neighboring cities of Mediora. And people from the other three kingdoms are also present to pay their respects for the fallen soldiers.
"So, when is Aedric visiting me, Elia? It seems like countless moons have already passed and yet, his promise is once again hammered on the wall."
"You know how busy the councils are, Ma." Once again, before I got another word, she abruptly dismissed the topic. Her voice was also dismissive, obviously getting tired of my pestering.
"I know the councils are busy, dear, he is the Senator of Justice after all. But there are no new laws being made or passed for quite some time. I get that he's doing his duty for the kingdom, but what about his family?" I continued still. The question seems to sink deep inside Elia, but I never questioned it further as we walked along the pavement to the Sanctum Solis. "Admnagr, can I bring the offering?" Amara broke the silence, and her mother gave her a bouquet of moonblossoms to give at the altar. We heard her utter a little prayer before she came back running towards us.
"I'll head over to the market first before going back. Are you going home, Ma?" Elia asked, seeing me spaced out she waved her hand sightly in front of my face.
"Oh, no I'm… I'll head somewhere first." I hugged her goodbye and went in the other direction.
"What should we cook for dinner, Amara? A-Amara? Where are you, Amara?"
And here I am, at the border near the Ashen Expanse, holding a single moonblossom in my hand. "I'm back, my love." I said, trying not to cry. Happy memories came flooding back despite our short-lived fairy tale. The fog, veiling the barren ruins, pulls me back 17 Cycles ago to when I held him in my arms as I cry bitter tears, begging him to come back. I tore off the petals from its stem and let them fly towards the Ashen Expanse.
I remembered the promises we made back then; how we'll live in the capital once we have our child, and how we'll raise them with the Erythra culture we've grown to love. "At least I get to keep one of our promises. Have you seen our beautiful child, Kael? She's finally had her own kin as well." I smiled, looking up at the distance ashy terrain.
"Solus,
Please keep my lover safe in the afterlife.
And keep us, his family, away from harm.
May the ages bear witness."
I quietly recited a short prayer.
As I turned around to leave, the figure of a girl bumped onto me. "Amara? Why are you here? Your mother will worry." I exclaimed, wondering why she's here. Did she follow me? I wanted to ask her questions, but she wasn't listening. She kept staring into the distance, like she's seen someone, so I also looked. "What are you looking at, dear?" I asked worried.
"Admnagr?" Amara's voice trembled, her small hand clinging tightly onto mine. "There's… a boy. Over there, past the border." She pointed to a distance, her eyes frightened — like she's witnessing something she's not meant to see. This is very uncharacteristic of her. Usually, she'd react loudly before she tells us what's wrong. "But" I finally turned again to look. The thick fog lay still, shrouding the barren expanse. "There's no one there, sweetheart. Maybe we should go back, Amara. You shouldn't have followed me." I led her back to the market where we found Elia in hysterics near the Luminaris Guards' post.
"Is that her?" One of the guards pointed in our direction, and she came running towards us. "Where did you go? I was looking all over for you! Ma, you could've told me you're bringing her with you. I was worried sick! Oh, thank Solus!" She hugged both of us as I kept explaining that she followed me near the border of Ashen Expanse, but it fell only on deaf ears.
The ride back to my home was silent. Amara was sleeping, and both me and Elia found a comfortable silence. I kept thinking about that kid Amara talked about. It's impossible to cross that border, let alone for a kid. Even as the Deep Night returned, sleep eluded me. That boy, if he existed, was impossible. But Amara's fear lingered in my mind, like a shadow in the fog, and I couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something far greater than us.