Li-Li
His pretty words just serve to confuse me further. I’m still reeling from him murdering Galen so I’m not quite in the forgiving mood. Especially, sense he’s the object of all my angst. The reason I’m in this mess. It sounds to me like he wanted to do the right thing the wrong way. If he honestly thought it through he would understand that his ways were counter intuitive. Galen was teaching me. He was actively grooming me for my role. If it wasn't for Zaak murdering Galen I wouldn't have this problem to begin with. I wouldn't have to take over a throne I haven't fully had time to understand. Zaak says he didn't want me to take on this burden so young but he's the very reason why I must. He can't see the forest for the trees.
I have to focus on one thing at a time. So I ignore Zaak for now. It’s time for me to rise, to claim my cracked crown. First though, I need someone who can help me keep an eye on Zaak. He’s ruined enough as is.
I was told to only use this during emergencies. I’m pretty sure my dead dad coming back to kill the other and succeeding, is an emergency. The bastards. Focusing my mind, I hold out my hand palm up, close my eyes, and visualize what I want. As clear as glass, smooth as polished pearl. When I open my eyes two very different but very beautiful small wing symbols float in my open hand. I pick the first set without hesitation. She’s duty driven and will probably provide a calm, critical buffer between Zaak and I. She’s a replica, not the original. The original is impossible to isolate considering she’s woven through the fabric of and is the foundation of her existence. Just like memories of the past make us who we are. The parts make up the completed whole.
Radiant light slashes through the Oasis. I hear the clack of her high heels before I see her. I’m stunned the moment she appears by how much they do and don’t look alike. She has the same waist length white hair, dark skin, and golden eyes but she’s slightly taller and has a slightly slimmer figure. White leather thigh high boots cover her slender legs. Her sheer golden skirt, stitched from starlight barely reaches mid-thigh and has a train that trails a foot in length behind her. The same golden pattern edges her white leather corset that comes down to just above her navel. She also wears a white leather bolero jacket and golden lace fingerless gloves. All of her long thick winter white hair is pulled back away from her face by a lotus flower in full bloom.
Her golden eyes land on Zaak and pass over him without much enthusiasm then she turns her attention back to me. I clear my throat and glance over at my once-again half dying dad. “Not that she needs much introduction but let me present the Mistress of Light, the First Lotus. She’s going to mend you sense I can barely stand to look at you much less let you live. She’ll also be your jailer. You so much as flinch wrong I’ll have her take your head. She’s already done it before so with my help I’m sure you’ll stay deceased.” She stalks forward and starts healing him so he stops bleeding to death. I don’t know how he’s standing. It must be those unusual seals, which reminds me…” How did you do it? How’d you kill Galen?”
Lexianna
I can't help but giggle at Sia's energetic antics. She makes me eager to join her but first...
I take a deep breath. Exhale slowly. I take the rock out and copy Sia's words.
"I lay claim to your light and the power it gifts." Immediately I feel a swell of energy filling me. After feeling so weary, it's like a breath of fresh air. Being mortal takes its toll. It's a wake up call on how much we rely on our separate gifts.
With my power restored, I can already sense the waters around me. The wind whispering, the earth sighing. The hollowness of being cut off from the elements lifting. In answer to Sia's question, I slip into the waters. It’s refreshing to feel reconnected to the area around me. I lean back and float letting the water hold me. “Honestly I’d love to do this all night.” Pity we’re in the middle of a disaster. You could almost forget in this quiet space.
With the knowledge of Sia’s fishing expertise stored in my scythe, I can now gift it to the rest of the village. It would have been a lot more difficult and more tiring if I had to rely solely on my scythe to do so. With barely a thought, I expel her fishing knowledge from my scythe to disperse it through the village. Come sunrise all those able will be seasoned fishers. I propel myself upwards floating above the water to stare down at the starlight speckled river. “Shall we get to work?”