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“I’m renouncing my title.” The day truly started with those words.
This moment in time was tiresome, hectic, the usually peaceful town filled with buzz, anxious whispers, and a looming threat.
The final days were approaching, turning everything upside down in their wake.
Desperate as they were, the Convocation had to find an answer, they had to find a way to save their people. Once lenient to the decisions of nature, to the destruction it brought to other homes, they now contradicted their very ideals for the sake of their beloved abode. After all, who would want to give up their home?
Elidibus had heard Azem whisper this to him before, days after they had saved the town in which they had been able to savor the delicacies the foreign land had to offer. There lied the truth to their convictions, their reasoning behind their desire to go above and beyond. The Traveler knew better than anyone the importance behind a home to return to, a home you’ve gotten used to. They wouldn’t soon allow any to give up on it if there was a way to salvage it. They chose not to stand idly by…
And yet, when it came to their home, just like how they opposed the Convocation’s idleness before, they opposed the Convocation’s movements now.
“Sacrificing our own is akin to sacrificing our home. If that is all we can do to salvage our land, we might as well let it rot.” Azem spoke boldly, their whisper now loud thunder that reverberated throughout the room. Even their friend, Emet-Selch, who was supposed to be used to their sudden outbursts of earnest philosophies, stood from his seat in quiet shock. A voice from the other side of the room opposed Azem.
“You dare speak of Amaurot like this? Of the Convocation? You’ve got a duty to uphold and that is to keep the people safe, your people. You’ve done so before with others who weren’t even your brethren, what is stopping you now?” The Speaker voiced the worries of the others back at the Traveler, who held their ground firmly. Over the mask, it was clear that there was a dormant ember burning, like that of a star about to burst and disappear.
“I dare speak about those who are willing to give their brethren away for the sake of extra time. If we are to receive more time, then we are to receive it with all of us intact. If even one of us is sacrificed, what good would it make?” They paused, glancing over at the smaller member of the Convocation before taking a deep breath. “What kind of brotherhood are we upholding? Even now, even here, you are willing to give up one of yours to bring forth a being we have never witnessed before… All for the sake of time.”
“Azem…” Emet-Selch calls for them, hoping to bring them back to their senses, but they shake their head.
“I’m renouncing my title. This is not what the Convocation should be, this is not what I wish to represent.”
“The nerve… For you to say such a thing, the latest of our own…”
“And now, they’re defecting, without so much as an apology.”
“They spoke their truth.” Elidibus states, stopping the other member’s mumblings. He had noticed Emet-Selch become petrified as he stared at the back of his friend growing farther until the door opened and closed behind them. On the front of their now vacant seat, at the desk, their crystal glowed bright. It caught both Emet-Selch and Elidibus’s eyes. “We must respect their wishes… They’ve respected ours all this time.”
Though he spoke about their decision, Elidibus dared not mention the pang on his chest for the sacrifice he had to make, nor the warmth that enveloped him as he heard their friend’s firm desire not to sacrifice anyone… That’s also what he wished the Convocation would be. All this desperation, he did not want to partake in it… but his sacrifice could usher salvation, it could bring his duty to an end… Maybe, just maybe he could free them of all this suffering, send their message to the very stars, to the universe… Give them more time. That wasn’t so bad, was it?
Why, then, did his body shake? Why did he feel overwhelming pain, fear, loss?
Emet-Selch felt much the same. Seeing his friend leave at such a crucial moment, he could scarcely believe their reasons, even though they laid them bare for all to see. No, there must’ve been something else. Surely, they wouldn’t turn their backs on the only option they had… Another part of him, though, was sure that this meant they were trying to find another option and, though he hoped they could find it, deep down he knew…. There was no time. This was the only thing they could do. Even Hythlodaeus himself had agreed to it, his semblance lost in thought the more the plans of sacrifice were mentioned.
Everything was falling apart. The three friends would soon go their separate ways.
“To think that the calm of the storm would be so painful.” The sky’s hue felt like a quiet weep. The spectating stars dare not show themselves to them today. From afar, they could feel the vibrations of the last bell toll. The end was drawing closer. This artificial peace could only last for so long. Abandoned, as Amaurot had once left the others behind, they were to deal with this hurdle alone. Abandoned, they would have to find a solution, or die trying.
This would be their last test… and they would fail it.
Unity was only paper thin in Amaurot. Though they claimed to work for their people, they would not hesitate to leave some behind if it meant preserving even a fraction of what used to be. Wasn’t that pitiful? Hypocritical? As always, they would try to find a differing solution, but this time, not even Hythlodaeus was there to accept their ideas.
“There’s simply no time, Azem… I’m sorry.” Hythlodaeus claimed, as he had already made up his mind. “I’ll voluntarily give myself for the cause… Hopefully, this will buy you all time.”
“But, Hyth… What about your dream?” Azem asked, feeling the corners of their eyes well up.
“Maybe next time… In another life, if we get the chance. There is nothing I would wish more now than giving you both additional time, you deserve at least that. Maybe, there will be a different answer later.”
It was painful, to see his determination, to be unable to stop him… To be unable to fulfill his desires. Unity was only paper thin in Amaurot, and most had to give it up, whether willing or unwilling.
Just as they had given their back to the Convocation and its crazy idea to sacrifice one of their own, they refused to acknowledge the letter their dear mentor Venat had sent back to them.
“Sacrifice herself ? Is there really no other answer than to destroy ourselves for the sake of Amaurot?” They refused to believe it, glancing at that uncertain sky before letting the letter burst up into specks of light to the ground.
“If there is nothing more I can do… Then, I would see myself rot along with the land.” Placing a hand to their chest, they closed their eyes, the rumbling of the ground announcing yet another strike to come. Soon, the suffering made itself clear, and, slowly, the sky turned fiercely red…
With no stars to shepherd, the Traveler stood immobile in the dark, defiant to the frenetic movements enveloping the once peaceful Amaurot.
“Next time. In another life, we’ll get the chance… I promise, I’ll make that chance manifest. Hyth, Hades, hold on for me. I’ll reach you, no matter how beaten and broken. I’ll find you both. And I’ll fulfill our dreams.”