As Luminary of his Cycle, Dusk, Kahedins always tended to the newly awakened first, calming them of their emotions after being overwhelmed by the world around them. As such, the light green skin Sylvari had thought he had seen it all, from jaw dropped amazed to over excited newly awakened running over the edges of the bridge connected to his home, only to be tended by him later. So he did not expect a cry of sorrow and anguish echo throughout the Garden of Dusk, causing him to snap his attention away from the lesson he was giving to a group of newly awakened.

Staring confused from the doorway of his home, Kahedins turned his light colored eyes to a nearby mentor, signaling to take his place before quickly exiting and making down the small bridge that connected to his pod.

The cries still echoing throughout the Grove, the Luminary quickly made his way through the crowd of citizens of the Grove, eventually making it to patch of high reeds behind another pod, having already gathered a large group of curious eyes.

"Excuse me," Kahedins apologized as he pushed his way through the assembling crowd, coming to a pause in front of the reeds, listening to the cries emitting behind it, "Hello?"

A pause was the Luminaries reply, leaving a stilled silence in the air.

"Hello?"

Though hesitant and questioning, Kahedins released a sigh of relief. It was a sign that not only was the Sylvari was a newly awakened, but also meant that he shall do no harm if given the right words and from the tone of his voice, the Dusk Luminary could make out the Sapling was male, "Are you alright sapling? Do you need aid?"

Another pause, causing Kahedins to shift uncomfortable as he waited for a response, only to receive another sob, "Sapling, shhh, tell me what is wrong. Perhaps I could be of help."

"Where are you?" the Sapling called out, "I cannot see you."

"I am right here, just behind the reeds," Kahedins replied, "come out and I could give you the aid you need."

A sob could be heard, "What reeds? I see nothing but of darkness."

"Darkness?" Kahedins repeated, a puzzled expression fading onto his features before he took a step forward, brushing the reeds aside.

Almost immediately, Kahedins caught sight of pale green eyes glancing towards him within the darkness and the Luminary could hear the sound of the Sapling shuffling away from the Firstborn.

"No, no, I will not harm you," Kahedins held out a hand, a sign of peace, "come here, and take my hand."

Pale green eyes blinked several times, "Hand? What hand?"

Kahedins features once again turned puzzled, "It is right here, can you not see it?"

Another pause came from the sapling, "No, all I see is darkness. I…I am alone."

"No, you are not alone," Kahedins comforted, releasing a gentle smile as he took several steps towards the sapling, his eyes having adjusted to the darkness to see the small form huddled in the corner, "I am right here, and there are others who are willing to aid you, Sapling."

Pale green eyes turned towards Kahedins, "Then…why cannot I see you?"

Confusion taking a hold of his mind, the Luminary of Dusk once again held out his hand, "Come Sapling, raise out your hand and I shall lead you out of there."

Hesitation could be seen in the glowing pale eyes however, a frail hand came out of the shadows, pale ash patterned against dark green bark. Seeing this, Kahedins gently wrapped his fingers around the young Sapling's, slowly pulling onto his feet, leading him into open view.

The sapling was small, smaller than Kahedins with dark green bark patterned with pale ash and pale green eyes streaked with tears before the Sapling used the back of his hand to wipe them away. Black ferns grew in awkward angles upon the young Sapling's head, a style that Kahedins could compare with. Newly awakened, the Sapling was exposed, naked, however, seemed ignorant of this as he huddled closer to the Luminary, clinging onto his arm like as though his life depended on it.

"There is nothing to fear, Sapling," Kahedins comforted as the assembled crowd started whispering, "You're amongst friends here."

Keeping his eyes upon the ground, the Sapling responded, "Then why cannot see them?"

A sheepish smile flashed onto Kahedin's features, "Then perhaps you should take your eyes off the ground, Sapling."

Immediately, a blush bloomed onto the saplings dark features, however, he murmured, "What-What ground? All I see is darkness. Pitch black."

Puzzled once more, Kahedins' eyes slowly went wide as it slowly dawned upon him, "Sapling, look up at me."

Confused, the Sapling looked up, his eyes gazing upwards towards the sky, earning himself a few giggles from the crowd.

Concern flashing over his features, Kahedins slowly used his free arm to tilt the Sapling's head in the right direction, making eye contact, "Can you not see me, Sapling?"

Pausing for a moment, tears brimmed in the newly awakened Sylvari's eyes, "No, I cannot."

With that, he broke down into tears.

Xxxxx

After giving him a fresh bundle of clothes to dress himself, Kahedins brought the Sapling to his personal pod, letting the newly awakened sit upon his bed as the Luminary examined his eyes. Seeing the Sapling's eyes dull colored and somewhat lifeless, the Luminary performed a series of tests, from the simple questions of if he can see his face or the objects around his home before asking him to follow his hand from any direction. As he expected, all the Sapling could do was stare puzzled before breaking down again. It was just moments ago that Kahedins calmed the Sapling down enough to let him rest, lulling him back into the Dream to contemplate on the situation.

Watching the Sapling sleep in his loft, Kahedins sighed as he leaned against the wall of his home, leaning his head back and closing his eyes, as if attempted to gain rest of his own.

"Having trouble with this one, Kahedins?"

Releasing a short cry, the Luminary of Dusk snapped his eyes opening, leaping back as his gaze lay upon the entrance of his home, "Malomedies!? By the Pale Tree, you startled me."

Earning a chuckle as his response, a slight blushed faded onto Kahedins' face before he added, "I-Is there another reason you are here besides the reason of frightening me?"

"I am here to see the newest addition," Malomedies' tone turned serious as he walked up and paused just several feet in front of the Luminary of Dusk, "his pod didn't even hit the ground before he leaped out of his pod and started running through the Grove, screaming."

"What?" Kahedins gave Malomedies a wide eyed look, "you were there?"

The Luminary of Night nodded, "I came to give you news that Caithe was within the Grove and was going to ask if you wanted to see her before she leaves once more." He shook his head, "The look in his eyes as he fell from his pod, it was of complete terror."

Quiet for a moment, Kahedins heaved out a sigh, "I believe I know the reason why to that."

Malomedies gave Kahedins a curious but puzzled look, "Oh?"

"The Sapling has no use of his eyes," The Luminary of Dusk added, earning a wide eyed look from the Luminary of Night, "I performed a series of tests moments before you came and he cannot seem to locate anything that is nearby, even if I place my hand in front of his face." He pinched the bridge of his nose before let out another sigh, a sign of his concern, "I am curious on what caused his blindness but right now…" He lifted his gaze towards Malomedies, "I am concerned on what to do. What can I teach to a blind Sylvari?"

Malomedies gave Kahedins a blank look, an expression he uses during times when he is deep in thought, something that sometimes frustrates the Luminary of Dusk as this was one of the rare occasions that he cannot read the Luminary of Night. As of right now, Kahedins is more curious on what Malomedies was pondering, his white eyes staring into the Luminary of Night's.

"He still could hear I take it?" Malomedies asked, earning a puzzled look from Kahedins who nodded, "Can he feel? Taste? Smell?"

"Er, I suppose he can," The confused expression still stayed upon the Luminary of Dusk's features, "What are you getting at, Malomedies?"

The Luminary of Night gave Kahedins a small smile, "The Sapling may not have the use of his sight however he still has his other senses to 'see' the world."

Musing on his brother's words, Kahedins white eyes went wide as he let out a small, "Aaah" as he slowly understood.

Malomedies chuckled at this, "I recommend that you teach him first, Kahedins, from what I can see, he seems more comfortable with you right now." He nodded his head towards the sapling's sleeping form, "once he could 'see' more of his surroundings, you may then lead him to another mentor who could perhaps heighten the use of his senses."

Kahedins hesitated for a second, pondering before he nodded, "I suppose." He just sighed, "I am just worried of what would happen to him if left alone."

Malomedies gave the Luminary of Dusk a comforting smile, "I have a feeling when he is fully capable of 'seeing' on his own, he will do fine."

He then patted the Luminary of Dusk's shoulder before he turned and left.

Xxxxx

Weeks have passed after the talk with Malomedies and to Kahedins surprise, the Sapling started to open up, even curious as he learned to use his other senses. The Sapling was still shy of course, however, his fear of 'darkness' was practically nonexistent, proven by the fact that he smiles instead of breaking down into tears when asked if he could see others. This major change in personality was enough to convince Kahedins to place the Sapling into another Mentor's care, except, for one problem.

The Sapling was refusing to let go of his arm.

When Kahedins told the Sapling that he was going to be under the care of a Mentor, the Sapling immediately latched onto his arm, refusing to let go even when Kahedins asked for the aid of the surrounding Sylvari. Apparently, the Sapling had grown attached to Kahedins during the weeks of being taught to use his senses.

"Sapling," Kahedins once more attempted to pry the young Sylvari's grip from his arm, only for the Sapling to tighten his hold, "Please, I have others to attend to."

Pressing his head into the shoulder of the Luminary, the Sapling shook his head, causing Kahedins to groan, "By the Mother Tree, help me."

A giggle caused Kahedins to turn his head towards an approaching Sylvari, releasing a sheepish smile as he recognized the figure, "Aah, Kynaireae, right on time. Could you…" He grunted as he once again attempt to push the Saplings grip off of his arm, "Help me?"

A smile fading onto her pale pink features, Kynaireae nodded, "Of course, Firstborn." Approaching the two, she easily towered over the Sapling (and Kahedins) before placing her arms between the Firstborn and the Sapling and with little to not effort, pried the young Sylvari away from the Firstborn. Almost immediately a cry escaped from the lips of the Sapling, his arms reaching out for the Luminary of Dusk who easily weaved out of range, watching as Kynaireae held the Sapling back.

Watching the Sapling cry in the arms of the pink skin Sylvari, Kahedins sighed before he leaned forward and placed a hand onto the Sapling's black leaves, causing him to pause and look up at the Luminary with his Pale Green eyes.

"Just because you are getting a new mentor does not mean that you cannot 'see' me anymore," Kahedins released a comforting smile, "you may visit me whenever you need me, alright Sapling?"

Seeing the Sapling's pale green eyes lighting up, Kahedins then turned his eyes towards Kynaireae, "Keep a close eye on him, he sometimes like to wonder off."

"I'll keep that in mind, Firstborn," Kynaireae smiled as the Luminary of Dusk slowly turned and left the Garden. She then turned her lavender gaze down at the now limp Sapling in her arms, "You calmed down yet?"

Glancing up at the mentor, a smile faded onto the Saplings features before he nodded once, pulling himself onto his feet so that Kynaireae could release her grip without fear of him dropping to the ground.

"My name is Kynaireae," The Mentor introduced herself as the Sapling turned and gave her a curious look, "what's yours?"

Tilting his head upwards like as though in though, the Sapling responded, "Valandminadir"

"Valan- Valande- Vale-Guh," Kynaireae placed a hand over her face, causing Valandminadir to tilt his head curiously at her. The Mentor then took her hand off of her face, a sheepish smile on her pink features, "May I just call you Val?"

Blinking once, Valandminadir's eyes went wide before he nodded, a smile fading onto his features before he raised his hands and asked, "May I?"

Confused at first, it slowly dawned upon the Mentor on what Val meant before she said, "Of course, go on ahead." She leaned forward a bit, so that she was of same height of the Sapling.

Slowly, Val took several steps forward before his hand brushed against the pale pink skin of the female Sylvari, tilting his head to one side as his hands delicately traced her smooth skin, down to her jaws then back up to her pointed ears. Slowly, his fingers traced onto her head, recognizing the feeling of petals against his sensitive fingers. Tracing her red petal locks down to the back of her head, Val's eyes went wide as he lifted his hands away from her face, "You're beautiful."

Kynaireae just chuckled, "You're the first to say that to me, Sapling." She patted the black leaves of Val's head, "Then again, you are still young." The Mentor smiled, "So, what would you like to learn first?"

Tilting his head to the opposite side, Val's mind flickered back to his time within the Dream of Dreams, remembering the trails of black and green he left behind when casting a spell to increase his speed, and the time when he placed a pile of flesh and bone together and brought it to life. He had tried it again when he awakened but the incantations required to perform the spell had evaded him, leaving him distraught during the weeks that Kahedins had taught him to use his other senses to 'see'.

"Do you know any Necromancy, Kynaireae?" Val asked.

This idea came to me out of boredom and an epiphany after reading a friend's chapter on one of her Sylvari awakening. I thought to myself, Hey, it would be kinda nice on writing a chapter of how my Sylvari awakened and here we are C:

This is Valandminadir or eheheh, Val (Long name I know XD), my Sylvari Necromancer :D

I debated long and hard if I should make Val blind, since I thought that would be kind of...meh o-o

But after seeing his eyes (and add into the fact that I'm a total klutz on that character...don't ask. All I am saying is Lion's Arch and High Vistas), I've decided to make him blind anyways C:

I know, I know, I bet you're thinking, But how can a Sylvari turn blind? /Shrug, not sure but I did it anyways o-o

Cause you have to admit, I am curious if there are some Sylvari out there that were born with 'defects', an example would be Val's blindess. It's just a though :/

Anyways, enjoy, another Sylvari coming soon C:

~123arcalas