~*~
Night of Flame Flowers
~*~
The statue was of purest white marble, carved exquisitely. It seemed as though the boy would move in life. Hands gripped a small table in front of him as his eyes looked off into the distance, blank in stony slumber.
"How could this be?" I whispered, frozen at seeing myself captured in white marble.
"Look closer, little brother," said Ryouji with a soft smile.
And I did. The likeness was amazing yet I could now see the subtle differences. My eyes were wide, childishly large. The statue's eyes were smaller and slanted, narrow with sober thought. Even as an adolescent, I had the roundness of a child; this boy was already grown much into the angles and leanness of an adult.
And heartbreakingly, my twin had legs. The statue was of a human.
"We found this in a shipwreck," explained Malik. "It is astonishing how much this human looks like you."
"But with the stumps of a human rather than a fish tail," said Honda.
"I am sure you will grow to be even more handsome than this one though," Ryouji murmured into my ear, with a devilish smile.
I blushed, reaching to touch the marble cheek. Softly, I reached forward to kiss the stone lips. "Thank you," I whispered.
My chest felt tight. Something gnawed at me deep in my belly. And the statue only gazed past me at something he could not quite see.
~*~
I swam away from the palace, slipping from the crowds with only a quiet farewell to each of my brothers. Now in the open ocean, without anyone chasing after me, to protect me, to capture me, I was free.
And I laughed in delight.
The waters were warmer now as I rose from the depths. I could see the moon, closer than ever. Her silvery light washed over me. My tail flicked and half the oysters on it opened in shock, falling to the ocean floor again. I broke the surface of the water and felt the air the world above for the first time in my life.
Then, it was as though someone was choking me. I couldn't breathe; my body convulsed. It felt as though my lungs were being pushed from my throat. I retched as water poured from my mouth.
My brothers had never told me of this pain that came at being at the surface. I panted, feeling the air of the surface reach my lungs. The pain slowly melted away.
It vanished as I saw the beauty of the night sky. The heavens were as dark as the ocean's darkest depths, where the Leviathan slept and hunted. However, there were the beautiful lights of the stars, pinning back the overwhelming darkness. And there was the moon, a ghost silver nautilus swimming across the sky.
Then I jumped in fright.
There was a shriek and a horrible sound, like a rock mountain crumbling to the ground. Only much, much louder. Then the night sky exploded with anemones of scarlet and gold. I floated, enraptured by the lovely sight. There were enormous orbs of blue and green, twisting serpents of orange and white. They all dissipated into falling sparks and smoke, only to be replaced by even more wonderful beings.
I saw a vessel that seemed to be launching these things of fire into the heavens and swam over to it. The waves were playful tonight, launching me forward to it. I was wary, for the ship seemed to be like a monster, looming over me. But when I touched it, it moved not to attack me. Another wave, frisky, lifted me up so I might see the deck.
In the many colored lights of the creatures, I could see many men. Some were coarse, with hair all over their faces and arms that were like rocks. Some were not as coarse, with brightly colored clothing.
Suddenly, an enormous dragon of golden fire rose from the ship, lighting up everything. And I saw the Prince. He was my twin, the living brother of the statue I had been given. Only he was far lovelier in life.
His skin was darker than my own, almost tawny in hue. His eyes were still grave but colored ruby, the color of blood. He was dressed simply, in violet and black, yet he carried himself with grace, to the respect of all the others on the ship.
He was beautiful.
One of the richly dressed men spoke to him and he laughed, sending thrills down my spine. His voice was beautiful, like currents gently ringing a brass bell. I was content to watch him alone, even as more spark and fire creatures were sent up to the heavens. It was though my eyes thirsted and he was sating me.
The men called him "Highness" or "Prince." But I knew those were not his names. Then, one called him "Yami."
And I knew that was his name.
Yami... I savored it on my tongue, saying it over and over to myself.
The flame creatures stopped coming and the men went away, taking the prince into the bowels of the ship. I almost screamed for them to stop as my heart wrenched to see the prince go but I did not, for fear of revealing myself.
I dropped back down into the water, content to watch the ship. However, the songs of the currents grew violent. A storm was coming.
The moon and stars were covered with shrouds of gray and black. I mourned their theft. The waves grew more violent as the shrouds began to pour down water. The ship rocked, a toy for the waves to toss to each other. I thought it beautiful but over the roar of the waves I heard the timbers breaking.
Sparks of white lightning crashed from the sky, along with the rolling rhythm of thunder. With a wrench, the ship broke apart, sending the men into the sea.
The Prince!
Immediately, I dove, feeling water return inside of me. I could breathe water again. Through the confusion of broken timbers and other men, I managed to find the prince.
He was limp, having struggled hard to fight the waters that claimed him. The ocean took men, but I would not let it take this one. He was heavy as I grasped him under his arms. My tail struggled to carry both our weights. Then the currents forgave me, helping me to the surface. I choked again, feeling water stream from my mouth. The prince also choked, but his eyes did not open.
Already was the storm ending as I caught my breath. The waves were laughing at me, content with feeding the ocean with more treasures. They did not mind losing one. I thanked them silently as a current rose up to drift me to land.
It was dawn by the time Yami and I landed upon a beach of white sand. The sun chased away gray clouds and the black blanket, painting the sky with rose and gold. Soft white clouds veiled the coming of the hotter brother of the moon. I gazed about. The beach was at the base of enormous white cliffs. A tiny winding stair upon the white stone led to lush green forests at the top and a rose colored building. The song of birds broke the cries of gulls and the sighs of the waves breaking on shore.
Yami moved not.
His skin was pale and his chest moved little. I stroked his hair, so like mine. Life was fluttering in him. Even though I had reclaimed him from the sea, his spirit still was not in his body. I then sang to him softly.
I sang the songs of my people to call the spirit. I sang to him of the wonders of the world, of life. I urged him to come back.
After I had sung all of the songs I knew, I laid my head on his chest. The thudding of his heart was soft yet it started to grow. He convulsed once, coughing up seawater. A soft moan escaped his lips as he reached up and held the opal at my throat. He was alive! My heart sang with joy. I bent my head and softly brushed my lips against his, in a kiss. His lips tasted of salt yet were so very soft and warm.
But I jumped in fright as I heard strange voices. People were descending the tiny stairs. I fled into the sea again, swimming out to the shelter of some rocks nearby. But in my haste, I forgot the gem Yami still had in his hands and wrenched free, breaking the chain the pendant hung from and leaving both chain and opal in his clenching, bloodless hand.
Hiding behind the looming pieces of black stone, I watched as a human, probably female, in white bent over Yami. He looked at her, seeming to be dazed. She made a noise of exclamation.
He reached up and touched her cheek with the hand that did not hold the precious opal. Her cheeks turned pink at the contact. I felt my heart wrench at seeing that. It hurt me so, like a blade in my heart.
I continued to watch, as others joined. They picked him up and started for the stairs. And all that time, he only looked at the human female in white with his beautiful eyes of brilliant ruby, bemused wonder upon his handsome face.
~*~
My apologies, everyone, for the lateness of this chapter.
This fiction may have to be on hold. I am currently going through an immense emotional crisis and my schedule is not particularly forgiving for a would-be writer. I am battling depression and severe low self-esteem at the moment, along with... personal issues. Thank you all for your encouragement in your reviews.
Night of Flame Flowers
~*~
The statue was of purest white marble, carved exquisitely. It seemed as though the boy would move in life. Hands gripped a small table in front of him as his eyes looked off into the distance, blank in stony slumber.
"How could this be?" I whispered, frozen at seeing myself captured in white marble.
"Look closer, little brother," said Ryouji with a soft smile.
And I did. The likeness was amazing yet I could now see the subtle differences. My eyes were wide, childishly large. The statue's eyes were smaller and slanted, narrow with sober thought. Even as an adolescent, I had the roundness of a child; this boy was already grown much into the angles and leanness of an adult.
And heartbreakingly, my twin had legs. The statue was of a human.
"We found this in a shipwreck," explained Malik. "It is astonishing how much this human looks like you."
"But with the stumps of a human rather than a fish tail," said Honda.
"I am sure you will grow to be even more handsome than this one though," Ryouji murmured into my ear, with a devilish smile.
I blushed, reaching to touch the marble cheek. Softly, I reached forward to kiss the stone lips. "Thank you," I whispered.
My chest felt tight. Something gnawed at me deep in my belly. And the statue only gazed past me at something he could not quite see.
~*~
I swam away from the palace, slipping from the crowds with only a quiet farewell to each of my brothers. Now in the open ocean, without anyone chasing after me, to protect me, to capture me, I was free.
And I laughed in delight.
The waters were warmer now as I rose from the depths. I could see the moon, closer than ever. Her silvery light washed over me. My tail flicked and half the oysters on it opened in shock, falling to the ocean floor again. I broke the surface of the water and felt the air the world above for the first time in my life.
Then, it was as though someone was choking me. I couldn't breathe; my body convulsed. It felt as though my lungs were being pushed from my throat. I retched as water poured from my mouth.
My brothers had never told me of this pain that came at being at the surface. I panted, feeling the air of the surface reach my lungs. The pain slowly melted away.
It vanished as I saw the beauty of the night sky. The heavens were as dark as the ocean's darkest depths, where the Leviathan slept and hunted. However, there were the beautiful lights of the stars, pinning back the overwhelming darkness. And there was the moon, a ghost silver nautilus swimming across the sky.
Then I jumped in fright.
There was a shriek and a horrible sound, like a rock mountain crumbling to the ground. Only much, much louder. Then the night sky exploded with anemones of scarlet and gold. I floated, enraptured by the lovely sight. There were enormous orbs of blue and green, twisting serpents of orange and white. They all dissipated into falling sparks and smoke, only to be replaced by even more wonderful beings.
I saw a vessel that seemed to be launching these things of fire into the heavens and swam over to it. The waves were playful tonight, launching me forward to it. I was wary, for the ship seemed to be like a monster, looming over me. But when I touched it, it moved not to attack me. Another wave, frisky, lifted me up so I might see the deck.
In the many colored lights of the creatures, I could see many men. Some were coarse, with hair all over their faces and arms that were like rocks. Some were not as coarse, with brightly colored clothing.
Suddenly, an enormous dragon of golden fire rose from the ship, lighting up everything. And I saw the Prince. He was my twin, the living brother of the statue I had been given. Only he was far lovelier in life.
His skin was darker than my own, almost tawny in hue. His eyes were still grave but colored ruby, the color of blood. He was dressed simply, in violet and black, yet he carried himself with grace, to the respect of all the others on the ship.
He was beautiful.
One of the richly dressed men spoke to him and he laughed, sending thrills down my spine. His voice was beautiful, like currents gently ringing a brass bell. I was content to watch him alone, even as more spark and fire creatures were sent up to the heavens. It was though my eyes thirsted and he was sating me.
The men called him "Highness" or "Prince." But I knew those were not his names. Then, one called him "Yami."
And I knew that was his name.
Yami... I savored it on my tongue, saying it over and over to myself.
The flame creatures stopped coming and the men went away, taking the prince into the bowels of the ship. I almost screamed for them to stop as my heart wrenched to see the prince go but I did not, for fear of revealing myself.
I dropped back down into the water, content to watch the ship. However, the songs of the currents grew violent. A storm was coming.
The moon and stars were covered with shrouds of gray and black. I mourned their theft. The waves grew more violent as the shrouds began to pour down water. The ship rocked, a toy for the waves to toss to each other. I thought it beautiful but over the roar of the waves I heard the timbers breaking.
Sparks of white lightning crashed from the sky, along with the rolling rhythm of thunder. With a wrench, the ship broke apart, sending the men into the sea.
The Prince!
Immediately, I dove, feeling water return inside of me. I could breathe water again. Through the confusion of broken timbers and other men, I managed to find the prince.
He was limp, having struggled hard to fight the waters that claimed him. The ocean took men, but I would not let it take this one. He was heavy as I grasped him under his arms. My tail struggled to carry both our weights. Then the currents forgave me, helping me to the surface. I choked again, feeling water stream from my mouth. The prince also choked, but his eyes did not open.
Already was the storm ending as I caught my breath. The waves were laughing at me, content with feeding the ocean with more treasures. They did not mind losing one. I thanked them silently as a current rose up to drift me to land.
It was dawn by the time Yami and I landed upon a beach of white sand. The sun chased away gray clouds and the black blanket, painting the sky with rose and gold. Soft white clouds veiled the coming of the hotter brother of the moon. I gazed about. The beach was at the base of enormous white cliffs. A tiny winding stair upon the white stone led to lush green forests at the top and a rose colored building. The song of birds broke the cries of gulls and the sighs of the waves breaking on shore.
Yami moved not.
His skin was pale and his chest moved little. I stroked his hair, so like mine. Life was fluttering in him. Even though I had reclaimed him from the sea, his spirit still was not in his body. I then sang to him softly.
I sang the songs of my people to call the spirit. I sang to him of the wonders of the world, of life. I urged him to come back.
After I had sung all of the songs I knew, I laid my head on his chest. The thudding of his heart was soft yet it started to grow. He convulsed once, coughing up seawater. A soft moan escaped his lips as he reached up and held the opal at my throat. He was alive! My heart sang with joy. I bent my head and softly brushed my lips against his, in a kiss. His lips tasted of salt yet were so very soft and warm.
But I jumped in fright as I heard strange voices. People were descending the tiny stairs. I fled into the sea again, swimming out to the shelter of some rocks nearby. But in my haste, I forgot the gem Yami still had in his hands and wrenched free, breaking the chain the pendant hung from and leaving both chain and opal in his clenching, bloodless hand.
Hiding behind the looming pieces of black stone, I watched as a human, probably female, in white bent over Yami. He looked at her, seeming to be dazed. She made a noise of exclamation.
He reached up and touched her cheek with the hand that did not hold the precious opal. Her cheeks turned pink at the contact. I felt my heart wrench at seeing that. It hurt me so, like a blade in my heart.
I continued to watch, as others joined. They picked him up and started for the stairs. And all that time, he only looked at the human female in white with his beautiful eyes of brilliant ruby, bemused wonder upon his handsome face.
~*~
My apologies, everyone, for the lateness of this chapter.
This fiction may have to be on hold. I am currently going through an immense emotional crisis and my schedule is not particularly forgiving for a would-be writer. I am battling depression and severe low self-esteem at the moment, along with... personal issues. Thank you all for your encouragement in your reviews.