Black
Black.

The beginning, the void from which all things spawned. He is the inky darkness, the ebon, untainted by the pinprick lights of stars. A quiet dark cat, perched on the windowsill and purring in contentment at all the secrets he holds. He is the peace, the stillness, the mediator when his brothers find themselves too similar to get along. The littlest brother, the charming favorite child, always trying to soothe his argumentative siblings back to the unruffled peace of the lake of darkness.

He is gentleness, the diplomat, the calm and level head. He is the quiet voice soothing both his lighter brothers back to peace once more, speaking to them of their similarities and their love for each other. He is the silken cord that weaves between them; holding them together even as he separates them just slightly. He is the one still enough to listen to wisdom, to pass it on, to cool their tempers and show them a better way.

This is the sacrifice, his life waning as his blood darkens and cools. This is the one who was destroyed, only to find life anew as an anchor, a well of darkness and strength for the brother who very nearly found himself alone. He is the onyx pall, the final kiss of night that steals away earthly cares to let them sleep in sweetest peace. He is poison and sweetness in one package, robbing you of care, robbing you of will. He is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end, speaking light out of the darkness and returning day to night with the velvet of his voice.

He is the one who knows that it's always blackest before dawn.