HEAVENS ABOVE

[sam33497 7356]

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

"Sincerity can move even the Heavens."

-Unknown

 

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Oh, Heavens above… Have you not heard my plea? Here I sit, my mind as placid as my body. That hurricane of emotions and thoughts has dispersed into the wind. Here, I can clearly sense it about me, in that valley which Alduun enshrouds.

 

The world is in perfect harmony. How long have I dwelt in that thought, experiencing the jade of this existence? Certainly, I have felt this just as much as I have seen the faces of my own family.

 

Just as the Wood about me shall eventually feed Fire;

Just as that Fire shall spew and form Earth in the form of ash, gathering in various places;

Just as Earth forms and bears the resources of Metal in caverns below my feet;

Just as Metal holds and collects Water, condensing or capturing it;

Just as Water nourishes Wood, begetting that cycle of Five Elements;

 

We Descendants live in an endless cycle of trapped fate. Yet, all of us each wish to make changes within their world, and hold within themselves a hope for a future which may not exist, at best being temporary. We do so while often acknowledging the futility of our acts.

 

So why is it that I feel no hope at all?

 

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Heavens above!

 

Show me that thread of fate which truly belongs to me!

 

Show me my true purpose for living!

 

I beg of you!

 

Heavens above!

 

…

 

I called out to the unfeeling Heavens, wishing that the trials of this earth might be mediated with enough sincerity. Though this act carried on for years, not once did I doubt my convictions, not once did my sincerity lapse.

 

It was on the 777th day, as I beseeched the Heavens for the 777th time…

 

The wind whistled throughout the valley. A river ran nearby, the particular sounds of water flowing over each contour of rock familiar to me. Leaves fell and found their final resting place at my feet. Distant hearths promised warmth I wished not to claim. Yes, this was quite normal. Nothing had happened.

 

It was then that an unlikely figure stumbled upon my clearing, a place where few ever tread. The calm blankness of meditation held my mind, but her sight brought a feeling to my chest; a shattering, or perhaps epiphany. That day, we only spoke briefly. However, although I still fled Alduun for the wilderness often, not once after then have I beseeched the Heavens.

 

I could feel it.

 

My purpose for living had arrived. Fate took its toll merely days after, and my next encounter with Livia Caesonia Horen displayed her beaten, hiding in a cave within the wilderness, waiting to die. Even as complex emotions welled at such a sight, I could not help but feel gratified at the veracity of my worldview.

 

Who is one day celebrated and loved by all, protected by the strongest knights and militaries the realms can offer, may the next day be destitute, alone and dying, broken by the hands that had revered and protected her.

 

And, one who is destitute and has no reason to live can find the greatest inspiration and become a changed person by a single experience, or even a single sight.

 

As such, even a mere, fleeting connection between two individuals may truly represent the cycles of our world. A simple connection is hence a sufficient tool to alter the world entirely.

 

We soon forged a compact. I know not the intentions of the Imperial girl, but I probably don’t care. Maybe what I am interested in is just seeing her fate to its conclusion.

 

And mine, as well.

 

From a well-hidden manuscript written by Súrion Arthalion in his adolescence.

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(not a missive, dont meta unless u feel like it then its ok u can)