Knight in Shining Armor

Written by Sterrestel

"You wish for me to help? Why?"

Auris agrees with a soft voice, "I want your help because I am derived from you."

"Are you not capable of this on your own?"

"Quite capable, physically, that is. I have realized that I may not be at my best mentally, and I wish to change that. Desius has their tarine to help them, and Eros their nivians. If I were to have a creature to help me, then I may be able to relax for once." Auris studies Solace's face, hoping he will understand their wish for self-improvement. After all, he has been doing something similar for himself.

To their relief, his face softens; he agrees to guide Auris on creating life, and for the next few hours, he does just that.

Auris practices with small plants, channeling life of their energy, merging it with Solace's to create new energy. It doesn't take long before Auris feels confident enough to work on their own being. With Solace overseeing their progress, they mold and pull and tuck energy into a new shape, a shape that begins to move far sooner than Auris expects. Solace places his hands over theirs to steady them, only for a blinding flash of light to shock them both.

Blinking spots from hazy vision, Auris struggles to focus on what they imagine to be Solace. He must have been thrown to the ground just as they had; his form lies motionless, smaller than Auris remembers.

Their vision clears as they squint, and they catch sight of wildly curly hair. Wildly curly hair that is, most assuredly, not Solace's. Auris shifts onto their hands and knees and crawls a bit closer, wincing slightly as their stiff body protests. Their arms tremble. Hesitant, they bring their gaze to study the being they have created. To his face, achingly familiar. Breath catching, Auris jumps when Solace crouches next to them. Next to the man neither of them had expected to see.

After a quiet moment, Solace speaks, "Someone seems to have wanted to see you again." He stands, then. "Perhaps I should leave you two alone?" Auris doesn't respond; their gaze hasn't moved from the being's face since they'd first looked toward him. They are hardly aware as Solace moves away, true to his word.

A quiet falls. Almost as if the world itself is holding its breath along with Auris. It is all they can do to watch the man breathe. A reminder for them to do the same.

Auris remembers the last time he had seen the man lying before him; not on the ground, but in a soft bed, skin wrinkled and stained with age. Colxian had shown them so much of the world, and of themself. He had been their 'Knight in Shining Armor,’ quite literally. An aisleck serving, protecting, the Maire, and later, protecting Auris. All the comfort they had in the world had been their chressual bond with him; strong as ever, even as he lay dying beside them.

And when they had felt his energy, reincarnated into Maecy, they had avoided her. Uncertain of how she would react; if she would feel their bond as they had. As they still did. Auris feels her quite clearly at this very moment, so for Colxian to be lying in front of them should be impossible. He looks much the same as he had when Auris had first met him. It is still his energy they feel; the same connection. Existing both within the being lying in front of them, and within the aisleck currently living in Vaitis.

A small piece of Auris begins to hope again; hope that Colxian truly is back with them. Lacking hesitation, Auris reaches out for him. Traces his jaw, almost afraid he will fall to pieces at their fingertips. When he doesn't break, Auris does instead. A sob rips through them as they collapse against his chest. As they press themself tightly to him, yearning for him to wake and reassure them he is real. It is not enough for them to feel his heartbeat, his energy thrumming with life just under his skin

So, they wait. As long as it takes for Colxian to allow a glimpse of his brilliant smile. As long as it takes for them to fall asleep in his arms, or as close to it as they can get.