[Fire Emblem 10] Below the Waters

[runiclore]

Below the Waters
Author: Amber Michelle
Rating: K
Warnings: n/a
Word Count: 623
Gauntlet Theme: 12 - a reed cut from its roots

Comment!fic Prompt:
Fire Emblem 10, Sephiran is the goddess/a fragment of her consciousness



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She told Sephiran later that he'd gone mad - the ocean submerged the fields on which that great war was fought, where his children used the songs and spells he'd taught them to destroy their enemies; storms broke the mountains and the forest he called home wilted and crumbled to dust. His servants, her friends, her family, were dead. Below the waters, she said, pointing to a broken spire jutting from the blue and green surface. We were in the temple when you lashed out. From where he stood, on the flat top of a ruined building that once rose above the trees of the forest - another one, not his - he could lean over the fragments of a wall to see tree branches wave and undulate beneath the water, still verdant for the moment.

We'll bring them out, he said, looking only at her hand - until it dropped to her side, and then Sephiran could only watch the blurry shine of her violet hair from the corner of his eye, because he didn't want to see what expression had settled on her face. His body felt heavy as stone and as unmovable, despite his promise. Waves slapped against the sides of their stone island, scattered bits of masonry. He wasn't mortal; he shouldn't feel sick, there shouldn't be pressure building behind his eyes, demanding to express itself in tears, his knuckles shouldn't hurt from being clenched so tightly, ever since he came to himself and saw her face above him, blocking the sun. I'm sorry.

How inadequate, he thought a breath later, when she didn't say anything. She was still a child; little Sanaki served Sephiran because her parents did, running at his side to keep up, carrying his books when he used such things, and memorizing each of his songs, all of his spells. She'd learned them best. He thought she might be an adult now, or nearly - not simply a child, but the only one, now. Perhaps the only one to survive the disaster he created simply because he was angry.

Her dark wings cramped to her back. Sephiran took a deep breath and faced her, laid his hand atop her head. Sanaki didn't look at him, but that was fine; no apology would be enough. You must help me, child. More-- he would ask for more, when he should be the one giving. This cannot happen again. If there are any survivors, you must help me care for them, and remind me of this sight whenever they incite my anger.

Promise, she said. Promise it will never happen again. Each word fell like stones between them, toneless. Her eyes were still red, her lips pale, dry, her fingers bloody where she clawed her way to the top of the broken tower to escape the flood.

I promise. His throat tried to close around the words - another mortal tendency. She nodded. A god should not break his promises; Sephiran wasn't sure he had the ability to do so, and Sanaki clearly had faith he could not.

Wind lifted her dark hair and brought the smell of salt to his nose - salt, mud, wet leaves. The wolves made their home in the mountains, didn't they? she said, squaring her shoulders, lifting her chin. I remember someone telling me so. Sanaki looked at him, for once without a smile. Let us search for them first.

Sephiran bowed his head in acquiescence. It would be as she wished. Everything, from then onward, if he could manage it.


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Lame-tastic! Too bad, I thought it could be cool, but-- it isn't.


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