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It sounded like a symphony made of glass. The shattering of one’s soul, the breaking of another’s heart. A cacophony of piercing tones accompanied by the prismatic reflections of the setting sun. The stones shown brightly in the lush green grass, it’s light dyeing everything it touched in pink-orange hues. Faust was stained. The splintering light speckled him from head to toe. Washed in the colors of the sunset, he wept.
♢ ~ ~ ♢ ~ ~ ♢
“Death is something unavoidable.”
This, he knew.
“It’s something that is assured for many on this path.”
This, he knew.
“You’ve already encountered it dozens of times.”
This, he knew as well.
“You must be able to…Faust.”
“Yes lord Figaro.” Violet eyes met gray ones.
“Are you listening?”
“Yes, lord Figaro.”
“This afternoon, I came across you knelt in a field over a pile of stones.”
Faust’s fists tightened.
“I have seen you face the death of comrades numerous times, yet that was the first time it has hindered you in such a way. How come?”
Faust looked up at his teacher and spoke earnestly. “I had never seen a wizard die before.”
Figaro’s brows furrowed and he laughed. Not his usual laugh, one that only held pity or scorn for the listener, but a kind, much gentler laugh. This subtle difference was not lost on Faust who’s cheeks grew warmer.
“Faust.”
“Yes, lord Fiagro.”
“The wizard who perished, did you know him?”
Faust shook his head, “I did not.”
“Then why weep as you did?”
“Because it was beautiful.”
Figaro chuckled softly and took a step closer towards Faust, “Do not try and deceive your teacher.” He took another step, the two were rather close now.
“I would not dare.”
Figaro placed a hand on Faust’s shoulder.
“He was a friend.” Faust remarked quickly
“Ah, a friend, I see.” Figaro nodded
Faust looked down, “I did not fulfill my duty as a leader and now my comrade has been turned to stone.”
Figaro clicked his tongue softly, “Faust…” He placed his hand on the other wizard’s cheek. Faust looked up at him with watery eyes, the heat in his cheeks only growing.
“Faust, those who truly wish for change must be willing to die for it.”
Faust nodded, a single tear managing to escape his eye only to be caught by the thumb of his mentor, “I understand…” He paused, “Though I would still like to lead in such a way that change may come and that those who brought it about may enjoy it.”
Figaro shook his head with a chuckle and brought Faust into an embrace, “For your sake, I hope it is so.”
Faust wrapped his arms around the taller man, tucking his head into the crook of his neck, a familiar spot.
“Faust.”
“Yes, lord Figaro.”
Figaro released him from the embrace and took one of Faust’s hands in his own, “Did you save the stone?”
Faust nodded and reached into his trouser pocket, pulling out a beautiful crystal. The small shard was warm and still dyed in the colors of the late evening sky. He held it before Figaro and glanced up at him.
“Have you ever consumed a mana stone before?” Figaro asked, looking at Faust intently.
Faust shook his head, “Perhaps, but none that I can recall.”
His mentor nodded, “Well then, there’s nothing to be afraid of.” he gestured invitingly.
Faust raised the crystal to his face, but simply gazed at it. A piece of his fallen comrade, the only physical trace of him that remained. Faust knew this was the tradition of wizards. It was the honorable thing to do, for both him and his friend. He knew this and yet…the small shard of sunset held between his fingers felt so precious. To swallow the last piece of someone. Was he truly worthy of that intimacy? His hesitance was obvious. Figaro smiled and took the shard from Faust’s hand.
“Wait I-” Faust began
“He was a friend right? Someone you cared for?”
Faust nodded, “Of course.”
“Than this the best thing you can do for him now. Let me help you, it’s easier if we do it together.” Figaro replied gently
“I don’t understand how we could do it togeth-”, Faust went silent as he watched Figaro take the stone and place it in his mouth.
What was he…Faust felt a hand on his chin once more as his head was tilted upwards. Oh. Figaro pressed his lips against Faust's; they were gentle, yet purposeful. Faust made a noise of surprise, but quickly closed his eyes, his arms wrapping around Figaro’s neck. Now grasping what was happening, he opened his mouth as he felt a jagged object being pushed into it. It tasted like Figaro. Once the stone was completely in his mouth he swallowed roughly. He could feel it scrape down the back of his throat. In such an act he had swallowed the stone of his comrade. A second later Figaro pulled away from the kiss wiping his mouth on his sleeve inelegantly. Faust blushed profusely, he knew how much of a mess he must resemble right now.
Figaro smiled warmly at him, “Good job.” he nodded, “Do you feel any different?”
Faust quite wasn’t sure he could accurately gauge anything he was feeling at the moment, “I think…I can feel something in my stomach, it feels as though it’s buzzing.”
Figaro nods with his signature sly smile, “Oh yes, that’s just what happens when you consume a wizard's stone and gain their power.”
Faust nodded, that sounded reasonable. It wasn’t until many years later, when realization dawned that the fluttering in his stomach had nothing at all to do with the mana stone. He would feel the same sensation once more, hundreds of years from then, when familiar gray eyes and violet ones meet again for the first time. Together. Bathed in the colors of the late evening sky.