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It is said that on the day of the Tsaritsa’s birth, something miraculous happened. The court that day was filled with countless guests and spectators, all eager to see the birth of a princess, the heir to the Cryo Archon’s throne. They had all left presents to celebrate and adore her.
When that child opened her eyes to the world and saw all of the love they had for her, it said she bestowed a gift upon them all in return. A pale string that connected the fates of two people, a bond written in the stars for all eternity. It became visible beneath the Tsaritsa’s blessing. The court rejoiced as they fell evermore in love with their new princess. It was one of the happiest days in the history of Snezhnaya’s old empire.
As with all history, the good times never last. The Tsaritsa’s promised lover was ripped from her hands before the two could ever enjoy the spoils of marriage. This turned her heart frigid and her love for the world drew to a thin line. That blessing she bestowed upon the world became scarce, with only the Snowland Fae being able to see the translucent remains of that string.
For some, this seems to be a curse more than a blessing. That frosty rule associated with the aristocratic decline of their people has left behind one thing for them, the haunting reminder of a dead love. Even if one's soulmate dies, their string remains, waiting for the day they are reincarnated. Fae are a long lived species, there are many who are still grieving the loss of their partners. In a way, it seems like a cruel retribution to the people who were there, supporting her for every moment as she grew up. Many fae left Snezhnaya as a result, no longer feeling welcome.
Just like his forebears, Flins too is haunted by this blessing. Despite the past he slept away, they were the only thing he could never leave behind.
On a day too far back for anyone to remember, the royal court held a banquet. It was customary for all nobility to show up, so the young Kyryll was left with no choice but to try and pass the time helping himself to some wine. He had sat next to an older man who was eagerly telling stories to the rest of the table. Kyryll didn't pay it too much mind as he had already become distracted by something else.
Someone beautiful sat across from him, captivated by the stories. For a moment, he was stunned to silence as he took in their features. Not many things caught his attention other than ornate jewels and coins, and just like those precious objects, he wanted to know more about them.
When he got the chance, Kyryll asked them to dance. They accepted and the two spent the night getting to know each other. He learned they were mortal, the child of a wealthy business man who was close with the aristocracy. Apparently he was trying to find someone to marry his kid off to, but no one was interested due to their shorter lifespan. They were also reluctant to get into a relationship with an older fae she had nothing in common with. A sentiment Kyryll could agree with, being relatively young himself and feeling the pressure to partner up from all his superiors.
As the banquet came to a close, Kyryll promised that person they would see each other again. Despite the deterrent of their short life span, he couldn't deny his growing affection for them.
By the end of the year, the two officially started courting each other and Kyryll asked for their hand in marriage.
It was with them by his side that he showed up to the Tsaritsa's birth. The two had picked out a modest gift and placed it among the sea of other presents. His beloved was unable to keep the smile off their face as the princess's first appearance neared. They were clearly excited, since they had no children of their own and they were interested in seeing what the newborn of a fae would look like.
When the young monarch opened her eyes, she changed the world. A subtle shift in the energy around them caused the fae present to go wild with surprise. Even at such a young age, she still possessed a wealth of power.
Kyryll was one of the first to catch the change. He took his beloved’s hand in his in order to pull them closer. Whilst doing so, he noticed the tight string between them. It bonded their ring fingers together like a second wedding ring. A small smile grew on his face as he lifted their hands to admire that translucent string.
Applause erupted from one side of the court, proclaiming that the young sovereign had blessed Snezhnaya in return for their adoration and warm reception. No one refuted this claim and the entire palace broke out into cheers. In the coming months, researchers from the palace published their findings on the nature of this gift, and what it meant for the future of Snezhnaya. Kyryll didn't pay too much attention to it. All it meant was that he found his soulmate, the one person who completed him.
The time that followed was relatively peaceful. Kyryll spent every moment he could with his lover. Time was taking far greater of a toll on them than it ever did to Kyryll. Aches and pains overtook them as their body aged and greyed. In between missions from the Tsar to fight off the abyss he tended to his beloved. Though they were no longer the energetic and naive person from the past, Kyryll’s love for them never once trembled. The pale string connecting them stayed bright and healthy.
There's nothing more he could ask for than to stay in those moments with his beloved. The times they would just enjoy each other's presence, the times they indulged in their strange hobbies together.
Nothing hurt Kyryll more than the day he laid them to rest beneath a field of flowers. Death had come for them early, as promised. Now, only the memories of their time together remain. All he could do was mourn and pray to see them again. A small hope remained in heart that they would, since the string of fate still had yet to move or fade. Even though his beloved's body was already rotting in a coffin six feet under, a thread was still connected to his finger.
It was around this time that tensions in Snezhnaya grew to their peak. The abyss attacked frequently and their army was increasingly harder to fight off. Even if Kyryll spent all of his time training, he would likely never have gotten to a skill level sufficient to repel the abyss. It wasn't long before tragedy struck and the Tsar was killed.
Things like this have a way of weighing on one’s soul. For Kyryll, it was just one tragedy after another. First, the love of his life, his soulmate. Next, his ruler and purpose. Like a dark cloud over his life, Kyryll was left alone and without direction. Snezhnaya grew colder in the days after the Tsaritsa assumed the throne. So cold it was beginning to feel foreign.
Not long after, Kyryll chose to leave Snezhnaya. At first, he was simply wandering across the snow, rather aimlessly. He didn't really have a goal in mind when he left, just that he wanted to leave the empire. Occasionally he would come across a monster he had to slay, but other than that his journey was mostly empty. Whenever he gazed down at his hand he was reminded of his lover, that faded pale string still present even though they had long since passed. A dull ache strikes his heart. He wonders if the Tsaritsa intended for her gift to be this way, if this was meant as a way of sharing her pain with her subjects. She had lost her soulmate too, after all.
With no other choice, the fae man sets out once more, silently abandoning his homeland. Over the course of his trip —or perhaps it had started earlier, he couldn't be sure— he started to feel weary. Not from all the walking, but from living. He didn't have anything much to live for at the moment, but also no motivation to die. He was a fae, and one skilled in the manipulation of flame and the polearm at that. Surely his power would come in handy in the future. It seemed like a waste to end it all here.
That being said… It was quite lonely. He didn't stay in any one place for long. All of the humans he observed were a stark contrast to the people he had known as a noble. A festering feeling in his heart told him didn't belong. All he could think about was the path ahead of him and the events of the past. Truly, this was no way to live.
It was at this moment that the fae had an idea. If he had no desire to live or die, then he should inhabit the space in-between. With his mind made up, his journey gained a new purpose, to find a nice spot to rest.
Thankfully, it wasn't difficult to find. At the end of his journey he ended up at a small isle covered in clouds. The constant shade made it seem like the place was cloaked in an eternal night. Here, he constructed himself a modest grave, with various seals in place to ensure a peaceful slumber. With a final goodbye to the world, he kissed his ring finger and settled into his grave. It wouldn't be long until nothingness overtook him. Until then, he dreamed of dancing with his beloved once more.
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..
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Five hundred years in the future, Flins was awoken once again. In this life he was a humble Lightkeeper living in a desolate cemetery. His purpose was to eradicate the Wild Hunt and protect the nation of Nod Krai from harm. It was a routine and rewarding job, even if all of the reports he had to write felt like more of a waste of time than anything. From this position, he's had many more opportunities to meet humans and become acquainted with their lives. It's nice.
Thoughts about his soulmate naturally faded into the background. He had long accepted their death, placing his wedding ring into a box amongst his most sacred jewelry. The string was there, as always, but he didn't think much of it now. It was simply another thing to remember them by. It had been so long since he last saw them, with their face and voice almost completely faded in his memories. The thought that he would never completely forget them comforted him through lonely nights.
Through rounds of drinks, tipsy ratniki gossip. Their topics range from small town rumors to nation-wide conspiracies. That night, they decided to pass around the folk tale of the Cryo Archon's birth. Flins sat a few tables down from that ruckus, despite the distance he could still hear every word they said. The young man next to him, Illuga, would soon get curious and ask him about the rumors.
Flins couldn't help but smile fondly as he vaguely recounted the legend of the Tsaritsa's gift. As he spoke, he ran his fingers across his ring finger, stirring the blessing he received all those years ago. Naturally, the boy steered the conversation towards Flins, wondering if he already had someone to call his own. He gave a wistful smile in response.
“Perhaps.”
Life continued as usual from then on. That is, until Flins came across someone who caught his eye.
He was in Nasha Town when it happened. While browsing the newly stocked antiques at the Voynich Guild, a person approached carrying a small chest. They heaved it onto the counter with a dramatic thud. Flins tried not to pay them any mind, staring was rude after all. He picked up a necklace and held it up to the light to see its shimmer.
“Do you guys buy antiques…?” They asked. Immediately Flins' perked up, almost dropping the necklace in his hands. He would recognize that sound anywhere. It's them! After so long, hearing their voice again almost brought him to tears. Still, he had to maintain his professionalism. Even if it was her, they didn't know Flins and wouldn't recognize him. He glanced down at his hand, looking for any confirmation. While he was wearing his gloves, the string was less visible. It didn't disappear completely but it was enough to forget about it.
Surely, when he looked down, he saw the string make a line in their direction. It gave him quite a bit of shock, time was in standstill as he admired them for the first time in centuries. Still as beautiful as when they said goodbye.
“We do. What have you got?” the employee, Tarno, on the other side of the counter got closer to look at the chest the person brought in. Now that Flins was staring at them, he noticed how they were in clothes for traveling. Was this their first time in Nod Krai?
“Just some old trinkets from Mondstadt. I don't think they're particularly valuable, but I’m in a bit of a pinch and could use some mora in my pockets.” They opened the chest to reveal it full of jewelry. Most of it was dusty and in need of touching up, but there were some gems that stood out to him.
“Hm, we'll have to get these appraised before we can pay you, so if you need the money right now… it might take a while.” Tarno answered, waiting for that person's answer before taking the chest. He glanced over at Flins again. “Mister Flins, have you found something you like yet?” He asked.
“I apologize for keeping you waiting, sir,” Flins said as he handed the necklace back, “this good fellow’s treasure has caught my attention. If I may, could I have a look at them?”
The employee smiled. “It certainly saves us a lot of time and effort if an expert such as you is willing to look at them. Mys, this is mister Flins. He's an expert when it comes to antique jewelry and coins,” Tarno said, gesturing towards Flins. They looked towards him, their face showing a small hint of surprise when they took in his face. Flins couldn't help the warm feeling that seeped into his chest. Perhaps they too felt the pull of the thread that connects them. Regardless, they nodded in agreement and slid the box over to him.
He took his time taking out each piece of jewelry from the box, openly praising or criticizing its sheen. As he admired the pieces, he speculated about the stories it had witnessed. Once he was done with it, he passed it on to Tarno, who was keeping track of how much it was all worth. As they said, this batch was not particularly wealthy. It mostly held simple accessories with cheap gemstones. Occasionally there were a few that were more valuable, ones that had been maintained and imbued with rarer stones.
Flins left the more expensive jewelry to Tarno to handle. After sorting through all of the trinkets in the box, he found something worthy of being added to his collection. By all means, it was nothing special. Just an old ring with a small jewel in the center. The gold band that encased it hadn't been polished in years and the gem itself was foggy from wear and tear. What stood out to Flins the most was the color of the gem. It was a near perfect recreation of his lover's eyes. What a coincidence that they had the same shade as his past beloved. He was already getting ideas of polishing it and placing it next to his wedding ring.
“I'll take this, if that's fine with you, mys.” He grabbed the mora pouch he had stuffed in his coat pockets and they nodded in response. He wasn't really intending to buy anything today, given he has yet to receive his salary, but this was a relatively small purchase, and to someone of great importance. In the grand scheme of things, spending only a couple thousand mora wasn't too bad. Once he handed them their dues, he slipped the ring onto one of his fingers. “I must thank you for letting me buy such a precious gem. This piece is a perfect addition to my collection.”
They shook their head, “oh no, thank you for helping me today! You even bought something from me, honestly, I really don't know how to repay you.”
“It was no trouble at all, my friend. I'm just glad to be of assistance.”
The sun had begun to set in Nod Krai, and with that, Flins' night shift was coming up. It really was fortunate for him to be able to stick around long enough to help them.
“If that's all, I must be going. May we meet again.” With a small bow, Flins said his goodbyes and left the city.
That night, he fought fiercely. The promise to keep all of Nod Krai safe relayed in his mind, especially now that the reincarnation of his beloved was here.
He didn't stop until the sun once again peaked out of the shoreline. Inwardly, he dreaded the report he would have to write.
After that day, Flins didn't see that person too often. His duties often had him hold up inside the lighthouse, which is very infamous for being a terrible place to meet people. Aside from that, whenever he saw them in the city, they always seemed to be busy. Whether that be running errands around food stalls, receiving visiting the Frostmoon Scions, or meetings with the Voynich Guild, they seemed to be doing something. Flins didn't want to interrupt them or distract them from more important matters, so he settled for watching them from a distance.
The more he watched them, the more his heart longed for them. The string attached to him always pointed in their direction. Yet he had to let go of his desires. It wasn't the right time for them yet, and they deserved to make some more friends in the city instead of being tethered only to him. Fate will bring them together when they're ready.
It wasn't until much later that the two would have their second official meeting. Flins was out on patrol, just like any other night, when he came across that person walking along the coast. They held a small lantern, their arm straight out to illuminate as much of their surroundings as possible. Hanging off their other arm was a basket, filled with plenty of little trinkets and treats.
The night wasn't safe for someone unarmed and unaware of their surroundings such as them, so Flins wasted no time rushing over to their side. His sudden appearance seemed to startle them as they screamed and almost dropped their basket. What a cute sight… He couldn't help but laugh internally.
He bowed in front of them in apology, “I didn't mean to fright you, dear friend. The night can be perilous for those without protection, and I merely wish to assist you in wherever you are heading.” He told them.
“You really scared me half to death!” They laughed, “it wouldn't hurt to announce yourself first…” they then fixed up their appearance and adjusted their hold on the basket. “I'm actually here to see you… I heard that you lived in this direction. It's so far away from Nasha Town… sorry, I thought I would be there by now.” They explained, fumbling with the handle of their lantern while they did so.
He smiled, extending a hand towards them, “all the more fortunate that I've found you. Allow me to guide your way through the darkness.”
The walk over to the cemetery is a quiet one. His hand firmly clutched theirs and he refused to let them out of sight. The Wild Hunt had been getting worse as of recently, so Flins was even more vigilant than usual. Thankfully, their path was unimpeded.
The sky of Final Night Cemetery is always shrouded in clouds. You can barely tell if it's day or night there. The only light came from the fluorescent plants surrounding the graves and lighthouse sitting at the summit of the isle. He guided them up the hill and to the lighthouse, his current residence.
The inside of that lighthouse made it seem like any ordinary home. A little cramped, sure, but for one man living on his own it was perfect. He invited his guest inside and helped them get settled into a chair. He fixed a pitcher of water for them and made sure they were comfortable.
“I am still on the clock as of present, though I still have some time to attend to you. I must ask, what brings you to me tonight?”
They seemed to be incredibly flustered, their face flushed and they stammered over their first few words. “I— Ah… I just wanted to swing by to give you something. You helped me out when I first came to Nod Krai… it still hasn't left my mind. Now that I'm settled in, I'm finally in a position to thank you.”
“My dear, you really didn't need to go this far. I was able to obtain a beautiful stone and help out an equally beautiful individual that day, so I am more than satisfied.”
“Still…! Please, take this,” they said and pushed their basket towards Flins. “I've heard from locals that you Lightkeepers are always working hard to protect us. I also heard that out of everyone in the organization, you're one of the hardest to get a hold of. So I thought visiting your home would be the best way to see you again. Thank you… for everything you've done for me.” They had always been the type to stick to her ideals, and now was no different.
So, he gratefully took the basket from them and responded, “in that case, who am I to refuse such kindness? Especially when you've come all this way for me.” He carefully took out the contents and placed them on the table. They had placed a few different gems inside along with some lamp oil and sweets. Being a ratniki was a mostly thankless job, so he rarely received gifts. It was all so thoughtful for someone he really only met once. It almost had him suspecting that they too could see their bond. Though it was more likely that they merely asked around to see what a Lightkeeper would like.
“I apologize if it's not to your liking… honestly I was at a bit of a loss on what to get, since we still don't know each other very well. I just stuck to what I knew about you. Oh— and some sweets I made myself too. I hope you like them.” they said with a smile.
Flins was never one to eat much, even now he only ate when the situation called for it. He much preferred to absorb things through the flame. Despite this, whenever his partner made something, he would eat every last bite. They weren't the most extraordinary cook, but every meal or treat they made was always full of warmth and love. Seeing the gift this person brought him reminded him so much of them, his heart clenched with the bittersweet feeling it brought him.
“It's perfect, mys. I'm truly touched by this thoughtful gift.” Looking back at the jewels, he asked them a question, “are these from your personal collection?”
They answered enthusiastically, telling Flins the story of how they acquired these gems and why they decided to gift them to him. From there, the conversation drifted through several different topics— their jewelry collections, Flins’ coin collection, their respective jobs, and their life thus far. Time seemed to slip away while he was talking to them. With every word that slipped out of their mouth, Flins found himself falling deeper in love with them. Finally, he found them again. A lecherous part of his heart wanted this moment to last forever, for them to never leave and stay with him for the rest of time. Realistically, he could never have that. It's fated for them to live and die over and over as a human. While the fine details over life may be different, they aren't able to escape destiny. For now, he chooses to cherish their presence and talk the night away with them while he can.
When they inevitably got tired, he let them have his bed, a modest cot pushed into a corner of the room. More often than not he slept as a lantern, so the bed wasn't something he put much thought into while he was buying furnishings.
They still slept soundly and Flins went back out to do some patrols around the isle until day broke. While he walked back to the cemetery, he considered their relationship. If he pursued this love… wouldn't it just be him trying to cling on to the shattered threads of his past? They're a different person now, and didn't deserve to be tied down to him. Much less did they deserve to be compared to his long dead lover.
Even so, he longed for them. The person they became in this life is no less attractive than who they were in the previous one. He's sure that even if he had to witness them reincarnate a hundred times, his love for them would never grow cold.
They're fated for each other, after all. The string proves it.
When he got back to his home, he rummaged through his storage and pulled out a fish he had been preserving. Flins may not eat much, but there are still foods he goes out of his way to make and consume. Grilled fish is one of them. It's one of the dishes he taught himself after joining the Lightkeepers, something he could feed his colleagues if they arrived hungry. Today, he was cooking it for his darling guest, who was still fast asleep.
His intention was to feed them and send her on their way, but they seemed to have different plans. After they woke up, they gratefully ate the meal Flins had prepared for them. They ended up lingering around the cemetery for quite some time, saying that they wanted to spend more time with him after last night. He had no pressing matters during the day, so he agreed to hang out with them a while longer, even offering to walk them back to their apartment in Nasha Town.
There they continued their conversations from last night, laughing and telling stories like best friends. Upon nightfall, they bid each other goodbye and promised to meet again.
Every time Flins found himself in town after that, he found himself seeking them out. There were also times where they would get a little lonely and make the trek out to the cemetery to see him, despite his constant warnings of dangers walking alone posed. Things went on this way for a few months, until they decided to change things on a random night.
Like any ordinary evening together, the two of them talked over drinks at his dinner table indoors. They were making the usual conversations with each other until they suddenly got serious.
“Flins, can I tell you something?” They asked.
“Of course, my dear. I will listen to whatever you say.”
“Ah, this is so embarrassing!” They whined, messing with her sleeve and clearing their throat before talking again. “To be honest… from the day we met, I've always felt.. um, attracted to you. Every time we talk, I just find myself falling more and more in love with you. I can't keep living with this feeling trapped in me! Flins, I love you! Please… say you love me too…”
He smiled. Five hundred years spent alone was all for this moment, when he could finally have his love again. Since they confessed already, it would be rude to leave them hanging. So, he got in close and placed a kiss on their cheek.
“I love you more than anything. You have no idea, but I've been patiently waiting for you all this time.”
Their face shifted from surprise to happiness. Tears fell from their eyes, though Flins tried to wipe them away with his hand, nothing could stop them from sobbing. He embraced them and let them cry against his chest. Truthly, he almost started crying himself.
“My beloved light, may we never have to bear the pain of parting again.” He whispered to her, drawing small circles on their back.
In a world full of moving parts, it's comforting to know that your love is an eternal constant. Even if you have to say goodbye, you will always meet again. After all, this is the fate written for you in the stars.