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The night sky that reigned over the small village chilled the air, leaving many to succumb to the warmth of their cabins, while some stayed out to enjoy the quiet of the dark. For them, the cold was like a comforting breeze, keeping their mind sharp and letting their troubles aside. But for Two-Time, the cold only brought feelings of emptiness. A chill that numbed them of feeling and made the distance between them and life's warmth drift further apart.
For some reason, they never could fill that gap.
Even as they snuggled tight beneath the sheets of their bed, kept the lantern by their bedside burning bright, and locked the windows shut—the cold didn't subside. But, it did begin to feel less physical.
Two-Time would have considered making their way to the nurses who lived nearby, questioning them in a panic if they were sick, but—they thought on it some more, and, they were probably just lonely.
Sad and lonely.
Amongst their neighbors, fellow children of the Spawn, they weren't very popular, pitifully so. As a result, they had very little friends, some of which they were unsure if they were... actual friends, or they just 'over-appreciate' the selfless work Two-Time does for others.
It isn't something they should dwell on. They had more important things to worry about.
They forced themself to think about their morning duties, typically consisting solely of habit that Two-Time tried to ignore the tiring repetitiveness of. Though, they were grateful that mindless work made things less stressful. A schedule to stick closely to is always nice.
In their head, the words they spoke in their thoughts were a strange mix between clear and jumbled, like someone yelling past the noise of a train. It was hard to keep up with, they'd often have to speak out loud to properly understand themself.
"...Move the dishes out of my room, mhm... Nightly prayer, mmhm..."
They spoke aloud to themself in a hushed tone, turning over to stare at the ceiling, momentarily ignoring the shiver that struck them as they stretched out across the bed, breaking away from their warm huddle.
It felt reassuring to hear themself say out loud that they finished the night's tasks. A small trick that helped ease their unrelenting anxiety, so they would be blessed with sleeping soundly. That was more of a wish.
As if they would even get sleep, let alone the peace that should come with it.
Never mind these negative thoughts. I do not have the time nor energy for them.
Besides, The Spawn wasn't fond of negativity and doubt. With It, you are strong and unrelenting, it is pathetic to be cowardly, fearful, and sad. Some would say moping in the gallows of one's foggy, negative thoughts was ungratefulness towards the body and life The Spawn blessed you with.
In short, it was near sinful. —Of a low degree, but frowned upon nonetheless.
This was simply a guide to live by.
—
"Thank you, come again!"
Azurewrath smiled warmly as the kind fellow gave a polite nod and started towards the large doors of the greenhouse, her viridian cape-like scarf dragging lightly at their feet as she delicately carried a pot of daisies. From her words—it was a gift for her sickly mother, which brought Azurewrath all the more respect for such a caring soul.
When it was just him, the greenhouse was blanketed with thick quiet, the only sounds that made its way in being muffled outside chatter or the patter of raindrops atop the glass roof making for a calming atmosphere.
Despite the loneliness, he felt very at home in the greenhouse. He would tend to spend more time around the delicate, precious plants than in his own cabin. Very quickly was he deemed the 'keeper' of it. After all, he was the reason all of these flowers continued to survive.
But just as his footsteps began to interrupt the silence, the doors creaked open again, a familiar face peeking through. They didn't step in, just stared, standing at the doorway.
"Azurewrath," Amarah's voice called, their tone low and hushed.
Azurewrath perked up immediately, turning on his heel to meet Amarah's eyes. "Yes, Father Amarah—?" he breathed, smile nervously twitching at the edges. Amarah's head tilted, and they gestured with a hand.
"My child is in need of your care, please make your way to the infirmary."
His eyes widened in slight surprise, but he nodded firmly, pulling off his gardening gloves with haste before he followed Amarah out of the greenhouse.
'My child'... Father Amarah mentors Two-Time, I hope they don't mean them...
Not only was Azurewrath the keeper of the greenhouse, but he was also trusted with the task of being the village's 'nurse', seeing as that he had the most knowledge over herbs and medicine. They didn't have access to much modernity, so they had to make do with what they had.
He didn't mind it, but he didn't particularly want to work at the head of the infirmary. Days were busy and stressful, despite how calm he tried to present himself. Besides, Azurewrath wouldn't consider himself a people-person, ironically enough.
Blinking back into the present, he turned his head as he walked silently behind Amarah, gazing with interest and admiration at the beautiful, precious displays of ancient art of The Spawn and Its holy followers, painted across long lengths of sacred glass. The most captivating sight in all of the church. A hall of art, more than just that—ancient artifacts.
Simply looking at such a beauty, an artistic representation of their one true god, the beliefs they all huddled close to, the purity...
Azurewrath couldn't help but smile. A strong sense of warmth washed over him as if the stained glass had come to life and wrapped him in a warm hug. It was so comforting just to be reminded of their god's beauty and grace.
He barely even realized Amarah had stopped a couple feet ahead of him until the glass display came to an end, as they neared the indoor entrance to the infirmary. Come to think of it, why did we even take the long way? If someone is hurt, then...?
Azurewrath peeked over Amarah's shoulder, blinking with more curiosity than concern at first—until his eyes focused on who sat on the floor, propped up breathless against a wall.
Unfortunately, Azurewrath's assumption was correct.
Two-Time sat so pitifully, their eyes glazed over in an otherworldly daze, spawn-shaped tail wrapped warily around their ankle. Blood was partially visible on their hand.
"Thank you for informing me, Father Amar—"
Azurewrath interrupted himself mid-breath as he turned to find that Amarah simply vanished. Without a word, wave, or explanation, they left him to his own, with the task of tending to this poor, injured Two-Time. What a strange, mysterious person he could be...
With a soft shake of his head, Azurewrath pushed the door open wider, shutting it with a quiet, secure click of the lock. Two-Time flinched, blinking wide-eyed at his sudden appearance, as if they hadn't noticed anyone had come at all.
They were silent for a few heartbeats, momentarily looking as if they'd seen a ghost, but with nervous shuffling—they lowered their hand behind their knees, breaking eye contact.
"...Hello, Az- Azure—...! Sorry, I—uh... It's nice to see you!" they stammered out rather pitifully; their grin crooked at the edges.
Unfortunately for them—that jagged smile didn't gain them much popularity, quite the opposite. Others would describe them as 'unsettling', despite their kind and polite manners. For Azurewrath, he simply saw it as a quirk brought on by their unrelenting anxiety.
Azurewrath simply smiled in response, eyebrows furrowing as he approached their side.
"How did you even get back here, silly—?" he purred, tilting his head in genuine inquiry. This area, the infirmary's main room, was off limits to anyone who didn't have its key, such as Azurewrath himself or a higher-up like Amarah. Patients were forced to wait outside or go find someone to fetch Azurewrath, and pray he'd be quick.
"The key—uhh, yeah, you gave one to me a while back..." Two-Time explained quickly, hesitantly meeting Azurewrath's eye.
He tended to be very forgetful.
"Ah—Whoops..." he laughed, scratching his head sheepishly.
This was very, very true.
Glancing over at a wall before turning his attention back to Two-Time, he scanned them with narrowed eyes and a curiously concerned expression. "Well, pardon that... is your hand alright? Is that what you came for?" He asked, slowly reaching out towards their hand.
Two-Time shifted back on instinct, but with a sharp inhale, they lifted their shaky arm, spreading their lanky fingers in uncomfortable, disproportionate ways as they displayed the gash on the back of their palm for Azurewrath to examine.
Their breath was extraordinarily ragged and short.
This wound was very recent.
"...A blood ritual," they said simply, tone as level as they could force it.
Azurewrath took hold of their hand with a soft approach, staring at it for a few seconds before laying it gently across Two-Time's leg, rising to hop over to his medicine cabinets. His finger drew over each one about as fast as his mind raced with years of knowledge having to quickly be at the forefront of his head.
Open wounds... not my favorite sight. I have to know very quickly how to treat it with the proper mix...
From the perspective of Two-Time, Azurewrath looked as if he was performing every single movement with a sort of professional practice. He knew exactly where to pick out the right herbs and medicines, he knew the location of every single item in this infirmary like he knew the back of his hand. His knowledge never failed to fascinate them... he had so much weight to carry, the expectations of the entire village on his back—and yet he performed with nothing short of perfection.
I wish I was more like him...
"Here we are," Azurewrath said after what felt like more of a couple seconds than minutes. He turned around to Two-Time's wide-eyed gaze fixed on him, a curiously childish look, pupils ever so slightly dilated as opposed to how shrunk and still they were minutes before.
With a light huff of laughter, he approached their side again, taking a firm yet gentle hold of their hand, holding up a cloth lightly coated with gel of aloe vera. It stung enough for Two-Time to grit their teeth, but the pressure Azurewrath held was the most comforting, somehow perfect mix between too rough and too gentle.
He was always notably extra careful with Two-Time.
"...I must ask," he began again, tone slightly louder as if he was more confident speaking directly to Two-Time rather than narrating his thoughts. "There aren't any blood rituals—well, that I knew of, lately... has something been bothering you? I—, Don't feel pressured, I just want to help you is all."
His smile was too warm to deny.
Two-Time glanced down, the tip of their tail twitching with uncertainty.
"I felt compelled to, my thoughts were... —so loud," they inhaled deeply before continuing, the first deep breath they'd taken since Azurewrath had seen them here. "—...I thought The Spawn may be angry with me, so... I gave it more of myself, as an offering...!"
Oh Spawn, in this pitiful state, they are barely even sane. I wish I could help them see.
Azurewrath's eyes narrowed. He chewed on the inner part of his lip as he thought, lamenting over troubles that weren't even his own. But they were just as important. Maybe even more.
"Thyme," he began, much quieter than before. "Oh, Thyme... The Spawn wouldn't want that of you, It is not mad at you, I trust that. What—" his brows suddenly furrowed, "What good reason would The Spawn have to resent you enough to torture you like that?"
Two-Time bowed their head sheepishly, their hand instinctively trying to pull away out of shame. They always huddled close to themself when they felt unsure or uncomfortable. But—as the healing demanded, Azurewrath had to keep them in place.
For the next few moments, all they said was muttered, broken apologies, as if they'd done wrong by simply suggesting the idea.
"I... I don't know I just—I feel like I'm not doing enough..." they admitted, voice cracking as they spoke.
"I feel that way a lot," Azurewrath responded, nodding slowly—yet he froze for a second when Two-Time gave them a halfhearted glare. "Right—well, I mean, I don't know exactly how you feel. But I often think... If I cannot save or heal someone properly, have I failed the path The Spawn set out for me?"
He exhaled, long and hollow.
"I'm sure we all feel that way sometimes. Perfection is not easy."
Two-Time didn't respond.
They gave a slight smirk of appreciation, but instead sat with Azurewrath's words, eyes fixed idly on the floor as they felt leaves and bandages wrap lightly around their injured hand.
"If it makes you feel better," Azurewrath began again, securing the wrap and gently setting down Two-Time's hand. He scooted closer to their side, head tilting forward. "I think you're doing great."
He bowed his head, touching Two-Time's forehead against his own.
With hesitance, he lowered his volume to a whisper, as if he wanted these words to only reach Two-Time's ear.
"I love you."
—
Two-Time felt a little better after the morning spent in the infirmary. Well—not only physically, but mentally.
Maybe doubting themself was not the smartest option. The Spawn laid out endless capabilities for lifeforms like them, why should they turn those down? Even if they didn't feel worthy, it's rude not to accept such a gift.
Unlike their peers, they just hadn't figured out what path The Spawn had set out for them.
Oh, Holy Spawn, please make it clear...
Instead of having a proper place, each day followed as the one before—Two-Time blindly submitting to their mentor Amarah, carrying out the tasks they had for them, with the promise of them finding their path soon. The promise of The Spawn shedding its glory onto them, enlightening them with their life purposes.
For now, it was empty. But Two-Time could be patient. They were just anxious, is all, despite how much they prayed those nerves away.
Breaking out of their thoughts, Two-Time glanced up at the sky, the sun held high above and glaring down on the village. Some would say it was painfully hot out today—but Two-Time didn't mind it, in fact, they still somehow felt a bit chilly.
It lit the grass beneath their feet so bright it looked as if it was glistening. It made this small field look so beautiful, maybe they should sit for a while before returning to the church for the lunch being held.
Sure, a few minutes won't hurt.
Attending the church's meals was not exactly required, but eating in the presence of The Spawn was a privilege not many had outside of this community. They weren't going to miss it—of course. At least, they didn't plan to. Just a simple delay to enjoy the gorgeous day.
Two-Time gazed down past the small dip in the ground, peeking at the shimmering river, which glowed with the sun's glory between the blind spots of the tree's shade. They don't often venture away from the village, but although this spot wasn't far, they rarely traveled this way. It was always, 'eyes ahead.' In turn, they never got to appreciate the calming atmosphere the slow flow of the river gave.
They held their arms out by their sides, careful of their balance as they stepped down the small pile of rocks, coming to stand at the river's edge. Mud squelched softly beneath their boots, still bordering the river from yesterday's rain. They didn't quite mind it but would rather not sit in mud.
Backing up and maneuvering to a grassier spot, Two-Time finally made themself comfortable, sitting against the small hill with a long exhale.
. . .
"Two-Time?"
Two-Time woke with a sudden jolt, eyes wide and unfocused. Lifting their head felt a bit painful, what is jabbing my neck—?
Turning to look over their shoulder, they finally blinked into reality, seeing that they were sitting against rocks.
What—?
"Sorry... Did I wake you? You look like you've seen a ghost!" A familiar voice chuckled, grass crunching lightly in their path as they approached Two-Time's side.
Azure?
Two-Time looked up in surprise, eyes narrowing against the sun that peeked past the tree overhead. Azurewrath smiled down at the river, then tilted his head casually at them.
"Are you passing lunch too?" he asked, grin wide. "I wouldn't have expected that, but we all have our days. Anyway—how is your hand feeling?"
Two-Time's brain could never keep up with Azurewrath's rambling, his many questions in a single sentence, everything—it was baffling and fascinating how quickly his brain worked. Theirs, however, was far from the same.
"...Passing lunch—? I did not mean to!" Two-Time gasped, hands clutching clumps of dirt at their sides. "How long has it been?!" Their tail curled around their ankle, a common action when they felt nervous.
"Don't worry," Azurewrath assured. "I don't know how long you've been here—but, lunch began about ten minutes ago. It's not required, It's okay." He kneeled down, sitting next to Two-Time, quickly making himself comfortable. Reaching up, he took off his hat and held it in his lap.
"...I hadn't informed Amarah," Two-Time admitted, voice edged with wariness.
Azurewrath stared at Two-Time out of the corner of his eye. Would Amarah really care so much?
"I'll tell him you weren't feeling well," he then offered, tone assuring.
Two-Time didn't respond for a moment. They never really knew how to, besides sputtered expressions of gratitude. Azurewrath typically just giggled at them, but Two-Time really wanted him to know how grateful they were whenever he went out of his way to help them.
So—instead, in a moment of brain fog, they simply responded: "Okay," while looking at their reflection in the water.
Azurewrath giggled again. Two-Time didn't know why.
"Well... I don't see you out here much," he commented, changing the subject. Two-Time glanced over at him, tilting their head. "Do you come here often?" they asked, curiosity piquing their voice.
"Sometimes," Azurewrath replied. "I quite like this tree... I wonder who planted it, because Japanese maples don't grow in this area."
"A Japanese Maple?" Two-Time looked up at the tree, now seeing it through a slightly altered lens. Might it be rare? Maybe I should help take care of it... It is very pretty. "...Wow."
"Beautiful, isn't it? It's actually known as an Acer palmatum."
". . ."
"Why are you laughing???"
Two-Time ducked their head, grin stretched wide on their face. "No—no—I'm sorry! That's fascinating, really!"
Azurewrath rolled his eyes, giving Two-Time's shoulder a light shove. "You're such a bully," he huffed playfully.
"I really do find it interesting!!!"
—
"I remember now."
Two-Time blinked their eyes for what felt like the first time in a millennium.
Their entire body felt stiff, far more than just lying motionless against soft petals that lined the forest ground. Stiff with time and refusal to lift so much as a finger, for what might as well be a millennium.
They felt their teeth rotting, their bones numbing, their eyes long past dried out as they stared up at the dark, starless sky. They got used to the night's unrelenting chill, the horrid cold numbing their body enough to be able to ignore it completely.
It was fascinating how much one's body can handle by just not caring.
But not ideal, not anymore.
Cloth and makeshift bandages wrapped tightly around their arms and hands, almost enough to restrict their movement, if they had plans on moving any limb at all.
They were dirty enough to not have been fooled with in what must have been days. But no longer did their arms or hands sting.
"Acer Palmatum. I promise to get up and water it tomorrow morning."
Because without you,
all those plants have already wilted.