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“Lumi!”
A young voice cried out from somewhere above, the great cheer in their voice loud to anyone who could hear. Startled, Lumièra turned around, clutching her supplementary books for healing principles a little tighter in instinct. Her eyes expertly scanned her surroundings. The direction was confusing - she felt certain she heard Sing’s voice coming from above, but all she could see was the vast ceiling of the Syndicate, with no hint of wild hair or proud pink eyes. Furrowing her small eyebrows, she paused walking and called back curiously.
“Sing? Where–”
“Lumi! Catch me!”
As if hidden by a passing cloud, there was suddenly a pre-teen lunging towards her from the sky. Sparkling snow-like mane flurried behind their wide, beaming grin, their half-formed antlers peeking out between ivory strands. Shining eyes were locked solely on Lumièra, light brown arms outstretched in an expectant welcome. On the other hand, Lumièra squawked in alarm, dropping all of her books instantly as she held her own arms open. She wasn’t confident she could even catch them, but her brain didn’t consider that possibility. The second their gazes met, there was nothing else she could even try.
Sing’s trajectory was a little off from perfect, so Lumièra had to step to the side to account for it, mentally running through all the calculations she understood to ensure she had the best chance possible. They cheered as they fell, stretching the syllables the whole way down.
“Hiiiiiiiii Luuuuuuumiiiiiiiii!”
For a split second, she caught them. That brilliant beaming smile cradled between both of her arms. She smiled back, and they laughed.
But then reality dialed back in and they both fell backwards, Sing plopping on top of Lumièra in a heap. Peals of laughter broke out between the two of them as they lay there, Sing’s head giggling against Lumièra’s chest, even as she tried interrogating them.
“Sing! Where did you even come from? You need to give warning!”
Her only reply was a sing-song humming, their cheeky face still finding the situation hilarious.
“Mmhmm~”
She sighed - their antics were still too adorable to object, and she was glad to see her best friend regardless. Reaching up with a hand, she held Sing’s face, carefully moving it back and forth as she studied them.
“Alright, are you hurt anywhere? You fell from quite far, I hope you didn’t attain any bruising. I know you’ve been practising those high plat– Sing? A-Are you listening to me?”
Perfect pink eyes stared at her as she spoke, their admiring gaze never so much as blinking as she moved their head up, down, to each side and then held it in place. They could feel her warm fingers entangled in their hair, tips just barely brushing the base of their antlers, thumb so near to being able to brush past their lips. It was enough to still them completely. Even though they were quite physically close as friends, sometimes when Lumi touched them in these quiet, smaller moments, they felt every touch like a whisper against their ear.
“I– Uhm– yes! Of course I’m listening Lumi. You know I’m always hearing every word.”
The last words slipped out as secrets, heavier than the rest, as Sing tilted their hand to rest further in Lumièra’s palm.
“I’m okay. You caught me after all.”
Watching them carefully, Lumièra nodded, shifting her hand from their face to hold them as she sat up.
“Ok, good. Next time, I’ll catch you better so you don’t fall.”
Sing giggled and nodded, but didn’t get up. Instead they leant further against her, cuddling against the crook of her neck.
“Thank you Lumi~ I know I can count on you!”
Lumièra felt her heat beat faster as her chosen one curled closer. Her arms moved to wrap around them, smiling as she kept them pressed against her. It felt like an embrace of comfort wrapped them both in the gift of the present. From far down the corridor, she heard a worried yell from a similarly youthful voice.
“Siiiing!! Where’d you go?”
Chuckling, she waved the boy over, calling out to him and softening as his blue eyes relaxed at the sight of her.
“They’re here, Seir! Safe with me.”
《🌸🕰️🌸》
Long, luscious locks of an pearly-white mane drifted behind her as she skipped through the ballroom, their excited aura wafting like traces of a ghost to come, infecting all those she smiled to with a reminiscent wave of happiness. The Chosen One giggled past different guests, earnestly complimenting them on their outfits, their horns, their eyes and spreading joy as she went. Cherry blossom petals fell from their blooming perch atop her antlers, trailing past dreamily as she searched. Her dress was ornate, gorgeously pink and and accentuated her best features, paired perfectly with all the gold she bore upon her nose, ears and hands. They looked absolutely stunning today, shining the brightest in all the ball.
But they couldn’t find the one person they had come to shine for, this time.
Letting a pout slip on, she paused with a hum, tilting instinctively out of the way as a pair waltzed by them. Where was Lumièra?
Sing scanned the crowd, perceptively noting the locations of all of their Strike Team. Xainan was talking with Admiral Saahim and her wife, Seir seemed to be having fun with Abaasi, and though she could see where the other Scion was discussing matters with the King, she couldn’t find her light. Her Lumi.
She had been the one to hold Sing’s hand as they entered the ballroom entrance, looking the most beautiful they’d ever seen in her matching suit and tie, but they got separated amidst the sway of the crowd. Admittedly, that was partly Sing’s own fault - they got too eager at the prospect of meeting more people from this beautiful land and learning more about what life is like here. But, it wasn’t like Lumièra to abandon her Strike Team.
Had something gone wrong?
Sudden fear seized their heart, only increasing the more they couldn’t figure out where she was. Once asked, Xainan hadn’t seen her, and she didn’t want to talk to Seir so soon after their fight about Lumièra to ask where she was. Such petty feelings shouldn’t get in the way when there was a possibility that she could be hurt, and they knew that Seir wouldn’t let those feelings get in the way of how he takes care of his team either. But still. There was just– a barrier between them now. She wanted to be absolutely sure before approaching that wasp’s nest. The very thought of talking to their twin again sent prickles up her neck, remembering how he’d blamed her for his own inability to communicate anything with anyone.
It’s fine. She’d find Lumièra by herself.
Perhaps a walk would help clear their mind. They didn’t want to be spotted so nervous by any of the others though, if the Chosen One wasn’t calm then no one should be calm and she wasn’t– she wasn’t so sure this was a problem just yet. Artemis had taught them to be vigilant but there had to be a limit and getting so worked up wouldn’t help her.
With a flick of a wrist, she summoned a set of platforms, hopping atop each of them until she was at the altitude of the ceiling. Absent-mindedly, their eyes scanned the roof tops for dangers as they walked, marvelling the beautiful architecture as they walked along. The corridors stretched for a long while, smooth stone peppered with crawling ivies and vines - nature entwined with every facet of this palace, each plant’s breath swelling with the heart of the building itself. But, the corridor soon ended in a burst of overgrowth, scents rushing forth of every kind. In the twin moonlight, she caught sight of a multitude of colours.
The Gardens!
They’d come here with Lumièra just a couple days ago. Going there would be certain to clear her head, and perhaps the Gardener would know where she’d gone.
Silently, they continued to walk along the roof tops, enjoying the view of the guards below, completely unaware of their presence. It was freeing being here, so alone and unwatched. No one needed the Chosen One right now, she could just be Sing.
She ducked down to make it inside without disturbing the foliage, taking in a deep breath filled with sweet smelling spores. It didn’t take them long to spot her. Kneeling on the soft floor, her coattails trailing about her in a circle, was the most stunning woman in the multiverse, crouched over a purple hyacinth. Long, silken braids rose to form a large crown that haloed her concentrated expression, ringlets of gold and petals of pink peppered within each repeating thread. Her lips were moving in a quiet whisper, but her silver eyes gazed with such tenderness that she was certain the plant could hear her love.
Sing felt her heart catch in their throat.
Everything was alright, actually. There was no need to talk to Seir and there was no need to panic. She’d found Lumi.
Her date appeared to be carefully watering the soil of some smaller plant pots, tending to them with a nature that burst out of her mannerisms sometimes. There were seldom plants that she personally attended back at the Syndicate, but sometimes on these missions, Sing would catch how her eyes would linger longer on any destroyed stems, even longer than the rest of theirs. Lumièra stood, still unaware of her secret admirer, and began to walk through the gardens, trailing a feather-light hand across the various different leaves and flowers. A thought slowly began to crystallise in Sing’s mind, and with a silent giggle, she followed.
Each magical platform sang beneath her step, fortunately quiet enough that it could be masked by the breeze softly blowing through the rest of the garden. They watched as she continued past a small stream lush with aqua-based flora. Silver moonlight painted soft, dreamy edges to her hands, striking a dazzling glow to her pale eyes and hanging a soft sheen across her lips. A smile spoke between her loving actions, gentle and reserved for this moment attuned with life. Sing had never seen her in such peace. It was as if here, surrounded by foliage never seen before, was where she belonged. Her true place, perhaps.
Seeing another side to her was exciting, and they realised their heart was beginning to ache. She wanted to share this moment with her. She wanted to gaze upon that smile from up close, watch the glimmering moonlight curl about each pearlescent eye and run their hands giggling behind her perfectly braided hair.
They couldn’t wait any longer.
So, with a grin, their feet began to run even before they yelled.
“Lumi!!!”
Lumièra was alert this time, already turned before she’d finished her breath and scanning each direction impossibly fast. Almost anticipating the answer, her eyes habitually looked up.
“Sing??”
Sing’s feet had already left the platform, soaring through the air as they locked eyes.
“LUMI! CATCH ME!!”
For a moment, there was a breath.
An angel descending from the heavens, the plethora of layers to her dress billowing in the air, as cherry blossoms flew past like the trail of a shooting star. Her perfect flower, falling out of the sky like a wish granted unknowingly. Scrambling to open her arms in time, Lumièra ran forward, calculating the fall from her trajectory in lightning speeds in her mind. Sing began to laugh, feeling the wind rush through her hair as she fell closer and closer and closer-
And this time, Lumièra caught her perfectly.
Breathless, she held her angel in her arms and looked down at bright, dazzling eyes that beamed a bright, dazzling grin. Sing looked back up at her wordlessly, shifting her arms to cling onto her neck as they landed. Their dress draped past her grip like the falling waves to a waterfall, the luxurious fabric was crinkling under Lumièra’s desperate grip, and her shoe had fallen off to land within a patch of crocuses in the commotion - but neither of them could see nor sense the world around them.
Sing’s melodic voice giggled.
“Hi Lumi.”
“Uh– Hi Sing.”
They held each other in a daze.
Soft, silver eyes, constant like threads of time, versus playful pink ones, enrapturing like notes of a serenade. Lumièra felt her face flushing with heat, every surface of skin electric with Sing’s touch. Though neither of their dark brown cheeks shifted visibly in hue, Sing could feel how her neck shivered as their fingers trailed subconsciously down it. In turn, Lumièra could feel Sing’s chest pressed against her own, recognising the dull pounding to be their heart pumping frantically.
Finally recovering from the initial shock, she started inquisitively.
“Sing, what are you– why are you here? Shouldn’t you be at the ball? Why did you come from the ceiling again?”
Sing sighed, resting her head further against Lumièra’s shoulder. They could feel their body instantly relaxing in her presence, relenting all trust to her. She couldn’t keep herself from grinning, once she found her Lumi it was as if her face only knew to smile at her and nothing else.
“Looking for you, silly! What is a ball if I’m not with my date? And I fell because I was patrolling the rooftops, making sure nothing untoward was happening y’know? It’s all good, by the way. The party’s going splendidly.”
Lumièra laughed, a quiet, endearing thing she didn’t always allow free reign. But it was always so easy to let it loose with Sing. As if these parts of her she always masked were seen, because they were always watching with a patient attentiveness. She liked the feeling of that. The weight of being special in their eyes.
“Right. Well, I suppose I’d be performing my role pretty poorly if I left my gorgeous date alone for so long. Allow me to escort us back, I’m sorry I took so long. I promised the gardener I’d check on the plants during the party.”
Still holding her in her arms, Lumièra began to move but Sing stopped her - quite abruptly really, the sudden feeling of a hand holding the back of her head and lightly tugging on her braids enough to completely freeze her in her tracks.
“Wait! Uhm– I think actually Lumi, maybe we could just– stay?”
Sing shifted her weight, pulling herself closer to Lumièra’s face as their hands moved to hold her. Any retorts that could’ve been said quickly died in Lumièra’s throat as Sing’s thumb lightly grazed over the bottom of her lip.
“Here, it’s quiet, just the plants, the moons, and me in your arms. Quite romantic, don’t you think?”
Lumièra’s eyes widened, hanging on to every word as her gaze flicked to Sing’s own lips.
“An… accurate assessment, for sure.”
She smiled.
“You know, I remember you doing this when we were kids, too. Falling out of the sky and expecting me to magically catch you.”
Sing giggled again, drawing a single breath closer.
“I do too! I suppose I really… fell for you back then too, huh?”
Lumièra snorted, shaking her head a little.
“Has Xainan rubbed off on you enough you’re making puns while flirting, Chosen One?”
Sing’s eyes fluttered at the phrase. She wouldn’t let it ruin this moment, and she couldn’t let Lumi see that she reacted. So, instead she hummed cheekily.
“Perhaps I joke when I’m nervous. Perhaps beautiful women make me a little nervous.”
Leaning closer, Lumièra laughed against her smile, close enough she could feel how hot Sing’s own face was running. At least she wasn’t the only one a little flustered doing this.
“Well, you have nothing to be worried about. This beautiful woman gets pretty nervous herself, especially when she catches a gorgeous girlfriend falling right out the sky.”
With a last hiccuping-laugh, she closed the distance and kissed her.
Sing held her face close, as Lumièra’s grip tightened around her legs and waist. They each tasted like sweetness and rust – and were both immediately addicting. Two moons watched tenderly as they stayed caught in each other’s embrace, locked in a loving, nervous kiss.
They returned to the ball a little later, clothes a little dishevelled but intact, and overall – joyful and in love.
《🌸🕰️🌸》
“Sing!”
Seir’s voice had rung out louder, but Lumièra had called out too. Her voice tore with fear, her body already racing towards them, to be the one she needed.
A limp, unmoving body was rapidly falling out of the sky, a falling star knocked loose from its chosen place. The ashen spear impaling its body ran all the way through, rendering it helpless to the flow of its trajectory. Faintly, she could see her lips moving, too far for any of them to hear, as her head turned towards the two rushing to her side.
“Lumi. Catch me.”
Even though it was impossible to tell, Lumièra heard the words loud and clear. She dodged out of the way of a bubbling liminal, her mind too focused on Sing to even grow fascinated by the patch of disjointed time. She ran and ran and ran; even faster than Seir.
Clock gears whirred in her mind, calculating their trajectory, just like always. Running every number in her mind, solving every equation to find the one that would save her. The answer that would mean they’d be okay. They had to be okay. The Chosen One doesn’t die, she can’t die here. Not now! Not when she hadn’t even given her the letter–
No. Lumièra was the healer. No one died until she either said so, or had no breath to. She was going to fix this, she had to fix this. She was the imaginary square to solve this helplessness, if there was no answer then she would will it into existence.
Wilted blossoms were adrift in the wind, weeping petal tears from the figure as it plunged downwards.
Lumièra’s legs were burning, but she was making it! She was so close, she could almost–
From a flaming sky, moonlight itself fell.
And Lumièra caught her.
Sing’s body landed sharply in her arms, but safe. She had her. She could protect her now. She could heal them and retrieve them and save her now.
“Sing! Sing, Sing, precious, please can you hear me?”
Lumièra was no fool and especially not in her domain. Even as the tears flooded her eyes at the silence, her concentration was unbreakable. She set them down and instantly checked their wound, choking a sob at the sight of how deeply they’d been impaled. Her hands hovered over every inch, checking everything to make sure it was as stable as it could, reviewing the damage; instantly unleashing a low thrum of energy as she used the standard Syndicate healing spell wherever she could. Sing coughed under her palms, her breath weak as she looked up at her.
“Lumi…?”
It wasn’t working. Her healing wasn’t working. It wasn’t enough it wasn’t enough the wound wasn’t closing and if she messed this up like she had with Amaaru now then she wouldn’t get her back and Oblivion would take Sing from her just like they took everyone–
“Sing! Mira! Mira please, bring her back.”
Seir had caught up to them, his chest heaving as emotion tore through his own words. He roared his concern, emulating everything Lumièra was feeling out loud. It wasn’t a demand, but a plea from a broken brother.
“I know. I know, I’m trying. Seir, hold her please, I’m going to– I need to– Cauterise– I should–”
Her words faltered, dissipating in her throat the longer her sobs stared at the growing pool of blood. She couldn’t fix this. It was just too much. She couldn’t protect her.
Sing’s eyes hadn’t moved, but they still blinked slowly. She met both of their tears with a small, mournful smile.
“This… had to happen. To save… everyone.”
Seir’s cries wracked through him, pressing his face into his twin’s bleeding heart in denial.
“No. No! No, it isn’t happening, you are not leaving me. Sing, you promised to always– you can’t leave me! You are my better half, I– I cannot be without you, you can’t go!”
Sing’s eyes shone with small tears as she painstakingly moved a hand over, weakly resting it in his hair.
“My twin… My soul… Seir… I’m sorry. I have to say goodbye…”
There was nothing that could stop his sobbing, denying “no…no…no…” as her limp fingers tried to stroke his head. Lumièra held her even closer, cradling her head and pressing her face against theirs, her tears slipping down the threads of her mane.
“Sing… Sing please… You can’t leave us… Please, please I just found you, you can’t go.”
She felt their head turn to look at her directly, sorrow filling their eyes as they gazed upon her.
“Lumi… my love… the little time we had… was special to me… all the same.”
Lumièra’s gaze was puddled with tears, her voice desperate like a child’s as she whispered.
“Please. Don’t go.”
Sing’s eyes slowly looked past her, up at something behind her shoulder, and she whispered back.
“It’s okay… Lumi… you caught me.”
Silently, to something neither of them saw, she nodded her head yes.
The last glimmers of light faded from the moon, fallen from fiery sky down to its grave.
Seir’s scream of anguish could be heard from miles away. Lumièra, however, was merely silent. She stared down at the body resting in her arms with all the breath stolen from her. She was hollow, and her hands had let hallowed body die within their grasp.
She glanced at Seir, whose blue eyes burned with grief. The pain he bellowed echoed through her every bone, as if his heart had been split in twain.
She was wrong, all those years ago.
Sing had been here, with Lumièra, but in the end that wasn’t enough for them to be safe at all.