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Looking out at the crowd of Scions in the Backrooms, Lazulite leaned against the wall on the furthest edge away from their chatter and planning. It had been a while since fresh meat had entered the fray, and he wasn’t too sure what to make of them at this juncture.
Cahciua mentioned it had been thirty summers since the Dome had fallen on Heritage Found, yet here they all were nary a month older than when Lazulite remembered seeing them.
Time used to flow differently in here compared to out there, Little One.
The rumbling of his voidsent companion roused Lazulite from his brooding.
“Aye, I’m aware, Fray.” He mumbled, keeping his head low as he focused his gaze on one miqo’te in particular.
The way his red hair was neatly tied into a plait, his ruby eyes sparkling with excitement at the new area they inhabited. Oh, how Lazulite had missed those little quirks.
Now, why are we going to keep up the farce of calling yourself Lazulite, Ahn’zem? I doubt Mother would be happy to see you change your name from the one you proclaimed to adore more than life itself?
Lazulite scoffed, pushing himself off the wall before he slipped away down a corridor towards a supply room. He just needed a moment to himself. “I can’t let them know who I am… who I was.”
Fray rumbled, frustrated. I understand time has passed, but you have hardly aged thanks to your new body. Surely they’d be more grateful to have you at all, Little One?
Shaking his head more, Lazulite slammed the door behind him. “Everything has changed aside from my age!” He tore his hood off, the article now stifling him as he tried to push down the panic. Turning his gaze, he saw a mirror above a small basin. His long blue hair was tied back in a messy ponytail, crystalline ears now poking up and twitching as they stretched out from being forced down for so long. “M-My ears… tail… even my voice…”
Taking a breath, he clutched the porcelain sink. Once, he looked up at the mirror and saw a blonde tyrant looking back. Now, all he saw was the manifestations of his failures.
“Thirty… thirty summers can change someone… I-I am unsure if it’s wise for them to get to know the new me.”
Ahn’zem….
“It’s Lazulite!” The miqo’te hissed, staring at himself like he was trying to see into his mind to get to Fray. “I understand you worry for us, but for now… it’s better if they don’t know. Ignorance is bliss… ignorance will beget safety.”
If they don’t know I’m Ahn’zem, then Zoraal Ja will be less inclined to hurt them.
Fray took over part of his body, using Lazulite’s arms to hug himself. I understand, Little One. I see your fears and hear your trepidation…. You simply wish to save them the pain you suffered.
“Aye.” Lazulite choked out as he fell to his knees. “Let them enjoy themselves before we have to fight against Zoraal Ja and Sphene… let them enjoy their blissful ignorance before all is shattered and burned in their wake.”
Fray continued to hug his companion, the warmth of voidsent energy forever a comfort to the former dark knight.
As you wish, Little Lazulite. I will be with you every step of the way…
“Thank you, Fray.” Lazulite whispered, a single tear rolling down his cheek.
Ignorance is bliss…. One day… G’raha will see I did this all to protect him…
One day… maybe I can explain it all…
One day…