The sun was bright as it rose above Tara, it's rays casting across the blades of grass and shining onto the city of Sapphire. The crystal city reflected the light back into the sky and showering its citizens in a blue hue. A woman sat up slowly from her bed, a soft hum reaching her ears as the giant stone around her city vibrated with heat. She stood, her toes immediately touching a piece of mangled clothes. She took a sigh, looking back at her partner, who slept peacefully. A smile spread across her face, her partner cozying up closer against the blanket that sat upon their bed. They could always sleep late into the day, the buzzing never disturbing their slumber. That the cost of moving to this city, you never quite get used to it. Although, Elieas would move to Earth if Kit asked them to. She slowly lifted her foot and picked up her partner's shirt, throwing it to the bin to later be washed. It was coated in dust and debris, the tan color peeping through just barely. Elieas knew it would be far passed sun high before they would wake, so she figured she'd go on a morning stroll. She made her way to the separate room in their tiny house and gathered a quick snack she could bring to her favorite winged man at the edge of town. It was never much, but he was always grateful. She pulled a long-sleeved coat from a chair and draped it over her nightwear, lacing it up tightly to her neck. There was a small droplet broach resting on it above her breast, and she touched it lightly. It was smooth except for a small engraving right in the center. The lines crossed over each other, and she couldn't read it, but she knew what it stood for, Clearwater, her home city. She remembered when she received it; it was right after she and Kit decided it was time to move in together, and she was saying goodbye to her mother. She knew she could always visit, but being back in that waterborne town gave her chills. The grass always seemed taller there. She quickly let go of the broach, picking up the bag with food and making her way to the door. Outside she could tell the sun was barely over the horizon, the sky alight lilac purple. There was a tall stone erect in the middle of the town, a deep sapphire blue. She walked, her head held up high as she let her gaze roam across the houses, filled with barely awoken citizens. It was these mornings she loved best, the ones where she didn't have to worry about the crystal on the ground or the dirty occupants brushing against her. She could simply walk and take in the whole of her home. It didn't take her much time before she could see the portal and a weary old man sitting by it. He was small, and his wings drooped down against his sides as he leaned forward against the cane in-between his legs. Every time she saw him, she was always amazed, his skin was deeply inset with dark wrinkles, and his eyes looked as though they had barely been used. They were a stark yellow, almost glowing under his heavy eyelids. Her lips curled up into a smile as he caught a glimpse of her from afar. Her straight black hair moved against her back as she quickened her pace, the grasp she had on her bag tightening.
"Good morning, West," she called out, lifting her arm and waving. Her slender fingers reached into the sky, and he nodded slowly in response. The large Sapphire beside him flowed gently, detecting the movement ahead of it. It was inset into the tall cliff, golden leaves holding it into place. The face of the stone had been brushed away centuries ago, unlocking their only way to and from Earth. Even just touching it would catapult you into a random year the stone chose. West believed the year was determined by fate, as though something outside of themselves set them precisely in the year they needed to be. Humans couldn't even see the portal on the other side, they weren't wired to see magic.
"Pleasant to see you, Elieas," his voice was barely a whisper, gravel against a rock. He rolled his fingers on his cane, the winding vines encircling each other into a stub at the tip.
"I brought you some sweet bread," she slowed her steps as she got closer, the old man shifting to make room on the bench for her.
"You always treat me," he let out a soft chuckle and patted the benches softwood. Elieas never saw much wood in Tara; in fact, this was the only wood furniture in all of Sapphire. She much preferred it, it was warmer than the cold metal she was used to. She sat down and reached into her bag, pulling out a roll and passing it to him.
"Anything exciting happen last night, West?" She asked as she looked back into the stone, her face reflecting off of the surface. She brushed one of her stray hairs behind her ear and then turned back to the old man. He swallowed the bite he took of the bread and waved his hand.
"Don't call me that, dear," his wing twitched with his hand movement, brushing against her arm. His feathers were rough and worn with age, she couldn't imagine what the eldest Eyes of the Sky feathers felt like. They were soft grey, an icy tone. It felt right that he was placed here in Sapphire, it was like he belonged amongst the jewels.
"Well you never told me your name, what else would I call you?" She chuckled, folding her hands into her lap and looking up to the clouds.
"Mmmm…" he hummed, taking another bite of his bread. The two of them sat in silence for several minutes as they watched the people of Sapphire slowly rise from their homes. The portal was meters away from the closest house, but it was evident when the rustling and footsteps began. The two of them watched as people left, their shovels and pans on their shoulders and light of morning washing over their faces. Elieas looked back, the stones insides swirling like a slow whirlpool ready to suck in its next victim. She clenched her fists, balling her coat up into her fingers.
"Do you really think they'll come?" She asked him, her voice weak. There was doubt inside her, she had heard the stories, but it just didn't seem possible. They've always lived with the Darkness at bay, what was making this time so much greater?
"I have seen it, I know they'll come," his words were solid, the air around them ringing.
"I'm scared," her voice was barely a whisper, and he turned to her slowly, letting his wing fall back behind the bench. He reached out and touched her shoulder gently with the rough palm of his hand.
"We must trust what fate has assigned for us, Elieas,"