BUT HOW COULD YOU KNOW THE SWEETEST SUFFERING
OF MOVING ON
OF MOVING ON
Granted. They’ve finally been granted refuge and Tiphon doesn’t bother to conceal the gratitude and relief of having heard those words. A heaving sigh slumps him into relaxation and a broad smile stretches across his golden lips. ”Thank you,” he murmurs to the land, to Beqanna, before veering from their place and scaling the mountain in the direction of their new home.
The sand hisses underneath his weight – the first known footsteps – and Tiphon peers out from his forelock to stare at the ocean lapping just in front of him. There is a lulling rhythm, but it also brings back the horrid memories of having seen Tiberios’ corpse mangled. A jab of hurt stabs into him, but he blinks it away and looks past the rolling waves toward the lifted horizon where he sees the silhouette of the island. It shudders in anticipation and he mirrors the action before stepping closer to the tide.
Then the magic surges first through him then deeper into the sand. It doesn’t affect him except to play as a reminder of what he once was. He frowns then but it’s short-lived as the ocean parts in front of him and creates a path toward their homeland. With his unfamiliar wings shuffling at his sides Tiphon steps forward and curiously walks through the cavern of water. It roars all around him, threatening to tumble down and drown him, but it holds steadfast like a winding wall directing a lost child.
Ashley is already there, breathing in the new scents and drinking the sights for the very first time, after having swam from the mainland. Tiphon mimics him and scrutinizes the towering trees, the untouched sand, the shells, and the vivid colors of life. Their family will be raised here, grow old, and enjoy the safety and seclusion.
It’s perfect.
”Ashley,” Tiphon’s voice is deep but still kind, ”they opened a walkway for us.” His head tilts to where he came, where the ocean has been parted and still gurgles with anticipation to crash down. It waits for everyone to arrive and to marvel at what they’ve been so kindly given.
Then, for the first time since the rebirth, Tiphon laughs.
The sand hisses underneath his weight – the first known footsteps – and Tiphon peers out from his forelock to stare at the ocean lapping just in front of him. There is a lulling rhythm, but it also brings back the horrid memories of having seen Tiberios’ corpse mangled. A jab of hurt stabs into him, but he blinks it away and looks past the rolling waves toward the lifted horizon where he sees the silhouette of the island. It shudders in anticipation and he mirrors the action before stepping closer to the tide.
Then the magic surges first through him then deeper into the sand. It doesn’t affect him except to play as a reminder of what he once was. He frowns then but it’s short-lived as the ocean parts in front of him and creates a path toward their homeland. With his unfamiliar wings shuffling at his sides Tiphon steps forward and curiously walks through the cavern of water. It roars all around him, threatening to tumble down and drown him, but it holds steadfast like a winding wall directing a lost child.
Ashley is already there, breathing in the new scents and drinking the sights for the very first time, after having swam from the mainland. Tiphon mimics him and scrutinizes the towering trees, the untouched sand, the shells, and the vivid colors of life. Their family will be raised here, grow old, and enjoy the safety and seclusion.
It’s perfect.
”Ashley,” Tiphon’s voice is deep but still kind, ”they opened a walkway for us.” His head tilts to where he came, where the ocean has been parted and still gurgles with anticipation to crash down. It waits for everyone to arrive and to marvel at what they’ve been so kindly given.
Then, for the first time since the rebirth, Tiphon laughs.
TIPHON
STARLACE AND INFECTION