Cinders: An Intrulogical Story

Chapter 1

A long time ago in Elphe there lived a humble family living on the out skirts of town on a farm.
Though the estate was large and bustling with life it still had a quaint and subtle aura to it, making it feel as though it was it's own secret kingdom away from all the harsh realities of life.
The monarchs of this beautiful kingdom were of course not monarchs at all but a humble farmer named Victor and a wealthy merchant named Edward.
The two men were deeply in love, they couldn't bare the thought of being with out each other, if anyone ever needed evidence that soul mates were real then Edward and Victor would be exhibit A.
The two men were from wildly different back grounds and would never have even met if it wasn't for Edward's trusted butler Emile Picani introducing them.

Picani was a funny guy, he was less a servant and more a family friend who gave out exquisite love advice, he came across as wise beyond his years despite being fairly young.
When everyone was telling Edward he was too good for Victor, Picani was the only one who supported them, something that they always remained incredibly thankful for.
They even promised to make Picani a god father when they eventually had a kid, a role that Picani treated like a badge of honor.
After a very long time of waiting and constantly being asked about it they had a son named Logan and he was everything they wanted.

Logan was a sweet and sophisticated little boy, even at the young age of seven he displayed an acute and exceptional capacity for learning.
He loved to study and participate in little experiments but what he loved to do most of all was read.
He loved his books as if they were his own family, protecting them under any and all costs.
The words inside of his books were a trusted source of comfort to the young boy, they could take him anywhere he wanted at anytime and if it ever got too scary there was no need to cry as he could always return to the safe arms of his parents.

Of course they couldn't be together every day as Edward would spend weeks and even months away from his family just to sell his wares.
Logan missed him terribly when he was away and the only thing that could bring him solace was reading nonstop in front of the fire place until he fell asleep.
Naturally this habit often ended in him being covered in soot and cinders, causing his parents and Picani to affectionately nick name him Cinder.
When ever his father would return he would surprise him with a brand new book from a far away land while Victor read a chapter to him every night before he went to bed.
Together they made a very happy family but even the happiest families go through grief, and no grief was worse than when Victor fell deathly ill.
It started off so small, a couple weak joints, feeling too tired to play, Picani bringing his meals to his room, until eventually his father could barely work on the farm anymore.
Luckily Logan was used to taking care of the animals but his dad only got sicker and sicker with each passing day until eventually he had to use a walker just to get around his own house.

The day he died was as painful for Victor as it was for his husband and child.
Frail and weak Victor called for Logan to come into his room, Edward and Picani had already got to speak with him privately and stood outside the room trying to hold back tears.
Logan entered the room and it already pained him enough just to see his father who was once one of the strongest and most resilient people he knew become bedridden and weak, but to see him clinging to life just to give his only son a proper goodbye made it so much more unbearable.
"Logan, listen to me." He mumbled, grabbing a tight grip on Logan's hand.
Under normal circumstances Logan would usually remind his father that he's stronger than he thinks and he'd quickly apologize but not now, he could be digging his finger nails into his skin and it still wouldn't matter.
No pain was greater than the pain he felt seeing his father like this.
"I love you very much Logie, you've made my short time on this earth a lot better and I've always wished that I could be as smart as you.
I mean it, you have more wit and intelligence than most adults I have met." he whispered, staring deeply into Logan's eyes.
Logan was trying his best to contain his emotions and not cry, he was never the kinda person to cry and he hated the thought of sobbing in front of his parents but at some point you have to give up and let it all out.

"Promise me something Logie, no matter what... you'll continue to learn and use your wit, I never want you to let it go to waste no matter what.
Keep learning, keep growing and I know one day you're going to do great things.".
Logan smiled weakly before muttering "I love you papa", prompting Victor to kiss him on the fore head.
Victor petted his head gently and Logan crawled into bed with him, hugging him tightly, Victor began to sing a gentle lullaby.

"The autumn days grow short and cold, It's christmas time again
Then snows of winter slowly melt
The days grow short and then,

He turns the seasons around
And so she changes her gown
Mother Earth and Father Time,

How very special are we
For just a moment to be
Part of life's eternal rhyme..."

If you've ever lost some one very close to you, you know how difficult and heart wrenching it can be, if you haven't though, you couldn't possibly imagine it.
Nothing can compare to losing a person who you love, that deep dark feeling we all experience when time has to take away our loved ones is unimaginable.
We are still lucky though, because it's a blessed thing that we all get to experience a brief, fleeting moment on earth, no matter how small it is.
How very special are we indeed, Victor.