Forgotten by the Realms

Chapter 1: Pollution

1 year prior

By order of Alef, ruler of Prairie, Regent of the seven realms during the sixtieth year...
A census is to be taken of all residents in all realms, in preparation for harvest. Report to the temple to account all persons in your household, and your occupation in the realm.

- Head Scribe
Bortimous

~

Sunshine blared loudly down upon the glistening waterfall, catching the drops on fire in their downward momentum. A forlorn figure scooped a handful of the water and splashed it over their face. It trickled down their chin and through the cracks in their mask giving the strange specter the illusion of crying. They tilted their head back, allowing their mask to dry in the scorching sun, their shaded eyes squinting at the herd of mantas overhead. They shook a moment in apprehension, attempting to push away the omnipresent fear of the large majestic creatures. A woven basket filled to the brim with fish was resting on the bank beside them, the scales still glistening with moisture and their mouths morbidly hanging open.
They quietly rose to their feet, strapping the basket to their back and swinging their phoenix like cloak around themself testing the breeze. When the petals on a nearby flowering tree rustled wildly with a sudden gust, they leaped high into the air spreading the cloak far across their shoulders and catching the wind. They soared higher past the floating land masses high above Sanctuary Islands floating gently into a wind stream. Their white hair flew vehemently behind them in its loose plait, whipping into a frenzy like a vanilla milkshake. A cute jellyfish lolled lazily midair, it's tentacles creeping closer to to the island, as they alighted on the precipice and tred gently towards the small pool in the center. The water lapped against their bare feet as they slowly sank onto all fours and eased their hand under the surface. Their movement fell still, and time froze until a small shiny fish swam delicately over the obscured hand. In a flash it was gasping on the bank in a haze of light and air, the small lungs gasping and the fins flapping hectically to return to the water. The phantom watched in fascination, their cat like eyes flitting back and forth behind the mask.
As the fish slowed its feeble attempt to return to the watery depths, they unclasped a crystal from a small case, and tapped the fish gently with the tip. It stopped flailing and it's jaw hung open grotesquely as it ceased to fight. They delicately picked it up and plopped it into the basket, sliding their arm back under the surface and returning to the stoic vigilante.

~

The sun was leaving, it's remaining rays lighting up the pond with gold, red, and orange. The phantom swung up the basket once more, and launched high into the air. Soaring serenely past the large greying clouds they flew through a tunnel towards a land mass in the distance. The Prairie. Birds flocked towards the hills in preparation for sleep, mantas soared overhead migrating towards their dens, the butterfly fields were devoid of the fluttering activity which brought them to life. Prairie was warm, green, and bright, with many caves and hills in which its residents dwelled. The figure alighted in the village just as the candles were being lit, and vague shadows from inside cozy homes, moved and swayed in the lengthening night.
Approaching a door rendered in the wood of a tree, they pushed it open and strolled towards a cheerful light from the living room. A soft voice omitted from the well worn couch, and they silently passed to not interrupt its song.
Presto arriverà l'alba
Vieni l'alba vieni
Presto gli unccelli canteranno
Cantano gli uccelli cantano
E io sarò con te
The swell of the gentle lullaby calmed their nerves as they dumped the basket of fish on the stone table. They hummed the words quietly as they sorted them. The tune stopped after they entered the room, a cluster of fish in their arms. A girl sat near the licking flames, and hardly glanced at them as they entered the room.
"You said you would be back by dinner. What took you so long?" The harmonic voice quipped.
The masked one smiled as they set the fish down, absentmindedly pulling out a glass container.
"I lost track of time, Odë, but it looks like you and Báye had things under control."
Odë looked up at them with big eyes, her brow creased with mock disapproval.
"Never again Sasi."
Sasithorn Aryonwyn ignored the comment, they knew that their twin was being dramatic. Odëthella was surprisingly good with watching the house and finding interesting things for her and their younger brother Bayedolune to do. Sasi poured water into the oblong glass container, as they flicked the fish back into the water. As the fish touched the water, instantly it sparked to life, a warm glow coming from where Sasi had tapped them with the crystal. Their colors shimmered brighter and their scales began to glow with energy.
Sasi leaned back on the mantle watching them happily swim back and forth, slowly removing the cracked mask which shaded their face all day to reveal their unique features. Their face was patterned by subtle freckles and their eyes were two different colors, green and light brown. This was the only way the twins could be told apart since Odë had a green and blue eye, but since they wore masks in public there was no way to tell who was who.
Odë frowned at the superfluous amount of the shining fish.
"We are running out of containers Sasi, you need to stop bringing back fish. That snooty self appointed village monitor was over here today, she wrinkled her fat prissy nose to monstrous proportions when she saw the excessive tanks in the hall. Seriously, I thought she slammed her nose on the door as she walked in, that's how smushed her nose got!"
Sasi chortled, choking on a glass of water they were sipping on. Odë typically spoke her mind, and a humiliating situation came to Sasi's mind as they imagined their conversation.
"Odë you didn't confront her did you!" They asked sternly.
"Oh no, I just asked if she wanted me to get her a plastic surgery appointment to fix her nose." Odë declared resolutely.
Sasi groaned. The village monitor already hated their family, and it was a daily struggle to stop her from getting them kicked out. She liked to come and check the house when Sasi was out working, since it was easy to get dirt on the unregulated Odë and the awkward Báye.
"I'm sorry I wasn't here today, the lakes by Sanctuary are so polluted it's hard to see the bottom, and I just feel bad for the creatures who have to live in that gunk." They glanced tiredly out of the window, as Odë shuffled through a stack of papers in the kitchen pulling out a crumpled piece.
"Crazy Lady left this decree with me after I insulted her, it's another census. Have you noticed the dark plants sprouting up everywhere? Where are they all coming from, they can normally only grow in Wasteland, and the smog is getting worse, did you notice how grey the clouds were?" She groused.
Sasi smiled as they glanced halfheartedly at the mandate.
"Perhaps you're right Odë."