Book of The Lightborn: Rise

In Their Memory

The ground shook violently once more. Melonius knew what that meant, "More rootworms.". His mind conflicted. "Should I save Efeehem, or Avaanel?" he asked himself, his head shaking in disapproval. "No. Just focus," Melonius closed his eyes, ignoring all sounds, but his brother's and sister's breath. Then, his eyes started to emit a powerful light, sparks erupted from the corners as he opened his eyes and started to sway the winds. "Up, below, to the sides, just how he first taught me," thinking of everything Kilon showed them all when he returned.

Just when he started to make himself and Efeehem float with his winds, a rootworm ruptured from below the hill on which they stood. Melonius's eyes ceased in their glow at the prospect of death. "I wish I could've played some more. Talk with you, in your own way, brother," Melonius spoke in his mind, his light and that of Efeehem connecting, as he hugged him in his arms. "Should we meet in another form, I will know who you are. Afterall, there is only one who speaks like you," these words reaching Efeehem's perturbed mind.

Efeehem, as the moments froze in minutes, and the minutes in ages, told his brother through his light "And there is only one who calls me like you do, brother.". His words, clear as day to Melonius, who could only cry as the mouth of the worm slowly closed. "Until then, I will talk with our siblings," Efeehem's words, once more, hard to understand, but not like before.

"What do you me-" as Melonius tried to voice his question, he felt the radiant warmth of his brother enveloping him. It didn't harm him, it protected him. "Efeehem no! If you do it, then your body will be destroyed, and we don't know if your soul can-".

"It is fine, Melonius. I know where my soul will reach," Efeehem calmly said, the lights within him starting to swirl and act hectic. His body produced a powerful red glow, the flesh of the worm surrounding them, burning as they remained suspended in midair.

The rootworm got incinerated at a portion below it's head, detaching itself from the body as if a hole got punctured through that part. Its body squirmed in the hole, as Efeehem and Melonius softly landed back down, this time, Efeehem carrying his brother.

"Efeehem...are you sure?" Melonius asked his brother. A part of him trying to look for another way, while knowing all too well that this might be the only option.

"I sure am. Avaanel someone care take of must," his speech incomprehensible, but his will unbroken.

Melonius didn't have the words for it. He could only walk away and watch as his brother shone hotter and hotter. Efeehem's skin started to peel away, sparks erupting from everywhere in a futile attempt to regenerate his body. The ground started to tremble once more, as all the worms following them had made their way to the surface, launching themselves at Efeehem, getting their very being burnt in mere seconds.

Avaanel witnessed the sacrifice Efeehem was displaying. She then changed her focus on Melonius, who stood on his knees and watched their brother burn up. "Melonius!" she cried to him "We have to go! Otherwise this is all in vain!" her words resonating with Melonius.

Melonius lifted himself up, looked at his brother, burning up for them, and raised a prayer as his body lifted a bit off the ground "Guide his soul, o' Creator. Let him find a better place, where he can be happy, for he is dear to me," then his feet touched the ground, as he rushed towards Avaanel. "We should go then sister," as Melonius said that, he extended his hand, which Avaanel grabbed, and with the other around his neck, they ran off.

As they made some distance between them and the hill, the whole region lit up all of a sudden. A powerful sound, then a shockwave followed, as fire erupted towards the sky. Melonius and Avaanel fell to the ground on their faces, the shockwave making their bones rattle, as their eyes got blinded by a powerful light.