The Alrevia Order [Elisop]

Bonus - For Eternity

I planned to make quite a few chapters like this to delve more into the relationships of the side characters, might add more lore in these too so advising to read it too 👍

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There was a time when things were very different from now, in a faraway place. It was a time when living beings and nature coexisted, a modest society where morals were more valuable than any currency.

"Are you nearly finished?"

"Patience. One must take their time in the practice of the arts, Orpheus."

A young woman with golden hair stood behind a large canvas, palette in one hand and brush in the other. The colours on the wooden tablet were rather dull, varying between various shades of blue, black and grey, yet the sketch that was gradually taking shape on the white canvas exuded much more life than a regular painting.

"You say that because you're not the one who's been sitting there for several hours."

"Is my presence not enough to entertain you, my dear?"

"You hardly pay me any attention to be honest."

Orpheus had stopped counting the minutes and seconds since Eurydice had shut herself away in her bubble to paint. So he spent the time contemplating the landscape of ancient buildings and flowers rustling in the breeze, occasionally glancing at the artist whose sapphire pupils exchanged glances between him and the canvas, but even admiring beautiful things could become tiresome after a while!

"I've almost finished."

"I feel like I heard that sentence two hours ago."

"Why don't you tell me a story to pass the time, then?"

Orpheus looked thoughtful. It was an alternative like any other, but when it came to stories, the man took it very seriously. He pondered for a moment, staring into the void for a few seconds before coming to his senses.

"It's... about a sunflower." Eurydice's gaze was still focused, but she listened attentively to Orpheus's words nonetheless. "This sunflower shines above all, radiating like a sun and delivering the desire to blossom to the other buds. Yet as much joy as it can bring, its heart remains dark."

"Is this a sad story?"

"Sad? I can't say. The story isn't over yet. This sunflower is very fickle and opens as easily as it closes in on itself, but with great care and compassion, it will surely manage to rise to become the greatest."

"That's just like you, Orpheus! Delicate and very demanding."

Eurydice let out a laugh as Orpheus turned his head away in exasperation.

This wasn't his story, and if he had to consider their place in it, being a neglected sunflower wasn't so bad. Eurydice was a young woman always full of enthusiasm and ready to help others, she was like a new sprout. At once fragile and a symbol of rebirth, Orpheus was no more than an old branch, stripped bare by autumn and waiting for the biting cold of winter to break it.

Everything comes to an end.

He wasn't the first, but his destiny was heading down a different path to his own. He would certainly not have the same chance to become one and return to the earth as she had.

"You're in a terrible state, Orpheus."

Was he dreaming? The voice sounded higher than he remembered, but the energy and tenderness hidden by the sarcasm didn't lie to him, unthinkable as it was. His eyelids opened, it was a little blurry and translucent but he managed to make out a small silhouette. Her wheat-blond hair had darkened to a chestnut brown and her eyes, which reflected the depths of the oceans, now had a clear look that showed her connection to nature.

"Am I dreaming...?" he breathed out as he held back his blood vessels from bursting here and there.

"Sort of, I guess, since you're able to see me."

"You've grown younger."

"And you've aged."

"But I'm glad I got to see you again."

"Sleep well, Orpheus."

Eurydice gave a faint smile before disappearing in a whirlwind of leaves. Where the druid rested, the same white flowers of his memories grew in endless fields.