The Black Stars of Melanin

Mysterious Love, Destined Duality

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Jinto's arms tightened like knotted rope. What the hell does he mean by that!?

"Damar..." Jaleel bespoke.

Immediately, Jinto broke away from their brotherly embrace, as a bead of sweat reared itself from his temple. "How... How do you know that name..!?" he trembled. The shocked, still reverberating within his voice.

"You look like you've seen a ghost brother," Jaleel sardonically said.

"Can we PLEASE just SKIP the games, just this once!?" The tamer of Flames erupted.

"Great, here we go again. H-he's like a restless volcano that refuses to sleep." Juri whispered to herself.

"Very well, no need to go all.. nuclear on me. I have known of the woman called Damar for quite some time. The first time I saw her was on The Night of Tragedy," Jaleel explained.

Jinto's face was a picture of perplexity, "The Night of Tragedy? You mean the night that we all annually hold a remembrance, honouring our fallen? Wasn't that due to a group who attacked us?"

"You shouldn't be able to remember that much. It seems Frude's meddling really is wearing off. Yes, the Vikes attacked us when we were young. I was only around 10 or 11 at the time. It was the first time your Qudra had partially manifested. You fought bravely until what would've been your last breath. Then I, The Prince of Lightning came to your aid," Jaleel elucidated.

"Where's the part that involves Damar!?" Jinto barked impatiently.

"Patience brother, patience... I was credited with leading a counter attack that drove off those vile Vikes. However..." Jaleel paused, scowling at the floor. His stare as intense as sunlight beaming through a magnifying glass, almost burning a hole into the ground. "Tch, I didn't need her help. But she stuck her nose where it wasn't wanted. I was surrounded by the most powerful of the Vikes. They lunged at me in unison. And as I readied myself, they all melted away in an instant."

"Wow... that's my Damar alright!" Jinto bespoke, his words cradled in pride and joy over her.

"There she stood. In the middle of her decimated foes. A tall, looming yet elegant woman with cinnamon skin. Her hair was like a chunk of the darkest night. And her wine-red eyeshadow, emboldened the glow of her amber eyes. I'd never seen anyone so beautifully powerful. She looked at me suddenly, or, so I thought.. Her gaze went straight through me. I was of little concern to her. She only had eyes for you, Jinto..." The Prince of Lightning confessed.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Jinto uttered like a guilty child.

"To her, you were all that existed. She held you tight and something activated within you. A strange steam emanated from your unconscious body, and your injuries vanished as quickly as the steam did," Jaleel pressed.

Jinto gently gripped his collar, before slowly moving his hand down to his chest. As if he had just unzipped an invisible scar. "I can still feel her arms lovingly wrapped around me. She's so tall, that her arms were like a scarf around my neck. And her scent... I can still recall the acrid sillage that emanated from her. To most, it would be strong or unpleasant. But to me, that burning smell, felt like home..." The Tamer of Flames paused, lost in his idyllic memories of a time he feared would never return.

"It's true, I did keep her a secret. She used to care for me. Protect me. Love me. She taught me all I know. How to fight. How to use my Qudra. Actually, she's the one who helped me to defeat you that one time. She seemed adamant on me overcoming you, even if it was just once! It's as if she had something to prove, but to whom I wonder? I never saw her again after that... In a way, she was my equivalent of your Haytalek. Except, Damar didn't mention anything about where she comes from or what she is to me. She didn't whisper notions of grandeur to me, like Haytalek did to you. It seemed she only wanted me to be peaceful and happy... in a way, she was more of a mother to me than our actual mother. Or something like a big sister perhaps... I don't care what she's supposed to be, I don't care about titles. I just wish.. I could see her again..." Jinto mourned.

Hiraeth. A word denoting an intense longing for a nostalgic time or place, that will never return. This was the enduring emotion that dwelled deep within Jinto's solivagant heart. Just like the lingering aroma of an extinguish fire, Jinto's fond memories of Damar lingered like wispy smoke...

"I, can relate... though I threatened to kill Haytalek. Though I tried to make her pay for manipulating me, there's just something deep inside me that wants to give into her. Something that finds her soothing. A predisposition to obey her almost... That's even more of a reason why I must get rid of her.." Jaleel replied.

"How bizarre. To think that the both of us would have these strange experiences and attachments to these two odd women who seemingly appeared out of nowhere. And even more strange is the fact that Damar wields fire just like me and Haytalek possesses lightning, just like yourself. Though Damar's fire is acidic..." Jinto surmised.

"Haytalek's Qudra did have an alkaline smell to it..." Jaleel added.

"Hmph. Things are getting a little ominous huh? But as long as we stick together, we should be fine, come what may!" Jinto asserted.

"Hmph, spoken like a true Melanin Man... But, to tell you the truth, I've seen Damar multiple times on my travels. Although, every time we met. Every time our paths crossed. She practically ignored me. One time in particular sticks out..." Jaleel uttered, pensive...