Heavenly Caller
Lumi Lumi rests his chin against the wooden rail, an uneasiness churns within him. The Schooner had disappeared from his sight into the dark of the night. Yet, he keeps watch with two other sailors. They stand beside him, their hands tense over the cloth wrapped handles of their recurve bows. The sky darkens, the flames from the enemy vessel disappear into the dark of the night. Lumi wonders when or if the pirates would return. From what the men on the deck had said, it was unlike pirates to allow such a valuable find to go untouched. Why do people care so much about spices? Lumi questions, pacing back and forth, deep in his thoughts.
He takes a moment to collect himself before sitting down on the wooden rail, carefully threading his legs between the banisters. With his eyes shut tight, he listens intently to the sounds in the distance. He leans his head against the wooden railing and strains his ears to pick up any faint noises. His large, lion-like ears twitch at even the slightest of sounds, the gentle lapping of waves against the side of the boat, the murmurs of sailors behind him, and finally, in the distance, the one sound he had been dreading: oars hitting against the water’s surface. As he wonders how much longer it would be until Khimi and Rashid return from Ennui’s room, feelings of guilt wash over him for not being able to help her. Or maybe it was disappointment that his skills as a healer were constantly being questioned.
Lumi’s eyes flutter open as he pushes himself off the hard wooden planks of the deck. He looks back and sees a group of sailors crammed together above, trying to stay warm. A sudden presence startles Lumi, causing him to jump against the railings. Y’sol’s appearance always fills Lumi with anxiety. He tugs at his half shirt, trying to cover his body in her divine presence. The goddess stands before him, draped in a sheer white dress that loosely hangs from her figure. She gazes out at the ocean, her wild russet hair cascading behind her in the gentle breeze.
“Things are dire,” Y’sol says softly, her aetherial eyes set ahead into the darkness. “You are chosen as the envoy of the gods, Lumi. Impose your will.”
Lumi clears his throat, glancing back at the sailors huddled about. “I don’t know what you mean, goddess. How?” he whispers, nervously casting looks between the goddess and sailors. “I c-can’t do anything…”
“Channel the powers of the gods,” she says simply, pinching her brow. “Lumi, do not be afraid of our gifts. You were chosen.”
“Goddess—Y’sol, I can’t—”
“Can’t or won’t?” she asks, turning to Lumi, a tinge of anger showing in her expression. “There will be days to come, Lumi. Times when you need our gifts. If you don’t use them, then what purpose is our existence? The chosen are to act in accordance with the will of their gods… you are one of the fourteen chosen, Lumi. Act like one.”
Lumi stammers, peering into her eyes, which match his own. “I-I don’t know.”
“Then listen,” she begins, placing a hand on Lumi’s shoulder. “I cannot sit idly by and watch you expire because you are too stubborn to harness our gifts,” she spits with a joyless expression.
Lumi eyes her curiously. “What would you have me do?” he asks softly. What can I do?
“Lend me your body,” she says, her thumb strokes along the choker on Lumi’s neck. “Empty your mind and allow me a moment to show you the true power which you wield.”
Lumi looks back to the sailors, who glance back at him in response. “Can they see you?”
“Only you,” Y’sol responds quickly, lifting Lumi’s chin, directing his gaze back to her. “Now… will you heed me?”
“I just need to clear my mind?” Lumi asks in a hushed tone.
Y’sol’s finger strokes along his cheek. “Create an empty space in your mind. Think of something calming. The vastness of the Aldorrian Desert, the calm waters of the Emerald Coast, or the breezy plains of Loria,” she instructs. “The sounds of the Dolman Jungle, the lapping of the waves along the Dolman Coast.”
“I’ve never been to Loria,” Lumi replies, his eyes pinched closed. “Why did the gods choose me, Y’sol?”
“That is a path you must discover on your own… but know that we have faith in you. We believe that the day will come when you restore our order,” she begins, then pauses. A glance over the water once more, and she continues, “It isn’t long now, perhaps a few short moments before it is too late.”
Lumi peeks at Y’sol between his closed eyes. “I’m trying!”
“Try harder. Else, have regrets when this vessel is set upon.”
Y’sol releases her hold on Lumi’s chin. He instinctively grasps onto the wooden railing, recalling his healing sessions with Cecilia. He tries to find a peaceful space in the vast expanse of the Aldorrian Desert. In his mind, he walks across the dunes as he did when he was younger, feeling the sand give way beneath his feet and sift through his toes. The warm desert wind caresses his face, but thoughts of Khimi interrupt his peace. I need to protect Khimi.
“Empty your mind, Lumi,” The goddesses voice demands, booming through the expansive desert within his mind.
Lumi tries again to clear his thoughts. He sits hurriedly and presses his head between his knees. Images of violence erupt. His brother’s hand tight on his neck, choking him while darkness draws in on him. Sevrin. The bruises and scratches across his body ache with a radiating dullness. No. The masked mercenary holds him down, a familiar panic fills him. At least he had been strong enough to fight back against this assailant. Never again… I don’t want to be weak. The night of the sahaugin attack comes back to him. His only concern had been for Khimi.
“It’s not so easy!” he shouts across the vastness of the dunes.
“Push everything from your mind,” she instructs again, her words an icy calm. Lumi sighs, opening his eyes. He jolts back when he notices the goddess standing before him. “You know I can appear here. We’ve met under similar circumstances…”
“Right… am I dreaming—”
“Meditating.”
“I can’t focus!” Lumi shouts in anger. He grabs swathes of his hair, tugging it sharply. “How can I help anyone?”
Y’sol looks at him, the corner of her lips tug into a smirk. “Perhaps something different may work for you. You and I may be more similar than I believed,” she adds knowingly. “Lumi, do you know what would happen should those pirates board your vessel?”
“We’d be taken prisoner—”
“Don’t—Don’t be naive,” she interrupts. “I care for you, Lumi… but you know the truth of it. Use that.”
Lumi looks down at the shifting sands beneath his bare feet. “They’d slaughter us,” he whispers, his hair swaying before his eyes.
“They don’t care for who you are, only what you have. That is greed,” she replies. She places a hand on his head, tousling his hair. “You have less than twenty crew. Their vessel has eight and six.”
Lumi groans and grabs at Y’sol’s fingers over his head. “Goddess, what do I do?” he pleads, “what can I do?”
“I want you to imagine… what would happen should that come to pass. Your devil is already injured… bleeding in her cabin. Khimi feels the exhaustion from the magicks he invoked. The old paladin’s age is getting the better of him… the ship would be swarmed,” she whispers, pulling Lumi’s hair so their eyes meet. “Listen!”
Lumi struggles to avert his gaze, looking beyond her and ignoring the pain from his hair being pulled.
“Listen!” she shouts again, tugging his hair with sudden strength. She forces his eyes to meet hers. “Lumi, you will die. You will watch them all die. Unless you act!”
Lumi keeps his eyes focused on hers. Tears stream down his cheeks. “What must I do?”
“Do what you must to protect what you love,” she replies. “Or else all is lost. Your path to restoring our order on Talmus will be long and arduous. Steel yourself, little lion… for your journey is only just beginning!”
“How do I channel your power? How do I impose my will?!” he begs, his head shaking in his hands, “Khimi can’t die… we’re jus-just starting our lives together.”
Y’sol clicks her tongue. “Then showthem the power you possess. The gift we gods have given you… if you prove yourself, then the other gods may appear to you in time. They may see you as worthwhile of their efforts.”
Lumi wipes the tears from his cheek. “All of those people on the other—”
“They’d not give you a second thought before cutting your throat. It’s best you repay them in kind,” she interrupts sternly.
Lumi nods slowly in response.
“Now imagine it. Allow the burning rage inside to free itself. Even if only for a moment, no matter how brief,” she says, kneeling beside him. “Feel the chains that tether your rage break and release that anguish onto them.”
Lumi chokes back tears, envisioning the events unfolding in his mind. The vessel being overrun by the pirates. Khimi fights to protect them and their friends. Only able to endure for so long before the masses of the enemy ship swarm him. The imagery fills Lumi with intense feelings of sorrow. He wants to reach out and help, but he knows it is only a vision. He will do anything to protect Khimi. A pressure builds in his chest, his heart nearly bursting. His tail swings behind him angrily in the sand. The faces of the enemy crew swirl into misshapen fiends, rage fills him while he watches them cut down crew and friends alike. His fingers curl in on themselves, his nails bite into the skin of his palm. Khimi can’t die. Khimi can’t die. I can’t let Khimi die. Khimi, you can’t die!
The desert around him fades. Opening his eyes, he feels clarity and surety. The front of the schooner comes into view from the darkness. The many oars slap against the water, the sound becoming more audible, its approach becomes imminent. Y’sol places her hand on Lumi’s shoulder from behind. The men from the crew run to the bow of the deck beside him, glaring into the foreboding darkness.
“They’re back?” One of the crew shouts at Lumi for affirmation.
He keeps his gaze ahead, reminding himself of Y’sol’s words.
“Harness it,” Y’sol whispers behind Lumi, her hand on his shoulder, her finger brushing against the golden choker.
He swallows hard, his breath uneven as he clenches his outstretched fingers. The weight of every wound, every rejection, presses against his chest like an iron brand. The hatred he has carried, the isolation that has haunted him since childhood—it all coils around his ribs, tightening with every painful memory. His father’s scorn. His brother’s fists. The cold eyes of the tribe, turning away as if he were nothing. The whispers in the temple halls, acolytes murmuring their disapproval behind their pious masks. But then there is Khimi. Khimi, who laughs with him. Who sees him. Who loves him, not in spite of who he is but because of it. The only warmth he has ever known. The only family he has ever wanted. His hand trembles as he reaches toward the ship, desperation thrumming through his veins. He does not know what he expects—only that he must do something. Anything.
Lumi squeezes his eyes shut, his lips moving in a hurried, breathless whisper. “Gods of light and fire,” he begins, his voice unsteady but resolute. “Hear me.”
A sudden flush of warmth rushes through him like a desert wind, brushing against his cheek with fiery intensity. His brows furrow in concentration, his gaze fixed on the vessel looming ahead. The beat of his heart thunders in his ears, drowning out the chaotic shouts and curses of the sailors. A stifling heat envelops him, Y’sol’s nails dig into his shoulders, her grip firm and unyielding. The salty breeze swirls around him, filling the air with its briny scent. He exhales softly, his breath like a gentle whisper amidst the chaos. His rage towards the merciless pirates simmers beneath the surface, fueling him with newfound strength. His eyes open, golden lines crackle to life along his outstretched arm, pulsating with raw power. A soft glow radiates from them, casting an otherworldly aura around him. A searing heat surges within him, threatening to consume his very essence. His fingers twitch with anticipation, a scowl etched onto his face while the intense heat spreads through every fiber of his being.
“Command their fate,” the goddess whispers, her ethereal voice somehow overpowering the frenzied screams of the crew. “You are a god among mortals.”
Lumi’s eyes glow with an intense, crimson flare, as if a fire burns within them, within him. An ancient sigil forms in the sky overhead, its intricate design pulsating with golden rings of dancing flames. A clap of heat lightning illuminates the cloudy night sky, casting a reflection across the inky water’s surface.
A strange and otherworldly heat courses through Lumi’s body, causing a prickling sensation at his fingertips. He raises his hand towards the oncoming vessel, the completed sigil looming ominously overhead.
Y’sol grips his shoulder tightly and urges him, “Speak the word.”
As Lumi’s eyes cloud over, bolts of streaming light stretch through the sky. The crew on either side of him shout and scream. The word enters his mind—Ignis. A cacophony of voices floods his mind, their screams and shouts echoing like thunder. Lumi wonders if these are the voices of past saints or even the gods themselves.
A golden laurel crown appears on Lumi’s forehead, bearing a sunburst—the mark of his gods. The heat within him intensifies, the burning sigil glows brighter. Lightning bursts from the sky and strikes the water with deafening cracks. Both vessels are bathed in light, revealing the pirate crew standing on deck. Fueled by rage and determination, Lumi imagines the pirates from his vision and eagerly anticipates bringing them harm.
The goddess whispers to him, urging him to speak the final word.
“Ignis,” Lumi mutters with conviction and power
The sigil blazes to life, its lines pulsing with a violent crimson light. Gradually, the clouds above morph from their soft, puffy white into a menacing red, like blood seeping through cotton. Lightning flashes and crackles through the sky, striking ominously over the water. Panic sets in for him. He watches the oncoming vessel draw nearer. His breath comes in ragged gasps, and he looks to Y’sol for guidance.
“Say it from the depths of your soul,” she urges, her grip tightening on his shoulder from behind, her lips pressed against his ear.
“IGNIS!” he bellows.
A radiant tendril of light surges forth from the center of the arcane sigil, piercing through the dark night sky and saturating it with a heavenly, blinding glow. The sudden and startling hiss that accompanies its arrival fills the air, causing steam to rise in thick waves from the water below. The tendril expands, silhouettes of pirates aboard the enemy vessel briefly materialize before being engulfed by the all-consuming beacon of light. Lumi gasps for breath, his heart pounding wildly. He stands on deck, arm outstretched towards the mesmerizing display. But as quickly as it appeared, the glowing tendril recedes back into the sigil, leaving behind only a dissipating fog and eerie silence. He collapses against the railing, feeling both relieved and unsettled by what just transpired. His eyes widen in disbelief, searching for their pursuer through the mist. Is it truly gone? Slowly, the glowing laurel crown etched onto his skin fades away, returning his appearance to normal. And as if awakening from a dream, his eyes return to their aetherial hue.
“Lumi!” Khimi’s voice calls, running across the deck with Rashid close on his heels.
“What happened?” Rashid inquires gruffly.
Thunder rumbles across the sky. A light drizzle begins to tap across the deck.
Rashid lifts his hand before him. “Rain? What happened?” he asks again, his eyes narrowing at Lumi. “Magick?”
Lumi remains staring ahead into the darkness, his eyes trained where the schooner had been merely moments before. Crew on either side stare ahead, their mouths left wide with shock. Water sprinkles overhead, drenching him in the cold rain.
“Y’sol,” Lumi mutters softly. He turns to look behind him, his knees sink against the deck. “Y’sol,” he says again. “Are they dead?”
It takes him a moment to note the goddesses’ absence. Her words would only confirm what he knows to be true. He had seen it with his own eyes, the vessel reduced to ash. Eight and six crew. A hand on his shoulder causes him to flinch.
“Lumi?” Khimi asks, kneeling beside him. “What happened?”
Lumi looks up, grasping Khimi’s hand in his own. “Khimi… something happened.”
“We were saved!” A crew mate shouts to the heavens. “Gods be good! Praise the heavens! Glory be to the gods!”
Another joins in jubilation, “Praise the gods!”
“Someone tell me what happened!” Rashid demands, grabbing a sailor by the collar and shaking him firmly. “Spill it!”
He looks at Rashid with wide eyes. “A miracle!” he exclaims, clapping Rashid’s shoulder. “The divine saved us! The aslan is chosen!”
Khimi cups Lumi’s chin in his hand. “Tell me what happened,” he says in a quiet but demanding calm.
Lumi trembles from the rain and cold. “I k-killed them,” he stammerers between chattering teeth.
“C’mon,” Khimi whispers, pulling Lumi to his feet. “Let’s get you out of the cold,” he says, placing his arm around his shoulder. “You’re not making any sense.”
“Wait,” Rashid says, stepping before the two of them. “I’ll hear it from your mouth, Lumi.”
Lumi only stares at Rashid, offering no response.
“Let him rest, then you can ask him what happened,” Khimi says while he runs his hand along Lumi’s shoulder.
Rashid looks past them at the billowing fog. “No,” he says with a hint of aggression. “Tell me, Lumi. Who did ya invoke?” he asks, a hint of annoyance in his voice. “What did you do? Was it a devil? A demon?!”
“It doesn’t matter,” Khimi replies, glancing down at Lumi.
Rashid shakes his head. “This… isn’t normal. Not even a Head Priest could do something like this… I’ve only ever seen Davani do something like this!”
“Rashid—”
“No, Khimi. He owes us answers. We were just making plans to parlay—”
Lumi’s brow pinches, feeling Rashid’s judgment upon him. “It was the gods! The gods of light and fire…”
“Light and fire?” Rashid says in disbelief. “Ya’ve never trained a day at the Sun Temple…”
Lumi brushes his hair from his eyes, his tail swishes behind him in defiance. “It’s true!” he pleads, pushing Khimi’s arm from his shoulder. “The goddess told me what I had to do…”
“Liar…” Rashid mumbles. “Y’re bloody lying!”
“The goddess… she told me I was chosen…”
“Rashid,” Khimi sighs, following behind Lumi. “This isn’t the time,” he says, brushing past his advisor.
Rashid stands silently in the rain, the braziers on deck begin to sizzle.
Lumi pushes the door to their room open and rips the half shirt over his head quickly, tossing the wet fabric onto the wooden planks. He grabs loose clothing from the bed, drying himself in haste. The door opens behind him, with Khimi entering, a concerned look on his face. Lumi turns to him and breathes a heavy sigh.
“I don’t know what to say,” Lumi begins, wiping the wetness from his face with the linen shirt. “Khimi… how is Ennui?” he asks from behind the cloth.
Khimi closes the door gently behind him. “She’s fine. She’s asleep. Rashid offered her some relief healing. She was overcome with pain and passed out. When we saw the lights through the window, we rushed to the deck,” he says softly, leaning against the wooden wall. “Care to tell me what happened?”
Lumi’s skin glows red from the chill. “What… what should I say?!” He shivers, taking a nearby blanket, and draping it over himself.
“Whatever happened, it saved us,” Khimi says solemnly. “Do you need me to warm you?”
Lumi groans. “I’m not in the mood now,” he says, shivering beneath the blanket.
“I know,” Khimi replies, crossing the room then embracing Lumi. “We can just rest.”
Lumi pulls the silk waist sash from around Khimi’s hip. The loose, wet sarouel thud heavily against the wood plank, his arms wrap tight around Khimi, feeling the warmth of his partner permeating across their bare skin. Khimi knots his hands together behind Lumi, lifting him against himself and placing a kiss between his twitching ears.
“Khimi,” Lumi whispers. “I… I told you.”
“Hm,” Khimi replies while he brushes his stubble through Lumi’s hair.
“It happened so quickly… I could only think about you.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“You won’t remember anything I tell you about Y’sol. You know that, right?”
“I know,” Khimi responds quietly. “But at least I’ll remember everything else.”
“Y’sol appeared… the goddess.”
“And?”
“She said—she said that you’d die if I didn’t act. She said all of you would die. But Khimi… all of those people. So many people,” Lumi mutters. “What if they had passengers or slaves like the Dolmans?”
Khimi lifts Lumi rough up against himself and carries him to the small mattress, dropping onto his back with Lumi on top of him. He takes the blanket from Lumi’s hand and tosses it over their bodies.
Lumi nuzzles his nose against his chest and Khimi sighs. “They would have killed us… regardless of any diplomacy we tried. We were badly outnumbered. Ennui knew it too. She said as much and even suggested—well never mind.”
“The goddess was right then…”
Khimi raises an eyebrow at Lumi. “Loathe as I am to admit it, but… yes. Whatever happened, whatever you did. It saved us.”
“Then I saved everyone,” Lumi whispers against Khimi’s chest.
“Yes,” Khimi replies, stroking Lumi’s damp hair from his eyes.
“Rashid is always going to hate me.”
“Don’t worry about Rashid,” Khimi snorts. “Rashid is just a stubborn old man. But don’t worry about him, you should rest,” he whispers, his tone comforting and softer than usual.
Lumi melts against him, his ear pressed against Khimi’s chest, listening to the beating of his heart.
“I felt so much warmth and power, Khimi.”
“How did it make you feel? Happy?” Khimi questions under his breath.
“Not particularly,” he groans against Khimi’s kaftan. “You’re all bloody,” he says, grasping at the fabric.
“I can take it off if you prefer?” Khimi asks, managing a playful smirk. “You’ve already taken my trousers.”
Lumi looks up, meeting Khimi’s eyes. “No. I’m just happy you’re here.”
“Lumi,” Khimi whispers at the top of his head, his fingers massaging the soft round ears.
“Hm?”
“Why did you stay at the temple? If you aren’t a follower of the gods of life… ?” Khimi asks, scratching behind Lumi’s rounded ears.
Lumi’s expression becomes severe. “Because Y’sol asked me to stay there. And she said the gods of light and fire… are no longer loved by their own.”
“What?” Khimi inquires. “That sounds absurd… the Sun Temple has one of the most far-reaching orders. Everyone praises the sun.”
“The goddess said… their order is filled with deceivers. Those who are true to the Faith have long since passed,” Lumi whispers against Khimi’s chest. His ears twitch at Khimi’s touch along the rounded edges. “She said it was my duty to revive their order.”
“I—”
“It’s okay,” Lumi interrupts. “I don’t want any of it,” he says, lowering his eyes. “I’ve never wanted it. I just want to be with you.” His body instinctively purrs while he lies atop Khimi, his body heat warming him.
Khimi closes his eyes, resting his head against the thin pillow. “Lumi… I don’t think the gods are going to allow you to—”
“Stop.”
“What?”
“Please,” Lumi sniffles. “I don’t want to think about it. Not yet… can I just pretend a little while longer?”
“No, Lumi,” Khimi insists. “I’m sorry… but you need to tell me… what are you supposed to do?”
A lengthy moment of silence follows Khimi’s question before Lumi replies. “I’m chosen by the gods.”
“A saint?!”
Lumi closes his eyes, his chest rising and falling against Khimi’s as he releases a lengthy sigh. “I don’t know what I am supposed to do, Khimi—the goddess said I must become stronger. She’s told me much the same before. Time and time again.”
“I—Lumi, I’m sorry. I want to spend my life with you,” Khimi replies, pressing his lips at the top of his head. “Whatever challenges the gods have in store for you… we can make it through.”
Lumi’s eyes pop open. “We will!” he says hopefully, reaching for Khimi’s hand. “I promise. We’ll find a way to be together. To make it work.”
“The gods—”
“Khimi,” Lumi interrupts, his voice quivering. “We’ll be together. I promise.”
Khimi remains silent. A pensive look on his face. “When we return to Rhaz, I was thinking that we should go ask Nina some questions.”
“About?”
Khimi pulls at a loose strand of Lumi’s blond hair. “About souls… the afterlife. You want to spend eternity together, right?” he asks, giving Lumi a loving grin. “It’s what you wanted, isn’t it?”
“Of course,” Lumi says solemnly. “I didn’t think you took me seriously.”
“Always.”
Lumi manages a weary smile. “I’m glad,” he whispers, nuzzling in against Khimi’s chest again.
The Greater Cay
The inlet of the Greater Cay is a forest of masts, hundreds of vessels crowding the harbor, their sails billowing like the wings of great seabirds against the brilliant blue sky. The vibrant port city of Amassia hums with energy, the air thick with the mingling scents of salt, fish, and exotic spices carried in on the ocean breeze. With each step across the sun-bleached planks of the harbor, Lumi breathes it all in—the raw, untamed pulse of a place that never sleeps. He had heard the stories, the tales of the Isles drawing people from every corner of Talmus. But now, seeing it with his own eyes, it feels overwhelming. The crowds surge around him, voices overlapping in a dozen different tongues, traders barking their wares, sailors calling orders across their decks. Everywhere he looks, color explodes—vivid silks, embroidered mantles, lacquered jewelry flashing in the midday sun.
Lumi weaves through the throng, his gaze darting from face to face, outfit to outfit. He’s never seen such a dazzling display of culture in one place before. Each step forward is a glimpse into another world—robes embroidered with golden cranes from Sho, tunics stitched with star patterns from the northern reaches, flowing kaftans in every hue from the Desert Cities.
The streets pulse with life, a current of voices, movement, and flashing colors that set Lumi’s nerves on edge. The press of bodies feels suffocating, the clamor of merchants and travelers a ceaseless roar in his ears. Instinctively, he reaches for Khimi’s hand, his fingers tightening around the only solid thing in the shifting chaos.
Khimi responds without hesitation, giving a reassuring squeeze before leading him forward, cutting through the sea of people with a forceful shoulder. Countless gazes prick at Lumi’s skin, though none linger too long. They have their own concerns, their own worries—but the whispers persist, drifting through the air like embers carried by the wind.
“…a light over the sea…”
“…brighter than the sun itself…”
“…an omen, perhaps?”
Lumi forces himself to take steady breaths, to ignore the murmurs curling at the edges of his mind. They don’t know. They never will. Whatever the people believe, whatever stories they spin—it doesn’t matter. They are safe. Or at least, they will be.
As they make their way towards the heart of the city, Lumi takes a sip from the flask Khimi had given him. The warmth of the alcohol soothes his nerves slightly, but he can still feel a knot of anxiety in his stomach. He wonders how many lives Ennui had taken in her quest for power. Thousands? Hundreds of thousands? She’s like a living nightmare.
But then Khimi looks down at him with a mix of nervousness and love in his eyes, and Lumi cannot help but let out a quiet exhale behind the silver flask while he replaces the stopper. The rough planks beneath their feet soon give way to smooth limestone cobbles, and they find themselves surrounded by colorful buildings that seem to bloom out of nowhere. The architecture is fantastical, a mix of wood and stone that somehow manages to hold together despite its haphazard construction. To Lumi, everything about this place feels strange and otherworldly. His attention is caught by a man playing an oud near the edge of a street, the haunting melody adding to the surreal atmosphere. On a nearby balcony, women dressed in sheer gowns wave at them from above. It’s like something out of a dream.
Khimi leads Lumi up a hill and into the central area of the wharf city, where dozens of merchants call out their wares in a vibrant array of colors. Rashid and Ennui limp behind them at a slower pace, two sailors from their vessel keeping a watchful eye on them. Though everything seems peaceful enough, Lumi cannot shake off the feeling that they are being watched. The Golden Isle may have a reputation for wild brawls and ruthless privateers, but stories like those only serve to make him more anxious.
At last, their destination crests over the horizon—Rose Manor, a stately inn perched atop a gentle hill, its whitewashed walls glowing amber in the fading light. As a sailor had told it, it was once the lair of the infamous swashbuckler Laurent Rose, now it catered to the wealthier travelers and nobility who sought respite within its halls.
“Fucking hells, Khimi!” Ennui’s voice cuts through the evening bustle, her frustration as sharp as a blade. “You couldn’t get us a damn cart? Rashid and I are at our wits’ end.”
Rashid clears his throat and stops mid-stride, fixing her with a pointed stare. “We’re almost there now, Ennui. Just one more push.”
Ennui groans, casting an exasperated glance at the looming manor. “My leg is still bloody sore,” she complains. “Maybe you’d like to carry me, Khimi? You do owe me, after all.”
“I told you,” Khimi sighs, rubbing his temples, “you could have both stayed on the ship.”
“And I’ve had enough of that cursed tub to last me a lifetime!” Ennui spits, her tail lashing like an irritated cat’s. “I just want to go the fuck home.”
Beside them, Lumi shifts awkwardly, guilt flickering across his face. “I’m sorry I couldn’t heal it perfectly.”
“Nonsense,” Rashid mutters. “You did the best you could. Better than this old man ever could.”
Since learning Lumi was one of the chosen, Rashid had been treating him with both fear and awe, as if afraid to offend him. It made their conversations stilted, weighed down by a strange tension.
“I’m sure we’ll find someone who can help more,” Lumi offers, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Ennui manages something akin to a grin. “Nonsense. It’ll heal on its own.”
“Lumi can try again after he rests,” Khimi insists, placing a steadying hand on Lumi’s shoulder.
Lumi’s tail flicks in mild defiance. “Right… maybe after some sleep. I’ll have more energy then.”
Khimi frowns. “He hasn’t slept since that night,” he says quietly to Rashid, concern knitting his brows. “We can come back for you both.”
Rashid exhales, nodding. “Aye. Ya both carry on. Ennui and I’ll catch a bite.”
“Right,” Ennui mutters, narrowing her eyes. “Guess I am feeling peckish.”
“Peckish?” Khimi scoffs. “Very well, I’ll send for you both soon.”
Lumi tugs at his sleeve. “Let’s hurry. I don’t want to keep them waitin’,” he says, already turning toward the hill.
As they walk, Lumi’s stomach growls in protest. He had grown tired of salted fish and barrel water tainted with the sharp taste of oak. The scent of roasted bass hangs about the square, along with the scent of garlic roasting in oil.
Khimi seems to notice the way Lumi turns his nose at the smell. “We can stop and eat if you want,” he offers, amused by Lumi’s hungry gaze.
“No, no,” Lumi insists and begins to walk past Khimi, between a row of buildings. “Come on,” he adds, turning to beckon Khimi to follow. “Let’s not keep them waitin’.”
Khimi lingers for a moment, glancing back at Ennui and Rashid before trailing after him. “Stay out of trouble,” he calls over his shoulder.
Ennui smirks. “In the Golden Isles? Easier said than done.”
Rashid groans. “Lead on,” he says, giving Khimi a lazy wave before following Ennui into the lively square.
Khimi quickly trots to catch up to Lumi ahead of him, making his way up the small hill and past blocks of the busy streets. Lumi keeps his head down, glancing occasionally at the variety of people in the Golden Isles. He heard from the sailors that there were all manner of races, but he is still taken aback by the sight of other Dolman races. Pantera, aslan, and even a few others. Lumi pulls the traveler’s cloak tighter against himself, passing a small group of pantera. He always felt a sense of guilt at his size when he encountered pantera or tigre. Of the larger ikati beastkin, aslan and tigre are supposed to be the largest. His brother had already been nearly double his size when he last saw him. I wonder if he’s taller than these?
“Lumi?” Khimi calls, splashing through a puddle to catch up.
Lumi turns back, his thoughts suddenly empty. “Khimi?”
“You took off.”
Lumi rubs his eyes. “I guess I got distracted… or I’m just hungry.”
Khimi tilts his head. “We could go back and eat with Ennui and Rashid.”
Lumi rubs his eyes with the back of his hand. “I’d rather find our rooms first,” he says, his ears fluttering.
Khimi studies him for a moment. “You look exhausted, you need rest.”
“I just… need a bit,” Lumi murmurs, pulling his cloak tighter like a noose around his throat.
Khimi places a warm hand on his upper back. “Lumi… you didn’t do anything wrong.”
Lumi says nothing.
The path towards the manor quickly turns from cobbles to dirt, the last of the wooden houses fade into pastures. The road turns to muck once they are near the pastures. Lambs bleat around them, rushing to the fence line to greet them. Lumi puts out his hand and runs it over the young sheep. In the distance, a canis shepherd raises his crook, calling to his canine companion. They stand against the fence line, observing the comforting scene around them. He extends a hand beneath his cloak, and Khimi takes it without a word. Their fingers intertwine.
“Is this the life you wish for?” Khimi asks softly. “If it is—we can make it so.”
“No,” Lumi whispers. “I just want a life with you.”
Khimi gives his hand a light squeeze, running his fingers along Lumi’s sharp nails. “I’ll always be with you.”
Together in silence, they watch the guardian dog herding the young sheep back to the center of the field. Lumi reaches out, placing his hand upon the wooden fence post. Attempting to hold his composure, he sniffles as the sheep dash through the field away from the yelping dog. Suppressed emotions rise within him. Tears form, running down his cheek, quickly falling into the muddy patch of dirt. Khimi remains quiet. He listens, wrapping his arm around Lumi’s shoulder.
The sobs grow louder. What I did—
“You saved our lives,” Khimi murmurs, breaking his thoughts. “Don’t blame yourself.”
Lumi’s teary gaze snaps to him. “But—what if there were innocent people on that ship?”
“You can’t know that,” Khimi replies firmly, gripping Lumi’s shoulders. “And you won’t ever know.” He exhales, steady and sure. “You need to understand, Lumi. The world is cruel. We would have died.”
Lumi turns away, staring into the field. “Back in Rhaz, it was different,” he says. “I knew they wanted to hurt us… I could feel their intent.”
“But these pirates?” Khimi presses.
Lumi swallows thickly. “It wasn’t personal. They didn’t want to kill us… they just wanted our stuff. And stuff can be replaced.” His voice cracks. “So why did they—”
Khimi shakes him gently. “Lumi,” he sighs, “if it wasn’t our ship, it would have been another. They probably killed hundreds before. You did the world a favor.”
“You don’t know that!” Lumi snaps, shoving Khimi’s hand away. “You don’t know anything!”
Khimi sighs and leans over the fence. “You’re right, I don’t know. But what I do know is that finding out won’t bring you any comfort. You won’t feel any sense of relief by knowing who was on that ship. I used to worry if I was doing the right thing… but I had to push past that.”
Lumi remains silent, shaking with sobs as he clings to Khimi’s cloak. “How?” he finally manages to choke out between sobs.
Khimi tries to lighten the moment. “Think about spiced lamb.”
But Lumi doesn’t smile. He presses his face into Khimi’s chest, shoulders trembling.
Khimi sighs. “Lumi, I’ve done things you wouldn’t want to know about.”
“I’d never—” Lumi chokes out.
“Just listen,” Khimi’s voice is low, steady—gentler than usual. “I’ve done horrible things. As a mercenary, you don’t ask questions. You take the coin, follow orders, and push it all from your mind. Some men don’t feel guilt, no matter the horrors they commit. They sleep soundly and tell themselves they were just following orders. But you—” He shakes his head, gripping Lumi’s shoulder. “You’re different. You follow the gods, the same gods who are known to kill indiscriminately, using their chosen to control the fate of Talmus with their will. But what makes you so distinctly Lumi… is that you feel guilty where your gods don’t. That shows a true sense of morality and empathy.”
Lumi weeps into him, struggling to catch his breath. “I-I don’t—don’t,” he stammers, unable to put his thoughts into words.
Khimi sighs, his grip tightening around him. “You’re not a bad person, Lumi. One act doesn’t define you. And even those who have done terrible things still have the power to do good. The world isn’t black and white.” He hesitates, then adds carefully, “Think of Ennui. By all accounts, she should be a villain, a name whispered in fear. And yet, she risked her life for us. She cares—she just won’t ever admit it.”
“K-Khimi…” Lumi’s voice is small, lost.
Khimi kicks his feet through the muddy ground. Finally, he clicks his tongue and reaches down to lift Lumi out of the mud. “It’s going to be okay,” he whispers reassuringly as he helps Lumi stand upright again. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
Lumi calms himself down, his body held tight against Khimi’s. His breathing steadies while Khimi gradually lets him back down onto the muddy path. He looks down at his feet, cold mud cakes the side of his feet. His stomach churns, and his empty stomach grumbles in protest. He buckles over, falling to his knees. His empty stomach releases its bile into the mud. Khimi squats beside him and rubs Lumi’s back with a gentle caress.
“S-sorry,” Lumi rasps, wiping his mouth on his sleeve, his ears flattened in shame. “I’m sorry.”
“You’ve nothing to be sorry for.” He hoists Lumi up once more, keeping an arm around him. “You’re exhausted and starved. C’mon, let’s get you cleaned up.”
Lumi musters a weak smile, plucking clumps of mud from his cloak. “Think this place has a bath?”
“If they don’t, we’ll find one,” Khimi says, nudging him forward. “Hells know we all need one.”
Lumi manages a shallow laugh. “Yeah… we do.”
“I think we all have a bit of a stench on us now,” Khimi replies while they cross through the fields.
They trudge onward, sinking into the sodden earth. Shallow creeks carve through the landscape, feeding into deep puddles that reflect the storm-heavy sky. Wooden planks stretch across the worst of the muck, allowing carts to pass without sinking into the mire.
Atop the hill, Rose Manor looms, its grandeur faded, but not yet lost. Stained-glass roses gleam dully in the dormer windows, the vibrant colors muted by time and neglect. Lichen creeps across the weathered shingles, and a brick wall, half-hidden beneath ivy, curves protectively around the manor’s side.
Khimi exhales sharply, his lips pressing into a thin line. “Not quite what I was expecting.”
Lumi’s ears twitch. “It looks… scenic.”
The road shifts from mud to crushed stone as they near the entrance. Horses paw at the ground, tethered to wooden posts along the pebbled path. A woman in velveteen livery stands beneath the awning, a hooded lantern casting warm light at her feet. At their approach, she gathers her long dark hair into a neat twist, then bows slightly before stepping forward.
“Guests of the Rose Manor?” she asks, her voice smooth, practiced.
“Well, yes… but,” Khimi begins, while he looks bewildered at the building. “Is this it?”
The woman clicks her tongue. “I assure you, you won’t find finer accommodations on Greater Cay.”
Lumi lowers his hood, scrutinizing the warped wood and moss-laden roof. “It looks a bit… shitty.”
The woman’s gaze lingers on Lumi’s aslan features, her expression unreadable. “Certainly, the manor has seen better days, but I promise you, the comfort inside is unmatched in Amassia.”
“Once we’re situated, could I borrow a cart to return to the city?” Khimi asks, looking over the horses hitched to the posts.
The woman nods, her eyes still fixated on Lumi. “It shouldn’t be an issue,” she replies cautiously.
Lumi, sensing the woman’s gaze, fidgets nervously. He grabs hold of his tail. “I’m sorry,” he whispers as he draws his hood back up. “Are beastkin not allowed?”
“Lumi—”
“Originally, no,” the woman interjects with a surprising quickness. “Laurent Rose was known to be distrustful of beastkin. However, Laurent has been dead for many years now, and Rose Manor is open to all guests,” she explains, her expression becoming somewhat gentle.
“Are there any staying here now?” Lumi asks, kneading along the coarse fur of his tail.
She looks down at her feet, shifting them slightly. “Well, no.”
“Any particular reason?” Khimi asks, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms.
“Most frequent sailors know that Laurent had a poor reputation with beastkin… and as such not many choose to stay here,” she says quietly. “But I promise, no harm will come to you. No one here is like Laurent or harbors those types of feelings.”
Lumi groans, “Khimi… It’s fine.”
“Alright,” Khimi mutters under his breath.
The woman rushes to the door, pulling the large wooden door open. “Please, come in. You both seem weary. Relax, and enjoy the pleasantries the Rose Manor has to offer.”
Lumi walks across the pebbles and up the small stone stairs. Khimi follows closely behind him, peering down, watching Lumi’s muddy sandals track onto the wooden parlor floors. A comforting light flickers from a stone hearth across the room. The light shines brightly across the lacquered heart pine floors. A man near the door approaches them, extending a hand. Khimi grabs hold of Lumi’s cloak and pulls him back from wandering further into the Manor. He removes the clasp holding it in place, sliding the drab cloth from his shoulders. The man by the door takes the cloak and folds it neatly, waiting for Lumi’s.
“Sorry,” Lumi says, ripping the clasp from his soiled cloak. “It’s muddy… I can wash it.”
The man offers a genial nod of his head. “I’ll see to it,” he says, gently taking the cloak and slinging it over his arm.
The man turns, walking into a room off to the side. Lumi attempts to peek inside while the door pushes open. Canvas sacks and small casks line the wall. The man folds the cloaks over a wooden table before the door closes behind him. A storeroom? Khimi places his arm on Lumi’s shoulder, encouraging him onward. Lumi steps into the large hall. The stained-glass window on the right wall allows a bit of colored light through the red rose, the remainder of the light is blotted out by the overgrown ivy against the outer rim. Two women sit alone in the hall and turn to glance at the two of them for a moment before returning to their conversation. Khimi shifts back and forth, grumbling under his breath.
“Do we just… find a room?” Lumi murmurs quietly to Khimi.
“Hardly necessary,” the woman says, appearing suddenly.
Lumi turns abruptly with a gasp. “Hells.” He grabs at his chest in shock.
“Sorry,” she announces, “I didn’t mean to startle.”
Khimi looks curiously at the woman. “Can you see us to our room and I will clear up the pay afterward?”
“Of course,” she says, motioning to a hallway across from the large open dining room. “It’ll be the third door on the left.”
Lumi looks back at the woman. “Might I have your name?”
“It’s Alicia,” she replies, leading the way down the long hallway.
As they pass by rooms with open doors, Lumi can’t help but cringe at the stuffy and hideous decorations inside. In one room, he recoils at the sight of lifelike geese staring back at him from the mantle. He turns towards the door she had mentioned and pushes the door open, glancing inside at the small stained-glass window across from him. Two small beds rest feet apart, a patinated copper tub in the corner. Dreary velveteen curtains are pulled open on the side of the window, dust swirling through the light shining through. Lumi looks back to the two beds, two beds… why is there two beds?
“Is it possible… perhaps there is a room with larger bedding?” Khimi asks, turning towards Alicia.
Alicia bows. “I’m afraid not.”
Lumi looks back from the room towards her. “You don’t understand… Khimi isn’t going to fit in that tub,” he mutters. “He’s gonna be hanging over the side…”
Alicia shifts apologetically. “I’m sorry,” she says again, bowing deeply.
Khimi grumbles again. “It’s fine.”
After a momentary pause, Alicia responds, “Then I’ll leave you two to get situated. If you need a bath, please don’t hesitate to ask at the front.”
Lumi enters the room, removing his sandals in haste, leaving them by the door. Khimi closes the door behind him. He sighs again before tossing a leather bag onto the bed.
“You hate it,” Lumi laughs through the room, relishing the look of anguish on Khimi’s face.
Khimi sits on the mattress, testing the strength of the frame with his weight. “It… was a bit talked up, I suppose,” he mutters. “I’ve seen better rooms in village inns.”
“Yea… well, Laurent Rose seems to have been—”
“A piece of shit,” Khimi finishes with a snap of his teeth.
Lumi hops into the empty copper tub with a satisfied grin, stretching out like a cat basking in the sun. “That’s certainly one way of putting it,” he murmurs, pressing his back against the sturdy frame with a contented sigh.
Khimi leans back on the small bed, rubbing a hand over his face. “I should see about getting Ennui and Rashid here,” he muses aloud. “I always heard the Golden Isles were a melting pot—open to all manner of people. Guess that was a lie.”
Lumi’s ears wiggle, his tail swishing idly against the tub’s metal sides, creating a soft metallic clang through the room. “Are you really surprised?” he asks, throwing a glance over his shoulder at Khimi. “You told me, bigots are everywhere.”
Khimi exhales, running a hand over the stubble on his chin. “In Sidi and Rhaz, it’s rare to find someone who’ll openly sneer at beastkin,” he admits. “But I suppose the Desert Cities are a world apart.”
Lumi nods, tail thudding lazily against the tub again. “Rashid always said this was his favorite place,” he murmurs.
Khimi chuckles, turning on his side to face Lumi. “Rashid loves to tell everyone about his travels,” he says with a smirk. “But let’s be honest, the old man’s journeys were short-lived at best. He tells it like he spent a hundred years crossing the realm.”
Lumi leans back, resting his head against the tub’s rim—only to knock it with a loud clang. He winces, then bursts into laughter, rubbing the back of his head. “He likes to pretend he’s so well-traveled.”
Khimi grins. “I mean, he has traveled,” he concedes. “But he’s definitely not the worldly, wise wanderer he wants us to think he is.”
They share a laugh at Rashid’s expense, their conversation ebbing into comfortable silence them. The exhaustion from their travels and journey finally taking them. Lumi slumps against the curve of the tub, tail draped over the edge. Khimi dozes off, his breath slow and steady against the thin feather cushion.
The sun falls while they sleep, the last rays of light shining through the stained-glass fade, the night becomes filled with stars. The moons of Talmus rise high, drenching the room in soft blue luminescence.
Lumi stirs, stretching out his stiff limbs before rubbing at the base of his tail. He glances at Khimi, tucked beneath a thin knit blanket, his face peaceful in sleep. A shudder runs through Lumi from the cool night air. Without hesitation, he slips out of the tub, crossing the room in quiet, hurried steps. Lifting the edge of the blanket, he slides in beside Khimi, seeking out his warmth.
Khimi shifts, eyes fluttering open as he meets Lumi’s gaze. A slow, knowing smile tugs at his lips. “Couldn’t stay away?” he murmurs, voice thick with sleep.
Lumi grins, his tone playful as he leans in closer. “You forgot Rashid and Ennui,” Lumi replies quietly with a frisky smirk.
Khimi blinks once. Then twice. “Hells!” He bolts upright.