“Genocide protects us, Az’ob.” An aged hand rested on the newly promoted Galaxy Moderator’s shoulder. 

Az’ob sat erect at the bedside, staring into the fading eyes of his superior. “Sir, this promotion is unnecessary.” He gently placed Galaxy Moderator Caasic’s hand to his chest and held it there, feeling the weak pulses of his multiple hearts. “Our domain hardly needs two Moderators.”

Caasic closed his eyes and after an unsettling long pause, he looked again at Az’ob, his eyes further clouded. “You will take my place, bear these responsibilities. Remember all that I have taught yo—“ he inhaled sharply and clenched Az’ob’s hand. 

“Sir?”

Cassic’s grip relaxed as the light in his eyes completely faded.

#

“Ahem.” An aggressive throaty cough brought Az’ob’s vision back into focus. The haze of incense swirled around him as he walked back towards the gathered mourners who waited for their turn to pay respect at the monument’s edge.

The sea of faces parted with hushed murmurs as a lone slender figure gracefully danced to the front of the crowd. Each step was silent save for the jingle of her jewelry. Her robes billowed and rose upon the wafts of the fragrant smoke of the incense. Those close enough could not discern her facial features but bore witness to tear moistened streaks upon her gossamer veil. 

With a final jingle, The Advocate of Ashes had arrived.

“Memories carry life.” A melody of many voices stirred her veil. “Today we celebrate the memories, today we bring honor to the life of those memories.” With a snap of her fingers, ashes from the burnt incenses fluttered over the crowd, swirling into elaborate patterns, and revealing to each attendee the face of their most cherished memory.

Az’ob smiled as the eyes of Cassic again looked into his own.

“Genocide protects—“ Az’ob shook his head. No, not that memory again. 

The ashes pulsed as they rearranged Cassic’s expression into a coy smile. “I told her I’d marry her tomorrow if she mated with me tonight.” Cassic snickered. “She broke my jaw, which come morning, made it hard—“

“To say my vows.” Az’ob finished Cassic’s story. It was a story that Cassic often told and the most prominent memory Az’ob had of his old Moderator, aside from the memory of Cassic’s passing. 

Cassic clicked his jaw back in alignment with a chuckle. “Az’ob, my boy, she was an amazing lifemate. If you’re ready to settle down, you can borrow my pickup line. Worked like a charm.” 

Az’ob’s smile faded along with Cassic’s image as the ashes rejoined the stream of burnt incense above.

“Grieve not and find comfort in the memories.” The jingling of jewels and precious metals provided a rhythm for the Advocate as she spun her hands together. The cloud of ash swirled and swayed, condensing into a small sphere before gliding into the cupped hands of the Advocate. “Come forward, one called by the Ashes.”

A small child stepped forward, the clink of her talons resounding with her steps.

“What bring you, youngling of the Aviary race?”

“A rare seed from my home planet.” Her plumage puffed from nervousness. “A g-gift from my elder, No’jah, that I now return to him.” She pressed the seed into the sphere of ash.

“This seed will bring life and its life will pay homage to his memory. All who gaze upon the fruit of this seed will know his name.”

The child chirped happily as she fluttered back to her parents in the crowd. Onlookers watched the Advocate as she bowed her head low and raised the sphere high, “The seed will grow in the Hall of Memories.” Her robes again danced on the fine gusts of remaining smoke. This time she made no sound as she vanished from sight.

The mourners slowly dispersed as the event came to a close. Az’ob stood at the window, thumbing a smooth pebble in his pocket, and like all the times before he thought, maybe next time.