"My little Zarvan, I know you may feel guilt for what is happening to me, but know I am not suffering nor do I regret having you", the Celestial of time said as she caressed the little boy's head." Did you know you will soon have the power to create prophecies? That's how I knew I would end up like this. Just a little word of advice, when your hand moves on its own to write them, do not force an outcome, try to focus on living not by words on paper but by the feeling of those around you and yourself".

     Zarvan was woken up by the light hitting his eyes through the window. He sleepily sat up, eyes still blurred scanning the room, but noticed the sweet smell all around him. Rubbing his eyes, he saw all the vibrant colors blooming around the room. Flowers of every kind decorated the guest room, he stepped off the bed a particular bud caught his eye. As he went to touch it began to bloom, a pale rainbow of spikey petals greeted him as if to say hello. He had stayed almost a week at Fiore's village and even though he didnt like the humans looking his way, he loved every second he spent with Fiore. He felt his mind wander and a final thought came to mind, "Could she be the person in prophecy?".

     "The villagers call it a mountain rose, a type of succulent". Zarvan jumped at the voice behind him and saw Fiore with a cake in hand. A white base and black swirls, his name written in cursive with a small messy candle at the center. He looked up at her as she nervously looked away, "Your birthday is today and I know it looks like a mess, I don't know how to bake...you like black and white a lot, and umm... I wanted to be the first to tell you....Happy 16th birthday". Zarvan looked at the cake and then back at Fiore, she still had flour on her face and her fingers were dyed black. She was right, it was messy and it looked like a five-year-old had done it, and that was perfect in his eyes. Zarvan laughed childishly, a smile painted on his face, "I love it, thank you".

     Zarvan came out of the guest room, fully dressed in a silken white shirt and black pants, his straight black hair had gotten longer in the past few months but he decided to let it stay loose as it reached past his shoulders. He stopped in front of the door and sat to put on his boots, placing the lace in a zig-zag motion up to his knee. As he finished, he stared at Fiore as she did her hair in the living room mirror, lovely curls bouncing as she lifted them to expose the nape of her neck. She caught his gaze behind her and slightly turned to smile at him. He blushed as she turned back to finish her updo and only one thought crossed his mind, "She really is the most beautiful being in the world".

     The duo quickly ate and headed to Fiore's study to continue their endeavors. Fiore wanted to hear how his empire divided land and responsibilities, thus having him see a map of the village could help expand on the insight. Zarvan looked around as she gathered the materials, an old parchment caught his eyes on the desk, he moved all obstructions from it for a better look. The humanoid figure at the center, the black lines that moved through the body and met at the center of the chest, the writing in his mother's language but obviously in a human's writing. As he lifted it to the candlelight, he saw hidden writing. Fiore looked over and commented on the parchment, " I thought it was a Golem type of spell, but it turned out to be something more sophisticated, a living machine perhaps? I think a life force could mean our mana or even blood. But I don't understand what a willing doll entails. If I had more information I could experiment, but nothing comes to mind", Fiore walked off to look for more maps. Zarvan placed his hand on his chest and smiled, reminding himself to speak to his attendant when he departed.

     The duo drew maps and borders with the assigned job, "When it comes to managing land and dividing the task, why not have those with similar duties take up the position? I can help with that aspect if you can give me a list of the people you are thinking of placing in said position", Zarvan said intuitively. Fiore pulled out a list, "Way ahead of ya".The duo continued to brainstorm, re-writing the maps and lines regarding the territory that belonged to Fiore. 

     As they went out beyond the edges Fiore decided to implement an idea that she had, "I am trying to tighten security and expand to the very edge of my lands, I want to try creating a forest around the perimeter that works like a barrier".

    "Will you be able to continuously control it?"

    "I don't have to, when trying to find out about the golem, I came across a way to have the very ground move, but also alert me: I present to you the Fungi".

     "Um, okay...enlighten me", Zarvan looked perplexed at the idea.

     "Look there are certain types of fungi that interact with each other underground, they communicate and reach out to others creating a system. They helped create a trail for our irrigation system".

     "That is...quite interesting, sounds like you can speak with them".

     "Only a little, I haven't deciphered all the lingo but they can say hi and bye, look it here", she pulled out a little glob. It began to move side by side, looking at her and looking at him, it moved what looked to be a globby arm to say goodbye as it slithered off down her arm, onto the floor, and out the door. "Hmm, guess it was in a hurry".

      Zarvan had a horrified look on his face at the globby monstrosity, but he twisted it back to surprise, "Um okay, continue with that as you will, I'll be cheering you on". Fiore chuckled, it's okay not to be comfortable with these things. I won't bring it up in front of you if it's too odd". Zarvan had a guilty look as he saw she was a little hurt, "Forgive me, I didn't mean to make that face". She smiled and nodded, as she went back to the map.

     As they finished, the duo became exhausted as they slouched back from the extensive back and forth. Fiore then turned to Zarvan, "So, in your letters, you mentioned you like Badmington...if you're not too tired.... are you up for a round?". Zarvans eyes lit up, "Are you sure you're up for it". Fiore laughed, "Yup, I made you work on your birthday, why not do something you want to do". 

     The Duo grinned at each other and ran outside. Fiore ran in front to lead them to a secluded place on the outskirts of the village. A net was already placed and rackets were hung on each side of the net. Each Celestial grabbed and oozed their mana into it. Fiore's became entangled in branches and thorns, crystalizing all over. Zarvan's racket did the same, becoming black with white specks swilling inside, a ghostly smoke coming out of it. Fiore grabbed the birdie and tossed it into the air, she waited as it came down, her hand swiftly swinging into an arc and missing point blank. Silence filled their surroundings and Fiore turned bright red, catching Zarvan off guard tears formed at the corners of his eyes. Zarvan immediately broke out into a laughing fit grabbing his stomach from the pain, he fell over as tears streamed down his cheeks. 

     Fiore walked over to grab the birdie. She gave a curt smile as she got into position again, this time aiming at a target. Zarvan continued to laugh but stopped as he felt an immense pressure forming, he quickly dodged as he felt a projectile coming his way and scorching the ground. From a safe position, he saw the indent on the soil and a little wheel of flame around the ball. He looked at the ground and then at Fiore, a devilish grin spreading across his face as he ran to the ball and swung his racket with vigor, slicing through the air. Fiore was ready and swung back, a grin spreading across her face. Back and forth they swung, able to hold to others' strength without taking a break. Zarvan felt the happiest he could ever be, finally having someone who understood. He had never laughed as much as he did those last couple of days since his time with his mother, his brothers had grown distant as well with their duties. The loneliness he felt was eating him finally disappeared with her smile.

       Exhaustion seeped into their very marrow as they fell back, Zarvan immediately went back into his mind, sleeping the moment he hit the pillow. He began to dream. He saw his mother's face, pale as marble, with glittering black eyeshadow that faded into her skin, dark red lips that were almost black, and her eyes completely white. To most she was frightening, but to her people, she was the brightest and most benevolent ruler. A beauty beyond compare, even though many flocked to her, she would only spend time with her sons, educating them and preparing them for a tragedy that would soon come. Zarvan then saw his mother sickly in bed, no longer able to move, he was the only one at her bedside. He was angry no one else came to see her, but even sickly she still reassured him, "My little one don't make that face, it's as it should be. I will be leaving soon and having you at my side will let me leave more peacefully. 

     "But I don't want you to go, I'll feel so lonely if you're not here". 

     She smiled and then sighed, "My little one you already know I can see into time beyond, so let me read you a prophecy I have seen for you, 'A crestfallen face in the sands of time, will soon witness when rainbow eyes meet manipulated earth. Connecting the bridge of heaven and earth a change will seamlessly occur, and when the veil is finally lifted will you finally embrace the freedom you so longed for or be left in disgrace'. Happiness awaits you my child with those who understand you, so please...don't let it slip through your fingers". Zarvan felt himself shudder at her words, his eyes blurring and her face distorting, he wanted to ask more but it was too late. Everything just went dark.

     Zarvan woke up in a cold sweat, his breath erratic as he tried to calm himself down. As he sat on his bed he began to prepare for the day, he would depart tonight so he wanted to spend as much time as he could with Fiore. He exited the guest room but the house felt emptier than ever. He went to go knock on Fiore's room but saw the door was open and so was the front door, her shoes were also left at the door. He was perplexed by the situation and decided to venture out into the village.

     he headed to the outskirts near the gate and saw a crowd forming and dispersing. He got closer and saw how the crowds were singing words of praise. As the crowd took notice of the prince, they slowly moved as he made his way to the center. The moment he reached the long-awaited sight he felt something tug at his heart. Fiore stood at the center with bloody feet and a young man kneeling to treat her wounds, but the way they looked at each other, it was as if nothing else mattered in the world.