Stormy Seas

Tevantis' fingers ached from how long he gripped his mother's ring, yet he still refused to move. Even when his limbs grew stiff like a statues and his eyes started to hurt from staring so intently he still didn't move. Even his brother coming and kneeling down before him trying so desperately to steal his gaze didn't move him.

The pain of his body was in no way comparable to the stabbing pain that incessantly dug into his heart. It was beating in his rib cage yet he still felt as though it had been ripped from his chest.

If that were the truth he would have preferred it to this agony.

Not one tear fell though through the hours that turned into days he didn't allow himself to shed even a single tear, defiance ran in his blood after all. Were he normal man he might have broken down completely, sobbing on the floor like a child, either that or collapsed due to exhaustion and starvation, but a God such as he could last much much longer.

Days turned into weeks and only once the third week came around did he finally flicker his gaze to meet his brother's matching ocean eyes.

Relief flooded the younger male's face as tears followed suit. That lovely smile greeted him as hands rubbed his knee comfortingly.

"Brother, please won't you move? I don't understand everything that's happened, but please you can't remain like this. I won't ask you to explain anything, I won't bug or beg you, I promise."

His head practically creaked when he turned it, pain flaring up his spine as his neck throbbed.

"Mm," was Tevantis' reply, accepting the hand that was given as he got to his feet.

He was led out of his chambers and through the palace's halls. Blue and purple refracted from the crystalline walls that surrounded them as their boots clicked softly against the marble floors.

"Let's get you some fresh air, I'll make you your favorite treat, alright?"

"Mm."

And so he was led through the archway out into the courtyard. Flowers were always in full bloom in the heavens, never wilting, never imperfect, and so their lovely aroma perforated the air. The scent followed his nose at the same time the sun stabbed his eyes, forcing him to blink a few times before they adjusted. The scent was calming and did help to soothe the ache in his chest, if only a little bit as his brother settled him down by the golden fountain and hurried off, promising to be back soon.

The breeze was cool and the sun was warm, forcing his muscles to relax after remaining tense for so long. The ring still remained in his hand though and while he didn't look down at it he did clutch it tighter, covering it with his other hand as his brows furrowed. Anger flashed through his mind, sour and wrathful, then came the sorrow. Grief wracked him as though he had lost a loved one yet the source of his agony still breathed.

He wanted to feed the fire in his, to be consumed by rage, to curse and spit at even the ground he walked upon but Tevantis couldn't bring himself to do it. His rage was thoroughly laced with his heartache and it always returned, demanding to be acknowledged.

A while later his brother returned with sour cherry tarts and he forced himself to eat it despite how much his body didn't want to. It was as delicious as always and he managed the smallest of smiles to ease his brother a hint more while he chewed. A glass of sweet wine was offered and he swallowed a few gulps when it was pressed to his lips.

"Is it good?" His brother asked.

"Always," Tevantis replied, making that smile widen.

"Good, I'm glad. It breaks my heart to see you hurting so much. If there's anything I can do to ease you even a little bit, don't hesitate to ask."

"I'm alright," he stated flatly, "I apologize for abandoning my duties all this time. I know better than to let my personal affairs get in the way of my responsibilities."

"No need for apologies. They've been handled, I promise. Take your time going back, I can do them for the time being."

"No, I must not shirk my duties any longer."

"But-"

"No buts," Tevantis insisted and his brother relented with a sigh.

"Alright, but if it does become too much tell me and I will help, alright?"

"Yes, yes, as you say Laurian," Tevantis mused, features softening as he ruffled his brother's hair, an action that irritated him and made him frantically comb through it to make it smooth once more.

He had enough with sitting around and handling his Godly duties would serve as a good distraction anyways. After spending a bit more time with Laurian he went and got changed into some new clothes, making himself presentable once more and was off and away.

A large bout of prayers had been made, a drought causing a series of dry fires was washing over the eastern most cities of Nyr and currently another fire had started. It was eating away at the Great RedWood Forest and if it continued in the direction it was heading not only would it take out several villages along the way but it would also hit the city of Mornridge. The wind and him were one as he soared around so he stood inbetween the roaring flames and the city off a few miles in the distance.

The wind came when called, whipping and slashing at the fire and forcing it back as it curled and clung to the trees behind it to desperately remain lit. The attack from Tevantis was too strong though and no matter how badly it tried to regrow it shrunk and shrunk until finally dissipating into thick smoke. The embers cooled and when the wind stilled all that was left was a blackened landscape.

With his job done he was off once more. Jobs such as these were common and while his brother was talented and very skilled he had his own worshippers to appease, so unfortunately despite his efforts there was a bit of a backlog of prayers. This was fine with Tevantis though as the busier he was the less he had to think about the way his heart cracked.

Months had passed before he knew it, not that time worked the same for immortal beings anyways, but with that time the pain had simmered down to a far more bearable level and he always had work to distract him. It was as though none of that had happened, the memories swiftly being boxed up and thrown to the back of his mind.

Unfortunately things were bound to resurface and resurface they did as one day he had heard talk revolving around a certain sea dragon.