Halcyon

It has been hundreds of years. Now, Halcyon only remembers shards of what they once were. They recall a hero’s quest, a prophecy that ripped them from the clutches of their comfortable home. The champion’s party contained four, no five, individuals excelling at their professions. At most, Halcyon reminisced that they were a mediocre fighter from a non-noteworthy blacksmith family, nothing special. Any memories past this were faint, but they remember their heart skipping a beat standing alongside someone they treasured.

Like a worn film, their memory fades and gets a bit spotty after the minimal basic information. However, one last patch is still slightly intact, flashing chaotic images in their head. The final battle with a tangled lie revealed, and then splattering blood. Finally, a touch of another and frantic, excruciating pain. Whatever came after that, they do not know. Maybe it’s for the best.

Then, they woke up within the rubbles of that battle, throat and lips torn with nothing to stand on. Halcyon tried to call out for any lifeforms in the vicinity, but all that came out was a bloodied gurgle. Glancing down at the floor, they noticed they are unable to speak anymore. They held their throat to stop the wound from gushing any further, and caught that they can still use their arms, but they do not appear the same anymore. They’re illuminating, with a ghostly silhouette that contours the translucent flesh. Shocked, they stood up subconsciously to back away, unaware of what held them up. Skimming downward, their legs are somehow still standing, but beams of light gleam between the wounds that incapacitated them. When they were about to panic themselves back into their metaphorical grave, a part of their arm left their body, forming the shape of someone they knew, but they cannot remember her name.

At the very least, they aren’t alone. A woman’s spirit resides within and next to them, a long-familiar companion. She has been waiting for them to wake up from their slumber for years. According to her explanation, her name is Helena, both of them are not dead anymore, and they’re now sharing the same vessel to keep each other alive. She asks if Halcyon remembers her, and while they cannot remember her face, they feel moved to stare at her. Even though their heart cannot beat anymore, it’s as if they are alive again. She must be the reason why they are still moving. Knowing they couldn’t speak, she telepathically acknowledged her thoughts and body language.

Helena speaks of finishing the quest. Halcyon knew of this, but the details were all fuzzy. They nod at the short woman, following her directions out of an instilled trust. Maybe if they stay on this path, they’ll remember their past. Well, they don’t have much choice other than to fulfill their wishes and move their corpse forward regardless.

Everyone that the two long knew is far gone to the passages of time. It’s too easy to realize that. Countless seasons slip past their immortal body as they wander through the continent, their hope lying within a guarded lantern seated within their hands. Maybe what they’re searching for has already ceased to exist.

Currently, the couple transverse through the world, their sense of time delayed. They absorbed experiences at a relaxing pace, as their need to eat and drink dissipated with death. Their luminous lantern and stance became a small legend to travelers traversing out of the darkness. Out of touch with humanity and the living, their fate eventually becomes entangled with the sick and the desperate.

Ultimately, the only thing preventing the body from decaying into nothingness is the fusion of Halcyon's and Helena’s souls. All they have is each other until the light held together by their love fades away.

While Halcyon is mute, their body language is evident regardless of its slow movement. They're a bit harsher and apathetic than their partner, who does communicate (and terrify) verbally to anyone coming close. Helena comes off as a bit more bubbly, and teases Halcyon for their unattentive behavior. Like the sun and moon, they oppose each other in their natures, but fight and interact in harmony.