Zenith

Zenith grew up with strict rules and he is still trying to let go of most of them. Very polite and well mannered, but also cold and likes to keep a distance. If you talk to him a bit longer, you'll realize he has no idea how to interact with others, he's very socially awkward.

Velos Yonn was believed to be long gone. People dedicated their life to fighting the remains of void magic, presumably left over from the Void Wars. It affects everything around, tainting the seas and the living beings. A closed off society, with rarely any new faces. The days are filled with the same, monotone tasks. But it is all ultimately worth it for keeping whatever is down there in check.

Prince Zenith also lived by these rules. Being next in the line for the throne came with many more responsibilities on top of this, but he did not mind. Nor did he care too much for the days passing by without any excitement. Until a new face showed in the kingdom. Well, it was more of an accident than a planned visit; a lost satyr. In such ocean depths? This couldn't be a coincidence.

The satyr's name was Polaris Evermoore. She came from some place called Aldebast that the ocean dwellers had little information about. And she was here for some work about astrean ruins. Zenith kept her company while she recovered from her injuries while Polaris shared many stories about her research, ruins, other astrean dwellings and the life above water. She was so different from the people in the depths and it easily charmed the prince. As a parting gift, Zenith gave her a magical necklace that would help her breathe underwater. And with that, they said farwell, thinking they would never meet again.

It did not take long for Polaris to return and for the two to fall in love. In the beginning Zenith suspected that she only came back for more information for her research. But soon she appeared again and again, saying how she just wanted to visit the prince. The days seemed more colourful whenever Polaris was around, it made him wish that she could stay for longer. In her absence, Zenith began writing letters to her, wishing to see her again sooner. Not like he had any chance to send them. Oh what he would've given to go with her and finally see the surface... But he had a duty to uphold as a prince.

In the end, Polaris made the decision and chose him over the life above water. And while he has never seen it before, it felt like the sun finally had shined down to the bottom of the ocean.

It all came crashing down soon. A beast tainted by the void crashed into the kingdom, taking many lives with it; which included Polaris herself. The satyr now fatally wounded whispered her last words before passing in Zenith's arms.

This can't be real.

This is just a nightmare, right?

She cannot be dead. There must be a way.

And for a way, he searched. He spent weeks trying to find a single clue to anything that could help him bring Polaris back. He spent day after day without any sleep in hopes of finding anything. He read over all of Polaris' research and the books in the royal library. There was an amulet called the Heart of Bys, long lost in the depths that could grant eternal life to the wearer... or it could also bring back someone from the dead. These were all just legends at best, and made up stories to fool others at worst. But he had no other chance, so he took the risk. And the hunt for this legendary artifact has begun.

The desperation to be together again only damaged him more. Zenith's obsession with bringing her back grew every day. He slowly lost the loose control he had over his nightmare aspect as well. Dreams and reality seemed to bleed together, only feeding into Zenith's delusions. They lost many people. Those close to Zenith asked him to stop, but he only cut them off. He can't stop now, so close to reaching the goal. He hasn't done enough. Polaris is still nowhere to be seen. He must go further.

Oh how freeing it felt to hold the artifact in hand. The Heart of Bys was finally in Zenith's possession. This surely would fix everything, right? His negligence about his people, the slowly deteriorating kingdom, Polaris...

With hope in mind, he and his team brought the Heart back.

...

But nothing happened.

Only a few days had passed before the first case of this unknown plague popped up. But many others followed. Eyes blackened out, a dark liquid oozing from their mouths and noses. They all seemingly froze in place, like statues. None of the healers could even identify what the cause could be. The only connection seemingly was void magic. And those close to Zenith blamed the Heart.

BBut Zenith was too far gone. He did not hear them. He didn't even react to the king's passing, his mind could not differentiate between reality and nightmares. His paranoia was at its highest. He swore he saw the shadows of the people leave their bodies and follow him around. He kept saying how he sees them move in the corner of his eyes, but as soon as he turns, they disappear. And those who died whispered in his ears, blaming him for everything. He hears them laugh. They are mocking him. And he would not stand for mockery.

Those who opposed him soon faced his wrath if they caught him at the wrong moment. Soon fresh blood tainted the kingdom beside the void. Even more lives lost. Nobody knew who took more innocents, the plague or the prince.

Or maybe the two were one and the same.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

Until divine judgment.

And Zenith woke up on the shore, all alone. Seeing the sun for the first time.

And being disgusted by it.

It has been years. It has gotten easier somehow. But the sea still calls for him. The guilt he feels is changing, but never ending. The nightmares are still persistent.

And worst; he still hears her voice. Begging him to save her.