'I thought I told you not to make yourself known.'
'I was simply testing him. He is no threat, Your Grace. It would be pointless to waste anymore time on him. That, I speak as your advisor.'
In a different corner of the world were two people standing in a dark room, lit only by a single, large crystal in the centre. Surrounding the crystals were streams of water, flowing towards it, coming in from holes on the wall. The floor was made out of bricks of stone, and despite the cold, the two of them stood barefoot. Water flowed through the cracks, forging its path with an elegant dance, as sounds of insects echoed through the chamber.
'He is still a descender. Do you not understand what that means?'
'Your Grace, he couldn't even stand in my presence. Anymore and I am sure he would have died there. Even if he is a descender as you suspect, he is harmless. And suppose he did get in our way, I am sure I can take him down very easily.'
'I'll trust you, but make it clear: if he does become a thorn in our path, you must take responsibility then.'
'As you command, Your Grace.'
The silhouette bowed their head, before disappearing into the darkness. Left in the room was only His Grace. He took off his hood, revealing his long, blonde hair and his almond eyes, and over his right eye was a scar. Except for that, his face was clean and fair, almost too fair.
A throne appeared behind him as he took his seat, resting his arms as he looked up.
'Things are about to get quite annoying, aren't they,' he said, letting out a sigh. 'To think a descender would appear now, of all times…'
He closed his eyes.
'Five hundred years. I've waited five hundred years for this. I can't turn back now.'
He opened his eyes.
'I am not going to let a descender get in my way again.'
He got off his throne, which disappeared immediately. He approached the crystal, touching it with his right hand. It shone a silver hue, illuminating the entire chamber in its blinding light, yet His Grace stared into that very light with his eyes wide open.
Tears rolled down his cheeks as his hands trembled, his lips curling slightly as he said, 'I promise, this time, we will reunite.'
He took off his hand and wiped away his tears, and immediately, the light faded away.
He stepped away from the crystal, into the darkness that surrounded him. His footsteps echoed through the chamber, serving as the only indication of his presence. Not a glimmer of light beamed into the space, yet he navigated it as if it was the back of his hand. Sticks and gravel churned beneath his bare feet, yet his face showed no signs of discontent.
Eventually, he made his way to a single door. It was made of metal, now full of rust. There was a giant lock on the handle, and seven crystals at the top of the door, four on the first row, and three right underneath them. He closed his eyes again. Four of the seven crystals shone, only this time the light was much, much dimmer.
'It's still not time?' he said, opening his eyes. 'My dear, how much longer are you going to keep me waiting?'
He stepped back, turning around, fading into the darkness, his footsteps no longer echoing.
He had left.
Somewhere else, in a forest, was a young lad sitting on a branch.
'You worry too much, Your Grace,' he said, holding a leaf in his hands. 'I am sure she looks forward to meeting you as well.'
He fidgeted with the leaf before throwing it away, lifting himself up, then jumping down on the tall grass beneath.
'Oh, you're back,' he said, as a hooded figure approached from the distance.
'How did it go?'
'It went fine. His Grace seems quite scared,' said the hooded figure, their voice hard to decipher.
'I'm sure he is. We both know how things went the last last time a descender appeared. I'll be honest with you, I believe it is for the best that we eliminate him while we still can.'
'Not you too.'
'You weren't there, but I was. I saw it with my own eyes—the Calamity that took place three hundred years ago.'
'Didn't the Calamity occur five hundred years ago? Is that not the reason for all this?'
The boy laughed at their words.
'Of course, people only know of one of the two Calamities. Someday, perhaps, His Grace might tell you what happened three hundred years ago. For now, you should be enjoying the bliss that is your ignorance.'
'Whatever you say.'
'Why don't we return home now?'
'Sure.'
The two of them walked away, disappearing into the woods.