˗ˏˋ 𖤓 ˎˊ˗

╭────────────────── ˗ˏˋ 𖤓 ˎˊ˗ ─╮

Through shattered bones and shuddered breath

A realm that lies ‘twixt life and death

Oh wayward soul, O brave of heart

Come forth, my dear, and let’s depart

Worry not, for you shall see

All that will become of thee

Who am I? Well, that depends

Upon your concept of the end

╰─ ˗ˏˋ 𖤓 ˎˊ˗ ─────────────────╯

╭─────────────── ˗ˏˋ 𖤓 ˎˊ˗ ─╮

With strong resolve; unfettered will

Approach the stele beyond the hill

An heir lies cold beneath the earth

The ashes of a child’s mirth

You see, my friend? It’s quite unfair

A gilded life begets despair

For one so young, he burnt so bright

Igniting hope, his soul alight

╰─ ˗ˏˋ 𖤓 ˎˊ˗ ──────────────╯

╭─────────────── ˗ˏˋ 𖤓 ˎˊ˗ ─╮

Beyond the grave, his will persists

Through eerie lights and hazy mists

And through a final act of love

A trio guards their liege above

Now, carry on, approach the guards

Within the grass, retrieve the shards

If you intend to claim what’s lost

Draw your bow, despite the cost

╰─ ˗ˏˋ 𖤓 ˎˊ˗ ──────────────╯

╭─────────────── ˗ˏˋ 𖤓 ˎˊ˗ ─╮

With shards in hand, descend the cliff

Upon the stone, you’ll see a glyph

Arrange each piece within the lines

The glass reforms; a prism shines

Surprised, I see? Be not afraid

For this device is made to aid

A relic from the royal throne

Which slots into a lock of stone

╰─ ˗ˏˋ 𖤓 ˎˊ˗ ──────────────╯

╭─────────────── ˗ˏˋ 𖤓 ˎˊ˗ ─╮

With key complete, continue north

Into the maze that stretches forth

Don’t look away, or you may find

The path ahead is now behind

Your soul grows dim, yet even so

You trudge on forth into the snow

And as your breath begins to slow

You spot a warm, peculiar glow

╰─ ˗ˏˋ 𖤓 ˎˊ˗ ──────────────╯

╭─────────────── ˗ˏˋ 𖤓 ˎˊ˗ ─╮

As strength returns to weary limbs

A child’s laugh drifts on the winds

The heir has suffered long alone

Despite the grief, his light still shone

The heir moves forth in gentle haze

Guiding you throughout the maze

Staving off the biting frost

A dying soul, no longer lost

╰─ ˗ˏˋ 𖤓 ˎˊ˗ ──────────────╯

╭─────────────── ˗ˏˋ 𖤓 ˎˊ˗ ─╮

At paths’ convergence, down you peer

A yawning pit beckons you near

Steel your heart, approach the edge

The heir sits poised upon the ledge

And in a flash, the young prince leaps

Into the dreary depths beneath

Onward now, do not delay

His golden light shall guide your way

╰─ ˗ˏˋ 𖤓 ˎˊ˗ ──────────────╯

╭────────────────── ˗ˏˋ 𖤓 ˎˊ˗ ─╮

Down the passage, ‘round the bend

We’ve almost reached the journey’s end

Lit by feeble candles’ glow

A history for all to know

Carved upon the weathered slate

Remorseful words etched far too late

The royal family: prince’s kin

Atoning for their gruesome sin

╰─ ˗ˏˋ 𖤓 ˎˊ˗ ─────────────────╯

╭─────────────── ˗ˏˋ 𖤓 ˎˊ˗ ─╮

Within the deep, unyielding night

An ancient altar shines so bright

In honor of the kindly prince

And all the heirs who’ve fallen since

The heir moves forth, and in a flash

His glowing form returns to ash

With joyous tears of eras past

Surepio, at peace at last

╰─ ˗ˏˋ 𖤓 ˎˊ˗ ──────────────╯

╭────────────────── ˗ˏˋ 𖤓 ˎˊ˗ ─╮

As pain of broken bones return

For help, you long; for rest, you yearn

Come forth, my dear, you’ve earned your turn

And yet…a flame of hope still burns

Step by step, now, pace by pace

Descend into the lake’s embrace

Let gentle light caress your face

Depart this place with poise and grace

╰─ ˗ˏˋ 𖤓 ˎˊ˗ ─────────────────╯

╭─────────────── ˗ˏˋ 𖤓 ˎˊ˗ ─╮

Weary mortal, rest your eyes

Beyond this realm, your future lies

Life or death? Well, who can say

Does it matter, anyway?

It does, you claim? Oh, how unique

That even in a world so bleak

And having seen these sins of old

Your heart shines on, forever bold

Well, I won’t sway you either way

I’m but a witness, chained to grey

But if I may, I must proclaim

Let no one douse your inner flame

╰─ ˗ˏˋ 𖤓 ˎˊ˗ ──────────────╯

This story was vaguely inspired by the Sunchildren of Enkanomiya, which is definitely one of the darkest pieces of lore in the game. I may have bent the challenge rules a little with the framing, but I wanted to try my hand at poetry, and limiting myself to a strict 2nd person perspective would’ve been a bit difficult. I don’t write poetry very often, so I apologize if that shows.

In any case, this was a fun excuse to return to one of my favorite regions. The atmosphere in Enkanomiya is so hauntingly beautiful, and I knew it’d be perfect for this challenge. I picked Yelan as the subject of my photographs because she’s a really great character, and I thought it’d be interesting to see her in a situation like this…suspended between life and death, faced with the harsh reality of how cruel humanity can be, yet ultimately choosing to cling to life, even knowing the awful truth.

Obviously Enkanomiya isn’t exactly a liminal realm, which is why this was only ‘vaguely’ based on in-game lore. That is indeed Surepio’s grave in the second image, though! And it is located right above the maze. Unfortunately, I’m not sure if his parents would’ve actually regretted their actions, but hey, I wanted to give the poor kid a happy ending.

#TOC24