The Lightning's Farewell🔊

Once in the city of Desoria, an ancient metropolis known for its broad, lantern-lit streets and towering structures, there was an odd little shop called 'Vance's Curios'. Among the rustics of Desoria, it was cloaked in whispers and rumors. Some claimed it to be a portal to other dimensions, while others believed it to be a home to ancient mythical creatures. Regardless of whether any such claims were baseless or not, Vance's shop was truly extraordinary.

Vance, tall and haggard, wore glasses that magnified his pale blue eyes tenfold. He had a story to tell which had forever tethered him to the confines of Desoria. A story of a dancing flame, a farewell and an age-old promise.

Vance was once a thriving scientist obsessed with unearthing the mysteries of supernaturals. This obsession led him to the depths of an ancient mine where he discovered 'Ignis', an ethereal entity manifesting as a lightning flame. Ignis was an ancient being cradled by the cosmos and endowed with boundless wisdom and power. They shared a silent, unspoken agreement - Vance offered Ignis a home, and Ignis offered Vance knowledge. Their union was extraordinary and unparalleled and draped in both warmth and enlightenment. The gloom in Vance's life danced away to the humble, golden glow of Ignis.

But Ignis was not meant to be tethered to the earthly plane. It was constantly drawn towards the cosmos it longed to return to. Ignis shared this restlessness with Vance who, although heartbroken to lose a friend, was steadfast in his decision to help Ignis. Until one fateful night, Ignis shared its intentions to ascend back into the cosmos. Vance, witnessing his friend's sorrow, devised a contraption that would help Ignis harness enough energy to return back to its cosmic family. He was determined not to let Ignis' sorrowful melody continue.

Several moons later, under the watchful eyes of the stars, and with a heavy heart, Vance initiated the contraption, facilitating Ignis' ascendance. Both of them shared their final words. Ignis, with profound gratitude, promised to come back whenever Desoria was enveloped in darkness, whereas Vance, tears streaming down onto his worn-out jacket, bid his friend goodbye.

Many years passed after Ignis' departure. In its absence, Vance's shop was filled with an unusual coldness only warmed occasionally by Ignis' infrequent visits. Each time Ignis came back, it brought with it tales of cosmic marvels but also a profound sense of longing for its ancient friend. And each time Ignis left, it left behind a more desolate Vance. As promised, Ignis always returned when Desoria was drowned in darkness, bringing with it a sense of warmth and hope. The warmth, however, was always ephemeral, leaving the city more desolate every time it departed.

In the heart of Desoria, resides Vance - a humble guardian of the ancient being, Ignis. He is a caretaker, an old friend, and most importantly, an unbroken part of the ethereal entity. Although strickened by a promise born from unconditional friendship and departed warmth, Vance continues to find joy in his odd little shop. As the guardian of Ignis, his story remains, bringing a glimmer of hope to all who dare venture into 'Vance's Curios'.

The door of Vance's shop always creaks open for those lost souls who crave stories of warmth, marvel, and farewells. Each visitor takes with them warmth, reflected not in the items they acquire, but in a shared memory they cherish as they explore Vance's universe - exuding magic, wisdom, and the power of a promise.