A Garden Full of Blue Roses and Black Butterflies

The glistened blue of a gemstone garden pulses softly under a creeping moonlight. The purple petals of blooming flowers spread along rows of trimmed bushes, brushing the thin grass that stretches as a pathway. Azura watches the leaves of ancient trees fall to brush her cheeks, pressing her hand over a dark brown trunk. Her dress still waves with the grass below, a white aura trailing behind her as she uses the spotlight of the moon to lead her path.

The city sparkles beyond the garden, peering over the tall plants to find its leader gracefully attending her happiness. Behind her lies the great tower she rests within, boldly watching over the Queen with strength and precision. Azura glances at the tower as it ticks down the same clock that has littered over the streets of her city. Just below it, an elite steps their tainted boots into the perfect circle of life.

"I had told you that this place is where I gather my peace," Azura says, turning away from Kyani. The elite gives the regular response of silence. "What is it now?"

"Two elites," Kyani growls.

Azura turns again with a smile of surprise.

"You've found him! They're bringing him here, as I asked?"

"With their souls," Kyani says. Azura loses her smile immediately, and gazes into the glass of her helm.

"What do you mean?" she gasps.

Kyani growls again more prominently.

"He's sent two of our Reapers to the stars," she answers. "Trust and Identity are no longer in our world."

"That's impossible," Azura says, shocked with fear.

"We still have the other three scanning for him. He is ruthless, my Queen, and we must put an end to his operation," Kyani suggests.

Azura shakes her head softly. "No, I won't allow it. I want to see those souls he collected leave his eyes before anything lethal happens to him."

"Azura, that's-"

"Do you see the winged creatures flying around here?" Azura interrupts, pointing to the neon blue of small butterflies that circle the garden.

"What of it?" Kyani digs her foot into the ground to release her rage.

"I created the elites in reminiscence of them. They're more than just mindless sights," Azura reaches out to catch one, "They soar across the earth with grace. They are free with the winds that guide them to safety, and they breathe new life into those who watch them. Their neon is the source for that of the city."

Kyani watches as the creature follows Azura's hand when it waves. Azura looks up at her with the intention to fade through the glass with her words.

"Your wings are theirs. Your mission is just like theirs, too. You must bring the city to safety. Guide everyone tonight, make them understand the costs of happiness," the Queen continues, "This garden has grown to adapt to the sickness it has collected. I have adapted to the scars I've been given."

Azura drags a strap of her dress down, showing thin, deep marks above her breast.

"I was once marked by the thorns of a neon rose. I had found something," she pauses for a moment, "Someone so incredibly beautiful that I couldn't resist it, but it hurt when I reached out to take it. That pain had embraced into a cycle, and every night I'd run to the balcony to let my blood fall to sink into the earth. Above it all, these creatures were there to keep me from tipping over the edge."

Kyani finds her words muffled by the distant screams of her comrades. Azura steps closer to her, dragging the strap back over her shoulder.

"Do you know what they taught me?" The Queen asks her closest friend.

"What is that, Azura?" Kyani whispers.

"Even in the greatest of battles, always stand above what makes you weak." Azura glances up to the rooftop far above her and then watches Kyani again. She pats the soldier's rough shoulders and gives her a gaze of intention.

"Spread your wings and fly to solace."