A Step into the Sun

He sat on the rock as per usual. It was hot. The sun beating down on Sin's skin was a bizarre and foreign sensation. At first, he could have sworn it felt delightful. And then it generated a buzz over his body until finally, he began to sweat. He'd never known such an ungodly sensation. Mercy came from the cold water torrenting about. Throughout all this, his skin didn't burn. It remained as it always had; smooth and fair.

It felt odd to be out during the daytime. He had never stayed awake more than a few hours. The morning mist clouded a thin veil over the river bank only for the sun to break through and sparkle across the water. Rocks glittered brighter than the stars ever had. Morning dew drip flirtatiously from the tips of summer leaves. It was all so blinding that when his eyes hurt he'd use his long, matted hair to shield his face from the light.

It made it difficult to concentrate on the song for the day. A few moments after getting comfortable distraction seized his thoughts. Despite the pain he felt he could only describe the morning forest with a single word. "Beautiful." His eyes drifted down the river until it bent around the trees. He could recall once or twice he had ventured downstream when he was but a child. Why had he been sitting there under the same waterfall for centuries?

He had never thought about it until, now. Sin lowered his bow from his violin and slide down the rock into the water. He felt the current tug at him, urging him forward. The thought plagued him. To venture away from home for any reason other than their safety was unheard of for a fossegrimen.

Sin released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, and took another step forward. Although rapid and forceful, the tide felt welcoming, ready to embrace and engulf him. All he had to do was let it. Sin dived forth.

The water was cold as ice, sapping the summer sting from him. It was an invigorating sensation washing over him as he was carried through the rapids. Fish brushed and tickled against his skin as he swam. They were like the fish he and Seth roasted a few weeks ago. He smiled and his thoughts began to wander.

The fish had been terrible. Their scales had been so slimy, their insides muddied by the stick they'd been impaled on, and taste flavorless. Yet it had been so long since he'd eaten physical matter that it felt like it had been a heavenly reward.

He had spent most of that evening stealing glances at Seth from across the fire. Well, more like staring at him as though he'd devour the dragoon for dessert. So far he had visited three times and Sin had invited him back for a fourth. He'd come. He knew it.

As he drifted into the water, so did his thoughts. Sin thought of Seth standing on the shore, tossing his armor about until he was in nothing but his underwear and chainmail. It had been to show that he was harmless, but Sin could only snicker now, thinking he looked silly. Just discarding his helmet and lance would have been enough of a peace sign, he thought.

He recalled how Seth had looked with the glow of the fire highlighting his tan, sun-kissed bare chest. River water cascaded down his back when he sent a tidal wave to keep him out of the river. Sand got caught in his chainmail, stuck to his body, and tangled his hair. Sin had wanted to send another wave just to see if it'd make him give chase into the river.

His lips upturned in a small, shallow smile at the thought of him returning again. He knew he would. When, though? Tonight? In a few days? Sin could hear his voice already praising whatever song he'd play as they sat on the rocks. His nose twitched, swearing he could smell roasted birds or fish. He'd steal a glance or two of the human and see the bewitched, admiring look in his eyes; a look so pure and innocent. The vague memory of it from the first few nights made him feel lighter than air and at the same time like he was drowning in a warm sensation that swallowed him. Sin's heart skipped a beat in his chest and then quickened.

It was then that he opened his eyes. He coughed and seized the left side of his rib cage with one hand and around his throat with the other. His gills fluttered and then suddenly closed up.

"What's happening? My body- I can't breathe."

Sin's body was seizing itself. All of a sudden he felt paralyzed. The water stung his body. The fish scattered and fled. He couldn't swim and he choked on water. He thrashed his limbs about, trying desperately to regain control of himself.

The light blinded him when he reached the surface. His hair weighed heavy as he coughed. Half of the length was caught in the current, tugged downstream. On his feet, Sin still struggled to maintain balance. When he finally opened his eyes he was able to orient himself but each step felt like knives were stabbing into him.

"Why is my body failing me? Why do I feel so weak? Is it the sun?"

His concentration was broken when a shadow cast overhead and then just as swiftly broke way for the sun. Then another. He looked up towards the sky and saw wyverns, one after another. Towards the riverbank, he heard the sounds of marching. Soldiers from the kingdom were close by.

Sin's heart began to race. He was in danger. He'd drifted too far from home. If he were to be discovered it'd mean death. He had to run. Flee. Hide anywhere! Quickly, he dove behind the largest rock jutting from the rapids he could find. He grabbed his hair to keep it from peaking around the bend and sank into the water, shivering.

How? The water had never bothered him like this before. It had never stung nor pain of any other kind. Yet now he could breathe. He could move without his legs exploding in pain. For the first time, he felt the icy sensation of the river, merciless towards only man until now. Was this punishment for venturing away from home? Had nature turned its back on him so readily?

Goosebumps flourished over his arms and shoulders. Sin had to escape. He concentrated his thoughts and feelings, ready to vanish into the water and slither away, unseen, and yet…nothing happened. His body remained solid. He couldn't fade. His magic was failing him. Yet once glance at his nails and a trace around his neck said he was still as hideous and ugly as always. Sin was the same beast he'd always been. Only now, he had no way to defend himself from the horrors of man.

"Ain't this the river Seth was going on about the other night?" A soldier asked his company.

Sin's ear twitched, thinking he had imagined it. Curious, he turned his head towards the rock.

"I think so. You actually think there's anything here?"

"Certainly not. Personally, I think he's gone mad. All the stress from the plague has gotten to his senses."

"Seems to be the case."

Knights from Scaleshire? And they knew Seth? Sin brought a hand to clasp over his mouth. That dragoon had told others his location! Now they were hunting him. And this talk of a plague? Was Sin thought to be the cause of it? Had Seth betrayed him; seducing him the past few nights until he could send invaders to rip him from his home?

"I'm not hearing anything out here other than the river and your own damn complaining. Now get moving. We're not wasting our time inspecting here. Look! See anyone else around?"

Sin released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He just had to hold out a moment longer and they'd leave. He'd be safe soon enough.

Out of Sin's field of vision, a horse whinnied and tugged forward, marching towards the riverbank.

"H-hey! What's gotten into that horse of yours?"

Its whining grew louder as he steered off the path toward the river.

Sin inched his body over enough to peek around his hiding spot to witness it all. The horse could sense his presence. He made eye contact with the animal and it kicked its front legs up. It shook off the soldier and charged forward. As it leaped into the water, Sin hid behind the rock again.

He had to act fast.

"What's going on over there?"

"Has something been spotted?"

"Let's go after her. Come on, men!"

The soldiers shouted and chased after their horse. Sin heard it approaching quickly, but struggling to fight against the current. He gulped. If he couldn't melt away then he only had one option left. He swirled his claws in the water. Music began to desperately in his mind. High-pitched notes tooted from within. Bubbles gathered and took shape. They crystallized and then in his claws was none other than a pan flute.

There was a sigh of relief to see he could still command his muses. He didn't wait. Sin brought the instrument to his lips and pipped away, loud and forceful. Almost immediately, the trees shook and the earth began to rumble. The soldiers still on dry land lost their balance and collapsed to their knees.

The horse screamed as did its rider that chased it into the river. Water rushed forth. Sin took a deep breath and sank down below. He dug his heels into the rocky floor and spread his claws around the rock, anchoring himself with all his strength. The river torrented and unleashed waves, engulfing the horse before it could get any closer. Wave after wave pummeled over them, beating the horse and soldier down.

Unable to withstand the onslaught of the violent river, they were both swept away screaming in the chaos.

"The river truly is cursed!" One soldier shouted.

"Quickly! After them. Or they'll drown. Hurry, men!"

They charged over the riverbank to give chase. As another wave crashed over the rocks, Sin ascended for air. Between coughs and gasps he heard one of the soldiers shout towards his hiding place.

"You hear us, WITCH? We'll be back for you!"

They marched off to save their comrade and Sin remained against the rock, shivering with fear. As the river calmed, it began to feel warm again. His gills opened and twitched. Sin's powers were returning. But why had they faltered so suddenly?

He hugged himself tight and sank down to his neck, feeling the current embrace him. It felt safe and secure as it always had. The pain in his legs subsided. He took the plunge and sure enough, he could still breathe. Yet his skin still crawled with uncertainty. Even as fish came to tickle his skin, he shook in fear. Any moment it could all be gone, again.

Quickly, he melted away and hurried home. The water remained restless. The fish dispersed from his surroundings once took his perch on the rock at the base of the falls. Mist shrouded him and all at once he could hear the trees crying out. The wind tumbled in all directions and the rocks wept.

Sin could hear nature whispering to him that he was no longer safe.