The Lost Boy, the, Compass, and the Lady of Space

I was born during an eclipse - that was important apparently.

The sky went dark at noon.

The moon devoured the sun.

The priests called it divine contradiction.

My mother called it auspicious.

My uncle declared it suspicious.

The Compass calls it “a cosmic hiccup with trust issues.”

We’ve been walking for six days now. The Compass was clipped on my belt, humming like a nervous heartbeat—louder today, sharp with anticipation.

“Almost there. I can smell the unresolved trauma from here,” the Compass said grimly.

“Smell?” I remarked. "You don't have a nose."

“Metaphor. Unless grief has a scent, in which case: mercury.” the Compass replied.

"That doesn't make sense."

"I would not expect you mortals to understand," it replied.

"Hey! You said I'm no ordinary mortal! Born in an eclipse and all that." I retorted.

"But you can still die, so my point remains," it replied with mock exhaustion.

I should have died — fell off a tower to Lake Aldaria a week ago with no recollection of what happened. When I came to, I was ashore somewhere on the Lake's southern bank, and this Compass urging me in my head to travel east — or I'll die. Now that's some motivation to keep you going.

I recall names, my own, Seren Solari — and Eldarion, a priest of some sort. He was the last face I remember, the one who pushed me off the tower. There was no hostility in his face however, only pity and apology. Why pity me if you're going to push me off a cliff though? That part still did not make sense.

I remember a family, though I can't recall their names nor their faces. I remember a father, a mother, an uncle, an older brother, and a younger sister. And when I remember them — when I try to remember them, pain shoots up my head and my chest tightens.

I suppressed the memories, the Compass told me. Too traumatic even for him, he said. I remember him as he was slapped on my belt by Eldarion and after it threathened me with death when I woke, it told me to find the Fallen. It was a shock, not being shocked at being talked to by an apparently sentient compass, probably goes to show how much of a brain damage I had.

"What are the Fallen?" I asked one night as I camped.

"Angels, duh," it replied.

"Fallen is not exactly the most welcoming of names, Compass," I replied in frustration.

"Well, short story short," it seemed to sigh, "they were a group of five angels who rebelled against heaven ten millennia ago. The reasons were lost to time, but their legend remained after their defeat and fall."

"Then why should I go asking for help from beings who were already defeated? That does not exactly spur confidence, you know." I asked.

"Because they are the only ones who can help you piece back what happened seven days ago," the Compass answered — and another wave of pain and nausea washed through my head.

"Can't you just tell me?" I groaned, clutching my temple.

"I could, but I couldn't."

"What does that mean?"

"Exactly what it means, my purpose is to guide souls, not tell them answers. And right now, fate is telling me to tell you to go east."

"You don't even point north."

"I point where you need to go, that is enough, that should be enough, and yet you yap on and on and on."

"You're the one yapping," I retorted.

"Let's just head east, shall we?"

"What am I expecting there?"

"The first of the Fallen," it replied smugly.

"Yeah, no shit. You've been telling me that since I woke up."

"Fine," its needle seemed to spin and I interpreted it as it rolling its eyes if it had one. "We're going to Hollowward Cliffs."

"Hollowward what? You can't be serious," I said incredulously. Hollowward Cliffs is known to be untraverseable due to the floating boulders the size of houses which had, on more than one occassion, been flung towards men who tried to enter it. Survivors said it was as if the boulders were thrown by a guiding hand.

"Yeah, Hollowward Cliffs kid. Ever wonder why all the rocks float in there?" The Compass asked.

"All of humanity wonders about that, Compass."

"Because a Fallen has resided there, for many millennia she has made it her... haven so to speak," the Compass began, "and she does not take kindly to those who try to intrude upon her space."

"Great, so you're leading me to certain death, then," I replied dryly.

"If you don't have me then your death is certain," it answered haughtily. "But because you have me, I'd say that your odds have improved from 'none' to a 'coin flip'."

I sighed as I stretched my legs, "Very comforting," I said sarcastically, "Silver linings, I suppose."

"Exactly! Now rest, kid, we have a long way ahead, and the road's not necessarily safe."

"Finally," I said relieved, "something we can both agree on." I laid down in the soft grass beneath the oak tree I called my camp for the night.

"If I sense any danger, I'll scream in your head."

That's a comforting thought, I thought before closing my eyes, being screamed awake only to confront death in the face.

"Thanks, I guess," I yawned before drifting off to sleep.