Lysander: Persist
I hope Cutlass does alright. I would hate for something to happen. However, as they leave, I begin to realize that I no longer have a translator. At that moment, the frog shows me some signs. To my surprise, they know sign language, too! They said, “Hello! I’m Zephyr, and I go by they/them! I saw that dragon showing signs to you, and I figured I would talk to you in this way, too!”
I smile. “My name is Lysander, I go by they/them. I didn’t think anyone else here knew sign language! How do you know?”
“I want to become a teacher,” Zephyr responds, “As I’ve gathered knowledge on several different subjects. I mainly specialize in elemental magic, but I took the time to learn all the languages used on this island, including sign language and braille.”
“How impressive!” I did not know somebody could expand their knowledge so far. “Do you mind if I ask you what your goals are?”
“To put it bluntly, I wish for immortality. I want to live forever, learning forever and teaching forever. And it looks like I found the most ideal students, if anybody wishes to learn elemental magic from me.”
I wonder, how far does Zephyr’s knowledge go. “Elemental magic runs deep in my family. As a matter of fact, we worship deities corresponding with each element.” I notice them perk up after I mention that. It sounds like they didn’t know this before.
“I’ve never heard of such things. Where are you from, Lysander?”
“I’m a native from the Mountain Hoof Tribe in the Southern State. We just have small strips of forest to our name. I practice elemental magic in hopes of reclaiming land.”
Zephyr nods, as if this is new information. Do people from the Northern Dragon Countries truly go unaware of colonialism in the south? I still have trouble fathoming it.
“It seems like we are the only ones here left with the ability to make a wish,” Zephyr states, “Shall we duel?”
“It would be an honor!” We each pull out our parchment and prepare our inkstones and prepare for the duel.
“By the way, the falcon following Ashura around mentioned there are only five active elementalists. Ashura has no way of gaining a wish now, Willow seems to have given up, and Cutlass is gone for now. What do you say we finish up here and now?”
“...Yes.” Could this be? Can I have my wish granted?