@daily-writing-challenge
Words: Overcome/Blind
Day: 3
Caythaes hadn't performed at Wings and Metal - they hadn't even performed for Fire Fest - yet already they were making plans for the Tournament of Ages. Why not? It wasn't as if they weren't already making plans for it; they'd floated the idea past Leon months ago, almost as soon as the World's Faire had ended. The desire to perform on a larger stage was not something new the corruption had planted in them…
…But as Caythaes gathered up their costumes and got ready for practice with Anzhin, they couldn't help but think about the themes and lyrics in their upcoming performances. About the themes and lyrics of their past performances as well. True, they'd always had religious and anti-Light undertones, but now…
See how you drape yourself in my regalia, the voice cooed as Caythaes brushed their fingers over their favorite red suit. They'd gotten cufflinks made of the black sun and upside-down symbol of Light made, and the symbol adorned the corset they liked to wear with it.
See how you cover your body in my symbol, it purred as Caythaes caught a glimpse of the red suns tattooed upon their chest.
"These are for Belore," Caythaes murmured, resting their hand over their heart so that their splayed fingers touched the tattoos.
Even the Sun can go dark, the voice countered, its tone light and teasing. Do you not call yourself the Solar Eclipse? My dearest Devoted One, how you wound me...
"I get your point. You're so sharp," Caythaes sang to themself as they took flight toward Shattrath. "Getting good reactions with your evil talk."
I understand all… "I see no-"
Destructive urges… "I see no-"
It seems so perfect… "I see no-"
"I see no evil!" Caythaes shouted as they rocketed towards the ground outside Wings and Metal. The fire of their phoenix form blazed like a comet through the sky, churning up dirt and rock as they collided with the earth and skidded to a stop.
"Caythaes?" Anzhin poked his head out of the bar, dressed in his ghoul uniform and worriedly cocking his head at them. "Are you alright?"
Scowling at themself, Caythas dusted the dirt from the otherwise pristine priest robe they wore and shook their head. A moment later, they sighed and pulled their hair loose from its tie, running their fingers through the faintly glowing dark purple and orange strands. Once they were satisfied that they'd tamed any wild strands, they pulled it back into a ponytail, making sure to catch the lone tendril budding from behind their ear and tucking it out of sight. "I'm fine, I just…"
"Haven't slept well," they professed, giving Anzhin a tired but still reassuring smile. It wasn't a lie; ever since the whispers first started, Caythaes had slept fitfully, plagued by dreams of stardom and success. Perhaps in another context, Caythaes would have welcomed such visions, but normally they didn't dream at all. Squishy, the little voidbeast they'd adopted during N'Zoth's attempt to claim Azeroth, ate their normal dreams, leaving only those that were divinely induced.
"I'm fine," Caythaes repeated tiredly, reaching up to cup Anzhin's cheek in their hand; he had his own share of burdens weighing him down. Caythaes didn't want to add their problems to the pile. "I promise. Don't worry. Everything is okay. I'll go to bed early tonight and everything."
"If you want company…" Anzhin began to offer, removing his helmet so that he could lean into Caythaes's touch, raising his hand to hold theirs in place against his cheek.
"No. No, it's fine," Caythaes demurred, shaking their head as they drew back and slipped past Anzhin into Wings and Metal. "Really. I've just been having trouble sleeping again. You know how it is."
"I do," Anzhin agreed, resting a hand on Caythaes's lower back as he ushered them inside, his expression still worried, but fond as they neared the stage. "And I know how you push yourself, my dear firebird. Please take care of yourself. For me."
"I will, I promise. I just can't wait to be on stage again."