Julious lowered the dark protective glass to see the flash of a diamond ring and then the flare of the corona as the eclipse entered into totality.
“Ah, it’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Luva mused mostly to himself.
Julious didn’t reply as he sat transfixed by the sight. It certainly was beautiful. For the first time, he was glad that Luva had delayed their return to the Sanctuary to witness this event. He had never seen anything nearly as beautiful in his entire life, though fifteen years was young yet, he admitted to himself. So very, very beautiful, he thought again, sighing. Something about it touched his soul, stirring a nebulous sense of longing in his heart which for some just as intangible reason began to disturb him greatly. The more he gazed up at the unnaturally dark sky, the more it disturbed him, until the sight he had praised only moments before terrified him. The excruciating minutes wore on and yet he was still unable to tear his eyes away.
A gentle shake to his shoulder broke the trance.
“Julious, are you alright?”
“Yes, I was merely thinking.”
“Um, totality is almost over, you shouldn’t forget to use the filter,” Luva began to remind him.
“That is not necessary. I have seen enough.” Julious rose abruptly and began to walk hastily away.
“Ah, Julious, wait, please! I wanted to see the rest of the eclipse!” Disappointed, Luva scrambled to his feet and hurried to keep pace with Julious.
“We have neglected our duty too long. It is time to return.”
“Oh,” Luva sighed, then smiled at Julious. “At least it was nice while it lasted. Thank you for accompanying me, Julious. I know you didn’t want to stay.”
But Julious barely acknowledged him.
“There is no need to thank me.”
Julious was being uncharacteristically brusque, and Luva couldn’t help feeling that he had displeased Julious somehow.
Neither one spoke again until they were back in the Sanctuary.
After a lengthy debriefing with Dia, a dejected Luva followed Julious down the hall on the way to their waiting carriages. He timidly broke the uneasy silence.
“Um, Julious? Did I do something wrong? Have I offended you?”
“Luva, what are you talking about?” Surprised, Julious halted his steps and squarely faced Luva, who flustered as he was confronted.
“Ah, that is, you’ve barely spoken to me since we were on the planet. Um, I know I haven’t been a Guardian for very long, it’s barely been a year. Maybe I overstepped my bounds by asking to stay to see the eclipse. Ah, if so, then I apologize. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
Julious realized he hadn’t even noticed that he had been harsh to Luva and deeply regretted letting his mood rule his actions. He put his hand on Luva’s shoulder and smiled reassuringly.
“No, Luva, there is nothing to apologize for, you did nothing wrong. It is I who should apologize for being insensitive. Please forgive me. But my mind has been occupied by the eclipse. I must admit that the experience was quite overwhelming.”
Luva brightened. “Oh, is that it? It’s quite natural to feel that way. Of all the celestial phenomena, solar eclipses are said to be the most powerful.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, throughout history an eclipse has been considered a great omen. But whether you believe in that or not, it still leaves a profound impression on those who witness it.”
“An omen? What kind of omen?”
“Ah, well, um...,” Luva faltered, afraid of upsetting Julious again.
“What kind of omen?” he asked again more sternly.
“... An omen of doom,” came at last the reluctant answer.
“An omen of doom...,” Julious repeated, pensive.
Luva laughed nervously to break the tension. “But it’s just superstition! No one believes in that anymore.”
Julious nodded obligingly. “Yes of course. Just superstition.”
“Ah, well then, I’ll see you tomorrow, Julious.” Feeling he had said something he shouldn’t have, Luva took his leave and rushed off before Julious could stop him.
Luva’s words echoed in his head as the carriage drove him home. An eclipse was an omen of doom.... He was sure that some part of him had immediately recognized it as an omen of his destiny. Was that why the sight frightened him so? Just as the moon had overshadowed the sun, the Dark would overshadow the Light. He would be eclipsed...! On some level, could that be what it was he longed for? No, never!, his mind vehemently denied. He could never want that, would never want that! It would mean disaster if his Sacrea of Light were to be overcome by the Sacrea of Dark! And not only a disaster for the world, but also for him... it would mean the end of pride, the end of being a Guardian! But he could imagine that it wouldn’t take much to tip the balance of power. It was always a wonder to him that those two powers which were the truest opposites managed to work in conjunction and not against each other. Yes, it would probably take not much effort at all... a lack of effort, even. And the Guardian of Dark always put forth plenty of that....
For that night and many thereafter, he was unable to sleep peacefully. The moment he closed his eyes, the sight was there to torment him. He threw himself into his work, resolving to ward away idleness. He slept with the lights on, hoping to dispel the darkness. But all efforts were to no avail, the image of totality had seared itself onto his soul, drawing him inextricably to it. Soon though, Julious learned he could find a measure of comfort in always being aware of Clavis’ movements, so that there was very little Clavis did without his knowledge. And woe be to Clavis if he did anything that didn’t meet with Julious’ approval.
And so that unhappy state continued....
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