The River Flows Past the Willow Tree

A faint lavender mist falls over the Witrial Woods. Trees cascade down, stretching for miles as small bits of sun peak through the cracks of the leaves. Wisteria sways softly in the wind as it glides through the forest. Propped up against a tree, Willow lays on the forest floor. Her head rests gently against the lap of a handsome man in a blue silk yukata. The sun hits her mahogany skin just right, lighting up the soft, relaxed features of her face. River stares down at her with a soft smile on his lips. Messy hair falls just above his shoulders, the light hits his pitch-black hair, turning it blue. The shadows darkened his pale complexion. His free hand runs gently over Willow’s half-black, half-pink curls. While the other is interlaced with Willow’s below.

“River?”

“Yes?”

“What does your name mean?”

“My name?”

Willow lifts herself from his lap. Her body shifts slightly as she turns to face him directly.

“Yeah. My name comes from the Willow tree. They’re known for being graceful and elegant and their ability to grow despite harsh conditions.” She stares at him with waiting eyes as he contemplates his response.

“To my knowledge? My first name doesn’t mean anything. But I think my last name translates literally to black star.” River reaches to the other side of the tree, pulling his satchel up onto his lap. He runs his fingers across the embroidered family crest. A pair of angel wings attached to a black sword. In the middle sits a black star with his family name Kuroboshi neatly written underneath. Willow picks up the satchel, running her fingers over the etched crest.

“I don’t understand the wings… The sword and the star make sense because your family is always making those crazy weapons. But your kingdom doesn’t have abilities.”

River smiles softly at Willow as he removes the bag from her hands. He rises to his feet, pulling the fabric of the yukata across his chest and tying it off with practiced ease.

“When the members of our family choose familiars it’s always one with wings. Don’t know why, but it seems to be a pattern.” He lifts the bag from the ground, slinging it over his shoulder.

“Enough that you added it?”

River nods and holds his hand out for Willow to take. She places her smaller hand into his and lets him pull her to her feet.

“Okay, then what about-” River shakes his head, letting out a chuckle at her blatant curiosity about his culture. He reaches up, adjusting her curls gently.

“No more questions, love. We should head back.” His hands drop to her waist, his eyes scanning over her features. For a moment all is silent, the pair stand there, neither making any effort to leave, nor do they want to. Willow leans forward, resting her head on his shoulder, a deep sigh escaping her lips.

“We can’t… keep meeting like this. They’re going to find out eventually…”

“I know that.”

“We have to figure out a way to make this work. I can’t go back to-” River lifts her head, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. Willow leans into the kiss, her eyes fluttering shut for a moment.

“Relax, Willow. We’ll figure this out, just like we always have… And besides, it’s not like we can stroll into the palace and announce our relationship.” He grabs her hand and the pair walk towards a clearing ahead in the forest. Both look at each other and laugh, speaking up at the same time.

“My mother would kill me.” She jokes. “My father would kill me.” He jokes.

They walk off into the distance, disappearing into the clearing. The world around it slowly fading.

…

…..

…….

Willow is rooted to the ground of the bathroom floor, her hands pressed firmly against the gaping hole in River’s stomach. He lays in her arms lifeless, his eyes glassed over void of anything. Blood covers her dress, staining the once vibrant yellow. Her curls stick to her forehead as sweat drips from every inch of her body. Her hands glow green repeatedly over the hole in River’s stomach, but nothing happens. She tries again. And again… And again.

“Dammit! River, please don’t do this to me. God no, no, no-” Tears well in Willow’s eyes as she gently lays River against the cool tile of the floor. She sprints to the medicine cabinet lined with various colorful potions. She frantically shuffles through each vial, the blood smearing on everything she touches.

“Willow, those aren’t going to work-” Willow spins around at her friend’s voice. Ela sprints to Willow’s side, tearing the potion out of her fingers. She grabs Willow, dragging her closer to his body. “Snap out of it! This is your only way to save him and you know it.” Ela holds her steady in front of the bathroom mirror above the sink. Willow shakes her head frantically.

“I can do it. Just let me heal him-”

“You can’t heal him once he’s dead and you know it! If you delay this any further you won’t be able to save him. You have to go back now! Do you want him to die, Willow?!” Ela shakes Willow, her face scrunched in concern at her friend’s distress. Willow nods and runs her hands over her face, smearing the blood further in the process.

“I can do this…?”

“You can do this. I’ll be here every step of the way… I promise.” Ela spins Willow back around slowly to face the mirror. Willow takes slow deep breaths. The air fills her lungs as she calms the storm threatening to break free from inside her. Her hands grip the porcelain sink, her knuckles turning a deep shade of purple. Her breathing quickens as she places her hand on the ice-cold mirror. Her body vibrates violently, allowing green energy to shoot out from her hand and onto the mirror, shattering it completely. Willow blinks as she stares into the black void left by the mirror. The space calls to her as Ela helps lift her onto the sink counter. Willow glances back one last time at her friend, a thankful smile forming at the tips of her lips. Ela nods, encouraging Willow to move.

Willow dives into the black void. Her body is lifted into the air, flying forward at the speed of light as if she weighed no more than a feather. Her head fills with voices… She can hear River’s… Calling out to her. Her head flicks up, her eyes locked on the light at this seemingly endless tunnel of nothingness. Her body continues flying forward until it’s thrown right into the light.

One year earlier…

In the middle of the Witrial Woods sits a cabin. The beautiful brown wood is covered in thick green moss. Inside, River is sleeping peacefully, his shoulder-length blue hair sprawled out over the pillow of the round bed that takes up most of the cabin’s entirety.

Willow shoots up in her sleep next to him. Her chest heaving as the air burns her lungs with every deep desperate breath. Her eyes dart around the usually cozy cabin, spotting River’s sleeping form. She runs her hand across his face… She can’t believe he’s here… She can’t believe she’s doing this again. This is the last time. She can’t do this anymore. Willow knows, deep in her heart she doesn’t have the mental stability to watch him die again. She can’t.

She lays her head down against his chest. River’s arms instinctively wrap around Willow, pulling her close. Her eyes flutter closed as her breathing steadies.