Firefly's Light

Birch, linden, fir, pine...

Rose, daisy, orchid, tulip...

Sunset, dusk, twilight, night...

Got all that down? Now let's try reading an entire passage.

Okay.

'The roses in the garden have bloomed, filling the garden with a sweet scent.'

'I look up at the sky, at the sunset in the distance.'

'It is a... a...'

What's the matter? Is something wrong?

I don't know this word, Miss Meteorite.

Let me see...

Ah, sorry, I must've forgotten to mark it yesterday.

Okay, repeat after me:

(Speaks in Sarkaz)

(Repeats after Meteorite)

Very good.

What does it mean?

It's a word that describes a very specific scene, one that is...

Keep moving! Why are you standing in the middle of the road?!

Shit, another damned beggar.

A beggar? Here?

Don't poke your head out. It might get his attention.

Dammit, he's coming this way.

So what? Just ignore him.

Sir? Ma'am? Anybody need someone to write a letter for them? I'm only asking for a few coins, or some food.

Hey, Salley, you need this beggar to write a letter for you?

Gimme a break, what's the point if I can't even read?!

Haha, even better! He can read for you, too. Two jobs for one beggar.

Get lost.

You hear that, bum? Scram. We've got no money and no need for any letters. Everyone I know who ain't dead is right here in this group.

Sir! Wait, sir!

Sir, please, even just a cup of water!

*Sigh*... Over here!

Do you need a letter written, young lady?

Not interested. But you can have this bread. This is a battlefield, and we don't need what you're selling.

(Stomach growls)

I'm not a beggar. I can't just take something for free.

Do you want to learn to read and write yourself? Those soldiers don't understand the value of words, and they're too old and stuck in their ways. But you're young. It'll be useful to you.

I don't have time for that. We have to keep moving.

I can come with your group, then. If you decide to study with me, I promise I won't leave until you've gotten the hang of it.

......

I see... Here, you can have your bread back.

Just keep it and eat up, quick. We still have a long way to go. You can teach me on the way.

Ah, alright.

Do you know how to write your name? I can teach you that first.

We don't have names, only codenames.

What's your codename then?

Blunt Wedge. One of the previous captains named me.

It's a nice name.

Yeah right. The captain told me it means 'useless arrow'.

Haha. There's a Sarkaz proverb: 'Beware rusty arrows.' Infection is no joke.

Heh... So what were you doing before the war started?

I was a teacher.

I wonder how long this war will go on.

(Wraps wounds)

How's your injury?

It's fine. I disinfected it and wrapped it with bandages. It should heal up soon.

That's good. What a beautiful day... The sunlight's so warm.

I've almost finished that book that you lent me. Got any others?

Only poems and essays.

Never mind then.

Hey, Blunt Wedge, you got that wound wrapped up?

Yeah, it's fine, I applied the dressings.

The what now? Whatever, come get your share.

2, 4, 6, 8, 10... 14 heads total. Not bad! Could've made more if we didn't let a few get away.

(Frowns)

Your share of the bounty, plus rations. Okay, later.

Wait, that's not enough.

What're you talking about?

I killed two snipers and an armored grenadier.

Those are 30 and 50 percent more than standard, per our agreement. So that's 12 gold coins short.

Since when did you learn crunch numbers like that?

(Hold out hand) 12 gold coins, or we could sort this out with the captain. And I might mention your little cache while we're at it.

What are getting at?

No need to play dumb. Your side gig is none of my business, as long as you don't try to screw me over.

...Take your money and keep your mouth shut.

(Shrugs)

Haha, you're a quick learner. Not quite what I had in mind for applied math, but it does the job.

It's just that everything you teach is way too easy.

Well, looks like you've learned everything from me you need to. It's time for me to go.

Here.

Half a sack of gold coins? For me?

Lesson fees for two months.

Well, I'm not going to say no.

Where are you going to go after this?

I heard things are calmer in the east. Maybe there are still a few schools remaining there.

You know how to use a weapon. You could've made a living as a mercenary. Why insist on making it hard on yourself?

Kazdel won't miss a single sellsword.

Tch... you intellectual types.

So when will you finish the book? Remember to return it before I leave.

Tomorrow. I'm almost at the end.

'Mathilda found the moonlight shining through the windows too bright. She rubbed her eyes and closed the curtains, before falling into slumber in the... er...'

What does this word mean? I've never seen it before... let's keep going.

'Sitting by the campfire with her friends, Mathilda poked at the chestnuts in the fire. The sweet scent in the... er... was a gift.'

That word again? Gah.

'Mathilda closed the door, picked up her suitcase, and prepared to get in the car. She thought back to the countless... er... that she spent here...'

Countless what?

'Farewell, those... er...'

Who are you saying goodbye to, Mathilda?!

'Perhaps in the days to come, she will see more... er..., but there will be no... er... as unforgettable as the... er... here.'

How many freaking times does it need to appear in one sentence?!

What the heck does it even mean?!

That took longer than expected. How was it? You could keep it as little farewell gift, if you like.

Nah, I prefer adventure novels to reading about some girl sitting on a farm. Honestly, it was pretty frustrating to read.

Was there a problem?

Yeah, there was a word in there I'd never seen. I tried to skip it, but it kept showing up, way too often.

Let me see... ah.

It means a pleasant and serene night.

...A what?

Well, a night that's happy.

That doesn't make any sense. Nights aren't happy or serene.

Why not?

Because they're long, dark, and cold. They're dangerous and you have to always stay on guard... I hate the night.

I've spent so many nights thinking I would die right there and become food for nocturnal scavengers, never to see the sunrise again.

You could understand 'nocturnal scavengers', but not 'a pleasant and serene night'?

I mean, I've seen plenty of animals tearing at dead bodies. I could picture it as soon as you explained it.

Well, in that case, let's try picturing it together. Close your eyes.

Gotcha.

Think back to when you were a little girl, sitting by your mother's side one night...

Stop right there. I've never met my mother.

Well... did you have any other parental figure as you grew up?

The previous captain found me on the battlefield and raised me.

Well, picture sitting by her side then. How do you feel?

I'm sitting next to her, and she...

She pushes me away, tells me the warband has no use for a weak child, and makes me run ten laps around the camp holding a bucket of water in each hand, without spilling a drop.

My shoulders are starting to get sore.

A-Alright, let's try something else. You and your friends are sitting by a campfire in the forest. There's a delicious-smelling pot of soup on the fire.

What do you feel?

I stick my nose out to get a whiff of it...

Exactly!

Then I turn around and see a hand reaching for my pack, trying to steal my money pouch. Why the heck did the captain even let that known thief in?

So I feel really pissed and kinda wish he was right here so I could punch him.

...Never mind, let's start over.

Alright... it's nighttime. Gentle moonlight sweeps across the land. You wrap your blanket around you and feel your eyelids dropping, dragging you into slumber.

What do you feel?

Fear.

Artillery fire might rain down on the camp at any moment... I hide under the bed, covering my ears with my friends.

......

*Sigh*... Look at what war has done to you children.

Sorry for not getting it.

It's okay. Let me think of another way.

It's just a word. You don't need to go that far to teach me.

Every year, many new things appear in our lives, and new words are created to describe them.

Most of these words are forgotten as the things they describe disappear, never to be uttered again.

But some words are special. They're passed down from one person to another, living on in our collective memory.

That's because they describe something eternal and unchanging. They represent the most precious, foundational spirit of their people.

They're worth understanding and remembering.

So... what if I just can't understand it?

Patience, young lady. Give it time to take root.

Look out for the dried branches under your feet. They're overgrown with moss and very slippery after a rain.

Alright. You're talking too much.

Now can you tell me why you woke me up in the middle of the goddamn night?

You really are grumpy in the morning.

Pardon me, sir, would you care to enlighten me as to why you've brought me to this place?

(Puts a piece of cloth on the ground)

Sit.

(Sits down on the cloth, confused)

Here you go.

...Canned peaches?!

I knew you'd like them. I saw the way you were staring when your captain had a can a few days ago.

Hmph, they're not that special. ...So how'd you get your hands on 'em?

I traded a book for two cans, with your captain.

Whoa, that's one valuable book. What was it?

Just an old manuscript. It wasn't doing anyone any good.

Give me a break, I know how the captain has been collecting old books and selling them to the Columbians.

I'm just stating the facts.

...There's still half a can left. Want it?

All yours.

Thanks...

What do you feel when you look around you?

(Looks at her palm in disgust)

Too many bugs.

There's no need to kill them, they don't bite... but never mind that.

I spent a few nights looking for them. I brought you here because they're special.

I can see their backsides glowing.

Huh... I've seen these by the water before, but I didn't know they were bugs. I thought...

Thought what?

I thought they were the ghosts of people killed in battle.

People do associate them with will-o-wisps found near graves, but they glow in different ways.

Will-o-wisps are caused by gases released by decomposing bodies, which have a very low flash point and ignite when they come into contact with air.

What about these bugs, then?

They secrete chemicals that glow, using their respiration to control the biochemical reaction in order to adjust the brightness.

Their abdomens contain a large amount of light-emitting chemicals and cells.

I think I feel something.

They like to lay their eggs by the water... Wait, what do you feel? Tell me!

I feel...

Oh shit! It's coming from the camp!

Wait, Blunt Wedge! You haven't told me how you felt yet.

There's no time for that. We need to get back.

It's important to me. Please, I must know.

I...

Say something, please.

Nothing.

I felt nothing.

I'm sorry, they flew away too fast. I couldn't catch them.

No, you felt something! I could see it on your face!

(Shakes head frantically)

Why were you crying if you didn't feel anything?

(Wipes away the tears roughly)

Maybe there was nowhere in my heart for it to take root.

Where were you, Blunt Wedge? The captain was asking about you.

I went into the forest.

In the middle of the night? Why?

I...

She went on patrol because she was concerned about the enemies that got away a few days ago.

Y-Yeah, I thought they might retaliate.

Well, you were right. They attacked the camp. The night watch was asleep on duty and got his throat slit.

Wasn't Salley on duty?

Yup, he's dead.

We lost a bunch of supplies in the fire, too. Can't believe we're going hungry after months of hard work... dammit.

Anyone injured?

A few guys got burned. But we lost a lot of medical supplies too, so here's hoping they make it.

Alright, I gotta go. You should find the captain before he gets mad.

Okay...

You really should go, Blunt Wedge.

Are you... okay?

You're the one who just had something bad happen to you. Why are you asking me?

You look so sad...

Don't worry, it's not because of you.

Why, then?

Because of the scorched earth, where nothing will grow again.

It's getting late. I should go.

There's no need to see me off. I'll be fine on my own.

Just a little further. We might not see each other again.

I wanted to thank you... You taught me so many useful things. As for that word...

I couldn't understand it, but maybe someone else would.

It's okay. No need to bring it up.

...Sorry.

Don't apologize. It's not your fault. Never was.

I've seen many children like you, who've lost their homes, are used to seeing blood and killing, and drift from one battlefield to the next.

You were the only one who stopped to peruse the knowledge I was peddling.

For so many years, I believed that knowledge and culture could bring about change, overcome war and violence.

But in the end, it looks like war has won. It's made a mockery of everything I knew.

Are you giving up? If you won't teach people the true meaning of those words, who else can?

Won't they disappear from our lives with no one to understand and preserve them?

All it means is that the beauty those words represented was fleeting. Only pain and suffering remains.

I'm powerless to fight it.

But...

It's all good. Don't cry.

Take this book. I've travelled across Kazdel compiling the vocabulary of the land, trying to complete it.

A dictionary of the Sarkaz language?

I haven't written that word down yet. Do it for me, if you ever find help understanding it in the future.

Alright...

Wipe away your tears. This is goodbye.

...teorite? Miss Meteorite?

Oh!

Ah, yes, it means a night that is pleasant and serene.

Oh, I get it now! Thank you!

(Pats the child on the head)

But...

What is it?

Why are you crying?

Because you're a very smart kid.