Fallen

The dim white sky shone sorrowfully into the deep parts of Gift Jungle, casting a depressing light on every leaf it touches.

Tilky brushed aside the brambles covering up a cave entrance and quietly crept among the edges until she's in complete darkness. Her eyes have adjusted to that, of course. 

In the middle of the cave there stood a rock. It reflected moonlight when the moon's up but was always dark when the sun is in the sky instead. Most Defiance clans have grown to treat the rock as sacred.

A majestic figure sat on the rock, looking down sadly over at something so far away. "What's for dinner?" Tilky called.

"Oh...it doesn't even matter, does it?" Verna's reply was bleak.

There have been lots of days where the former Leader sat like that, depressed, ever since Morrowsorrel District lost the 30th Circle Trial. "Right, I supposed so." Dinner doesn't matter to Tilky, she just wanted a reason to see Verna again. "How many days this time?"

"Four." Verna answered drearily. 

"No more." Tilky pleaded.

"But would anyone even cared if it was a little longer?" Verna asked. She was now looking at Tilky, straight in the eyes. A deep sorrow dragged her brilliant golden eyes dull.

"I care." 

"Just you." Verna shook her head. "I could go like this, I don't care. I'm not even important."

Tilky opened her mouth to object, but Verna continued on. "You'll lead Morrowsorrel Clan once I'm gone, alright?"

"I can't. I'm nowhere near as experienced." 

"I've had my Leader's Spirit for probably eighty years now, it's time I passed it down to the new generation." 

"No!" Tilky called. "No, Verna, you'll lead Morrowsorrel for as long as the spirit takes you." 

"If only." Verna looked outside.

Rarely does any sunlight ever find its way to Farlands. Rain has fallen on the abandoned island again. "The Defiance is meeting today." Tilky reminded Verna.

"You attend it for me, tell the other Leaders that I'm dying." 

This time it was for real. Verna intended on starving. Realization rushed into Tilky. "Verna! You are not doing this!"

"I am." 

Tilky only blinked, anything else she wanted to say came out as a whisper so soft even she couldn't hear herself. 

"We'll do the Leadership Ceremony tonight."