i. prologue.

the elder had not spoken for a few days already.

we all knew him as someone kind, someone that was willing to talk to us whenever we were down. however, his behaviour these days was unfortunately not so.

some of us thought that he was passing on.

and indeed, one fateful evening in the sweltering summer of August, he called us into the chamber deepest within our palace.

placing himself firmly upon the clammy throne, he whispered,

"bewarned, for i will not be with you for much longer. i have been here for ten thousand years, supported by the elixir that many of us hold dear. yet, as the still water runs dry, it is my duty to pass on the most potent concoction to one of you... one of you who deserve this."

we shifted restlessly. calling for silence, he continued,

"when i meet a friend, a string twines between us. and as time progresses and we interact and learn and understand more about each other, the string... the bond gets stronger everyday, till one day... when the bond is so strong... that i'm willing to sacrifice my life for that person. it's... unimaginable; i'll do anything to make that guy happy. and that's my concept of friends."

he picked up a twine of the finest quality, and remarked,

"my friendship with each one of you is like this twine. throughout my life, i have tried to make everyone as happy as possible. every one of your smiles... have proved, once and again, that i was still capable... of bringing happiness to all of you."

i tilted my head upwards, gazing at the beautifully ornamented ceiling. the night had just begun...

(to be continued)