Moments of silence stretch to hours, contemplation a constant companion as the
Silver Elves sit at desks, tables, and shrines, writing their most heartfelt words in their
Promises of Night. Today is a day that is for the living but is also for those who have long passed, leaving holes in their wake as only their memory remains. On this last day of the year, it is a time to give away the feelings of loss and renew them for the feelings of vengeance that will fuel their work for the rest of the year.
As the days are marked by magical orbs in the land of
Káto, from the moment the orb begins its climb to the moment it falls from its zenith,
Silver Elves keep to themselves, seeking their own reflections and feelings, finding comfort in speaking to those they have lost and the
Huntress that granted them their second home. This time is meant for moving forward and returning one’s life to the service of the
Huntress.
The Day of the Dead is a quiet celebration meant to bring closure and comfort to those who have continued living once their loved ones have moved on. At the center of this celebration is reflection and the penning of the
Promise of Night, a letter to their lost loved ones meant to bring a greater peace of mind. While outsiders may see this as a morbid practice, it is a part of the teachings the
Silver Elves follow and something they hold quite dear.
The Day of the Dead is a holiday that is only observed amongst
Silver Elves as it is seen as an integral tie between them and the
Huntress. The goddess granted them their place as vengeance in
Káto, those that remove the evil from the tunnels. Death is a part of the cycle of vengeance and this holiday is meant to give those who have lost a moment to mourn and reflect when that is not always possible when fighting the creatures of the depths.
Each
Silver Elf may celebrate this day differently but it is most common to find a quiet place of contemplation to think about those who have departed and write the
Promise of Night that serves as almost a love letter to those lost. The whole process of the celebration is extremely personal and it is not uncommon to hear nothing but silence stretching across a city of
Silver Elves on the last day of Winter’s Evening.
Candles are also a common part of the celebration, especially if those involved find their reflection outside their homes and either in the caverns and tunnels of
Káto or in a shrine. Red candles are most frequent, symbolizing one that has left this life for the
Twilight Wilderness to forever serve as one of the goddess'
Hunters.
I love how quiet and contemplative this tradition is. It seems as though it would fill one with peace.