Varnax

Year 568, era of the Movement

The wandering shark

A shark-like creature made of darkness whom body has freckles of different coloured light. His belly is filled with stars while the rest of the body blends with the night sky.
Varnax by Catoblepon
The wandering Varnax was known to never be alone, always followed by a small group of smaller stars.

Varnax was one of the old stars, who used to spent all his time near the islands, travelling in between them as if he was another one of the Giants. Closely following him, usually behind him but rarely surrounding him, a small pack of stars swam.

Varnax

He was a big star, not as big as the smallest Giant but bigger than most islands or other visiting stars. His shape was shark-like, he had a pair of pectoral and pelvic fins on the sides of his body, a small anal fin under the star of his tail (which ended up in a vertical caudial fin), and a big dorsal fin on his back.

Most of his body was dark, showing barely any spots of light that shines so softly that could be only seen when close to him. On the contrary, the underbelly (and under the pectoral and pelvic fins) was filled with many bright stars. Bright blue spots of light drew in his body 4 gills in each side as well as his eyes and mouth.

Travelling in group

Never-ending travel

Varnax never seemed interested in interacting with anything, all he did was swiming in space, never stopping, without a destination. He was never understood but was, for sometime, a patron for travellers and adventurers.

Following Varnax, there was always a group of smaller stars. These stars usually stayed behind Varnax, always stopping at places and interacting with the wrold that surrounded them, but sometimes, the stars would swim around Varnax, showing playful intentions with each other or towards Varnax (who never seemed to reply).

This group of stars was always changing, stars came and go as they pleased and most of them didn't stay with Varnax for over a year (at least without taking breaks). One of the most known stars that travelled with Varnax was Nera.

Varnax never showed any care for the stars that came and went, until Nera was killed. When that happened, Varnax softly tried to wake up her with his snout until her body disappeared. A chilling scream, filled with sadness, came from Varnax as he caused some destruction around the area. After that, he left the islands, followed as always with stars.

A shark-like star followed by five smaller stars.
Varnax and friends by Catoblepon


Cover image: Varnax (cover) by Catoblepon

Comments

Author's Notes

Thank you, Evan Arix, for helping come out with his idea!
In response of the "Look into the stars" unofficial challenge by Blue Fairy 74
Look into the Stars - #Astralis
Tagebucheintrag | Oct 1, 2024


Please Login in order to comment!
Apr 7, 2024 23:34

Aw I love him! The second I read Nera following him, I thought "oh no." Varnax trying to wake her up was just heartbreaking.

"Visit Ayonerra. Your Khelmtsiphe demands it!"
Apr 8, 2024 16:39 by Catoblepon

I'm glad you like him! And I'm sorry not sorry for breaking your heart, did the same to myself tho xD

Apr 8, 2024 11:42 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

Awww, I love him. Poor Varnax. :( The art is absolutely beautiful.

Emy x
Explore Etrea
Apr 8, 2024 16:39 by Catoblepon
Apr 9, 2024 21:47

Varnax' lack of interest on... on everything, apparently, caught my interest. Pero al final como que me entró algo en el ojo.

Apr 10, 2024 08:19 by Catoblepon

Ah, ya veo, empezó a llover por donde estabas?

May 9, 2024 12:46

Congratulations on your successful participation and here is your little badge.   I really liked the idea of "living" star clusters for the eyes, teeth and gills and the art is so beautiful. I really hope you expand on the article as I would love to know so much more about Varnax's life.
Astralis-Challenge 2024 by Blue Fairy 74

Stay imaginative and discover Blue´s Worlds, Elaqitan and Naharin.
May 10, 2024 19:21 by Catoblepon

Thank you! I'm not sure if I'll expand the article in the future since Stars haven't been seen in centuries and most knowledge about them come from old books and tales.

Powered by World Anvil