Elder Blue

Everyone knew Elder Blue. Wisened, the reef held this old coral colony in high regard. Elder wasn’t just a shelter for fish seeking solace from predators - Elder was the Eternal Guardian who gave guidance and sustenance to any creature in need.

No one and no coral had ever doubted Elder Blue. But the coral had stretched itself thin over the years. Its branches, once firm, had weakened. The fish that sought comfort within them wondered why the once mighty reef, once brilliant, had lost its pearly pink gleam. “He’s not the same Elder Blue as before.” They shook their little tails.

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Elder Blue heard them but wasn’t sure what he needed to do to regenerate himself. His pretty pink glow became duller and duller.

He caught sight of the small coral colony that had regenerated itself after it had pulled back its healing energy. Something came to him.

The pink coral conserved its healing energy, at least until it was ready to give fish a proper home. He hoped they would thrive without his help.

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Elder Blue woke up on a watery morning feeling oddly invigorated. He gazed at his surroundings...and suddenly realised what had brought on the feeling.

His reef had burst into new life. As Elder recuperated, the fish and other marine life adapted, relying on each other and even cultivating smaller coral. The reef, without dependence on Elder, had embraced diversity and thrived.

The pink coral recovered its gleam once more. It had nurtured itself, and the reef and blossomed along with him, on its terms.