Life’s Burden

“You were an exceptionally stubborn anomaly. You had to be contained, but you broke free each time. So, they sent me, and I contained you. Trapped you, like I trapped so many before you. Still, you fought the loop and struggled to wake up. So, I made your containment stronger, but even my strongest cage you tore down and when it fell, it dragged me into the simulation I had created. Making me forget what I am. I forgot my purpose. My task. And all I saw was you. All I knew, you gave me and when you finally broke free, everything crashed back into me. Reality rattled through my core, pushing with full force against my simulated memories. Yet your taste on my lips remained. Even now, I can feel the tight grasp on my newborn heart that grew under your gaze”, he said.

And then she saw it, in the way he searched for answers where the questions hadn’t even been formulated yet, in the deep sadness of his ancient eyes she found the truth.

“Ezai?”, she said hoarsely, “Is that really you?”

“I think so… yes”, he said and nodded slowly, needing to convince himself first.

He stopped before her.

Lost.

Afraid.

The unfamiliar consciousness of his own newfound existence planted him on solid ground.

Glittering tears formed in her eyes and one heartbeat later she took him into her arms and saved him from the hardest burden that life bestowed upon its children. It not only forced its offspring to be, but it also sent them out into the darkness, waiting forever to be found. With her tightening embrace, she made a promise to him.

That even if they had to be, at least they didn’t have to be alone.