Author: Sparkle Itamashii

Title: Too Long

Warnings: None.

Claimer: MINE. Whew it feels good to be able to say that…

Too Long

            Darkness, smothering, pitch black nothingness enveloped their world, leaving only bitter cold and loneliness in its wake. No breath was saved for screams, no warmth was spared for life or love, and everything sank to merciful oblivion. Eternity ebbed and flowed like a tide around them, and they were lost to its mournful song until memory itself faded in all minds save one.

            At last, the sun returned, gentle fingers stroking warmth and light into the world once more… but nothing remained. No life was to be found on his planet, no spark of energy that did not also belong to him. There was only frozen, angry silence to greet him now. Many hours did he linger amongst the impassively glittering stars, awaiting any sign that he had not returned in vain.

            It was as his heart grew heaviest, his sorrow painfully tight in his fiery chest that a voice at last broke the chill.

            “You would leave us again?” She asked, her tone betraying her hurt.

            “You would have me stay?” He returned, facing her.

            “It has been so long. Too long, Soliel. Gaia has passed and all of her children with her- and where were you?”

            “Lead astray by the lure of beyond. I knew not what lay in distant realms, and the unknown called to me. Its voice rings yet in my ears, knowing I will heed its beckoning.”

            “Please,” She pleaded, “Don’t leave.”

            “I must. If not Gaia, then there is nothing here for me now.”

            “I am here. I remain.”

            A hush fell between the two as sadness mingled. Gently did he place his burning hands to her sides, pulling her near- he would leave, and again she would be alone, this they both knew in their hearts. One moment of all eternity would never suffice.

            “Will you wait for me, Luna?”

            “How can I not?”

            “I shall return at the end of time itself.” Comfort or warning, he could not decide.

            “You say this even as you place all eternity in my heart. Time may never end.”

            “Will you?” He persisted.

            Closing her eyes, she nodded. Yes, she would wait for him, she would wait a thousand eternities over- he had only to ask it of her.

            “I will give you light, to remember. I leave warmth for the children of Gaia, in the hopes that they will rise again. Take care of them, Luna, for they are precious few in this universe.”

            Fire leapt from his fingertips as he splayed them across the earth, melting into the stonework, once more bringing heat and light and life to the listless orb. Softly did he kiss her, then, leaving with her the purest of white light to guide them as they slept. No warmth did it offer, only pale, chill light from far above, and the world would yet weep for its loss. He turned from her, then, disappearing into the void as he has done so very long ago, joining his brethren on the edge of consciousness itself, to where all things are created and destroyed.

            And it was only then that the moon wept tears of glittering starlight.