First I do not own Gundam Wing.
Now to Lina! Who left a review to "Beyond the Eyes" the e-mail address
you left didn't work but I happily agree so just send me what you need to morganeth@canoemail.com
Now on to the story.
The Rose
In a world of horrors only a nightmare can bring, the screams of those who
wish and beg to die fill the tortured airs. No sunlight reaches this place,
though lightning flashes as small demons of the minds creation flit through the
air; small grey blurs upon a midnight background. And though the souls dream of
release they also plead for more. For them there can be no ending, no rest, and
no peace, their lives in reality to hideous for words. This, a world of their
own creation is the only form of atonement left to them, it is their last
escape…
The sky above -blackened
darker than any midnight ever before witnessed-seemed an entity on its own; a
hungry gapping maw crying for its fill, screaming for death and blood. There
was no escape from its terror, only the slow realisation that try as you might
to forget, he is the true master of your world. Barren trees stretched their
skeletal limbs toward their master, appearing like a thousand jagged lances all
raised in salute. Within every shadow lay a creature more hideous than the
last, all waiting patiently for some unsuspecting morsel to fall into their
clawed grasp, shadows reigned over this world, so deep that lightning would not
penetrate.
Through all this horror
and unknown pitfall, a single figure moved, a lost soul, though more than ever
aware of where she was, a frail creature, though perhaps stronger than any to
have ever come before. She was a creature unafraid of the shadows. One who
openly defied the sky, it may now be the master but she had brought it into to
being, and she- though never would –could destroy it at any time.
Une, moved through the
horrors of her world upon careful feet, she may have created them, but they
would still take her life without thought or hesitation. This was her nightmare
and refuge. She came often, feeling the troubles of the world too difficult to
bear alone, and she was always alone now. It no longer mattered though; she
could hardly remember a time when she was not. Each night she came here, and
each night she stayed just a little longer, always hoping, praying, that
tonight would be the night of release that death would come… Oh blessed death!
She could not help but laugh, most people feared that time in their life, but
she embraced it. Already dead on the inside, she had been so for many years,
her life gone with one man.
Racing across the nightmares
landscape Une dashed the tears from her eyes. Long ago she had come to accept
Treize's death, or at least she thought she had, and for a time had thought she
would be able to continue with her life. But war-torn and scared from her
actions she could find no peace. She could no longer remember when she had
known herself, recognised that face in the mirror, or her name when it was
called. Always before her floated the image of a man, dark and handsome, though
she could put no name to his face. It burned her soul, for somewhere in her
broken and blackened heart she knew him, loved him, and wished nothing more
than to be close to him. But the part of her that ruled now crushed her
memories and would give her no rest, always replaying for her the most horrid
moments of her worthless life.
The longer she stayed
within this world of live nightmares the more she lost herself, and though a
small part of her was horrified, she was also glad of it. Une ran within the
broken landscape of a city filled with houses and office building that she had
destroyed. Limp, lifeless bodies were strewn about bloodied and torn, and no
matter how she tried she could not look away. With a scream of desperation Une
threw herself down a rubble filled ally in the hopes of escape. She had seen a
face among the dead that stirred memories she would rather destroy than relive.
Voices called out from all around her; pleas for mercy that went unnoticed kind
and tender words that burned her flesh and seared her soul.
Finally unable to run any
further Une fell, her body yielding to the torture of the dream. She knew that
she deserved all of this and more, but she could think of no other ways to
heighten her nightmare. Broken and weeping Une pulled herself into a tight ball
unable to face anything around her. Even the broken mortar of the fallen
buildings seemed to sneer, and throw it's hatred out to her. Une a small and
trembling figure pulled in upon herself, feeling that this was the end. She
could no longer take any more of what was around her. Beaten like a small
animal she now truly pleaded for the end.
At first her mind racked
with madness missed the all to familiar sent, but as it began to fill the air,
Une decided there could be no mistaking what she was smelling. Sweet roses.
Cautiously she opened her eyes and saw the perfect bloom lying before her; a
single item of beauty among all the horror. For the first time her world
trembled. Sitting she took the flower into her blood stained hands, memories
flooding back to the forefront of her weakened mind. Once again the face of a
handsome man filled her vision, she scrambled to her feet pressing her back to
the wall, and holding the flower out before her as if it were a viper poised to
strike.
"My Lady…"
The words were spoken so
softly that Une's ears barely heard. Though quiet as they were she was sure she
knew them, so filled with love and familiar memories, that she almost
remembered herself, but it was not enough. Her pain clouded eyes cleared for
the first time and she saw the man standing before her. No longer just the
image of her mind but reality, he seemed to shimmer apart from her nightmare.
"My Lady." He said again
reaching one hand for her, "It is over, put this nightmare behind you and join
me."
She knew him then, and
could only wonder how she could have ever forgotten; his life had meant
everything to her. She had loved him so much as to split herself in two. And
yet in the end he had been ripped away from her; a death he was thankful for
and one she was resigned to. Treize stood before her, ageless eyes filled with
love for her, but at the same time a sadness at seeing what it was she had put
herself through.
"Come my Lady." He called
gently, and Une reached out her hand for his, "Be with me." He whispered
drawing her to him, and laying his head against her head, the smell of roses
filled the air, freeing her for the world of her creation.
The End
The Rose
By: Morganeth Taren'drel