Closure from Zy-Limbron
Part 3 – Confronting Future
One day a prince will come…and buy me Farscape
He has yet to arrive
Normally Stark feared sleep, the momentary drop in his defences that allowed the dead in, allowed them to taunt him, memories to ridicule him. So when he did sleep it was in short bursts, waking to recover, drifting off to return and waking again. Many times on Talyn had he annoyed Rygel to the point that the Hynerian was considering either bunking with Crais or suicide to escape the Banik's constant mutterings and screams as he slept, fought with the dead.
How ironic it seemed that Stark's sleep that night on Valldon, the world of the dead, should be uninterrupted, tranquil. It was strange to feel so rested when he woke. No nightmares to plague him, no voices to eat away at his fragile nature. He was curled up in a foetal position on the floor, still facing the wall of the dark room. It was night outside, but he could sense the fast approaching dawn.
Slowly he sat up, legs crossed, hands rested on his knees, listening to the silence…a lack of sound so completely new to him, and enjoyed the feeling of complete contentment that it brought, the security of his new knowledge, the safety in its revelations.
"Sleep well?" So absorbed has he been in the silence and his own thoughts that the sudden burst of noise startled him.
Stark spun himself round, his head rolling slightly at the sudden burst of movement he had inflicted upon it. "Yes". He replied, relaxing.
"Not surprised. You've been completely out of it for aerns". John was sat by the window, staring out at the shadows of buildings, looking round to study the pattern the broken light made on the floor around and across the seated Banik. "I actually wondered if you were dead".
"I can not die yet". Of that he was certain now. "Zhaan has chosen me as her proxy. She wants me to find Moya, to protect her family spiritually in time of need. Continue her teachings and argue her will, the will of the Goddess". Stark bowed his head for a moment; eye closed. He had listened to his own voice as he spoke, surprised by how…'normal' it sounded, sane. "It was her desire from the start". He finished, proudly.
"I think she chose well". John said. There was a sudden but noticeable sense of sadness about the human then. His understanding that his corporeal time in the world had been cut short; he was little more than a shadow of a former self who had strayed from the path and now waited to be reminded of the way. "I only wish I could help". He knew he couldn't leave Valldon, this world between worlds would now be his only reality, unless…
"You already have helped in more ways than can ever be repaid". Stark stood and moved to stand in front of John. "Your words showed the way when I was lost, led me to understand my past, and my purpose"
"Now I shall show you your way". The Banik held out his hand the way the human had shown him once, a symbol of hello and goodbye, of acquaintances and…above all…friends…"Farewell John Crichton my friend, until our final meeting". His free hand reached up, began to unbuckle his mask, ready to return the freedom that the Human had given, the release. John had guided him, now he would guide the Human one last time to the final resting place. A pitiful reward it seemed to the Banik, but appreciation none the less.
John understood what was about to happen, and despite a small inkling of fear he managed an almost mischievous grin. "See yah at Zee limbo". He leaned over from where he was sat on the sill, took Stark's hand and shook it.
"Zy-Limbron". Stark almost laughed as he corrected his naïve friend. It felt good to smile again after so long in the dark. "Thank you". He whispered as his hand left John's and he slowly removed the makeshift mask, allowing his essence to light the pathway to the other side. He began to chant under his breath, a strange mixture of his native tongue and the poetic Delvian Zhaan had taught him over the cycle they had known each other.
John gave a quick wave as his image faded into translucency, nothingness, his journey finally beginning to the final destination, the place of deserving souls like the John Crichton's, like Zhaan's. As Stark replaced the mask another light replaced the one he had taken away, through the window. Stark remained in the sunlight, let the warmth glow bathe him. Another smile and this time it held.
Four days ago he had found Zhaan's soul only to loose his own, but now he was certain again. She was safe and would always be watching over him in the hard times, even now he could feel her warm presence surrounding him, and John Crichton would always be watching her, protecting Zhaan and her child until the day Stark could join them again.
Until then, he would follow his own forgotten advice from long ago, and carry on in her spirit, positive and hopeful.
Of course not always would he be able to, but he knew that on those solar days he would have friends to help him them, be them corporeal or within…he would never truly be alone.
His search for Zhaan was over. The next day he began a new search…a search for Moya.
Later Scaper : - )