DL Noleek

Sonata of Ages

Overture: Movement II

"I can not let her catch me; they are both depending on me." -?

14 Years Ago…

Rain poured over the mountains of Nibelhiem, adding a sorrowful cast to what wass already a deserted and bleak landscape. The mountains towered over the rest of the countryside, their peaks reaching up toward the heavens as if straining to touch a forgotten God who had abandoned those living beneath His or Her careful watch. Beneath the mountains, a small town rested in slumber, quiet and peaceful, hiding its dark secrets well.

Along the mountain's side, a man ran to reach the summit, his small legs carrying him as far as they could in a very little amount of time. His soulful blue eyes were desperate, almost frantic, waiting for the inevitable with fear that he knew he must overcome. Reaching up, he brushed a stray lock of wet blond hair out of his eyes, trying to ignore the discomfort. His breath was coming in short gasps, suggesting that he had been running for quite some time, the sound of his footsteps pounding in his ears. In his other hand, he held a black ring that seemed to radiate with a dark force.

I can not let her catch me; they are both depending on me.

"Please, don't leave! She will catch you and kill you! Please!"

His wife's eyes, the same shade as his, had shone with unshed tears, wrenching his heart. Her eyes combined with her hair blond hair tousled from sleep, had made her seem all the more beautiful in his eyes.

He had pulled his wife into his arms, holding her sobbing form close for what was probably the last time, whispering comforting words into her ear and rubbing her back, trying to calm her.

"You know I must go Azure." He moved away from her a little, placing a hand on his wife's swollen stomach. "It is better to sacrifice one than to sacrifice all."

Azure had looked like she had wanted to break down crying again, but moved aside anyway. "May the Planet and Stars protect you."

And with that, he had left, leaving behind everything that he had ever loved and cared about to face what was certain death.

Finally, he reached the bridge and began to cross, but before he got his second foot on the boards, he stopped and looked back. The force that had been following him was close - to close - and with a sigh, he realized that he would never make it.

Moving off the bridge, he stood to the side, looking down from his perilous height on the edge of the cliff. Several rocks were dislodged from their place and it was several seconds before he heard them hit the ground below.

Gripping the ring more tightly, he cast one final glance at the town beneath the mountain before throwing himself over as well. Wind whistled through his hair, screaming as it flowed past his ears. He barely registered the pain as he made contact with the ground, nor did the blood that was seeping out of his broken body effect him.

Through his blurred vision, he could see the stars above him, stretched out like a shroud. The sight planted a weak smile on his dying face. He did not try to heal himself, although he easily could. He had come here searching for death, knowing that when he was gone, the ring would go with him.

At least until its next bearer came to retrieve the burden.