I burst through the trees, feet stamping the ground with each passing stride. My knuckles have grown white from the stress of gripping my bow. The scabbard of my sword wildly smacks my hip with each jump, pushing pass bushes and rocks that seek to become an obstacle in my way. My right foot lands on soft earth and it all crashes down. Now, I am flying forward, tucking my arms underneath so I roll instead of create bodily damage to myself. My foot is free from it's imprisonment as I roll to safety, only to come back to my stomach and leap out to a crouched position.
I made quite the commotion, leaves and rocks sliding along from where I landed. I stay poised, looking around in the vast emptyness of the forest. Pockets of leaves open up to allow rays of light to idly fall in but the feeling of darkness is ever present. Something is after me, but yet, I am chasing something. Who is predator and who is prey? I am left to listen to my own breathing and heart beat. Thump...thump...thump....now! I fire off in the original direction, using the ball of my feet and shifting them sideways to keep balance as I skid downhill, leaping near the end and rushing off.
My breathing is beginning to grow shallow after such pace, my eyes always darting behind me but always catching glimpse of what is ahead. The sounds of rushing water is in the distance. I must be near. The last time I saw it. No...not it. Her. I knew after laying eyes on her that I was meast to keep chase. A snap behind me forces me to keep a stronger pace, throwing barriers and limits away as I throw my remaining strength into this run. It's getting closer. The lake. More so, the basin of the waterfall. It is the picture perfect world for her.
I reach back and grab an arrow from the quiver, snapping the end to the string and coming to a halt behind a tree. The waterfall is masking any sound that I am making, waters rushing from great heights and slamming into itself from below. That's when I see her, from behind the tree. Auburn hair sways gently in the ever present breeze, gently paled skin kissed by the sun giving her a glowing presence. A flowing, white dress masks her body. Striking green eyes reach across the lake and pierce through tree, through flesh, to find the spirit that is in me. She knew I was coming, and now I know. Captivating is she, my father said, who becomes the embodiment of wisdom. When you find her, take haste and chase after her, for now the darkness realizes that you have found what you are looking for. It happens to all men who seek to make themselves whole. Wise man, my father.
Breaking free from my hiding place, I walk away from the tree and she stands up, staring at me with those eyes. I cannot escape her gaze, nor can she mine. I do not know what it is that draws me, but I keep advancing. Now I reach the water, staring at her from the other side as he advances as well. The cool waters have no effect on me, but a rattle in the bushes catches my attention. Out from the unknown, the darkness leaps out, taking the form of beast and rushing forward. I react; bow in hand and arrow drawn back, I fire. The arrowhead collides with the head of the beast and it explodes, a black smoke obscuring vision and knowledge alike. Out from the darkness comes snakes, slithering out and wrenching my ankles and arms.
I slam into the water as it drags me away from her, but that is all I can think of. My finger grip mud and stone alike, dragging it alomg with me to impede the beast. My own strength is failing as hope starts to dwindle, reaching out for her as she reaches for me. A thought crosses my mind though...if this beast doesn't consume me, then it will go for her. If I can slow it down, then she can run. The idea of escape flies from my mind as I kick up to jump to the darkness. I've decided, that after all this pursuit, that if I cannot have her as my prize, then at least this monster will not take her. A roar reverberates from my throat as pure light erupts from my chest. The desire for the life of another and to risk my own life to make sure it is achieved, such a power gives strength to even the weakest. The darkness cannot fight it. We collide, a mixture of black and white flooding the forest as a battle for life and death has been met. It all goes black for me...and I do not remember it.
What I can recount, however, is the end, for it is one of great fortune. The darkness is but an extension of a being that seeks to deny me everything that is mine. If I give away what is mine so that I can show this darkness that it surely was mine in the first place, then he has no argument. Never tell a man what he isn't entitled to when he clearly is, lest you find yourself locked in a battle you desire not. She was what I pursued, sought after. To be whole with her, for two beings created to become one is such a beautiful, yet profound painting. She nursed me back to health after destroying the darkness that sought to drive us away. My wisdom, the embodiment of what is better than myself. We are one, she exudes what I cannot in such a grace and elegant way. Yet, there is a strength more wilder than I could ever believe. Yes...
...all one can say is that bliss is what comes from such a union of strengths.
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