"Eveline," called Emerald, my guardian.
"Yes?" I responded as I rose from my seat on the crescent-shaped moon. I stood up, ready to head back, but as I was about to leave, I noticed a figure far below, who seemed to be crying uncontrollably. I watched him from above, wondering who he was and what could have caused him such deep anguish.
"Why do people mourn for the lost ones? I can't understand," I expressed to Emerald as we made our way back to our castle in the sky. We are the guardians of peace, tasked with maintaining order and balance between good and evil. But as I observed the man's sorrowful display, I couldn't help but wonder what it must feel like to be human, to experience the depth of love and loss that they do.
"Because crying is the only thing they can do about it," Emerald replied, his voice gentle and understanding. "No matter what they try to do, they can no longer see the ones they've lost. Hence, they burst into tears. Why? Are you curious about the humans now?"
I immediately shook my head, content with the life I had in our celestial realm. "No, I'm not curious. I'm just... perhaps feeling a little guilt towards the guy down there. He's probably mourning for someone we took to paradise."
"Yes, that's right. But tell me, do you recognize that person?" Emerald pressed, his gaze fixed on me.
I chuckled lightly, "How could I possibly recognize a human? They all look the same to me."
As we continued our journey, I couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy for the individual below, his grief so raw and unrestrained. I wondered what it must be like to experience such profound sorrow, to mourn the loss of someone so dear. Though I knew our duty was to maintain the balance, a part of me wished I could offer some comfort to the man, to ease his pain in some small way.
Emerald's words echoed in my mind, reminding me that the humans' tears were the only way they could express their anguish. I may not fully understand the depth of their emotions, but I could, at the very least, acknowledge the weight of their suffering.
.....
"Emerald!" I called out urgently as a sudden, ominous blackhole materialized before me. I had been going about my duties, sorting out the souls that needed to be transported to the paradise realm, when this dark vortex appeared without warning.
I continued to shout Emerald's name, but it seemed he was not present in the castle at the moment. Apprehension gripped me as I took a few steps back, unsure of what this strange phenomenon could portend.
To my astonishment, the blackhole began to morph and take shape, coalescing into the form of a man. I furrowed my brow, my protective instincts immediately kicking in. I raised my arm, ready to defend myself should this unknown entity pose a threat.
"Who are you? What are you doing in this realm?" I demanded, my voice firm and unwavering, despite the unease churning within me.
The man's gaze locked onto me, his eyes shining with an emotion I couldn't quite place. "Eveline," he said, his tone soft and almost reverential.
My eyes widened in surprise. "How do you know my name? State your kind," I commanded, my stance unwavering.
A mix of emotions flickered across the man's face - relief, longing, and a hint of trepidation. I could sense the weight of his words as he spoke, "Eveline, it's me. Don't you recognize me?"
I studied him intently, searching for any clues that might reveal his identity. Yet, try as I might, I could not place him. All humans looked the same to me, and I was unsure of how he had breached the barriers of our celestial realm.
"I was asking a question first," I told him, my gaze unwavering. The arrival of this mysterious stranger had unsettled me, and I was determined to get the answers I sought.
Tension hung thick in the air as I waited for his response, my heart pounding with a mixture of curiosity and caution. What was his purpose here, and how had he managed to cross into our sacred domain?
The man's features softened, and he raised his hands in a placating gesture. "Forgive me, Eveline. I did not mean to startle you. I am simply overjoyed to be in your presence once more."
The man's expression fell, and I could see the glimmer of disappointment in his eyes. "I am... a dear friend, Eveline. A friend you may not remember, but one who has never forgotten you."
I studied him intently, searching for any sign of deception. "A friend?" I repeated, my tone laced with skepticism. "I am the guardian of this realm, and I do not recall ever having met a human such as yourself. If you are truly a friend, then you must explain how you have breached the barriers that protect our domain."
"I could breach every barrier and protect domains if it means I could be with you. Eveline, do you really not recognize me?" the man said, his voice tinged with a desperate longing.
I shook my head slowly, my lips pressed into a thin line. "I'm afraid I do not. As I've said, I am the guardian of this realm, and I do not recall ever having met you before."
"Then I'll barge your memory once more," he said gently, his eyes burning with a intensity that caught me off guard.
Without warning, he leaned in and pressed his lips against mine. The kiss was soft, yet passionate, as if he were pouring his very soul into the gesture. I felt a jolt of electricity course through me, and for a moment, I was utterly transfixed.
His hand gently cupped the side of my face, his thumb caressing my cheek in a tender, almost reverent manner. The kiss deepened, and I could feel the urgency in his movements, as if he were desperate to rekindle a connection long lost.
I stood there, paralyzed, unsure of how to respond. Part of me wanted to push him away, to assert my authority as the guardian of this realm. Yet, there was a stirring within me, a flicker of recognition that I could not deny.
As the kiss lingered, I found myself slowly, almost involuntarily, leaning into his embrace, my own hands coming to rest on his arms. The warmth of his touch, the fervor of his lips, it all felt strangely familiar, as if I had experienced this before, in a distant, forgotten memory.
The world around us seemed to fade away, and for a fleeting moment, I was utterly captivated by this man's unyielding affection. It was as if he had unlocked a door to a part of my past that I had long since sealed away.
Emerald's sudden appearance caused Storm and I to separate our passionate embrace.
"You found her, at last," Emerald spoke, a hint of relief and satisfaction in his voice.
Storm's face lit up with joy as he gazed at me adoringly. "Yes, thank god," he replied, his deep, soulful eyes brimming with emotion.
Emerald gave us a warm, almost fatherly smile. "You can take her with you, I hope you two will find your happiness."
I looked at Emerald, a flicker of concern crossing my features. "But, how about you?" I asked, my brow furrowing slightly.
Emerald placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "I can manage the duties here. You can go with him, as he has been looking for you for like 20 years."
My eyes widened in surprise at his words. "What, 20 years?" I turned to Storm, a puzzled expression on my face. "How come he didn't grow old?"
Storm chuckled lightly, a fond smile playing on his lips. "Have you forgotten, my love? I'm a half-demon and a half-goddess. I will never get old."
I watched him closely, a hint of uncertainty in my gaze. "Why are you laughing, are you trying to be arrogant?" I asked, my voice laced with a touch of defensiveness.
Storm shook his head, his expression softening. "Of course not, my love," he said, his voice warm and reassuring. "I'm just so happy to have finally found you, and happy that you recognized my kiss."
I felt a flood of memories wash over me, and a sense of realization dawned on my face. "How could I not? The kiss was what linked me to you in the first place," I told him, a hint of wonder and affection in my voice.
Storm's eyes sparkled with joy, and he pulled me into a tight embrace. "Yes, you were so brave back then when you suddenly kissed me, making a contract between a half-demon and a half-goddess," he murmured, his breath tickling my ear.
I melted into his arms, feeling a profound sense of belonging and a deep, unwavering connection that had stood the test of time. Our bond was etched in the very fabric of our beings, transcending the boundaries of mortal and immortal, forged through the power of a single, life-altering kiss.
Storm held me close, his strong arms enveloping me in a deep embrace. "I'm so lucky to have met you, and to be loved by you," he whispered tenderly, his breath caressing my ear.
I felt a profound sense of gratitude and affection wash over me. Being in his arms, feeling the warmth of his touch and the sincerity of his words, filled me with a profound sense of belonging and joy. Our connection transcended the boundaries of time and space, forged through a bond that had endured even the most daunting of challenges.
Emerald's voice suddenly broke the spell, a hint of playful exasperation in his tone. "Come on, leave this realm now. It's making me feel quite... cringeworthy," he said, shaking his head with a wry smile.
At his words, Storm and I both erupted into laughter, our chuckles mingling together in a harmonious melody. The tension and uncertainty that had previously hung in the air had been swept away, replaced by a palpable sense of levity and camaraderie.
I gazed up at Storm, my eyes shining with a newfound clarity. The man I had once forgotten now stood before me, his features etched with a profound love and adoration that filled my heart to the brim. In that moment, I knew without a doubt that our reunion was destined, a testament to the strength of our bond and the power of the kiss that had linked us together all those years ago.
With a shared nod of understanding, Storm and I turned to Emerald, our expressions alight with gratitude and excitement. "Lead the way, my friend," Storm said, his voice filled with a renewed sense of purpose. "It's time for us to venture forth, and find the happiness that has eluded us for far too long."
Emerald smiled knowingly, his eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "Very well, then. Let us be off, and may the journey ahead be filled with the wonders that your love has in store."
Hand in hand, the three of us stepped forward, ready to embark on a new chapter, one that promised to be a captivating blend of adventure, discovery, and the unbreakable bond that had stood the test of time.