Refugere Mortem, Unus Annus

Chapter 1: November 13, 2020

     Friday, November 13th, 2020. A day like any other to the average human being, yet despite its seemingly plain name, the weight this day held was unlike any other for two particular individuals. 

     Mark and Ethan sat in the studio surrounded by friends and all whom had aided them along this one year journey. Dressed in the garbs of their creations, cameras were pointed on them as they laughed, cried, joked and pushed through each final hour, awaiting the moment the clock would inevitably strike 12, bearing a weight in their hearts that none other than those closest to them knew. All the faithful fans who knew of this once in a lifetime event watched along behind glass screens, some excitedly anticipating the end, others breaking down as they knew this was it. Little did they know the true weight of this day. Even though many emotions went through thousands if not tens of thousands, it wouldn't make a difference. The end was inevitable, so goes the famous phrase of this entire experience.

     Unus gazed at his friend, his partner, his brother despite no blood relation. Breathing their first breath one year ago today, born of the same purpose, created hand in hand, eyes opening at the same time and looking into each others curious ones first. A package deal since that very moment. Mark and Ethan weren't entirely surprised of their very sudden and unexpected existence, but keeping in mind that "egos" coming to life weren't foreign to them, they pushed through with this new knowledge. Unus and Annus had been in multitudes of the videos, playing as themselves and even Mark and Ethan at times. It was fascinating to Mark and Ethan how they adapted to their roles so naturally, and more importantly, how much it had the fans interested. 

     Mark and Ethan soon came to discover just how inseparable these two were. The two refused to be separated, and so, needing to switch them off from one house to the next to keep them together, Mark and Ethan took turns caring for them in their own homes for an entire year. Unus and Annus learned many things about their creators as well as the world that they never had the opportunity to see much of.

     Now Annus held his brother's hand in his own. The two gazed into the cellphone's screen in utter silence, watching their creators speak of the year they had. Heh, if only people knew the half of it. It had been hard, mostly for the originals, Mark and Ethan, to say their goodbyes. The two beings were born with the knowledge that this day was a part of their existence and did not hold this against them. Amy too had shed some tears, like those you'd shed for a dying family member, embracing them for a lengthy period of time. It was touching, truly. Unus and Annus knew it was better for them not to be around anyone when the time came for them to say goodbye and had planned as such, having done all this yesterday and leaving after without another word. Diligently and silently, they observed the stream as they sat alone deep within a forest, the reception working thanks to a little influence from them. Their eyes never strayed from the screen, glancing at the clock above rather than the actual video.

     11:13.

     11:24.

     11:38.

     11:46.

     "Are you ready?" Annus broke the silence first, turning to Unus, his face void of emotion.

     This day was no surprise to them. They knew it would come since day one. Their fate was sealed and they accepted such. Their existence was momentary as all things were, there's just more so than most.

     "Heh. You know I need to be ready," Unus replied, placing his hand over Annus'.

     The phone was placed against a tree, the volume loud enough for the two to still hear. They could almost feel a clock like presence ticking away inside them. It was unnerving, yet comforting. They laid down upon the grass, the stars shining above them. The two turned their heads to face each other one last time, looking like they had so much more to say and yet nothing at all. Unus' eyes glazed over with fresh tears. His largest regret of fading away would be never seeing his brother Annus again. And since death was coming for them, and regrets didn't apply after such, he'd made up his mind. Shuffling close to Annus, Unus embraced his dearest friend as they remained laying on the ground. Annus' arms enclosed round Unus and the livestreams audio was once again made known to them. 

     11:59. 

     The voices of their creators uttered sweetly, "Say it together. Memento Mori-"

     Annus closed his eyes and whispered, "Unus."

     Unus' lips parted, eyes closed as he uttered simply, "Annus."

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     Author's Note: *sobbing* Well, I guess that's it...

     Oh wait, there's more, haha! Chapter 2 of this tale is on it's way! And hey, if you have any questions, comments, critiques and more, leave a comment! Those really make my day! Also, I'm always open for hearing new story suggestions too! And as always, have an awesome day!