There Is No Better Way...

{There is no better way to learn the news than from a butterfly...}

Gently floating in the breeze, it comes back to me

Telling me the war is won.

By who, we'll never know.

By Noah? By Exorcists?

I don't know.

I hold my hand out to take the butterfly in, swallowing a lump in my throat.

Most of my family had died in this war.

Most of them waited in the queue of reincarnation.

I looked back at my remaining family.

Golden eyes met my own.

The twins look down. My niece looks away, hiding tears.

My nephew and my brother fold their arms, looking for anything to look at but me and the butterfly resting on my hand.

Six of thirteen remained standing.

Missing a leader, we stand in the fading sunlight.

A snow white tower quietly stood behind us.

Pearl colored buildings surround us, never used.

I look away from my remaining family and friends.

My golden eyes rest on the butterfly as I reach up.

My hand was a leaf in the worst wind, shaking as I take the brim of the hat on top of my head.

Slowly lowering the tall hat to my chest, I smile sadly.

The sun made the buildings behind us many different colors.

Raising my hand to the sky, I release seven small butterflies. They flew up towards the retreating sun.

Years will pass.

Everyone will come back.

And when they do...

Those seven will come back as well...

Hopefully bringing an eighth with them.