Arynthe's Story

The final plans

185 ar. 

It was done. The revolution had ended. Me, Zad and Ejmar stood on the balcony of the Team Tower and watched the last moonshine reflect on the glittering houses.

"It's less beautiful here than I remember," Zad said, "but that's probably because of the traces the revolution left."
"Don't worry, I'll make it beautiful again," Ejmar laughed nervously. His words echoed through the abandoned streets. 
"What are you going to do about it, then?" Zad asked. 
"It's very simple."

Was it simple, I thought. If it was that simple, why couldn't I do it? But I suppressed my frustration. Ejmar was the Mara, not me. 

"Founder Arynthe focused mainly about what was dark about the darker times," Ejmar said, "but I'm going to focus on what's good about the present. After all, that's the time we have to live in, right?"
"Makes sense," I mumbled.

The first rays of sunshine found their way over the hills and sparkled on the rooftops. It gave the city a peaceful glow.

"And what are you going to do, Zad?" Ejmar asked.
Zad shrugged. "I don't know yet. I may go exploring the borders of Torrayan territory, but I may also just go back to the station and do some solid research."

I felt a cold creeping through my left side. It started at my toes and fingertips and slowly slithered upwards, reaching out to my heart. 

"I may also build a house here on Ashiria," Zad dreamt out loud. "Your plans sound appealing to me, and this world sure has the potential to become a paradise." He then turned to me. "And you, Arynthe? What are you going to do?"
I forced a smile and suppressed a spasm. "I'm going to write," I said. "I'm going to find my book in my hut back at the station, finish it and publish it."
Ejmar aimed his bright, innocent eyes at me. "And- and then?" he asked shyly. 
"I don't know ye-"

The attack interrupted me. I let out a soft cry of pain as my left leg stopped supporting me and caused me to fall. Fortunately I fell right into Zad's arms. 

"You could also have said you were getting an attack again," he said, and carried me into Ejmar's office. "Where did you leave the medkit?"
"Lowest drawer in the desk," I replied, "but I don't really need a painkiller. You shouldn't waste good material on a dying woman."
"You're not dying," Zad said, "you're just having a little issue with your left main nerve channel."
"I know," I sighed. "I'm not dying yet. But soon enough."

Ejmar walked in now, too. "Are you okay, Arynthe?" he asked.
"Do I look okay?" I bashed. 

Zad started to laugh. He placed me on the desk, pulled the drawer open and reached with his hand for the little grey case in the back, still laughing. 

Then, as if Ejmar suddenly got the joke, he started laughing too, and finally I joined in. For a moment all the darkness seemed far away. The laughing lifesavers in the Mara's office; it sounded like the title of a comedy show.

"Why are we even laughing?" Ejmar asked.
"I have no idea," I giggled.
"That's exactly what makes it so funny!" Zad roared. He wisely waited until he had calmed down a bit before wiping his eyes and injecting the painkiller into my arm.
"Thanks," I said, "but as I said, I didn't really need it."
"You did," Zad replied. "I did see the pain in your eyes. You may suppress it, but the stress remains."

Ejmar walked to the desk and looked down at me. I looked back up at him. He didn't look like a leader, he didn't even talk like a leader, but I was convinced that he could heal the broken hearts of my people. His dreams were pure and good, and he looked like he'd fight for them. 

"What kind of attack was that anyway?" he asked.
"Dzirta syndrome," I sighed. 
"Seriously? You have dzirta syndrome too?" 

He made it sound like it was a cool gadget instead of a handicap. It was funny as well as annoying. 

"Yes," I replied, "type 3."
"Me too," Ejmar laughed, "on my right side."
"My left side is the unlucky one," I said, "so we're not that creepily alike."
"We weren't in the first place," Ejmar said hastily. "You're a hero. I'm just another individual with a dream."

______________________________________________________

To all individuals with a dream: chase them like they used to chase me. It doesn't matter how obsessed you may seem. In the end we're all crazy anyway.

The end.