Norway, 2000
Like Mount Arlo, the two young souls perceive the array of wavy lights in awe. They lay soundlessly in the snow, their motionless bodies contrasting with the intense illuminations above them. They dance as delicately as a brilliant ballerina on ice. Mount Arlo is unable to perceive time as arcuately as his human companions, but he knows that the lights do not stay forever, that, like everything else in the cold, expanding universe, they will come to an end. And just like that, the twilight sky returns to its normal colour, the bright purples and greens fade into a sea of dark navy, splashed with the gentle sparkles of stars.
The two newly engaged couple are unable to speak, their minds can barely comprehend the sky's magnificence. The woman whispers under her breath, "Magic." Like the stars in the sky, her diamond ring flickers in the moonlight, it's beautiful. Under his thick hood, the man peers at her clear skin, she's beautiful. Bits of snow drift left, then right, before landing into their open palms, onto their thick woollen gloves.
The snow melts between their fingers as they stand, preparing for their trip down, back to the surface, back to where they think they belong. But Arlo knows that they are both wrong; that they both belong in the sky with the lights. Are they his friends? No- they are his purpose. Please don't leave. He thinks, as they begin to step down the mountain's windward side, when will you come back? Of course, they do not answer, and yet, each breath they breathe reminds Arlo that, for now, they are merely humans; ones that live, love, breathe. And that when they no longer cease to exist in that plain, only then, will Arlo know for certain, that they are his purpose.
Hours pass for the hikers, again, their legs burn with pain, backs sore with fatigue. Each step they take is another act of rubbing salt into the mountain's mental wounds. Without the lights, without these two souls, Mt. Arlo's loneliness is unparalleled, incomprehensible. And yet they march downwards, oblivious to the hurt they cause. And, as they reach their final steps on the mountain, they say their final goodbyes, say thank you for its hospitality, the experience it gave. If it could smile- if he could smile, he would. Goodbye Azra. Goodbye Eden. 'til our souls meet again.
YOU ARE READING
The Northern Lights
AdventureTwo adventurers and a mountain cross paths. Their souls are connected to the lights that flicker unpredictably. Every spirit has a purpose. Every journey has an end. But with every end there is a beginning. The Northern Lights dance, for they are no...
