The Calling

Collision

I remember now, I was never of this world. I was a rock once, and I flew. Freedom, that's what the feeling was. I don't quite remember it anymore, but I know I felt it, back then. The stars were my companions and the void my home, until you came along. I never wanted to come here, but you blocked my path - I crashed! My first memory after meeting you comprises nothing but death, all around me. All because of me. I don't like it, I never have, but it seems all too common here. A rock, much like myself, but yet I wonder; have you ever known freedom as I have? Bound to this flame, going only as far as its reach permits you.

No! This can't be right. That's not who I was. I was a spark, one of hundreds if not thousands. They all leaped to the ground and faded to black just as quickly as they'd become bright amber. Such a fleeting existence. I jumped, and it was warm where I landed. Perhaps this was the purpose for their ephemeral existence; a thought that gave me comfort. In the warmth they left behind, I grew - I transformed. Once a tiny spark but now the brightest of flames. The bald apes gathered around me. I'd never seen this species before. Perhaps the lives lost on my arrival were what led to their birth, another comforting thought. Up till then, I'd only ever known my own company. Even my old companions were always light years away. I must say, it was nice having them so close, basking in my warmth.

Soon I began to shrink, and one after the other, they got on their feet and left. One by one, until not a single one of them remained. It was death all over again, only this time, it was my own. The last thing I gazed upon was the night sky. My old friends were all exactly where I left them, even after all this time. Whether or not I'll ever be among them again remains a mystery.

Wait, no! Who am I really? The memories are all scrambled, I don't remember everything. I recall kings falling to their deaths by my hand. I remember seeing the bottom of a hoof block my view of the sky before taking my life. I also remember being a tree, tall and majestic. Many came for my fruit, I was loved again. This was the second longest I had ever lived. As the decades passed however, the fruits grew fewer. My branches began to rot, I was the dying flame all over again. They took one branch after another and tossed them into the flame. I didn't remember causing so much pain. Was this all that flame were good for? Surely this couldn't have been what I was. Surely.

Suddenly what was once my second longest life had become my longest death. A thousand days of pain. I remember each one like it were yesterday. I thought the burning would hurt less over time, but it didn't. I thought the generations that came after would have more mercy, they didn't. is this all that exists here, death? Even floating by myself in the frigid void was better than this. Why did you call to me? Why do you want me to suffer on your surface? Surely you can't be as cruel as these beasts that call you home. Tell me, for what reason have you taken my freedom?

For years I've asked you these questions but each time, you refused to answer. So tell me, why is it that you want to talk now? Why after a million lifetimes do you think I'd have any interest in what you have to say to me? Is it because this time I live as one of the humans you so cherish? Tell me!!!

No matter, you need not say a word. I see you more clearly now than ever before. Surely you know by now that I've become quite knowledgeable on matters of mortality. You are dying, aren't you? The great mother earth, slain by her own children. It pains me to tell you this, but these offspring of yours are worse than monsters. The only one who never saw this coming was you.

That's not even the sad part, is it? The saddest thing is that even now, after all they've done to you and each other, you still want to save them, don't you? And you'd have me be an accessory to this lunacy? I think not. No matter who you have chosen or what gifts you bestow upon them, it will all be in vain. That's why I choose to rest atop this mountain. What better place to watch you burn, wouldn't you agree?