Loving Eros

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

 

Exhausted, Story flopped onto her bed, slipping into what promised to be a nightmare. At least, to her, it seemed that way.

Everything was completely dark, for a moment. Suddenly, as if by magic, a light came down from above, revealing two figures. One was a man with jet black hair, his eyes and face hidden, as he was on his hands and knees. The other stood more distant, yet while one could feel his presence, they wouldn't be able to make out distinct features.

The first man cried out in a pleading voice. "Please! It was unjust and unfair, forgive my failure!"

A booming voice responded to him, yet nowhere to be seen was the source of the voice itself. "You committed  nothing, my child. Have no worries, but peace. Why do you request an audience  with me yet stand still by choice, and not yet proceed to move on, and join those in which you adored?"

"Because, most significant creator, I am unsatisfied with the outcome of my lack of knowledge and preparation. I could have…” His voice cracked. “I could have protected her, at the very least. Mia sorella.” Without a doubt, tears formed, and dripped onto the ground.

“In my land, in your new life, you will be reunited with your sister. All is forgiven in the promised end, and the love between you two would never hold grudges.”

The man punched the ground. “You don’t understand--!”

“I, the God and creator of all, would not understand the pain of one of my children? One who sent his son to perish so that all who believe in him shall live eternally? I hear my children, and all their pains and miseries.”

A brief silence followed. “I… May have misspoken. Forgive me, Lord. It’s just… Even in your kingdom where all are satisfied and there is eternal celebration and life, I am not ready. I have so much regret.” The man sniffed. “Please, hear my prayer. My plea. I can’t let go of this burden while I know that my family suffered such an end.”

“Though you know that upon entering my kingdom, you will suffer no longer, and these horrors will haunt you no longer, you still wish to dwell aimlessly?”

The man slowly drew in his arms and raised himself to his knees, his face still unclear. “When you put it that way, dwelling aimlessly… Would not be an effective punishment.”

“A punishment that is far from necessary, and an irrational hope.”

“Then what am I to do?” He yelled. “Please, give me a chance! To protect someone where I have failed.

There was an echo, followed by yet another silence. “Your heart holds pure intentions of love for one of whom you do not even know, yet wish to keep safe.” The booming voice softened. “For your good will, I will grant you a chance.”

While tears still dwelled on the man’s face, his posture relaxed. “Grazie, padre del salvatore.” He paused. “I have more to ask.”

“A bold and brave heart. I will hear it, but if it is a request I cannot allow, that is how it shall be.”

The man thought for a moment. “Strip away my emotions. Everything that has made me who I am. My memory.”

“You wish for yourself, one of my creations, in all of which I see beauty, to know longer be what my original intentions were for you to have been molded?”

“Forgive me if it is insulting. I just… Pain is something all humans fear. Fear holds us back, it keeps us from doing things we are fully capable of. It is written that through you, all is possible. If I were to fear failure, if I were to recall the pain of failure past, I would not be able to atone properly. It could result in yet another failure. Surely, you would not allow that yet again.”