Stone In Focus

The grandeur of what once was remained imprinted on every leaf, every blade of grass. The calm breeze of the wind caressed the three as they walked, like a guiding force nudging them in the right direction.

Lain stopped in front of a ruined structure built like an ancient mausoleum, with all that remained being a few pillars connected to fragments of a roof, and cracked tile floors. She ran her diaphanous hands down the cold stone, feeling every groove and indent, feeling the memories of what once was.

“This is where my family resided. My parents raised me right here, a lifetime ago.”

She hesitated to enter the doorway, as if what laid beyond was too overwhelming to bear. Regardless, she stepped inside, and turned to face Lucius and Surazal.

“Please, come in,” she said with a smile, cordially welcoming them into the ruins of her past.

The inside was not much different from the outside world, the overgrowth remained all the same. But the personal invitation to enter divided the physical similarities into something separate, something special, for this space was more than just a ruin, this was a home.

Near the back of the area were large smooth boulders placed on a carpet of moss in a half circle formation, which the three of them sat upon at Lain’s request.

“Thank you for having us,” Surazal said, showing respect and regard for her gesture.

Lain blushingly looked down and smiled, nodding to him a response of appreciation.

Lucius, who had been gazing down at the ground and following the cracked tiles like it was a maze, also reiterated Surazal’s words.

“Oh, yeah. Thank you Lain.”

Lain cherished their responses, but her expression turned to one of melancholy, as her thoughts tried to decide on the right words for the topic on her mind.

“Lucius,” she calmly said, “I wish to know more about you. I was hoping you could tell us a bit about your life, about your parents, and your home. If that’s not too much to ask.”

Lucius’s face became still, focused on holding back a wave of emotions held off only by a thin wall.

Lain noticed his change in demeanor immediately, and regretted bringing up a sensitive topic, even unknowingly. She knew what it was like to reminisce on those you lost, the pain that never truly goes away.

“Oh, please forgive me for asking-”

“No, it's okay. You’ve let me into your past. I can…let you into mine.”

Lain glanced over at Surazal who met her eyes, nodding at her a notion of approval, as Lucius continued.

“My mother was named Luna, she was really kind. You two would have gotten along well. She was so loving to me, and I… I took it all for granted. Only now looking back, I see just how special she really was.”

His eyes sparkled like droplets of rain, a glossy layer forming on its surface, but he carried on speaking.

“My father was named Sergio. He was a very strong man, so protective of me and my mother. But he was also so gentle, that’s what nobody knew but us. His dense exterior was just an illusion, an act he played to defend those he loved. I…they both lost their lives because of me, because of my fear and weakness. Their deaths came from my decisions, my choices. After everything they did for me, everything they sacrificed for my benefit, I cost them their lives. I’m so lost without them, I…I feel like I can’t do anything on my own.”

Lucius’s walls had now been completely rammed down, the flood gates fully opened as his tears rained down onto the cracked tile floor.

Lain got up from her seat and went over to him, her dress flourishing like an angel’s wings as she crouched down and embraced him in her arms.

Surazal followed, and standing over the both of them, placed a caring hand on Lucius’s shoulder, tightly pressing down on the weeping boy.

Lain cupped the back of Lucius’s head, her fingers intertwined in his dark black hair.

“It’s okay Lucius, let it out. Let yourself fall apart, I promise to hold you together,” she quietly whispered in his ear, her voice full of compassion and warmth.

The pastel sun was beginning to set, allowing the moon to take its place while it got some rest.

Lucius wiped the remaining drops from his eyes and cheeks, having a deep appreciation for his experience in Andromeda.

“Thank you, both of you, for bringing me here,” he gratefully said. “I…I’ll help you with your cause, anyway I can. If you’ll have me.”

This time, Surazal smiled alongside Lain, and the three of them met under the arched entrance.

“Of course. This has been a lovely experience, I am glad I was able to show you this place. We’ll return to the Angiporium, and over a warm meal we can discuss our plans for the future.”

Lucius agreed, and once again, they conjoined their hands together, as Lain’s white energy began to glow.

I’d like to return here one day, Lucius thought. Maybe all three of us can stay for a little while longer next time. That would be really nice.

The white light grew immensely, shuttering like a strike of lightning, and just like that, Andromeda was returned to its shade of lonesome green.