The Last Dance

“Is it over?” ushered a voice upon entering the seemingly empty hall.

Looking around the ruined hall where flora has started to crawl, light pouring down from the cracks on the ceiling illuminating the otherwise desolate room. This room was once a place where even kings and emperors would not be able to step a foot in.

“Probably.” Answered a man sitting with a dazed look on his face looking past the cracks.

He took a deep sigh, looked at the direction of the newcomer and continued. “Have you thought about it through?”

“….I-I’m not sure...—If I say yes and leave, You’ll be the only one left, right?” she asked with pursed lips, unsure whether to answer or not.

“Don’t worry about it, It’s been a little over twelve hundred years since that day. After you, I’ll follow along.” He walked up to her, put his hands on shoulder and patted it. “I’ll wait for your answer whenever you’re ready. Oh Witch of Phanactis, My dear.” He closed his eyes and walked towards the Garden Pavilion.

Why? Why did it turn out like this? There’s just the two of us left… even the Lady has forgotten... She might awaken soon... but— He’s right.. I need to decide, Should I let the world be on its own now... or stay and safeguard it.

No, Why am I thinking about this? It’s like what he has already said, It’s been over a thousand and two hundred years now. I’m still moping here in my Garden like a child.

She thought to herself while taking a stroll around Garden, basking in the moonlight.

Let’s just go, He said he’ll follow along with me after all. That’s better than nothing or anything right now.

Taking a deep sigh, she took hurried steps towards the Pavilion, almost on the brink of a jog.

She looked around with sentimentality in her eyes, with a soft and near-sobbing voice she whispered.

“I’ve grown all of you children since time immemorial, Now, You'll have grow without my care.” She stopped in front of the Pavilion. “Everything grown here can be considered my children. I may have not birthed them, but I made them.”

Taking one step at a time climbing the steps of the Pavilion. She continued.

“Wanderer of Abbelon, nay, My dear. I have made you wait.”

“Take me unto your arms, and Hold me tight. Under this moonlit night.”

Moonlight shone down on her following every one of her steps. In a quick wisp of consciousness, She stopped and spun around to look at one if the flowers in the Garden around her, slowly walking towards it with motherly gait.

“Fiershales. Child, Eiysidias shall be your new name. My first child, take care and guard this place for me. Mother is going to leave for a faraway place now.”

She said and she knelt down to cup her hands on a white flower that was grown by its lonesome. A faint sobbing can be heard from the ground where the flower is located.

“Don’t be sad, My child. Mother is only going to be gone for a while, meanwhile she asks of you as the eldest to protect your siblings in this Garden, okay?” She consoled as the faint sobbing turned into cries.

“Come on now, You’re old enough to be a role model to all your siblings.” She said infected by the sobbing of the flower, she herself starts tearing up.

“Especially Analthasia, Mother asks you to be kind and caring to your siblings especially her. She likely won’t remember me but she will with you. So protect her, until the fated day comes. I implore you, Hide her name. Nouscia shall be her foil.” She continue as she wiped the tears that was crawling down her face and stood up.

She turned back and continued walking towards the Pavilion. Soft billows of wind pass by her as if singing a mild tune, as the wind passes by all the plants in the Garden sway around dancing. It was as if the world itself was acknowledging her decision.

She hurriedly climbed up the Pavilion to see the same man from the hall before, sitting on the banister of the Pavilion with his back to a pillar, eyes closed and a gentle smile on his face humming a tune not quite dissimilar to the one the wind was playing.

“And under moonlight, Oh fair Lady, Will you hold my hand and dance this life away with me?” He hummed while walking to walking towards her.

“It would be my pleasure. Wanderer of Abbelon, no, My groom-partner.” She giggled as she reached out her right hand to him.

He outstretched his left hand to take her hand and guided her towards the center of the Pavilion. Towards the center of Pavilion, A ray of soft moonlight shone down as if it was giving them the spotlight to be the center of attention for the night.

“O, Witch of Phanactis, My dear, Do you know how to dance?” he asked with a teasing grin on his face. “It’s been so long since our last one, I hope you can still remember.”

The Witch looked up at him and said. “You really know how to run your mouth, but yes. It seems I have forgotten the basics of dancing.” She rested her arms on his neck, leaning in towards his ear to whisper. “So kindly teach me, Oh Wanderer of Abbelon, the dance from which our kind little Artist danced her life with her lover to.”

“I would gladly lead the way, my dear” he smiled.