The air was cool and crisp as spring's warmth slept the night away, waiting until the morn to dance with the sun once more The air was cool and crisp as spring's warmth slept the night away, waiting until the morn to dance with the sun once more. Stars shimmered in the black, but his gaze did not reach that high. As he walked into the garden he felt something formidable over his head, but he hardly had to look up to know.
The crystal palace spiraled up into the dark sky, watching over the city as those inside did. All looked up to its presence, gaining hope from its strength. He gave it no passing glance, however, for he had been under its shadow long before it even stood.
Silently his feet moved over the smooth stone as he made his way into the gardens. The sound of trickling water filtered through the air, and the scent of a symphony of flowers covered the grounds with a fresh breath of life. Everything was peaceful, and it made his whiskers twitch.
He followed the path of the garden until he came upon a row of statues. The first was a woman immortalized in his mind. She held a crescent wand in her upraised hand, her delicate fingers clenched around it firmly. Her long hair that had once danced in the light breeze was now still, but he could see its light violet strands embracing the wind. Her eyes held firm onto the horizon, filled with determination and strength.
No, they had not been that way, long ago. They had been filled with tears, a sadness that no sculptor could ever catch. He turned away, and as he continued his trek his blue eyes flickered on each statue. The next two faced each other as they often had in life. Four men dressed in robes of stature stared across the way at four women dressed in skirts. The warriors stood tall and proud, but he knew beneath the stone they were breakable; he had seen them crumble more times than he wished.
The path continued on and two more statues greeted the passing crowds. Even though they were made of the same material as the others before them, their stones always seemed darker to him. Two stood close together, inseperable in battle and life. They gazed into an uncertain future, while the two opposing them yearned for a simple past. They stood apart from each other, but their immortal connection could never be severed. Long weapons stood between them, but he knew they were reluctant to hold such power.
The path ended soon, and split into two new paths around the last statue. Beneath a vine covered stone archway they stood -- the two lovers who had fought the darkest dark of this world together. Surrounded by a bed of red roses they faced each other, hands held firmly between them. The sculptor had painted her smile perfectly, and beside himself he always found himself smiling back. Between their hands the city spanned forth, and the archway led to the great expanse of Earth that they had saved.
He jumped up to join them at their feet and reached out, swatting at a stone rose at the base of the statue. A quiet rumble echoed in his ears as a part of the statue disappeared and revealed a tunnel. It was small, but he had no trouble fitting. Darkness was what he met as he made his way down, but his careful eyes made it easier to navigate.
Eventually the tunnel led to an open room, and the sound of artificial life reached his ears. The room flashed with buttons and screens, but their clutter couldn't distract him from what he came to see. She sat straight in the chair, her warm colored eyes concentrated on her fruitless work. He jumped down and trotted to the chair, clearing his throat to get her attention. She turned to him quickly, and her eyes rolled with agitation.
"You startled me," she hissed.
"I'm sorry, but what are you doing here?" he asked.
"I couldn't sleep so I thought I'd make myself useful." He nodded, even though he knew the real answer. Her eyes scanned the data, searching for anything that might be amiss. He sighed, shaking his head at her -- at himself -- at them.
"What are you doing?" he asked again.
"I told you, I-"
"There's nothing to see," he broke in strongly and she turned her eyes to him, surprised. "There hasn't been anything for years. You know this as well as I. Our job is over. So, what are you doing?"
She looked angry at him, and he braced himself for her usual assualt. However she only sighed and dropped her eyes to the floor, and he could see tears of frustration brink at their edges.
"I..."
"Come on, follow me."
He led her outside into the quiet night, and together they walked passed the silent statues that were pale comparisons to the people they projected. Quickly their padded feet made their way until he stopped them before the first statue. They looked up into her somber face, seeing quick and troubled years go by in the flash of an eye.
"Do, do you think she wished for us too?" He turned to her, seeing that her eyes were glossed with memories long since passed into history.
"What do you mean?"
"She wanted them to be happy, to live in peace. Do you think she meant it for us too? I want to be happy, but..." Of all the people in the world he understood her hesitancy the most. He didn't answer her immediately and found himself staring up into the ashen colored eyes of the statue before them. Those eyes had looked upon him with a quiet strength, a consuming love, and a silent understanding. They had all been meant for a certain role, and she had played out her part. He knew, as well, that their part had faded out long ago.
"We are finished. We have done what we were meant to do." He turned to her, a small smile in his eyes. "We need to move on. Are you ready?"
"Ready to do what?"
"To live again."
She smiled, and gently placed her forehead onto his. "Yes," she whispered. "It's time."
A soft silver light engulfed them as the unmoving eyes of her statue watched on. They emerged under the light of the stars again, but this time things had changed. With their foreheads still touching they smiled at one another, and soft hands held each other firmly between them. She wiggled her feet in her yellow shoes and he found himself cherishing the feel of the wind on his bare arms.
They gave one last look to the statue before them, and gracefully bowed their respect to the queen they had once served. Together they walked through history, passing each statue in turn until they came upon the last. Willingly, for the love of the one whom they had served, they had watched and guided them, doing their best to fulfill their ancient promise. But now, beneath the shadow of their crystal destiny, they were finally free.
They smiled at each other and passed beneath the arch into the world that was now their own.
