I’ve
been watching him for a long time. He’s an interesting man.
Torn between
life and death, he does what he must to survive. And I sense no enjoyment in
the things he did, does and will do. He simply feels driven to find peace.
He’ll find
rest soon enough, but there’s so much work still to do. This IS a fine spot
indeed, but it’s too early for him to know why.
He’s aware of
me. Well, he thinks he knows what I could be. But he doesn’t really comprehend.
They never do.
I see
everything, I defy time and the laws of your so-called sciences. I am the end.
I am not your final breaths, I am simply finality.
He approaches
me, again. Finding me in the places he least expects. This time, on a hill
overlooking his homestead. A place to finally rest.
It all
happened so quickly, I’m not even sure how they missed it coming towards me.
Those vile Brutes, always be mindful of those so quick to betray another
species.
I was assured
the Elites would merely be cast out, not murdered in their droves. But for
power, I lusted for power. For the final end of all others, of the Ark’s
salvations from the Flood and the destruction we wrought.
I yearned for
Halo’s cleansing flames to absolve me of my sins. But there is no salvation
here. A regretful being am I. Mercy was my name, I gave none even though I
craved it the most. Ironies of a wasted life.
All of the
most careful planning and faith in the Path has led me to this point, clutching
my neck as a Parasite digs its tendrils deeper. I will not yield to it. I will
not give it the satisfaction.
Truth, Regret
and I. We plotted and preyed, twisted and betrayed, and for what?
Regret is
dead. Truth has betrayed me, the Elites. It’s all gone, dust to the winds.
Tartarus was called from my side as he reached to save me. I am alone on this
landing pad, suffering the failures of my grand designs.
The Great
Journey waits for no one, not even me.
The Demon
strides to my side, staring in the direction of the departing ships.
“Your pal,
where’s he going?” His faceless visor stares down at me.
My last gasps
of clean air, choked only by the Parasite’s tendrils allow me a parting shot:
“Earth...to finish what started. And this time...none of you will be left
behind.”
He pulls the Parasite from my
neck, but the damage is already done. A scream is all I can manage before the
end.
Truth’s last words ring in my
head: “The Great Journey waits for no one, brother. Not even you.”
