Take this kiss upon the brow!

And, in parting from you now,

Thus much let me avow-

You are not wrong, who deem

That my days have been a dream;

Yet if hope has flown away

In a night, or in a day,

In a vision, or in none,

Is it therefore the less gone?

All that we see or seem

Is but a dream within a dream.



I stand amid the roar

Of a surf-tormented shore,

And I hold within my hand

Grains of the golden sand-

How few! yet how they creep

Through my fingers to the deep,

While I weep- while I weep!

O God! can I not grasp

Them with a tighter clasp?

O God! can I not save

One from the pitiless wave?

Is all that we see or seem

But a dream within a dream?





Some say that the gods leave our world from time to time, giving us weeks, years, decades, millenniums to rule on our own, only returning when things are at their worst. Could we handle this power on our own and thrive? Or would we simple destroy it, polluting this planet beyond what is reversible, depleting it of all its resources. If the gods are leaving us, then will they return? Do we deserve to be saved once more? Or will this be the last time…





RETURN

Edgar



“You cannot do that to her and you know it.” Sam’s voice crashed through the trees of the forest.

“I can. I have to see her.” The anger inside me was so profound that I wanted to rip Sam to pieces, and I could. I slammed my fist into my palm, angry that I could even think of such things.

Sam looked at me with a skeptical face. “I doubt you could actually go through with it. You could never kill me.”

“Stay out of my head, Sam. I’ve warned you,” I growled, pacing from one tree to the next. “And I don’t care, Sam. I need to know that she’s alright.”

Sam shook his head. “She needs to grow, Edgar. You know what she is as well as I do. You can’t cage her like a wild animal.”

I clenched my fists at my sides. What did Sam know anyway? He had no idea how it felt to be me, to feel the hatred and anger of the whole world weighing on my soul everyday. Elle was the only thing that could calm me, the only thing that could make my mind clear.

“Coming to find you was enough of a burden for her. She needs another month to recover. She needs to find the strength she needs if she is to do as is prophesized. Then—” He laughed. “Then you can come back and tell her what she needs to know. If you know what I mean.” He glared at me.

Sam’s words struck far too close to home, causing my anxiety to mount. I stopped pacing, halting abruptly as dirt gathered under my heels. “I know what she needs, but that’s not my concern.”

“How is it not your concern?”

It was a stupid thing to say. Of course it was my concern. Everything in her life was my concern. There was an indescribable selfish feeling inside me, though. It wanted to take over.

Sam continued to glare. “If you won’t tell her about it, then don’t come back at all.” He crossed his arms against his chest, making a stand against me.

I shook my head. “What is this, Sam? Are you in love with her?” It was the first thing I could think to say. I had left her with him without thinking it through, and I knew he had the mind to.

Sam threw both his hands in the air and laughed in a mocking tone. “Hardly. She’s all yours, cowboy.”

His statement only made me feel mildly better. I was looking for a fight, but he was playing it smart. He knew just what to say to keep my emotions at bay, just enough courtesy to justify peace. But, peace was the last thing I wanted.

“Look, Edgar. She needs a little more time. I knew you were coming back. I came to the forest to stop you because I don’t want you to barge in on the process that’s going on. Right now she still needs to be away from you, so that she can feed on the power independence gives her. But soon enough, she’s going to need you. I realize how weak you are right now, but you have to wait.” He laughed under his breath. “And by the way, you look like hell.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, still hoping that he would give me a reason to slash his throat.

“This is one of those times where you need to be a civilized gentleman, though I know you lack the ability. If you rush to see her now, it is likely you will end up becoming overwhelmed and kill her.” Sam took one step toward me and I felt my will to stop myself begin to falter. “I’m thinking in her best interest. Apparently you’re not.”