As he stares at the horizon, waiting, he remembers the way things used to be. The ashen desert where he is standing now was sand back then. Yes, there was a temple here, with tall columns as wide as five men side-to-side, and at least ten times as tall. He searches his memory and brings it back from its heyday, the priests scurrying to their duties, some civilians visiting and paying their respects. He nods. Time moves forward, and other people move in. They look widely different, their clothes and technology a stark contrast from the temple builders. Time shifts yet again, and the desert comes and claims its tithe.
He sighs.
It is always the same. It has always been, and it will always be. And not for long now. He, of all people, should know.
When she comes, she does so with a casual stroll. She has worn the same form for a long time: a young brunette woman dressed in black. He finds it funny that she wears his sigil. Who would have thought?
“Hello,” she says.
“My lady,” he answers, and nods.
“You were always so formal,” she smiles.
“One is as one is, my Lady. One cannot change.”
“Oh, anyone can change,” she says, and starts circling him, examining him.
“Anyone, perhaps, but not me.”
“Really?” She points at him. “You are wearing a full human form now.”
“Indeed. Humans earned my respect… at the end.”
“Ah. A pity. I liked the jackal. In fact, if I just squint, I think I still can see…”
“I am always here, my Lady. If you prefer…”
“Ah, no, just whatever you like. I was… teasing you. For a bit.”
“Before the real end?”
She doesn’t answer.
“Do we have time for a walk?” he asks.
“Time. It was always an interesting concept, wasn’t it? Even more so, right now.” But she starts strolling again. “This is a nice temple you got here.”
He doesn’t look surprised. She knows what he has lived, what he has just seen.
“It was magnificent, my Lady.”
“The only one ever fully, solely dedicated to you.”
“Certainly.”
“That’s why you chose this place for this. Even if nothing’s left.”
“Well, one has to make use of what one has.”
“Do you plan to fight me?”
He stops and stares at her, puzzled. And then, he laughs.
She smirks.
“Are… are you serious, my Lady?”
“Oh, absolutely.”
“Wait. Do you mean… someone has fought you? Actually fought you?”
“Oh yes. You see, it was expected from some, of course. After all, it was part of their… nature, shall we say? But there have been a couple of instances… Well, they actually made me angry.”
“I would never fight you. Not ever. Not before, and certainly not now. Why would I? That would be pointless.”
“Why the walk, then?”
“I always enjoyed your company, my Lady. I wish we had more time.”
He smiles as he says it. She smiles back.
“You could have said it before, you know. We could have… explored that.”
“Yes, my Lady, I know. But how could I? No matter my position, I am but your humble servant, as we all are… were. My feelings are mine, and mine they have remained. But now… I can speak my heart.”
She actually looks down, at the ashes, and picks at a lump in the dirt.
“I think… Deep inside, I’ve always known it. The way you always gazed at me, no matter what I wore.”
“Well, it is too late now, my Lady.”
“It certainly is. Come here for your hug.”
He turns, and she is no longer a small, fragile human, but a force that embraces him, a strength that encompasses universes and blows up galaxies.
And at the same time, a mouth whose lips kiss his for a moment that lasts for all eternity, just before everything blinks out.
****
Regarding today’s story, I’ll just utter one name: Neil Gaiman.
Today’s been one year and one day since the lockdown started here. Just you know.