Dawn was breaking on the horizon, brightening the sky and slowly dissolving the surprisingly dark patches of immortal night. From the top of the white mountain in the west, Ivyne contemplated this daily spectacle, but as magical as ever, full of hope and serenity. Her white dress, painted with blue flowers, fluttered in the wind, and her long, glistening ebony hair, comparable to that of the night fairies, danced around her face, which was pure and astonishingly oval. The deep, magical forest at her feet, populated by every imaginable, fantastical creature, awoke to the light of day. The emerald-colored young leaves, covered with morning drops, glistened in the sunlight, while the dying tree trunks and golden leaves harmonized with the gilding of the solar star.
Even as a stranger, Ivyne felt a distant, nostalgic echo linking her inexorably to this vast, enchanting place, awakening a wonderful feeling in her troubled, aching soul. And this incomparable sensation was intensified even further when a delicate yet firm hand slipped into hers and squeezed it forcefully.
Shocked by an unknown and new emotion, and wondering what person was capable of giving her such a fullness that no words, ever, could define, the young girl turned towards the light-fingered arrival, who aroused in her so many feelings as confused as they were gripping just by his touch.
But something soon tarnished her radiant joy, for the stranger's face seemed as blurred as it was tormented. Despite Ivyne's best efforts to pierce the abstract veils that hid him from her eyes and heart, nothing could reveal him. He remained indefinitely trapped in a world of dust clouds that had isolated him from the rest of the universe.
“My world is fabulous, isn't it Azura?” The young girl frowned.
“Yes, it is. But you're wrong. My name isn't Azura.”
“Isn't it?”
“Yes, it is. I think I remember you using that name before. But no matter how many times you call me that, I'm not Azura. And I never will be.”
The stranger made a strange sound.
“I see. Even now, I still refuse to acknowledge the reality that you've forgotten everything. And that it seemed something inexorable.” Ivyne bit her lip and avoided his gaze.
“I don't know what you're talking about. But as you said, your kingdom is fantastic.”
“As always, you're able to have so much empathy, even for things you don't understand. But it's a shame you didn't feel the same way about me. And to think that we've finally met again after such a long, long separation, only to find that such distance has inevitably altered things, both ourselves and our feelings. And how inevitably the great love I bore you faded with your memories.”
Ivyne shook her head, hurt.
“And I think you should explain yourself, along with everything else for that matter, which seems so unbelievable, before you derogate the right to insult me.”
“I've tried to. I've done it so many times I've lost count. But only, you never agreed to listen.”
“I didn't hear your voice!” Ivyne defended herself, furious.
“No, you simply didn't want to! The stranger replied in kind. That's the big difference. You've taken everything out of your life that could disturb it.
“We all have,” said Ivyne, overwhelmed. “But now I'm here, in front of you. There's no way for me to escape. So, start your story.”
“That's what I was going to do.”
“But first, I'd prefer it if you, the ruler and judge of such a majestic kingdom, didn't hide behind this thick, disturbing veil of mist. Show yourself in the light of day and reveal what you want as far as I'm concerned.”
But the sovereign, without answering, remained in the darkness.
“I told you to show yourself and speak.”
“You once asked me to do so, as did my father, who never ceased to wish it. But alas, circumstances never allow us to do everything we wish.”
“I don't understand any of the treacherous words that come out of your mouth.”
“Oh, you don't?”
“Yes!” she replied savagely. But tell me clearly what you want! What you want from me!”
“If it were up to me alone, nothing.”
Then Ivyne felt the hand she was holding grow cold and as icy as polar ice.
“Oh, the time for us to be together again has passed.”
Instinctively, Ivyne tried to hold him back, but the stranger's hand turned so blue and icy that Ivyne had to release him, screaming in pain, and the clouds of dust that surrounded him became suffocating, violent and reddened with blood.
Ivyne screamed in utter despair, desperately trying to do something to save the unknown sovereign. But all her attempts ended in terrible failure. Then, just as suddenly, the earth beneath her feet shook and cracked. The blue sky was covered by black clouds and the shining sun disappeared into darkness. The creatures, nature in full bloom, cried out in agony before sinking into an abysmal sleep.
The kingdom that this secret stranger had said he loved so much was slowly dying, and tears filled the air. All had become dark, even darker than night.
Ivyne stretched out her hands, desperate and lost, towards the imposing glowing mass that spread out sharply and became the sovereign's envelope of ashes.
“What's the matter, Ivyne? What's happening to you?” she cried desperately to the unknown prisoner, who kept presenting himself as an endearing and heart-rending memory. “Everything dies and disappears, even you!”
“For everything to stop and be reborn, you should remember Azura now. Remember the light of dawn, the cursed forest and the soft cuddly toy with a thousand wishes. We knew each other so well. And we loved each other as much as we could, even knowing that the end would come.”
“But I'm not Azura! How many times do I have to tell you? I don't know this place and I don't know you!”
“Of course you do. You're Azura, you liked the name and you liked this place a lot.”
He sighed.
“You loved being with me and fighting like you were having fun, until the tears dried up. I accused you of being stupid. And you accused me of being too me.”
He paused for a moment, his breath faltering.
“You just forgot, that's all. Azura, regain your memories, please.” Ivyne shook his head again, backing away.
“I wonder what I'm doing? I'm talking to you when everything here may only be a dream! And you never existed!”
“I think, deep down, that's what you would have preferred, Azura. But please, remember just for a moment so I can be freed and finally save what's left.”
Blood spurted out of the huge red mass and flowed everywhere. Rages of agony burst from its ashen prison and tore through the kingdom. Then his blood turned black and mingled with the torrential rain that eventually poured from the raging sky and slowly plunged all around into a blackish sea.
“See you later, Azura.”
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