Read Short Stories of The Realms :: Ending

(Original characters. Mix between a modern character and a fantasy one.)

Len squinted into the inky blackness before him. The moisture in the air stuck to his skin like a thick blanket. It felt as it had all the times before. His very breath passing through his body. Heart not quite beating. He brushed his fingers across the air, gold light danced wherever he touched. Flowers blooming out of the swirls then fading as if nothing had been there in the first place. He walked forward. The same gold light dancing around his body. He ran forward bursts of light gliding around him. The black faded to gray that faded to white. No fatigue plagued him but the spasms in his legs assured him that he'd been running for a while. He let his legs fall from underneath him. He now knew very well that it was this world's design not to hurt anyone. A design that could easily be flawed and twisted into something more ugly. He laid down, he needed to find some way to get out of here once again. The floor opened up beneath him and he let out a small gasp as he fell. Soft grass graced his pale skin. He rolled over. Getting up he wore the clothing of the locals. All cotton, comfortable and loose. Looking around he noticed that this place seemed far more like the truth. A small town, simple houses. A temple made of dark obsidian built in the middle. A sharp inhale, he felt… right here. Like he belonged here. He walked towards the temple, guided along. Approaching the temple the people of the town didn't acknowledge him. A fountain sat in the middle of it made of the same dark obsidian. Clear water flowed in a whirlpool, he couldn't figure out the mechanics no matter how long he looked at it. He spotted a boy sitting on the opposite side. He had ash blonde hair, full of waves hanging down to his shoulders. Hair that could have been a radiant gold if he spent more time in the sun. Pale skin with little fat. He wore the same clothes as him, accentuated with jewelry. He wore dark gems in his hair. Black metal rings decorated his fingers. He looked over at Len and smiled. Len knew that face, had seen his shadow for years. A small smile played across Len's face in return. The other boy stood up and the scenery changed once again. A sunset of brilliant pink, purple, and orange spread across the sky. What they now stood on was clear.

"I suppose you're not all that bad, Len… And I'm sorry," He gave a tentative, sad, and lonely smile.

Such a smile held years of pain, Len could share that sentiment. Anei ran, ran towards him. Slamming into him they both fell to the invisible surface below them.

"I'm sorry, I really am… I couldn't help you at all," Anei cried.

Len closed his eyes rubbing the other's back. The weight a top him disappeared and his hand dropped to his stomach.

The barrier beneath him shattered.

I'm sorry too.