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EPILOUGE Seth awoke, the morning sun slanting into his eyes. He rolled over, expecting to be taken into strong, warm arms. But they were not there. Blinking his eyes open slowly, he looked at the empty bed in front of him. He reached out with his hand, but not even the sheets were warm. Yoji had left long ago. A fear ran through his veins, tearing at his heart. Where was Yoji? He scrambled out of bed, grabbing clothes to throw on. He padded down the hall of the inn and downstairs. He reached the foot of the stairs and looked out over the half-empty tavern room. He didn’t see Yoji. Soft rustling reached his ear and he turned to see the barmaid standing before him. She held out a note to him, solemn and silent. Her eyes spoke volumes, but in his haste to read the letter, Seth did not recognize the emotions. Plopping down on the stairs, he unfolded the note. From Yoji, he noticed, seeing the scrawled name of the one he loved. Thinking it was a simple note to tell him that the thief had just stepped out for a moment, he lightly skimmed it. Then, his eye caught on the words, and he reread it more closely. His eyes widened as they took in each word. ~~~~
Shattered Requiem
Watcher of a thousand nights,
dreamer of sunrise,
I found the heav'nly morn I sought
trapped in your dusky eyes.
To reach that heaven so adored,
touch angel's fingertips;
To quit this life I so abhore
for the sweet taste of your lips.
To reach that far, beyond the sins
with which I drowned the cross,
Is forbidden, hate of passion,
sacrifice your loss.
I could never make you happy,
could never keep you pure,
It's not my place to bring my blood
to taint, but not to cure.
Diamonds strewn on heaven's shore,
you're perfect like white sand;
The darkened spill of sea unholy,
I'll stain you with my hand.
A killer of the endless prey,
hunter in dark night;
The only good I've ever done
is now, saving your light.
I'm sorry, please forgive me
for loving you too much;
I pray only for your happiness,
want only for your touch.
I'm on my knees, I'm begging,
I'm praying that you will
Remember me for what we had
and know I love you still.
I would never hide the truth from you,
we're broken with one lie;
And so I leave you whole once more,
and so I bid goodbye.
~~~~ It was signed simply: ‘Love, Yoji.’ Tears welled up in Seth’s dark eyes, obscuring the words that were now seared in his heart. He flung his head back and let loose a wordless cry. Before any of the tavern patrons could react to the scene, he turned and bolted up the stairs, slamming the door to his room. He flung himself into the bed, crushing the note and the soiled sheets to his chest. The tears wouldn’t stop, and the pain cracked his heart, eating it alive with the flames of loss. Over and over, he wailed the name of the one he wanted to see most. “Yoji... Yoji... YOJI!!”