The lover's fire

Gods of Astra live in realms beyond the mortal world. They're often barren and can't sustain life outside of the godly immortal forms and their creations that call it home. Here's a glimpse of one.

“I want to start a fire…” Hope whispered.

“You what?” Burden replied.

“A fire… I want a fire.”

“Then start a fire.” Burden barely looked up from their duties to respond. They were busy at work answering prayers written on fragile papers from the mortal realm. Strange creatures stole away in the night, taking written prayers from the crevices of a distant temple to bring them here. Burden called the creatures ‘little somethings.’ To a mortal eye they looked like pieces of black dust that danced on the winds of Astra, but here they were the sole living creatures.

Here in the realm of darkness, lit only by a stunning aurora unlike any other. The little somethings lived in revel of the glistening pinks that peaked atop the faint blackness of the distant mountainside. The aurora was filled with reds that splattered across the wayward stars. They helped Burden read in the eternal darkness. Even with the beauty of the aurora, it was a desolate place that left Hope feeling hollow. 

Burden read off a small prayer and chuckled, “Another prayer for love… Sweet.”

“I remember a time when I prayed for love.” Hope said in a matter of fact tone.

“And we can mock your youthful dreams now.” Burden replied.

“Now I pray for a fire…” Hope mused, their voice whining.

“Because you already have love…?” Burden prodded. Their dried lips cracked into a charming smile. Hope smiled back and nodded.

“I pray for a fire.”

“Then make a fire.” Burden answered.

“Why won’t you make me one?” Hope’s voice pleaded like a wounded pup. They had the beady eyes of a dark dwelling god begging for warmth. Burden sighed,

“I don’t know how we could make a fire… there’s nothing here.”

“I remember a time when you’d move the very realm just to keep me warm.”

“And I remember a time when you didn’t demand in such a way… such -”

“- Am I not allowed to communicate my desires?”

“No no… I’m sorry, I’m just busy. Prayers must be read.”

“But never answered.”

“I answer some…” Burden said. “But I’m no god of love. I-”

“- Clearly.”

Hope began to hum a tuneless song. It caught Burden’s attention and they began to listen in. From the corner of their eye, they watched Hope with an unexplainable admiration - the feeling Burden experienced when they saw Hope merely enjoy a single moment in time felt like the weight of every prayer being lifted. The possibilities of what it meant was magical to them. It reminded Burden of the moment in time that they met.

Recalling it was like a fairy tale; a legend. Burden remembered the eternal darkness. That which reigned before the aurora was born. They were lost. Both of them. Burden searched the plains looking for light. Looking for even the smallest sliver - they dreamed of seeing. There was nothing to be afraid of in this darkness because nothing existed but Burden’s ability to think. There was only the absence of life. And yet… there was intelligence in their mind, and a beating heart of loneliness deep inside.

Hope reached out first. Burden had frozen in fear when they heard the clumsy feet of a lost soul nearing them. When the feet approached, Burden was afraid. They couldn’t help but wonder what creature had been birthed from the infinite nothing. The realm of darkness was a heartless being within itself. An uncaring monstrous creature that left them lost in the darkness.

But then a gentle hand caressed Burden’s face, and suddenly they knew Hope. Burden felt warmth, safety, and care. As though Hope was created from their own desires and wills. As if Hope knew everything they needed in that moment. When Burden reached back and felt the coarseness of their counterpart, it painted a beautiful picture in their mind. The rough features of a forgotten soul. The abyssal eyes of a creature long lost. A window into a new world - or perhaps a mirror. Regardless of which, there was understanding, clarity, and desire. Neither of them knew who was there first, or if they were a dream made from the other - they ceased to care many millennia ago - and now they had grown to accept who they were together.

When they first embraced - a deep warm shaking touch - the sky blazed to life, the aurora illuminating their way, and they saw each other fully for the first time.

Love bloomed. 

Love for the world, the self, and each other. Burden remembered what Hope whispered, “Never again alone…” It was garbled at first, but as they spoke, the words became more and more clear. Like they were willing each other to understand. The Little Somethings seemed to arrive after they discovered each other, neither of them knowing quite where they came from but loving them as pets.

They discovered love in the darkness, but now in this deafening light that their love created, they had found a life where their love became mere convenience.

The tale of their love had been told for centuries in the realm of the mortals, and while Burden answered prayers to take away the pain, to lift the fog, and ease the darkness with a little flash of light, they could not cure love sickness or heartbreak. Nor could they make someone fall in love, or help someone find their special someone… although the holy men of Hope and Burden would have their followers believe otherwise.

Hope was often ignored when people prayed. They saved Hope for the moments when they had nothing left. It was known among mortals that Hope was aloof, forgetful, and often didn’t answer prayers. Hope would rather dance atop a pile of papers than ever read them. They weren’t certain how the mortals knew, but their Little Somethings stopped delivering prayers to Hope long ago. When they did come in the name of Hope, Burden often answered or discarded them. 

Burden couldn’t blame Hope. They often wished they were more alike in that way… maybe Burden could stand to ignore more prayers. Maybe the mortals could handle themselves… or maybe Burden was just selfish… Being selfish didn’t seem so bad if it meant they could appreciate Hope eternally. A handsome being like Hope. 

A being they loved. 

For all they knew, they had been in silence for a millennium or a few minutes, but the prayers didn’t stop. The Little Somethings continued to drop them in what seemed to be sack loads. Hope hadn’t moved. They were watching something on the mortal realm through a portal they had made in front of where they sat on the ground. Burden scooted away from their prayer pile and cuddled up next to Hope, “Are you cold?” Burden asked.

“No… why?”

“Because, you wanted a fire.”

“Oh… oh yeah that…” The sound of tedious boredom rang through in the humdrum song of their voice. They closed the portal and rested their head against Burden’s shoulder as Burden tightened their grip around Hope’s torso. “No, I’m not cold.” They said taking one of Burden’s hands in theirs.

“Then what did you want the fire for?” Burden asked. Behind them, they saw prayers beginning to pile up, but fought the urge to check them.

“I don’t know… bored I guess.” Hope replied. “When was the last time we went for a walk? When was the last time we left the realm?”

“Where do you want to go? There’s so much happening in the realms - so much turmoil - I - I… I don’t know where it would be safe.”

“Turmoil? I didn’t see any.”

“The prayers don’t bode well for the future. There’s great unrest. Something’s coming.”

“Shame… I really wanted to see the Duchess. How do you think she is?” Hope asked. Burden shrugged. “I like the way her fire makes my eyes burn and my heart throb with excitement. The realm of the burning plains is a nice change from this.”

“We still could.” Burden said, squeezing Hope gently. 

“No no… I don’t want to be in the middle of trouble.”

“Well…” Burden thought for a moment. “What if we made our own fire? It wouldn’t be as good as the Duchess’ but I think we could make something… you know, for us.”

“Hm…” Hope’s long sharp smile shimmered in the light of the aurora, “Out of what?” Burden looked behind them,

“I’ve got a lot of tinder…” They looked back at the ever-growing pile of papers.

“Burden!” Hope gasped, “You wouldn’t!” A faint laugh of fondness crept into their voice.

“I’d burn all the realms if it made you smile for even a moment.”

“They pray for you. Pray for us.” Hope was flattered, but worried. “Who would this hurt? What burdens need lifted? What hopes need instilled?”

“Let’s answer their prayers with certainty then. With a show of love.” 

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The deepest blaze of love’s shadows unfurled into a curling smoke that rose along the horizon. From it, the shadows lift, the fog grows clear, and the rain can fall anew. Taste relief, realize who you have become, and reach into the darkness, reach past the hardship into the possible. 

Another chance for hope to lift our burdens awaits on the other side.

Praise the aurora.

-The holy prayer of Hope and Burden 

Established alongside the aurora festival: A festival where people learned to find hope and release their burdens in the times of The End.