FIVE: Racing to the Finish

I kept running. The crack wouldn't stop moving forward, chasing me. I kept a hold of Sora's hand, but I felt her fingers slipping.

“Sora, keep up!” I yelled over the howling wind. My hat fell off, being taken by the force.

“I can't Sky!” Her feet fumbled and she fell. The ice began to crumble. “Sky!”

I raced back to her, trying to help her pull herself back from the edge. The crumbling ice was getting closer.

“Sky, I love you.” She said, tears rolling down her cheeks with a sad smile.

“I'm not leaving without you Sora-san!” I screamed. Her fingers slipped from mine.

“Run Sky,” She begged me, clinging to the edge.

“No! I'm not leaving!” I grabbed at her jacket, pulling with all my might.

The bearing weight on the thin ice caused another crack.

“D****t, Sky! Go! I love you! I'll always love you!” Sora let go of the edge, her voice carrying her final words as she fell to the unseen ground, “Don't give up, Little Sky!”

I looked away, and bolted with the breaking ice at my heels.

“It's not fair!” I screamed into the wind, wondering if I too would die while searching for Aney.

My feet snagged the lip of the summit, and I fell. I got to my hands and knees, shaking. I looked up into the black sky, an aurora dancing with light. I wondered if Aney really did exist.

“Why!” I screamed. “Why must I be strip of everything Aney?!”

A feathery voice spoke from the aurora. It was hard to tell if the voice was more male than female.

“All fallen angels are stripped of everything precious. Thou mustn't feel so pained by it. It is part of growing Little Sky.”

I clutched my hair.

“But Aney, why do I have to suffer when I all I want is a companion who won't abandon me.” I sobbed, the cold ice kissing my warm face.

“That is something everyone must do. Now, answer my question my Little Sky. Who has been there with you through everything since the beginning of your journey?” The voice said softer. I lifted up my head, keeping my eyes downcasted, when I felt light fingers touch my head.

“Chow was there for me, but...Sora-san said she's watched me grow. Sora-san's been there all along. But she's gone now.” I scratched the ice, my eyes brimming with tears. “I want Sora-san back.”

The fingers lifted under my chin, lifting my face up.

“Is this what your Sora-san looks like?”

Soft violet eyes met mine. I felt a tremendous force try to divert my gaze. It felt like a strong gust of wind. I leaned against it, fighting the force of it, my hands burning like fire was licking at them. I let my lips press against the fallen angel's despite the pain I felt. I felt the aurora envelope me, and burn away the cotton I wore. The heat burned my flesh.

Everything went black.

“Little Sky...” The voice was Sora-san's. Her arms embraced me, and her breath tickled my neck. “Aney can't grant you the return of the ones you love.”

I couldn't see.

I couldn't speak, my vocals were cut.

“But she will grant you one thing...an eternal damnation to live as one with her.”

I shook my head, feeling for her face. My fingers trailed over her lips. They felt chapped, and broken. I don't want that, I wanted to scream, I want you. I felt her fingers rest above my heart.

“You really do want me back, along with Chow too...” She mused. “I'm sorry Little Sky...”

I felt my mouth move, screaming her name, but no sound produced.

The world suddenly faded back into view, the sound piercing my ears.

“Sora...” I whimpered. “Give me Sora back...Give her back!!” I screamed.

I saw Chow in the aurora, sitting there. She tilted her head back and let out a long sad howl. I fell back on my butt, and listened.

“They want to be back with you too, Little Sky...” The soft voice was no longer Sora's. “If you play me a sonnet, I'll grant you your wish.”

“But there is no sonnet that can describe the pain and wretched agony that a fallen angel feels because they can't have what they yearn for most. You yearned to live as one of us, yearn to be with one of us just as long as your partner would live, but a greater force denied it. Aney, there is no sonnet I can play for you.” I said sadly, allowing a numb effect to come over me. I felt the wool blanket cover me, and provide warmth.

“You are correct Little Sky. But does one allow such boundaries to hold you down? Open up...”

I felt something enter my blood stream, a warmth. A familiar warmth. I found myself etching the notes and tempo into the ice, the only song I knew how to play; the one Sora heard me sing every night before I fell asleep.

“This is the only song I know. I cherish it, even though I never heard the actual song.” I said softly. “I never knew how to write words, only notes. It's all I can read expertly.”

In the air the male voices sung the lyrics, the familiar guitar strums ringing out.

“Is this the Sonnet?”

I nodded. I saw Sora's figure siting beside Chow, her lips moving to the words.

“Aney, I never had dreams. Is it possible that I could feel Sora-san and Chow in my dreams?”

“There is pain that follows with your wish. You do know what I speak of correct?”

“Dreams only last as long as the night, when morning comes, dreams end.” I said quietly.

“You know of it well. Your wish, is granted.”

I watched Sora and Chow come down from the aurora, still highlighted by the light, and felt a smile cross my lips. I closed my eyes, and felt my knees press to my chest, my feet curling against the ice.

“Little Sky...” Sora's voice tickled my ears. “We'll see you at nightfall.”

The aurora disappeared quickly, star-rocketing into the sky in one straight line.

I wondered how I was suppose to get back down to the mainland.

“S**t, now how do I get down?”