from the depths of my mind, they flutter free

after death did us part

Loren, dear
is that you I see?
Standing here
in front of me?

Yes, it is.
Well, not really;
I'm a figment
of your sleep.

Ah, yes
how could I forget
you are dead.

Arden, your face
you look dismayed.
Are you okay?

I don't know
I miss you so.
Your voice, your touch
I miss them so much.

Do you recall
if you can, at all
when we first met?
We played a duet.

I remember.
We were much younger
you were playing the violin
I later joined in
and we have been close since.

The melodies
we wove together
the memories
we would gather
to this day, they still
give me smiles and laughter.

I remember them clearly
I recall fondly
our days at the academy
afternoons at the library

walks in the gardens
where we would pick flowers
then lay on the grass
and gaze towards the heavens

going on dinner dates
and staying up late
holding long conversations
about all things under the sun
the two of us had so much fun.

Remember that evening
when you kneeled on one knee
and presented a ring
and proposed to me?

I then accepted.
We were so excited.
We spent months planning
our long-awaited wedding.

Who would've known
that on that day
you would meet your fate

to save you.

I pushed you
out of harm's way
to let you live
another day.

But Loren, why
did you have to die?

It was either you or me
the choice was easy
so I gave my life.

You love him, don't you?

Love who?

Edin
my cousin.

After I died
I watched from above
it took a while
before I saw love
reignite
when you gazed into his eyes.

I'm sorry.

Don't be.
I'm not jealous
and if I were, for what purpose?
My heart no longer beats.

Wait a minute
have you not
moved on from me?

I have not.
I cannot.
I feel guilty when I try
for you're there in my mind.

Arden, I am dead
this is just a dream
I am not real
I've passed long ago.

I know.
I wish it weren't so.

When I was alive
I was your friend, partner, lover
but after I died
I became nothing but your tether.

Let me help you breathe
I shall leave.

Loren, no
you're fading into dust!
Please don't go
stay here, you must!

This, I do
out of love for you.

I am no more than a body
that has long perished;
no more than a memory
that you can cherish.

Now please understand
and hold my hand
for one last time
while I say goodbye.

They are cold
like a corpse.

It has been years
since my last breath
yet you are still here
mourning my death.

Please promise me
that you will not return
that you will not fear
loving another person.

I promise you
these things, I will do
though it gives me pain
to never see you again.

Though I may live no longer
please remember
that I live still in your heart
even after death did us part.