SHIELD Agent Rhapsodos: A Part That Remains

:: Legacy ::

"...even if the morrow is barren of promises,

Nothing shall forestall my return.

To become the dew that quenches the land,

To spare the sands, the seas, the skies,

I offer thee this silent sacrifice."

He closed his cherished book to a small audible thud after he finished Act V of LOVELESS. Genesis stood there as he took in the tranquility of his surroundings and enjoyed the gentle wind blowing against his face. As far as the eye could see, numerous, if not hundreds, of near identical headstones were neatly positioned in the green cemetery.

"Just like I promised, Robert. Those were the five Acts of LOVELESS."

To think he'd end up in New York out of all places.

He had been on the run from the military for two months now. It was a highly risky gamble visiting the cemetery during the day and his partially ripped clothes looked somewhat out-of-place. Genesis at that second didn't care, though, he could use a few minutes of peace while he was sure no one followed him. The Lifestream would warn him if there were threats about.

Now kneeling down, Genesis patted the headstone and let his lips curve up with a small exhausted smile, "I got into major trouble, but somehow those tips you gave on how to avoid and hide from people helped. Thanks, old man, I'm glad I have the chance to visit you. By the look of things, your son got you the best place to rest."

ROBERT COULSON

C.I.A.

WORLD WAR II

COLD WAR

Died SEPT 22nd, 2005

An Inspiration to All,

Beloved Husband & Father

Grant Him Thy Eternal Rest

Genesis chuckled to himself as he read the last line. So that's what Robert meant when he said he wanted something a little poetic on his headstone, the teen thought fondly. While the inscription was very general (somewhat old-fashioned) to any normal person, that last line was the old man's gift that he'd remember Genesis in his eternal slumber. Robert must have taken the 'good night' farewell from Gaia to heart. He wasn't so sure how Robert's family and friends would have thought of it when the former CIA agent was hardly the poetic person; nonetheless, Genesis appreciated it.

The stone slab was newer than the others around it, but for all it was worth, it didn't really show the life of the man who was behind it. The former commander was sure Robert was involved with many other wars and missions, but it lacked enough space to list them all. On the other hand, many of them would also have been high-security government secrets.

"You'd think that I'd probably be studying now in those Ivy League colleges. But all I have are three people's deaths on my account," Genesis sighed exhausted. A bit of grief laced his voice. He was fed up of playing cat and mouse with the military. Genesis wasn't willing to let this life be a repeat of his previous one. Despite the pain and struggle he had to go through to get here, he was content for now.

"I...I'm not sure what life has for me," he admitted, "but the Goddess did promise me that if I got lost she'd lead me to where I was supposed to be. What do you think the Goddess meant by that?"