The Storm

As the child reached for her tears, Defeat sent up to the night, gusts of dread. With each cackle of sickening taunts, came terrifying bursts of thunder. Icy rain sliced into Hope's wings, as she maintained her hold on the child. Hope watched through her own tears, as the rain cut into the child, draining her inner strength, and feeding on her sadness. Soon crimson droplets were descending into the hands of Defeat.

Yet as the storm raged and battered Hope's wings and the child's spirit, the two became one. The challenge of the well could be won. Defeat who was still laughing, had not noticed, that ever so slightly, the storm was losing its strength. Hope lifted her shimmering hazel eyes to the heavens, and whispered - 'Thank you...'

The clouds, moving slow, began to reveal light under the darkness. Layers of ebony, charcoal, and onyx began to wither, revealing grey, periwinkle, and blush. The child breathed deeply, and spoke to herself quietly, 'Do this - you must. For if you do not, you can never truly forgive yourself for your past'. DO THIS NOW - with Hope by your side.

The child looking away from her fallen tears, caught Hope's hazel eyes, and saw that she remained faithful. Her wings, broken and tattered, had managed to weather the storm. Hope called to the child, 'Aura Luna has returned to guide you to your tears'. The child pursued her tears once more with Aura Luna's smile casting a prism of brilliant light into the deeper realms of the well.