with shortness of breath, i’ll explain the infinite

Art & Code © Skelle 2023

"Speech!"
It was simple, really.

Laeta went to bed that night, just as she always had. Just this time, she didn’t wake up.

Rare sunlight flooded her bedroom window, golden rays creeping across the floor towards her bed, towards the nest of blankets that kept her safe and comfortable in her final days. It was as if the Auster elements themselves recognized what had occurred, attempting to revive the lifeless form on the bed with all their winter’s might. But life cannot be revived once it is gone, and Laeta did not stir when the light hit her body. She looked peaceful. Eyes closed, lips gently curved into an eternal soft smile. The same smile she’d always had, always carried with her.

There was no more pain. There was no creaking of chronically arthritic joints, no swells of agonizing throbbing emenating from her bones as she struggled to even lift her head. No flare-ups from an immune system weakened from her yearling days and the stress accompanying them, doomed to fail her later on in her life. Because although she always carried a cheerful demeanor and a carefree smile, she had been in tremendous, excruciating pain. There was nothing any healer, any physician, any herb could do for it. Nothing could touch what she had unfairly suffered.

Instead, her final dream was filled with warmth, happiness.

Blinking her eyes open, Laeta found herself in a dreamscape, soft clouds filtering through her vision. She was curled inwards, but as she soon realized, there was none of the aching and cracking she’d experienced in her waking hours as she rose to a standing position. Not a single bit of pain — amazing dream this was! The woman began to walk through the clouds, a shimmering light beckoning her ahead; where could this lead?

As the monochrome wolf drew closer, she recognized a familiar face waiting for her at the shimmery light’s stead — Audra!

”My dear friend, how lovely to see you!” Laeta said, tail wagging behind her. The tawny and umber wolf she called a dear friend silently encouraged her to follow her lead, smiling just as brightly as she was. This place was so light; free of evil, of sin and of pain that she’d suffered so terribly. But what about everyone else she’d left behind?

She paused at the precipice of the light’s everlasting glow, looking behind her. There, she saw all of the Hallows; the Aegis, his children, Sota..all of her friends and family. They all nodded. It’s okay. Go ahead and follow her!

Just as she began to wave her paw at them in farewell, a familiar figure bumbled towards her.

"L-Lady Laeta! You could not forget me, could you?” Mel inquired, pushing up his monocle lens. "We are bound forever, I must accompany you to wherever this leads.”

Laeta nods. Of course, how could she forget her beloved companion? Of course he had to join her. This journey wouldn’t be complete without him!

"Let’s go then, Mel,” She said, allowing the badger to lean against her as he always had. She didn’t need his constant support anymore, now that she was able to walk — but he insisted, and she didn’t mind in the least. Together, they and Audra walked into this light, leaving the reality they knew behind.

Whoever would approach Laeta’s room would notice the sheer silence. No shuffling of Mel’s paws, no crackling of lumber and flame in her fireplace. The room was absolutely still. And if they should open the door, they would notice with sinking hearts that Mel was curled inwards, towards Laeta, just as quiet and lifeless as she was.

She was no longer in pain. Mel would not be left alone.

They were together. They were free.