"Bygone" (Patreon)

The sixth in a series of short works I wrote 1-2 years ago for the Destiny franchise. You don't need to be familiar with the games to enjoy. The only context needed is that Guardians are immortal warriors who can die and be resurrected by their Ghost companions ad infinitum. I hope you like ❤️

How unfortunate a fate to be forgotten.

My body was not buried. No procession escorted me to my final resting place. No pyre expedited my soul’s escape from its flesh prison. No eulogy was spoken over tired bones to soothe aching ears of those I left behind. No choir sang my empty husk a lullaby. No minister wished my spirit safe passage. No one crumbled to their knees before my casket in wailing grief. No stone was erected where I should be remembered. No name was carved where years and titles served to sum up an entire existence. No grass grew over where my decay formed new life in the soil. No flowers decorated my empty grave where loved ones never held one another and wept.

My body was not buried. It was left to the wind. It was discarded among remains of countless other lives and griefs that were never grieved and tombs that were never closed.

“What is it?” Starling asks.

It’s everything I’ve done and how easily it’s washed away. It’s everyone I’ve loved and how seamlessly it’s forgotten. It’s what I gave and what I give and still stupidly keep giving until there’s nothing left of me or this or us or trust or love or anything tangible I once clung to for acceptance that wasn’t worth anything in the first place and no one ever even noticed. Your baggage and their baggage and my own baggage I shouldered as long as I could and broken back and twisted limbs and heart dangling by wires I still try I still try I still try. I can’t carry everything for everyone without shaving off pieces of myself to make room, but knife in hand I gladly sever what I can if it means conditional love unconditionally.

But my body was not buried. For all that I am and all that I give, when my final death greets me again, I know my body still will not be buried.

“Just tired.” I shrug.

She believes me.