And the Desert Weeps

We were old friends .. he and I.

Perhaps he wore a little different skin .. perhaps his motivations and desires were colored slightly by Cana's imagination .. conjured up by her mind and the grief and loss she was connected to through Ba'atar. But we knew each other .. knew each other well.

"You can not kill me."

"That is a lie." I reminded him.

"You need me."

"That is a lie." I reminded again.

"Only the strong survive."

"I am stronger than you." I reminded him.

"That is a lie." He accused me.

"Test me." I challenged him.

"I want to live." He bargained.

"There is only one way to live." I stated.

"I do not want to die." He hesitated.

"You may live." I offered.

"I am cold." He pleaded.

"I offer warmth." I pitied.

"You love me." He accused.

"Always." I promised.

"I will return." He threatened.

"I am self-control." I countered.

"My souls." He queried.

"They are welcome." I offered quarter.

"Where?" He questioned.

"The desert." I answered.

"I am afraid." He confessed.

"There is only one way to live." I reminded.

"Speak my name." He submitted.

"It is not that easy." I chuckled.

"It could be." He reminded.

"Not today." I stated.

"Why?" He questioned.

"I warned you not to touch her." I explained.

"He allowed me." He wept.

"He is not who stands before you." I struck.

"He was not strong enough." He defended.

"I am." I stated.

"You can not know." He was afraid.

"I know the beginning .. and the end." I reminded.

"Say my name." He pleaded.

"There are natural consequences." I informed.

"That is a lie." He accused.

"Today I make it true." I promised.

"Say my name." He begged.

"You must feel." I pressed.

"No I can not feel." He panicked.

"You will feel." I demanded.

"You can not make me." He hoped.

"Today I will." I pledged.

"That is not the rule." He tried.

"The rule has changed." I informed him.

"Why?" He choked.

"You touched her." I answered.

"I know her." He countered.

"That was his mistake." I reminded.

"I know her." He scrambled.

"She will never know you." I promised.

"You break the rules." He accused.

"They are mine to break." I grinned.

"Say my name." He cried.

"In time." I spoke.

"Time will cost you." He threatened.

"I am prepared to pay." I confirmed.

"What is worth that cost?" He questioned.

"Vengeance." I snarled.

"Please do not hurt me." He pleaded.

"It will not last." I soothed.

"You will never know love." He prophesied.

"This is worth it." I whispered.

"I could take you." He rallied.

"You would have to kill me." I smiled.

"I do not want to be alone." He prayed.

"Never alone." I promised.

"Make me feel." He succumbed.

"Come closer ... "