Eternity

Stardragon awoke, opened his eyes and saw. All around him lay the Infinite Cave, in all directions shadow he beheld. Beneath him cold stone, upon bare rock he sat.
Uncoiling from rest, lifting his head and spreading his wings, he rose into the empty space. In darkness he wandered long, alone he searched the cave, and found Nothing. As on he flew, scales off his body fell, embers there drifted in empty space, found then walls and there became stars. Stardragon's search drew on, his unending quest continued, and passing by drew he the stars into shapes as pictures on the walls of stone.

Lonely he became, to tears brought him his solitude, drowning he in sorrow, on and on. Wet made these the floor of stone, with waters of sorrow swelled the Infinite Cave, rising to form the Waters of Chaos. In midst of all he sat, on a promontory of rock he laid, losing himself in himself. He began to choke, the pain of solitude too great, until with blood his jaw was filled, until to his mouth there came a fragment of his heart. Spat there upon the rock, resting in his pool of blood, the broken heart lay before him. Gazing down upon it, searching for a meaning, a song cried Stardragon, the Song of Longing. Out of his eyes poured his blood, onto the heart came tears of red.

In sorrow was he, in agony then came, to rage he was brought in the depths of his pain. Of fire he breathed, roasted he the heart, burnt to ash was the half of his own. Now ended of tears, now empty of song, droped he his head onto the stone, closed his eyes and waited alone. Then as the heart smouldered out, as the last ember left its coals, the form of a raven rose up from the ash, from the black remains flew a bird on high. In dust she swirled, in soot she arced, landing in grace on the crown of his head. Unwatching was he, as one lost at sea, lost in full within himself. Peering down from above, looking deep in his eyes, cried the raven, "Wake up!"

Opening then his eyes, then raising his brow, saw he her down-turned face. Confused and uncertain looked Stardragon at her, then at where the heart had been, and then he understood. Lifting his head, asked he then, "Who are you?" To him she replied, "I am the darkness to your light, and your light in the darkness. I am the tears of your joy and your sorrow. I am your darkest doubt and your brightest hope. I am Shadewing, the Dark Godess. You are mine and I am yours." Stardragon then wept once more.