19

It's the end of the road.

The path lead the knight here, the end of the land of sorrows, the beginning of the ocean that seemed to span indefinitely.

The weary knight came to a halt. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, feeling the salty wind beating on his cheeks.
His armor was still as heavy as ever, despite being eroded continuously by the corrosive drops of the merciless cloud.

It was his destiny. To be the bearer of the armor and shield.

At the corner of his eye he noticed a silhouette, an outline of a woman who stood between him and the setting sun.

Instinct made him reach for his sword and shield, but destiny's chain has already been broken. His shield, sword, and even his armor was gone. Vanished into thin air, leaving only small glittering sparks in it's wake.

It was a blessing. He felt so much lighter without the weight of the armor and responsibility of the shield.

He began to walk, step by step, towards the woman standing ankle-deep in the waters.
His heart was beating fast. He was facing her back, but he was sure, so sure of it.

Then he picked up the pace and ran, as fast as he could, until he could have his arms around her.
He hugged her from the back, as hard as he could, afraid that she might slip away if his grip wasn't hard enough.
Afraid that that he'll be left alone again.

She looked at him and smiled as she wiped away the tears on his face with her warm hand.

"I knew you would come", a gentle voice whispers, "where have you been all my life?"

He smiled back, a smile that spoke a thousand words, a smile that sealed the gap between them.

"Looking for you."

It was then he realized that it wasn't sunset.
It was sunrise.

:)