Eternal Promise: Fragments Of Us

LEON/LIBULANPublished by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“I WILL.” Sidapa was taken aback by my quick response. “I was very disappointed when you told me that what Leon and Sheldon had were all lies,” I began. My spear reappeared, and I let it float up. “Because, as far as I know, I loved you both, whether it was you or Sheldon. You may be two different people, but I spent so much of my life as Leon. I treasured everyone who had been a part of my life. I value each and every one of you. In terms of my real name, I’m not sure why I didn’t tell you I was Luan. But I did hear someone’s voice whisper in my ear for a brief moment. “This is not the time,” the voice said. I apologize for keeping you waiting for so long, my beloved,” I said.

“I’m also sorry for not listening to you at the time,” he added.

“It’s all right. I now understand why you did it. Sidapa, you kept your promise to me that night,” I said.

(“I love you, too… more than my own life, Libulan. I’d do anything for you.”)

“You really exceeded my expectations,” I chuckled, trying to hide the ache in my chest.

“And I’d be willing to do it over and over again if it meant I could see you,” he said and it astounded me.

“Sidapa…” I cried my last tears before kissing him passionately. We savored the timeless moment we had left as he responded with love. “This time, I’m not going to leave you behind. This is my promise to you… Sidapa.”

After that, I made the spear pierce Sidapa’s chest, exactly where Kaptan had struck him before. Sidapa’s eyes widened, not because he was in pain, but because I had also been struck by my own weapon.

“Libulan?!” He couldn’t believe what he saw. He tried to push me away, but I had already focused all of my divine powers on the spear. “Why?” he exclaimed.

Before responding, I gave him a sweet, gentle smile. “I can’t live in a world without you, as expected.”

“But you’re going to die,” he insisted.

“It’s fine, my beloved,” I said as I coughed up some blood. “I still believe that the two of us have a place where we truly belong. We are the only ones who exist. There is no such thing as night and day. We’ll have time on our side. Nobody is going to interrupt us. I’ll be there for you, and you’ll be there for me. Doesn’t it sound lovely?” After that, I let out a soft chuckle.

“You’re correct,” he said. And he, too, chuckled slightly. “If that’s what you believe in, Libulan, I’ll believe in it as well.” He then seized my lips once more.

My spear dispersed gradually. It ripped a huge hole in our hearts. The pain was excruciating, but our burning love for each other overcame it.

Sidapa and I spent our final moments making love to each other while being burned alive in Agui’s flames for the first time in a thousand years.

The fire took hours to extinguish. Mount Madja-as was relegated to the annals of time. Lisuga, Likabutan, and Roark all survived. All that remained of Sidapa and me on the spot where we were last seen were our ashes.

Lisuga cried out for us. Likabutan decided to forgive Sidapa and wished us all the best. Roark, who could now see both the beautiful and ugly sides of the world, took advantage of his newfound ability and traveled from one location to another. The three continued on with their normal lives.

When Director Kim announced my untimely death, moviegoers were devastated. Alynna (Lisuga) and Derrick (Likabutan) made up a story about it so that no one would discover our true identities. And, like fire, the rumors died out quickly.

Leon and Sheldon’s identities remained unknown until the very end.

━━━━━━ ◦ ◦ ━━━━━━

[WHERE is this place? Is this the afterlife? No, it isn’t. But it’s very quiet here. The atmosphere is welcoming and soothing.]

[Huh? What was it? Is there anyone out there? That’s strange. I believe I heard something. Was it all in my head?]

[I’m starting to wonder if I’m already dead. I can’t see my own body, but I’m awake. It’s very strange. Is there nobody else around?]

(“Libulan.”)

[Is anyone there?! Huh? What the…? Who was it just now? What made me turn my head? Libulan? Is that my name?]

(“Libulan.”)

[That voice, again! It’s definitely referring to me!]

“Is anyone there?” When I suddenly took physical form, I gasped. I appeared to be transparent, but I had a body. “What is going on with me?” As I looked around, I wondered. For some reason, I began to feel scared. “What is happening here?”

“This is a place where only Libulan and I exist.” When a man with a deep voice spoke behind my back, I felt my heart leap out of my chest.

“Wait, who are you?” While stuttering, I inquired.

The man laughed at my outburst. “You’re adorable, Libulan,” he says. The man appeared to be large and had tanned skin. Despite his menacing demeanor, he appeared gentle. And, like me, he was open and honest.

[Why is he speaking to me in such a familiar tone? Befuddled,] I thought to myself.

“Do I… know you?” I inquired, hesitantly.

“Yes,” he said with a smile.

I focused my attention on him. His face looked familiar to me. I just couldn’t remember if I’d seen him before. He also looked good. Could it be that we were related in some way?

“You look familiar to me,” I said, and he simply nodded. “Are you the Grim Reaper?”

“Technically, I am,” he concluded, and it astounded me.

“Seriously?!” I exclaimed, and the man laughed once more.

[He’s clearly a happy person,] I thought. I became nervous around him all of a sudden.

“You referred to me as Libulan earlier. Is that my name?” I inquired innocently. When I regained consciousness in this place with no beginning or end, my head was foggy.

“Yes,” he replied simply, and he waited for me to ask another question.

I took another look around. It was very quiet in here, but it felt good. Everything in here was amorphous. I had no idea what time it was or whether it was day or night. But the guy in front of me didn’t seem bothered by it.

[What is this warm sensation inside my chest? It’s as if I’ve forgotten something crucial.]

“Wait a second…” When I finally realized what was going on, I let out a loud gasp. “Sidapa?” My tears fell like rain in an instant. I wasted no time in jumping into Sidapa’s arms. He gladly caught me in return. “It really is you!”

Finally, I remembered! It was my wish that we would meet again somewhere where only he and I existed.

“Libulan. My beloved, Libulan,” he exclaimed passionately, hugging me even tighter.

“I apologized for being late,” I said. I snatched some of his curly, outgrown hair and drew him closer to my face so I could kiss him on the cheek.

“That hurt,” Sidapa complained, but he laughed afterward.

“I’m back, my beloved Sidapa,” I announced.

“Welcome home, my Libulan,” he said, kissing my forehead lovingly.

Our transparent bodies dispersed together with the gentle breeze of the solemn winds.

As this happened, Sidapa’s last words faded along with the wind.

(“Now and forever, I am all yours. I will always love you, and will only yearn for you. We may forget each other, but my heart will forever remember your name. This is my eternal promise to you. Goodnight, my love.”)

THE END