Mended Bridges

The sounds of cannon fodder, the drums of war, and screams of terror created nothing more than a low hum in Theo’s mind. His glazed over eyes stared blankly at what was once the pristinely polished flagstone floor of the grand ballroom. The room was now a testament to the destruction of man; strewn with crumbling stone and splintered wooden rafters. The air thick with smoke and dust from the destroyed space, Theo sat at the feet of a massive throne. His King was gone. His countryman laid to waste by the enemy and those who were not killed in battle faced the looming threat of a fate far worse. As his fellow man fell and the droves of those who were seeking to destroy broke through their defenses, Theo had watched as everything he had ever known disappear in a blink of an eye. Oh, how arrogant they had been when rumors of war swirled around like the lavish skirts worn by the maidens at court as they had danced in this very ballroom. They had grossly underestimated the enemy and the sway they had to gather an army thrice the size of their own. Never in their wildest of dreams had they expected to come across such ruthlessness and strength. Drops of blood dripped from a wound on Theo’s hand, mixing with dirt and mud from the trenches. All was lost. Theo’s end was drawing near as the unstable walls shook with each volley. The room bathed in the glow of flames creeping their way into the castle complex. Perhaps in some way, this was deserved. Perhaps arrogance such as this was punishable by unyielding violence.

Theo heard uneven footsteps stumbling through and over the remains of grandeur, cutting through the deathly drone that came from outside. With a slight lift of his head, he was shocked to see the hunched over and injured frame of one of his own. Vanya’s helmet was gone, allowing her golden locks to sway with each unsure step. It was wet with blood and sweat as she moved closer. Some of her armor was damaged and practically falling off as she pushed past a bit of wall and moved to sit next to him. Her arm holding her abdomen which was oozing blood at an alarming rate. Vanya was pale and Theo knew that it was best for her to die this way instead of facing the alternative. “I didn’t expect to see… anyone here.” Her breathing was labored, and she winced every time she took a shallow breath. Theo didn’t move and his expression remained one of acceptance and despair. “I could say the same to you.” Theo’s voice was soft as he turned to look at her. Theo had always disliked Vanya. The two of them were too much alike with their competitive nature and overblown ego. If this had been any other moment in time Theo would have gotten away from her by any means he could but given how dire things were now… he was almost grateful for her company. Vanya let out a barely audible groan as she moved her hand to look at the deep wound, quickly covering it back up. As she turned her head and noticed Theo staring, she let out a weak chuckle. “You should see… the other… guy.” Theo scoffed with his own weak smile, nodding in her direction. “I appreciate that even as you bleed to death you can maintain your sense of humor.” Theo responded as the walls of the ballroom shook and the roof crumbled a bit more. Neither Theo nor Vanya made an attempt to move. Neither saw the point. Vanya remained silent for the moment as she breathed her way through the pain. Theo glanced at her periodically, watching as she closed her eyes and grit her teeth. Tears left streaks through dirt and soot that smattered her face to reveal her porcelain-like skin underneath. Even as they both sat in silence it was understood that they wouldn’t live to see tomorrow.

“What do you… think its like? To… die…” Theo shut his eyes as his hardened heart cracked a little. Despite not being a fan of Vanya’s, the fear in her voice cut through him like a blade. Theo took a deep breath and shook his head. “I wish I could tell you.” He whispered as he hung his head bringing it to rest on his hands. Silent tears were hidden from her view as he hid his face, but his shaking shoulders betrayed him. “I imagine… its easy.” Vanya said after a few beats. Speaking through tears and shaky breaths she continued. “Perhaps its like… slipping into bed… after a long day.” Theo raised his head to look at her, watching as she shifted and whimpered in pain. “Or maybe… it feels like… going home after being… gone far… too long.” She choked out a sob before taking as deep of a breath as she could. As she exhaled Theo could hear the sudden sound of gushing as blood poured from between her fingers. Theo outstretched his arms, scooting closer to Vanya on the step they shared and gently laid her back. Vanya didn’t protest as Theo cradled her broken body. They stared at each other, both questioning all the decisions that had led to this moment. Theo lifted his hand tentatively to brush her hair back from her forehead in a tender gesture. “I think you might be right. I think that’s exactly what death is like. Easy and safe.” Theo’s words were meant to reassure them both of what was to come. Vanya smiled up at Theo before her expression quickly returned to a grimace. “I think… that’s the first… thing we have ever…agreed… on.” Theo rolled his eyes as playfully as he could muster for her and flashed a weak smile. “Well, there’s a first time for everything, isn’t there?’ Vanya’s face softened into an expression of grief and regret. “I just… hate that it…took me… me dying to make that… happen.” Vanya sucked in a sharp breath and softly wept. “I am… so sorry. For everything.”

Theo shook his head as he pulled her a little closer. “No. You don’t owe me that.” he said sincerely as his mind ran through all the mean and hurtful words exchanged. Every dirty glance and spiteful act committed between the two of them. Neither of them wholly innocent in their egregious behavior. “You and I just had an aversion to being nice to one another. It isn’t an excuse for the things either of us have done, of course…” Theo paused. “I don’t hold any of that against you, Vanya.” Vanya’s glassy eyes, once filled with fire and life, were starting to dim. Another volley bursts through one of the many floor to ceiling windows bringing with it the sound of shattering glass and cracked stone. Neither flinched. Neither moved. Neither took their eyes off the other. “If things are different, if we get another chance… I promise you that I will be kinder to you. A better friend to you.” Theo looked upon Vanya with a new set of eyes as she returned the same knowing glance. They both, like many, had made a plethora of mistakes. So much time had been wasted being cruel. “I am so sorry, Vanya.” Vanya’s expression softened a little more as she used what strength she had to nod in acknowledgment. Another blast, this one closer and blowing small bits of dust and rubble in their direction as the ceiling above them shivered and groaned like a swan song. Theo pulled Vanya closer to his chest. It seemed futile to try to protect her now but the urge to do so prevailed. Her skin was cold as Theo felt the warm wetness of her lifeforce soak his lap and puddle at his feet, creating a river of crimson.

As the room shook around them and volley after volley pounded into the stone walls, Theo held her gaze as she held his. Each comforting the other as if in atonement for sins committed. Theo solely focused on Vanya and Vanya clung to Theo with the last of her will as her soul started to depart from this earth. With her final few breaths, Vanya uttered her last words as the room crumbled and the flames that had crept in raged in a swirling torrent around them. “I never… realized… how green… your eyes… were…” As Vanya’s body went limp, Theo closed his eyes, taking a deep breath and silently praying that she would find peace. Theo hoped that, if possible, perhaps they could have the chance to try again in another life. Theo exhaled the breath he had been holding just as the ceiling above him collapsed, burying them both together in a grave of stone and wood. The conflagration wiping away all trace of Theo, Vanya, and the bridges mended between them in their final moments.