I continue my trek to the ocean. The weight of my loneliness more noticeable than usual today.
I was never granted a mate, though the rumor was that everyone was destined for one. I am the guardian of the dead. My world is bland, dark and would be impossible for another to inhabit.
My world is desolate, consumed by ash, stone and hellfire. Nothing grows. Nothing flourishes. It is but the end of the road for everything above it.
I shove my fists into my jacket pockets. The closer I get to the ocean, the more the chill sets into my bones. There are no stars to be seen; the violent charcoal colored clouds are fighting for space in the sky. I can feel the shift in the air, smell the rain waiting to fall. As the first drop marks my cheek, I feel a great pain in my heart. Poseidon was my brother, the only brother who cared and continued to connect with me. His loss nearly crushed me.
I make my way down the beach, approaching the shoreline. It smells so crispy and clean. A stark difference to the charred, emptiness of home.
I settle into the sand, allowing the sounds of the waves to be the melody of my night. I watch as the bioluminescence alights the waves, creating vibrant blues and teals in the black of the water.
I hear a soft gasp followed by a painful sob. It sounded as if a flower had wept. So delicate. I look to my right, about 100 feet in the distance, a young woman stands before the waters edge. Her shoulders shake as another sob slips beyond her lips. Every sound she made was so soft, despite being built like a warrior goddes. I could see every detail perfectly.
She's tall for a human woman, sinfully curvy in the most delectable way. Her dark hair falls in soft curls just beyond her shoulders. She lifts her head and I can make out her profile. Prominent cheekbones, pouty lips, a sleek button nose. I'd give anything to have her look my way to see the color of her eyes.
Another sob rips itself from her lips as she falls to her knees. For the first time in my life, I am drawn to another, desperate to take her pain. I stand slowly, intending to go to her.
As I get to my feet, she turns to look at me. And I swear she can see me.