The Last Song of Rhapsody

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "It is done?"

Lachlan, the Celestial Dove turns to Lantra with a curious cant of his head, as if expecting the
Goddess to react. Her expression is cool and calm, considering.

Misericorde Coldwater, Deepwater Guide says, "Lachlan is missing something."

Continuing the hunt for his dark mate, Father Sun presses forward in his journey, lowering himself in
the sky yet still casting even, full light upon the land.

A rare flicker of uncertainty in Her eyes, Lantra, the Empyreal says, "Me? You wish for something from
Me to summon the Voice of Rhapsody?"
Bright motes of light suffuse Lachlan, the Celestial Dove as he sings a final, resonant note, looking
at Lantra expectantly as the melody lingers in the air.

Comprehension flashes across Gyorn's face.

Laxinova blinks.

Lachlan, the Celestial Dove chirps cheerily in approval.

Hesitantly, Lantra removes a single star lotus from Her veil of cascading mist. She closes Her eyes for
a moment, as if recalling a distant, far-off memory, and the flower blossoms and unfurls with beautiful
light.

Lantra gives an enchanting star lotus in eternal bloom to Lachlan, the Celestial Dove.
Lachlan, the Celestial Dove accepts an enchanting star lotus in eternal bloom in his beak and rejoin
the other doves in song, a shimmering light enveloping him as he takes flight.

Suddenly and without warning the air is filled with hymnic, rhapsodic music, echoing throughout the
gardens, beautiful and eloquent, shimmering through the aether with a luminous white light.

With heartbreaking resonance, the rhapsodic music swells with emotion as Rhapsody's voice rings soft
and clear:
'You are the Light of My Soul.'

'Weaving this beautiful dream...'

'Lost to time's endless stream.'

'Take My hand and know...'

'You are the Light of My Soul.'

As if listening through time, you watch the Lady Rhapsody serenade a beautiful Goddess who silently
walks beside Her on a distant shore. Though She sings brightly, each word aches with sweet melancholy.

'Dawn breaks for You tomorrow.'

'Even as the tides rise and change...'

'As Our world turns cruel and strange...'

'Forget all your pain and sorrow.'

'You are the Light of My Soul.'

The slim figure beside Rhapsody wipes at Her eyes, trying and failing to smile as She takes the winged
Goddess's hand in Hers. The flock of doves arcs overhead, weaving through the sky with gentle grace.

'When lonely and cold winds blow...'

'Look to My doves as they fly.'

'For You I shall be their silent sky...'

'Basking in Your radiant glow...'

'You are the Light of My Soul.'

Here, the radiant smile that has graced Rhapsody's face begins to dim, if only slightly. Her wings wrap
tenderly about Lantra as the Hamadhi exhales, facing the Fourth Circle Goddess with utmost love and
misery.

'And though Our Fate is now resigned...'

'Should You return to these shores...'

'Know My salvation is tied to Yours.'

'Let Me be the wake You leave behind...'

'You are the Light of My Soul.'

The Goddesses embrace, Their shadows illuminated in starlight as They kiss. It is a moment that seems
at once too brief and infinite, and as They pull away, Their eyes both glisten with tears.

'No matter where My song may roam...'

'My heart remains at Your side.'

'Dearest one, please do not cry...'

'This song is Yours, and Yours alone.'

'You are the Light of My Soul.'

As the vision fades, the doves begin to flutter skywards, their ephemeral bodies easily passing through
the statue of the Elder Goddess Rhapsody into the skies above.

A flock of white doves wing high above the city, singing rhapsodic praise down upon the inhabitants
before fading into the clouds.

The Voice of Rhapsody says, "This was the last song I sang while living, the night that I severed My
Voice to protect all I loved from Zenos. This was the last song I wrote for the Light of My Soul... My
beloved Lantra, the White."
The air grows gentle with a bittersweet tenderness as the music quiets, the Voice of Rhapsody radiating
a sense of abject sorrow, love and joy at once that blesses you with its strength.