The soldiers near the end of their search
Fearing they have failed in saving the child
They turn their backs to the void
Searching for the light again
And as they near their escape
From the haunting black hole behind them
That consumes all that cannot accept
Their true purpose in the void
They feel the warmth of a greater light
Flooding the cave behind them
The crimson of before bleeding brighter
The ice of the ceiling cracking above them
They rush to the mouth
Holding their weapons firm in their fists
And slam new cracks into the floor
As they flee from the light of truth
And they witness
As the light consumes them
A warmth of safety holding them tight
As their bodies fly out of the cave
And roll to the ground
Their weapons left behind with their pride
As they collapse before their leader
Who stands with an arm over her eyes
Watching the inside of the cave
Shine brighter than the sky above her
And a young child
Carrying an artifact twice her size
Held tightly in her hands
A plush worn from the search
But surviving the same
Standing under the mouth
And finding not her sister
But instead
Herself
"Come, child," the tyrant kneels in satisfaction with a widening smile on her face. She reaches out her arms as the child steps closer, wobbling as she holds her own weight again, and hugs the child tightly. "You're safe with me, darling."
The child looks up to the woman. "I couldn't find her."
"No, not yet, but you've found something much greater," the woman grins. The tyrant stands and reaches for the staff. Taking a small hand in hers, she guides the child back to the vehicles, and proudly walks with a newfound future in both of her hands. The woman helps the child climb into the seat of the vehicle and feels the comforting heat within. The child looks to the dark of the cave once more, then returns her stare to the woman in front of her. "Let me get you home, my child. I have a warm place for you to reside."
"What happens now?" The child asks. The woman tightens her grip around the staff as if it were to vanish from her hold. She brushes her fingers through the short, ivory hair of the child and kisses her forehead.
"We find your sister," Autumn says. The child smiles with a wince. "Together, you're going to bring light to this wasteland we call home."