A Life Returned

“There is a way…But it is a difficult path to forage. Are you sure this is what you want?”

Ariel looked up at the man, a look of youthful indignation on her face. “Of course this is what I want.”

“But you will not know him, or any of them. Can you live with such a price?”

“I…I know. But, if it’s really meant to be, I can…I can relearn them. Relearn their names. Relearn the reasons I love them.”

“Aurora Ariella Parker, we only say we can do this because you were taken before your time…and because of the events that you still need to unfold in flesh. But that is the price…you will have no memory of anything once you reach the mortal plane again.”

“You mean, I won’t know how to read, or anything like that?”

The man before her chuckled deep in his chest, gazing down at her with such a fatherly expression of love, it made Ariel’s heart clench. “Nothing like that, child. Everything since coming to Paragon will be gone. The only thing we’ll leave you with,” he produces something, handing it to her, “Is your hero registration card. Child, are you sure? Once our work is done, only your death can undo it.”

Ariel shivers again, closing her ghost eyes. “I do not wish to die. I only wish to be free, free to live my own life.”

“Even if it means being free of the man that is your soul mate?”

“That’s over-rated, you know, the whole soul mate thing. Don’t know why you guys came up with it.” This elicits another chuckle from the man, and Ariel smirks. “Especially if you don’t make the same two people soul mates. That just sucks.”

“Child, child, you have so much to learn.”

“I’m sorry I don’t have the wisdom of a so called guardian angel, Asterio.”

“Oh, hush. You were a hell of a charge, Ariel. I’ll enjoy having you back to causing havoc.”

Ariel squawks. “I was not THAT bad…was I?”

“Only because you have one of those horrifically important destinies in front of you. You won’t remember any of that either, once we return your soul to flesh.”

“I know, I know. I wouldn’t want to either…that kinda pressure might kill me. Who would really want to know…Before they needed to?”

“Not many, you’re right. But to answer you one thing, Ariel…he is your soul mate. He just doesn’t know it.”

A complete look of shock passes over Ariel’s face, which is hard to achieve on a ghost’s face.

“Are you still sure? If the Dark Goddess were to return you, you could keep those memories, that knowledge.” Asterio searches her eyes for a moment, trying to discern the battle that was going on in her head.

Ariel speaks after a moment, her tone determined…but resigned.

“I could not live with the knowledge. I need…we both need to move on. And…as everything else stands, I cannot afford the distraction of having my heart broken again.”

“Oh, Ariel…death has changed you so much. I’m so sorry, child…” Asterio holds out his arms to her, and she falls into them, sobbing on his shoulder for several moments. The angel does his best to comfort her, not letting her see the tears that slide out of his own eyes. He loved her dearly…and she wouldn’t remember that soon. He had thought it wrong for his brother to love his charge…but now, he could understand why his brother had done what he’d done. Officially he condemned his actions; but in his heart, Asterio embraced them.

“Listen to me closely. We will return you to your flesh on neutral grounds, only problem is, we can’t really, you know, recreate clothing. So…I’ve asked my brother to step in. He’ll help you get clothed and fed, but then it’s up to you. Last chance, Ariel…are you certain?”

“More than I’ve ever been in my life. I can’t keep haunting him, Asterio. I just…I can’t. And I still have so much work to do…” She trails off, sighing softly. “Let’s get this over with.”

“This will hurt; thankfully, you won’t remember any of it.”

Ariel nods a final time…then screams.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ky paced silently in the monkey bar at the D; his brother’s charge was already late, and he didn’t want to keep Raven waiting much longer. He peered as his watch again, just as a scream reached his ears. Two seconds later, a woman seemingly fell from thin air, plopping on the ground just in front of him. Ky bent down, checking her pulse, sighing as he felt her timid heart beat. At least she was alive.

He hurriedly drug her over to one of the couches in the corner, trying to disguise her nakedness as best he could. He pulled off his coat, draping it over her just as another couple entered the bar. They turned red and huried out as they spotted Ky and the woman, causing Ky to scowl. He shook her fiercely, knowing he didn’t have long till she did start remembering things.

“Ariel…Ariel! Wake up!”

The woman stirred, staring at him with unfocused eyes. She seemed still incredibly out of it, but she managed to understand she didn’t have much clothing on and she pulled the coat tighter around herself.

“Ariel, listen to me. Here are clothes and food for you, as well as your hero license and swipe card into Safe Havens. There’s nothing more I an do for you.”

She looks at him blankly, but finally nods as she takes the bundle from him.

“Good luck, kiddo. You’re going to need it.”