Fractal Realities: An Eclipsed Dawn

Dana gasped as Don rose up off the floor, power and presence radiating from him like light from a sun. Despite all their efforts, the Azure was sill in him. Had the parasite fought off all the poisons that were now running through Don's veins? His right hand caught his attention and he looked at it as if he'd never seen it before: stretching it out, wiggling his fingers, and then finally forming a fist.

In another time, another place, Dana was sure that he would have been received as a god.

Stepping toward her, he looked down disbelievingly at his legs and collapsed.

Dana rushed to him and cradled his head in her lap. With trembling fingers she stroked his hair. His eyes fluttered wildly and his body spasmed.

"I love you." Dana said. The words felt insufficient but they were all she had.

For a split second she saw the terrified man trapped inside a body no longer his. Then the light drained from his eyes. Cobalt blue slowly changed into clear, crystalline turquoise. In stone, she hoped he found peace.