The blue desert was silent.
The massive tree stood in the distance, its white veins of light flowing through its bark like living energy. It pulsed slowly, calmly , like a heartbeat.
Blue sat in the sand, legs pulled close to his chest, staring at it.
The glow reflected in his purple skin.
"What am I supposed to do…?"
he whispered.
No answer.
Only wind.
Only light.
Only silence.
He stayed there, unmoving.
Then...
A voice.
"Look up."
Blue froze.
His heart skipped.
He stood up instantly and looked around.
There was no one.
Nothing.
Then he looked up.
In the sky, a thin line of white matter passed across the blue horizon , like a crack in reality, like light cutting through the world.
And the voice spoke again.
"What are you doing?"
Blue's eyes widened.
His voice broke.
"Ayaan…"
His body moved on instinct.
He ran.
He chased the line of white light.
"Ayaan!" he shouted.
The voice echoed.
"What are you doing?"
"Stop!" Blue cried. "Please...stop!"
Ayaan's voice was calm. Distant. Gentle.
"It's useless. You can't catch up to me."
"Stop!" Blue screamed.
Then the voice changed.
Louder.
Firm.
Emotional.
"BLUE, STOP IT."
The desert trembled.
The wind paused.
"No matter what you do, you'll never catch me. So stop moving forward… and start feeling."
Blue slowed.
His steps weakened.
"Be present in the moment," Ayaan said.
"I've been long gone."
Blue stopped.
His legs gave in.
Tears fell.
"I didn't want you to leave…" he whispered.
Ayaan's voice softened.
"It's okay. Death comes to us all. So be present."
Blue broke down.
He cried openly.
Silently.
Helplessly.
Then...
The voice faded.
The white line disappeared.
The sky became empty again.
Blue stood there alone.
He turned toward the glowing tree.
Stared at it.
Smiled softly through tears.
"Goodbye, Ayaan."
A powerful gust of wind exploded through the desert.
Blue sand filled the air.
He raised his arms to cover his face , and everything vanished.
Blue gasped.
His eyes opened.
He was back inside the ship.
Rim stood in front of him.
Concerned.
Focused.
"Your heart rate is decreasing and stabilizing," Rim said.
"You were crying. Are you okay?"
Blue wiped his tears.
Stayed seated.
Quiet.
"…Yeah," he said softly.
"I'm fine."
Rim paused.
"I recommend going outside for fresh air."
Blue nodded.
"Yeah… go on without me. I'll come."
Rim left.
The room became silent again.
Blue exhaled.
Closed his eyes.
And whispered:
"Goodbye, Ayaan."
Chapter End.