They were found together, as children, when they were probably not much more than five years old. He had straight black hair and dark eyes, she had the whitest blonde hair and the lightest of eyes. Both children had pale skin and a slender build, and were the same height. They also had not a clue where they came from, who their parents were, or how they had ended up alone but it was assumed they had been left orphaned by the war. They were brought back to the community, far away from the front, and were eventually adopted by an older couple, growing as normally as children could, surrounded by an aura fear and war.

Eventually, as all must, they reached the age of reason, and took on adult responsibilities. He went off to the war, she remained behind, continuing their research and studies.

Soon after he left, she grew ill, becoming weaker and weaker. The doctors could find no discernible cause for the weakness, but still it continued. Despite the illness, she still continued to work as best she could, for the community needed all its members. There was no word from the front, as to how things were going, but she knew he was safe.

Although she was soon unable to walk by herself, she continued to assist the community, not just with her research and studies, but helping to care for the children, visiting those who were sick or injured, and sharing the knowledge that she leaned in her studies. It seemed as though the weaker her body became, the stronger her mind became, and her knowledge accumulated at a faster rate than ever. This was the knowledge, they hoped, that would allow them to end the war.

She had had a particularly trying day, and was meditating to relax, when she slipped into a deep trance, and found herself standing by an old man who seemed somehow familiar, though she could not place the memory. He was there too, on the other side of the old man, and she was unsurprised by this. All three of them stood on what she first thought was a raised platform, but soon realized was section of paths, winding in and out, meandering as far as she could see. Then she found herself walking the paths alone. She walked, seemingly without purpose, along the winding path, until she came upon a section where many paths were visible and she could see him, just over to the right, the old man standing on a section of path between them.

He spoke then them then, his voice very deep and little more than a whisper, despite the fact that she was some distance from him. “It is only when you walk together that the path becomes purposeful. It is only then that you become the path.” As he said those words the path that separated them suddenly joined with a flash of light.

She woke from the trance, confused, and still weak, but feeling better than she had in months. She stood up, something she had not been able to do in weeks, and walked to the library. She needed to consult her books.

She knew when he arrived, and walked down to greet him. Most of their community was there, surrounding him, as they always did anyone who returned from the front, eager for news of their loved ones. He stopped and talked to many, passing on messages and news. It was some time before he arrived at the place where she stood, and as he reached her, the old man of her vision appeared, and she knew that it had been a true shared vision. The crowd fell silent and the old man began speaking to them. Although she could not hear the words he said, she did not need to. She knew he was a true prophet and that he was reassuring the people, telling them what they needed to know.

She looked clearly at him. He was taller now, and older—she had somehow missed those changes as they occurred, but after an absence it was as if she was seeing him for the first time. Despite the changes, they had both remained the same height, and she was able to look clearly into his eyes, and see that just as she was looking at him, he was seeing her, perhaps also as if for the first time.

They reached out and held hands, somewhat tentatively, for they were both a little afraid of what would happen, but then the months of separation became to much and they hugged each other tightly, crying with joy at their reunion.

Those who had assembled saw the transformation, alerted by the prophet. They saw the flash of light, both bright and dark, and then saw the single figure, made of the light of all the colors of the world.

31 January 2004