First there was nothing. Then something happened. Something eventually transformed into a star, and the star soon gave birth to a planet. This planet - originally lacking water and air - eventually gave birth to cells, becoming plants, becoming fish, becoming lizards, becoming rodents, becoming apes, becoming humans, becoming angels.

We scaled the peak and gazed across to where the beast lay asleep.

I ordered my archers to ready themselves and let loose on my command. My men were ready and anxious to attack but I held them back.

"Now" I screamed, and, arrows were loosed. We hurled ourselves forward.

The smoky torch faded.

The traveler knew tradition:

"There walk

one light of flame

in darkest night."

The path wasn't rugged,it was long and cold. Many turned back.

Snarling vermin begged for breadcrumbs to distract them.

Time passed.

Finally, the last lighthouse appeared and the traveler could rest.

My hands shook violently, but he held them steady in his. It would not be long until they were upon us. Bringing my gaze to the cliff beside me, I stood. I turned my tearful eyes to the boy beside me, took a final breath... and jumped over the edge.

They changed their names. He called her Yin, she called him Yang--they ran away together, forsaking assigned fates in favor of their freedom. They ventured west into uncertain territories, chasing the horizon. Fighting fear, tragedy, and the odds, they discovered an abandoned city, growing a great forest within it.

We're standing high, the wind knocking us back again and again. Our breath flies. The fury of it drives us closer, turns us sideways, takes our feet away. And we spin, birch leaves glinting against a metal backdrop as soldiers watch from below and shout. "Enjoy your freedom, girls. Freedom."

My sword finally broke. I look at the remains of my trusty steel companion lying in the bloodied dirt before I meet my opponent's eyes. I accept that I will die here. Did my life, my one blade matter?My battle is over but the war rages on around me.