• Snow falls from the overhanging willow trees in a peaceful garden, where Atysia and Zysn sit on a stone bench.

    Zysn: (wrapping his arms around Atysia) Do you remember the first time we met?

    Atysia: (Lays her head against Zysn’s shoulder.) And how could I forget?

    Zysn: The sun was still so young, the moon still high in the sky. The summer’s morning had so many pleasures, every creature from the night was screaming at the light.

    Atysia: The birds of the night disappeared to rest, as the song birds came out to play. You were in this very garden, your heart torn out and bleeding from the scene you only then understood.

    Zysn: (Sighs) Yes, life was hard for me then. I only wished for the willow trees to collapse on top of me, crush my bones as they should be. All the evils I have lived through and done nothing about any of them…

    Atysia: In this life there are many fates, yours was not to die that day. Somehow it was worse, your fate was torn into two, you wished for death and destiny gave you a slow death. Even as we sit here, we slowly die in each other’s arms.

    Zysn: With the willow trees to witness, this life could have turned out a little different. I don’t care for the gift that destiny gave me was a slow and painful death. When I saw you wearing that beautiful dark dress, watching you walk down the paths humming a song so sweet.

    Atysia: The serenade of darkness that pulled you into my every being. From the soft tempo to the depressing notes, the serenade only brought you closer to your death.

    Zysn: (Looks down at Atysia.) The serenade was not at the least depressing, it was so cheerful in the dark summer’s morning.

    Atysia: (Sighs.) Think as you wish, it was a serenade with no harmony to the cheerful morning bird’s song. (Slightly stands up from the bench.)

    Zysn: (Slowly lets go of Atysia, holding onto her right hand as she stands.) Sometimes a dark serenade can go in harmony with a cheerful morning bird’s song.

    Atysia: (Looks at Zysn with caring eyes.) And what are we? I am a dark serenade, and you are the harmony that connects me to the cheerful morning bird’s song. Without you, I find no life in this world, I only see the death and pain. It is you who has shown me every little thing that is worth living.

    Zysn: (Stands up.) No, I find it you to be the only reason for my life. (Wraps his arms around her waist.) The only reason for me to even feel the useless emotion of love.

    Atysia: (Looks at him with more harsher eyes than before.) Useless is the emotion of love? Who is this to call such a thing useless? Is what I feel right now, useless?

    Zysn: (Pauses before able to answer.) Of course not, I have never felt this to be useless.

    Atysia: (Turns away from him, pushing her left hand against his chest to look at a nearby bush.) Then why would you say that love is a useless emotion? I must leave, if this is how you feel, I must go to another life.

    Zysn: (Rushes to pull her from walking away.) My love for you is stronger than anything anyone could make. It is unbreakable, more unbreakable then the sky.

    Atysia: (Still looking away.) And why should I trust you?

    Zysn: (Looks down at the stone path.) You shouldn’t, but I want you to know that I will always love you, even if the sky did fall down.

    Atysia: (Slowly peers to look at Zysn again.) If what you say is true, then we should never separate.

    Zysn: (Slowly looks up to meet Atysia’s eyes.) I never planned it, my love.

    (A faraway call sounds in the distance, calling Atysia’s name.)

    Atysia: (Looks in the direction of the call.) I must go.

    Zysn: Wait! (Pulls her closer to give her one final kiss) I love you. (Their lips touch softly before swiftly separating.)

    Atysia: Until we meet again. (She rushes away to the distance where her name was called.)