“The first sparks are here. 

I fought for as long as I could; as hard as I could. I don’t know if I won. I can’t feel anything anymore; just the ebb and flow of the waves. Every other ripple pushing water over my face. I don’t know if that salty taste is the ocean or my tears, but…I promise you. I’m crying. 

For so long, I dreaded never making it back to you. Even as I lay here—this endless ocean—it feels like if I can float here long enough, the waves will take me right to you. I never meant to be gone this long; to leave like this. But somewhere deep down, I guess I always knew.

The sage told me the final caveat of this power. ‘A death of everlasting flame.’ I know, cliche. But it was one way to survive; for me to live on. For me to tell you that the only thing that’ll shine brighter than the stars I see right now is this fire, forever dancing on top of the ocean waves. It’s all my love and all my regret; a beacon right to my soul. It’ll always be yours; I’ll always be yours. 

I love you.”