Altair

Look up- beyond the clouds, among the stars, there is the Emperor’s Sky Palace. There, celestial beings do godly work. There, this story takes place…
***
“We shouldn’t keep meeting like this.” Vega whispered, even as she clung to the dragon she loved. “We both have work to do, if-”
“We have time for just one more kiss.” Insisted Altair. His arms wrapped around her, his lips met hers. “Stay, just for one more moment. Just one moment with you is bliss.”
They held each other, hearts beating together.
Suddenly, the doors slammed open. The Emperor and his guards burst into the room.
“So this is where you are!” he roared. “Neglecting your sacred duties! Letting the heavens fall into disorder and chaos!”
He looked at Vega with contempt.
“I suspected Altair was a scoundrel. But I expected better from you, my daughter.”
“Father, please-” Vega tried to interrupt, but he would not listen.
“Emperor, I beg your forgiveness…” Altair said, bowing, but the Emperor’s face remained hard as stone.
“Clearly, you two do not have the discipline and good sense to follow your duty. You must be separated.”
Altair and Vega begged and pleaded, but there was no mercy. They reached for each other even as they were dragged away. They were places on opposite sides of a great river, the Milky Way. No matter how they reached and tried, they could not touch one another.
Heartbroken and alone, the lovers wept. Their tears fell to the world below as pounding rain. They wept so copiously, that the earth flooded. The emperor may have been strict, but he could not let the world perish.
Ravens were sent to the river. Stretching beak to tail, the flock made a bridge of their bodies. The two lovers finally met, walking out over the bridge of birds. Only when they were in each other’s arms did their tears cease.
The bridge cannot stand forever. Eventually, they must separate. And when they do, the pain is so great they begin to weep again. But in time, the bridge is made again. As long as the warmth of love persists, so does the warmth and light of sunshine.

By. Vilte