the pausing of reality - 1

My fingers tremble; there was no longer a response. The column of stone and steel looms above, unmoved.

"Futile." I hear the whispers through the wind as it moved through metal of unquestionable faith.

There, besides me, I see legions of souls slowing to a halt. Like final throes, groans escaped their lungs as if pressed from them.

Instead, from me, a painful gasp.

If fate were to will me to move, move.

Move.

Fate would have no such answer.

No soothing touch.

My eyes swell, my spine crumbles.

Much as I have given, I have taken from myself.

There is no longer anything to give.

I let go, and shut down.