[*]
Names
and lives flickered through the darkness, each time ending in death. Sometimes it was in triumph, others in
tragedy. Oftentimes it was both. Strange fates shaped those lives, and in each
of them Harry recognized himself in those men and women.
Garion
and Sparhawk, who led lives of wonder and courage against evil gods and bleak
futures. Leto, who sacrificed his
humanity for the sake of humanity.
Severian the light-bringer, the sun-maker. Kimball, Dave, Donal, Valentine and Elijah. Elric, Erekose, Corum and Jerry. Usagi, Utena, Nausicaa. Nadia, Shinji and Simon. Gully and Kaneda. Sinclair, Sheridan and Delenn. John, who created himself. Kara and Jack. The boy magicians: Tim, Christopher and Will. Ged, who was truly named. Ellidyr, who had nothing except his name, his
sword, and his friends. Paul the
twice-born. Eustace, who was saved when
he turned into a dragon.
All of
them and more.
Finally,
there came the last life, which was also the first. Yet in the confusion of lives, Harry wondered
if there could ever be a first, just as if there could be a last.
Names
and lives flickered through the darkness, each time ending in death. Sometimes it was in triumph, others in
tragedy. Oftentimes it was both. Strange fates shaped those lives, and in each
of them Harry recognized himself in those men and women.
Garion
and Sparhawk, who led lives of wonder and courage against evil gods and bleak
futures. Leto, who sacrificed his
humanity for the sake of humanity.
Severian the light-bringer, the sun-maker. Kimball, Dave, Donal, Valentine and Elijah. Elric, Erekose, Corum and Jerry. Usagi, Utena, Nausicaa. Nadia, Shinji and Simon. Gully and Kaneda. Sinclair, Sheridan and Delenn. John, who created himself. Kara and Jack. The boy magicians: Tim, Christopher and Will. Ged, who was truly named. Ellidyr, who had nothing except his name, his
sword, and his friends. Paul the
twice-born. Eustace, who was saved when
he turned into a dragon.
All of
them and more.
Finally,
there came the last life, which was also the first. Yet in the confusion of lives, Harry wondered
if there could ever be a first, just as if there could be a last.