Chapter 28, part 4
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Kendra's piteous presence, compacted by the realization of the unavoidable truth unfolded before him, totally isolated him from everything he ever thought he understood about anything. He only knew now that he was at a preeminent crossroad in his existence. Surely he did stand at the threshold of transcendence as she suggested, being offered now an opportunity to truly live and play amongst the stars forever as someone far more than he ever thought he could be; but to accept would mean a very deep and cherished part of everything he was would have to pay in sacrifice. If he refused, his mortal fate would be swiftly assured; but if he died, then he and Nicole might finally be together.
Or maybe not. He had died countless times before, and still he was searching for her. Still, he had not found her. But the stars were always there. Always.
Kendra stood long and silent before him, staring into his eyes and watching as every last one of his weakened defenses inexorably shattered. Though she waited patiently as possible, within she screamed in prolonged agony. Isaac fell completely still in her grasp, until she was even unable to feel the beating of his heart. Terrified and not wanting to wait any longer, she inhaled deeply and very gently nudged him. Isaac blinked involuntarily, and simply unable to resist any further, he fell limp... and ultimately relented to her will. Sensing his irrefutable compliance and acceptance, she smiled softly and leaned in, planting her warm lips against the side of his face. She was elated to see how he no longer held any reservation against her, how he immediately conceded to her, and how he positively responded to her sick, love-stricken actions now with complete, unabated return. He looked up at her with saddened eyes, gently fringed his hands around the frame of her face as he peered into the depths of her recondite spirit and kissed her with an aroused sense of affection. Immersed in a preternatural ecstasy she could not remember having ever felt before, Kendra relished in the glory of her greatest triumph as he now finally received her. She closed her eyes, and with a soft, compassionate kiss upon his lips, she sealed his fate.
Isaac began to feel his strength return and the constant plague of sickness within him subside into nothing. His bodily pain slowly vanished along with his constant, unshakable sense of bewilderment, his blurred vision returned to crystal clarity, and he now found himself able to breathe without painful labor. Kendra pulled back to look at him, her darkened eyes now filled with a vibrant love and the hard lines of her face softened into obscurity. She gave him a warm smile devoid of any of the malevolent cruelty he had grown so accustomed to seeing in her, and encouraged by her genuinely amorous mien, Isaac smiled back. As he looked her over, his eyes fell to her cracked jaw, and at recollection of the experience he instantly became overwhelmed with tremendous remorse. He softly traced the fingers of his left hand across the small, creased dent as it followed along the side of her face and ended beneath her chin, and he glanced at it, sickened to his very core by his shameless acts against her.
I'm sorry, Kendra. I'm so sorry. I didn't know.
She immediately shook her head at him, brushing his cheek with her hand, and Isaac reveled at the unbelievably refreshing sensation her celestial touch invoked within him. Though ancient he was, he now no longer felt that way.
It's ok, Isaac. I forgive you. We can start fresh from now on. Just help us, Isaac. Help us finish this, and I promise you all the stars will be yours.
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