This is for all the Amaranthians that have left us and I hope their journey back to us is a safe and speedy one.

The road twists and turns,
The ground constantly moving under my feet.
The trees no longer look like shelter, but more like the demons of hell.
Their branches tear at my hair and clothes.
The wind howls, telling me to go back from whence I came.

But I can not, I must forge ahead...someone, something, somewhere is waiting for me.

My eyes burn from the acid rain.
My skin covered in dirt and sweat, yet I must continue.

There, up ahead there seems to be something faintly bright against the cold dark night.
Relentless in my travels I continue, I will perservere...I must.

That elusive flicker seems to laugh at my folly, my humble attempts to draw nearer.
It appears to move away from me, dancing on winged feet.

NOOOO! I shout. This can not be.
There is someone, something, somewhere that waits for me.

As if in answer to my silent plea, the flicker stops and waits.
I inch closer and closer still, holding my anxious breath.
Reaching out a shaking hand, I firmly grasp the light.

Yes!!!!! I will not fail. I will find my way.
Someone, something, somewhere waits for me.

I stand on shaking and aching legs holding this beacon high.
Just over the tops of the trees, now once again old familiar friends, I can see the rooftops.

I am almost home. My long journey near its end.
I laugh and do not feel the tears as they fall.

Someone, something, somewhere waits for me.

Amaranthia, sweet beautiful Amaranthia, I cry with a hoarse and cracking voice. My journey was long, I could not find my way back, yet here you stand....so proud, so different, yet still the same.

I stumble across the threshold of the open gate and the light I hold begins to fade.
I release it and watch it go back into the darkness from where I had just escaped.

Go stand watch, and shine bright for there are others in need of you.
My brothers and sisters you will find the light you need, when you are ready to come home.

Just know that someone, something, somewhere waits for you.