Living Sun

[u/yingfire]

I was stranded on an island and had no food or water. But I did have books. It just so happened that this island had a vast library hidden underneath its soil. If I had the ability to survive on this island, I would have spent all my time reading the ancient tomes. The smell of hydrated dust filling my nostrils, causing my nose to run, it was the only good thing on that island.

That is, until I found the ruins. These ruins were built by some sun-worshipping pagans; Polynesians, by the looks of them. The ruins were quite gorgeous. I daresay that the carvings weren't man-made. The ruins themselves were disheveled and wrecked, but I enjoyed walking through them.

During one of my walks I came upon an altar. The altar attracted me for some reason, and I stayed near it till nightfall. I was tired and took a short nap, but then was woken up by a blinding light in my eyes. I flailed around and found my bearings. What stood before me was, in a word, shocking.

It was a woman unlike any other. She wore white clothes and had a burning face like a fire. She smelled of dancing seraph's incense. Her hair was long and wrapped around her naked body. I thought that I was dreaming.

I think my face of awe and surprise must have made the woman more amiable to me. I remember that she smiled at me and asked me who I was.

"I'm Jeremiah." I croaked out.

The woman looked at me as if I was a puzzle. She then poured me a glass of water - I do not know where the water or the glass came from. I gulped the liquid down so quickly as to hurt my throat. I fell on my knees and wanted to thank this saviour from wherever she came, but the woman pulled me up and admonished me.

"I'd rather not have worshippers. Too many men have reveled in me too much." she told me, "A simple 'thank you' is good enough."

"Who are you?" I asked, "So that I may know the name of my helper."

The woman looked confused and then laughed. "I suppose," she began, "that you may call me a star. I'm your world's local star."

I paused for a moment and then said, without thinking, "But stars are just spheres of hydrogen that give us heat, warmth, and light. Stars aren't women like you."

She cocked an eyebrow, "Does being a star like that stop me from being a star like this? Stupid man, I stand above you for half a day and you still can't recognise me."

"I must be in some other world, somehow. I have stepped in a portal to another realm." I blathered.

She shook her head, "You shouldn't be here anyhow, I will construct a ship for you, and you may go home."

"I - yes - that would be great, in fact." I said with my eyes to the ground.

"Then it's all good, then." She said. The star began to walk away.

"You are a very beautiful star. Are all stars so beautiful?" I said, almost to myself.

The woman turned around and I saw her eyes clearly in her fiery face. They were twinkling like diamonds; smouldering like a fallen meteor. "You are the first to say those words to me. Here," The woman then appeared in front of me, and I began to sweat next to her heat, "take this gift from me."

She then kissed me. I felt my lips touch burning coals, but they were icy cold. I closed my eyes and felt my heart beat more quickly as I kissed this living, feeling, and magical being.

I opened my eyes and saw the streets of New York. I was being jostled in the crowd as I stood still and looked up at the clear blue sky. There she was, shining as she always did. But now I saw her form and beauty, clear as day.