“It doesn’t make sense! You can’t be here!” her voice is broken and panicked. Her eyes are demanding but afraid. I let out a sigh. “I told you once before: you will never be forgiven for what you’ve done. I can never do that.” I look back to the place I must go. Around us, the Great Vine upon which we stand is silent, seeming to wait for our conversation to end; to wait for a decision to be made. But I already made mine.

“Fine! Then why are you hear? Why did you come after me like this?! You got what you wanted: I’m gone.” My throat tightens at her words. She doesn’t understand. “I told you that you could never be forgiven for what you’ve done. I said that as a ruler, a protector, and a judge.” I feel perfectly calm, even knowing what my choice will mean for me and for the rest of my family.

“Then WHY are you HERE?!” Her voice rises and she takes a step toward me. “Because, I love you. As much as you have forgotten me; as much as you have hurt the people around you, including others I love, I still love you.” She hesitates. The shadows in her eyes seem to pause in consideration of my words. Perhaps I could get through to her? But no. The die is already cast and there is no turning back. Only one of us can walk out of here, and I will make sure that it is her.

The Great Vine creaks quietly, seemingly accepting my decision. The woman in front of me looks down for a moment, but when her eyes meet mine again, my hopes of reaching her are dashed. That dark shadow is still there, etching it’s way deeper and deeper into her soul.

“You think this means anything? Did you really think I wouldn’t face whatever’s waiting for me on my own?” She laughs a bitter and uncaring laugh that hurts to hear. I shake my head in disappointment and turn away. A dark figure which had been watching and waiting stood several yards away. I take a breath and approach him.

I know that woman, a child I’d once known, is observing, probably hoping this all turns out bad. I stop, a few feet in front of the dark figure, unsure of how to proceed. “What is your purpose here?” he inquires in a deep clear voice. “This woman is here for judgement. I am here to redeem her.” The figure bows his head in silent consideration.

“Do you know what the price for redemption is?” I nod, “A life for a life.” “And you are prepared to pay this price?” The figure is shrouded and I cannot see his face, but I hear a movement from the woman behind me. “I am prepared.” A long sigh emits from the figure, and I feel an odd sense of sadness coming from him.

“A life for a life is the price. But a life of darkness must be redeemed with a life of light. Do you possess such a life?” This time I hesitate. I had not thought about this before now, and this question made me doubt my eligibility for this sacrifice. Then I remember something I had read and peace washes over me, quelling my doubts. “Yes. I do.” “If that is the case, all conditions are met, and the redemption can be made.” His deep voice remains calm and clear, just as it was when he had first spoken. I wonder if this had ever happened here before.

“No! He can’t claim to have a life of light. He left his own family to be here. He abandoned them! He abandoned his people! He chose to come here and now all those people will suffer for it.” The figure raises his head, gazing directly at the woman behind me. She had begun walking toward us, but now she stops, seeming transfixed. “You are here for judgement, and possess of life of darkness. Redemption has been offered.”

He then turns to me, a long fiery sword forms in his hand. “Your redemption price is approved.” Without another word, he raises the sword and cuts me down, separating me in an instant from everyone I’ve ever know or loved. As my body collapses onto the Great Vine, I hear him speak again, “Your redemption has been accepted. Rest now.”