In which Time and Death arrive early to a party
Note: I also have an audio version of this story, which you can find here https://youtu.be/gxxM2loTeGc
In a sheltered valley hidden away in some sacred mountains, there was a great feast hall in which the gods would sometimes play. They would convene there every so often to celebrate their many victories, and therefore the continued existence of the universe. They were festive affairs with much revelry where stories were shared, grievances set aside, and the gods played tawdry games of anthropomorphic personification. Time arrived quite early as was her habit. Not being one for parties, she preferred to say her hellos and then slip out quietly once the drinking had started. She was followed shortly thereafter by Death, who always arrived whenever he chose and was often earlier than expected.
Despite their many obvious disagreements the two were friends and had been since the beginning. Time, being a gracious goddess and a good friend would send Death tributes and gifts at regular intervals. She had done so for as long as anyone could remember. The flowers had been lovely, as were the gardeners, the old kings, and the young beggars. All her gifts had been chosen with care, but despite the flowers, and gardeners and civilizations or the letters of well wishes, Death, being the less gracious friend would rarely reciprocate.
This inequity did not bother Time in the slightest. She was always generous with her gifts, and they were given with the purest intention. She rarely expected anything in return and had never been one to let the little things bother her. Truth be told, she just hoped that her gifts might bring the dour fellow some joy.
Death had admittedly once harbored a bit of an infatuation with Time. This had been back in the early days of course before the whole scene really got started. There was something about Time that he could never quite touch and as a god who is accustomed to getting what he wants this only further drove his infatuation. However, eons of flirtation were ultimately for naught and their relationship had settled into a comfortable friendship.
At rare meetings such as this one, it was not uncommon for the pair to needle each other playfully with jokes or mock insults at the other's expense. All in good fun, of course. Death would mock Time for her frivolity, her impermanence, and fickle nature. "It's just like you Time" he would say. "First it was the wheel, and now sailing ships. Your interests and hobbies dazzle and confuse. How fickle you are. What's next? Mortals soaring through the sky like birds? You slide from one obsession to the next with such subtle ease, and with each the last is forgotten. Remember when reptiles were all the rage? Reptiles, reptiles, reptiles, it was all you ever talked about and where are all those reptiles now?"
"I wrapped them up and gave them as gifts to you old friend, and I seem to recall you enjoying my reptiles then. Perhaps mortals should fly with the birds she mused. It would be marvelous to see, and at the very least it might hasten a few of them to your door." "Besides," She added. "All of your sour remarks, all of your clever quips, they are but expressions of your jealousy of me, for mine is the greater kingdom"
At that, Death scoffed. Loudly. A truly terrifying sound that presently startled some of the other guests, who had only just begun to trickle in. Night and Fire had arrived, with several of their attendant stars in tow. That pair were always great fun at parties, but upon seeing Death they regarded him only meekly. They looked at him oddly and gave polite hellos and hesitantly asked in which room Night might lay down her cloak. Death had seen that look before. Death was not great fun at parties, and the pair were clearly uneasy at seeing he'd arrived so soon.
After Time had pointed the two in the right direction, Death continued. "Why would I be jealous?" He said. "You see how our friends regard me. Do you know why this is so?"
"Because you are sullen, and selfish, and always showing up unannounced". She said bluntly. "and to be honest, you're just kind of depressing". She paused for a moment considering before she added, "I mean that with all due love and respect, naturally."
"No". Death replied flatly. "It's because when they look at me they see inevitability. They see everything they love, ebbing away. They are right to feel that way. That's why mine is the greater kingdom. They know that despite all of their endeavors, all of their striving, all of their defeats and victories. Despite all the wisdom they've gained, the pride in their life’s accomplishments, or the passions they felt in their tenderest moments, they ultimately come to nothing. I will be awaiting them at a time of my choosing, to cut short all of their hopes and claim the fruits of all of their ordeals. They will be mine and everyone who knew them will be mine, as will all who knew them. Turn by turn until a day comes that even the memory of them has died. Do you think gods are immune to this? Gods rise and fall with the mortals who speak their names, and may die with the nations that birthed them. But I am Death, and I am god of every nation".
"Yes..." Time affirmed slowly. "that is what I said".
Death sighed. If one were to imagine the sound of stone sliding across stone, like the lid of old sarcophagi with a hint of a scream into the echoing void, one might have some approximation of the sound. "Even the stars will die Time. When they've burned to cinders they will be mine. Their light extinguished forever. By that same token, our friends would like to mean something and I extinguish meaning. In the end, I win. What greater god could there be than that?"
"Well someone certainly does have a high opinion of himself" Said Time. "Look" She continued, "I've been around longer than just about anyone, and this has given me something you might call a unique perspective. You're not so frightening Death. I've seen you give peace to the suffering and rest to the world-worn and weary, and despite all of your self-indulgent musings of inevitability and eminence, meaning is something you can never extinguish." Abruptly she turned her attention to a new guest, just now entering the hall. "Music you look LOVELY dear". Time smiled wide and waved gingerly as Music passed, indeed she was lovely with indigo and moonlight woven in her hair. She beamed back, radiant, as she moved into the hall of revelers that eagerly awaited her arrival. Now the party was really starting. Time, however, turned back to Death and continued.
"It's like the starlight," she said. "Certainly the stars will one day die, and you will own the cinders. But the starlight will always be mine." Death looked puzzled, thus Time continued. "Do you really think the light dies, when the candle is extinguished? Nay. The light goes on, faster than a dream. It will always be mine. I am Time, I am the wellspring of things that will be, and I am the ever-deepening sea of things that were. The stars existed, and they were beautiful. These mortal lives that you claim to hold in such low regard? They existed, and they were beautiful, and that is something you can never take away. They continue in me Death. That's why my kingdom is greater. They meant, something, and thus they always will. You don't extinguish meaning death, you focus it, you give it urgency. You make the moments precious, and before you act all high and mighty remember this. One day, long hence when you've accomplished your goal and the stars have shone their last, when the last mortal has drawn their final breath what will a god of death be then? You too will be a memory, passing into the sea of things that were. I will remember you fondly Death, and you will be important."
At hearing her words, Death found himself struck dumb. Humbled, and lost in thought. He had never considered such things before, and the idea that one day he too might end freed him somehow. Time had given him many gifts, but none had moved him so. For her part, she merely stood and brushed the dust from the hem of her garment before straightening Death's collar and resting her hand gently on his shoulder. "You are kind," she said. "Now, ready yourself. Let us join our friends, and when Music has begun her art we will slip away quietly. The last things people want to think about at a party are Death and Time."
The End.