The sun slipped below the horizon and only the dim light of twilight remained.

Her eyes fell once again on the tree and the fear she had of it slipped away.

She knew it now, as she knew herself. All of her selves, sprinkled throughout time like grains of sand strewn across a beach.

Here, in this place that stood outside of time, was only where she rested. Where she remembered. Where she mourned.

The hours had run dry, and it was time to be reforged.

She turned to face the man, and wiping the tears from her cheeks she said, "I am ready."