Lesh could not longer see the man’s eyes. But there for a moment, he saw himself. A man who’s lost everything. No one to go back to, no one to talk with. No one to love, not now, not ever. Anyone who could understand him was dead, dying or would be very soon. All the other gods were put to the sword.

And this man, with all his audacity, was willing to give anything to continue to live while Lesh was willing to do anything if people would just let him die.

People were foolish in many ways. Their lives too short to learn much about life beyond eating, breeding and fighting. But in their desire to live they may just as well know something their gods didn’t. What if it is rebellion? What if death truly is our natural state? What if we come here just for a little while and despite the pain and the hardships, there is still something to cling to life for?

Lesh didn’t know why this man lived. He had found a reason for himself. So why was it so hard for Lesh to find one? Maybe it was about laughing through the suffering.

The old man tore two thin branches, still young and able to bend. He apologised to the tree and braided its branches in a wreath. Then he slowly lowered it on the head of the big man. A fitting coronation.

He sat next to him, looked at his eyes still smoking and the crown on his head. There are still things to laugh about. There are still things to live for.

“You killed my friends and I killed yours. I’ll consider us even. Long may you reign, blind king.” - Lesh said and left.

He’ll hide from the moon, he’ll stay away from the stars. They won’t know that he hasn’t done it. They won’t know he didn’t jump in the chasm again. He’ll rebell against their mockery.