This story was originally conceptualized as another Challenge Story, but even before I’d put the first word to the proverbial pen, I knew that this particular story was going to be much, much grander in scope than I could ever complete or express in a single scene; I had failed the Challenge even before I began. Nonetheless, it was one of those stories I just couldn’t get out of my head and needed to be written.

While it is usually in poor taste to read the end of a book first, in this case, everything leading up to the Epilog of this story is just “background information”. It lets the reader get to know the various characters but really isn’t the story itself; that’s what this part really is: the Epilog. If you take everything that the main character could learn or aspire to be in this entire story, then /this/ section highlights those ideals.

As you all know, I am a musician as one of my hobbies, piano and organ being my instruments of choice. A while back, I submitted “Forever: Anthem of the Animals - The Hymn”. The piece described in this excerpt, while still mostly un-composed, is the Finale from that anthem; you will have to use some imagination while you read as writing about music is rather surreal.

I have been told that this is a highly emotionally charged work, so for those of you feint of heart, or a little down in the spirits, then perhaps this is not the story for you to read. For those of you that are daring, as always, feedback is most welcome. The more you can tell me about the various feelings and thoughts that this excerpt provoked, the better.

And for those interested in the /whole/ story, feel free to note me, but be forewarned that this is a work-in-progress, which is to say, “It ain’t done yet!”.

In any case, enjoy, and I look forward to your feedback.