The planet is called
Eva and it’s the third planet in what they called the Thanatos constellation.
Eva is the only planet that can support life in this system. The planet has the
same name as a woman in their mythology. The story reminds me of Persephone
from Greek mythology as I read it. There was a young woman who had traveled to
a cemetery with the intention of killing herself. She was the most beautiful
woman around, as far as she knew. The beautiful young woman removed her knife
to slit her wrists, but Death appeared before her before she could start. Death
found her to be a striking beauty and had appeared to convince her to
reconsider. The woman protested and told him she would shortly be with him in death
after she killed herself. Death said she wouldn’t be the same after Death. He
was in love with her and would do anything to make love to her once.
Reluctantly, Eva agreed to be his lover, but made Death promise that her
relatives and ancestors would have long lives free of disease. Death quickly
agreed and the deal was done. Death was not omniscient, however, and he had
been tricked. The woman had planned to strike the unholy deal from the
beginning. Her family had an illness that was passed on through the generations
and her family line was in danger of dying. The woman herself was close to
succumbing to the effects of the sickness even as she arrived at the cemetery.
Death and the woman did become lovers and the child’s name was Eva. Eva lived a
long life, as per the agreement, but when Death learned he had been tricked, he
failed to remove Eva’s illness. She lived a long life, but it was eventually
full of pain from her family’s genetic illness. Rather than go mad, Eva
endured, and even prospered, despite her pain. The story was a symbol for the
planet and surviving through hardships.
This world hardly seemed harsh to me yet, but the only
place I’ve seen so far is the friendly environment of my father’s house. He was
taking care of my every need, but maybe I was becoming sheltered from reality.
I continue my lessons, but I think of little Eva from the story often.
After lunch one day, I ask my father about the story of
Eva. He tried to hide his disappointment that I was asking about something I
probably should have learned about ages ago.
“Well, it is a tragic story, but inspiring at the same
time. She lived a life in pain, but she tried to enjoy and cherish an existence
that she had every reason to despise.”
“Forgive me for asking . . . my memory is still a little
fuzzy, you know . . . but is Eva really that bad of a place to live?”
He hesitates before he answers. “It is no paradise at
times, to be sure, but a home is what one makes it. There are many beautiful
things to be found on this world, or any other, if one knows where to look.”
“You’re doing . . . fine with your
lessons. Keep up the pace and you will be your old self in no time.” I know he’s lying, and I feel bad that I’m not moving faster, but there is little I can do but continue to try my best.
