TwilightForest
Being myself
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I think I already understand it. *brings out sticky tape* *tapes your mouth* *smirks* it's ok now...
Scribbly Short Story Competition!
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TrismegistusShandy
Well-known member
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The Doorman
by Trismegistus Shandy
3,700 words. Creative Commons Attribution/Noncommercial/Share Alike licence.
The story is a little too long for one message post so I'm splitting it in two.
Thanks to mrsimple, JAK, and clancy688 for their feedback on earlier drafts.
by Trismegistus Shandy
3,700 words. Creative Commons Attribution/Noncommercial/Share Alike licence.
The story is a little too long for one message post so I'm splitting it in two.
I was terrified as my new master led me away from the auction platform. He wore the insignia of the Sorcerers' Guild on his samite tunic -- the guild that had grown so powerful of late that more and more crimes were punished by enslavement, with members of the guild getting the right to bid first. Merchants and even nobles were only allowed to buy those slaves that no sorcerer was interested in. And if a sorcerer had bought me, the chances were a hundred to one that I wouldn't be alive and human by the end of the week. Rumor said that sorcerers usually used their slaves to test new spells on, or as human sacrifices to feed power into the more demanding spells; I wouldn't merely be put to work scrubbing floors or dishes.
I debated with myself whether I might live a few days longer if I went along quietly, or if I might earn a quick, relatively painless death if I tried to escape before we reached his house. Obviously, I wouldn't try to escape before we were safely away from the crowd and the guards around the auction house... but I had no chance. The moment we stepped into the street outside, my master chanted a few strange syllables and our surroundings suddenly changed; we were in the vestibule of a luxurious house, surrounded by closed doors whose lintels and jambs were ornately carved and gilt. The sorcerer opened one of them and tugged my chain, pulling me after him through a big room full of upholstered furniture and shelves of curious knick-knacks, many of them doubtless magical, to another, more sparely appointed room with a wide, empty space in the middle, two of its walls lined with shelves -- one containing books and scrolls, another jars and boxes.
My master ordered me to stand in the center of the room, inside a geometric pattern painted inside a circle on the floor, and locked my chain to a ring fixed to the floor. I trembled in anticipation.
He took a pinch of something from one of the jars on the shelf and tossed it into the air toward me. It spread out in a thin cloud all around me, making me cough as he chanted, pacing around the circle. Finally, the cloud dissipated and the chanting stopped. I felt no different. Had his spell failed, or were its effects unobvious?
"That spell should make it impossible for you to disobey me," he said. "Step out of the circle."
I did so without hesitation, the chain attached to my collar unlocking itself and trailing behind me.
"Follow me." He led me back through the furniture-filled room and the vestibule through another door and a corridor, then down two flights of stairs to another corridor and a narrow room with a straw pallet on the floor.
"Rest," he said. "Don't leave this room. I will return when I need you."
I found a chamber-pot, a jug of more or less clean water, and a loaf of bread, finer and tastier than the bread whose theft had led me here. I ate and drank, then laid down on the straw. He hadn't closed the door, but I found I couldn't even consider the idea of leaving.
I slept for a time, ate and drank more, brooded over my fate, relieved myself, slept, and brooded some more. The room and the pallet were more comfortable than many of the alleyways I'd slept in, but terror and anxiety made it at least as bad as my worst nights on the streets since my mother died and the landlord turned me out.
Finally, he returned for me and commanded me to follow him. We returned to the workroom where he had cast the obedience spell on me. He ordered me to stand in the center of the circle and not to leave it, then cast a spell to break the iron collar around my neck. For a fleeting moment, I wondered if he had changed his mind and was freeing me. That was the legal significance of the collar, after all. But then he told me to toss the remains of the collar and chain out of the circle, and strip off my loincloth and toss it out as well. I realized then that he simply needed me naked for his spell, whatever it was, to work.
This spell lasted far longer than the last. He took down a book from the shelf and read long passages aloud. The powders he tossed into the circle clouded the air so opaquely that I couldn't see the sorcerer or the walls of the room, and could barely even hear his chanting. It seemed like half an hour or more passed before I felt anything but slight difficulty breathing.
Then I gradually became aware of something else. Not sight or hearing or any other sense I'd known before, but a more direct perception of something far beyond my experience. Vast tracts of empty space, so wide that the fastest horse could gallop for all of human history and never cross a noticeable fraction of the distance; and scattered at the widest intervals, clusters of suns, still vast distances apart, yet close together compared to the distances between the clusters. And then, as I became more aware of these suns and the spaces around them, I found that many of them were surrounded by rocky or cloudy or watery balls of various sizes. My awareness of the sorcerer's workroom, my laboring lungs, and the sorcerer's chanting faded into the background, but I never lost it entirely; it just seemed uninteresting compared to the suns and the little balls surrounding them.
As I grew more aware of the details of the little balls, perceiving that some of them had living creatures on their surfaces, some of whom seemed to be a lot like humans, judging from their houses and carriages and roads, I realized with a shock that everything I'd ever known -- the city where I'd been born, the rumors of the countryside and other cities and distant countries beyond -- must be a thin layer on the surface of a rocky ball like the ones I'd now become aware of.
And then the distant chanting ceased and the cloud around my body dissipated. I looked around the room with far less than half my attention while I simultaneously considered countless little rocky worlds, each different from my own, only a tiny fraction similar enough to my own for me to understand much of what I perceived. The sorcerer and his workroom were much as I had seen them last, but my own body... my arms and legs and torso had changed. Most of me was deep black, with pinpoints of light that I realized were the suns I had been perceiving -- or rather, whole clusters of them.
"Show me a world like our own," the sorcerer commanded, "with thinking inhabitants who build roads and cities."
I quickly chose one of the worlds I could perceive, and concentrated on it. As I did so, the pinpoints of light scatted across the "skin" of my body vanished, and my torso was filled with a sphere mottled with ocean and land. Half of its surface was illuminated by the light of a sun that I could perceive with my new sense, but not see within my body.
"Closer," he commanded. "Show me the wealthiest city in that world."
That was a harder command to obey. By what standard would I judge wealth when I barely comprehended the peoples of that world and their ways of life? In various places in that world, the people used different substances for money; in others, they didn't use money at all. I arbitrarily chose one of the bigger cities, one which seemed to have fewer people living in misery than most of the other large cities, and more beautiful, well-built houses and fewer ramshackle hovels than the city I'd grown up in. The skin of my torso became a view of the city from above, my arms and legs showing glimpses of its outlying farms and villages and the rivers that joined in the city to form a larger one that flowed down my left leg.
"Show me the house of the richest man in the city."
The people of that world had three sexes; I thought for a few moments to decide which of them was most like our world's men, then considered the households of the city and which, if any, seemed to have a "man" in charge of them, then which of those showed the most signs of wealth. Finally, I selected one, again more or less arbitrarily. My torso showed the house, the street in front of it, the passing carriages pulled by no manner of beast, but gliding silently along without touching the street.
"Now the interior rooms of the house, one by one."
I showed him the rooms. Six people were eating in one of the rooms, while another, perhaps the kitchen, seemed to have three others working on food preparation. The other rooms were vacant. Finally, as I showed him one of the more richly-furnished rooms, he commanded me to give him a close-in view of one of the shelves. With that, he stepped into the circle and reached into my chest, his hand passing through the apparent surface of my skin without impediment, and lifted a couple of mysterious objects off the shelf, pulling them out. He commanded me to continue showing him the rooms, retrieving a few more objects from the house.
At last, he said: "Return to your cell. Do you know the way?"
"Yes, Master," I said, and started to go. I found that my hands could not handle doors, however. If I tried to twist a doorknob, the knob and part of the door would pass into the other world. If I pulled my hand back quickly enough, the doorknob would return to our world unharmed, but when, on my second attempt, I fumbled around enough to pass my hand entirely through the knob and door, the knob and the cross-section of door surrounding it, cut off from the rest of the door by the boundaries of my hand, dropped to the floor of the house I had been focusing on. In my surprise, I lost my concentration on that house, and my vision expanded to the vast spaces between clusters of suns. I walked right through the door, and perceived that a man-shaped cross-section of the door, thousands of suns high, had appeared in the empty spaces between the clusters of suns.
"Stop!" the sorcerer shouted, and I halted just a couple of paces into the next room. "Let me go before you and open the doors," he said, and did so.
In my cell once more, I realized that I felt no hunger, no thirst, no need to empty my bladder or bowels. Or sleep. I contemplated the world the sorcerer had commanded me to show him, and many others, as well as the processes going on in the hearts of the suns, the gradual formation of new suns from vast clouds of dust, and many other things I have no words to express.
I debated with myself whether I might live a few days longer if I went along quietly, or if I might earn a quick, relatively painless death if I tried to escape before we reached his house. Obviously, I wouldn't try to escape before we were safely away from the crowd and the guards around the auction house... but I had no chance. The moment we stepped into the street outside, my master chanted a few strange syllables and our surroundings suddenly changed; we were in the vestibule of a luxurious house, surrounded by closed doors whose lintels and jambs were ornately carved and gilt. The sorcerer opened one of them and tugged my chain, pulling me after him through a big room full of upholstered furniture and shelves of curious knick-knacks, many of them doubtless magical, to another, more sparely appointed room with a wide, empty space in the middle, two of its walls lined with shelves -- one containing books and scrolls, another jars and boxes.
My master ordered me to stand in the center of the room, inside a geometric pattern painted inside a circle on the floor, and locked my chain to a ring fixed to the floor. I trembled in anticipation.
He took a pinch of something from one of the jars on the shelf and tossed it into the air toward me. It spread out in a thin cloud all around me, making me cough as he chanted, pacing around the circle. Finally, the cloud dissipated and the chanting stopped. I felt no different. Had his spell failed, or were its effects unobvious?
"That spell should make it impossible for you to disobey me," he said. "Step out of the circle."
I did so without hesitation, the chain attached to my collar unlocking itself and trailing behind me.
"Follow me." He led me back through the furniture-filled room and the vestibule through another door and a corridor, then down two flights of stairs to another corridor and a narrow room with a straw pallet on the floor.
"Rest," he said. "Don't leave this room. I will return when I need you."
I found a chamber-pot, a jug of more or less clean water, and a loaf of bread, finer and tastier than the bread whose theft had led me here. I ate and drank, then laid down on the straw. He hadn't closed the door, but I found I couldn't even consider the idea of leaving.
I slept for a time, ate and drank more, brooded over my fate, relieved myself, slept, and brooded some more. The room and the pallet were more comfortable than many of the alleyways I'd slept in, but terror and anxiety made it at least as bad as my worst nights on the streets since my mother died and the landlord turned me out.
Finally, he returned for me and commanded me to follow him. We returned to the workroom where he had cast the obedience spell on me. He ordered me to stand in the center of the circle and not to leave it, then cast a spell to break the iron collar around my neck. For a fleeting moment, I wondered if he had changed his mind and was freeing me. That was the legal significance of the collar, after all. But then he told me to toss the remains of the collar and chain out of the circle, and strip off my loincloth and toss it out as well. I realized then that he simply needed me naked for his spell, whatever it was, to work.
This spell lasted far longer than the last. He took down a book from the shelf and read long passages aloud. The powders he tossed into the circle clouded the air so opaquely that I couldn't see the sorcerer or the walls of the room, and could barely even hear his chanting. It seemed like half an hour or more passed before I felt anything but slight difficulty breathing.
Then I gradually became aware of something else. Not sight or hearing or any other sense I'd known before, but a more direct perception of something far beyond my experience. Vast tracts of empty space, so wide that the fastest horse could gallop for all of human history and never cross a noticeable fraction of the distance; and scattered at the widest intervals, clusters of suns, still vast distances apart, yet close together compared to the distances between the clusters. And then, as I became more aware of these suns and the spaces around them, I found that many of them were surrounded by rocky or cloudy or watery balls of various sizes. My awareness of the sorcerer's workroom, my laboring lungs, and the sorcerer's chanting faded into the background, but I never lost it entirely; it just seemed uninteresting compared to the suns and the little balls surrounding them.
As I grew more aware of the details of the little balls, perceiving that some of them had living creatures on their surfaces, some of whom seemed to be a lot like humans, judging from their houses and carriages and roads, I realized with a shock that everything I'd ever known -- the city where I'd been born, the rumors of the countryside and other cities and distant countries beyond -- must be a thin layer on the surface of a rocky ball like the ones I'd now become aware of.
And then the distant chanting ceased and the cloud around my body dissipated. I looked around the room with far less than half my attention while I simultaneously considered countless little rocky worlds, each different from my own, only a tiny fraction similar enough to my own for me to understand much of what I perceived. The sorcerer and his workroom were much as I had seen them last, but my own body... my arms and legs and torso had changed. Most of me was deep black, with pinpoints of light that I realized were the suns I had been perceiving -- or rather, whole clusters of them.
"Show me a world like our own," the sorcerer commanded, "with thinking inhabitants who build roads and cities."
I quickly chose one of the worlds I could perceive, and concentrated on it. As I did so, the pinpoints of light scatted across the "skin" of my body vanished, and my torso was filled with a sphere mottled with ocean and land. Half of its surface was illuminated by the light of a sun that I could perceive with my new sense, but not see within my body.
"Closer," he commanded. "Show me the wealthiest city in that world."
That was a harder command to obey. By what standard would I judge wealth when I barely comprehended the peoples of that world and their ways of life? In various places in that world, the people used different substances for money; in others, they didn't use money at all. I arbitrarily chose one of the bigger cities, one which seemed to have fewer people living in misery than most of the other large cities, and more beautiful, well-built houses and fewer ramshackle hovels than the city I'd grown up in. The skin of my torso became a view of the city from above, my arms and legs showing glimpses of its outlying farms and villages and the rivers that joined in the city to form a larger one that flowed down my left leg.
"Show me the house of the richest man in the city."
The people of that world had three sexes; I thought for a few moments to decide which of them was most like our world's men, then considered the households of the city and which, if any, seemed to have a "man" in charge of them, then which of those showed the most signs of wealth. Finally, I selected one, again more or less arbitrarily. My torso showed the house, the street in front of it, the passing carriages pulled by no manner of beast, but gliding silently along without touching the street.
"Now the interior rooms of the house, one by one."
I showed him the rooms. Six people were eating in one of the rooms, while another, perhaps the kitchen, seemed to have three others working on food preparation. The other rooms were vacant. Finally, as I showed him one of the more richly-furnished rooms, he commanded me to give him a close-in view of one of the shelves. With that, he stepped into the circle and reached into my chest, his hand passing through the apparent surface of my skin without impediment, and lifted a couple of mysterious objects off the shelf, pulling them out. He commanded me to continue showing him the rooms, retrieving a few more objects from the house.
At last, he said: "Return to your cell. Do you know the way?"
"Yes, Master," I said, and started to go. I found that my hands could not handle doors, however. If I tried to twist a doorknob, the knob and part of the door would pass into the other world. If I pulled my hand back quickly enough, the doorknob would return to our world unharmed, but when, on my second attempt, I fumbled around enough to pass my hand entirely through the knob and door, the knob and the cross-section of door surrounding it, cut off from the rest of the door by the boundaries of my hand, dropped to the floor of the house I had been focusing on. In my surprise, I lost my concentration on that house, and my vision expanded to the vast spaces between clusters of suns. I walked right through the door, and perceived that a man-shaped cross-section of the door, thousands of suns high, had appeared in the empty spaces between the clusters of suns.
"Stop!" the sorcerer shouted, and I halted just a couple of paces into the next room. "Let me go before you and open the doors," he said, and did so.
In my cell once more, I realized that I felt no hunger, no thirst, no need to empty my bladder or bowels. Or sleep. I contemplated the world the sorcerer had commanded me to show him, and many others, as well as the processes going on in the hearts of the suns, the gradual formation of new suns from vast clouds of dust, and many other things I have no words to express.
Thanks to mrsimple, JAK, and clancy688 for their feedback on earlier drafts.
Last edited:
TrismegistusShandy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2019
- Messages
- 18
- Points
- 53
The Doorman
by Trismegistus Shandy
3,700 words. Creative Commons Attribution/Noncommercial/Share Alike licence.
The story is a little too long for one message post so I've split it in two.
My other stories can be found at:
* http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/trismegistusshandy
* http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00I14IWV6
* http://www.tgstorytime.com/viewuser.php?uid=8445
* http://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/trismegistus-shandy
* http://shifti.org/wiki/User:Trismegistus_Shandy
* http://www.fictionmania.tv/searchdisplay/authordisplay.html?word=4122
by Trismegistus Shandy
3,700 words. Creative Commons Attribution/Noncommercial/Share Alike licence.
The story is a little too long for one message post so I've split it in two.
After an unknown time, the sorcerer returned for me. He commanded me to follow him to the workroom, then to show him another house in the same city, one with an extensive library. "One with many more things like this," he said, showing me one of the things he had taken from the first house. After some thought, I found what he wanted, and he looted the shelves, plucking fifty or a hundred books from my chest, then dismissed me to return to my cell.
What seemed like a much longer time passed; learning the language in which those books were written must have taken months, I suppose, though my perception of the passing of time was becoming vaguer. I did not grow bored, having plenty to watch and think about in the uncountably vast number of worlds I could now perceive at once.
Then I became aware of the sound of weeping coming from somewhere near my cell; the high-pitched sound suggested a child or a woman. This touched my heart in a way the suffering of the uncountable sick, poor, and oppressed on the many little ball-worlds had not. I walked out of my cell, realizing as I did so that I no longer felt any need to obey the sorcerer, and searched out the source of the weeping. It came from inside another cell along the corridor, its door wide open. A girl, just a few years younger than me, was sitting on a pallet of straw and sobbing; but as she saw me, she gaped for a moment and then screamed.
"Don't be afraid," I said. "I mean you no harm." I saw the iron collar around her neck. "I see you're a slave. So am I. The sorcerer did this to me."
"Will he do the same to me?" she asked in a hoarse voice.
"I don't know. He hasn't shared his plans."
"He cast a spell on me," she said. "Even though the door is wide open, and my legs work fine, I can't walk out!"
"I know," I said. "He did the same to me when I arrived. But it seems that the spell has worn off with time, or perhaps the other spell he cast, the one that made me like this, gradually wore away the obedience spell."
"Did it hurt?" she asked timidly.
"Not much," I reassured her, though I wasn't sure that the sorcerer would do the same to her as he had done to me. "What were you enslaved for? I stole a loaf of bread."
"They *said* I stole the silver from one of the houses where I was picking up and delivering laundry, but I never did! I think one of the servants there must have stolen it, and they agreed to blame an outsider."
An idea had been growing in the back of my mind. As we spoke, I focused my perceptions on one of the worlds I had been contemplating, one which was inhabited by three different types of people, one of them as much like humans as any of the myriad peoples of the myriad worlds that lay open to my perceptions. They breathed the same kind of air, could digest the same food, could produce the same sounds with their mouths, and even had two sexes. I found a town I had noted where the people were generous and hospitable to strangers, and focused on a street outside a public dining hall.
"What is happening to you?" the girl asked.
"I am helping you escape," I said, stepping slowly into her cell. "You can't leave your cell, but you can do what you like within it, correct?"
"Yes, I suppose so."
"Then crawl into me when I give the word."
"Crawl... *into* you?" she asked doubtfully. I knelt before her and brought my arms to my side.
"You can just stick your hand or arm into me at first, if you prefer."
Hesitantly, she did so. No harm or pain came to her, and gathering her courage, she poked her head into me as well.
"You won't be able to understand their language at first," I said. "But you can learn it; I think they will help you. They don't practice slavery there."
"Thank you," she said, and crawled through me onto the sidewalk in front of the dining hall.
I returned to my cell and watched the girl as she took in her bewildering surroundings, and was approached by friendly strangers, who took her into the dining hall and got her something to eat, trying various languages to communicate with her and then beginning to teach her one of the more widely spoken languages of their world by gestures. By the time the sorcerer came looking for her, she had lodging in a public guest-house and was enrolled in a language class for immigrants and refugees.
The sorcerer came to my cell. "Did you see a girl pass by your door?" he asked. "I don't know how she could have escaped. I commanded her to stay in her cell. Someone must have stolen her."
"I haven't seen her," I said. "I heard weeping and screaming some time ago. I suppose that was her."
"Patrol this corridor until I tell you otherwise," he said. "Walk up and down it, and call out if intruders appear, or if a slave tries to escape."
"Very well, Master," I said. I didn't see any benefit in letting him know I was no longer under an obedience spell. I could contemplate the myriad worlds inside me just as well while pacing up and down the corridor as I could while sitting in my cell.
Some time later, the sorcerer escorted a new slave, a big burly man, into the corridor and put him in the cell the girl had occupied, giving him the same orders -- to stay in the cell until told otherwise and take care of his bodily needs. The new slave was also ordered to scream if someone other than the sorcerer or me appeared, and to resist if someone other than the sorcerer tried to remove him from the cell.
That presented some difficulties, but some hours later, when the new slave was asleep, I went into his cell, focused on the common room of the guest-house in the hospitable city, and laid down on top of the big man. My own boundaries had grown a little vaguer and more amorphous over time -- I no longer had distinct fingers, toes, or genitals -- and I found that I could, with a little effort, stretch myself to his size and a little bigger, so that he could fit through me. I left him lying on the sofa of the common room, to be found a little later by the staff and guests when they rose for the day. I returned to my patrol and watched both him and the girl, as well as uncountable other people on uncountable worlds, until the sorcerer returned.
"What happened to him?" he demanded. "Why did you not call out when he escaped or was rescued?"
"I saw nothing," I lied, continuing to pace up and down the corridor as we talked. "I walked past his cell, and he was lying there asleep; I walked past again, and he was gone. You told me to inform you if intruders appeared or a slave tried to escape, not if he simply vanished."
The sorcerer gave me more explicit instructions, then left, cursing up a storm. Some time later, he returned with a new slave following him, a bony, half-starved boy barely old enough to be legally responsible for a crime.
"Follow me," he ordered us, and led us both to his workroom.
"Show me the city where you showed me the library before," he told me. "Focus on a rich house with nobody home."
I did so, seeing no obvious reason why not. I supposed he would simply reach into me and steal a few things.
But as soon as my "skin" showed a view of the vestibule of the house, the sorcerer said to the boy, "Take this bag and step into him. That's right, just walk into him like he's an open door. Be careful to keep your arms close to your body as you pass through. Fill your bag with small items, things like the pictures in the books I showed you -- not simple cups or statues, no matter how valuable the materials, but things with many intricate parts. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Master. What should I do when the bag is full?"
"Come back here through his body. I will command him to follow you around the house, so you should always see a man-shaped hole in the air nearby, and perhaps you will be able to see me and this room through it. You can report about that when you return."
The boy nodded and said "Yes, Master," starting toward me.
I knew that the boy would not survive that mission. The air of the world the sorcerer had asked me to focus on was not breathable for humans. So the moment he was about to pass through me, I shifted my focus to the world where I had freed the sorcerer's last two slaves, and the guest-house where both of them now lived. The boy, bound by the obedience spell, continued walking through me into the common room of the guest-house. The sorcerer, after a moment of shock, screamed "No, stop!" But it was too late; the boy was through and apparently couldn't hear him. I expanded my focus until I showed him the vast spaces between suns.
"What happened?" he said. "I command you to show me the boy and the house he went into!"
"No," I said, and started forward. He screamed and began chanting a spell, but it had no effect on me, and just before I reached him, he turned and ran through the house. I pursued, allowing him to keep just ahead of me until he had almost reached the front door, and then engulfed him.
He floated helpless in the vast, airless space between the suns, gasping and flailing, screaming soundlessly, and then going still.
For a long time I stood there, silently contemplating the three slaves I had rescued and exiled, and uncountable numbers of other lives on so many worlds. Standing in the vestibule was as comfortable as standing in my cell, or patrolling the corridor. But after a time, I came to a decision. There were others like me, enslaved for no reason but that they were hungry and had taken bread from those who had plenty. Why should they languish in prison only to be experimented on or sacrificed?
I walked through the front door, leaving a man-shaped hole, and set out for the slave auction house.
What seemed like a much longer time passed; learning the language in which those books were written must have taken months, I suppose, though my perception of the passing of time was becoming vaguer. I did not grow bored, having plenty to watch and think about in the uncountably vast number of worlds I could now perceive at once.
Then I became aware of the sound of weeping coming from somewhere near my cell; the high-pitched sound suggested a child or a woman. This touched my heart in a way the suffering of the uncountable sick, poor, and oppressed on the many little ball-worlds had not. I walked out of my cell, realizing as I did so that I no longer felt any need to obey the sorcerer, and searched out the source of the weeping. It came from inside another cell along the corridor, its door wide open. A girl, just a few years younger than me, was sitting on a pallet of straw and sobbing; but as she saw me, she gaped for a moment and then screamed.
"Don't be afraid," I said. "I mean you no harm." I saw the iron collar around her neck. "I see you're a slave. So am I. The sorcerer did this to me."
"Will he do the same to me?" she asked in a hoarse voice.
"I don't know. He hasn't shared his plans."
"He cast a spell on me," she said. "Even though the door is wide open, and my legs work fine, I can't walk out!"
"I know," I said. "He did the same to me when I arrived. But it seems that the spell has worn off with time, or perhaps the other spell he cast, the one that made me like this, gradually wore away the obedience spell."
"Did it hurt?" she asked timidly.
"Not much," I reassured her, though I wasn't sure that the sorcerer would do the same to her as he had done to me. "What were you enslaved for? I stole a loaf of bread."
"They *said* I stole the silver from one of the houses where I was picking up and delivering laundry, but I never did! I think one of the servants there must have stolen it, and they agreed to blame an outsider."
An idea had been growing in the back of my mind. As we spoke, I focused my perceptions on one of the worlds I had been contemplating, one which was inhabited by three different types of people, one of them as much like humans as any of the myriad peoples of the myriad worlds that lay open to my perceptions. They breathed the same kind of air, could digest the same food, could produce the same sounds with their mouths, and even had two sexes. I found a town I had noted where the people were generous and hospitable to strangers, and focused on a street outside a public dining hall.
"What is happening to you?" the girl asked.
"I am helping you escape," I said, stepping slowly into her cell. "You can't leave your cell, but you can do what you like within it, correct?"
"Yes, I suppose so."
"Then crawl into me when I give the word."
"Crawl... *into* you?" she asked doubtfully. I knelt before her and brought my arms to my side.
"You can just stick your hand or arm into me at first, if you prefer."
Hesitantly, she did so. No harm or pain came to her, and gathering her courage, she poked her head into me as well.
"You won't be able to understand their language at first," I said. "But you can learn it; I think they will help you. They don't practice slavery there."
"Thank you," she said, and crawled through me onto the sidewalk in front of the dining hall.
I returned to my cell and watched the girl as she took in her bewildering surroundings, and was approached by friendly strangers, who took her into the dining hall and got her something to eat, trying various languages to communicate with her and then beginning to teach her one of the more widely spoken languages of their world by gestures. By the time the sorcerer came looking for her, she had lodging in a public guest-house and was enrolled in a language class for immigrants and refugees.
The sorcerer came to my cell. "Did you see a girl pass by your door?" he asked. "I don't know how she could have escaped. I commanded her to stay in her cell. Someone must have stolen her."
"I haven't seen her," I said. "I heard weeping and screaming some time ago. I suppose that was her."
"Patrol this corridor until I tell you otherwise," he said. "Walk up and down it, and call out if intruders appear, or if a slave tries to escape."
"Very well, Master," I said. I didn't see any benefit in letting him know I was no longer under an obedience spell. I could contemplate the myriad worlds inside me just as well while pacing up and down the corridor as I could while sitting in my cell.
Some time later, the sorcerer escorted a new slave, a big burly man, into the corridor and put him in the cell the girl had occupied, giving him the same orders -- to stay in the cell until told otherwise and take care of his bodily needs. The new slave was also ordered to scream if someone other than the sorcerer or me appeared, and to resist if someone other than the sorcerer tried to remove him from the cell.
That presented some difficulties, but some hours later, when the new slave was asleep, I went into his cell, focused on the common room of the guest-house in the hospitable city, and laid down on top of the big man. My own boundaries had grown a little vaguer and more amorphous over time -- I no longer had distinct fingers, toes, or genitals -- and I found that I could, with a little effort, stretch myself to his size and a little bigger, so that he could fit through me. I left him lying on the sofa of the common room, to be found a little later by the staff and guests when they rose for the day. I returned to my patrol and watched both him and the girl, as well as uncountable other people on uncountable worlds, until the sorcerer returned.
"What happened to him?" he demanded. "Why did you not call out when he escaped or was rescued?"
"I saw nothing," I lied, continuing to pace up and down the corridor as we talked. "I walked past his cell, and he was lying there asleep; I walked past again, and he was gone. You told me to inform you if intruders appeared or a slave tried to escape, not if he simply vanished."
The sorcerer gave me more explicit instructions, then left, cursing up a storm. Some time later, he returned with a new slave following him, a bony, half-starved boy barely old enough to be legally responsible for a crime.
"Follow me," he ordered us, and led us both to his workroom.
"Show me the city where you showed me the library before," he told me. "Focus on a rich house with nobody home."
I did so, seeing no obvious reason why not. I supposed he would simply reach into me and steal a few things.
But as soon as my "skin" showed a view of the vestibule of the house, the sorcerer said to the boy, "Take this bag and step into him. That's right, just walk into him like he's an open door. Be careful to keep your arms close to your body as you pass through. Fill your bag with small items, things like the pictures in the books I showed you -- not simple cups or statues, no matter how valuable the materials, but things with many intricate parts. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Master. What should I do when the bag is full?"
"Come back here through his body. I will command him to follow you around the house, so you should always see a man-shaped hole in the air nearby, and perhaps you will be able to see me and this room through it. You can report about that when you return."
The boy nodded and said "Yes, Master," starting toward me.
I knew that the boy would not survive that mission. The air of the world the sorcerer had asked me to focus on was not breathable for humans. So the moment he was about to pass through me, I shifted my focus to the world where I had freed the sorcerer's last two slaves, and the guest-house where both of them now lived. The boy, bound by the obedience spell, continued walking through me into the common room of the guest-house. The sorcerer, after a moment of shock, screamed "No, stop!" But it was too late; the boy was through and apparently couldn't hear him. I expanded my focus until I showed him the vast spaces between suns.
"What happened?" he said. "I command you to show me the boy and the house he went into!"
"No," I said, and started forward. He screamed and began chanting a spell, but it had no effect on me, and just before I reached him, he turned and ran through the house. I pursued, allowing him to keep just ahead of me until he had almost reached the front door, and then engulfed him.
He floated helpless in the vast, airless space between the suns, gasping and flailing, screaming soundlessly, and then going still.
For a long time I stood there, silently contemplating the three slaves I had rescued and exiled, and uncountable numbers of other lives on so many worlds. Standing in the vestibule was as comfortable as standing in my cell, or patrolling the corridor. But after a time, I came to a decision. There were others like me, enslaved for no reason but that they were hungry and had taken bread from those who had plenty. Why should they languish in prison only to be experimented on or sacrificed?
I walked through the front door, leaving a man-shaped hole, and set out for the slave auction house.
My other stories can be found at:
* http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/trismegistusshandy
* http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00I14IWV6
* http://www.tgstorytime.com/viewuser.php?uid=8445
* http://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/trismegistus-shandy
* http://shifti.org/wiki/User:Trismegistus_Shandy
* http://www.fictionmania.tv/searchdisplay/authordisplay.html?word=4122
FemmeFatale
O.O Skullie Did It O.O
- Joined
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Umm... Do we get a sticker or something for our profile if we win or participate in the competition? I will write for a sticker! 
- Joined
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- Messages
- 1,071
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*Cough*, it's an unofficial competition so no. I don't have that kind of power.Umm... Do we get a sticker or something for our profile if we win or participate in the competition? I will write for a sticker!
FemmeFatale
O.O Skullie Did It O.O
- Joined
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- 93
Awe....
My heart feels like it's falling, like a star from the sky onto the muck of the earth. *sniffles**sniffles*
Ryuubii
Well-known member
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- Jan 1, 2019
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@Alverost
2070 Words
Gazing From Above
2070 Words
Gazing From Above
I could feel a strange heat. It came from all over my body. I feel so uncomfortable.
Why? What happened?
With those thoughts, I tried to turn my head around, but a stinging pain came from my neck, which then came from all over my body.
It hurts so much...
But still unable to put down the question of what exactly happened, I move my gaze. It was then that I finally realized what happened.
I was hit by a car, trying to save a child out of reflex, like an idiot. But I wonder if he is safe?
Just as I thought such, I caught sight of a boy crying being held back his mother while trying to reach towards me. I think he was the child I saved. Although I thought what I did was rather stupid, at least I didn't waste my life away. Holding such thoughts, I tried to cheer myself up. It was then that the boy suddenly cried and struggled even harder. Was it because of me? What sort of face was I making I wonder.
Even though I tried my best to hold on to my consciousness with my silly monologue, I realized that I wouldn't be able to hold on for much longer.
Ah, seriously, what is taking the ambulance so long? They better not be this late when the next accident happens.
Just as I inwardly snickered with those thoughts in my head, I heard the sound of the ambulance alarm blaring in the distance.
So loud, I really hate it. Just let me go in peace. You're already too late anyways.
As I continued my monologue, I could feel my eyelids becoming heavier and heavier, I guess it's time to go.
But just then, a purple silhouette of a person popped up in my sight. There is no indication whether it was male or female, only those pair of violet eyes seem to draw people in, yet no one in the surroundings seemed to even notice it standing there. Could I be imagining things right before my death? Or is it the reaper coming for my soul?
Before I could continue my ridiculous train of thoughts, I suddenly heard a voice ringing inside my head.
[Child, would you like to have a look at the world from high above?]
The hardly identifiable voice caused me to become wide eyed. Instinctively, I knew that the voice came from the purple silhouette.
I was curious, very much so. I was before death's door, so nothing else really mattered, I wanted to say yeah, sure, why not, but no voice came out from my trembling lips.
But the purple silhouette seemed to be able to read my mind and reached out his hand towards me. Although I could hardly move a muscle, I was miraculously able to raise my hand and put it on top of its palm.
In the next moment, I felt my consciousness cut off.
***
The next thing I knew, I was floating in space. Stars glittered all around, dazzling the eyes.
I was not really into space and such, but the sight before me could only be described as enrapturing.
I held no doubt that I was already dead, but before such a sight, being dead means little. Not even the pictures in the internet is enough to show the beauty I am current seeing.
It was at that moment that I noticed the purple silhouette standing nearby. Without much thought, I bowed my head and thanked it for showing me such a sight.
But the silhouette said nothing and simply stretched out its hand.
Tilting my head, I wondered what it wanted.
I had nothing to be used as a payment, then I thought about what happened right before I died and stretched out my hand above its.
In the next moment, the surrounding stars seemed to flash by, turning into lines of light before suddenly returning to normal.
Caught off guard, I could only blink my eyes and let out a small woah.
Looking at the purple silhouette, I noticed it gazing at the distance. Following its gaze, I saw a familiar planet, the same one I lived in when I lived.
In the next moment, the surroundings once again flashed by and I appeared at the sky of a city. It gave off a familiar air, but it looks so unfamiliar. Looking at a signboard, I realized that it was the city I lived in when I was alive, but a long time had passed.
...I wonder how my family are...
As if reading my mind, the surroundings once again flashed by, and I appeared in a graveyard. Looking at the tombstone before me, I realized that it was my family's grave. My mother and father had died. Just as I felt a sense of loss, I noticed someone approaching and turned to look.
There I saw my little brother approaching with a girl by his side while carrying flowers and a water bucket with a pail.
I watched as he silently cleaned the grave of my parents and I and put up fresh flowers. The pair then gave some prayers before finally departing. I could see my little brother constantly having a sad yet peaceful smile the whole time.
I'm glad. He was happy with a partner in life an my parents have someone to carry on their bloodline. Although it is a bit sad to see my parents in their graves, I knew that it was inevitable.
Although I knew that I am already dead, I still gave a prayer to my parents before returning to the purple silhouette who had silently waited the whole time.
Holding onto the hand it reached out, the surroundings once again flashed by, and this time, I saw a wide plain stretching over the horizon.
The sight took my breath away.
As the breeze blew, I caught a whiff of an unsettling scent unfitting for the current scenery.
Turning my head, there I saw a man throwing a dagger at a deer, leaving a bloody patch on its fur.
The man had a smug grin on his face as he leisurely threw dagger after dagger at the deer.
None of the dagger hit its vital parts, leaving the deer to helplessly struggle to escape.
The sight caused me to become inwardly furious, but I knew I can do nothing to the man. I am already dead, and even if I am alive, I have no ability to go against such a person.
It was at that moment that, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the purple silhouette raising one of its hand towards where the hunter is. Then, before I even had the chance to think, I heard a scream.
Turning my head, the hunter that had a smug grin on his face, as if he was the king of the world, is now screaming miserably, like a pig being slaughtered with his whole body bending weirdly, like a stick about to be snapped off.
Before I could even let out a sound, the scream was suddenly cut off and the hunter laid down on the ground. Dead without question.
I felt terrified at the sight, not because of how horribly the hunter died, but because I knew it could happen to me too. The thought sent me to a daze.
I did not fear the unnatural sight, nor the brutality of the death, only the fact that I could also fall into such harm. It made me realize how inhumane I am.
When I was alive, I never had the chance to see someone die in front of me. Even if someone died on TV, I had no feelings, thinking that it had nothing to do with me, and I felt it was all natural. It could be that the change only occured after I died, but my feelings seemed to be telling me otherwise, that I had always been like this.
As those thoughts continued to swirl in my head, I suddenly felt a tap on my shoulder. Startled, I turned to look and saw that it was the purple silhouette.
Without a word, the purple silhouette extended its hand once again, this time towards the bloodied deer. It was at that instant that I saw the deer which seemed to be at its last breath miraculously recover. The blood patches upon its brown fur faded away and the bloody wounds closed. It seemed that the deer itself was startled as it hurriedly stood up and looked around before escaping who knows where.
But it was the least of my care as I turned to look at the purple silhouette. I questioned it.
Why...
"Why are you showing all this to me?"
As it turned its head towards me, words, or maybe its intentions, seemed to enter my head.
[Do you wish to have power?]
I was shocked still at what it was telling me. But it ignored my shock and continued.
[I am able to give you such powers. Anything you want, you could have. You hold the right, to become what you call God.]
It sent me further into shock.
God? I never even thought of it. I'm no saint, I have no wish to save everyone. Having those close to me safe is enough. But based on what it told me, I could use it to do whatever I want. Good or evil, selfish or selfless. The offer itself is incredibly tempting.
But I came to a decision in a split second.
"No, I don't want such powers. Living ordinarily is enough." I said with a smile.
[Why?] It seemed to be telling me.
"Well... The view from the sky is beautiful, but I want to see the view from the earth too. I mean, if I want another chance to see the world from the sky again, you'll take me, right?" I said with a smile.
[...] The purple silhouette quietly stared into my eyes. And I too stared back.
"Don't worry, I'll keep you company until the end. I mean, you must be pretty lonely, constantly having that look in your eyes. It's the least I could do for the view you showed me." I said as I approached him, a grin on my face.
The silhouette said nothing, and I too said nothing more.
We both then continued to spend the rest of the time quietly looking at the sceneries, high and low, from the earth and from the skies.
Finally, the time arrived.
"Looks like I have to go now." I told the purple silhouette with a smile.
It quietly stared at me, a sad look in its eyes.
"Don't worry, I'll come back, and you'll pick me up again, right?"
[...]
"..."
We were both silent as I continued to fade away.
"I'm sorry..." I said, breaking the silence.
"How many times has it been? Hundreds? Thousands? Millions? Or maybe more?"
I could feel something wet streaming down my cheeks, but I couldn't be bothered to wipe them off as I turned to look at the purple silhouette.
"You should have left me, or maybe I should have accepted your offer. But I can't."
[...]
"I don't want to lose this feeling, nor do I want you to lose it."
[Laiya...]
For the first time in this life, he said my name. The name which I inherited from my numerous lives.
"I'm sorry..." I said again, reaching my hand to his face.
[It is also my choice, so please, do not blame yourself.] As he said those words, I could see the deep love and sadness in his gaze.
Without realizing it, I felt a smile creeping up my face
As my hand slowly swept through his face, the purple shadow which seemed to cover him faded away, revealing the face of a man. The man I had loved during each and every life I had lived.
"I love you, Yale, forever and ever."
[I love you too, Laiya, until the end of time.]
With those final exchange of words, Laiya faded into the air, once again entering the cycle. And Yale once again waited for her return, watching over her from above, for their accursed fate to break. So that they may one day find their eternal happiness.
Gazing From Above - FIN
Why? What happened?
With those thoughts, I tried to turn my head around, but a stinging pain came from my neck, which then came from all over my body.
It hurts so much...
But still unable to put down the question of what exactly happened, I move my gaze. It was then that I finally realized what happened.
I was hit by a car, trying to save a child out of reflex, like an idiot. But I wonder if he is safe?
Just as I thought such, I caught sight of a boy crying being held back his mother while trying to reach towards me. I think he was the child I saved. Although I thought what I did was rather stupid, at least I didn't waste my life away. Holding such thoughts, I tried to cheer myself up. It was then that the boy suddenly cried and struggled even harder. Was it because of me? What sort of face was I making I wonder.
Even though I tried my best to hold on to my consciousness with my silly monologue, I realized that I wouldn't be able to hold on for much longer.
Ah, seriously, what is taking the ambulance so long? They better not be this late when the next accident happens.
Just as I inwardly snickered with those thoughts in my head, I heard the sound of the ambulance alarm blaring in the distance.
So loud, I really hate it. Just let me go in peace. You're already too late anyways.
As I continued my monologue, I could feel my eyelids becoming heavier and heavier, I guess it's time to go.
But just then, a purple silhouette of a person popped up in my sight. There is no indication whether it was male or female, only those pair of violet eyes seem to draw people in, yet no one in the surroundings seemed to even notice it standing there. Could I be imagining things right before my death? Or is it the reaper coming for my soul?
Before I could continue my ridiculous train of thoughts, I suddenly heard a voice ringing inside my head.
[Child, would you like to have a look at the world from high above?]
The hardly identifiable voice caused me to become wide eyed. Instinctively, I knew that the voice came from the purple silhouette.
I was curious, very much so. I was before death's door, so nothing else really mattered, I wanted to say yeah, sure, why not, but no voice came out from my trembling lips.
But the purple silhouette seemed to be able to read my mind and reached out his hand towards me. Although I could hardly move a muscle, I was miraculously able to raise my hand and put it on top of its palm.
In the next moment, I felt my consciousness cut off.
***
The next thing I knew, I was floating in space. Stars glittered all around, dazzling the eyes.
I was not really into space and such, but the sight before me could only be described as enrapturing.
I held no doubt that I was already dead, but before such a sight, being dead means little. Not even the pictures in the internet is enough to show the beauty I am current seeing.
It was at that moment that I noticed the purple silhouette standing nearby. Without much thought, I bowed my head and thanked it for showing me such a sight.
But the silhouette said nothing and simply stretched out its hand.
Tilting my head, I wondered what it wanted.
I had nothing to be used as a payment, then I thought about what happened right before I died and stretched out my hand above its.
In the next moment, the surrounding stars seemed to flash by, turning into lines of light before suddenly returning to normal.
Caught off guard, I could only blink my eyes and let out a small woah.
Looking at the purple silhouette, I noticed it gazing at the distance. Following its gaze, I saw a familiar planet, the same one I lived in when I lived.
In the next moment, the surroundings once again flashed by and I appeared at the sky of a city. It gave off a familiar air, but it looks so unfamiliar. Looking at a signboard, I realized that it was the city I lived in when I was alive, but a long time had passed.
...I wonder how my family are...
As if reading my mind, the surroundings once again flashed by, and I appeared in a graveyard. Looking at the tombstone before me, I realized that it was my family's grave. My mother and father had died. Just as I felt a sense of loss, I noticed someone approaching and turned to look.
There I saw my little brother approaching with a girl by his side while carrying flowers and a water bucket with a pail.
I watched as he silently cleaned the grave of my parents and I and put up fresh flowers. The pair then gave some prayers before finally departing. I could see my little brother constantly having a sad yet peaceful smile the whole time.
I'm glad. He was happy with a partner in life an my parents have someone to carry on their bloodline. Although it is a bit sad to see my parents in their graves, I knew that it was inevitable.
Although I knew that I am already dead, I still gave a prayer to my parents before returning to the purple silhouette who had silently waited the whole time.
Holding onto the hand it reached out, the surroundings once again flashed by, and this time, I saw a wide plain stretching over the horizon.
The sight took my breath away.
As the breeze blew, I caught a whiff of an unsettling scent unfitting for the current scenery.
Turning my head, there I saw a man throwing a dagger at a deer, leaving a bloody patch on its fur.
The man had a smug grin on his face as he leisurely threw dagger after dagger at the deer.
None of the dagger hit its vital parts, leaving the deer to helplessly struggle to escape.
The sight caused me to become inwardly furious, but I knew I can do nothing to the man. I am already dead, and even if I am alive, I have no ability to go against such a person.
It was at that moment that, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the purple silhouette raising one of its hand towards where the hunter is. Then, before I even had the chance to think, I heard a scream.
Turning my head, the hunter that had a smug grin on his face, as if he was the king of the world, is now screaming miserably, like a pig being slaughtered with his whole body bending weirdly, like a stick about to be snapped off.
Before I could even let out a sound, the scream was suddenly cut off and the hunter laid down on the ground. Dead without question.
I felt terrified at the sight, not because of how horribly the hunter died, but because I knew it could happen to me too. The thought sent me to a daze.
I did not fear the unnatural sight, nor the brutality of the death, only the fact that I could also fall into such harm. It made me realize how inhumane I am.
When I was alive, I never had the chance to see someone die in front of me. Even if someone died on TV, I had no feelings, thinking that it had nothing to do with me, and I felt it was all natural. It could be that the change only occured after I died, but my feelings seemed to be telling me otherwise, that I had always been like this.
As those thoughts continued to swirl in my head, I suddenly felt a tap on my shoulder. Startled, I turned to look and saw that it was the purple silhouette.
Without a word, the purple silhouette extended its hand once again, this time towards the bloodied deer. It was at that instant that I saw the deer which seemed to be at its last breath miraculously recover. The blood patches upon its brown fur faded away and the bloody wounds closed. It seemed that the deer itself was startled as it hurriedly stood up and looked around before escaping who knows where.
But it was the least of my care as I turned to look at the purple silhouette. I questioned it.
Why...
"Why are you showing all this to me?"
As it turned its head towards me, words, or maybe its intentions, seemed to enter my head.
[Do you wish to have power?]
I was shocked still at what it was telling me. But it ignored my shock and continued.
[I am able to give you such powers. Anything you want, you could have. You hold the right, to become what you call God.]
It sent me further into shock.
God? I never even thought of it. I'm no saint, I have no wish to save everyone. Having those close to me safe is enough. But based on what it told me, I could use it to do whatever I want. Good or evil, selfish or selfless. The offer itself is incredibly tempting.
But I came to a decision in a split second.
"No, I don't want such powers. Living ordinarily is enough." I said with a smile.
[Why?] It seemed to be telling me.
"Well... The view from the sky is beautiful, but I want to see the view from the earth too. I mean, if I want another chance to see the world from the sky again, you'll take me, right?" I said with a smile.
[...] The purple silhouette quietly stared into my eyes. And I too stared back.
"Don't worry, I'll keep you company until the end. I mean, you must be pretty lonely, constantly having that look in your eyes. It's the least I could do for the view you showed me." I said as I approached him, a grin on my face.
The silhouette said nothing, and I too said nothing more.
We both then continued to spend the rest of the time quietly looking at the sceneries, high and low, from the earth and from the skies.
Finally, the time arrived.
"Looks like I have to go now." I told the purple silhouette with a smile.
It quietly stared at me, a sad look in its eyes.
"Don't worry, I'll come back, and you'll pick me up again, right?"
[...]
"..."
We were both silent as I continued to fade away.
"I'm sorry..." I said, breaking the silence.
"How many times has it been? Hundreds? Thousands? Millions? Or maybe more?"
I could feel something wet streaming down my cheeks, but I couldn't be bothered to wipe them off as I turned to look at the purple silhouette.
"You should have left me, or maybe I should have accepted your offer. But I can't."
[...]
"I don't want to lose this feeling, nor do I want you to lose it."
[Laiya...]
For the first time in this life, he said my name. The name which I inherited from my numerous lives.
"I'm sorry..." I said again, reaching my hand to his face.
[It is also my choice, so please, do not blame yourself.] As he said those words, I could see the deep love and sadness in his gaze.
Without realizing it, I felt a smile creeping up my face
As my hand slowly swept through his face, the purple shadow which seemed to cover him faded away, revealing the face of a man. The man I had loved during each and every life I had lived.
"I love you, Yale, forever and ever."
[I love you too, Laiya, until the end of time.]
With those final exchange of words, Laiya faded into the air, once again entering the cycle. And Yale once again waited for her return, watching over her from above, for their accursed fate to break. So that they may one day find their eternal happiness.
Gazing From Above - FIN
VannVann
New member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2019
- Messages
- 25
- Points
- 3
@Alverost So... I fallowed the lurk moar rule and managed to figure out what to do. It's kinda weird how the prompt looks very similar to one of the characters which I thought up before. I have no idea what the origin of the image is, but this is what I imagined while looking at it. It became something with a lot of meanings in the end. I hope the readers like it.
Here is the music I listened to while typing.
So here we go. This is a short story titled Seiru.
My limit is one story per day so no Gravekeeper today. I don't feel right.
Seiru is 2654 words long. Which is 15495 characters long
Here is the music I listened to while typing.
An empty void. Look again. It's dotted with countless, distant lights. The farther you leave the gravity of your home, the more you realise how small and insignificant your world truly is. A tiny rock ball, dyed in numerous shades of colours. Half in the light, other in the shadow. Half colourful, the rest shining like the unfamiliar black expanses. Reaching unimaginable speeds, the lights flash by in a blur. Faster, we need to go even faster. Hurry, please. We are running out of time. Behind the artifical comet, so lonley and sad, the little home slowly started to be infested with ugly, red scars. Why are you leaving? Won't you stay with me? I'm scared. No, don't turn back! Run! Please go. The little thing, floating in an unknown place in space, started to quietly shake. The wounds which caused unease continued expanding. And at last, with a blinding flash of light, the round and helpless thing violently exploded. The blazing red blast expanded in all possible directions, swallowing the escaping comet. There wasn't a sound to be heard. Only silence. Nothing but fleeting light, which had gone away to travel far, is left to tell the tale.
Outside of what the miracles of probability could see, perhaps comprehended to an extent but too vague, an eternal observers eyes gazed at the tragic scene. Hot rocks and a crumbling molten core. It will soon become one of the numerous asteroids. Wander for seemingly an eternity, collide with others and form a new body. Become trapped in one of the countless lights grasp and, with any luck, pass on what the deceased treasured the most. All of this, all joy and happines, sadness and sorrow, all to be repeated once more. The incomprehensible entity moved its gaze away, drifting away through the vast nothingness. Colourful clouds sparkling the little ones imagination and ambitions, stars burning away their life force silently. Or perhaps not? Are you actually giving it to them, to the fragile ones? You mad awe inspiring giant. Your compassion knows no end, does it? Ah, but that is laughable to me. When your time comes you will take them away with you. You don't want to? Such delusions. Your life will end in glory, just as you have lived. Like that adorable rock, you too will go out in flames. You will restrain yourself? How amusing. The final breath of yours, no matter how restrained, will still incinerate the little miracles. The anomaly took form of one of many impossible existences, gently wrapping its newly gained ten fingers around the radiant caretaker. Simple eyes could not notice any changes. I have seen it all before. Again, again and again. It all goes round and round without end. You are but a mere passing flash of brilliance. You will either be abandoned or disappear together. So cheer up and do your duty. That is all you can do.
The darkness left the isolated group to their own devices. Boring. Recently it has become like this. It as all the same, eventful and noisy. The nebulas stayed in place, decorating their own little part of the universe. Ah, it seems no longer. Yet another flash of energy blew it all away. It doesn't matter. Those who look at them from afar will be able to witness their glory for a long time. Sometimes it's nice; being unable to see everything in the moment it happened. The mass of black stood in place, lazily looking around. This piece of nothingness was crowded with dense glows. Purple dust swayed left and right as it drifted without gravity, only weak attraction keeping the particles into one group. It has been far too long since I had last played a game. Should I do it once more? The ancient one pondered without much emotion. It is childish. And yet, perhaps because of a sudden loss for future actions, in the end decided affirmatively. Shape resembling the long lost humans, purple eyes similar to the nearby dust cloud, body covered in decoration which mimcked the appearance of the abyss as viewed from the planet surface. As I have thought, it is meaningless. Not even a moment of entertainment. How come it used to make me laugh? It's stupid. Frustration and anger. The shape furiously scolded itself for acting immature. Yet, it wasn't motivated enough to undo its action. Frustrated, the observer moved on.
So pretty. The dense dust clusters are gorgeous. Little particles, floating without worry. The unknown held them in its palm, head drawn close to them. Observing. Body patterned with distant beauty. Glows and lonely clouds moving according to the existences position. As if it had mearly camouflaged with the silent expanses. Eyes unable to be seen, stories accurate yet so far. It watches mutely. Lightest of elements in their purest forms. All that is tangible starts from you. But where do you hail from? I've been here for so long and yet I don't know. Thou, why am I even bothering to think about it? It is a question without an answer. Curiosity will only cause headaches and disappointment. The old one bitterly started moving away from the dust of colliding particles. Wait. Colliding? The worn out soul widened its eyes in shock as it turned its gaze back at the unassuming cloud.
At the very centre of the gathering, as if suddenly pulled into quicksand, countless elements gathered together. The mass at the core grew, large amounts of energy being released in the process. Atomic fusion. Acquiring enough mass to posses strong attraction and gravity. A birth of a young star. The wanderer gazed at this scene intensely, not daring to miss a moment. So pretty. Explosions without noise. After thousands of such unimportant accurances, the youth has finally been born. How unusual. It wasn't alone. Around the mid sized - soon to be Sun - orbited a small star. Their gravitational pulls were as such that they shan't collide together unless an unforseen event occurs. You have a sibling? How nice. It's pleasant; not being alone. Look. You can spend so much time together. Others had to suffer misfortunes, but you two have incredible luck. Could it be? Are you two another miracle of probabilities? We will have to wait and see. There are many more event to come. Ah, it has been so long, so long since I have seen a birth of a star. It used to happen all the time when I was young. The shapeless in a shape of a human recalled its old memories. Curiosity, which has been dead for so long, once again rekindled. For reasons unknown even to itself, the existance chose to remain in this remote place.
Speed of accurances has always been impossibly slow. Do not assume that nature is in a hurry. True thunderous movements could only be found in places where the short lived gathered. The vagrant leaned its ear close to the two sibling stars, listening to their soothing singing. It has been far too long since it laid like this in peace. Why did it so hekticly wander around? It was searching for something. What was it? It didn't know. All that mattered was the fact that, at this moment, it felt calm. In the span which took it to awaken from its trance, the long awaited asteroids finally came. The desired planets, existances which the sibling will look after, have formed long ago. What the three were waiting for was the arrival of water. Only that simple, yet incredibly mysterious, compound could allow the molten planets to experience change. It didn't even have to be water. Life, one of the most unlikely things to happen among countless others, could form under hundreds of different influences. The shape was mearly reminded of the long gone Earth. A tenacious little thing. Meteors rained down onto the trembling bodies. Some asteroids were caught by the planets, others directly broke off a piece of the round children. Such a dense rain of rocks. Another unexpected event. How many more will fallow? The incomprehensible existance tilted its head in wonder, its eyes not failing to catch the sight of hidden treasures landing. It simply wasn't possible for it not to see. The entity gazed away from the scene of carnage, trying to hear any nearby noises. Aside from the singing of the celestial bodies, there were no other sounds. No sentient life in proximity. The shape hit its head in embarrassment. It posses the ability to see and hear everything. Why did even try to do things the hard way? Coming to terms with its childish stupidity, it once again searched around, this time using its all seeing eyes. The black void was a lot more silent than usual. Many stars have died, planets selfdestructed. It seems that the runaways have gathered in a specific spot. A safe haven? Doesn't matter. There are only fixed ends to those who escape annihilations grasp. It was far more interesting observing something which hasn't been seen in a long time. The stationary wanderer returned its gaze to its rightful place, but, before doing so, its attention was first caught by a certain anomaly. Strange. The lights seem a lot farther away than usual. No, it really is far away. No matter. The expansion naturally continued without stopping. Things and places, reaching a distance at which their radiance could no longer be seen, was normal.
Many have lamented at being alone, without any signs of having neighbours. The existance had always thought that it was preferable to be the only intelligent life form in a certain radious. Remembering all of the events of the past, this was the conclusion which it reached. Only one, small round thing, was able to birth a sentient species. No, there were others. They failed to keep them. Such fragile things indeed. A blue - purple planet slowly orbited around the dual suns. A moon covered in metal mountains. Slender plants grew atop the planetary crust. The dominating race had yet to start creating large settlements. They could live on land as well as in water, not having trouble breathing in either of these habitats. By being burried under a special compound their bodies would transform into a mass of energy allowing them to fly freely. Such an unique biology must have come from the treasures which landed many years ago. The existance connected the strange mineral with one of the fallen civilizations. It was good that someone inherited their legacy. The observer felt joy in place of people long gone. Its face was almost glued to the planet, watching attentively from above, unaware that its actions progressively became childish as days passed. The civilization soon formed itself. A slow start, religion abound, strife. And finally, after the initial slow growth passed, a sudden explosion in progress. With the blessings of three treasures and a legacy of another world, the little people soon grew into an advanced group. Type one civilization? So soon? Before the shape became aware, the little inheritors had gained the control of each and every power source on their home planet. They had even went so far as to reach the nearby planets and mine them for resources. What the shape shifting lot hadn't noticed, however, was that they have succesfuly developed technology which will easily be able to protect them from the common dangers. Their existance was simply that peaceful. Do not let your guard down. The moment you become a pacifist is the moment you lose the game of life. The audience warned and cheered on the fragile things.
When someone, something, is old enough to witness the endless circle, it becomes easy to predict certain events. However, perhaps due to full hearted investment, the observer felt nervous at what could be considered inevitable. The dark had long ago lost most of its brilliance. Only an occasional, shimmering light could be seen. The once shining body had almost returned to its old state. From afar they came. An unavoidable accurance when those who run away continue to flee. The ones who abandoned their dying family, the ones who killed their parents. A seemingly endless fleet of space ships surrounded the star system. Warships and transportation constructs. Refugees and soldiers. A transmission, greeting and a request. Silence. Those who own all of the planets have, like others before them, observed the sky. Their records held some of the past events which transpired. The stars have burned out. The refugees require a new place to live. Making place for them would mean forfeiting resources. Strife is sure to fallow. And, most importantly, accepting the travellers would inevitably decrease chances of their own survival. Thus, the answer was clear. Instead of accepting the drifters and giving everyone equal, but small, chances it was a much better option to simply give everything to only one. And which species would it be? The small shape shifters didn't even bother to answer the greeting before they launched a full on attack. The nomads may have travelled far and wide, but they were no match for the technology made by the subconsciously paranoid people. Using their home advantage, the natives separated their visitors. The first to fall were the ships carrying the civilians. It was a one sided genocide. No noise was to be heard in space. The watcher happily gave an applause to the victorious. Unfortunately, it wasn't a flawless victory. The shape looked at the sibling stars with grief. The opposing side possessed the means to disrupt the delicate balance of orbiting bodies. Cry as much as you want, but spend the remaining time together fulfillingly. Blame the invaders for daring to pass off as your protege.
The void had truly become empty. No light in sight. The little sun had long ago collided with the bigger one. The ones under their watch were able to survive such an event. Now, even the older sibling had long passed its prime. Half of its mass remain, a corpse of a star, nothing but a white dwarf. Life, which has been born in this specific place, remained here. Their home world has been lost when the star died with a magnificent nebula. They now live in a space station constructed around what remained of their life giver. It's so dark. The only light remaining comes from the white dwarf. The eternal observer imbraced the construct together with the last light, remaining silent. Its body had become compleatly black. Little ones, you must be scared. I'm sorry. I cannot reproduce the light you all know only from the video recordings. I'll stay with you until the very end. Billions of billion years in eternal darkness. The last light in the universe gradually flickered away. A black dwarf. The coldest place to be found. With the warmth gone, the last living things died quietly. There are no sounds to be heard. Heat death. The invisible shape slowly closed its purple eyes. The last place of non - derkness was swallowed by true waves of demise. There was no difference.
Cold, dark, a sudden spark. A sudden change in the compleatly even temperature began. With a single spark, the entire universe ignited. Dust clouds, constant birth of new clouds. Explosions without sound. Curious eyes watched as this chaos unfolded. What is this? Interesting! The little shapeless speedily drifted between the chaos. Noticing that its body was entirely black, it tried to mimick the colourful scenery before it. And truly, the cloud which was its body became the same as the surroundings. The newborn merrily played with its new camouflage, running around the chaotic scene without worry. I'll call that dust, that thing over there a rock. It started to attach names to certain objects which it passed by. Who am I? I don't know. I'll name myself Seiru. Yes! That's my name. The little thing decided as thus. At some point a star has been born. It's so pretty.
Outside of what the miracles of probability could see, perhaps comprehended to an extent but too vague, an eternal observers eyes gazed at the tragic scene. Hot rocks and a crumbling molten core. It will soon become one of the numerous asteroids. Wander for seemingly an eternity, collide with others and form a new body. Become trapped in one of the countless lights grasp and, with any luck, pass on what the deceased treasured the most. All of this, all joy and happines, sadness and sorrow, all to be repeated once more. The incomprehensible entity moved its gaze away, drifting away through the vast nothingness. Colourful clouds sparkling the little ones imagination and ambitions, stars burning away their life force silently. Or perhaps not? Are you actually giving it to them, to the fragile ones? You mad awe inspiring giant. Your compassion knows no end, does it? Ah, but that is laughable to me. When your time comes you will take them away with you. You don't want to? Such delusions. Your life will end in glory, just as you have lived. Like that adorable rock, you too will go out in flames. You will restrain yourself? How amusing. The final breath of yours, no matter how restrained, will still incinerate the little miracles. The anomaly took form of one of many impossible existences, gently wrapping its newly gained ten fingers around the radiant caretaker. Simple eyes could not notice any changes. I have seen it all before. Again, again and again. It all goes round and round without end. You are but a mere passing flash of brilliance. You will either be abandoned or disappear together. So cheer up and do your duty. That is all you can do.
The darkness left the isolated group to their own devices. Boring. Recently it has become like this. It as all the same, eventful and noisy. The nebulas stayed in place, decorating their own little part of the universe. Ah, it seems no longer. Yet another flash of energy blew it all away. It doesn't matter. Those who look at them from afar will be able to witness their glory for a long time. Sometimes it's nice; being unable to see everything in the moment it happened. The mass of black stood in place, lazily looking around. This piece of nothingness was crowded with dense glows. Purple dust swayed left and right as it drifted without gravity, only weak attraction keeping the particles into one group. It has been far too long since I had last played a game. Should I do it once more? The ancient one pondered without much emotion. It is childish. And yet, perhaps because of a sudden loss for future actions, in the end decided affirmatively. Shape resembling the long lost humans, purple eyes similar to the nearby dust cloud, body covered in decoration which mimcked the appearance of the abyss as viewed from the planet surface. As I have thought, it is meaningless. Not even a moment of entertainment. How come it used to make me laugh? It's stupid. Frustration and anger. The shape furiously scolded itself for acting immature. Yet, it wasn't motivated enough to undo its action. Frustrated, the observer moved on.
So pretty. The dense dust clusters are gorgeous. Little particles, floating without worry. The unknown held them in its palm, head drawn close to them. Observing. Body patterned with distant beauty. Glows and lonely clouds moving according to the existences position. As if it had mearly camouflaged with the silent expanses. Eyes unable to be seen, stories accurate yet so far. It watches mutely. Lightest of elements in their purest forms. All that is tangible starts from you. But where do you hail from? I've been here for so long and yet I don't know. Thou, why am I even bothering to think about it? It is a question without an answer. Curiosity will only cause headaches and disappointment. The old one bitterly started moving away from the dust of colliding particles. Wait. Colliding? The worn out soul widened its eyes in shock as it turned its gaze back at the unassuming cloud.
At the very centre of the gathering, as if suddenly pulled into quicksand, countless elements gathered together. The mass at the core grew, large amounts of energy being released in the process. Atomic fusion. Acquiring enough mass to posses strong attraction and gravity. A birth of a young star. The wanderer gazed at this scene intensely, not daring to miss a moment. So pretty. Explosions without noise. After thousands of such unimportant accurances, the youth has finally been born. How unusual. It wasn't alone. Around the mid sized - soon to be Sun - orbited a small star. Their gravitational pulls were as such that they shan't collide together unless an unforseen event occurs. You have a sibling? How nice. It's pleasant; not being alone. Look. You can spend so much time together. Others had to suffer misfortunes, but you two have incredible luck. Could it be? Are you two another miracle of probabilities? We will have to wait and see. There are many more event to come. Ah, it has been so long, so long since I have seen a birth of a star. It used to happen all the time when I was young. The shapeless in a shape of a human recalled its old memories. Curiosity, which has been dead for so long, once again rekindled. For reasons unknown even to itself, the existance chose to remain in this remote place.
Speed of accurances has always been impossibly slow. Do not assume that nature is in a hurry. True thunderous movements could only be found in places where the short lived gathered. The vagrant leaned its ear close to the two sibling stars, listening to their soothing singing. It has been far too long since it laid like this in peace. Why did it so hekticly wander around? It was searching for something. What was it? It didn't know. All that mattered was the fact that, at this moment, it felt calm. In the span which took it to awaken from its trance, the long awaited asteroids finally came. The desired planets, existances which the sibling will look after, have formed long ago. What the three were waiting for was the arrival of water. Only that simple, yet incredibly mysterious, compound could allow the molten planets to experience change. It didn't even have to be water. Life, one of the most unlikely things to happen among countless others, could form under hundreds of different influences. The shape was mearly reminded of the long gone Earth. A tenacious little thing. Meteors rained down onto the trembling bodies. Some asteroids were caught by the planets, others directly broke off a piece of the round children. Such a dense rain of rocks. Another unexpected event. How many more will fallow? The incomprehensible existance tilted its head in wonder, its eyes not failing to catch the sight of hidden treasures landing. It simply wasn't possible for it not to see. The entity gazed away from the scene of carnage, trying to hear any nearby noises. Aside from the singing of the celestial bodies, there were no other sounds. No sentient life in proximity. The shape hit its head in embarrassment. It posses the ability to see and hear everything. Why did even try to do things the hard way? Coming to terms with its childish stupidity, it once again searched around, this time using its all seeing eyes. The black void was a lot more silent than usual. Many stars have died, planets selfdestructed. It seems that the runaways have gathered in a specific spot. A safe haven? Doesn't matter. There are only fixed ends to those who escape annihilations grasp. It was far more interesting observing something which hasn't been seen in a long time. The stationary wanderer returned its gaze to its rightful place, but, before doing so, its attention was first caught by a certain anomaly. Strange. The lights seem a lot farther away than usual. No, it really is far away. No matter. The expansion naturally continued without stopping. Things and places, reaching a distance at which their radiance could no longer be seen, was normal.
Many have lamented at being alone, without any signs of having neighbours. The existance had always thought that it was preferable to be the only intelligent life form in a certain radious. Remembering all of the events of the past, this was the conclusion which it reached. Only one, small round thing, was able to birth a sentient species. No, there were others. They failed to keep them. Such fragile things indeed. A blue - purple planet slowly orbited around the dual suns. A moon covered in metal mountains. Slender plants grew atop the planetary crust. The dominating race had yet to start creating large settlements. They could live on land as well as in water, not having trouble breathing in either of these habitats. By being burried under a special compound their bodies would transform into a mass of energy allowing them to fly freely. Such an unique biology must have come from the treasures which landed many years ago. The existance connected the strange mineral with one of the fallen civilizations. It was good that someone inherited their legacy. The observer felt joy in place of people long gone. Its face was almost glued to the planet, watching attentively from above, unaware that its actions progressively became childish as days passed. The civilization soon formed itself. A slow start, religion abound, strife. And finally, after the initial slow growth passed, a sudden explosion in progress. With the blessings of three treasures and a legacy of another world, the little people soon grew into an advanced group. Type one civilization? So soon? Before the shape became aware, the little inheritors had gained the control of each and every power source on their home planet. They had even went so far as to reach the nearby planets and mine them for resources. What the shape shifting lot hadn't noticed, however, was that they have succesfuly developed technology which will easily be able to protect them from the common dangers. Their existance was simply that peaceful. Do not let your guard down. The moment you become a pacifist is the moment you lose the game of life. The audience warned and cheered on the fragile things.
When someone, something, is old enough to witness the endless circle, it becomes easy to predict certain events. However, perhaps due to full hearted investment, the observer felt nervous at what could be considered inevitable. The dark had long ago lost most of its brilliance. Only an occasional, shimmering light could be seen. The once shining body had almost returned to its old state. From afar they came. An unavoidable accurance when those who run away continue to flee. The ones who abandoned their dying family, the ones who killed their parents. A seemingly endless fleet of space ships surrounded the star system. Warships and transportation constructs. Refugees and soldiers. A transmission, greeting and a request. Silence. Those who own all of the planets have, like others before them, observed the sky. Their records held some of the past events which transpired. The stars have burned out. The refugees require a new place to live. Making place for them would mean forfeiting resources. Strife is sure to fallow. And, most importantly, accepting the travellers would inevitably decrease chances of their own survival. Thus, the answer was clear. Instead of accepting the drifters and giving everyone equal, but small, chances it was a much better option to simply give everything to only one. And which species would it be? The small shape shifters didn't even bother to answer the greeting before they launched a full on attack. The nomads may have travelled far and wide, but they were no match for the technology made by the subconsciously paranoid people. Using their home advantage, the natives separated their visitors. The first to fall were the ships carrying the civilians. It was a one sided genocide. No noise was to be heard in space. The watcher happily gave an applause to the victorious. Unfortunately, it wasn't a flawless victory. The shape looked at the sibling stars with grief. The opposing side possessed the means to disrupt the delicate balance of orbiting bodies. Cry as much as you want, but spend the remaining time together fulfillingly. Blame the invaders for daring to pass off as your protege.
The void had truly become empty. No light in sight. The little sun had long ago collided with the bigger one. The ones under their watch were able to survive such an event. Now, even the older sibling had long passed its prime. Half of its mass remain, a corpse of a star, nothing but a white dwarf. Life, which has been born in this specific place, remained here. Their home world has been lost when the star died with a magnificent nebula. They now live in a space station constructed around what remained of their life giver. It's so dark. The only light remaining comes from the white dwarf. The eternal observer imbraced the construct together with the last light, remaining silent. Its body had become compleatly black. Little ones, you must be scared. I'm sorry. I cannot reproduce the light you all know only from the video recordings. I'll stay with you until the very end. Billions of billion years in eternal darkness. The last light in the universe gradually flickered away. A black dwarf. The coldest place to be found. With the warmth gone, the last living things died quietly. There are no sounds to be heard. Heat death. The invisible shape slowly closed its purple eyes. The last place of non - derkness was swallowed by true waves of demise. There was no difference.
Cold, dark, a sudden spark. A sudden change in the compleatly even temperature began. With a single spark, the entire universe ignited. Dust clouds, constant birth of new clouds. Explosions without sound. Curious eyes watched as this chaos unfolded. What is this? Interesting! The little shapeless speedily drifted between the chaos. Noticing that its body was entirely black, it tried to mimick the colourful scenery before it. And truly, the cloud which was its body became the same as the surroundings. The newborn merrily played with its new camouflage, running around the chaotic scene without worry. I'll call that dust, that thing over there a rock. It started to attach names to certain objects which it passed by. Who am I? I don't know. I'll name myself Seiru. Yes! That's my name. The little thing decided as thus. At some point a star has been born. It's so pretty.
Seiru is 2654 words long. Which is 15495 characters long
Last edited:
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So just a head up, for anyone that hasn't submitted yet you guys still have 5 days left till Jan 22nd - the deadline.
After Jan 22nd, this thread will be closed and a new one will be created for voting/feedback (complaints).
After Jan 22nd, this thread will be closed and a new one will be created for voting/feedback (complaints).
Ophious
〖Failed to be active〗〖Digging out of my grave〗
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Are you yourself gonna participate in this competition?
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No, it would be unfair since I picked the prompt and all.
Ophious
〖Failed to be active〗〖Digging out of my grave〗
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- Points
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Should probably ask in the other thread but too lazy to and it'll be short but
Will you be picking the prompt everytime or will you do something like what we did in NUF where you'll pick a series of different prompt all under a single theme and have the people vote for it?
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Probably will have to wait till the feedback/complaint thread come up for that one and head what people say.
Gaap
『Lazy Bum』『Scrubber』
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There was nothing.
Nothing here.
Nothing there.
Just stars piercing through the sky or to be exact what seemed to be the sky, what is exactly the sky ? What we see above us ? Then, what if you could see this ‘sky’ below, above and beside you ? What if you could not even feel your own feet, legs, waist, belly, chest, arms, throat, eyes, ears, voice, breath, heart, blood… what if you had no sensations at all ? Yet you can see what is around a void you represent.
Radiant colors you would usually never care about in your busy daily life, when you did not even stop for a simple but magnificent sunset. What if you had the time ? The time to observe. To watch closely at the world around you, wandering aimlessly in this unknown place you have been living in since your birth.
Discover what you could not.
“Who cares ?! I just want to know where am I and why I am here !”
The soul talked this way since it did not realize its current situation. It could not believe it was nothing currently. Despite everything, it had… an unique thinking. It did not seem to care about the fact it was not feeling anything, that it was nothing more than sounds in the void.
“Of course I know ! It is a dream ! Hell, how c-”
Understandable. It was not believing this place to be real. Still, it was quite calm despite everything, relatively calm that is. Feeling nothing yet so… expressive and undisturbed. Interesting. Why is it so ? They were feeling nothing .
“How are you feeling ? Do you feel your arms ? Your legs ? Your breath ? Do you see anything ?”
They needed to ask why it was not panicked. Did it live anything similar ? If yes, what is it. It was nothing more than to spend time. Because in the end, it was unimportant, it was just different. The soul was nothing more than a distraction from this idle and repetitive quotidian.
“Oh…”
Its natural defiance was immediately dissipated once it perceived their voice in a manner or another. The sound it felt seemed to have affected it greatly, it could not help but submit itself and reply to the asked questions while, if it was in a body, clenching non-existent teeth. It was when it realized its situation. Was not it too much for a dream ? No, it might still be a dream, it needed more informations about the current situation.
“I see… the sky. Yes, the sky. It is red, orange, yellow, the colors of fire. It looks like the sky is burning… an unnatural fire, cold, unexpectedly cold. Could you explain to me where I am ? What is it ? What…”
It became quiet once it saw their figure. Contrary to the skies, it was black, darker than black, a void, a humanoid figure, a somber shape that is nothing more than pure obscure emptiness, relatively to its view. It was huge, terrifyingly gigantic. It remembered the photos of its own world, of the blueish planet, the reddish land, the grey mountains, and it thought that all of this were smaller, tiny compared to the present silhouette.
“...are you ?!”
Its natural defiance came back, as expected. This soul’s nature was unexpectedly resilient, unwilling to rest, willing to deplete itself until nothing is left. A persevering spirit that can not be put to rest, one that must run until they reach the end of the night, an ideal. A passionate spirit lacking the animalistic idleness, free from the natural law, a mind that does not respect and obey to its own essence, a liberated electron.
They wished to see more of what this artificial freedom could bring to this soul. What this soul is made of. Curiosity is often the vector of emotions, they thought. Otherwise, they would ignore this soul’s peculiar… hardware.
“I am what you would call… a higher being. Idle and indifferent toward your world. Attracted by so little things. I am just a passionless watchmaker, retired. Your current state can be what you call death, something that unnaturally scare all of you despite your instincts. How does it feel ?”
What did they mean ? Was it dead ? Instincts ? What instincts ? How come being scared of death unnatural ? Weren’t instinct something that would try to protect yourself ? It did not understand anything of what is going on. It never had such an odd dream, but was it one ? Perhaps, it was really dead, it was overthinking and trying to deny their situation. What should it does ?
Continue the discussion.
What else ? Do you have any others choices ? Run ? How ? Why ? Where ?
“I… see. It feels…”
Right, how did it feel ? To have no sensations at all ? To be in this bottomless void with no landmarks ? With a higher being or what they seem to be at the very least. Unreal ? As if it took unlawful and nasty substances ?
Suddenly, the soul felt as if it was going to puke, however, how ? They had no body or anything. It simply felt suffocated by the lack of familiarity, of the absolute silence, of… the dominating freedom. Yes, freedom. It had no responsibilities. Nobody to take care of. It could rest, simply rest but it did not want to.
“...nauseous… how can I believe such inepties after all ? Right, prove to me that I am dead. Prove to me that I am not alive ! Prove to me that it’s not a dream !”
It became emotional again, the calm before the storm as they say in its original world. When it was still alive. Tiresome, they did not want to explain everything to the soul, it is too much of a bother to do this. The easiest way to settle this situation was to wait.
They had all the time in the world after all.
“Time.”
He will not explain anything since he does not wish to do. The soul seemed to have tilted at their words, time ? Does it means it has wait ? That is a shame. They could not wait. This being in front of them may be mighty, special and oppressive, but does that mean it have to submit to such a thing ? Did it ever submitted during its life ? Of course not.
“You ! You owe me a reply ! Who do you think that you are ? You think I will wait for you to reply ? No no no, I will make you spill the beans ! Why ? Look at yourself, being such authoritarian, do you think you are a great being or anything ? Just because you are planet-sized or some worthless stuff like this ? And you might ask why you owe me a reply as well ? Because it seems that you know everything about me, that you know why I am here, perhaps you kidnapped me, you brought me here, some people would probably wait, but I won’t ! Understand ?”
Confusing. Its words were all over, it did not make sense at least to them, to the being. While it was ranting on some affairs they did not understand, on the right side of their head, a sort of purple eye began to open, it seemed that slowly, the dark humanoid shape seemed to be more detailed, the figure was less vague. It had finer details. The soul stopped ranting when it saw this, gradually, it became curious, what was that being ? Right, it did not stop complaining about its situation, but did it ever ask or wonder in what kind of situation they were ? No, because it was selfish, like any being, true, they did seem to know more than it. But it might be because they have been here since a longer time. Who knows ? They might need to ask.
“Who are you ? What are you doing here ? How long have you been here ? And don’t tell -Time- again, okay ?”
It changed discourse once again, the soul inquired, again and again and again, but the shape stayed silent and cold. Irritating the spirit, it took back its original attitude, shouting, screaming, yelling at the motionless being. Why, it did not make sense. The situation did not make sense. The being did not make sense. Nothing made sense ! Why ? Why ?!
Its thoughts were in such a mess that everybody could notice, if there was someone at the very least, a bomb, a volcano, it was on the verge of exploding.
Then it died, no, it did not died, the soul became quiet.
How much time passed ? It did not know. How could it know ? Was there anything human ? Where were they ? Were they in the space ? Were they in a dream ? Was it hallucinating since the very start ? How to get out then ? Why won’t they wake up ? How much time does it need to wait ? Or… was it dead ? Did it die ? Are they in the afterlife ? Is it the purgatory ? No, what could it be ? If there was a trial, what could it test ? Patience ? No, right, it needed to remember and began to mutter to itself.
“...it does not exist. It does not exist. Virtues, vices and sins are simple concepts… calm down, yeah, calm down, a calm mind… getting panicked will… alright, a last question. You won’t reply, but, I will still ask. What is the man ?”
A second purple eye opened on the being’s face, and it stared at the soul. For the first time, since seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, decades, centuries… how much time already ? Right, time does not exist.
“Nothing much than another living being. Just a bit more of consciousness.”
Curiosity sparkled within it. It wished to talk. Yes, to talk. To have discussion, to understand the person in front of it.
“What do you mean by consciousness ? For example, am I conscious now ?”
This question was peculiar but legitimate.
“Half. You still see and hear. You do not feel, smell or taste however. Right now, you have half conscious, because in the end, you can't not be conscious. Except that is, you have another interpretation of it. Consciousness, derived from your unconsciousness, is often what we call a synthesis of physical sensations. And if you think you are dreaming, then you are still somehow conscious but mostly unconscious. As in your dream, you still see, you still hear, you still… your consciousness is still active, however, it’s like a notification in your phone I suppose, it’s there yet not really. You just know it’s there until you click on it, which would be in the case of consciousness, until you wake up.”
That was shabby. Unexpectedly, their knowledge was only hypothetical and human-like, nothing really divine as the soul thought. It was just… normal, nothing much to talk about. It just did not fit with this figure.
This planet-sized shape, seemingly absorbing everything around it like a wormhole, the light, the stars, the colors, nothing was spared except the soul and the being itself. There were only the two of them. Nothing much.
“Mmmm… your reasoning is just… so basic, I did not expect that. I thought you would reveal me something much more… fascinating, I mean ! Look at what you are ! You look so almighty and yet… you give me a highschooler reply. How… disappointing.”
The being looked down on the soul and sighed. Indeed, it was not wrong, it just did not find any interest in it and skimmed the content. This pseudo-knowledge was just there for introducing the conversation and to relax the person hearing it. Since it was hollow and pathetic words.
“Indeed, mind telling me what your life was like ?”
The spirit stared at it, surprised by the sudden question of the being. Did it ask anything since it saw it ? Did they ? It did not remember, but if they could talk, they would be freed from that weight that was pressuring it on its shoulders.
“Why… don’t you talk about yours-”
“Would you like to cease this discussion ? And don’t spare any details, it might be the last time you get to talk with someone.”
Considering that it wondered if it was dead, it easily imagined a scenario of what would happen if it does not say everything and shake at their question. Quitting the world like this ? With no words. It could not bear this idea. It needed to expose itself, its ideas about the world.
“That…! You… Okay... so you can say I was against the society, for sure, I was not isolated at all. I was the kind to take the weapons. To overthrow this rotten system… well, I had a lot of reflexion before beginning. Fight for a fantasy and perhaps provoke a dystopia or let some Eastern Country take over the world with their projects, their money, their ideologies, their restrictions… everything everyone is supposed to despite, being forbidden to talk, to express your opinion, everything you do is… ewww… from the slightest day to the mere surface of things.”
It was far from finished, it seemed to take a break. Looking up, toward nothing, it just seemed to reminisce about its past, its life, its ideals, its motive, its will.
“So I said what everyone feared, and broadcasted it a bit everywhere… well, I was chased ! Fortunately, I already had nobody to rely on, otherwise, they would have turned their backs toward me I suppose… aaaah, the world is so screwed up.”
A sarcastic tone along with dark humor, that is what this soul is made of. Or perhaps it is what left of it. It did have this will earlier, this stubbornness, this defiance, however, not anymore, once it talked about its past. Everything faded, as fickle as its existence.
“Oh well, I knew it from the beginning, if everything my predecessors from decades ago didn’t fail, or at least not completely, we may had a chance to… aaah, I suppose it is too late now. Well, I can say I really fought till death separates us.”
If it still had a body, it would rise its hand towards the sky, tighten its fist until blood flows out, and runs along the veins of its body. Its voice became louder, as if life suddenly came back to it.
“But if it was to redo, I will do it again… again and again and again… because paradise should be on earth, we should make our land paradise ! A paradise for our good ol’ earth ! Why should we stay unhappy… why should we stay exploited… why should we let the pest take out homes ! Why… And I died without accomplishing anything ! Why… I could never take the front stage… ”
It confessed and told vaguely the course of its life so easily. Just a bit of pressure and it was enough. From where does its defiance come from ? They thought it came from its passion, however, it might be something else.
“How were your parents ?”
What about its education ?
“Ha…? Well why don’t yo… nevermind, you will probably say you will cease this conversation if I ask you something, isn’t it ? And like everyone, you will exploit this weakness of mine to continue the talk, to know more about me… Aren’t you as disgusting and repulsing as the others ? Your appearance would be the pretension of you thinking you are higher, mightier, better, and others praises you give to yourself. This oversized ego of yours make me want to puke.”
It sounded to be irritated. Rage. Right, rage. This emotion often was what saved the man from its demise, a rage plus a clear and defined ideal, a determination that can lead him to sacrifice his own life.
“Anyway… let’s get back to my family then… I was unfortunately an unique child, my mother died at my birth. My father alone raised me to the great individual I am now… or should I say was ? Well, that’s just a detail… anyway… he was very… tricky, for example, there was a shelf of what he was calling the forbidden books, guess what I was doing when he wasn’t here ? Reading those books of course, what else would I do ? Surprisingly, the books were all about… philosophy, honestly, it’s still not my cup of tea, but it helped me have a clear view on the world very young, well, you could say I didn’t have any regular childhood, but at least… I have lived my life to its fullest.”
The being stretched his four limbs and stared intensively at the soul which did not shivered in the slightest and stared straight at it.
“I see. It was interesting. I thank you for your replies.”
You can now dispose.
The soul screeched when the atmosphere itself became tensed due to the being who waved their hand once. Their curiosity was satisfied, now, it is time for it to go away.
“You…! I wi-”
“No, you won’t.”
It screamed, it echoed, its unwilling rage, the soul was shining red in front of the being. Then it saw, it could not move, it could not do anything, except shining. It’s strange, it always has been left in the shadows, it never was bright in its life. But at least, it will shine in its death. Or death already passed to be exact. So in what kind of period in its existence was it shining ? Afterdeath ? How should it call it ? That was a silly question, it could ask something else as it was its last moments. There was nothing else than darkness, entwining him, the hands tightened. The light became dimmer and dimmer as time goes on. It was suffocating.
Where was the sky ? The stars ? The fire ?
Nowhere.
"Done. It was... mmmm... interesting I suppose. I hope it never finishes."
The being muttered and sighed.
Staring at the stars, fascinated by their diversity, they were waiting.
Silence reigned and weighed over them.
When will the next one come ?
Nothing here.
Nothing there.
Just stars piercing through the sky or to be exact what seemed to be the sky, what is exactly the sky ? What we see above us ? Then, what if you could see this ‘sky’ below, above and beside you ? What if you could not even feel your own feet, legs, waist, belly, chest, arms, throat, eyes, ears, voice, breath, heart, blood… what if you had no sensations at all ? Yet you can see what is around a void you represent.
Radiant colors you would usually never care about in your busy daily life, when you did not even stop for a simple but magnificent sunset. What if you had the time ? The time to observe. To watch closely at the world around you, wandering aimlessly in this unknown place you have been living in since your birth.
Discover what you could not.
“Who cares ?! I just want to know where am I and why I am here !”
The soul talked this way since it did not realize its current situation. It could not believe it was nothing currently. Despite everything, it had… an unique thinking. It did not seem to care about the fact it was not feeling anything, that it was nothing more than sounds in the void.
“Of course I know ! It is a dream ! Hell, how c-”
Understandable. It was not believing this place to be real. Still, it was quite calm despite everything, relatively calm that is. Feeling nothing yet so… expressive and undisturbed. Interesting. Why is it so ? They were feeling nothing .
“How are you feeling ? Do you feel your arms ? Your legs ? Your breath ? Do you see anything ?”
They needed to ask why it was not panicked. Did it live anything similar ? If yes, what is it. It was nothing more than to spend time. Because in the end, it was unimportant, it was just different. The soul was nothing more than a distraction from this idle and repetitive quotidian.
“Oh…”
Its natural defiance was immediately dissipated once it perceived their voice in a manner or another. The sound it felt seemed to have affected it greatly, it could not help but submit itself and reply to the asked questions while, if it was in a body, clenching non-existent teeth. It was when it realized its situation. Was not it too much for a dream ? No, it might still be a dream, it needed more informations about the current situation.
“I see… the sky. Yes, the sky. It is red, orange, yellow, the colors of fire. It looks like the sky is burning… an unnatural fire, cold, unexpectedly cold. Could you explain to me where I am ? What is it ? What…”
It became quiet once it saw their figure. Contrary to the skies, it was black, darker than black, a void, a humanoid figure, a somber shape that is nothing more than pure obscure emptiness, relatively to its view. It was huge, terrifyingly gigantic. It remembered the photos of its own world, of the blueish planet, the reddish land, the grey mountains, and it thought that all of this were smaller, tiny compared to the present silhouette.
“...are you ?!”
Its natural defiance came back, as expected. This soul’s nature was unexpectedly resilient, unwilling to rest, willing to deplete itself until nothing is left. A persevering spirit that can not be put to rest, one that must run until they reach the end of the night, an ideal. A passionate spirit lacking the animalistic idleness, free from the natural law, a mind that does not respect and obey to its own essence, a liberated electron.
They wished to see more of what this artificial freedom could bring to this soul. What this soul is made of. Curiosity is often the vector of emotions, they thought. Otherwise, they would ignore this soul’s peculiar… hardware.
“I am what you would call… a higher being. Idle and indifferent toward your world. Attracted by so little things. I am just a passionless watchmaker, retired. Your current state can be what you call death, something that unnaturally scare all of you despite your instincts. How does it feel ?”
What did they mean ? Was it dead ? Instincts ? What instincts ? How come being scared of death unnatural ? Weren’t instinct something that would try to protect yourself ? It did not understand anything of what is going on. It never had such an odd dream, but was it one ? Perhaps, it was really dead, it was overthinking and trying to deny their situation. What should it does ?
Continue the discussion.
What else ? Do you have any others choices ? Run ? How ? Why ? Where ?
“I… see. It feels…”
Right, how did it feel ? To have no sensations at all ? To be in this bottomless void with no landmarks ? With a higher being or what they seem to be at the very least. Unreal ? As if it took unlawful and nasty substances ?
Suddenly, the soul felt as if it was going to puke, however, how ? They had no body or anything. It simply felt suffocated by the lack of familiarity, of the absolute silence, of… the dominating freedom. Yes, freedom. It had no responsibilities. Nobody to take care of. It could rest, simply rest but it did not want to.
“...nauseous… how can I believe such inepties after all ? Right, prove to me that I am dead. Prove to me that I am not alive ! Prove to me that it’s not a dream !”
It became emotional again, the calm before the storm as they say in its original world. When it was still alive. Tiresome, they did not want to explain everything to the soul, it is too much of a bother to do this. The easiest way to settle this situation was to wait.
They had all the time in the world after all.
“Time.”
He will not explain anything since he does not wish to do. The soul seemed to have tilted at their words, time ? Does it means it has wait ? That is a shame. They could not wait. This being in front of them may be mighty, special and oppressive, but does that mean it have to submit to such a thing ? Did it ever submitted during its life ? Of course not.
“You ! You owe me a reply ! Who do you think that you are ? You think I will wait for you to reply ? No no no, I will make you spill the beans ! Why ? Look at yourself, being such authoritarian, do you think you are a great being or anything ? Just because you are planet-sized or some worthless stuff like this ? And you might ask why you owe me a reply as well ? Because it seems that you know everything about me, that you know why I am here, perhaps you kidnapped me, you brought me here, some people would probably wait, but I won’t ! Understand ?”
Confusing. Its words were all over, it did not make sense at least to them, to the being. While it was ranting on some affairs they did not understand, on the right side of their head, a sort of purple eye began to open, it seemed that slowly, the dark humanoid shape seemed to be more detailed, the figure was less vague. It had finer details. The soul stopped ranting when it saw this, gradually, it became curious, what was that being ? Right, it did not stop complaining about its situation, but did it ever ask or wonder in what kind of situation they were ? No, because it was selfish, like any being, true, they did seem to know more than it. But it might be because they have been here since a longer time. Who knows ? They might need to ask.
“Who are you ? What are you doing here ? How long have you been here ? And don’t tell -Time- again, okay ?”
It changed discourse once again, the soul inquired, again and again and again, but the shape stayed silent and cold. Irritating the spirit, it took back its original attitude, shouting, screaming, yelling at the motionless being. Why, it did not make sense. The situation did not make sense. The being did not make sense. Nothing made sense ! Why ? Why ?!
Its thoughts were in such a mess that everybody could notice, if there was someone at the very least, a bomb, a volcano, it was on the verge of exploding.
Then it died, no, it did not died, the soul became quiet.
How much time passed ? It did not know. How could it know ? Was there anything human ? Where were they ? Were they in the space ? Were they in a dream ? Was it hallucinating since the very start ? How to get out then ? Why won’t they wake up ? How much time does it need to wait ? Or… was it dead ? Did it die ? Are they in the afterlife ? Is it the purgatory ? No, what could it be ? If there was a trial, what could it test ? Patience ? No, right, it needed to remember and began to mutter to itself.
“...it does not exist. It does not exist. Virtues, vices and sins are simple concepts… calm down, yeah, calm down, a calm mind… getting panicked will… alright, a last question. You won’t reply, but, I will still ask. What is the man ?”
A second purple eye opened on the being’s face, and it stared at the soul. For the first time, since seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, decades, centuries… how much time already ? Right, time does not exist.
“Nothing much than another living being. Just a bit more of consciousness.”
Curiosity sparkled within it. It wished to talk. Yes, to talk. To have discussion, to understand the person in front of it.
“What do you mean by consciousness ? For example, am I conscious now ?”
This question was peculiar but legitimate.
“Half. You still see and hear. You do not feel, smell or taste however. Right now, you have half conscious, because in the end, you can't not be conscious. Except that is, you have another interpretation of it. Consciousness, derived from your unconsciousness, is often what we call a synthesis of physical sensations. And if you think you are dreaming, then you are still somehow conscious but mostly unconscious. As in your dream, you still see, you still hear, you still… your consciousness is still active, however, it’s like a notification in your phone I suppose, it’s there yet not really. You just know it’s there until you click on it, which would be in the case of consciousness, until you wake up.”
That was shabby. Unexpectedly, their knowledge was only hypothetical and human-like, nothing really divine as the soul thought. It was just… normal, nothing much to talk about. It just did not fit with this figure.
This planet-sized shape, seemingly absorbing everything around it like a wormhole, the light, the stars, the colors, nothing was spared except the soul and the being itself. There were only the two of them. Nothing much.
“Mmmm… your reasoning is just… so basic, I did not expect that. I thought you would reveal me something much more… fascinating, I mean ! Look at what you are ! You look so almighty and yet… you give me a highschooler reply. How… disappointing.”
The being looked down on the soul and sighed. Indeed, it was not wrong, it just did not find any interest in it and skimmed the content. This pseudo-knowledge was just there for introducing the conversation and to relax the person hearing it. Since it was hollow and pathetic words.
“Indeed, mind telling me what your life was like ?”
The spirit stared at it, surprised by the sudden question of the being. Did it ask anything since it saw it ? Did they ? It did not remember, but if they could talk, they would be freed from that weight that was pressuring it on its shoulders.
“Why… don’t you talk about yours-”
“Would you like to cease this discussion ? And don’t spare any details, it might be the last time you get to talk with someone.”
Considering that it wondered if it was dead, it easily imagined a scenario of what would happen if it does not say everything and shake at their question. Quitting the world like this ? With no words. It could not bear this idea. It needed to expose itself, its ideas about the world.
“That…! You… Okay... so you can say I was against the society, for sure, I was not isolated at all. I was the kind to take the weapons. To overthrow this rotten system… well, I had a lot of reflexion before beginning. Fight for a fantasy and perhaps provoke a dystopia or let some Eastern Country take over the world with their projects, their money, their ideologies, their restrictions… everything everyone is supposed to despite, being forbidden to talk, to express your opinion, everything you do is… ewww… from the slightest day to the mere surface of things.”
It was far from finished, it seemed to take a break. Looking up, toward nothing, it just seemed to reminisce about its past, its life, its ideals, its motive, its will.
“So I said what everyone feared, and broadcasted it a bit everywhere… well, I was chased ! Fortunately, I already had nobody to rely on, otherwise, they would have turned their backs toward me I suppose… aaaah, the world is so screwed up.”
A sarcastic tone along with dark humor, that is what this soul is made of. Or perhaps it is what left of it. It did have this will earlier, this stubbornness, this defiance, however, not anymore, once it talked about its past. Everything faded, as fickle as its existence.
“Oh well, I knew it from the beginning, if everything my predecessors from decades ago didn’t fail, or at least not completely, we may had a chance to… aaah, I suppose it is too late now. Well, I can say I really fought till death separates us.”
If it still had a body, it would rise its hand towards the sky, tighten its fist until blood flows out, and runs along the veins of its body. Its voice became louder, as if life suddenly came back to it.
“But if it was to redo, I will do it again… again and again and again… because paradise should be on earth, we should make our land paradise ! A paradise for our good ol’ earth ! Why should we stay unhappy… why should we stay exploited… why should we let the pest take out homes ! Why… And I died without accomplishing anything ! Why… I could never take the front stage… ”
It confessed and told vaguely the course of its life so easily. Just a bit of pressure and it was enough. From where does its defiance come from ? They thought it came from its passion, however, it might be something else.
“How were your parents ?”
What about its education ?
“Ha…? Well why don’t yo… nevermind, you will probably say you will cease this conversation if I ask you something, isn’t it ? And like everyone, you will exploit this weakness of mine to continue the talk, to know more about me… Aren’t you as disgusting and repulsing as the others ? Your appearance would be the pretension of you thinking you are higher, mightier, better, and others praises you give to yourself. This oversized ego of yours make me want to puke.”
It sounded to be irritated. Rage. Right, rage. This emotion often was what saved the man from its demise, a rage plus a clear and defined ideal, a determination that can lead him to sacrifice his own life.
“Anyway… let’s get back to my family then… I was unfortunately an unique child, my mother died at my birth. My father alone raised me to the great individual I am now… or should I say was ? Well, that’s just a detail… anyway… he was very… tricky, for example, there was a shelf of what he was calling the forbidden books, guess what I was doing when he wasn’t here ? Reading those books of course, what else would I do ? Surprisingly, the books were all about… philosophy, honestly, it’s still not my cup of tea, but it helped me have a clear view on the world very young, well, you could say I didn’t have any regular childhood, but at least… I have lived my life to its fullest.”
The being stretched his four limbs and stared intensively at the soul which did not shivered in the slightest and stared straight at it.
“I see. It was interesting. I thank you for your replies.”
You can now dispose.
The soul screeched when the atmosphere itself became tensed due to the being who waved their hand once. Their curiosity was satisfied, now, it is time for it to go away.
“You…! I wi-”
“No, you won’t.”
It screamed, it echoed, its unwilling rage, the soul was shining red in front of the being. Then it saw, it could not move, it could not do anything, except shining. It’s strange, it always has been left in the shadows, it never was bright in its life. But at least, it will shine in its death. Or death already passed to be exact. So in what kind of period in its existence was it shining ? Afterdeath ? How should it call it ? That was a silly question, it could ask something else as it was its last moments. There was nothing else than darkness, entwining him, the hands tightened. The light became dimmer and dimmer as time goes on. It was suffocating.
Where was the sky ? The stars ? The fire ?
Nowhere.
"Done. It was... mmmm... interesting I suppose. I hope it never finishes."
The being muttered and sighed.
Staring at the stars, fascinated by their diversity, they were waiting.
Silence reigned and weighed over them.
When will the next one come ?
Note: Well to be honest... I messed up.
You could say that I should have stopped after writing a few hundreds of words as it was a bad idea.
But, as stubborn as I was, I decided to continue writing even if it will burn my eyes to see the result~... and I don't want to proofread it else I will finish blind.
(Or I am just too lazy...)
Anyway, more or less 3K words.
All I can say is that, at the very least, I tried something new~
Sunrhae
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2019
- Messages
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- Points
- 58
Man, I am so late!! here I go. Hope you guys will find it entertaining.
Nightmare. word count: 2139
Nightmare. word count: 2139
The void. Dark. Cold. Lonely. Here, there was no time. No life. Just emptiness. Yet, in the depth of the void, there was an unanswered call. Amid the nothingness, there was an entity waiting shrouded in mysteries. Its size was humongous. Its was made out of countless stars and nebula. Its eyes were bright and ancient as if they had witnessed the beginning of worlds. The being was waiting, waiting for a sign, waiting for someone. Its aura boundless and immemorial. It pointed out toward the one it has been waiting for.
There was only dread and hopelessness. Yu Ran stared at the being in front of her in terror. Something, somewhere deep in her soul was terrified. It was looking for her. Pursuing her without rest. Seizing her dreams, shaking her core and leaving only terror at sunrise.
Every time, Yu Ran would stand in front of this being, crushed under the pressure of its soul. She would feel its stare boring into her, piercing her very core, rocking her will. She would yell, cry, kowtow in fear and humiliation, yet it would not move. It would just point. Point from anywhere in the universe directly towards here.
What did it want? Why would it haunt her dreams? She did not know and she was afraid to find out.
Again and again. Nights after nights, it would be the same nightmare. The same horror. It would just stare at her without moving nor speaking. Then, why was it so scary? Why would she feel so cornered as if it was a calamity?
The entity stared at her and for the first time, its lips seemed to move. Deep and powerful ripples echoed throughout the void. Yu Ran couldn’t believe it. It has been more than 15 years now. It never talked. She trembled, breathless. No, she didn't want to hear it. She didn’t want to know.
“...back…”
She didn’t catch all the words. She didn’t understand. She wanted to wake up. To wake up and forget.
---
Drakeheart realm. Southern Valley of Dharma.
Snow lotus pavilion
Snow lotus pavilion was a picturesque restaurant nesting in a snowy valley in front of a beautiful lotus lake. It was the end of winter, yet ice flowers were still drifting on the surface of the lake. When the sun was setting, the whole valley would be basked in a warm glow, the lotus would be coated with gold and the warm ice flower would reflect the light in rainbows. Sitting in the highest room facing the lake was a young woman. She had the aura of an elegant indolent immortal. Her hand was supported her chin as she was watching the sun fading behind the valley. Golden threads of light shone on her dark hair as if gold and obsidian were weaving a night sky embroidery. Her skin was as fair as the delicate lotus drifting on the lake and translucent and sparkling like the ice flower. Her brows were like the willow, her phoenix eyes were deep and lustrous like the night sea and one could see countless stars twinkling in her gaze. Her cheeks were round and smooth, rosy and tender. Her lips were plump and as red as the plum blossom. Her body was svelte and alluring, she had an aloof and indifferent air when she was silent. She was lazily playing with an empty cup of wine. She wasn’t in a good mood. She couldn’t shake the nightmare of the night before and dreaded tonight. She was frustrated but had nowhere to vent. Why did it suddenly change? Why was it different now? She watched as the last ray of sunlight disappeared before leaving the room.
The restaurant was full of life, customers were going in and out and the sound of laughter echoed through the pavilion. As she made her way downstairs, little by little, voices dimmed down. Customers forgot to eat or drink, their eyes fixed on the young lady. Her water blue dress fluttered at each of her steps and it seemed as if time itself slowed down to watch her descend. They were completely captivated. The young lady seemed to notice the strange atmosphere, she looked around and politely nodded. The heart of the whole assistance skipped a beat. The front door was suddenly blasted open. Then, entered three bulky men: scarred faces, the scent of blood, and the lingering traces of killing intent. The darksteel Scorpio Brothers. The pavilion was shocked, calamity had descended. The trio wasn’t only known for their vicious killings and cruelty, their poisonous tails had destroyed who-knows how many beautiful flowers. How many have died at their hand? Talented practitioners and fair maiden. Every customer paled and cold shivers travelled along their spines.
The biggest and eldest of the trio smirked in delight. Fear and disgust, he would never get tired of this reaction. He pushed his chin high, surveyed the room and grinned wider and wider. Out of the blue, he saw the trembling finger of the youngest pointing at the stairs.
“Dage… Dage… a goddess!” The man could barely talk.
The bulky man followed the finger and air got trapped in his throat. A Goddess. The purest being he had ever seen was standing in front of him. An immaculate immortal. His throat became parched and his heart trembled. Greed and lust shook his core. No matter what, he HAD to possess her.
The young fairy rose a fine eyebrow, a peculiar light flashed through her gaze. She smiled softly before shaking her head. Everyone’s heart squeezed in their chest. She fearlessly continued down the stairs. When she arrived at the bottom, the three bulky men blocked her way. She rose her head to look at them, her eyes were clear and a mischievous smile was floating on her lips.
“Goddess is leaving so soon? Why not accompany this Dage?”
“Right. Fairy, the day is still early, why hurry?”
The fairy’s face flushed red. Was it the wine or the obscene way they were gawking at her? The owner saw the situation and sighed in regret. Such a beautiful flower was about to be trampled by vicious beasts.
She smiled broadly. Her smile illuminated the world. One couldn’t help be taken aback and freeze. She rose her hand, thin and long white fingers like spring onions, round and fragile fingernails dyed light pink. Her fingers approached the eldest’s face as if she wanted to delicately stoke his scarred face. Instinctively, he lowered his head and took in the fresh fragrance of cool water and frozen lotus from her skin. She sneered in her heart. How foolish!
Her fingers didn’t even touch his skin that his head was violently shoved onto the ground. It was so fast and so violent that nobody actually registered what happened. The man’s head was impaled deep into the floor and his blood was flooding the newly created crater. The young lady was still smiling broadly, she stepped forward and heavily kicked the lower half of the lying man. A ‘pop’ and the sound of splatter resonated in the restaurant followed by a high and powerful shriek.
Vicious! Too vicious! By instinct, every man protected their manhood, their eyes red and heart hurting. The two brothers snapped out of their daze.
“You! Slut!” One unsheathed his sword and swung. She dodged, winked at him, and with her hand like flowing water, she slit his throat, then bitch-slapped him into the ground. She made a step again and another ‘pop’ sounded. Customers winced and made themselves small on their seat.
Black! Such a black heart!
The last one felt his intestine turned green. Who would have thought that such a pure looking maiden could be this wicked? When she turned towards him, her lips revealed pearly white teeth and a cheeky smile. His breath was taken away together with his heart. He lowered his head and discovered the seemingly fragile arm of the goddess buried deep in his chest. The onion-like fingers firmly gripped the caged heart and ripped it out. She observed it briefly the heart in her heart before throwing it away as if it was a boring toy. He slid down on the floor, his eyes big as wheels. The bloody fairy carefully examined her crimson fingers.
“Just the color I wanted,” she giggled.
She circulated her Qi and dried the blood off her hands until just the right amount of dye was left on her fingernails.
“So pretty!”
So black! How could her soul be this black?
She waved her wide sleeve toward the pavilion owner. He yelped in fright and a heavy purse almost hit him in the face.
“Sorry, I made a mess. This is compensation.” She made a sorry face and everyone’s heart softened. She threw a second purse to a waiter, “Divide it between the kitchen staff and the waiters. The food and service were great.”
She winked at them, chuckled and walked out. At least, now, she felt a little bit better. Yu Ran wandered through the mountain. She was feeling anxious and lonely. She stopped abruptly. She caught a nostalgic smell and rushed toward it. After a couple of breaths, she arrived by the big wisteria tree in full bloom. How come it was blooming in winter, she didn’t know and frankly didn’t care. She walked to the trunk, softly caressed the wood and closed her eyes immersed in her memories.
“Ran Ran, you caused troubles today again.”
“Master, it wasn’t my fault. They were perverted! I just punished them a little.” answered a shy little voice.
“Ran Ran, don’t try to be cute! You shouldn’t lose your temper like that,” reprimanded an old man.
“Master, Ran Ran is still young and impetuous.”
“Senior brother!” cried the girl with joy
The old man sighed, “You dote on her too much. Look at how wild she is.”
A young man laughed, “Master, it’s the pot calling the kettle black.”
“Master. Senior Brother. Ran Ran is still wild. If you were here, you would scold me, right?” Under the wisteria tree, droplets of tears and petal blossoms fluttered in the freezing winter wind.
---
The void. Tonight again, she stood alone inside the emptiness of space. In front of her, the entity was merging once again. The deep darkness. The infinite stars that keep on moving without care for her. Once again, the entity formed before her eyes, crushing her like a mountain, denying her of freedom. Night after night, no matter what she did, she would always fall asleep. No matter how much she tried to stay awake. How much she hated that thing before her eyes, she would always find herself there. Yet, today was different. Today, anger defeat fear.
“WHAT DO YOU WANT?! What are you! Haven’t you have enough? I have nothing! I am nothing! Leave me alone!”
She kept on crying, struggling, wrecking her soul to resist it. However, today too, the deep and ancient voice of the being echoed.
“... back…”
“I don’t understand. I can’t understand!”
“ … back…”
“Who are you? I’m tired! I can’t do this anymore. Tell me! I -” Yu Ran’s voice choked. Tears streamed down her face. Hasn’t she lost enough? “Master, Senior brother…”
“... come… back…”
What? Yu Ran was stunned. It was calling her. Where to? For what purpose? All these years she had been dreaming of it, all these years she had been afraid of it. Yet it wanted her to come back? Where?
Slowly, the vision started to fade as the sun was rising. Fear led to anger. Anger burnt into wrath.
“You want me to come?” Her fists were clenched hard and her nails dug into her palms. “Then, you better be prepare!”
---
“Ran Ran, you walk the path of slaughter. You came to us covered in blood and you are destined to tread on a bloody road. Master wants you to remember one thing: you can lose your way, but never lose sight of yourself.”
Yu Ran was resting of a branch of the wisteria tree. Her long lashes were covered int a thin layer of frost. The dew on her cheeks formed solid droplets as if they were small beads of jade jewels. She had made her decision.
“Master, Ran Ran forgot your teaching and lost herself. After losing you and Senior Brother, Ran Ran was scared. Scared that you would hate me for carving myself a path in blood. I was wrong. I was wrong. I will not run away anymore. That thing… I will find it. Be it a ghost. Be it a god. I will carve my will into its soul. I will take its power for my own. I will crush it just like it crushed me. Master, Senior Brother, wait for me. I will find it and become its own nightmare.”
There was only dread and hopelessness. Yu Ran stared at the being in front of her in terror. Something, somewhere deep in her soul was terrified. It was looking for her. Pursuing her without rest. Seizing her dreams, shaking her core and leaving only terror at sunrise.
Every time, Yu Ran would stand in front of this being, crushed under the pressure of its soul. She would feel its stare boring into her, piercing her very core, rocking her will. She would yell, cry, kowtow in fear and humiliation, yet it would not move. It would just point. Point from anywhere in the universe directly towards here.
What did it want? Why would it haunt her dreams? She did not know and she was afraid to find out.
Again and again. Nights after nights, it would be the same nightmare. The same horror. It would just stare at her without moving nor speaking. Then, why was it so scary? Why would she feel so cornered as if it was a calamity?
The entity stared at her and for the first time, its lips seemed to move. Deep and powerful ripples echoed throughout the void. Yu Ran couldn’t believe it. It has been more than 15 years now. It never talked. She trembled, breathless. No, she didn't want to hear it. She didn’t want to know.
“...back…”
She didn’t catch all the words. She didn’t understand. She wanted to wake up. To wake up and forget.
---
Drakeheart realm. Southern Valley of Dharma.
Snow lotus pavilion
Snow lotus pavilion was a picturesque restaurant nesting in a snowy valley in front of a beautiful lotus lake. It was the end of winter, yet ice flowers were still drifting on the surface of the lake. When the sun was setting, the whole valley would be basked in a warm glow, the lotus would be coated with gold and the warm ice flower would reflect the light in rainbows. Sitting in the highest room facing the lake was a young woman. She had the aura of an elegant indolent immortal. Her hand was supported her chin as she was watching the sun fading behind the valley. Golden threads of light shone on her dark hair as if gold and obsidian were weaving a night sky embroidery. Her skin was as fair as the delicate lotus drifting on the lake and translucent and sparkling like the ice flower. Her brows were like the willow, her phoenix eyes were deep and lustrous like the night sea and one could see countless stars twinkling in her gaze. Her cheeks were round and smooth, rosy and tender. Her lips were plump and as red as the plum blossom. Her body was svelte and alluring, she had an aloof and indifferent air when she was silent. She was lazily playing with an empty cup of wine. She wasn’t in a good mood. She couldn’t shake the nightmare of the night before and dreaded tonight. She was frustrated but had nowhere to vent. Why did it suddenly change? Why was it different now? She watched as the last ray of sunlight disappeared before leaving the room.
The restaurant was full of life, customers were going in and out and the sound of laughter echoed through the pavilion. As she made her way downstairs, little by little, voices dimmed down. Customers forgot to eat or drink, their eyes fixed on the young lady. Her water blue dress fluttered at each of her steps and it seemed as if time itself slowed down to watch her descend. They were completely captivated. The young lady seemed to notice the strange atmosphere, she looked around and politely nodded. The heart of the whole assistance skipped a beat. The front door was suddenly blasted open. Then, entered three bulky men: scarred faces, the scent of blood, and the lingering traces of killing intent. The darksteel Scorpio Brothers. The pavilion was shocked, calamity had descended. The trio wasn’t only known for their vicious killings and cruelty, their poisonous tails had destroyed who-knows how many beautiful flowers. How many have died at their hand? Talented practitioners and fair maiden. Every customer paled and cold shivers travelled along their spines.
The biggest and eldest of the trio smirked in delight. Fear and disgust, he would never get tired of this reaction. He pushed his chin high, surveyed the room and grinned wider and wider. Out of the blue, he saw the trembling finger of the youngest pointing at the stairs.
“Dage… Dage… a goddess!” The man could barely talk.
The bulky man followed the finger and air got trapped in his throat. A Goddess. The purest being he had ever seen was standing in front of him. An immaculate immortal. His throat became parched and his heart trembled. Greed and lust shook his core. No matter what, he HAD to possess her.
The young fairy rose a fine eyebrow, a peculiar light flashed through her gaze. She smiled softly before shaking her head. Everyone’s heart squeezed in their chest. She fearlessly continued down the stairs. When she arrived at the bottom, the three bulky men blocked her way. She rose her head to look at them, her eyes were clear and a mischievous smile was floating on her lips.
“Goddess is leaving so soon? Why not accompany this Dage?”
“Right. Fairy, the day is still early, why hurry?”
The fairy’s face flushed red. Was it the wine or the obscene way they were gawking at her? The owner saw the situation and sighed in regret. Such a beautiful flower was about to be trampled by vicious beasts.
She smiled broadly. Her smile illuminated the world. One couldn’t help be taken aback and freeze. She rose her hand, thin and long white fingers like spring onions, round and fragile fingernails dyed light pink. Her fingers approached the eldest’s face as if she wanted to delicately stoke his scarred face. Instinctively, he lowered his head and took in the fresh fragrance of cool water and frozen lotus from her skin. She sneered in her heart. How foolish!
Her fingers didn’t even touch his skin that his head was violently shoved onto the ground. It was so fast and so violent that nobody actually registered what happened. The man’s head was impaled deep into the floor and his blood was flooding the newly created crater. The young lady was still smiling broadly, she stepped forward and heavily kicked the lower half of the lying man. A ‘pop’ and the sound of splatter resonated in the restaurant followed by a high and powerful shriek.
Vicious! Too vicious! By instinct, every man protected their manhood, their eyes red and heart hurting. The two brothers snapped out of their daze.
“You! Slut!” One unsheathed his sword and swung. She dodged, winked at him, and with her hand like flowing water, she slit his throat, then bitch-slapped him into the ground. She made a step again and another ‘pop’ sounded. Customers winced and made themselves small on their seat.
Black! Such a black heart!
The last one felt his intestine turned green. Who would have thought that such a pure looking maiden could be this wicked? When she turned towards him, her lips revealed pearly white teeth and a cheeky smile. His breath was taken away together with his heart. He lowered his head and discovered the seemingly fragile arm of the goddess buried deep in his chest. The onion-like fingers firmly gripped the caged heart and ripped it out. She observed it briefly the heart in her heart before throwing it away as if it was a boring toy. He slid down on the floor, his eyes big as wheels. The bloody fairy carefully examined her crimson fingers.
“Just the color I wanted,” she giggled.
She circulated her Qi and dried the blood off her hands until just the right amount of dye was left on her fingernails.
“So pretty!”
So black! How could her soul be this black?
She waved her wide sleeve toward the pavilion owner. He yelped in fright and a heavy purse almost hit him in the face.
“Sorry, I made a mess. This is compensation.” She made a sorry face and everyone’s heart softened. She threw a second purse to a waiter, “Divide it between the kitchen staff and the waiters. The food and service were great.”
She winked at them, chuckled and walked out. At least, now, she felt a little bit better. Yu Ran wandered through the mountain. She was feeling anxious and lonely. She stopped abruptly. She caught a nostalgic smell and rushed toward it. After a couple of breaths, she arrived by the big wisteria tree in full bloom. How come it was blooming in winter, she didn’t know and frankly didn’t care. She walked to the trunk, softly caressed the wood and closed her eyes immersed in her memories.
“Ran Ran, you caused troubles today again.”
“Master, it wasn’t my fault. They were perverted! I just punished them a little.” answered a shy little voice.
“Ran Ran, don’t try to be cute! You shouldn’t lose your temper like that,” reprimanded an old man.
“Master, Ran Ran is still young and impetuous.”
“Senior brother!” cried the girl with joy
The old man sighed, “You dote on her too much. Look at how wild she is.”
A young man laughed, “Master, it’s the pot calling the kettle black.”
“Master. Senior Brother. Ran Ran is still wild. If you were here, you would scold me, right?” Under the wisteria tree, droplets of tears and petal blossoms fluttered in the freezing winter wind.
---
The void. Tonight again, she stood alone inside the emptiness of space. In front of her, the entity was merging once again. The deep darkness. The infinite stars that keep on moving without care for her. Once again, the entity formed before her eyes, crushing her like a mountain, denying her of freedom. Night after night, no matter what she did, she would always fall asleep. No matter how much she tried to stay awake. How much she hated that thing before her eyes, she would always find herself there. Yet, today was different. Today, anger defeat fear.
“WHAT DO YOU WANT?! What are you! Haven’t you have enough? I have nothing! I am nothing! Leave me alone!”
She kept on crying, struggling, wrecking her soul to resist it. However, today too, the deep and ancient voice of the being echoed.
“... back…”
“I don’t understand. I can’t understand!”
“ … back…”
“Who are you? I’m tired! I can’t do this anymore. Tell me! I -” Yu Ran’s voice choked. Tears streamed down her face. Hasn’t she lost enough? “Master, Senior brother…”
“... come… back…”
What? Yu Ran was stunned. It was calling her. Where to? For what purpose? All these years she had been dreaming of it, all these years she had been afraid of it. Yet it wanted her to come back? Where?
Slowly, the vision started to fade as the sun was rising. Fear led to anger. Anger burnt into wrath.
“You want me to come?” Her fists were clenched hard and her nails dug into her palms. “Then, you better be prepare!”
---
“Ran Ran, you walk the path of slaughter. You came to us covered in blood and you are destined to tread on a bloody road. Master wants you to remember one thing: you can lose your way, but never lose sight of yourself.”
Yu Ran was resting of a branch of the wisteria tree. Her long lashes were covered int a thin layer of frost. The dew on her cheeks formed solid droplets as if they were small beads of jade jewels. She had made her decision.
“Master, Ran Ran forgot your teaching and lost herself. After losing you and Senior Brother, Ran Ran was scared. Scared that you would hate me for carving myself a path in blood. I was wrong. I was wrong. I will not run away anymore. That thing… I will find it. Be it a ghost. Be it a god. I will carve my will into its soul. I will take its power for my own. I will crush it just like it crushed me. Master, Senior Brother, wait for me. I will find it and become its own nightmare.”
Last edited:
JustHANO
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Came out more like a creepypasta. This the second version and I'm still not satisfied, but I know if I hold onto it any longer I might try to start over again.
Title- Mandela Effect.
WordCount - 3888
Relations - I was like "hey that thing looks like the universe as a person." and that slowly changed from that personification of the universe rebuilding itself into a more vague version of that with some horror twists in there.
Enjoy!
Title- Mandela Effect.
WordCount - 3888
Relations - I was like "hey that thing looks like the universe as a person." and that slowly changed from that personification of the universe rebuilding itself into a more vague version of that with some horror twists in there.
Enjoy!
The world around the two froze mid-argument. The overweight officer sweat no longer fell to the ground. The man spit was stuck in the air. His cuffs no longer rattled and the cops belt had stopped jingling. Officer Kurt was questioning Junior about his sudden cry for help. Kurt wasn’t believing a word he said. Footsteps broke the silence, approaching the door in a rhythmic fashion. With the twist of the knob, motion preceded to advance and yelling filled the room.
"Heyo!"
"Officer Jenny, please take your job more seriously."
Jenny entered the room with two cups of coffees. She skipped to the table while Kurt shook his head in disapproval.
"♪One for meee and one for youuu.♪" Jenny handed the cuffed man a cup. Kurt was not happy.
"Listen, there no need for this good cop bad cop nonsense. I just need protection. Ma'am let me tell you my story, he won't listen."
"You speak pretty well for an African."
"I was born here you pig!"
"Guys with all your testosterone. We're here to protect and serve Kurt, we have no reason to treat him like a criminal."
"Except he came in babbling nonsense at 3 am. Scared Lisa half to death."
Junior took a sip of the coffee to relax. The taste of sugar rushed into his mouth. The drink was barely passable as coffee. He started a coughing fit. Kurt laughed at the interaction.
"Jenny you nut, all that sugar can kill people."
"Oopsies, sometimes I forget. Junior, we're here to listen. So go on, take as long as you need."
"Only if you promise to take me somewhere safe."
"We'll decide that, pal." Jenny gave Kurt a dirty look for that comment. She got closer to Junior and put on a smile, awaiting his story.
"Well, it sounds crazy, but I'm not crazy. I swear."
_______________________________________________________________
I was coming off a 12-hour shift of coding. A sea of unhealthy snacks piled around my trash can. It was late at night, but I really needed some sun. I figured I'd browse the internet until my eyes gave up on me. I'm 29, so the internet doesn't really do it for me anymore. I could scroll down Facebook or Youtube, but I knew it'd put me to sleep in half an hour or so.
I started by checking my e-mail. It was the most important. Who knows, I could have did all that work and my boss had sent a message telling me I didn't need to. I work at home, so the only way he'd be able to get in contact with me was by e-mail or phone. I had gone 12 hours without checking, so I gave it a look.
The usual spam filled up most of my unread messages. Nothing from the boss. I went to close the tab and that’s when I saw one that was out of place. It was from Jason. I hadn't heard that name in a long time. He was an old friend of mines, but we had a falling out. I wanted to keep it that way, better for me and him. The message was titled 'help'. Yea right, I wouldn't give him the time of day.
I decide on Facebook as the next destination. I don't use the site much, I was just trying to put myself to sleep. The variety of dumb videos and stupid posts had a good chance of boring me to death, let alone sleep. I remember being so confused when I logged in. 2 messages and 47 alerts. I mean I didn't go on there much, but it only been a month. What was all these alerts, was it spam?
I opened the messages first. It was a shock to me. It was one from my old friend Anna. I never thought I'd talk to her again. Two messages from her, I could read a message from the drop-down, "Have you seen Jason?" Of course, it was about Jason. At the time I hadn't seen him since the last time I saw her. I was going to tell her that when I spotted the other messages. It was from Jason. My heart dropped, 99+ messages. What is wrong with this man.
I ignore the messages, fearing the worst. I open the alerts and surprise surprise, it's a post on my wall from Jason. It had blown up, so many people commented on it, probably more than I've had on my wall in total. I click it to find the rant of a mad man. I open my messages to find it copied and pasted in our thread, over 100 times. It's this one here, it says:
"Hey Junior, long time no anything. I'm trying to write this message while I'm a smidge coherent. I need you to answer a question for me Junior. Do you remember how we met?
Shit, this is so dumb. I know it'll come to bite me in the ass when I find out this is one big con-winky dink. I just really need to know before I literally go insane. LITERALLY.
I don't know Junior, I think it might be one big prank. They're all in on it because I made my way to the top. I can tell they hate how successful I am, now that I got promoted they made some kind of joint attack on me. Also, you can congratulate me Junior, I just took Lead Software Developer from that no name asshole. I know he's so angry right now. That's what got me into this mess.
It was at the end of the year party. We ended up in the black so we were celebrating. Well, I thought we were, but it's all one big setup. I came with my bitch of a wife Anna, spoiler, she's in on it too. We were by the bar, drinking of course when Ben started his speech. it was a speech for me. I had joined their team and took the company to black with my hard work. He had already given me the position but only me and him knew.
So he gets up on a chair, he's tipsy too. He starts telling them about my promotion, they don't start clapping until he does. Bunch of jealous dumbasses. He begins to tell the story of how I nailed my fucking interview, but he can't remember. I laugh it off while he stalls, trying to think of the speech or whatever story he prepared. I'm like 'on with it you dimwit' you know?. I don't say that out loud, I can't say that to the boss. He starts asking Steve and William about the interview. They act like they can't remember either.
They aren't even as drunk as me! I was pissed I tell you, but I didn't show it. My wife knew though, that's probably when she decided she was going to play along too. His shit show of a speech ends and we get back to standing around and waiting to leave. The other programmer comes up to me and laughs about how funny that shit was. I didn't get it at the time but they must of all been on it. I play it off and ask him if he remembers my first day. He stumbles to recall. I could care less about that pushover, I didn't even know his fucking name HA.
The party ends, everyone I joked with at the party was playing along. No one would tell me about the day we met. I played it off though until I got in the car. I flipped the fuck out. I remember Anna being scared, said I was too drunk to drive. She was ticking me off. Acting like she didn't see them fucking with me in there. They were lucky to fucking have me. By the way, you can take back that congratulation, I don't think I got that job anymore. I haven't been to work since that day.
I calmed myself, I wasn't going to let her drive my car, but I listened to her. I was too furious about this, fuck those guys, I'm the one who got promoted. I apologize and sweet talk the bitch before humorously asking her if she remembered how we met. And there it was, that same FUCKING stumble. She started to scramble for words and details that she couldn't grasp. I slammed the breaks. Both our heads go flying forward, crashing into the steering wheel and glove department respectively.
I blank out for a moment too. I get a hold of myself and see my her crying. She's in a panic, hyperventilating and grabbing her chest. I couldn't believe it, here I was bleeding out my forehead and this drama queen has the nerve to act like this is her fucking moment. I remember snapping at her, she knew how much my co-workers were pissing me off and she made that joke just to add on to my growing anger. I demanded her to apologies and between her breathes she says she wasn't kidding.
Really? 6 years with this bitch and she can't remember how we met? I have to remember our anniversary or get yelled at, but she expects me to believe she can't remember how we met? I don't know Junior, if you still have a thing for her go right ahead. I'm won't be seeing her ever again. Kicked her out my car, I can't remember where we were, told her to have a nice walk. I floor it to my favorite bar. You know they say you can drink your problems away, not this one I guess.
Since I was 18 Junior, I've been coming to The Range for 12 years. I walk in and it's Bruce in the back. He owns the place, been there since I've been coming. I tell him give me enough to drink for a party and he gave enough for two. I was trashed, Junior. Just drinking back to back shots by myself until my drinking buddy walked in. Hell, I forgot his name a while back and never bothered to ask. Just always called him motherfucker. This douche walks in just as drunk as me! I tell him to recall when we met. He doesn't know. He's too drunk. I believe that. I turn to Bruce, I ask the same of him. He plays like he remembers. Said I came in and ordered a drink. I could tell he lied right to my fucking face.
I can't really tell you what happened after that, that's when my bender started. I think I punch the asshole, at least that's what my busted eye is telling me. it's a blur. I'm somehow back on your side of the town. It's cause I wanted to meet my mother. I drank and walked for I don't know how long. Along the way, I asked my coke dealer if he remembers, like hell, he would. He was more helpful than any of these other snakes. He gave me a ride to Mother's place. This slimeball said I was looking rough, guess he never seen a mirror.
Junior, I remember it like it was yesterday. To be honest, I don't but feel for me for a second. You walk up to your mother, she embraces you right. Says how much she misses her only son, ask why you're so roughed up. She's old but she remembers when her and dad met. You ask her about your childhood home, the one with the shaky chandelier and the wine stain on the carpet. She remembers it like it's yesterday. What about that birthday party, when you cried because they kept asking you how old you were and you were just so shy... All these memories came to her faster than she could communicate.
So how would you feel when she couldn't remember giving birth to you?
I cried I screamed I thrashed. I screamed as I thrashed. I wept as I screamed. She kept yelling about how sure she was I wasn't adopted, but she couldn't remedy how I felt. I couldn't stop back there. Now there's no going back. EVER JUNIOR EVER I NEED TO KNOW HOW DID WE MEET."
I was taken aback. I couldn't believe what I had just read. I scramble to turn on every light I can. I know it was stupid, but at the time I didn't want to be in the dark after reading that. I get to throwing junk off my desk in search for my phone, I was scared. I didn't feel safe in my own home. I found the phone but it was dead. Damn binge working, I look for the charger until I remembered it was out in the car. That why I wasn't charging it in the first place, kept telling myself that my project wouldn't take that long.
I hear a knock on my door. I try to stay as quiet as I can. I felt like my heart was beating loud enough to hear. They knock again before yelling my name. It was Jason.
"Junior! I saw you cut on the lights! I've been waiting for you! Please open up!"
There was nowhere else to go. I thought about getting on facebook and messaging someone to help, but I knew no one would come. I had to face him. Stare him in the eyes and tell him he's crazy. He's in one big misunderstanding and he has gone too far to prove that it's some conspiracy. So I go open the door.
What stood before was a walking pile of bones. His skin sagged like an older persons skin. It failed to wrap around his now nonexisting muscles. His face wasn't recognizable for me. His hair was turning gray due to stress and he looked like he was either on drugs or coming down from them.
"Junior. Did you get my message?" I had to treat him like I normally would, he deserves at least that.
"You mean messages, you psychopath?" He managed to crack a smile through his cracked lips.
"So?"
"So what?"
"How did we meet?"
I took a deep breath. This moment was a life-changing moment for him. I was steering this cart and had the ability and desire to destroy him. What I said next decided his fate and maybe even mines. Here it goes.
"Firstly Jason, let me start by saying fuck you. You don't deserve anything you had. Your job, your wife and your upbringing were given to you on a silver spoon. Here’s your headline; druggie rich boy becomes programmer because it's the easiest thing that will impress his parents. And your wife, Anna, was the best thing that never should have happened to you. You have done nothing but hurt her all your relationship. She should have been mines! Just like that job you snaked from me you bastard. I'm glad you loss it all, you didn't earn it in the first place you asshole."
"I understand Junior, you hate me. I can even understand why. I just want to know if you remember. Please, I'm begging you."
"For fuck sake Jason, how long have you been on this bender. How hard is it to believe that a few people had a slip up in their memories."
I crossed my arms, standing over the sad sack who use to be a man. He teared up but patiently waited to hear my answer.
"It was at The Range. You walked in hammered and tried to order a drink from Bruce. He cut you off before you could even start drinking there. You stumble over to me and Anna's stools, eying our drinks. You introduce yourself and we could smell the fireball shots off your clothes. I gave you my drink just to look nice in front of my date. You don't leave, you never did get social cues. You asked me what I did and I told you. Turns out we were both just getting into the field of programming. You walked away to beg for another drink and Anna gave the okay to chill with you if you came back. Of course, you did because you're a sucker for attention. We order shots until Bruce cuts Anna off. She was blackout drunk Jason, that why she didn't remember."
"You... remembered?"
"Duh asshole, now move out my way, I have to get my charger."
He started to laugh, it reached the point where I started to get fearful again.
"Move dude."
"I did all of this and it was over nothing. I was just so afraid because, truthfully, I didn't remember myself."
"You were probably too drunk or drugged out for most of them."
"Anna was blackout drunk, Bruce probably didn't care, my dealer surely didn't care, my co-workers think I'm an asshole and was just playing on the joke and... my mother. Poor, poor Mom, no."
"Yea, you owe her an apology."
"No. She'll never get that. She'll never get it again. I thought, I... I didn't think, I was drugged out. I couldn't stop. I just kept hitting. I thought I was in some sort of nightmare, a lambo, limbo, I...I Just ...I.."
_______________________________________________________________
Junior couldn’t keep going. He was on the edge of his sanity. He only stopped shaking when Jenny grabbed his shoulder.
“That’s okay Junior, you can stop now.”
“That was tonight? Is that why you’re here?”
“That was months ago. I convinced him to go to the police. He got life in prison from that.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, why were you scared of him if you remembered?”
Junior shivered at Jenny’s question. He scanned the room, as to make sure no one else was around.
“It’s because I didn’t. I was at the point where there were two options; break him by telling him the truth or doing the right thing. I didn’t have It in me to break him. No matter how big of a asshole he was, I couldn’t be one myself.”
“Wait wait wait. If that’s not why you’re here then you have to keep going.”
“He can continue at his own pace, Kurt.”
“I understand. I’m here because of what happened last week. I was in South Africa, visiting for Mandela’s funeral. The plan was for our family to meet at the apartment after we landed. We’re all were scattered around America so we weren’t going to arrive at the same time. I got there first and unlocked the door. As soon as I got in there the phone rang. I thought it might be room service or the front desk. I didn’t feel like talking to them so I let it ring out. Then I got a mysterious text from an unknown number. It said ‘You lied’. I knew without context who it was from. The phone rings again and I unplug it, I was sure that he was somehow calling me on that phone. I couldn’t understand how he knew where I was. But then the most bone-chilling thing happened; it rang while unplugged. I star….”
Junior looked at the two officers who motionlessly stared at each other. Something felt off to him. He could move all he wanted but felt like everything was froze. For some reason though, he didn’t move. His cuffs didn’t jiggle, and his sweat didn’t drip. He somehow stood perfectly still for reasons unknown to even him. Then, he spoke, “HEY! You guys listening?
"Heyo!"
"Officer Jenny, please take your job more seriously."
Jenny entered the room with two cups of coffees. She skipped to the table while Kurt shook his head in disapproval.
"♪One for meee and one for youuu.♪" Jenny handed the cuffed man a cup. Kurt was not happy.
"Listen, there no need for this good cop bad cop nonsense. I just need protection. Ma'am let me tell you my story, he won't listen."
"You speak pretty well for an African."
"I was born here you pig!"
"Guys with all your testosterone. We're here to protect and serve Kurt, we have no reason to treat him like a criminal."
"Except he came in babbling nonsense at 3 am. Scared Lisa half to death."
Junior took a sip of the coffee to relax. The taste of sugar rushed into his mouth. The drink was barely passable as coffee. He started a coughing fit. Kurt laughed at the interaction.
"Jenny you nut, all that sugar can kill people."
"Oopsies, sometimes I forget. Junior, we're here to listen. So go on, take as long as you need."
"Only if you promise to take me somewhere safe."
"We'll decide that, pal." Jenny gave Kurt a dirty look for that comment. She got closer to Junior and put on a smile, awaiting his story.
"Well, it sounds crazy, but I'm not crazy. I swear."
_______________________________________________________________
I was coming off a 12-hour shift of coding. A sea of unhealthy snacks piled around my trash can. It was late at night, but I really needed some sun. I figured I'd browse the internet until my eyes gave up on me. I'm 29, so the internet doesn't really do it for me anymore. I could scroll down Facebook or Youtube, but I knew it'd put me to sleep in half an hour or so.
I started by checking my e-mail. It was the most important. Who knows, I could have did all that work and my boss had sent a message telling me I didn't need to. I work at home, so the only way he'd be able to get in contact with me was by e-mail or phone. I had gone 12 hours without checking, so I gave it a look.
The usual spam filled up most of my unread messages. Nothing from the boss. I went to close the tab and that’s when I saw one that was out of place. It was from Jason. I hadn't heard that name in a long time. He was an old friend of mines, but we had a falling out. I wanted to keep it that way, better for me and him. The message was titled 'help'. Yea right, I wouldn't give him the time of day.
I decide on Facebook as the next destination. I don't use the site much, I was just trying to put myself to sleep. The variety of dumb videos and stupid posts had a good chance of boring me to death, let alone sleep. I remember being so confused when I logged in. 2 messages and 47 alerts. I mean I didn't go on there much, but it only been a month. What was all these alerts, was it spam?
I opened the messages first. It was a shock to me. It was one from my old friend Anna. I never thought I'd talk to her again. Two messages from her, I could read a message from the drop-down, "Have you seen Jason?" Of course, it was about Jason. At the time I hadn't seen him since the last time I saw her. I was going to tell her that when I spotted the other messages. It was from Jason. My heart dropped, 99+ messages. What is wrong with this man.
I ignore the messages, fearing the worst. I open the alerts and surprise surprise, it's a post on my wall from Jason. It had blown up, so many people commented on it, probably more than I've had on my wall in total. I click it to find the rant of a mad man. I open my messages to find it copied and pasted in our thread, over 100 times. It's this one here, it says:
"Hey Junior, long time no anything. I'm trying to write this message while I'm a smidge coherent. I need you to answer a question for me Junior. Do you remember how we met?
Shit, this is so dumb. I know it'll come to bite me in the ass when I find out this is one big con-winky dink. I just really need to know before I literally go insane. LITERALLY.
I don't know Junior, I think it might be one big prank. They're all in on it because I made my way to the top. I can tell they hate how successful I am, now that I got promoted they made some kind of joint attack on me. Also, you can congratulate me Junior, I just took Lead Software Developer from that no name asshole. I know he's so angry right now. That's what got me into this mess.
It was at the end of the year party. We ended up in the black so we were celebrating. Well, I thought we were, but it's all one big setup. I came with my bitch of a wife Anna, spoiler, she's in on it too. We were by the bar, drinking of course when Ben started his speech. it was a speech for me. I had joined their team and took the company to black with my hard work. He had already given me the position but only me and him knew.
So he gets up on a chair, he's tipsy too. He starts telling them about my promotion, they don't start clapping until he does. Bunch of jealous dumbasses. He begins to tell the story of how I nailed my fucking interview, but he can't remember. I laugh it off while he stalls, trying to think of the speech or whatever story he prepared. I'm like 'on with it you dimwit' you know?. I don't say that out loud, I can't say that to the boss. He starts asking Steve and William about the interview. They act like they can't remember either.
They aren't even as drunk as me! I was pissed I tell you, but I didn't show it. My wife knew though, that's probably when she decided she was going to play along too. His shit show of a speech ends and we get back to standing around and waiting to leave. The other programmer comes up to me and laughs about how funny that shit was. I didn't get it at the time but they must of all been on it. I play it off and ask him if he remembers my first day. He stumbles to recall. I could care less about that pushover, I didn't even know his fucking name HA.
The party ends, everyone I joked with at the party was playing along. No one would tell me about the day we met. I played it off though until I got in the car. I flipped the fuck out. I remember Anna being scared, said I was too drunk to drive. She was ticking me off. Acting like she didn't see them fucking with me in there. They were lucky to fucking have me. By the way, you can take back that congratulation, I don't think I got that job anymore. I haven't been to work since that day.
I calmed myself, I wasn't going to let her drive my car, but I listened to her. I was too furious about this, fuck those guys, I'm the one who got promoted. I apologize and sweet talk the bitch before humorously asking her if she remembered how we met. And there it was, that same FUCKING stumble. She started to scramble for words and details that she couldn't grasp. I slammed the breaks. Both our heads go flying forward, crashing into the steering wheel and glove department respectively.
I blank out for a moment too. I get a hold of myself and see my her crying. She's in a panic, hyperventilating and grabbing her chest. I couldn't believe it, here I was bleeding out my forehead and this drama queen has the nerve to act like this is her fucking moment. I remember snapping at her, she knew how much my co-workers were pissing me off and she made that joke just to add on to my growing anger. I demanded her to apologies and between her breathes she says she wasn't kidding.
Really? 6 years with this bitch and she can't remember how we met? I have to remember our anniversary or get yelled at, but she expects me to believe she can't remember how we met? I don't know Junior, if you still have a thing for her go right ahead. I'm won't be seeing her ever again. Kicked her out my car, I can't remember where we were, told her to have a nice walk. I floor it to my favorite bar. You know they say you can drink your problems away, not this one I guess.
Since I was 18 Junior, I've been coming to The Range for 12 years. I walk in and it's Bruce in the back. He owns the place, been there since I've been coming. I tell him give me enough to drink for a party and he gave enough for two. I was trashed, Junior. Just drinking back to back shots by myself until my drinking buddy walked in. Hell, I forgot his name a while back and never bothered to ask. Just always called him motherfucker. This douche walks in just as drunk as me! I tell him to recall when we met. He doesn't know. He's too drunk. I believe that. I turn to Bruce, I ask the same of him. He plays like he remembers. Said I came in and ordered a drink. I could tell he lied right to my fucking face.
I can't really tell you what happened after that, that's when my bender started. I think I punch the asshole, at least that's what my busted eye is telling me. it's a blur. I'm somehow back on your side of the town. It's cause I wanted to meet my mother. I drank and walked for I don't know how long. Along the way, I asked my coke dealer if he remembers, like hell, he would. He was more helpful than any of these other snakes. He gave me a ride to Mother's place. This slimeball said I was looking rough, guess he never seen a mirror.
Junior, I remember it like it was yesterday. To be honest, I don't but feel for me for a second. You walk up to your mother, she embraces you right. Says how much she misses her only son, ask why you're so roughed up. She's old but she remembers when her and dad met. You ask her about your childhood home, the one with the shaky chandelier and the wine stain on the carpet. She remembers it like it's yesterday. What about that birthday party, when you cried because they kept asking you how old you were and you were just so shy... All these memories came to her faster than she could communicate.
So how would you feel when she couldn't remember giving birth to you?
I cried I screamed I thrashed. I screamed as I thrashed. I wept as I screamed. She kept yelling about how sure she was I wasn't adopted, but she couldn't remedy how I felt. I couldn't stop back there. Now there's no going back. EVER JUNIOR EVER I NEED TO KNOW HOW DID WE MEET."
I was taken aback. I couldn't believe what I had just read. I scramble to turn on every light I can. I know it was stupid, but at the time I didn't want to be in the dark after reading that. I get to throwing junk off my desk in search for my phone, I was scared. I didn't feel safe in my own home. I found the phone but it was dead. Damn binge working, I look for the charger until I remembered it was out in the car. That why I wasn't charging it in the first place, kept telling myself that my project wouldn't take that long.
I hear a knock on my door. I try to stay as quiet as I can. I felt like my heart was beating loud enough to hear. They knock again before yelling my name. It was Jason.
"Junior! I saw you cut on the lights! I've been waiting for you! Please open up!"
There was nowhere else to go. I thought about getting on facebook and messaging someone to help, but I knew no one would come. I had to face him. Stare him in the eyes and tell him he's crazy. He's in one big misunderstanding and he has gone too far to prove that it's some conspiracy. So I go open the door.
What stood before was a walking pile of bones. His skin sagged like an older persons skin. It failed to wrap around his now nonexisting muscles. His face wasn't recognizable for me. His hair was turning gray due to stress and he looked like he was either on drugs or coming down from them.
"Junior. Did you get my message?" I had to treat him like I normally would, he deserves at least that.
"You mean messages, you psychopath?" He managed to crack a smile through his cracked lips.
"So?"
"So what?"
"How did we meet?"
I took a deep breath. This moment was a life-changing moment for him. I was steering this cart and had the ability and desire to destroy him. What I said next decided his fate and maybe even mines. Here it goes.
"Firstly Jason, let me start by saying fuck you. You don't deserve anything you had. Your job, your wife and your upbringing were given to you on a silver spoon. Here’s your headline; druggie rich boy becomes programmer because it's the easiest thing that will impress his parents. And your wife, Anna, was the best thing that never should have happened to you. You have done nothing but hurt her all your relationship. She should have been mines! Just like that job you snaked from me you bastard. I'm glad you loss it all, you didn't earn it in the first place you asshole."
"I understand Junior, you hate me. I can even understand why. I just want to know if you remember. Please, I'm begging you."
"For fuck sake Jason, how long have you been on this bender. How hard is it to believe that a few people had a slip up in their memories."
I crossed my arms, standing over the sad sack who use to be a man. He teared up but patiently waited to hear my answer.
"It was at The Range. You walked in hammered and tried to order a drink from Bruce. He cut you off before you could even start drinking there. You stumble over to me and Anna's stools, eying our drinks. You introduce yourself and we could smell the fireball shots off your clothes. I gave you my drink just to look nice in front of my date. You don't leave, you never did get social cues. You asked me what I did and I told you. Turns out we were both just getting into the field of programming. You walked away to beg for another drink and Anna gave the okay to chill with you if you came back. Of course, you did because you're a sucker for attention. We order shots until Bruce cuts Anna off. She was blackout drunk Jason, that why she didn't remember."
"You... remembered?"
"Duh asshole, now move out my way, I have to get my charger."
He started to laugh, it reached the point where I started to get fearful again.
"Move dude."
"I did all of this and it was over nothing. I was just so afraid because, truthfully, I didn't remember myself."
"You were probably too drunk or drugged out for most of them."
"Anna was blackout drunk, Bruce probably didn't care, my dealer surely didn't care, my co-workers think I'm an asshole and was just playing on the joke and... my mother. Poor, poor Mom, no."
"Yea, you owe her an apology."
"No. She'll never get that. She'll never get it again. I thought, I... I didn't think, I was drugged out. I couldn't stop. I just kept hitting. I thought I was in some sort of nightmare, a lambo, limbo, I...I Just ...I.."
_______________________________________________________________
Junior couldn’t keep going. He was on the edge of his sanity. He only stopped shaking when Jenny grabbed his shoulder.
“That’s okay Junior, you can stop now.”
“That was tonight? Is that why you’re here?”
“That was months ago. I convinced him to go to the police. He got life in prison from that.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, why were you scared of him if you remembered?”
Junior shivered at Jenny’s question. He scanned the room, as to make sure no one else was around.
“It’s because I didn’t. I was at the point where there were two options; break him by telling him the truth or doing the right thing. I didn’t have It in me to break him. No matter how big of a asshole he was, I couldn’t be one myself.”
“Wait wait wait. If that’s not why you’re here then you have to keep going.”
“He can continue at his own pace, Kurt.”
“I understand. I’m here because of what happened last week. I was in South Africa, visiting for Mandela’s funeral. The plan was for our family to meet at the apartment after we landed. We’re all were scattered around America so we weren’t going to arrive at the same time. I got there first and unlocked the door. As soon as I got in there the phone rang. I thought it might be room service or the front desk. I didn’t feel like talking to them so I let it ring out. Then I got a mysterious text from an unknown number. It said ‘You lied’. I knew without context who it was from. The phone rings again and I unplug it, I was sure that he was somehow calling me on that phone. I couldn’t understand how he knew where I was. But then the most bone-chilling thing happened; it rang while unplugged. I star….”
Junior looked at the two officers who motionlessly stared at each other. Something felt off to him. He could move all he wanted but felt like everything was froze. For some reason though, he didn’t move. His cuffs didn’t jiggle, and his sweat didn’t drip. He somehow stood perfectly still for reasons unknown to even him. Then, he spoke, “HEY! You guys listening?
JustHANO
Active member
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2018
- Messages
- 107
- Points
- 28
Oh snap. The suspense huh? Here's part two!
“You went to Mandela's funeral?”
“Yes, but that’s a minor detail.”
“Mandela died in jail.” Kurt proclaimed. “In the 1980’s I’ve heard.”
“Then you heard wrong, it was 2013, this year. Trust me, I went. I’m part South African so I know a lot about Mandela. What does this have to do with my story?”
The two officers looked at each other again, almost like they were talking to one another in their minds. Junior got frustrated.
“Hey stop messing with me. I came for protection and you need to do your jobs. I… wait what’s happening?”
Junior started to dissipate. His skin began to glow and section off into small unique shapes, revealing a bright white abyss where his insides should be. Junior screamed until he couldn’t, his mouth had floated away with his other pieces. The room started to do that same. The once small room unraveled into a vast white vacuum.
Officer Kurt was shifting into a different form. He quickly turned to a deep dark purple and expanded to an unmeasurable size. He glowed faintly soft colors; yellows, whites, oranges, blues. It wasn’t until he could expand no more that he lost his human shape, covering the emptiness with it’s beautiful yet terrifying essences.
Jenny did the same but instead of a dark purple, she glowed a bright white. She grew until she could grow no more, keeping her human-like shape. Jenny floated around the giant swirl of colors that were once Kurt.
“You’ve taken a liking to these humans I see.” The voice rang from the abyss.
“Yes I have, they have quite the beautiful shape. What will we do with this new Information? The past humans who minds we browsed say he died in prison, yet this South African says he died in 2013. He even said he went to his funeral.”
“A quick glance at the memories of others of the region prove his statement true."
"But when you recreate the universe won't their conflicting memories cause a dilemma?"
"Most likely there will be unforeseen consequences. I will not dodge blame. I have a responsibility to piece back the universe that I destroyed, but to reconstruct it perfectly is out of my hands."
"Understood. Now what of his story. This Jason fellow."
"It would be most ironic to make it all one huge coincidence, but it's best to leave it as it was."
"Was it not a big coincidence? What was it than?"
"Most likely the curse of the evil eye. He climbed his way to the top with underhanded tactics while in the spotlight. He got more than enough glares to have such a large scale curse."
"Are you sure things like that exist? It seems out of the norm for the world I’ve seen through these memories."
"Ghost, banshees, vampires, and windigos. Spells, curses, and hexes. Monsters and magic are engraved in books of their world's history. Not only that, there are plenty of encounters that can be recalled from their memories. Hell, they even have a website full of their stories. Wouldn’t it cause a massive dilemma if the ghost hunting profession had nothing to hunt?"
"So you're recreating the world with all that in there? What if the encounters were from the viewpoints of the mentally unstable or attention seekers. And the website was made to incite wholesome fear into their readers I’m sure. I think I have a firmer grasp on humanity than you do."
"But you have no say in this do you, Father Time?"
"Fine, make it how you want it, but what if you're wrong?"
"Sorry, I have a responsibility to piece back the universe that I destroyed, but to reconstruct it perfectly is out of my hands..."
“Yes, but that’s a minor detail.”
“Mandela died in jail.” Kurt proclaimed. “In the 1980’s I’ve heard.”
“Then you heard wrong, it was 2013, this year. Trust me, I went. I’m part South African so I know a lot about Mandela. What does this have to do with my story?”
The two officers looked at each other again, almost like they were talking to one another in their minds. Junior got frustrated.
“Hey stop messing with me. I came for protection and you need to do your jobs. I… wait what’s happening?”
Junior started to dissipate. His skin began to glow and section off into small unique shapes, revealing a bright white abyss where his insides should be. Junior screamed until he couldn’t, his mouth had floated away with his other pieces. The room started to do that same. The once small room unraveled into a vast white vacuum.
Officer Kurt was shifting into a different form. He quickly turned to a deep dark purple and expanded to an unmeasurable size. He glowed faintly soft colors; yellows, whites, oranges, blues. It wasn’t until he could expand no more that he lost his human shape, covering the emptiness with it’s beautiful yet terrifying essences.
Jenny did the same but instead of a dark purple, she glowed a bright white. She grew until she could grow no more, keeping her human-like shape. Jenny floated around the giant swirl of colors that were once Kurt.
“You’ve taken a liking to these humans I see.” The voice rang from the abyss.
“Yes I have, they have quite the beautiful shape. What will we do with this new Information? The past humans who minds we browsed say he died in prison, yet this South African says he died in 2013. He even said he went to his funeral.”
“A quick glance at the memories of others of the region prove his statement true."
"But when you recreate the universe won't their conflicting memories cause a dilemma?"
"Most likely there will be unforeseen consequences. I will not dodge blame. I have a responsibility to piece back the universe that I destroyed, but to reconstruct it perfectly is out of my hands."
"Understood. Now what of his story. This Jason fellow."
"It would be most ironic to make it all one huge coincidence, but it's best to leave it as it was."
"Was it not a big coincidence? What was it than?"
"Most likely the curse of the evil eye. He climbed his way to the top with underhanded tactics while in the spotlight. He got more than enough glares to have such a large scale curse."
"Are you sure things like that exist? It seems out of the norm for the world I’ve seen through these memories."
"Ghost, banshees, vampires, and windigos. Spells, curses, and hexes. Monsters and magic are engraved in books of their world's history. Not only that, there are plenty of encounters that can be recalled from their memories. Hell, they even have a website full of their stories. Wouldn’t it cause a massive dilemma if the ghost hunting profession had nothing to hunt?"
"So you're recreating the world with all that in there? What if the encounters were from the viewpoints of the mentally unstable or attention seekers. And the website was made to incite wholesome fear into their readers I’m sure. I think I have a firmer grasp on humanity than you do."
"But you have no say in this do you, Father Time?"
"Fine, make it how you want it, but what if you're wrong?"
"Sorry, I have a responsibility to piece back the universe that I destroyed, but to reconstruct it perfectly is out of my hands..."
Last edited:
HappyVainGlory
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2019
- Messages
- 157
- Points
- 83
Almost forgot about this! Luckily I still managed to get it done. Not too long, only 2215 words according to MSWord, but I think it concludes well? Seeing the picture gave me a whole 'almighty being condemnation' vibe, so before I knew it I was writing a sci-fyish story about humanity going too far, haha...
Hope it's interesting?
Title: Arrogance
Word Count: 2215 words
Hope it's interesting?
Title: Arrogance
Word Count: 2215 words
What lies at the end of the universe? Some would say darkness, everything cast into a cold void. Others would say light, the stars still shining even at the distant horizon.
Both would be wrong.
Neither light nor dark. Neither life nor death. To begin with, the question is incorrect. Invalid.
The universe has a beginning, but it does not have an end. Like energy, it cannot be destroyed, only changed. No matter how arrogant mortals become, this fundamental law persists across time and space.
What lies at the end of the universe? The answer is a non-answer. Instead, the question should be… what caused the universe’s beginning? And before the universe, what existed, if anything? How did existence come into being?
The answer to that question is also a non-answer.
There is no beginning.
There is no end.
And conquer they did.
They were not the first space-faring race. Neither were they the first to develop faster than light travel. However, they were the first to bring a bottomless greed to the cosmos.
Where some races were content with their home world, humans set their sights on the planets beyond their galaxy. If the other space-faring races were content with seeing the stars, humans would only be content when they had those stars in their hands even if it blinded them in the process.
Multifaceted and conniving with both silver tongues and iron swords, before the Council had realized it, humans had already taken over. And when they had realized it, a new ruler had arrived in the cosmos, one with a nature as fleeting and whimsical as the stars themselves.
And tragically, that became common-sense. After millennia, humans became the accepted monarch of the stars, ruling over stretches of space unimaginable to the first humans that envisioned space travel and unthinkable to the lifeforms that first broke through the skies to the void beyond.
The weak creatures that conquered their home world through wit and steel had seized the stars they once admired, tamed the aliens they once feared.
Now, they set their sights upon the throne of the very being that wove the fabric of the universe.
It was an experiment that served as the culmination of the universe’s greatest minds. The hypothesis was simple: travel to the supermassive black hole at the center of the universe and use the gravitational field stabilizer to harness its incredible energy for space-time manipulation.
The one chosen for this sacred duty was Commander Strife, a first class soldier and ace pilot. Armed with the latest bionics, the latest equipment, and the latest model starfighter, he was humanity’s greatest hope. Praised for his noble demeanor, his patriotic spirit, and his sheer grit that led him to survive the Andromedan Genocide, Commander Strife held the gaze of the entire universe as he flew towards the center of existence itself.
It was twelve o’clock, Terran Standard time. On Earth, it would have been called noon, but at present it was simply another hour.
Strife ran a hand through his blond hair as he read the manual for the gravitational field stabilizer for the tenth time. “This sure is complicated… I hope that it does what those guys in engineering says it does.”
Not only was his life on the line, but so were the hopes and dreams of countless lifeforms. While he didn’t mind giving up his life for the mission, letting them down was something he refused to allow.
“…But I’m getting nowhere just reading this. Sirius, how much longer until we arrive?”
“Less than an hour, Commander Strife. And might I suggest you grab a cup of tea and relax? Your diligence is commendable, but meaningless.”
Strife sighed. “I guess you’re right. But still… I can’t help it. There are too many people relying on me to see this through.”
He shook his head and stared out the starfighter’s window. Past it, there was nothing but a black void. It was the inevitable aftereffect of the particular faster than light travel the starfighter used. Strife didn’t know the details, but the result was that the only thing he could see in the window was his own reflection, slightly transparent on the glass.
A young man with blue eyes and blond hair in spiky tufts stared back at him. But Strife knew that wasn’t the truth. The appearance gazing back was one that hid the soul of a thousand year old soldier, a man that had gone through countless battlefields and attained neither victory nor defeat.
Seeing that reminded him of the past. Apparently, his ancestors had adopted the name Strife after meeting a legendary soldier that helped save his world from destruction. Wanting to retain even a fragment of such heroics, they changed their family name and even gave their firstborn son the name of that hero.
That name was one that Strife shared, but…
What kind of name is Cloud?
It was too whimsical to suit him, too carefree.
Instead, Strife was perfect. Strife, conflict, violence… those had been the hallmarks of his life, not some fluffy white puffs of water floating in the sky.
“Commander Strife? Is everything alright?” Sirius’s voice echoed in the starfighter. “If you are feeling tired, simply say the word. I can adjust our arrival time to account for a few hours of rest if you so desire.”
Strife shook his head. “No need, Sirius. I was just thinking.”
“I see. I suppose this event is one that would elicit such actions. However, you must remember your health, Commander Strife. It would not do to have the universe’s hope fail due to fatigue.”
Hearing Sirius’s words, Strife frowned. “…On second thought, I’ll take you up on that suggestion. Fit in three hours of rest for me.”
Sirius had a point. If the entire experiment failed because he was fatigued… Strife didn’t even dare to consider it any further.
“Understood. Then… pleasant dreams, Commander Strife. I will wake you when we draw near.”
Strife nodded and then leaned back in his chair. The seat’s backrest slowly lowered and readjusted itself into a bed before the cabin lights dimmed.
In that darkness, Strife closed his eyes to rest.
When Strife opened his eyes, it was still dark. However, the darkness he saw was different from the darkness of the starfighter’s cabin. But, not wanting to discount perceptual malfunctions, he called out. “Sirius? Turn on the lights.”
Silence.
Strife’s honed instincts told him that something was wrong, but he couldn’t quite place it. And then he realized why.
He was standing.
Immediately, Strife lowered his body into a combat pose. Squaring his legs and reaching out in front of him, his bionics fired and summoned forth his trusted sword that had seen him through the Andromedan genocide.
Sensors… come up blank. No light, no sound, not even air. Yet… I can still breathe?
Either it was a malfunction in his bionics, or he was dreaming. The latter was more likely, but his instincts told him this was no dream.
Wary, Strife slowly started walking.
There were no sounds, no signals that he was taking any action at all. If not for the internal feedback, Strife would have thought he was simply standing in place. But he wasn’t. Despite the unchanging darkness, he was moving.
After some time without change, Strife decided to test the waters. “Hello?” He called out. “Is there anyone here?”
Silence. However, Strife felt that something had changed.
The darkness had felt like a void. A distinct lack of presence. This was affirmed by his bionic sensors. Yet, after his words, the darkness stirred.
Sensors… still come up blank.
His bionics told him that nothing was different. But his instincts told him otherwise. Countless battles where a single mistake could mean his end had instilled an awareness that even the best bionics couldn’t replicate. And that awareness allowed him to sense it.
Something was watching him. Something vast, almost unfathomable.
If he had to compare it, Strife would say that the eldritch beings he once fought in the annals of Mythos were similar. Those beings had been powerful, possessing a strength that seemingly defied nature and could overturn entire worlds.
But that was where the similarity stopped.
Those eldritch beings, while unthinkably powerful, were still within the realm of reason. Facing them brought forth a primal fear of prey before the predator, but it wasn’t to the extent of being overwhelming. This was especially true after he had refined his Atma weapon to be able to resist such devastating strength.
But Strife could tell. Whatever was watching him made those eldritch beings seem like nothing more than specks of dust. As for him who was being held under that gaze… dust didn’t even qualify. What would you call something so insignificant that even dust would ignore it? Whatever that was, it reflected Strife’s position.
He continued to move, and that being continued to observe.
Strife’s back was drenched in sweat, and every hair on his body was raised. Yet, he continued marching forward. Somehow, he had the sense that stopping would mean his end.
Eventually, a spark of light bloomed in the darkness. That light was joined by another. And another. And another. And soon, there was a cluster of stars floating in the air before him.
It should have been beautiful. And in truth, it was. That sight of floating stars reminded Strife of the reason he joined the force: to travel the endless cosmos.
But the beautiful sight before him carried a danger just as dreadful as it was beautiful. Why did he think that?
The answer was simple.
Above those floating stars, above the beautiful cluster of lights reminiscent of the never-ending starry skies, there were two orbs shining with ominous purple light.
Strife froze.
It wasn’t that he was afraid. It wasn’t that he was cautious. Instead, he had become fundamentally incapable of actions, his very body stopped by time itself.
Despite that, his awareness remained. And with that awareness, he could observe the being in front of him.
The cluster of stars continued to grow, stretching and expanding. Soon, the stars gathered into galaxies, milky clusters reminiscent of Strife’s home system. No, not just reminiscent. It was the exact same, down to the blue lights of the garden planets housed within it.
A replication of the familiar starry skies Strife was used to. When that appeared before his eyes, lights stopped appearing. At the same time, shadows grew. Coiling, slithering tendrils wrapped around the stars. Yet, they did not envelop them. Instead, it served as a container for the stars, sealing away a corner of the infinite universe.
Writhing, twisting… the tendrils swirled and squirmed until it formed a humanoid figure. A head. Two arms. Two legs. A torso. The body was there, as well as the necessary limbs. But there was no mistaking the fact that the being was not human.
The void served as its skin. The universe, its flesh. And then there were those two ominous violet orbs staring directly at Strife’s own eyes.
Strife still couldn’t move. Yet, with all the willpower he could muster, he forced his mouth to move, his lungs to exhale, his throat to deliver three words. “What… are… you…?”
The figure didn’t reply for a long time. It simply stood there, countless tendrils still writhing about its body. But eventually, it moved. The figure slowly shook its head and then raised its left hand, reaching forward.
Everything within Strife told him to move. To flee. To run away from the being in front of him. But he couldn’t. What little willpower he mustered to speak had vanished. And, in a panic, he realized that even his thoughts were slowly slipping away.
The figure’s hand reached out. It was slow. Deliberate. The act was a judgment, an inescapable verdict.
Strife could no longer think, even his thoughts frozen in time. However, he was still aware. And because of that, he heard the figure’s words.
“A pity,” it said. “That such a noble soul would be the perpetrator of humanity’s greatest arrogance.”
The figure’s hand plunged into Strife’s chest… and he knew no more.
What lies at the end of the universe? The question is meaningless, for the universe has no end. If so… what lies at the beginning? In the center of the universe, from where the singularity first begat all else, what existed?
Humanity sought an answer and fashioned themselves God.
A hero was sent to be the messenger.
The universe has a beginning, but it does not have an end. Like energy, it cannot be destroyed, only changed. No matter how arrogant mortals become, this fundamental law persists across time and space.
Yet, if those arrogant mortals dare to challenge that law. If those arrogant mortals dare to lay claim to existence itself… let it be known that existence does not take kindly to threats.
Both would be wrong.
Neither light nor dark. Neither life nor death. To begin with, the question is incorrect. Invalid.
The universe has a beginning, but it does not have an end. Like energy, it cannot be destroyed, only changed. No matter how arrogant mortals become, this fundamental law persists across time and space.
What lies at the end of the universe? The answer is a non-answer. Instead, the question should be… what caused the universe’s beginning? And before the universe, what existed, if anything? How did existence come into being?
The answer to that question is also a non-answer.
There is no beginning.
There is no end.
xxx
Far into the future, millions of years after the advent of the first space probe, humanity has conquered the stars. Countless worlds have been terraformed into planets suitable for humans and their livestock. A race that once existed only on a tiny blue sphere in a milky galaxy had reached out with their hands to conquer it all.
And conquer they did.
They were not the first space-faring race. Neither were they the first to develop faster than light travel. However, they were the first to bring a bottomless greed to the cosmos.
Where some races were content with their home world, humans set their sights on the planets beyond their galaxy. If the other space-faring races were content with seeing the stars, humans would only be content when they had those stars in their hands even if it blinded them in the process.
Multifaceted and conniving with both silver tongues and iron swords, before the Council had realized it, humans had already taken over. And when they had realized it, a new ruler had arrived in the cosmos, one with a nature as fleeting and whimsical as the stars themselves.
And tragically, that became common-sense. After millennia, humans became the accepted monarch of the stars, ruling over stretches of space unimaginable to the first humans that envisioned space travel and unthinkable to the lifeforms that first broke through the skies to the void beyond.
The weak creatures that conquered their home world through wit and steel had seized the stars they once admired, tamed the aliens they once feared.
Now, they set their sights upon the throne of the very being that wove the fabric of the universe.
It was an experiment that served as the culmination of the universe’s greatest minds. The hypothesis was simple: travel to the supermassive black hole at the center of the universe and use the gravitational field stabilizer to harness its incredible energy for space-time manipulation.
The one chosen for this sacred duty was Commander Strife, a first class soldier and ace pilot. Armed with the latest bionics, the latest equipment, and the latest model starfighter, he was humanity’s greatest hope. Praised for his noble demeanor, his patriotic spirit, and his sheer grit that led him to survive the Andromedan Genocide, Commander Strife held the gaze of the entire universe as he flew towards the center of existence itself.
It was twelve o’clock, Terran Standard time. On Earth, it would have been called noon, but at present it was simply another hour.
Strife ran a hand through his blond hair as he read the manual for the gravitational field stabilizer for the tenth time. “This sure is complicated… I hope that it does what those guys in engineering says it does.”
Not only was his life on the line, but so were the hopes and dreams of countless lifeforms. While he didn’t mind giving up his life for the mission, letting them down was something he refused to allow.
“…But I’m getting nowhere just reading this. Sirius, how much longer until we arrive?”
“Less than an hour, Commander Strife. And might I suggest you grab a cup of tea and relax? Your diligence is commendable, but meaningless.”
Strife sighed. “I guess you’re right. But still… I can’t help it. There are too many people relying on me to see this through.”
He shook his head and stared out the starfighter’s window. Past it, there was nothing but a black void. It was the inevitable aftereffect of the particular faster than light travel the starfighter used. Strife didn’t know the details, but the result was that the only thing he could see in the window was his own reflection, slightly transparent on the glass.
A young man with blue eyes and blond hair in spiky tufts stared back at him. But Strife knew that wasn’t the truth. The appearance gazing back was one that hid the soul of a thousand year old soldier, a man that had gone through countless battlefields and attained neither victory nor defeat.
Seeing that reminded him of the past. Apparently, his ancestors had adopted the name Strife after meeting a legendary soldier that helped save his world from destruction. Wanting to retain even a fragment of such heroics, they changed their family name and even gave their firstborn son the name of that hero.
That name was one that Strife shared, but…
What kind of name is Cloud?
It was too whimsical to suit him, too carefree.
Instead, Strife was perfect. Strife, conflict, violence… those had been the hallmarks of his life, not some fluffy white puffs of water floating in the sky.
“Commander Strife? Is everything alright?” Sirius’s voice echoed in the starfighter. “If you are feeling tired, simply say the word. I can adjust our arrival time to account for a few hours of rest if you so desire.”
Strife shook his head. “No need, Sirius. I was just thinking.”
“I see. I suppose this event is one that would elicit such actions. However, you must remember your health, Commander Strife. It would not do to have the universe’s hope fail due to fatigue.”
Hearing Sirius’s words, Strife frowned. “…On second thought, I’ll take you up on that suggestion. Fit in three hours of rest for me.”
Sirius had a point. If the entire experiment failed because he was fatigued… Strife didn’t even dare to consider it any further.
“Understood. Then… pleasant dreams, Commander Strife. I will wake you when we draw near.”
Strife nodded and then leaned back in his chair. The seat’s backrest slowly lowered and readjusted itself into a bed before the cabin lights dimmed.
In that darkness, Strife closed his eyes to rest.
xxx
When Strife opened his eyes, it was still dark. However, the darkness he saw was different from the darkness of the starfighter’s cabin. But, not wanting to discount perceptual malfunctions, he called out. “Sirius? Turn on the lights.”
Silence.
Strife’s honed instincts told him that something was wrong, but he couldn’t quite place it. And then he realized why.
He was standing.
Immediately, Strife lowered his body into a combat pose. Squaring his legs and reaching out in front of him, his bionics fired and summoned forth his trusted sword that had seen him through the Andromedan genocide.
Sensors… come up blank. No light, no sound, not even air. Yet… I can still breathe?
Either it was a malfunction in his bionics, or he was dreaming. The latter was more likely, but his instincts told him this was no dream.
Wary, Strife slowly started walking.
There were no sounds, no signals that he was taking any action at all. If not for the internal feedback, Strife would have thought he was simply standing in place. But he wasn’t. Despite the unchanging darkness, he was moving.
After some time without change, Strife decided to test the waters. “Hello?” He called out. “Is there anyone here?”
Silence. However, Strife felt that something had changed.
The darkness had felt like a void. A distinct lack of presence. This was affirmed by his bionic sensors. Yet, after his words, the darkness stirred.
Sensors… still come up blank.
His bionics told him that nothing was different. But his instincts told him otherwise. Countless battles where a single mistake could mean his end had instilled an awareness that even the best bionics couldn’t replicate. And that awareness allowed him to sense it.
Something was watching him. Something vast, almost unfathomable.
If he had to compare it, Strife would say that the eldritch beings he once fought in the annals of Mythos were similar. Those beings had been powerful, possessing a strength that seemingly defied nature and could overturn entire worlds.
But that was where the similarity stopped.
Those eldritch beings, while unthinkably powerful, were still within the realm of reason. Facing them brought forth a primal fear of prey before the predator, but it wasn’t to the extent of being overwhelming. This was especially true after he had refined his Atma weapon to be able to resist such devastating strength.
But Strife could tell. Whatever was watching him made those eldritch beings seem like nothing more than specks of dust. As for him who was being held under that gaze… dust didn’t even qualify. What would you call something so insignificant that even dust would ignore it? Whatever that was, it reflected Strife’s position.
He continued to move, and that being continued to observe.
Strife’s back was drenched in sweat, and every hair on his body was raised. Yet, he continued marching forward. Somehow, he had the sense that stopping would mean his end.
Eventually, a spark of light bloomed in the darkness. That light was joined by another. And another. And another. And soon, there was a cluster of stars floating in the air before him.
It should have been beautiful. And in truth, it was. That sight of floating stars reminded Strife of the reason he joined the force: to travel the endless cosmos.
But the beautiful sight before him carried a danger just as dreadful as it was beautiful. Why did he think that?
The answer was simple.
Above those floating stars, above the beautiful cluster of lights reminiscent of the never-ending starry skies, there were two orbs shining with ominous purple light.
Strife froze.
It wasn’t that he was afraid. It wasn’t that he was cautious. Instead, he had become fundamentally incapable of actions, his very body stopped by time itself.
Despite that, his awareness remained. And with that awareness, he could observe the being in front of him.
The cluster of stars continued to grow, stretching and expanding. Soon, the stars gathered into galaxies, milky clusters reminiscent of Strife’s home system. No, not just reminiscent. It was the exact same, down to the blue lights of the garden planets housed within it.
A replication of the familiar starry skies Strife was used to. When that appeared before his eyes, lights stopped appearing. At the same time, shadows grew. Coiling, slithering tendrils wrapped around the stars. Yet, they did not envelop them. Instead, it served as a container for the stars, sealing away a corner of the infinite universe.
Writhing, twisting… the tendrils swirled and squirmed until it formed a humanoid figure. A head. Two arms. Two legs. A torso. The body was there, as well as the necessary limbs. But there was no mistaking the fact that the being was not human.
The void served as its skin. The universe, its flesh. And then there were those two ominous violet orbs staring directly at Strife’s own eyes.
Strife still couldn’t move. Yet, with all the willpower he could muster, he forced his mouth to move, his lungs to exhale, his throat to deliver three words. “What… are… you…?”
The figure didn’t reply for a long time. It simply stood there, countless tendrils still writhing about its body. But eventually, it moved. The figure slowly shook its head and then raised its left hand, reaching forward.
Everything within Strife told him to move. To flee. To run away from the being in front of him. But he couldn’t. What little willpower he mustered to speak had vanished. And, in a panic, he realized that even his thoughts were slowly slipping away.
The figure’s hand reached out. It was slow. Deliberate. The act was a judgment, an inescapable verdict.
Strife could no longer think, even his thoughts frozen in time. However, he was still aware. And because of that, he heard the figure’s words.
“A pity,” it said. “That such a noble soul would be the perpetrator of humanity’s greatest arrogance.”
The figure’s hand plunged into Strife’s chest… and he knew no more.
xxx
What lies at the end of the universe? The question is meaningless, for the universe has no end. If so… what lies at the beginning? In the center of the universe, from where the singularity first begat all else, what existed?
Humanity sought an answer and fashioned themselves God.
A hero was sent to be the messenger.
The universe has a beginning, but it does not have an end. Like energy, it cannot be destroyed, only changed. No matter how arrogant mortals become, this fundamental law persists across time and space.
Yet, if those arrogant mortals dare to challenge that law. If those arrogant mortals dare to lay claim to existence itself… let it be known that existence does not take kindly to threats.
- Status