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And it's finally time to close the story of this pair
Also announcing 'Timeless Island', the new series I've litterally been imagining since the first first time I considered linking my series together.
about this coming series:
-as you understood, a long time project. A story that could be read independantly, and non-vore based. Maybe if I'm satisfied of it in the end, I'll consider trying to make it an actual book.
-Non-vore based, but it's not excluded that if the inspiration strikes, I'll make vorish or NSFW side stories of it.
-It will be the origin of a timeline some of you figured out already : Timeless Island ==> Kalnera ==> Amaria ==> night intruder ==> troubles of a dragon owner.
-I can't promise uploads on a regular basis as I can't predict how busy I'll be in my life, how inspiration goes, and how much work it will be to keep it consistant. But if I can, I'd like to keep a rhythm of at least one per month.
I might answer a few questions if you have some, but be warn that if I judge it will spoil the story plots, you'll have to deal with the answers I give you ;)
So enjoy your reading, I hope there will be some to follow this story even if non-fetish based^^
The city had been left behind, everything just felt sweet. No worries to have, except maybe a rather wild dragoness to handle. Amaria had behaved so good for so long; the young man knew it would have consequences… He was confident in his capacities to refrain her enthusiasm though. He would just have to remain calm.
The wheel had turned. If he was in charge in the city, he knew that Amaria would claim her rightful authority on him soon enough. In the nature, he would be hers. And he didn’t mind, so long as she wouldn’t abuse… or actually hurt him. This was the life he had chosen after all, because he simply loved her. Countless times he could rely on her, and being able to fully trust someone was a rare gift. Countless times she reached him when he was at his lowest. The fact that she was a dragon didn’t change anything to it.
Teehm smiled a bit nervously as they approached the cave. The one where he saved her life, so long ago, when a group of men wanted revenge for a crime neither she or her mother were responsible of. It felt a bit strange to be taken to that place, but this was the one Amaria chose to lead him to, so he wouldn’t question it. But he quite apprehended the first time she would finally have him all to herself, without restrictions.
“Oh…” the dragoness let out suddenly.
Taken back to reality, the young man first felt confused, then followed the direction she stared at. A hundred meters away, seated on a rock, a luminous figure was present. Immobile, like he gazed in the distance of the land. The white shadow…
“Will we ever get rid of him?” she growled in displeasure. “What is he here for?”
The young man hesitated a bit. Amaria had perfectly valid reasons for hating that ghost. But she was a dragon; she couldn’t fully understand how her human saw things differently. All the unsolved questions, what could be learnt… it was itching him, making him versed into less radical thoughts than the dragoness’. And it made him think of one possible reason of the ghost’s presence here…
“I think he’s here for me.” He voiced.
The dragoness turned her face to look at him, frowning. He should have brought that differently, on second thought. He had forgotten how scary she could look when she was angry. It was in these moments that he came to realize his lover was an actual dragon.
“If you dare to…”
“No heroic action, no mission, no request of any kind, I promise.” He cut her threat before it could be made, for he didn’t want to start feeling genuine fear about her. Besides, he didn’t intend to serve this being’s will anymore. “I just want answers.”
“What makes you think he will answer?” she listened with attention, but asked with suspicions. It was a tacit demand for proof, and he quite well understood it.
“Because I told him the last time I saw him in private, that this would be the only condition for talking to me again. He owes me. He knows it will be answers or nothing.” He sustained her stare, to show that he meant his words. And that this was rather important to him. “So I think he’s ready to answer. Or else, I’ll leave him here without remorse.”
Never again would he take the risk of losing everything he had. Never again would he risk his life or Amaria’s to solve others’ problems. Wars. Conflicts. Threats. He was done with all that. The only thing he would accept to be threatened by, would be his beloved dragoness.
But he still needed to know… He couldn’t help it. The young man could see in the dragoness’ eyes that she didn’t understand this obsession. But progressively, he saw her come to the conclusion it was one of her human’s quirk she simply couldn’t change. It was readable on her face. It was her facial equivalent of resignation. She knew his obsessions stopped being such only when he got them satisfied, whatever she’d say or do. And that the best was to let him satisfy his curiosity, if she wanted him all to herself.
“Fine… But you’re up for a long, long night after this. I hope you know what you’re doing…” She spoke as a last request for insurance.
Amaria could be rough and tough sometimes. But the reason why he loved her anyway was because he knew she wanted him to be well too. She cared about him, behind the mask of the dominant dragoness. Of course she was afraid to lose him again, but it was more than simple possessiveness.
“Anything you want, against a few minutes with him. That’s all I ask.”
“That should be a fair deal, since I want a lot…” she sighed, stepping toward the cave. “The more you’ll make me wait, the hungrier I’ll get. Just so you know…”
The young man smiled to the threat. He knew it was her way to express her worries. This was a huge favor she was doing him; he was aware of that. He better had to make this worthwhile. Such kind of allowance would come with a price from now on.
Taking a deep breath, Teehm gathered his courage and walked in the direction of the being of light. Amaria had reasons to hate him, and he had reasons to fear him. Even if it luckily ended well, the white shadow was the one who got him into troubles in the first place. His plans turned quite radical; the young man had died for their sake. His ‘help’ was never a guaranty of safety.
“Are you here to give me the answers you owe me?” Teehm asked when he was close enough, still respecting a reasonable distance.
“The answers I owe you? Wasn’t life good enough of a reward for you?” The white shadow looked at him like he was offended by a daring ungratefulness.
There was a blank. Teehm didn’t know if he should listen to his boiling rage, this burning desire to tell this freaking ghost to go back to getting screwed by all the demons of the underworld. But one thing for sure, despite a potentially violent backfire of this god-like being, the idea to explode felt more and more tempting.
“Just kidding. That was a bad joke. Of course I’ll answer your questions. Jeez, you look like you’re going to erupt.” The ghost had a strange echoing laughter, like he was amused. The young man could only remain frozen in some kind of shock. It was either that or actually losing control of his words. “I’m sorry, I always thought it was too dark and jerkish to be funny, but… I always wanted to try it at least once.”
“This is a horrible joke to make…” Teehm commented coldly.
“Well at least I had the decency to say it as a joke. I used to hear that from people who meant it most sincerely. Like you’re supposed to be grateful to even be allowed to live. Ah, the good old days… I used to think they were so brave and confident to say that to someone who could literally break them in half if pushed too far… but later I realized they were all just stupid, and just lucky I refrained my desires to fuse their faces with the closest wall.”
Casual talk with such being was never chilling time. Teehm had come to think that the white shadow had no limits to his powers. He had seen him freeze time, read minds, make a whole city lose memories, this alone was beyond the reach of any human. And now that he came to think about it, it was strange that he limited himself to influencing people, when he could simply make them do as he said.
Something was off this time, however. Every time this being appeared to him, he inspired him something inhuman. A carrier of wisdom, a charismatic guide, of infinite complexity. There, he almost looked like a simple man lost in his thoughts. It was disturbing to see a god-like ghost behaving like… a human.
Maybe was it a try to create empathy? Well this time, it would take a little more than chit-chat between buddies to lure him. Or maybe his words were some kind of warning… Hard to tell, but it was safer to keep in mind what kind of being he dealt with. Manipulative, sneaky, unpredictable…
“I’ll get over it.” the young man sighed to evacuate his anger, sitting on a rock next to him, not so close though. At no moment did he dare looking away from the ghost, while the white shadow simply got back to gazing the horizon. The young man wasn’t interesting enough to look at, perhaps? “I would try this joke if I had the confidence and the opportunity too, I guess…”
“That’s the thing with being cruel. It sounds so fair and harmless to do to others what someone else did to you. But even if some find it actually funny, it doesn’t take back that it’s mean and wrong.”
“Anyway…” They young man still called him back. The white shadow may be an all-powerful being, but some limits had to be set. He let it slip that the ghost’s eyes found the landscape that more interesting than him, but he wasn’t here to be lectured. He was here to get answers. Diplomatically, but firmly. “Do you authorize me to ask my questions then?”
“You can be sure people always remember two things about me. My promises, and that they will never trust me again.” The white shadow replied with what sounded like an echoing chuckle. For the first time since he sat, the ghost stopped gazing the horizon and looked at him. “Go ahead and ask, I’ll try to reply honestly.”
Teehm leant a bit back, unconsciously, probably in doubt. If he was honest, the man would objectively say that he saw no reason for this to be a trick or a trap. But subjectively… Playing along this being’s plans had led him to his death. It had been an experience he was ready to forgive but… not to forget.
Curiosity was the reason why he was here. But he didn’t forget to stay on his guards. Now that he thought about it, he wanted a little proof of the answers’ liability before asking important matter. A test.
“Okay then, any question, is that so? Let’s begin with this one. Why? Why, after making such mystery you’d finally decide to give me answers?”
“Oh boy…. You’re a smart guy, but you’re lacking global and long term view. And it really makes you sound childish…” the white shadow sighed, making a strange gesture with his ‘arm’ in weariness. “That’s no mystery that a part of you will always bother you with these questions if I don’t release you from them. I’m sorry to tell that your obsessive nature is rather obvious to anyone who knows you. After all you’ve done, after all you’ve been through… I can’t allow you to waste your present and future with meaningless concerns. Not now that you finally have your personal peace.”
“You know you’d almost sound like you care…” Teehm replied like a defensive reflex. It was never easy to hear that he was so transparent to someone he didn’t trust.
“If anything, young man, never doubt that I care.“ the etherical voice suddenly spoke in calm but dreadful seriousness. It seemed like he had… touched a sensitive point. “I mean, building a better world? I could have done it in one freaking generation. I could have just made people behave. Including dragons. But don’t you dare thinking for one second that I was toying with lives before carelessly throwing them away. I am not a god. I am not cruel. I am not a child. And I’m certainly not a tyrant. Just like no one, ever, was a disposable trash to me. Every life is unique, and is only up to the one who lives it. And making others go through painful moments hurt me in a way you couldn’t imagine. But building a better future is meaningless, if the foundations rest on the corpses of the ones left behind. Nor if it’s not wanted. That’s why I eventually left people with their free will. Making them aware of the choice they have, but letting them choose. Because life is just… life. It’s short, it’s chaotic, it’s painful. And if there’s any chance I can make people’s lives a bit better, even for so briefly as the blink of an eye, then be sure that I always care.”
For a moment, the young man didn’t dare to move. The ghost hadn’t even risen the voice, he had talked quietly. But the coldness behind felt threatening. He was a being of unknown power, it wasn’t such a smart move to tease him after all.
“Besides… You asked me to erase you from the minds and thus, from history.” The ghost continued in a lighter tone. “Consequently, you won’t have any major impact on the future anymore; telling you what you want is not such a big risk. By he way… what’s with this obsession in erasing yourself? First your name, then faking your death and finally… this. There was a time when erasing someone from history was the ultimate form of punishment for men of importance. They even gave it a sacred name, the damnatio memoriae. Every human being has this… inherent desire of some kind of immortality through their acts or influences. Why willingly choosing what most would consider as a curse?”
“Aren’t you supposed to know everything?” Teehm asked carefully. He didn’t know if it was because he wasn’t so eager to talk about his motivation, but his guts pushed him to not lose the lead of the questions.
“I never claimed that. I generally respect people’s privacy. You can observe a bird in a cage, but that doesn’t mean you get to know all about its thoughts.”
The metaphor was rather harsh to the young man’s ears. Did this ghost know how insulting he could be? Especially today, when he felt freer than ever?
“I’ve never felt in my place, to be true.” Teehm replied anyway.
Whether he liked it or not, the young man had to recognize that had no leverage in this conversation. The white shadow was there because he wanted to, and replied because he accepted to. Despite his personal feelings, if he wanted to be relieved from his questions, he’d had to answer the ghost as well…
“My parents filled my head with wonders, and as I grew up I realized the world I lived in was… uninteresting, like I wasn’t meant for this life. The chat with the neighbors, the choice between either farmer, paperwork or soldier as a career… it was kind of flat, boring. I felt like I didn’t belong to this society, I wanted to live great things, discover wonders. I wasn’t one of them, so I didn’t want to exist to their eyes. I didn’t want to bother their society with my existence. You can guess that when I met Amaria, I found in her everything I ever dreamt of. Mystery, awe, and another view on the world… In a way she gave a purpose to my life. History not remembering me is fine, I never cared about being part of it. It was even stressful, pressurizing to me. I wanted to just live peacefully, with my living wonder. Doesn’t feel like a curse to me.”
“I see… You’re what I call a ‘born out of his time’.” The white shadow commented with what seemed to be a nod.
“A what now?”
“It’s an amazingly broad spectrum how humans evolved over time. Different activities, different organizations, from the hunter/gatherer to the most advanced eras. I, for one, have always wondered if I would have been good as a farmer. Taking care of my flocks and plantations, this sounded like hard work but rewarding. It wasn’t considered a serious activity, in my time. Perhaps you would have shined in the future, with the bloom of technology and science, or in the distant past, more peaceful and connected to the nature. But that’s the deal, we do not choose when we’re born. We can only ever make the best of what we’re given.”
“What about David? Was he a ‘born out of his time’ too?”
A question that was also a strategic way to orient the conversation. If this ghost was anything similar to the nostalgic man he sounded like, then he would be likely to digress. And the young man wanted answers, more than metaphysical implications.
“Clearly not… The events proved that David finally found his true place.”
“With a broken soul… I’d like to know if he’ll be good… You seem to know where the world is going, maybe is this a question you can answer?”
“Always worrying for the others… Yes, David will be good. He will have an interesting life actually, and even future generations will know the name of Devon. For making humanity enter a new era of progress with a smart use of the treasure room’s legacy before it fades away. And for being one of the fairest rulers in history. He’ll be loved. He’ll be respected. And that will turn out to be his biggest source of problems. People will be fine too. The time of wars is behind. You never know when you live a major turn in history, but once you look back at it, you’re proud of having lived it. This is a great day.”
“But still… I find it unfair to break someone for the greatest good…”
“The world is unfair. The universe is unfair. Because fairness is a construct of sentient life, and proper to anyone. Here’s a better question. If you were told that your entire life, the fate of this world, the safety and joy of billions and billions, could be decided by the destruction of one life. That shattering a human soul since its childhood to his everlasting death, would ensure that the world would learn to be fair and kind. Would you press the button?”
The young man hesitated. This was the kind of question that justified why it was maybe a good thing that humans weren’t gods. The kind of question he sincerely never wanted to have to answer. Surely he wanted nothing for people but to be safe and happy… but he kind of felt like the button depicted was already pressed with David.
“I honestly don’t know if I would have followed the same path if I knew what the outcome would be for the sacrificed. But I also know that if I had been offered this role, I would have gladly taken it for the sake of everyone. Not anymore, but I was… for a time.” The young man mentioned, to make sure the drawn line was visible enough. Just in case… “So I guess it would depend on certain conditions, but I can’t imagine if I’d fully measure what it implies…”
“Clearly you don’t, but I shall admire the spirit.” The white shadow laugh, sounding a bit sinister still. “People like you are why I put so much investment in this timeline… But still, there’s something I don’t get. Something I had nothing to see with, something that came naturally to you. And I don’t know why, even if I admit it made you conveniently predictable in my plans. What was this obsession with the Devons?”
“What do you mean?” The young reacted with a frown, not liking the way the ghost made him sound like a pawn.
“You hated the father, probably dreamt of the worst things for him. And yet, when you had the opportunities to take him out for good, you either didn’t seize them, or regretted you had. Then, when the son was the most dislikeable brat, you outdone yourself to reach him, when there was no proof he would end up doing the right choice. Among all the people in this city, it was always about them, even when they were the most obviously evil of all. And now that you could ask me any question, David’s fate comes in first. Why minding so much about their business?”
A fair question. One he would always fail to explain to Amaria, because she might not like being the inspiration of it. In a way, it was her that pushed him to question his perception of the world… making him giving a chance even to the lost ones.
“Because I don’t believe evil is even a thing to begin with, that’s the problem. Warriors get their names on the battlefield and I couldn’t step in one. How could a soldier sincerely fight when he can’t believe the one he’s facing is evil?” He sighed, ashamed. “To me, evil is an excuse for misunderstanding. We’re all evil to someone else, until this someone gets to walk in our shoes.”
It was a weakness he never wanted to admit. He used to feel so superior in trying to always understand others. And he had been doing this for so long that he forgot there could be more basic causes to behaviors. In a way, it was naïve and full of a misplaced ego he couldn’t get rid of. But he played this role for so long that it had become fully integrated in his nature.
“The Devons intrigued me like an enigma. Just like Amaria, in the beginning. What is considered ferocious, dangerous, evil… I want to understand why they are like this. And find out if there is a way this could be solved. With Amaria, I turned out quite positively changed by my curiosity, it taught me a lot about myself and I found a way of life that suited me better. With the Devons… I faced explanations that contradicted my… ‘positive vision of the world’, so to speak. It was an itch I couldn’t scratch, I couldn’t accept they were simply bad people. I was so sure I missed something! So naturally, I regret it ended so brutally and prematurely with the father. I wish I had more time to try other ways. When I saw David so miserable, I couldn’t help but resuming the puzzle solving. There was no noble intention in that, it was me unable to resist a different path. I don’t believe in evil because if it actually was a thing then… I would consider myself part of it. Considering someone as an experience subject doesn’t make me a good man in my book.”
“Then maybe good is in the actions you take, not in your intentions. It doesn’t change the fact that you did good.” The ghost pointed, like an attempt to comfort him. But Teehm wouldn’t lower his guard so easily.
“It brings me to the next question then.” The young man bounced on the question to deviate once again. Whether he did good or not was a debate he didn’t want to have. Because he was certain this was wrong to accept breaking a soul as a price for a peaceful life. What was done, was done, good or not. And he didn’t want to have to think further about it. Guilt was better put in a corner of the mind to be forgotten, when nothing could be fixed. In that, his future was a more important concern. “Will I be good? No, will we be good, Amaria and I?”
“That, my friend, is entirely up to you.”
An answer spoken a bit too fast to the taste of the young man. This was the kind of generic reply from someone who didn’t want to dig the subject. The thing is, it wasn’t a question he would accept to overlook. It was too important!
“But you know all of history. You could at least tell me if we will be happy.”
“There are some lives I respected enough to not watch. I voluntarily ignored yours so you’ll have your entire free will to yourself, and privacy. It’s all up to you. I think you two will be okay, but for a while you’ll have to earn back her trust. You made her go through a lot and you should probably remind her why she loves you so much. You obviously care about her, so just let her know. Believe me. When you find someone you truly love, you better do your best to make her want to stay with you. Enjoy what you have, while it lasts, and make it last for all those who lost it.”
Did he hear a note of regret in the etherical voice? Even though, it was the kind of advice one generally spoke of personal experience. Teehm wouldn’t fall in feeling compassion, but it rose another question. Did this being have a past?
Maybe was it time to ask the most important question…
“Who are you?” the young man finally asked. “You said it yourself, not a god, so who or what are you? I had hypothesis but truly you’re not someone I knew. I can sense these things.”
“No, you have never met me in my… former life.” The ghost replied with what sounded like a little chuckle. “As to who I am, I’ll need you to do something so my answer will make sense. I need you to look on your right.”
“Why? There’s nothing there…” he replied instantly, not even bothering to look away.
He knew there was nothing but a plain, and a forest in the distance. No need to look to know there was nothing to see. Was he trying to distract him with this beautiful landscape he had been gazing at for a biggest part of the conversation?
“There is something, and you’ll see it if you look on your right.”
“I know there is nothing there. I have the feeling you’re just avoiding the question.”
“Then ask yourself this question: why are you so determined to not look when that could be an easy and quick way to prove me wrong?”
Hesitation again. That was true… Even when he was reluctant to do something, he rarely put such heart in his convictions. And yet it was nothing but a landscape. Why was he so certain this time?
“It’s okay, it’s normal.” The white shadow filled the blank, like he was perceiving the young man’s growing worries. “Your brain is messing with you so you won’t look, it’s an unconscious defense mechanism. It would indeed be damaging to look for too long, but I just want you to watch for a few seconds. Just do it when you feel ready.”
Teehm was experiencing some weird feelings. Naturally, he sought proofs in his memories that could classify these words as garbage. But a growing fear emerged when, as he scanned his memories, he couldn’t find a single one of them where this place had been looked at, even indirectly. What if… his brain had actually protected him against something he wasn’t supposed to see?
The white shadow did say it could be dangerous! What if it was a monster that would chase him once seen? What if the thing would make him blind? What if… it was his brain coming up with scary theories to distract him again? If so, what kind of thing could be felt like such a threat, to such subconscious level?
“What is there?” he asked, a bit nervous.
“The answer to who I am.”
Feeling sweat pearling on his forehead, the young man breathed deeply, and his eyes moved to their corner, on the right. Slowly and hesitantly, led by his need to know while his whole body tried to not look, he faced the forbidden view.
And it was beyond words.
There was a plain, and trees… But it was caught by a white wild fire. A fire that made no sense. Here and there, it extended while the flames seemed to retract to their base, and elsewhere, it diminished and reconstructed the plants and trees on its way. In this impossible chaos, there were people in visible agony. Some got partially decomposed by the flames while the rest of there body rebuilt itself. Their movements of panic and pain were erratic too, like dismantled puppets.
Tears flowed out of his eyes. It was painful, physically painful to watch! None of it made sense and it was giving him nausea and a violent headache. He couldn’t help but look away after what felt like hours.
“What the hell is that?! Is it going to expand to us?!”
“No worries, it’s actually decreasing. And you’ve only been watching for a second, so the shock will pass.” The white shadow probably tried to reassure him, but it took the man all he got to contain his state of panic. “It’s like an old wound closing. That’s a scar in the fabric of reality. The traumatic result of something that broke the rules of physics.”
“And why did you make me look at it?! How can it possibly answer who you are?!”
“Because I think a man can be defined by how he died.”
There was a blank, a heavy silence. Teehm wasn’t sure of what he heard, because if he heard right, that was quite a sinister reveal. All this time he had referred this being as a ‘ghost’ because of his etherical form. The young man believed he was some magical spirit or maybe a different kind of lifeform not yet understood. But it never occurred to him that the white shadow… could actually be a dead person.
“Wait… You’re actually a… ghost?”
“Wasn’t it obvious enough?” the white shadow chuckled darkly, staring at the impossible scene, suddenly sounding quite nostalgic. “Yes, I died there. I wasn’t supposed to end this way. And yet I died anyway, alone among thousands, one meaningless day, on an unimportant plain... I was terrified… I was sad… I was miserable... I was desperate... My friends would be safe, but I… would cease to exist. All the pain I had been through had been in vain because there would be no better tomorrows for me. I felt like my whole life had just been there so that I could suffer for others. I felt disposable, like a waste... That’s the feeling I wanted to erase from this world. I wanted no one else to lose their happier tomorrows. I am just sad little man, fallen on a meaningless battlefield, making sure there is always hope for the livings. Because no one else would ever have to endure such torment under my watch. Even that sounds pointless after so long…”
Teehm didn’t know what to say. Like probably most of those who knew the white shadow, the young man had cursed its name. And finally, after so many mysteries, the overpowered dreadful being turned out to be a lost soul fighting over and over to protect others from his own fate. It was logical. it was understandable. It… made sense. For the first time, this being made sense. And it was rather sad in some ways...
It reminded him a philosophical thought his father once shared with him. Were there gods above ours to help them when they needed it… or did they create humanity to fill this role? Maybe was it a bit pretentious, but at least that day it gave him faith in something. Not being great because he was meant to. But being great to help.
“It must have left a deep scar in you too, to make you so determined… or maybe were you determined to hide behind a good excuse.” The young man replied with an ugly honesty. He understood now. There was one time when the most secretive persons opened this much. When they were afraid, calling for help. “You do sound quite tired of your quest.”
“Of course it was an excuse. You were an excuse. Every life I followed was an excuse to run away. That thing right there is proof enough.”
“How?” Teehm asked, not seeing the connection.
“Because I caused it, and if I go where I’m supposed to go, this thing will close itself. The tissue of reality will be fully repaired. History would make sense at long last, the causality will come full circle. And this future you live in… will stop being only a potential one.”
“Wait, what do you mean, potential?” The young man reacted to the word. It might seem like nothing, but knowing his power, that could mean something infinitely dreadful.
“You, Amaria, Clyde, Leafera, Nick, Lynara, and all the people around.” The ghost sighed, raising a vaporous arm to draw an imaginary circle in the air. “This feels all real to you and it is. But to me… this hasn’t happened yet. It will only happen if I go where I’m supposed to. This timeline will become real when what allows it to exist... happens.”
“Do you mean that… not going would erase us?”
“Possibly. I only know that your story and all the others’ will be set in stone when this thing closes. And to close it… I have to ruin a life from its youth.”
Another drop that imposed a silence. Not only was the statement awful in itself, but the young man instantly heard the connection to something he said earlier.
“All a sudden, the question you asked minutes ago makes more sense…” Teehm realized, glad he didn’t forget to take mental notes. He knew this being never talked in vain.
“If you were told that the only way to achieve a better future was to destroy the life of an innocent from childhood to his everlasting death… would you have the courage to press the button?” the ghost confirmed. “I haven’t been able to so far… but it seems like I can’t run away anymore...”
“You want me to tell you to do it, don’t you?” The young man guessed after a little hesitation. It was an easy conclusion, to someone who didn’t forget to remain on his guards. The trick was clear now.
“After so long… would it be wrong to hope for it?” the ghost asked with a tired tone. For once, it truly sounded like it was sincerely asked. “In the end, don’t you think I have the right to hear that this horror will be worth it? That the world I helped to build deserves to become true? Would it be so unfair, to ask for someone to take that responsibility off my shoulders?”
“You don’t even have shoulders…” the young man replied instantly like in instinctive defense. Was this being blackmailing him? Guilt-tripping with the beautiful life he granted him? He had fought hard to get this life! “Are you taking my whole reality in hostage just so I take this weight on my soul forever? You think I didn’t have enough of one kill to keep me awake at night?”
“Don’t get me wrong. My decision is already made and I’ll do I anyway.” The white shadow corrected, strangely sounding a bit defensive too. “This is not a threat. I’m asking for mercy and compassion. What I must do… it will be terribly painful to me. And I’m scared. It will help me a bit to feel like I’m not pressing this button alone…”
No attempt to manipulate? No trick? This was instinctively hard to believe. Why would he ask for something the young man had no reason to take responsibility for? Why such a request would be accepted? Did he want to test his kindness, and obtain begging to find another way? To see if the young man he saved had a merciful soul toward an unknown child?
If the young man put aside his grudges for a moment, he felt pity for this being. To ask for help this way, he had to be pretty desperate. It was hard to think he was actually scared, but after all, like he said himself, he was just a little man fallen on a battlefield, in the end…
“You know… I feel compassion for you, I really do. Nobody should have to make such choice.” The young man began with sincerity. But of course he wouldn’t stop there. After all he had been through, there were limits to his kindness, now. Especially when the stakes were so high. “However, we all have to do things we don’t want to at some point. You’re afraid of feeling like a monster? So was I. And I carry the scars of what I did, but I moved on. I wants to tell you that you owe us. That this world is finally on the verge of getting rid of wars for good, and erasing it now would be an insult to the memories of those who fell. I also want to tell you that now that I got what I dreamt for, peace and privacy with Amaria, I don’t want to lose it. And that would be my most honest answer. I also owe this to Amaria. I really am sorry for you, deeply. And if there could be a chance to bring you a happy ending too, believe me I would. But I’m not going to tell you otherwise at the risk of my reality being reduced to ashes. I’m not asking you to press it, because I won’t let more guilt into my life. But I forbid you to not do it.”
“Well, I needed to hear that. I hoped I’d hear that. I wanted to hear that I didn’t let kindness become a poison to this world.” The white shadow replied, standing up with what seemed to be a strange pride. A sudden, full reversal of attitude. He even sounded… joyful? “Then I guess it’s time for me.”
The white shadow then looked at the confused man, a smile could be guessed by his eyes. This cursed trickster had played on him! What a cynical joke…
“Hostility is wrong. But so can be kindness.” The ghost explained. “Extremes have to be avoided to ensure balance. You stood up against me when the deal was simply unacceptable. Remember, never attack first, but never fail to defend. Or else, you’re being a victim, not compassionate.”
“Are you seriously telling me that you only wanted to check if I had learnt my lesson?”
“I am the white shadow, what did you expect?” The ghost laughed, opening his vaporous arms like it was a show to him. “I’m here to test you, to make you aware of the choices you have. Because my time has come doesn’t change who I am. So one last time, young man, I offer you a choice. You know there is two possible paths for you. The current one, or… back in the city. You know I could… arrange it. Time to decide on your own free will what your life will be, so no regret is kept. Just this once, I want to hear your conviction. What do you choose?”
“You know what my choice is.” Teehm replied with no hesitation, a bit coldly. It was already no fun to have been played upon, but the question felt nearly insulting now. “My mind hasn’t change. Not knowing what tomorrow will be made of has always been better with her by my side. With all respect, how could this choice even to influence the future?”
“Not the future of humanity, but yours…” The ghost chuckled with mischievous eyes. “It’s important to be sure of what you want, so you can better hold on it tight. Whatever they say, happiness is sometimes as simple as a choice. What we should tell all children in schools is how a lifetime is short and must be enjoyed to the fullest. It’s precious. Enjoy yours…”
“For all those who lost it, right?”
“And also those who never had the chance to know it…. Have a good life, I mean it most sincerely. You owe it to me.”
On this strange goodbye, the white shadow stepped toward the damaged place, and the young man’s eyes categorically refused to follow him there. Was the ghost finally going where he was expected, like everyone had in the end? Teehm would probably never know. Not sure about what to think, or even how he felt about this, he began to walk toward the cave. Their cave, now. What if all of this was forever only potential?
It was hard to imagine that the life he had, the future, his relationship with Amaria, and all they had done… could be erased in a blink. Could he ever live in peace knowing that?
At this moment, a weird noise rose from behind, similar to a thunder cracking. And this time, nothing stopped his curiosity to look above his shoulder.
“A plain… and a forest in the distance…” he couldn’t help but describe what he saw. Just a normal, regular landscape. A little smile of relief appeared on his face. “There never was anything special there, I knew it.”
As he resumed his walk, Teehm brought a hand to his eyes as a reflex. Were these… tears? This sight should have filled him with relief and joy. Welcomed like a proof that his happiness was real. But he couldn’t help feeling a sadness he couldn’t define. He had the feeling that he missed something. Something that tore his heart without a conscious understanding
But maybe the time of concerns was over. Maybe there was a reason he didn’t get it. Everything was right. And he had Amaria.
For real now…
“I can smell you approaching, time for my Teehm-er…” he heard her teasing from the cave, and he couldn’t help but giggle to that.
“What is that even supposed to mean?” he asked back as he walked closer to the entrance.
“Mix between your name and diner of course. I know it now, and I know you don’t like it. So expect it a lot in the coming days.”
It was hard to tell if this was a legitimate, intended punishment to annoy him, or if she wanted to tease him as the premises of a game. Putting a hand on the rock, he looked inside, and saw the beast herself. Laying on her side, half in the shadow, with her eyes and toothy smile contrasting drastically in the darkness. She looked pretty scary, and the young man let out a little laugh. He could be certain this was an intended effect.
“You’re terrible at puns…” he smiled back at her, challenging the dragoness’ intimidation.
“And you’re terrible at wearing clothes. At least one of these will be fixed pretty easily.” She chuckled a bit darkly, making an inviting sign with her paw.
A pretty obvious call. One of these choices again, maybe. What could a warrior choose at the end of the day, when all the battles were over? Hesitating, stepping back, or putting his courage in something that was worth it? This was one of these choice that were as easy as a few steps to join the one he truly loved, even at her most terrifying.
The dark of a room…
In every era, it was strange how sleeping places held this same atmosphere. Quiet, silent. It was always a place that made the imagination run wild. Curious, how in all time there was a monster in the closet, or hiding under the bed. But maybe behind all the other nights, those that were empty of worries or fear, there was a white shadow guarding the night. Invisible, unnoticeable… trying to bring a little more peace to the world.
No one ever wondered about the cause of their most repairing dreams. It was a task of no reward, but one that always made sense in a way. People needed a silent hero to fight the monster under the bed once in a while.
This time though, the monster was different, in the person of the guardian himself. It was strange to have this heart tearing feeling, when there has been no heart in a long time.
“Hello kid… It’s been a while…”
An introduction that could have been more original, but time wasn’t to fantasy or laugh. It was a task that only inspired sad sighs and pity the more the bed was approached. Nothing could be physically felt. But it appeared like the mind remembered and recreated the sensations of sitting pretty well.
Of course no one could hear, or see. It was like… being on a different frequency. But like coma states, sleep brought higher perceptions. And there had been signs that sleeping people could hear what was spoken to them. A way that had been used more than once.
There were times the world needed heroes to admire… And times for necessary evil.
“There is a lot I’d like to say… but mostly apologies… I’m sorry kid. Even with an eternity to explore and try, I found nothing to avoid this…”
The eyes lowered on the ‘knees’. It was curious also, despite all the shapes that could be taken, the preferred form had always been humanoid. Never ready to let go… And even now, there was this desire to gain some time, when time didn’t matter anymore…
“I wanted to save you. To give you a normal life. I really did. When I figured out I was the one meant to do this to you, I thought I could run away and simply not do it. But it doesn’t work that way… You can’t run from something that will eternally wait until you have no choice but to return. When I finally understood it was inevitable, I did my best to make it worthwhile, at least. But the truth is, now that I have every reason to do it, it doesn’t make it any less horrible to me.”
There was a peaceful breathing coming from under the sheets, but no look would be thrown at the child.
First, because being here broke a personal rule. Despite immense powers allowing unlimited freedom, no one’s room had ever been entered, and proximity with children had been avoided at all cost. It was too easy to disturb a young spirit, and too risky for their health.
But especially there, it was guilt that didn’t allow a direct look. Because he was there specifically to mess with his health… After literal eternities of existence, at least it was a relief to know that morality and humanity hadn’t left this old mind… It would have been far more terrible to not feel anything.
“It’s really important to me that you know I honestly don’t want to do this. This will eventually lead to my creation. I don’t want to exist. I don’t care if I disappear in horrible pain because it would always be better than living with all the painful memories I accumulated over the ages, forever and ever. But because I allowed myself to take advantage of my powers to build a beautiful world, people died, people were born, people evolved. And I don’t have the right to wipe it all because I’m scared to do what must be done.
But if you could see what I’ve seen… I did some terrible things but I also had fun, a lot of experiences. Because I knew true pain I was able to recognize beauty and awe when it was presented to me. I even made friends! Good people, great people… Actually, I think it’s meeting them that kept me going. Brave, loyal and true… I always thought that it was miracles that such benevolent persons appear once in a while in this cruel world. If you could see them… I’m sure you’ll understand it was worthwhile.”
Eyes still low… Trying to make the whole picture more beautiful was always a good way to mask the bad moments. But that kid… truth was owed to him, even if he wouldn’t understand it. Even if it would forever be lost in his dreams.
“As I said, there is a time for everything. Even for truth. You will be sad. You will be overwhelmed. You will be in constant fear and loneliness. Being strong will be your only chance to survive, and you’ll never have rest. So… one last time, so you can remember what innocence and peace feel like… how about I tell you a little story I heard long ago?”
Vaporous hands were brought closer to the child’s head. Once again, humanoid limbs helped the mind to visualize better. And this task would require all the focus in the world. Being forced to do it was a heartbreak, but if there was any error, it would be truly unforgivable.
And it was also amazing how the mind could synthetize human reactions. Seeing the boy’s face filled the heart with guilt and shame. He wasn’t aware that these were the last seconds of his normal life, too young, too unconscious to realize that his life would be taken away by an invisible monster, the very one who was supposed to save him. A pearl of fluid like gas formed on the ‘face’, and dropped into a luminous tear.
Then electricity began to flow into the head of the child. Painless, of course. Sedating nerves in the process was easy… but it didn’t erase the fact that the brain was being modified, surgically.
“There was once a lonely broken man. All his life, he wanted to be good, and achieve something great. He sincerely wanted to bring a positive change in his world. But nothing ever he did feel great to his eyes. He kept on trying, again and again, unable to stop. Sometimes a victory, often a defeat. But nothing seemed to ever change. All his life, he kept going on straight ahead, hoping the next one would make him finally proud. But the only thing he found in the end of the road was a kind figure waiting for him. The one that waits everyone at the end of the road. Death itself, welcoming him with open arms.
But I’m not ready. I haven’t accomplished anything yet, the man tried to bargain. For only answer, death smiled at him and rose an arm, pointing at something behind him. When the man turned, he could see was the road he travelled. And for a second in eternity, he wasn’t broken anymore.”
The electricity flow stopped. There was a need to breath, but it was purely emotional. Lungs had been amiss for a long time, it was a pure product of guilt and shame. It was done. From outside, it was like nothing ever happened. But there was a disturbed move from the kid proving that his new state was hard to welcome, even during sleep.
“I never understood the end until now… You’ll get it someday too. Sometimes, the biggest success of a man’s life isn’t fame or glory. But just the seeds he took care of on his way. Mine grew into a beautiful orchard of mighty trees. Just because I wanted to save them all. It was worth it in the end…”
The sensation of heaviness was never more symbolic as when there was no weight. And yet, the mind remembered what a ‘heavy chest’ felt like. Getting up went slowly.
“What the story doesn’t say, is that in the end, the broken man regretted a bit not having shared more time with those who counted. And it would forever be a mystery what his friends became. What I did made the following hundred years unreachable. That’s my punishment… I know it’s selfish, kid… but for the sake of this world, I hope you’ll turn out to be the hero we all needed. The hero that set path to all the others.”
“Save… them all…” the boy grumbled in his sleep.
It was strange the way some words could hurt. A hard truth, an insult, and sometimes… an old memory, that evoked a sadness beyond reason. The room of this child was decorated with representations of mighty heroes of his time, in victorious and inspirational poses. From the youngest age he had identified to those who uses their strength to help others. It was unfair that such a good soul had to be broken to ensure a brighter future.
“Never forget this will, kid… For even when you can’t save them all, you can at least save many. And that will always be at least a little. Good luck, kid. Be good, do good… Remember to have a laugh once in a while, it heals everything. And most importantly, enjoy what you have. I’ll always be proud of you.“
And now what? Should the place just be left?
It had been believed for so long that this was the end… The timeline was set, the paradoxes were fixed, the causality was restored. So what was next? A proper disappearance would have been welcomed, everything was in order for a good exit. But still, nothing happened…
Well, this had been hypothesized too, even if such possibility had been voluntarily disregarded. Because it was too scary to think… of the opposite of a proper disappearance. Doomed to exist, forever and ever… in a universe that became quite small after such a long time. Eternity as a prison, a lonely prison, without the blessing of an end. Trapped with a movie which every plot was known by now.
Well, a second watch wasn’t a bad idea to keep the mind busy… It would at least be stimulating. The story was nice. Being a spectator this time would be less pressurizing. And it would be a way to see faces long forgotten. All the beings that should have been appreciated more while they were still there.
And it all began a long time ago, on a lost island.
Also announcing 'Timeless Island', the new series I've litterally been imagining since the first first time I considered linking my series together.
about this coming series:
-as you understood, a long time project. A story that could be read independantly, and non-vore based. Maybe if I'm satisfied of it in the end, I'll consider trying to make it an actual book.
-Non-vore based, but it's not excluded that if the inspiration strikes, I'll make vorish or NSFW side stories of it.
-It will be the origin of a timeline some of you figured out already : Timeless Island ==> Kalnera ==> Amaria ==> night intruder ==> troubles of a dragon owner.
-I can't promise uploads on a regular basis as I can't predict how busy I'll be in my life, how inspiration goes, and how much work it will be to keep it consistant. But if I can, I'd like to keep a rhythm of at least one per month.
I might answer a few questions if you have some, but be warn that if I judge it will spoil the story plots, you'll have to deal with the answers I give you ;)
So enjoy your reading, I hope there will be some to follow this story even if non-fetish based^^
The city had been left behind, everything just felt sweet. No worries to have, except maybe a rather wild dragoness to handle. Amaria had behaved so good for so long; the young man knew it would have consequences… He was confident in his capacities to refrain her enthusiasm though. He would just have to remain calm.
The wheel had turned. If he was in charge in the city, he knew that Amaria would claim her rightful authority on him soon enough. In the nature, he would be hers. And he didn’t mind, so long as she wouldn’t abuse… or actually hurt him. This was the life he had chosen after all, because he simply loved her. Countless times he could rely on her, and being able to fully trust someone was a rare gift. Countless times she reached him when he was at his lowest. The fact that she was a dragon didn’t change anything to it.
Teehm smiled a bit nervously as they approached the cave. The one where he saved her life, so long ago, when a group of men wanted revenge for a crime neither she or her mother were responsible of. It felt a bit strange to be taken to that place, but this was the one Amaria chose to lead him to, so he wouldn’t question it. But he quite apprehended the first time she would finally have him all to herself, without restrictions.
“Oh…” the dragoness let out suddenly.
Taken back to reality, the young man first felt confused, then followed the direction she stared at. A hundred meters away, seated on a rock, a luminous figure was present. Immobile, like he gazed in the distance of the land. The white shadow…
“Will we ever get rid of him?” she growled in displeasure. “What is he here for?”
The young man hesitated a bit. Amaria had perfectly valid reasons for hating that ghost. But she was a dragon; she couldn’t fully understand how her human saw things differently. All the unsolved questions, what could be learnt… it was itching him, making him versed into less radical thoughts than the dragoness’. And it made him think of one possible reason of the ghost’s presence here…
“I think he’s here for me.” He voiced.
The dragoness turned her face to look at him, frowning. He should have brought that differently, on second thought. He had forgotten how scary she could look when she was angry. It was in these moments that he came to realize his lover was an actual dragon.
“If you dare to…”
“No heroic action, no mission, no request of any kind, I promise.” He cut her threat before it could be made, for he didn’t want to start feeling genuine fear about her. Besides, he didn’t intend to serve this being’s will anymore. “I just want answers.”
“What makes you think he will answer?” she listened with attention, but asked with suspicions. It was a tacit demand for proof, and he quite well understood it.
“Because I told him the last time I saw him in private, that this would be the only condition for talking to me again. He owes me. He knows it will be answers or nothing.” He sustained her stare, to show that he meant his words. And that this was rather important to him. “So I think he’s ready to answer. Or else, I’ll leave him here without remorse.”
Never again would he take the risk of losing everything he had. Never again would he risk his life or Amaria’s to solve others’ problems. Wars. Conflicts. Threats. He was done with all that. The only thing he would accept to be threatened by, would be his beloved dragoness.
But he still needed to know… He couldn’t help it. The young man could see in the dragoness’ eyes that she didn’t understand this obsession. But progressively, he saw her come to the conclusion it was one of her human’s quirk she simply couldn’t change. It was readable on her face. It was her facial equivalent of resignation. She knew his obsessions stopped being such only when he got them satisfied, whatever she’d say or do. And that the best was to let him satisfy his curiosity, if she wanted him all to herself.
“Fine… But you’re up for a long, long night after this. I hope you know what you’re doing…” She spoke as a last request for insurance.
Amaria could be rough and tough sometimes. But the reason why he loved her anyway was because he knew she wanted him to be well too. She cared about him, behind the mask of the dominant dragoness. Of course she was afraid to lose him again, but it was more than simple possessiveness.
“Anything you want, against a few minutes with him. That’s all I ask.”
“That should be a fair deal, since I want a lot…” she sighed, stepping toward the cave. “The more you’ll make me wait, the hungrier I’ll get. Just so you know…”
The young man smiled to the threat. He knew it was her way to express her worries. This was a huge favor she was doing him; he was aware of that. He better had to make this worthwhile. Such kind of allowance would come with a price from now on.
Taking a deep breath, Teehm gathered his courage and walked in the direction of the being of light. Amaria had reasons to hate him, and he had reasons to fear him. Even if it luckily ended well, the white shadow was the one who got him into troubles in the first place. His plans turned quite radical; the young man had died for their sake. His ‘help’ was never a guaranty of safety.
“Are you here to give me the answers you owe me?” Teehm asked when he was close enough, still respecting a reasonable distance.
“The answers I owe you? Wasn’t life good enough of a reward for you?” The white shadow looked at him like he was offended by a daring ungratefulness.
There was a blank. Teehm didn’t know if he should listen to his boiling rage, this burning desire to tell this freaking ghost to go back to getting screwed by all the demons of the underworld. But one thing for sure, despite a potentially violent backfire of this god-like being, the idea to explode felt more and more tempting.
“Just kidding. That was a bad joke. Of course I’ll answer your questions. Jeez, you look like you’re going to erupt.” The ghost had a strange echoing laughter, like he was amused. The young man could only remain frozen in some kind of shock. It was either that or actually losing control of his words. “I’m sorry, I always thought it was too dark and jerkish to be funny, but… I always wanted to try it at least once.”
“This is a horrible joke to make…” Teehm commented coldly.
“Well at least I had the decency to say it as a joke. I used to hear that from people who meant it most sincerely. Like you’re supposed to be grateful to even be allowed to live. Ah, the good old days… I used to think they were so brave and confident to say that to someone who could literally break them in half if pushed too far… but later I realized they were all just stupid, and just lucky I refrained my desires to fuse their faces with the closest wall.”
Casual talk with such being was never chilling time. Teehm had come to think that the white shadow had no limits to his powers. He had seen him freeze time, read minds, make a whole city lose memories, this alone was beyond the reach of any human. And now that he came to think about it, it was strange that he limited himself to influencing people, when he could simply make them do as he said.
Something was off this time, however. Every time this being appeared to him, he inspired him something inhuman. A carrier of wisdom, a charismatic guide, of infinite complexity. There, he almost looked like a simple man lost in his thoughts. It was disturbing to see a god-like ghost behaving like… a human.
Maybe was it a try to create empathy? Well this time, it would take a little more than chit-chat between buddies to lure him. Or maybe his words were some kind of warning… Hard to tell, but it was safer to keep in mind what kind of being he dealt with. Manipulative, sneaky, unpredictable…
“I’ll get over it.” the young man sighed to evacuate his anger, sitting on a rock next to him, not so close though. At no moment did he dare looking away from the ghost, while the white shadow simply got back to gazing the horizon. The young man wasn’t interesting enough to look at, perhaps? “I would try this joke if I had the confidence and the opportunity too, I guess…”
“That’s the thing with being cruel. It sounds so fair and harmless to do to others what someone else did to you. But even if some find it actually funny, it doesn’t take back that it’s mean and wrong.”
“Anyway…” They young man still called him back. The white shadow may be an all-powerful being, but some limits had to be set. He let it slip that the ghost’s eyes found the landscape that more interesting than him, but he wasn’t here to be lectured. He was here to get answers. Diplomatically, but firmly. “Do you authorize me to ask my questions then?”
“You can be sure people always remember two things about me. My promises, and that they will never trust me again.” The white shadow replied with what sounded like an echoing chuckle. For the first time since he sat, the ghost stopped gazing the horizon and looked at him. “Go ahead and ask, I’ll try to reply honestly.”
Teehm leant a bit back, unconsciously, probably in doubt. If he was honest, the man would objectively say that he saw no reason for this to be a trick or a trap. But subjectively… Playing along this being’s plans had led him to his death. It had been an experience he was ready to forgive but… not to forget.
Curiosity was the reason why he was here. But he didn’t forget to stay on his guards. Now that he thought about it, he wanted a little proof of the answers’ liability before asking important matter. A test.
“Okay then, any question, is that so? Let’s begin with this one. Why? Why, after making such mystery you’d finally decide to give me answers?”
“Oh boy…. You’re a smart guy, but you’re lacking global and long term view. And it really makes you sound childish…” the white shadow sighed, making a strange gesture with his ‘arm’ in weariness. “That’s no mystery that a part of you will always bother you with these questions if I don’t release you from them. I’m sorry to tell that your obsessive nature is rather obvious to anyone who knows you. After all you’ve done, after all you’ve been through… I can’t allow you to waste your present and future with meaningless concerns. Not now that you finally have your personal peace.”
“You know you’d almost sound like you care…” Teehm replied like a defensive reflex. It was never easy to hear that he was so transparent to someone he didn’t trust.
“If anything, young man, never doubt that I care.“ the etherical voice suddenly spoke in calm but dreadful seriousness. It seemed like he had… touched a sensitive point. “I mean, building a better world? I could have done it in one freaking generation. I could have just made people behave. Including dragons. But don’t you dare thinking for one second that I was toying with lives before carelessly throwing them away. I am not a god. I am not cruel. I am not a child. And I’m certainly not a tyrant. Just like no one, ever, was a disposable trash to me. Every life is unique, and is only up to the one who lives it. And making others go through painful moments hurt me in a way you couldn’t imagine. But building a better future is meaningless, if the foundations rest on the corpses of the ones left behind. Nor if it’s not wanted. That’s why I eventually left people with their free will. Making them aware of the choice they have, but letting them choose. Because life is just… life. It’s short, it’s chaotic, it’s painful. And if there’s any chance I can make people’s lives a bit better, even for so briefly as the blink of an eye, then be sure that I always care.”
For a moment, the young man didn’t dare to move. The ghost hadn’t even risen the voice, he had talked quietly. But the coldness behind felt threatening. He was a being of unknown power, it wasn’t such a smart move to tease him after all.
“Besides… You asked me to erase you from the minds and thus, from history.” The ghost continued in a lighter tone. “Consequently, you won’t have any major impact on the future anymore; telling you what you want is not such a big risk. By he way… what’s with this obsession in erasing yourself? First your name, then faking your death and finally… this. There was a time when erasing someone from history was the ultimate form of punishment for men of importance. They even gave it a sacred name, the damnatio memoriae. Every human being has this… inherent desire of some kind of immortality through their acts or influences. Why willingly choosing what most would consider as a curse?”
“Aren’t you supposed to know everything?” Teehm asked carefully. He didn’t know if it was because he wasn’t so eager to talk about his motivation, but his guts pushed him to not lose the lead of the questions.
“I never claimed that. I generally respect people’s privacy. You can observe a bird in a cage, but that doesn’t mean you get to know all about its thoughts.”
The metaphor was rather harsh to the young man’s ears. Did this ghost know how insulting he could be? Especially today, when he felt freer than ever?
“I’ve never felt in my place, to be true.” Teehm replied anyway.
Whether he liked it or not, the young man had to recognize that had no leverage in this conversation. The white shadow was there because he wanted to, and replied because he accepted to. Despite his personal feelings, if he wanted to be relieved from his questions, he’d had to answer the ghost as well…
“My parents filled my head with wonders, and as I grew up I realized the world I lived in was… uninteresting, like I wasn’t meant for this life. The chat with the neighbors, the choice between either farmer, paperwork or soldier as a career… it was kind of flat, boring. I felt like I didn’t belong to this society, I wanted to live great things, discover wonders. I wasn’t one of them, so I didn’t want to exist to their eyes. I didn’t want to bother their society with my existence. You can guess that when I met Amaria, I found in her everything I ever dreamt of. Mystery, awe, and another view on the world… In a way she gave a purpose to my life. History not remembering me is fine, I never cared about being part of it. It was even stressful, pressurizing to me. I wanted to just live peacefully, with my living wonder. Doesn’t feel like a curse to me.”
“I see… You’re what I call a ‘born out of his time’.” The white shadow commented with what seemed to be a nod.
“A what now?”
“It’s an amazingly broad spectrum how humans evolved over time. Different activities, different organizations, from the hunter/gatherer to the most advanced eras. I, for one, have always wondered if I would have been good as a farmer. Taking care of my flocks and plantations, this sounded like hard work but rewarding. It wasn’t considered a serious activity, in my time. Perhaps you would have shined in the future, with the bloom of technology and science, or in the distant past, more peaceful and connected to the nature. But that’s the deal, we do not choose when we’re born. We can only ever make the best of what we’re given.”
“What about David? Was he a ‘born out of his time’ too?”
A question that was also a strategic way to orient the conversation. If this ghost was anything similar to the nostalgic man he sounded like, then he would be likely to digress. And the young man wanted answers, more than metaphysical implications.
“Clearly not… The events proved that David finally found his true place.”
“With a broken soul… I’d like to know if he’ll be good… You seem to know where the world is going, maybe is this a question you can answer?”
“Always worrying for the others… Yes, David will be good. He will have an interesting life actually, and even future generations will know the name of Devon. For making humanity enter a new era of progress with a smart use of the treasure room’s legacy before it fades away. And for being one of the fairest rulers in history. He’ll be loved. He’ll be respected. And that will turn out to be his biggest source of problems. People will be fine too. The time of wars is behind. You never know when you live a major turn in history, but once you look back at it, you’re proud of having lived it. This is a great day.”
“But still… I find it unfair to break someone for the greatest good…”
“The world is unfair. The universe is unfair. Because fairness is a construct of sentient life, and proper to anyone. Here’s a better question. If you were told that your entire life, the fate of this world, the safety and joy of billions and billions, could be decided by the destruction of one life. That shattering a human soul since its childhood to his everlasting death, would ensure that the world would learn to be fair and kind. Would you press the button?”
The young man hesitated. This was the kind of question that justified why it was maybe a good thing that humans weren’t gods. The kind of question he sincerely never wanted to have to answer. Surely he wanted nothing for people but to be safe and happy… but he kind of felt like the button depicted was already pressed with David.
“I honestly don’t know if I would have followed the same path if I knew what the outcome would be for the sacrificed. But I also know that if I had been offered this role, I would have gladly taken it for the sake of everyone. Not anymore, but I was… for a time.” The young man mentioned, to make sure the drawn line was visible enough. Just in case… “So I guess it would depend on certain conditions, but I can’t imagine if I’d fully measure what it implies…”
“Clearly you don’t, but I shall admire the spirit.” The white shadow laugh, sounding a bit sinister still. “People like you are why I put so much investment in this timeline… But still, there’s something I don’t get. Something I had nothing to see with, something that came naturally to you. And I don’t know why, even if I admit it made you conveniently predictable in my plans. What was this obsession with the Devons?”
“What do you mean?” The young reacted with a frown, not liking the way the ghost made him sound like a pawn.
“You hated the father, probably dreamt of the worst things for him. And yet, when you had the opportunities to take him out for good, you either didn’t seize them, or regretted you had. Then, when the son was the most dislikeable brat, you outdone yourself to reach him, when there was no proof he would end up doing the right choice. Among all the people in this city, it was always about them, even when they were the most obviously evil of all. And now that you could ask me any question, David’s fate comes in first. Why minding so much about their business?”
A fair question. One he would always fail to explain to Amaria, because she might not like being the inspiration of it. In a way, it was her that pushed him to question his perception of the world… making him giving a chance even to the lost ones.
“Because I don’t believe evil is even a thing to begin with, that’s the problem. Warriors get their names on the battlefield and I couldn’t step in one. How could a soldier sincerely fight when he can’t believe the one he’s facing is evil?” He sighed, ashamed. “To me, evil is an excuse for misunderstanding. We’re all evil to someone else, until this someone gets to walk in our shoes.”
It was a weakness he never wanted to admit. He used to feel so superior in trying to always understand others. And he had been doing this for so long that he forgot there could be more basic causes to behaviors. In a way, it was naïve and full of a misplaced ego he couldn’t get rid of. But he played this role for so long that it had become fully integrated in his nature.
“The Devons intrigued me like an enigma. Just like Amaria, in the beginning. What is considered ferocious, dangerous, evil… I want to understand why they are like this. And find out if there is a way this could be solved. With Amaria, I turned out quite positively changed by my curiosity, it taught me a lot about myself and I found a way of life that suited me better. With the Devons… I faced explanations that contradicted my… ‘positive vision of the world’, so to speak. It was an itch I couldn’t scratch, I couldn’t accept they were simply bad people. I was so sure I missed something! So naturally, I regret it ended so brutally and prematurely with the father. I wish I had more time to try other ways. When I saw David so miserable, I couldn’t help but resuming the puzzle solving. There was no noble intention in that, it was me unable to resist a different path. I don’t believe in evil because if it actually was a thing then… I would consider myself part of it. Considering someone as an experience subject doesn’t make me a good man in my book.”
“Then maybe good is in the actions you take, not in your intentions. It doesn’t change the fact that you did good.” The ghost pointed, like an attempt to comfort him. But Teehm wouldn’t lower his guard so easily.
“It brings me to the next question then.” The young man bounced on the question to deviate once again. Whether he did good or not was a debate he didn’t want to have. Because he was certain this was wrong to accept breaking a soul as a price for a peaceful life. What was done, was done, good or not. And he didn’t want to have to think further about it. Guilt was better put in a corner of the mind to be forgotten, when nothing could be fixed. In that, his future was a more important concern. “Will I be good? No, will we be good, Amaria and I?”
“That, my friend, is entirely up to you.”
An answer spoken a bit too fast to the taste of the young man. This was the kind of generic reply from someone who didn’t want to dig the subject. The thing is, it wasn’t a question he would accept to overlook. It was too important!
“But you know all of history. You could at least tell me if we will be happy.”
“There are some lives I respected enough to not watch. I voluntarily ignored yours so you’ll have your entire free will to yourself, and privacy. It’s all up to you. I think you two will be okay, but for a while you’ll have to earn back her trust. You made her go through a lot and you should probably remind her why she loves you so much. You obviously care about her, so just let her know. Believe me. When you find someone you truly love, you better do your best to make her want to stay with you. Enjoy what you have, while it lasts, and make it last for all those who lost it.”
Did he hear a note of regret in the etherical voice? Even though, it was the kind of advice one generally spoke of personal experience. Teehm wouldn’t fall in feeling compassion, but it rose another question. Did this being have a past?
Maybe was it time to ask the most important question…
“Who are you?” the young man finally asked. “You said it yourself, not a god, so who or what are you? I had hypothesis but truly you’re not someone I knew. I can sense these things.”
“No, you have never met me in my… former life.” The ghost replied with what sounded like a little chuckle. “As to who I am, I’ll need you to do something so my answer will make sense. I need you to look on your right.”
“Why? There’s nothing there…” he replied instantly, not even bothering to look away.
He knew there was nothing but a plain, and a forest in the distance. No need to look to know there was nothing to see. Was he trying to distract him with this beautiful landscape he had been gazing at for a biggest part of the conversation?
“There is something, and you’ll see it if you look on your right.”
“I know there is nothing there. I have the feeling you’re just avoiding the question.”
“Then ask yourself this question: why are you so determined to not look when that could be an easy and quick way to prove me wrong?”
Hesitation again. That was true… Even when he was reluctant to do something, he rarely put such heart in his convictions. And yet it was nothing but a landscape. Why was he so certain this time?
“It’s okay, it’s normal.” The white shadow filled the blank, like he was perceiving the young man’s growing worries. “Your brain is messing with you so you won’t look, it’s an unconscious defense mechanism. It would indeed be damaging to look for too long, but I just want you to watch for a few seconds. Just do it when you feel ready.”
Teehm was experiencing some weird feelings. Naturally, he sought proofs in his memories that could classify these words as garbage. But a growing fear emerged when, as he scanned his memories, he couldn’t find a single one of them where this place had been looked at, even indirectly. What if… his brain had actually protected him against something he wasn’t supposed to see?
The white shadow did say it could be dangerous! What if it was a monster that would chase him once seen? What if the thing would make him blind? What if… it was his brain coming up with scary theories to distract him again? If so, what kind of thing could be felt like such a threat, to such subconscious level?
“What is there?” he asked, a bit nervous.
“The answer to who I am.”
Feeling sweat pearling on his forehead, the young man breathed deeply, and his eyes moved to their corner, on the right. Slowly and hesitantly, led by his need to know while his whole body tried to not look, he faced the forbidden view.
And it was beyond words.
There was a plain, and trees… But it was caught by a white wild fire. A fire that made no sense. Here and there, it extended while the flames seemed to retract to their base, and elsewhere, it diminished and reconstructed the plants and trees on its way. In this impossible chaos, there were people in visible agony. Some got partially decomposed by the flames while the rest of there body rebuilt itself. Their movements of panic and pain were erratic too, like dismantled puppets.
Tears flowed out of his eyes. It was painful, physically painful to watch! None of it made sense and it was giving him nausea and a violent headache. He couldn’t help but look away after what felt like hours.
“What the hell is that?! Is it going to expand to us?!”
“No worries, it’s actually decreasing. And you’ve only been watching for a second, so the shock will pass.” The white shadow probably tried to reassure him, but it took the man all he got to contain his state of panic. “It’s like an old wound closing. That’s a scar in the fabric of reality. The traumatic result of something that broke the rules of physics.”
“And why did you make me look at it?! How can it possibly answer who you are?!”
“Because I think a man can be defined by how he died.”
There was a blank, a heavy silence. Teehm wasn’t sure of what he heard, because if he heard right, that was quite a sinister reveal. All this time he had referred this being as a ‘ghost’ because of his etherical form. The young man believed he was some magical spirit or maybe a different kind of lifeform not yet understood. But it never occurred to him that the white shadow… could actually be a dead person.
“Wait… You’re actually a… ghost?”
“Wasn’t it obvious enough?” the white shadow chuckled darkly, staring at the impossible scene, suddenly sounding quite nostalgic. “Yes, I died there. I wasn’t supposed to end this way. And yet I died anyway, alone among thousands, one meaningless day, on an unimportant plain... I was terrified… I was sad… I was miserable... I was desperate... My friends would be safe, but I… would cease to exist. All the pain I had been through had been in vain because there would be no better tomorrows for me. I felt like my whole life had just been there so that I could suffer for others. I felt disposable, like a waste... That’s the feeling I wanted to erase from this world. I wanted no one else to lose their happier tomorrows. I am just sad little man, fallen on a meaningless battlefield, making sure there is always hope for the livings. Because no one else would ever have to endure such torment under my watch. Even that sounds pointless after so long…”
Teehm didn’t know what to say. Like probably most of those who knew the white shadow, the young man had cursed its name. And finally, after so many mysteries, the overpowered dreadful being turned out to be a lost soul fighting over and over to protect others from his own fate. It was logical. it was understandable. It… made sense. For the first time, this being made sense. And it was rather sad in some ways...
It reminded him a philosophical thought his father once shared with him. Were there gods above ours to help them when they needed it… or did they create humanity to fill this role? Maybe was it a bit pretentious, but at least that day it gave him faith in something. Not being great because he was meant to. But being great to help.
“It must have left a deep scar in you too, to make you so determined… or maybe were you determined to hide behind a good excuse.” The young man replied with an ugly honesty. He understood now. There was one time when the most secretive persons opened this much. When they were afraid, calling for help. “You do sound quite tired of your quest.”
“Of course it was an excuse. You were an excuse. Every life I followed was an excuse to run away. That thing right there is proof enough.”
“How?” Teehm asked, not seeing the connection.
“Because I caused it, and if I go where I’m supposed to go, this thing will close itself. The tissue of reality will be fully repaired. History would make sense at long last, the causality will come full circle. And this future you live in… will stop being only a potential one.”
“Wait, what do you mean, potential?” The young man reacted to the word. It might seem like nothing, but knowing his power, that could mean something infinitely dreadful.
“You, Amaria, Clyde, Leafera, Nick, Lynara, and all the people around.” The ghost sighed, raising a vaporous arm to draw an imaginary circle in the air. “This feels all real to you and it is. But to me… this hasn’t happened yet. It will only happen if I go where I’m supposed to. This timeline will become real when what allows it to exist... happens.”
“Do you mean that… not going would erase us?”
“Possibly. I only know that your story and all the others’ will be set in stone when this thing closes. And to close it… I have to ruin a life from its youth.”
Another drop that imposed a silence. Not only was the statement awful in itself, but the young man instantly heard the connection to something he said earlier.
“All a sudden, the question you asked minutes ago makes more sense…” Teehm realized, glad he didn’t forget to take mental notes. He knew this being never talked in vain.
“If you were told that the only way to achieve a better future was to destroy the life of an innocent from childhood to his everlasting death… would you have the courage to press the button?” the ghost confirmed. “I haven’t been able to so far… but it seems like I can’t run away anymore...”
“You want me to tell you to do it, don’t you?” The young man guessed after a little hesitation. It was an easy conclusion, to someone who didn’t forget to remain on his guards. The trick was clear now.
“After so long… would it be wrong to hope for it?” the ghost asked with a tired tone. For once, it truly sounded like it was sincerely asked. “In the end, don’t you think I have the right to hear that this horror will be worth it? That the world I helped to build deserves to become true? Would it be so unfair, to ask for someone to take that responsibility off my shoulders?”
“You don’t even have shoulders…” the young man replied instantly like in instinctive defense. Was this being blackmailing him? Guilt-tripping with the beautiful life he granted him? He had fought hard to get this life! “Are you taking my whole reality in hostage just so I take this weight on my soul forever? You think I didn’t have enough of one kill to keep me awake at night?”
“Don’t get me wrong. My decision is already made and I’ll do I anyway.” The white shadow corrected, strangely sounding a bit defensive too. “This is not a threat. I’m asking for mercy and compassion. What I must do… it will be terribly painful to me. And I’m scared. It will help me a bit to feel like I’m not pressing this button alone…”
No attempt to manipulate? No trick? This was instinctively hard to believe. Why would he ask for something the young man had no reason to take responsibility for? Why such a request would be accepted? Did he want to test his kindness, and obtain begging to find another way? To see if the young man he saved had a merciful soul toward an unknown child?
If the young man put aside his grudges for a moment, he felt pity for this being. To ask for help this way, he had to be pretty desperate. It was hard to think he was actually scared, but after all, like he said himself, he was just a little man fallen on a battlefield, in the end…
“You know… I feel compassion for you, I really do. Nobody should have to make such choice.” The young man began with sincerity. But of course he wouldn’t stop there. After all he had been through, there were limits to his kindness, now. Especially when the stakes were so high. “However, we all have to do things we don’t want to at some point. You’re afraid of feeling like a monster? So was I. And I carry the scars of what I did, but I moved on. I wants to tell you that you owe us. That this world is finally on the verge of getting rid of wars for good, and erasing it now would be an insult to the memories of those who fell. I also want to tell you that now that I got what I dreamt for, peace and privacy with Amaria, I don’t want to lose it. And that would be my most honest answer. I also owe this to Amaria. I really am sorry for you, deeply. And if there could be a chance to bring you a happy ending too, believe me I would. But I’m not going to tell you otherwise at the risk of my reality being reduced to ashes. I’m not asking you to press it, because I won’t let more guilt into my life. But I forbid you to not do it.”
“Well, I needed to hear that. I hoped I’d hear that. I wanted to hear that I didn’t let kindness become a poison to this world.” The white shadow replied, standing up with what seemed to be a strange pride. A sudden, full reversal of attitude. He even sounded… joyful? “Then I guess it’s time for me.”
The white shadow then looked at the confused man, a smile could be guessed by his eyes. This cursed trickster had played on him! What a cynical joke…
“Hostility is wrong. But so can be kindness.” The ghost explained. “Extremes have to be avoided to ensure balance. You stood up against me when the deal was simply unacceptable. Remember, never attack first, but never fail to defend. Or else, you’re being a victim, not compassionate.”
“Are you seriously telling me that you only wanted to check if I had learnt my lesson?”
“I am the white shadow, what did you expect?” The ghost laughed, opening his vaporous arms like it was a show to him. “I’m here to test you, to make you aware of the choices you have. Because my time has come doesn’t change who I am. So one last time, young man, I offer you a choice. You know there is two possible paths for you. The current one, or… back in the city. You know I could… arrange it. Time to decide on your own free will what your life will be, so no regret is kept. Just this once, I want to hear your conviction. What do you choose?”
“You know what my choice is.” Teehm replied with no hesitation, a bit coldly. It was already no fun to have been played upon, but the question felt nearly insulting now. “My mind hasn’t change. Not knowing what tomorrow will be made of has always been better with her by my side. With all respect, how could this choice even to influence the future?”
“Not the future of humanity, but yours…” The ghost chuckled with mischievous eyes. “It’s important to be sure of what you want, so you can better hold on it tight. Whatever they say, happiness is sometimes as simple as a choice. What we should tell all children in schools is how a lifetime is short and must be enjoyed to the fullest. It’s precious. Enjoy yours…”
“For all those who lost it, right?”
“And also those who never had the chance to know it…. Have a good life, I mean it most sincerely. You owe it to me.”
On this strange goodbye, the white shadow stepped toward the damaged place, and the young man’s eyes categorically refused to follow him there. Was the ghost finally going where he was expected, like everyone had in the end? Teehm would probably never know. Not sure about what to think, or even how he felt about this, he began to walk toward the cave. Their cave, now. What if all of this was forever only potential?
It was hard to imagine that the life he had, the future, his relationship with Amaria, and all they had done… could be erased in a blink. Could he ever live in peace knowing that?
At this moment, a weird noise rose from behind, similar to a thunder cracking. And this time, nothing stopped his curiosity to look above his shoulder.
“A plain… and a forest in the distance…” he couldn’t help but describe what he saw. Just a normal, regular landscape. A little smile of relief appeared on his face. “There never was anything special there, I knew it.”
As he resumed his walk, Teehm brought a hand to his eyes as a reflex. Were these… tears? This sight should have filled him with relief and joy. Welcomed like a proof that his happiness was real. But he couldn’t help feeling a sadness he couldn’t define. He had the feeling that he missed something. Something that tore his heart without a conscious understanding
But maybe the time of concerns was over. Maybe there was a reason he didn’t get it. Everything was right. And he had Amaria.
For real now…
“I can smell you approaching, time for my Teehm-er…” he heard her teasing from the cave, and he couldn’t help but giggle to that.
“What is that even supposed to mean?” he asked back as he walked closer to the entrance.
“Mix between your name and diner of course. I know it now, and I know you don’t like it. So expect it a lot in the coming days.”
It was hard to tell if this was a legitimate, intended punishment to annoy him, or if she wanted to tease him as the premises of a game. Putting a hand on the rock, he looked inside, and saw the beast herself. Laying on her side, half in the shadow, with her eyes and toothy smile contrasting drastically in the darkness. She looked pretty scary, and the young man let out a little laugh. He could be certain this was an intended effect.
“You’re terrible at puns…” he smiled back at her, challenging the dragoness’ intimidation.
“And you’re terrible at wearing clothes. At least one of these will be fixed pretty easily.” She chuckled a bit darkly, making an inviting sign with her paw.
A pretty obvious call. One of these choices again, maybe. What could a warrior choose at the end of the day, when all the battles were over? Hesitating, stepping back, or putting his courage in something that was worth it? This was one of these choice that were as easy as a few steps to join the one he truly loved, even at her most terrifying.
The dark of a room…
In every era, it was strange how sleeping places held this same atmosphere. Quiet, silent. It was always a place that made the imagination run wild. Curious, how in all time there was a monster in the closet, or hiding under the bed. But maybe behind all the other nights, those that were empty of worries or fear, there was a white shadow guarding the night. Invisible, unnoticeable… trying to bring a little more peace to the world.
No one ever wondered about the cause of their most repairing dreams. It was a task of no reward, but one that always made sense in a way. People needed a silent hero to fight the monster under the bed once in a while.
This time though, the monster was different, in the person of the guardian himself. It was strange to have this heart tearing feeling, when there has been no heart in a long time.
“Hello kid… It’s been a while…”
An introduction that could have been more original, but time wasn’t to fantasy or laugh. It was a task that only inspired sad sighs and pity the more the bed was approached. Nothing could be physically felt. But it appeared like the mind remembered and recreated the sensations of sitting pretty well.
Of course no one could hear, or see. It was like… being on a different frequency. But like coma states, sleep brought higher perceptions. And there had been signs that sleeping people could hear what was spoken to them. A way that had been used more than once.
There were times the world needed heroes to admire… And times for necessary evil.
“There is a lot I’d like to say… but mostly apologies… I’m sorry kid. Even with an eternity to explore and try, I found nothing to avoid this…”
The eyes lowered on the ‘knees’. It was curious also, despite all the shapes that could be taken, the preferred form had always been humanoid. Never ready to let go… And even now, there was this desire to gain some time, when time didn’t matter anymore…
“I wanted to save you. To give you a normal life. I really did. When I figured out I was the one meant to do this to you, I thought I could run away and simply not do it. But it doesn’t work that way… You can’t run from something that will eternally wait until you have no choice but to return. When I finally understood it was inevitable, I did my best to make it worthwhile, at least. But the truth is, now that I have every reason to do it, it doesn’t make it any less horrible to me.”
There was a peaceful breathing coming from under the sheets, but no look would be thrown at the child.
First, because being here broke a personal rule. Despite immense powers allowing unlimited freedom, no one’s room had ever been entered, and proximity with children had been avoided at all cost. It was too easy to disturb a young spirit, and too risky for their health.
But especially there, it was guilt that didn’t allow a direct look. Because he was there specifically to mess with his health… After literal eternities of existence, at least it was a relief to know that morality and humanity hadn’t left this old mind… It would have been far more terrible to not feel anything.
“It’s really important to me that you know I honestly don’t want to do this. This will eventually lead to my creation. I don’t want to exist. I don’t care if I disappear in horrible pain because it would always be better than living with all the painful memories I accumulated over the ages, forever and ever. But because I allowed myself to take advantage of my powers to build a beautiful world, people died, people were born, people evolved. And I don’t have the right to wipe it all because I’m scared to do what must be done.
But if you could see what I’ve seen… I did some terrible things but I also had fun, a lot of experiences. Because I knew true pain I was able to recognize beauty and awe when it was presented to me. I even made friends! Good people, great people… Actually, I think it’s meeting them that kept me going. Brave, loyal and true… I always thought that it was miracles that such benevolent persons appear once in a while in this cruel world. If you could see them… I’m sure you’ll understand it was worthwhile.”
Eyes still low… Trying to make the whole picture more beautiful was always a good way to mask the bad moments. But that kid… truth was owed to him, even if he wouldn’t understand it. Even if it would forever be lost in his dreams.
“As I said, there is a time for everything. Even for truth. You will be sad. You will be overwhelmed. You will be in constant fear and loneliness. Being strong will be your only chance to survive, and you’ll never have rest. So… one last time, so you can remember what innocence and peace feel like… how about I tell you a little story I heard long ago?”
Vaporous hands were brought closer to the child’s head. Once again, humanoid limbs helped the mind to visualize better. And this task would require all the focus in the world. Being forced to do it was a heartbreak, but if there was any error, it would be truly unforgivable.
And it was also amazing how the mind could synthetize human reactions. Seeing the boy’s face filled the heart with guilt and shame. He wasn’t aware that these were the last seconds of his normal life, too young, too unconscious to realize that his life would be taken away by an invisible monster, the very one who was supposed to save him. A pearl of fluid like gas formed on the ‘face’, and dropped into a luminous tear.
Then electricity began to flow into the head of the child. Painless, of course. Sedating nerves in the process was easy… but it didn’t erase the fact that the brain was being modified, surgically.
“There was once a lonely broken man. All his life, he wanted to be good, and achieve something great. He sincerely wanted to bring a positive change in his world. But nothing ever he did feel great to his eyes. He kept on trying, again and again, unable to stop. Sometimes a victory, often a defeat. But nothing seemed to ever change. All his life, he kept going on straight ahead, hoping the next one would make him finally proud. But the only thing he found in the end of the road was a kind figure waiting for him. The one that waits everyone at the end of the road. Death itself, welcoming him with open arms.
But I’m not ready. I haven’t accomplished anything yet, the man tried to bargain. For only answer, death smiled at him and rose an arm, pointing at something behind him. When the man turned, he could see was the road he travelled. And for a second in eternity, he wasn’t broken anymore.”
The electricity flow stopped. There was a need to breath, but it was purely emotional. Lungs had been amiss for a long time, it was a pure product of guilt and shame. It was done. From outside, it was like nothing ever happened. But there was a disturbed move from the kid proving that his new state was hard to welcome, even during sleep.
“I never understood the end until now… You’ll get it someday too. Sometimes, the biggest success of a man’s life isn’t fame or glory. But just the seeds he took care of on his way. Mine grew into a beautiful orchard of mighty trees. Just because I wanted to save them all. It was worth it in the end…”
The sensation of heaviness was never more symbolic as when there was no weight. And yet, the mind remembered what a ‘heavy chest’ felt like. Getting up went slowly.
“What the story doesn’t say, is that in the end, the broken man regretted a bit not having shared more time with those who counted. And it would forever be a mystery what his friends became. What I did made the following hundred years unreachable. That’s my punishment… I know it’s selfish, kid… but for the sake of this world, I hope you’ll turn out to be the hero we all needed. The hero that set path to all the others.”
“Save… them all…” the boy grumbled in his sleep.
It was strange the way some words could hurt. A hard truth, an insult, and sometimes… an old memory, that evoked a sadness beyond reason. The room of this child was decorated with representations of mighty heroes of his time, in victorious and inspirational poses. From the youngest age he had identified to those who uses their strength to help others. It was unfair that such a good soul had to be broken to ensure a brighter future.
“Never forget this will, kid… For even when you can’t save them all, you can at least save many. And that will always be at least a little. Good luck, kid. Be good, do good… Remember to have a laugh once in a while, it heals everything. And most importantly, enjoy what you have. I’ll always be proud of you.“
And now what? Should the place just be left?
It had been believed for so long that this was the end… The timeline was set, the paradoxes were fixed, the causality was restored. So what was next? A proper disappearance would have been welcomed, everything was in order for a good exit. But still, nothing happened…
Well, this had been hypothesized too, even if such possibility had been voluntarily disregarded. Because it was too scary to think… of the opposite of a proper disappearance. Doomed to exist, forever and ever… in a universe that became quite small after such a long time. Eternity as a prison, a lonely prison, without the blessing of an end. Trapped with a movie which every plot was known by now.
Well, a second watch wasn’t a bad idea to keep the mind busy… It would at least be stimulating. The story was nice. Being a spectator this time would be less pressurizing. And it would be a way to see faces long forgotten. All the beings that should have been appreciated more while they were still there.
And it all began a long time ago, on a lost island.
Category Story / Fantasy
Species Western Dragon
Size 50 x 50px
File Size 42.9 kB
Listed in Folders
I admit the character behind is based a lot on myself^^ it can be hard to accomplish great things or witness wonders, with no one to share it with. But because this is the life he has, the choice is only between keeping to righteous fight going on, or giving up. for doing good in real life is often a lonely and unrewarding path, with no one understanding what sacrifices are made.
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