Part 1 — Destern
I thought to myself how big this place was compared to the others. I had left the ‘Windmill Haven’, as I now called it, and found myself on a weirdly shaped island with multiple layers that went high above. I continue to explore with caution, cliffs are all over the place. Jumping carefully on parts of land sticking out of the side of this island, climbing my way to the top. I got to a flatter ground after going up a few layers, there was a painting on the side of a cliff which has some of the Dark Lurkers depicted on it. They looked like shadowy humanoids; it is quite interesting.
After more hiking and rock climbing, I am finally at the peak of this mountain-like island, an altar waiting for me as a reward. Looking down at the scenery I felt a sense of accomplishment, then suddenly someone spoke up.
― “I didn’t think anyone would be here.” I looked back; there I saw a man with a white coat sitting under a tree, looking at me. He got up and closed the distance between. He reached out his hand and said
― “Hello, the name’s Destern. It’s been a while since I last saw around here.”
I got slightly flustered at the sudden appearance of a person but soon regained my composure. Accepting his handshake, I initiated my first conversation.
― “Greetings Destern, I’m a simple traveler with no name who is exploring this land.” He narrows his eyes upon hearing my statement.
― “No name…?” He repeated, as if making sure he heard right.
I never gave much thought to it ,until now, I realize I have nothing to refer myself as.
― “I unfortunately have no name of my own.” I replied with a tint of shame.
And then an unexpected staring competition started. We stood in silence for dozens of seconds, until he broke the quietness.
― “Hah! A new golem after more than a thousand years!” An amused expression on his visage.
It was the second time I was referred to as a ‘golem’. While trying to find the right words for my questions, he waved his hand in dismission.
― “You will know the truth soon enough. Anyway, you’re saying that you are exploring, right? Let me go with you.”
Being cautious of the stranger—Destern—, I am not sure whether I should trust him or not, although I fear my journey would be quite lonely on my own. I look at him for a moment before answering.
― “Some company never hurts, though I wish to know more about you.” I requested.
― “That’s the spirit” He said, letting out a hearty laugh
― “And you’ll know more about me over time, friend! Let us not haste things.”
I wished to say more but found nothing coming up to my mind, nor did I have a reason to refuse as of now. I sighed in defeat and smiled at my new companion, my instincts telling me he will help me in my journey. Though I was still cautious.
Destern waved his hand, indicating me to follow him. We walked around a few giant rocks He recommended me to stay and rest for the night.
― “Night...?” I asked with confusion.
― “You really are young, huh? Although the night is much less distinguishable and shorter because of the everlasting light in the sky, it is still present.”
I guessed to myself I must have slept through it while resting on Windmill Haven.
I decided to question Destern about a few things that troubled me.
― “So how are you planning to follow me? I might not look like it, but I can move faster than you think” Destern look at me for a bit before letting out a small chuckle.
― “Heh, you got your tricks, I got mine.”
I glared at him, annoyed by his constant secrecy, but Destern said nothing more. He was going to be troublesome.
― “Do you know what’s that big structure is?” I asked as I pointed to the—as I now called it—‘Sun Altar’ through a small window. Destern looked at it, then back at me with a hesitant look. He let out a sigh before explaining.
― “That’s a ‘Solis Shrine’, an old device built by the angels…” Doubt kept filling his eyes as he kept talking.
― “It is used to transfer a small fraction of the Sun’s power to the accepted ‘vessels’.” I squint my eyes at the surprising information. I opened my mouth to ask another question but got cut by his loud yawn.
― “We should sleep now, I’m tired”
I looked at him dissatisfied as both of my questions weren’t clearly answered, but decided to look past it for now. I looked outside and saw the sky being much more obscure, clouds floating beneath and above the islands, some even being enveloped by them. The Dying Sun had not moved, but its blinding light was absent. Destern seemed to already be deep asleep, which made me realize that he already trusted being unprotected around me. A slight sense of comfort and safety filled me as I drifted to sleep.
Today is the start of our exploration together. I had gone on the altar… shrine? I was not sure how to call it anymore. My abilities were now stronger than before, but I learned how to restrict myself so that I can go slower or jump less far if need be.
― “You got 3 flames now, huh?”
He suddenly said as I stopped hopping everywhere to test my limits. I looked at Destern, now wearing some sort of armor with a disk behind his back. I was not sure what he meant by that. Noticing my questioning expression, he scuffed like he was mocking my ignorance and pointed at his back to signal me to look at mine. 3 tiny orbs were floating behind my back and I immediately knew what they were. They were 3 of the 7 Lost Flames that I was supposed to bring to my end goal. How did I not notice them previously? But before I could give it more though; Destern spoke up.
― “Are you ready?” He asked, a smile on his face.
A grin grew on mine as I snapped back into reality.
― “I always am.”
I could tell a new friendship was growing, and that the upcoming days were going to be quite exciting. We both sprung towards the cliff.
Thus, the clock of fate started to run again and the events that would unfold in the future slowly move in place…
Part 2 — Travel Companion
One week has passed since then. We had left the Nature filled islands and were now in deserted ones. We had noticed a clock tower in the distance and were headed there since it was our only landmark. On our way, my new companion opened himself up to me and revealed his nature; He is from a race called ‘human’. Humans could not get the powers from the Solis Shrines, so he used devices that allowed him to enhance the abilities of his body, along with a useful grappling hook. He said those were old tails but never gave a detailed explanation of what he meant. During the day, we traveled together, and camped at night―both being unpredictable, as if out of control. My journey was fun, much more enjoyable with his company.
We were quickly approaching the clock tower. Destern said we should camp here for the day, so we stopped. I was setting up the fire camp with logs that we kept in a makeshift backpack Destern made. For one, fire seemed to never extinguish on its own, and second, it did not even corrode the logs it burned on. Albeit strange, it was quite useful for us. I sat down next to it, Destern suddenly started asking some strange questions.
― “Hey Golem, how do you feel about this place?”
I titled my head in confusion. I thought it was a usual conversation as always but the serious look on his face stiffened me up. Then he continued
― “Please answer truthfully. What do you want from and how you feel about this place?” I was taken aback by the urgency in his tone and pondered to the question before replying.
― “…From this place; nothing by itself. Curiosity and interest for it makes me want to explore and discover its secrets. I do not know why but I just feel like I have to. As for what I feel towards it... For the most part, sadness. This scattered world lifts a heavy burden that I wish to discover, and possibly find a way to tie it back together. Seeing those ruins that were previously filled with life and glorious can only make you feel sorry for the past, yet makes you want to bring it back to its former glory.”
I tried to express my sincere feelings as best as I could, but felt I worded it wrong. Destern whispered something to himself as he reflected on my words. I could not discern what he said nor describe his expression. It only lasted for a moment though as he quickly put up a smile and changed the topic.
― “Well it’s nothing really, I was simply curious. Anyway, I am exhausted, I will head to slumber land first. Night.” Destern, as always, fell fast asleep. I looked at him wondering what just happened.
I usually do not have dreams, only memories of the day that had just passed. Destern often talked about the wonders of dreams and I thought it must have been something unique to something yet, this night I had my first actual dream. I dreamt about floating in a vast empty void, darkness consuming my very being.
This night, I dreamt about my death.
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