Psycho Gem

Chapter 7: That Night in Azdrea

Two and a half years ago...

The two of them stood in the middle of the grassy plain. It was dark but the streaks of light in the sky illuminated everything they needed to see. They were reminiscent of northern lights. The air was cool and refreshing while the weather was perfectly calm. There was a sense of mystical serenity within the natural ambience of their surroundings. The god stood like an angelic figure, benevolent and peaceful. Parts of his armour opened up to what looked like a galaxy within him. Magus stood in silent wonder of his surroundings as if they gave off an otherworldly aura.

"Are you sure about this?" asked the god. "You know you can't go back if you go down this path."

"It's a big place, Xynysus," Magus replied. "I need to understand it if I want to keep learning from it."

Their capes both flowed in the faint breeze as they contemplated whether or not to take this next course of action.

"With all of the things you've taught me, I feel like they wouldn't mean anything if I don't know the inner workings of it all. I won't be able to put my knowledge to better uses if I remain as ignorant as everyone else." Magus added.

Xynysus looked down. "I once thought as you do, Magus. Take it from me, the truth you seek will completely destroy your current perceptions of everything. Yes you will be enlightened but you will never see things the same way again. I will do it if that's what you truly want but I just want it to be up to you. However, if you regret it later I won't be able to undo it."

Magus looks at Xynysus confused. "You mean to say with all your power you can't undo it?"

"No I cannot." he replied. "Complete alterations of the mind are permanent. If I were to revert your mind to its original state your memories would be gone forever."

Magus couldn't stand the thought of losing himself. Everything that he had done, everything that has built his character up until now, all for nothing.

"If I want to continue my work I have to take this chance. Is there any way you can only alter it partially? That way I can still have a sense of normality."

Xynysus pondered for a moment, "I can, but only if that is what you choose. Doing this might rid you of your humanity. I know better than anyone."

Magus looked at him in an agitated manner. "Why are you so hesitant?"

"Because I've seen firsthand what this could do to people. This could be very psychologically harmful. You would be like an ant burdened with knowledge of space." Xynysus retorted with an almost unnoticeable hint of pain in his voice. "But if it is what you want, I won't stop you."

Magus thought for a moment. "I'll do it. I believe that in life there is nowhere to go but up. Maybe this is my destiny. To become a liberator for this world and beyond."

Xynysus raised his hand up to Magus' face. "It is." he said as he tapped his forehead.

Magus' eyes glow as he slowly leans back, his mouth gaping open. He looks up in awe but then collapses to his knees. Xynysus watched on without concern for he knew he was not in pain, but overwhelmed with data.

"Tell me, what do you see?" Xynysus asked as he looked down at Magus.

"I....I see....I see....everything!" he replied as he was still on his hands and knees. His eyes saw not just what's in front of him but everything in between. He slowly got up and examined his surrounding environment.

"....The cells dying and rejuvenating within the plants...the spirits and souls lingering around the living....I can sense the life energy within every living creature from the insects buzzing around here to even myself." He said as he marvelled at what he saw.

He then looked at Xynysus and saw an entire universe of power and energy.

"Is this what it's like to be..." Magus whispered, overwhelmed by all that he was seeing around himself.

"Not quite." Xynysus answers. "You'll still need a tunic and headdress. Maybe even a beard." he joked to himself.

Magus just stood there looking around himself like a child who just got to an amusement park.

"You will need some time to get used to this new mode of perception. What I have given you could be considered both a gift and a curse. Be mindful of what you use it for in the times ahead. Farewell, my friend." Xynysus said as he walked off and vanished into thin air.

Magus was left alone to take in everything he was seeing. He could feel his mind expanding, and his intellect increasing. He lay down to rest his body while his mind went haywire. After a few hours of adjusting he still isn't fully used to this new mental state, and through all that time one question kept burning in his mind, "Now what?".

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I watched through the layers of my confinement as this man laid on the grass, burdening himself with knowledge he shouldn't have. I took pity on him, but at the same time I understood his pain. I knew the moment I saw that pretender tap his head he would come to understand my pain as well. Xynysus just cursed this man to eternal suffering, just like he did me. This man will help me and achieve his ultimate destiny. I was getting caught up in my own thoughts when at that moment I had a feeling that I should leave because I could tell... there was someone else watching.

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I had finally found him. The one who saved me all those years ago. I couldn't wait to talk to him and ask him all sorts of questions. I wound up in a place called "Azdrea". When I got to where he was I saw him with Xynysus, and he was lying on the ground. I heard Xynysus say something about him having to get used to his new mode of perception before he disappeared. I then put the pieces together and realised what he just did. I could feel the guilt and fear in his mind and I could only assume it would get worse from here. I knew it wasn't the right time to talk to him so I left before anyone else could sense I was here. Our long awaited meeting would have to wait a little longer.