The Empire's Descent (First Draft)

Chapter 65: The Danger of a Singularity

"Nene, it's me, AnAn," Vittorio whispered and held his demented grandmother's hands as she rocked in her rocking chair and stared at the abstract paintings on her room wall, seemingly, homemade.

"Here, give her some of this Lingquan water. It's effect has been significantly weakened, but it should still have some effect," I passed him a thermos with the healing water.

He brought it to her lips and she unconsciously suckled. With each drop, the faint cloudiness of her eyes became a little clearer, a little sharper. More focused.

"This path is dangerous. The road is narrow and enemies will meet on it. The journey is toilsome. The destination is not necessarily good. The reward too late to be remembered why it was given. If you do this for praise, there will be no one alive to thank you. Change is brutal and the everyday is unrecognizable. The cusp of change is chaos. Are you ready to unleash chaos? Do you know you can't save everyone? Sacrifice is the only way to victory. What are you willing to sacrifice for the greater good? A good so great, it may not have anything to do with you. Can you die without a blaze of glory?", she asked, looking on a figure at the beginning of the painting. The figure had no iconic features, its style was arbitrary so, I didn't attach a face to it.

However, with Grandma An's guidance, I substituted myself into the work and, lo, the definition became apparent...

"I don't know what I am willing to sacrifice for this odyssey, but I know I have to try. Try to free humanity," I admitted. I'm afraid, but something has to be done and it always best to rely on-

"Why do you have to try? For all you know, this isn't your problem. You could live and die and never take up this mantle. Why are you doing this?", she probed.

"Because I trust myself. I trust that I won't let this power go to my head. I trust that I will return power to the people. It's always best to rely on oneself than others so, I'm doing this. I just need your guidance, Nene, please," I leaned closer and smiled when she looked into my eyes.

"You're a good boy," she patted my cheek and smiled softly.

"Actually, I think you're on the correct path, it's just... not gonna be as smooth-sailing as one might hope. You have to be prepared to lose before you succeed. The arrow has left the bow-string, it is no longer yours¹," she warned.

"I understand," I solemnly undertook.

"Dabao, you, too, play a significant role. Trust yourself. There are answers within each of you, access it," she prophesied.

"Nene, what do you mean?".

"You both have a metamorphosis coming. While yours is a physical change, Dabao, Zen's change is of a spiritual nature. You need to surrender to Them and Their word is a lamp at your feet and a light to your path². Zen may find it hard to be completely honest, but the relief and clarity in doing so is solely beneficial. While you, Dabao, must use your talents to help Zen achieve his goal even if it's hard to trust him after this".

"After what?", Vittorio asked with a hint of alarm.

"The sacrifices start now," she said eerily as she looked at the far corner of the room, opposite from where we huddled. I darted my eyes to the spot and saw only the shadow of the lightly swaying curtain.

"Nen-"

The swaying shadow reticulated as if it had gained life. I blinked and it had already plunged into Grandma An's forehead, trying to get into her mind.