Untitled as of yet

Untitled Part 1

Chapter 1

"In the beginning, before the old ones whispered in the corners of the abyss, or the heavenly ghosts shone upon the world, there was the celestial egg. No one knows from whence the egg was formed, but with a towering thunder was it stricken to give birth to the celestial sea. In this sea was the great celestial scale, which balances all birth and destruction, so that the cosmos remains at peace. It is said that when the Great Navigator of the ship that carries the scale made life and creation, the scale also created the abyss. It is also said that therein lies the domain of the old ones, who eat upon creation so that creation can begin anew. They know nothing but hunger and avarice, and it is said that when the hearts of men grow cold the old ones will come to devour them, one by one."

"Tell me more grandfather!" shouted the young Emmrik.

"I'm afraid we'll have to end it here for tonight, young pup. Knowledge is not a buffet, but a slight tea that should be enjoyed. Look, taste, smell. The air of this tea exudes all of the properties so carefully chosen within, though none of its parts can be enjoyed without the whole."

The old man spoke the truth: the tea he made was carefully boiled with a specific leaf harvested from a well kept garden and kept to the right temperature.

"For you see, many are the ways of the imbeciles. Those who have long tongues and short ears. But narrow and sad is the way for those with astute ears, and short tongues. You will find that everything comes in its turn. For now, it's your turn to rest."

This was enough to sate the young man, and he closed his eyes with the scent of blown out candles, old books, and freshly laundered sheets. His grandfather made certain to close the softly billowing shades and lock the windows, taking one last look at the strange young man he had only, for his long years, just met.

Morning came just as all mornings do, and for this occasion the venerable old man had been sure to make a hearty meal of fresh eggs, rice, milk, and fish, something by which he could regularly come, but by no means for more than one stomach. The hearth was aglow with a warmth the old man reminisced upon kindly, finally inquiring (though it must be said not for the first time):

"I hope you had a good rest young pup, and I hope you find our meal as nutritious as the rest. Do you still not remember where you came from?"

"Grandfather, I did have a dream. I was alone in a vast sea, but there were no waves or creatures but boundless sadness. I know there is something I have to search for, but I don't know what. Sometimes, it gives me warmth, but other times it feels so far away, it makes me sad."

The old man sighed a breath of understanding, and with great consideration, replied, "That is all very good, my lad. As you see, young men should dream of achieving something, even if at first the destination is obscured. However, don't look so far as to forget your nose and find yourself lost. All things in time."

"Yes, Grandfather, all things in time.", replied Emmrik.

"Your dreams seem very important to you, but just you mind young pup that as things start to fall in place you will understand bit by bit. For now, just remember that no matter where you go, no matter whence you came, you are you. As for the rest, well, eat up! We have to pick weeds."

"Yes Gra-Wait what!? Aaaaugh!" lamented Emmrick with a grumpy look, though he happily ate the rest of his breakfast and set himself out for the daily chores. After all, how much can one old man do by himself?

The cottage was nestled in a small, remote, mountain enclave, from which a slow and intrepid river ran. It was a worn and aged but sturdy shack, built from the logs of the local trees and roofed with thin wooden tiles and bundled hay, weighed down at some ends by stone, so as not to let any terrible winds sweep them away. From the cottage, there were fields of potato, tomato, and barley. Behind the cottage was a small garden that only the old man was allowed to work upon, though to young Emmrik it seemed quite dull. A veritable cornucopia of smells and colors, but nothing he could note. As such, he did as instructed and left it alone.