The Brink of Creation

Chapter 5 - The Treaty

The morning was like the evening – lightless but for the channels of glowing splendor which whisked their paths around the valleys of The Land of Which No One Knows. The Scientist, who had been hospitably granted a night's stay in the modest home of Joppu and Celestine, lay on a soft pillowy mattress, covered in a crystalgull blanket.

His eyes crusted with salt from the tears which fell during the quiet hours of the night, the grieving boy covered himself in the feathery comforter. Crystalgull feathers were soft, similar to the skin and hands of the Selenites, but they did not have the same heating or cooling properties of the gull feathers from his own world. The sea air was cold on this dreary dew-laden morn.

Nameless suddenly burst unceremoniously into The Scientist's room, throwing onto him a tough leathery cloak and a hand-fashioned reed spear. "Geddup, boy, and bring those with ya. We've been summoned by the dear commander and his elders."

The Scientist quickly wiped the mess from underneath his nose and eyes. This must be their sendoff to travel towards the Pyramid.

Ascend the Pyramid.

The words of memory echoed within his skull again, as if he was hearing them for the first time. They were serene, but commanding. The words of a leader.

He quickly threw on his cloak, took up the spear, and headed towards the dining hall.

"Thank you for joining us at this early hour, Scientist," Elder Sinuissan, coming from the side, sidestepped to meet his new friend's pace. "I must forewarn you, this affair is not a good-bye. Prepare yourself for a task ahead."

Disappointed, The Scientist pursed his lips. "Very well. It is the least I could do for your generosity."

They met Commander Dosver, Elder Gneissan, and another Elder, Elder Jonsavein, inside the dining hall. The commander was seated at the head of the table as they entered, with both elders seated at his left arm. The commander beckoned The Scientist to sit beside him.

"I do not summon you here lightly. The elders and I discussed at length last night, and we have arrived at a proposition for you – both of you."

Nameless had entered the dining hall and leaned onto the long crystal table at a distance, flicking embers from his teeth.

Sinuissan placed a fatherly hand onto The Scientist's. "There are many talents in our small village, and some truly brilliant people live here. We are honored to have you as our guest, and we would like to use this opportunity to have a learned warrior such as yourself help keep our village safe."

Confused, The Scientist glanced back and forth between the elders and the commander. Elders Gneissan and Jonsavein were smiling and nodding across the table.

"I am no warrior. I know not the first thing about fighting. Indeed, this morning was the first time I've placed a hand on a weapon in my entire life. What warrior's task would you give a novice in the arts of battle?"

The commander placed in front of him a scroll of paper. "You may not be yet a warrior, but we are confident you are the one he spoke of in the days of the ancients. There is no other challenger worthy to overtake... the evil one!"

The Scientist rose from his seat, shocked. "The evil one? You mean... Darkness?"

At that moment, a deep boom of thunder roared overhead, in the tainted sky above. A chill rose up through The Scientist's spine and wrapped icy claws around the back of his head, where the obsidian torch had been slammed into. The Scientist gripped the back of his head in pain.

"DO NOT SAY HIS NAME!" Nameless rose in fervent zeal, embers flying as he brandished a long, glowing spear, not one known of either world, wrought of blazing cinders. The light flowing through the village seemed to tremble, shuddering away from the mere mention of the name. "That name has more power in this world than you know. He relishes in its uttering. Do not say that name here."