Calan - The Immortality Paradox

Chapter Sixteen: Last of the Aquarians, Part Two

It's true that in the moment of death, time stands still.

At least, that is Carlos' opinion on the situation. Time has neglected to continue, by the phenomenal force of his impending demise. At least, that's what his unhinged mind is envisioning at that moment. The Universe is taking a slice of the time continuum and taking the time - literally - to say goodbye.

It's the only logical conclusion, Carlos assumes, as the frozen configurations of space around him refuse to match his rhythm of life. Silence rules. Everything is deathly quiet. Even the beating of his heartbeat has ceased. In a brief, absurd juncture, Carlos surmises that this is hardly unexpected given the prospects of death. The interrogation room - now hazy, like a cloud gathering after a fierce battle - is being pervaded by strange visions; ghosts of a memory. Reconstructions of Carlos' past are closing in around him, swelling with a tide of emotion. The pain of nostalgia has such reality, that it feels as though it will tear him apart.

YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE.

How could I forget the voice? The reason I'm dead! Carlos reasoned that it is only natural for him to have hallucinations of his killer in the final seconds of his lifetime - or in the frozen instance before eternal damnation.

YOU ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE DOMAIN OF THE ARALL. YOU'RE PROBABLY FEELING A LITTLE DISORIENTED.

You can say that again! Domain of the Arall? What the hell is it talking about?

I CAN HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS. CONTEMPLATE CAREFULLY CHILD, AND OFFER UP YOUR QUESTIONS. OR FEEL THE WRATH OF ANNWN CONSUME YOU.

It was difficult to tell if the voice was conversing with him or not; the statements occupied the air like uninvited strangers. The world shook like an earthquake until the exact lines of reality disassembled into liquefied abstractions. Solid walls trickled into rivers of darkness - the floor transformed into a fathomless ocean of smoky black. Carlos' feet, had they been able to move, would've sunk at the first step.

CONTEMPLATION ALLOWS COHESION. THE DOMAIN OF THE ARALL REQUIRES A MIND BLESSED WITH FREEDOM. DO NOT SEEK FAMILIARITY. CREATE A PASSAGE FOR THE MIND TO BREATHE.

An ephemeral thought, plucked from the recesses of Carlos' mind, whizzed past like a leaf in a strong wind. The faintest glimpse of an army of trees framed by a purple sky. The cerulean glow coloured the darkness for a moment. Coedwig, he thought. The day I discovered true purpose.

THEY LIED.

Something registered in that moment and the environment around him gained clarity once more. But the location was different.

Carlos stood on the precipice of nothingness. A few feet of alien rock underfoot gave way to a white abyss. Bright light cascaded down in a waterfall of pure energy all around him. He turned on the spot and found himself at the edge of an island floating at the centre of the free-flowing light. It was difficult to tell if the island was stationary or moving; the barrier of perception was in constant motion. A cauldron of mayhem swirled around him, but there was no sound, smell or taste. Only his eyes were allowed access to the wonder.

DO YOU SEE ANNWN?

Controlling his eyes was like aligning polar-identical magnets. When they did relent to control, he saw something materialising; something huge and dominating. It ruled the landscape like a dormant and looming beast. Perched at the nucleus of the island was a four-peaked mountain. The peaks were all serrated summits, gathered around a funnel of light. This was the source of the waterfall of colour, drawing forth from a central core. The product of a strange island engine. An eternal volcanic explosion. Where the fuck am I?

THE LAND OF THE GODS. IMPRESSIVE, CHILD. NOT MANY SURVIVE ITS PRESENCE.

There was something godly about the paragon of creation that lay before him. The four-peaked mountain might have been a giant's crown or the remnants of a machine that once powered star systems. The possibilities were endless; Carlos' imagination had been unlocked. This is Annwn? Whatever that is?

CORRECT.

And why am I here?

TO SEE. TO WITNESS. TO LEARN. OUR MEETING WAS DESIGNED BECAUSE YOU ARE FOOLED. CORRUPTED.

Corrupt? I'm Carlos di Gunga, foreign minister of the Aquarius Chapter. I have four sisters and two brothers. All my life, I have longed to make a difference; to find unity in the Human race. To find some semblance of togetherness across Chapters. That is my reality. Or was. Showing me glimpses of an impossible future is pointless.

THIS IS NOT DEATH. The voice thundered inside him. The vision of the island shimmered momentarily. THIS IS TRUTH. THE CALAN TRUTH.

Carlos paused, in whatever way a corpse had the capacity to pause mid-conversation. Is that why you showed me Coedwig? Is this some elaborate pitch - to turn me against the Calan?

ONLY TRUTH. The creature replied simply. THE CALAN CLAIM FRIENDSHIP TO HUMANITY. TO MANY BEINGS. BUT ALL THEY WANT IS DOMINION.

I've heard the works from my own people. Manipulators. Destroyers of democracy. Disciples of the devil. They use endless diatribe to try and convince me of their supposed evil, but none of them have actually witnessed their presence. None of these so-called purveyors of truth have actually cared to understand the Calan for what they are. Their true nature. Their true compassion. They offered me support when I needed it most, and I will never forget that unrequested kindness.

A BLIND MAN SEES BEAUTY IN ALL THINGS. ESPECIALLY THINGS THAT SING SWEET MUSIC.

Are you saying that they're right? Am I to question my own judgement? Why should I believe you? Whatever you are, you've committed murder. Helped to destroy a thriving economy. Destroyed the lives of my Chapter. And killed me to finish it off.

THIS IS NOT DEATH. The creature repeated its lies.

Stop telling me that! You can't drag me to oblivion, purgatory or wherever the fuck this is and expect me to swallow your words like an imbecile. The rage that surged through him was so intense, Carlos expected the island on which he was standing to quake. He wanted it to. He wanted this demonic creature to understand how angry he truly was. A prisoner's wrath.

THE DOMAIN OF THE ARALL WILL NOT SUBMIT TO A CREATURE OF THE THIRD DIMENSION.

I can try. Carlos didn't quite understand what he was trying. Creating movement from paralysis. This world of Annwn was seemingly unresponsive. He was a fly caught in the spider's web, and the spider was mocking him. The result was also painful. Tiny portions of his consciousness ignited fires. The brain reacting poorly to the environment. Perhaps he didn't belong after all.

CONSIDER THE CALAN. CONSIDER THEIR HISTORY. CONSIDER YOUR ALLEGIANCE.

I will always be loyal. The pain had reached an unbearable level, and Carlos was ready to die all over again.

LOYALTY REQUIRES RECIPROCITY.

In a moment of absurdity, a crack appeared underfoot, splitting further and further agape. A single tree branch forced its way through, rising in front of Carlos; growing and splintering into more offshoots. Without thinking, he reached out to grab it. The island dissolved before his eyes.

A final statement haunted his waking mind.

THE CALAN ARE YOUR ENEMIES.