Beyond the Rabbit Hole

Morgyn Awakening

Morgyn's body trembled softly with each erratic breath. A sharp tension furrowed his brows, his hands reddening as his grip on the sword intensified.

"Oh, you can relax," Remiel said with a soft laugh. "I didn't come here to kill you. I was merely curious." The dreadknight raised his free hand in a show of peace.

Morgyn's grip loosened. He lowered his blade slightly, but could not relax his body. "Curious? About what?"

"All sorts of things," Remiel answered. "Ever since I could walk, really. What's your name?"

"My name?"

"Yes, your name!" Remiel laughed. His youthful voice echoed in the darkness. "Don't tell me that custom has changed in all these years."

"Morgyn," the reaper said finally. He thought for a moment. "What is it you want, Remiel?"

The dreadknight brought his hand to the chin of his helmet and rubbed it as if stroking a long beard. "Have you ever felt it, Morgyn? That feeling—that indescribable feeling. Like you're passing a bridge on your travels, never knowing what lies on the other side. The men standing guard at that bridge halt your advance and forbid you from venturing further, so you turn back. And every time you pass it by, you think, 'what are they trying to protect?'"

Morgyn's eyes narrowed.

"Most people would forget about it, seeking other rivers to cross. Bridges unguarded and paths unhindered. But not I, Morgyn. For I have already crossed all such bridges. . . ever since I could walk. So, when such a bridge lies guarded before me—a river forbidden to cross, I can't help but wonder. . . what lies on the other side." Remiel heaved a deep sigh. "It tears at me like a rabid dog, feasting on my innards. I feel a storm in my stomach that cannot be quelled, a ravenous god that will not be appeased until it knows what lies beyond that bridge. I would do anything—must do anything to cross it, even if it meant slaughtering the guards and taking the bridge by force." Remiel gave a halfhearted shrug. "Do you know what I mean?"

Morgyn shook his head slowly, his body tensing once more. "No."

Remiel fell silent for a moment. "Then let me rephrase my question. I know my mind can wander into strange places, so I will be direct this time. Why did you slay that undead? If left there, it would likely have decayed before ever hurting anyone. Why open that door? Why bother killing it? What were you hoping to gain, and did you find what you sought?" Remiel averted his eyes for a moment. "I suppose that's more than just one question." He let out a lighthearted laugh.

Why did I kill it? Morgyn's eyes drifted, and his blade lowered. Was I challenging myself? Did I have to ensure that the creature wasn't suffering? "I don't know. . ." Morgyn said softly. "I just did it without thinking."

Remiel nodded. "I understand. Sometimes the body acts before the mind." He stepped forward slowly. "But just because you don't know the reason, doesn't mean there isn't one. Just as the body can act before the mind, it can sometimes know things before it as well."

Morgyn's brow furrowed. Why did I kill it? I jumped down here to follow Alyss, but when I woke up, she reversed course again to return to me. . .

Remiel stopped right in front of Morgyn. The tip of his helmet only reached the base of Morgyn's neck, and the wings atop it rose only to the reaper's chin. He let out a disappointed sigh.

I jumped down here to save her—how arrogant of me. What hubris filled me to make me so blind. Did I distract myself. . . so that I wouldn't have to face her? Was I running away again? She must've defeated whatever it was that appeared and is now returning triumphantly. I should have known she wouldn't be in danger. Perhaps my body understood that and directed me toward something I could do—all I could do. Morgyn closed his eyes for a moment and exhaled sharply. In the end, I am just a guide to lost souls, the last encounter on the path of life—a spectator. A weak smile curved his lips, his brow creasing in frustration. "I think—"