Time

Chapter 23

Travis was embarrassed. He didn't know why he had done that. He had just... well, done it. Something had just told him that it was the right time. Something told him that Madison wouldn't slap him or push him off the stalactite. That's why he had kissed her... no, he corrected. That wasn't why; it was because he loved her. It was a strange feeling. He hadn't liked any girls in Wyrmen. Of course, it wasn't like the town was full of girls his age. In fact, Travis couldn't even remember any instances where Travis had any interest in girls before. All of a sudden, he was in love with a girl. However, Travis wasn't sure if Madison liked him. She had just looked very surprised and embarrassed, her cheeks a pinkish shade. She had jumped of the stalactite and landed, with the rings, on the platform of the tower. Travis had tried to catch up to her but, by the time he thought of teleporting, Madison was already gone.

Now he walked through the streets of the underground city, trying to make sense of his feelings.

∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆

Neter felt wind rushing past his face, warmed by the glowing phoenix. The firebird dove through the clouds, swooping back up and hiding within the white fluffiness. They didn't want to be seen by any travelers below.

Neter could see scattered cities in the distance. They made little beacons of light amongst the dark ground, dotting the landscape with light. He lay back and felt the darkness sooth him. He was tired, he knew, but he needed to be awake when they got to their destination. He wished that he had food, but he had needed a quick departure. Neter was amazed as he tried to listen for the flaps of the phoenix's cyan wings and found that they made no sound.

Neter stared at the two moons situated in the sky. He could see the blue glow emanating from one, while the other shone in a bland white.

"You can see two moons here, but elsewhere, the sky can be dotted with moons, or devoid of them."

Neter knew without looking that the person talking was Life. He didn't care how Life had gotten there, or what he wanted. "Really? Isn't the sky the same anywhere?"

"You see through a limited perspective. It is foolish to see by only one point of view. On other worlds, the sky you see is completely different. Not only can the moon be different, but the stars, clouds, trees, rocks, and people, even, can be too. To really understand everything, you must look through every viewpoint."

"What are you trying to say?" Neter asked apprehensively.

"I mean to say that you must look through my eyes, see what it is you're even fighting. Do you even know why the Duties are fighting me?"

"I trust that Travis wouldn't join anything he doesn't believe in."

"But does Travis even know? You two are acting like little children. You are helping Knowlridge and the Duties just because they say that I'm doing the wrong thing. Travis is trusting in Madison, and you are trusting in Travis. What if Madison is wrong? I will tell you what you are fighting. You are fighting to kill everyone. Not quickly, oh no. The Duties will not give the mortals that pleasure. They will subject all to the ravages of time. I want to prevent that, and if it means killing the time sisters and Death, then I'll do it. What is the life of four useless forces and their children weighed against the innocent lives of infinite lives? Please, son, join me. We can grant everyone in this universe and universes after immortality, we can let them live the full lives that they deserve!" Neter looked back and saw that Life was looking at him intently, floating alongside the phoenix. He was smiling, but something about him told Neter that he was not happy. Neter knew that what he was saying sounded good... but something else inside him was yelling that Life was crazy.