To Save a Life

Choices and a Memory

I shivered upon walking into my denizens cave. A chuckle reverberated through the area as I stood in the center of it's home unarmed.

"A fool's errand... Or perhaps I am not what you wish to defeat... No I sense a purpose and I love a story... So what DO you want?"

The Denizens were horrorterrors that we could only hope to defeat, but it was right, I wasn't here to fight.

A breath, "A deal."

"... Intriguing, please do tell."

"My friends, the other players, they'vwe gone through so much and payed heavwy prices, I vwant to givwe them each back vwhat they'vwe lost," I told it.

It began to laugh uncontrollably, "I will not save your little friends... but perhaps I shall. You wish them their happiness? Then sacrifice your own. In the end you may keep one memory of each and will stay here; unaging, in eternal torment until I die. What say you Bard? Will you give everything you have, for those that would give nothing for you? You may continue to siphon away at their troubles no matter how long after our deal has been made, should others come along that you wish to save, feel free! Then again, what fool would you be to say yes."

It was right, it was a fools deal.

"Call me a fool then, I'll make the deal," I called back.

For several agonizing moments it said nothing, then, "A fool indeed, make your beginning choices, the rest will come and go in your mind as they happen. And don't forget, one memory a piece."

I closed my eyes, Damara happy again, my memory of her smiling and rolling her eyes over a stupid joke I'd made.

Rufioh willing to admit his flaws and stand up for himself. My memory of him being flying on skyhorsedad's back next to him bickering slightly with all good intentions.

Mituna, his mind whole and strong, his psionics still there, and his scars gone. His memory was a sweet one of us on his wriggling day, him telling me all of his hopes and fears.

Kankri, proud of himself and calm in the face of adversity, able to think about others points of view. My memory of him being a day we spent together when young.

Meulin to have her hearing back. My memory of her was from the game, I had stumbled into her land and helped her with some ogres.

Porrim being able to look objectively around her. My memory being of finding her sad and alone and being an idiot, asking her to dance, she'd laughed and said she'd love to.

Latula was fine, but I stored the memory of her trying to teach me how to skate.

Aranea being able to stand up to the others. I remember her patching me up after a bad fight.

Horuss having the confidence to stand against even Meenah when he needed too. The memory of the one kindness he showed me.

Kurloz's tongue and lips healed and his voice restored. Before anything happened I often thought about how good a friend he would be, but it was never meant to be. So I chose a memory where we were laughing over Mituna being an idiot.

Meenah... To show her softer side and find that kindness wasn't always weakness. Her memory... Was my first wriggling day after we met, she bought me a new ring and took me to meet her ancestor. It was a good day, one that I'd never get back.

"I'm ready," I said opening my eyes, "Anyvway I can leavwe a message?"

Silence continued to permeate the air, waiting.

"Sorry guys, but... Vwell it's worth it," I grinned, "Let's do this."

"Goodbye, Cronus Ampora, Bard of Hope," The voice faded out.