Age of Darkness

Chapter 41: Spiriterra

I open my eyes to blinding light... Goddess, am I sore. I feel like a got wacked with a brick. Repeatedly... I manage to stand up, and look around.

I see nothing but blinding white light, as far as the eye can see, in every direction. It's perfectly still and quiet. Over a moment, my eyes adjust, and I get a better look around. Nothing, anywhere.

I stand there for a second, trying to figure out what to do, when I catch something at the edge of my sight. I turn and see a human figure getting closer. I squint, and a man appears out of the light. Dressed in white robes, with a long white beard, and blue intelligent eyes. He claps slowly, as he gets closer, and I finally see who it is.

Standing in front of me, a smile on his face, a twinkle in his eye, is my grandfather.

''Well done, my boy! Well done, indeed. You've done this old man proud, you truly have!''

''Grandfather?...''

''It is me.''

''But... You're dead, am I dead I remember...''

And then my last moments come flooding back to me, Zirkon's cackle, and the pain, and cold of his spell of death flooding over me.

''Well, sort of. Not entirely.''

''Gee, that makes sense.''

He waves his hand, and a table with a chessboard lying on top of it rises out of the light beneath us. He sits in one of the chairs, and motions for me to do the same. I sit down, and open my mouth to ask a question, but he speaks before me.

''Your move.''

I look at him quizzically. Why in the world would I want to play chess at a time like this? I move my Pawn, and we begin to play.

''You see, Nicholas,'' he begins. '' There are three realms in this world of ours. There is the Sacred Realm, the Heavens, home of the Goddess, the world of good that has passed. Then there is Altaria, land of mankind, and the creatures that share the world with them. Then there is the Dark World, root of all evil, but restrains many from coming to the other realms.''

''And what's that got to do with here?'' I ask, as I sacrifice my Knight for his Rook.

''Well, here, where we are, is the In Between. The Crossroads. A link to all three of the realms. Welcome to Spiriterra, where all who die wait for entrance to their future realm. The good go to the Sacred Realm, the bad to the Dark World.''

''So... I am dead? Oh, check,'' I put his King in a vulnerable position.

''That's the thing. It's the Crossroads for a reason. We all have a path to take. And you, my boy, you are no regular person. You are a hero, you are the Chosen One, your good deeds have done you well. You... You, with favour of the Goddess, have the ability of choice, and you may return to Altaria, and continue your journey, and face your destiny.''

''I can return? Why don't you?''

''Oh, I mustn't, and for good reason. I must remain here, in Spiriterra, where I shall remain In Between. I am going to neither the Sacred Realm, nor the Dark World, nor even Altaria, for reasons you shall learn in due time. But you can leave, stop Zirkon, save Altaria.''

''You never tell me anything,'' and I take out his Queen with my own. ''Everything I've learned, it's because of other people. Zelda, the Oracle, Zirkon, and others.''

''I've taught you more than you realize, trust me, Nicholas. It does not do well to interfere with fate. It has its own agenda, and so, if I am meant to return, than one day, I shall. Until then, I remain here.''

''And what if I want to stay here? What if I want to be with you?''

''No, you mustn't. You must leave soon, in Altaria's dark hour of need. There is nothing for you here. There, you've got a life, friends, family, and a fine girl, too. You will leave, and you will come to the need of those you love.''

I know there is no arguing with my grandfather... I move my Queen into a crucial spot.

''Checkmate,'' I say. My grandfather smiles again, and the table and chairs disappear. As does the chessboard, all except for the black king. My grandfather picks it up, and stares at it with immense thought.

''This here, this King represent Zirkon. You must stop him, as you did me in that game just now. Trap the King, and the game is over, remember that.''

He throws the King up, and it disappears, in a puff of smoke.

''This... Was nice, Nicholas. I've enjoyed it, it was nice to see you again, up close. I've missed you, but now you must hurry off. Hurry, do not stall. Time runs out!''

I rush up to him, and give him a hug.

''I've missed you too, and... I don't want to leave.''

''Oh no, you will! I can only help that I've provided some good advice, and that you listen, and go, or else evil has already won.''

He turns away from me, and begins to walk back into the distant light.

''Farewell, my boy! Farewell, and remember, I will always be watching over you from above!''

And then he disappears in a flash, which is hard to see, since everything is light here.

I turn away, and look up at the... sky?

''What now?'' I scream into the light, and then I feel as if something whacks me in the head again, and everything goes black, as I tumble into nothingness...