Through Ages Lost and Found

A Means to an End [2020 rewritten]

Legend told four Giants were born upon creation of the world, Artorias. Land, Life, Death, and Time, the lonesome pair of Life and Time grew hermetic with simply two other companions, and therein, created Humanity for company.

Death detested this.

Arguing over Humanity, Death claimed it would destroy Land and, therefore, kill her. Land, however, stood her ground against him and argued she could not feel more humbled sharing herself with other beings, especially ones with such potential, choice, and opportunity. Nonetheless, Death perversely grasped his hatred of Humanity. He created a plague to ravage them and stated: "Lest one Human bring knowledge before me as to why I should let them live, this plague shall wipe their very existence from Artorias."

Upon Land existed many villages forged by her beloved creatures. Nearly invisible, however, a small, western village birthed a young Human named Grimchain. Years passed as he grew, watching fellow villagers fall victim one by one to Death's fatal plague, and so slowly grew the bright Human's heart hollow and grim. Angry, he swore an oath to the remaining villagers:

"I shall cure this plague, even should my life be lost in trying!"

Grimchain traversed Artorias in search of the worldly Giants. Crossing vast, dense lands and rough seas, he one day reached an ancient forest and followed its misty path filled with gorgeous foliage and luminescent flowers. Further ahead, however, tree leaves browned and flowers dulled. He nevertheless pursued the path, but beyond, ever tree paled and their branches stood naked, and the flowers wilted, desaturated, and withered. One step further, the forest fell to ash and dust, flowers ceased to exist and the sky became murky with decay. Sitting upon a throne of dying branches and long-dead vines with sharpened thorns, Death himself rose and gazed down upon the Human.

"After centuries, you mortals discover my place at last," he commented. "But discovery is not much, Human, for it shows determination. That is not nearly enough to make me care. Anything may have determination if it has feeling. Even the plants here have courage in death, for they seek to turn the sky grey and ancient, punishing me for taking their lives away."

Grimchain squared himself before Death and stared the Giant in the eyes. "Then what must I do to impress you?" he asked. "I have been born, I have seen the world, and I have passed many ages watching this world change."

"But you have only seen death," the Giant told.

Grimchain grew silent.

Death twiddled his fingers idly for a moment. "You have been born and therefore learned about life; you have watched a few decades pass and therefore learned about time; you have traversed the world entirely and therefore learned about land. But you have not yet died," he said. "You have experienced nearly everything in your search for knowledge of a cure to give Humankind. Life is everything to you, for, without it, you are nothing. If you truly care about Humanity, be the last to experience death by my plague because selflessness and sacrifice of the very thing you wish to save will be more than sufficient to impress me. Such dedication... a Human willing to learn all four aspects of this world... That would bring such honor to you creatures, and I would be glad to share Artorias with you the same as Land herself."

"I'll do it," Grimchain immediately declared.

Death, silent and mouth agape, asked the Human, "You would experience such tragedy for the lives of others?"

"It would be my honor," he assured.

The Giant stood astonished before Grimchain and granted the plague upon him. Within mere hours, the Human fell quiet, and his movements slowed.

Breaking the long bout of silence, Grimchain rose his head and eyes to Death with a smile. "Knowledge is the means to an end," he said. And there he died.

Death kept his promise and ended the plague upon Humans. Devoted to their courage and desire, he even began working with Life, helping Humanity grow and thrive. However, Grimchain's dedication, desire, and devotion to knowledge never left his mind. These Humans continued in place of him—one single man who sought knowledge of every aspect for their sake, and somehow, nobody honored this sacrifice.

Reaching into the afterlife, Death pulled the soul of Grimchain and forged from decaying, ashen branches a hardened, full body, this time larger and stronger. Like a Giant's. And Death placed the soul inside this creature and bowed before it.

"Once mortal in search of knowledge, I grant you life again," said Death. "Grimchain of Artorias, I return you to this realm eternally in honor of your sacrifice, this time as Giant of Knowledge for, you have experienced what we are, yet we—Life, Death, Time, and Land—have not experienced you."

Grimchain rose before Death and embraced him with a smile. Existing once more with courage, Grimchain of Knowledge forever walked amongst his fellow Giants and the now-thriving Humans, bringing insight to all, opening new doorways for all eternity.