The Fate of the First Hero of Light
I am standing at our home outside in the cold mountain air. It is blowing on my face. The magics here in our world feel so pure. "16 suncycles" I said it out loud. I feel my heart is heavy. Still my life as the Tulok Warchief starts again. No, that is not right. I will have to climb back into the flow. My plans, they are still in motion. I have meetings with TADUC Union Heads soon.
I speak to Vivi she is still comforting my Grandmother. She asks me who Loreleia is. That world is so difficult to explain. I feel, I might spend many days explaining even how trivial thing works. I say to her we would need to talk for many moments to explain it. She tells me to come home soon..
My mind recalls some of the last days in the other Dwarven World.
"Geir I can feel. Your feelings have changed why could this be?"
"..."
"Little man what is wrong?"
"..."
"Claurilless you are not yourself?"
"..."
"Yes, I have felt for a while you have been distant to me?"
"..."
"Geir what is the matter?"
"..."
I am at my mansion at the different Dwarven World. I am staring at our round conference table. It is made out of an expensive white stone. I follow the grey lines that flow through the beautiful piece of rock. I think back to my Dwarven World. The grey rock extending for endless distances. If I look closer at it would it look like this as well?
"Geir why don't you speak with us little man?"
"Did I really even have to be here all these years?"
"YEARS?! WHAT DID YOU SAY GEIR?!"
"Geir son why would say something like that, you have never even once used our terms? Why use it now?"
"..."
"Geir why are you staring at the table?"
"I wonder if I stare long enough at my Dwarven World's grey rock. Would it look just as beautiful as this one?"
"GEIR YOU ARE SCARING ME WHAT IS WRONG. WHAT CAN WE DO?"
"..."
Even though everyone is here, that I have known from the beginning of this quest. I feel all alone, as if I was on the moon. No one to talk to. Darkness around me stretching out infinitely. The only light being where my shadow is.
"This is the first time, that I have failed at an important task in my life."
"FAILED!?"
"What do you mean Geir?"
"Yes, little man we won. The machines cannot destroy us anymore."
"Claurilles we won.""
"Geir my son I feel your heart. This pain we have failed. Are we really doomed?"
"HOMER WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"
"Great Father seems like somethings cannot change. I had once heard someone say I was a child of prophecy. If only that were true. I could use some heavenly powers to change the fate of this cursed world."
"PLEASE CLAURILLES I AM VERY SCARED WHAT IS THE MATTER? WHY DID WE FAIL?"
"What would failure be to each one of you? Could you tell me?"
"Little man if we cannot stop the world from being destroyed by the machines." says Doctor Thandall Stand
"I feel so too." says Hungrid Decard
"I agree with Doctor Stand and Hungrid." says Timothy Smith.
"I agree with everyone. If we fail at stopping them from destroying the world that would be a complete failure." says Zeldalyn Tavers.
"I made you a promise Claurilles. I would stop the disasters from happening." says Ezekiel.
"..."
"..."
"Loreleia, Homer do you not consider that failure?" asks Doctor Stand.
"Doctor Stand for me failure would be if all the Hume's are killed." says Homer Grim.
"I feel the same as Mister Grim." says Loreleia Dominitus.
"But that goes without saying we want that as well. Does everyone agree."
Everyone nods and agrees.
"Then I have failed."
"GEIR FAILED WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!"
"Only one can be saved the world or the Hume's. There are no other choices."
"Geir what do you mean all these years, can't the machines not be stopped."
"Hungrid the machines are no longer the enemy."
"Homer what do you mean they are no longer the enemy?"
"The persons who created the problems are laid bare. Am I not right Geir?"
I follow the patterns on the table.
"LITTLE MAN THIS IS NOT TIME FOR SELF PITY. WHAT DO YOU MEAN!"
I point my finger at each and everyone in the room.
"Your children or their children's, children. Will destroy this world without fail."
Timothy moves to punch me. Great Father Houzmas extends his arm in front of Timothy, he glares at him with such intense bloodlust. He falls over out of fear.
"Geir son what do you know. Please be as blunt as possible."
"The Humes on this worlds thirst for "knowledge" at any cost, will lead to its doom."
"How can you say that?"
"The Dwarfs are even now still busy, working with the forces that should not touched. If even after their world has been destroyed. They still keep on using forces that should be left alone. How can we stop it here?"
"Geir son do you know. How the runes are made?"
"Yes, Great Father. I have heard only a few Dwarfs know of their true construction. Do you really want to know?"
"Yes, son."
"They are made by using the souls of the dead as the power source."
"THE SOULS OF THE DEAD?!"
Great Father Houzmas falls down onto the ground out of shock.
"Geir son that cannot be true...there is no way...they would go that far...surely not?"
"Great Father it is the only untapped source of energy in our realm. It will not be missed and it cannot be perceived. The Dwarfs manufacturing the Runes. Do not know where this energy comes from. I believe only the Elders know of this."
"Great Father you do not have to hide it anymore. You are the same Houzmas Grimmaker of my world."
The Great Father's visage changes. He looks like an elderly Muscular Dwarf he has a mighty mustache and a braided beard.
"Geir surely that is impossible."
"That is the only thing it can be."
"GEIR! HOMER! WHAT IS HAPPENING!?"
"Sit down let me explain." says the Mighty Dwarf.
Many moments later...
"Geir even this news. How does it pertain to us?"
"The quest for knowledge be any means. That is what will lead to this worlds ruin."
"What can we do?"
"We can kill everyone, that tries these insane experiments."
"That is not an option I am a police officer I will not allow it."
"Then it is impossible. The Humes on this world, are fundamentally different from ours."
"I have studied your body Geir. There is no difference." says Doctor Stand.
"Not our bodies, but our minds."
"Why would you say that Geir?"
"In my world, I am the leader of one of the most brutal Tribes in our world."
"TRIBE?!""Hahahahahahaha" everyone is laughing at me.
"I am not joking. I can scheme like this, because fundamentally I am an evil person. Most of the peoples of my world could never and would never be like me. Here the opposite is true, almost everyone has the capacity to develop a wicked mind like mine."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN CAPACITY?!"
"Exactly what I said. That the Future Technology Institute building could exist in the first place is proof."
Hungrid grabs me. "WHAT ARE YOU IMPLYING? THAT I WAS COMPLICIT TO EVERYTHING DONE THERE?!"
I stand up. I take two heavy metal bricks.
"Grandmother we are leaving."
"Geir please let Loreleia come."
"Grandmother she is a grown woman. Let us leave."
"GEIR ARE YOU RUNNING AWAY!?"
"The ship is sinking, I am leaving. If you tell me, you will be willing to kill everyone. That tries these demented experiments. I will stay."
"I am a police officer, I cannot."
"Zeldalyn live a life of honour till the end. I am the Warchief anyone that threatens the Tulok Tribe. Be it friends or even children, I will make them disappear. If you can do the same. Then this world's people will never die."
"Claurilles you cannot expect anyone to make that kind of sacrifice."
"Yes, it would seem impossible. I have no choice, I am the leader. I have to shoulder the burden. We stopped the machine threat, but still in the far future this world will fall. I have made plans that the Humes here. Will not be able to completely destroy this world."
"WHAT DID YOU SAY? MADE PLANS?!"
My plastic piece of shit starts vibrating in my pocket. That same melody Loreleia chose for me those many suncycles ago starts screeching. I fold it open and press the green piece of parchment.
"CLAURILLES HERE WHO IS THIS!? GOOD DAY WHAT DO WANT?!"
"OH IT IS YOU BHELEM. HOW LONG STILL?"
"Little man this isn't time for jokes. You can't be seriously leaving now aren't you?"
"I have failed. I could not save the world. What more do you want? I was forced here against my will. I fought tirelessly day and night, I did every deed possible to try and avert this worlds impending doom. I cannot change the peoples hearts or minds."
"Geir what do you mean our doom?"
"In 50years or 100years, the experiments here will lead to the exact same occurrence as on my Dwarven world. I only extended the time before the catastrophe occurs."
"No, but we worked so hard."
"When we first met in Zeldalyn's office, I told you I walk in the darkness. Can you remember?"
"Yes I do Claurilles.""Yes." The others nod.
"While you have been busy working happily in the sun. Going to work and home at the end of the day.
I have been working in the darkness. Murdering people that would interfere with our plans, kidnapping people's families to force stubborn individuals comply to my orders. Selling drugs to gangs for money. Then using my connections in the government, to get them seized and returned to me. Bribing the politicians with money and women. Blackmailing lawgivers to pass legislation that would benefit our cause. Did you never question why we took everything in our stride? Every problem we had, was solved almost immediately?
"Claurilles I ne...""Little man...""Geir..""Son..."Uncle Geir no...
"I set out to save the world, by any and every means. I closed my heart completely. Even if I had to kill a child, if it would save the world. I would do it a thousand times over. I'll ask again. If you are willing to not even do a tenth of the things I have done to SAVE YOUR WORLD! Then I would stay."
The silence is deafening...
"Great Father Houzmas you should conclude your business and return as soon as possible. Nothing more can be done here."
"Thank you Geir son for helping us."
The Great Father bows, I nod.
A big black vehicle approaches.
It is the same as those ones that they show driving through the mud and up the mountains. All the short Hume women drive them. Bhelem where did you get this piece of shit?"
"Geir please I saved for a long time. Do not call her ugly names."
""HER!" BHELEM DO NOT TELL ME YOU ARE A DEGENERATE!"
"WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT."
"The difference in evolution is too great. "She" is also a machine but you are a bit more advanced, for this to be romantically acceptable!"
"Stinking Hume!" he rips the mirror inside the car and throws me with force with it.
"Are you ready Geir, Lady Teela?"
"Geir please let Loreleia come with."
"Grandmother she is her own woman now. She has her own dreams and hopes. You are being selfish. Let us leave."
My Grandmother is sobbing."yes...geir...let us...go..."
We leave my mansion.
"Geir what will happen to all your possessions?" "I sold them all." "WHAT DID YOU SAY?!""You heard me I do not work for free. These two metal bars contain metals so rare. All my riches could only buy this amount of them. If I am forced to be here again. I will sell them for money.""Geir I cannot allow this. It will lead to an unbalance again."" Remember when I was forced inside here. I was still wearing my parka and the various tools I carry inside of them. There was also the biological mass inside my body."
"BIOLOGICAL MASS?!"
"Food in various forms of being digested."
"I see, still how does that justify taking them." "I calculated the total volume that was added. Then I purchased these metal bricks. If I leave the total volume should stay the same."
"You are wearing clothes right now...are you really doing that?"
"Yes."
The vehicle stops, we exit. I can feel intense magic very close. I take off my clothes. My Grandmother undresses "LADY TEELA?!". It is almost if I can see the Humonoid blush.
"Bhelem the Golem. I entrust the future of this world to you. Save it by any means possible. If you must treat your enemies as your friends. Then do it. Can I ask you this?"
"Geir the Hume Warchief of the Tulok. I will accept this quest. I will not fail, this world will be protected by any and every means."
"Thank you Bhelem. Farewell."
I move to enter the rift.
"Geir can I ask you something."
"Yes, Bhelem."
"Why did you say treat my enemies as if they were my friends."
"Bhelem I made you to protect the world from the Humes. I never thought, that you could work together with them, to save this world. It was an oversight on my behalf. I cannot do anything more here. You told me you considered me to be a father to you. Now that I leave, I see you in the same light. You are my son. That is why I know without fail. This world will be safe. If possible if you can safe the...they chose their own fates. Goodbye Bhelem, my son."
"Father I will save them and this world. Goodbye."
Tears are rolling down my face.
I am in the throne room again.
The Fire Mage and Knight are still moving to kill me. Zelda is on the floor she is screaming out of fear. Everyone is thrown off balance. My naked form shocking everyone. Their attacks miss. My Grandmother is also here, she is crying. She is also nude." "YOUR LADYSHIP!WHAT HAS THIS FIEND DONE NOW?!""Princess Teela speak to us please!"
Zelda is red faced. I am standing near her naked. "GEEEEIIIIIRRRR!"
"WHAT ZELDA?!"
"GET SOME CLOTHES!"
I am wearing the same uniform that the royal guards wear. They are too small for me. I should fetch my Grandmother and return to our homelands. "GEIR IS IT TRUE WHAT OUR LADYSHIP TOLD US?! YOU WENT TO ANOTHER WORLD?" "Yes, Knight we did. Zelda."
"GEIR WHAT IS IT?!"
"I can understand why you are so bitter now. Still we should move past these memories."
"WHAT DO YOU KNOW OF MY SUFFERINGS!"
"I spent 16 suncycles in a different Dwarven World similar like our destroyed one. Even when working constantly and without rest, I could not save the world. Time flows differently there compared to ours. In these few moments I have been here. That world has been completely destroyed. All I could accomplish is how much of plants and animals are still left on the destroyed world. Your sufferings are not more or less than mine. Still because of my incompetence a whole world is destroyed now."
"Geir that cannot be true."
My Grandmother is more composed now.
"Zelda he is not lying. Still Geir cannot control what people do. His plans do not always work."
"Teela but surely this disaster, was unavoidable. If someone like Geir could not save the world. Then there was surely no way?"
"Before he left he told his comrades something, that was very telling of the differences between our worlds."
"LADY TEELA PLEASE TELL US!"
"He told them in our world people cannot become like him, in the other world almost everyone can become like him."
"PRINCESS TEELA WHAT A FRIGHTFULL PLACE!"
"Sir Hunfrey I do not think so. In our world Geir is the dark that lives in the light. In their world he is the spark in their darkness, fighting tirelessly to save them."
"Teela still what do you mean with this?"
"Zelda here he is vilified, there he is idolized. His comrades follow his example. They look past his many character flaws. They see him fighting alone. Wanting to join the fight, he pushed them away."
"WHY WOULD SOMEONE DO THAT."
"He used every possible way to stop the disaster. He would murder, steal and many things even worse. Constantly fighting to find a way."
"IT DOES NOT MATTER WHERE YOU GO. YOU ARE A SCOUNDREL!"
"Sir Hunfrey you lack something very important. That Geir has and that none present here could ever possess."
"Teela what is this?"
"Conviction."
"CONVICTION?!"
"SURELY YOUR LADYSHIP THIS MUST BE A LIE I DO NOT LACK THAT?!"
"Yes, Princess Teela I have proven myself worthy, to be called such!"
"If there was a hundred ways to save that world, you would stop after the fifth one."
"Why would you say that Teela?"
"Zelda after the fifth one. You would have to start, killing people. From that moment onwards each and every option would become worse and more distasteful."
"BUT LIVING WITH HONOUR IS IMPORTANT! PEOPLE NEED SOMETHING TO STRIVE FOR. IS IT NOT?"
"Geir weighed the world's people to be worth more than his honour. When he was finished with the hundred methods. He would look for more. That is why you lack conviction."
"Geir carry me. We are leaving"
"Yes, Grandmother."
There is silence and we exit the room.
My breath makes mist in the cold air. Could I have done more? I have to meet the Union Heads soon. I will likely never find an answer. I turn around and move to the Tulok homelands...
Finish.
