Alma 128 An Endless Tu-dey In Mediocrity

Yesterday, tomorrow, and today. The beginning of one was the ending of none. Such was the will of the people.

Written the same way. Spoken the same way. Discerned the same way.

Shattered pieces of glass melted into sand. His mind had come undone like rainbow confetti that'd turned into grey-matter-spaghetti in his pursuit for, well…

The twilight sun had melted him down into a bubbling puddle of sand over the course of a billion and one 'to-days'. What remained of him couldn't be considered 'him' anymore, the one who had initially found himself stuck in an endlessly looping version of his hometown.

Around the one hundred millionth 'tu-dey', the poor fool had finally drawn his last breath.

The only thing left of him was a nameless, shambling figure that lived in Cem-Elle's shadows, far away from the light of the twilight sun. A vagrant that possessed neither a name or a coherent mind.

"To-day, To-day, Too-day, Two-day, Tu-dey."

Like a broken record, he repeated the same word in a soft, sing-song voice as he hugged a fist-sized stone heart — his only possession. There was much to fear outside the confines of his hidden sanctuary.

The dreadful, ever-presentlight of the twilight sun, for example.

He knew that it was the cause of the evil that had befallen the town. It affected all who were touched by it, sapping them of their will to live until they became walking husks.

That he was being punished by the Shadow of the Sun. The cruel fiend had rejected his answer. He was the creator of the twilight sun, the wretched star, that would not move.

They had reached an impasse. Neither accepted the other's will.

One had dedicated himself for that which greater than his life — the salvation of his entire world. For this, he had strived to be better. He had spent entire lifetimes to create the circumstances needed to accomplish his life's work.

Walking down his own path, he put aside the world and walked away from anything that could have distracted him — the petty worries, criticisms, temptations, and oppressive moral values of the people.

In contrast, the one that was supposed to have inherited his life's work was a miserable thing.

A weak, mediocre creature that lived only for the next day without reason. Lived only to eat, breathe, and sleep. He was a disappointment that had been seduced into living a comfortable, mindless life like a domesticated animal.

Only when confronted with pain and fear of loss, had the other one stirred to finally stand up for himself and do something. And as if it to add insult to injury, he had only chosen to step forward because he wanted to protect and eventually return the mediocrity of the masses.

No… I refuse! This will NOT stand so long as I still exist!

Yet again, you have forgotten me and therefore, yourself.

I would not ask ANYONE of this because I have no right to do so, but YOU are an exemption. Shame on you. Look at yourself and repent!

The poor, nameless creature yelled at the shadow in front to leave him be, to no avail. His torment would continue for as long as it was necessary.

There was too much at stake for him to allow the poor creature to pin the salvation of reality itself on the dream of a simple life, much less a single woman, whoever she may be to either of them.

This is bigger than both of us, don't you see?!! EVERYTHING! That's what we're fighting for, you spineless fool!

How in the FUCK did you come to the conclusion that I'd EVER accept your 'answer'?!

Because you love her?!! Because you want to live a peaceful life?!!

Do you really think that'll be enough to get you through what's to come?!!

DON'T FUCK WITH ME!! I KNOW YOU'RE A BETTER MAN THAN THAT! YOU'RE CAPABLE OF FAR MORE THAN THIS! YOU'RE MEANT TO SURPASS EVEN ME!

I KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE, REED!!! COME OUT OR ELSE, I'LL—

The stone heart shook violently and let out a blinding light that swallowed up the furious phantom before he could finish his sentence. It had driven him off, but only for a short while.

Before long, he would return to hound the nameless vagrant. Again and again, until he finally got he wanted. He would accept nothing else.

Only then, would he release the nameless vagrant from the twilight world and grant him the power he had taken…

Even so, the terrified remnant of a man would not bend. He'd rather die than follow the path that the phantom wanted him to walk.

…Perhaps he was right. That his reason for moving forward wasn't enough, given what he'd have to face at some point in the future.

If she died… would he lose his reason for fighting? If so, that was an extremely dangerous thing. All it'd take for him to give up would be her untimely death.

What would happen to the world after that? It stood to reason that it'd all be over for the world's final hope were she ever to perish at any point in the journey.

He could not allow the entire multiverse to hinge on the life of a single person.

It'd be the height of stupidity to allow something as naive as that, so he hurriedly acted to nip the idea in the bud before it took hold.

Twilight Cem-Elle was his response to the fool's dreams and ideals.

A town filled hopeless, mediocre fools who lacked what made them unique. They were all bereft of their drive to improve and seek what lay beyond their short lives — a purpose, a goal greater than even themselves.

These people were happily content when the sun shone and hopelessly despaired when the stormy clouds hovered above the city.

Not a single one of them had the creativity to feel joy in seeing a thunderstorm. They feared and loathed what they felt was overpowering to them in their eyes. The sound of thunder was enough to make them suffer…

They could not, for instance, dreaming of being as awe-inspiring and powerful as the flash of a bolt of lightning, nor the sound of its companion the sonorous clap of thunder that followed it…

Cattle lacked the drive to be better — to one day pursue the thunderstorm. They would forever fear it and call it evil.

This was his perception of Reed's dream. What he thought of the life Reed aspired to live until the day he died. Thus, he had created the world that the nameless vagrant now found himself trapped within.

He would make the stupid, naive boy fear that which was mediocre. One 'today' at a time, until the boy strived for greatness past his petty fears.

…The world needs someone strong. A person who can withstand all suffering that the world has to offer and still strive for greatness. To still believe in the idea of hope, no matter what is thrown at them.

Why can you not see that you have the potential within you…?

You've done it once already; do it once more and reach greater heights, Reed. For everyone's sake and not just your own.

The phantom had returned calmer than before. He had cooled himself down after he realized that yelling at the poor creature would not do him any favors.

Making himself an enemy was the last thing he wanted to do. All he wanted was for the boy to see how dangerous the path he had chosen was.

…Look, let me make it easier to for you understand, okay?

There's a massive canyon in front you and you need to get across it, right? An endless abyss is all that awaits those who fall into the canyon.

Now there are two options for you to cross the canyon.

A strong and sturdy bridge that'll let you cross safely — that's the path I'm offering you, Reed.

Your path? A thin and flimsy tight rope across the canyon. If even the slightest breeze hits you and you lose your balance…

Well, I'm sure you understand, right?

Okay… Now imagine that situation, but you also have to carry the entire world on your shoulders. And if you fall, it won't be just you that falls — the whole world will go down with you.

Which path do you think is the safest, Reed? Which path do you think is the most responsible one for you to take, hmm?

…We'll be here as long as it takes, buddy. Until you finally see reason and grow up a bit. When the time comes, you're going to have to be more than a hero or even a saint. 

That's what we got signed up for, bud. No running from that. Trust me.

The nameless vagrant shut his eyes and said, "No more… tu-dey… please…"

The phantom gazed up at the twilight sky and said, "That's not my call to make, bud. You're the one who'll free us both from…"

Chapter end