Drip Drip Drip

Hmm? It's a bit warmer than usual. Can't say the environment is any nicer. Cobble walls surround me, patches of moss and streaks of dirty water fill every crack and corner. Above me hangs a glowing stone. Held up by rusty chains it sways, its weak light enveloping my still clothed body.

"Well now. I've never met a man quite as filthy as you. Tell me. How is your all-father at the moment?"

Hmm? Beyond the aged metal bars keeping me trapped a man steps into sight. His shining black dress shoes click with every step, his tight black pants and matching wrist length vest highlighting his thin body. A lose pocket watch dangles from his right chest pocket. As the light shifts his face comes into view. Despite his rough voice his face is pale and sickly, his shoulder length hair wearing an inky shine.

"Once again. How is your all-father doing? It's been a rather long time since one such as you has graced me with your presence. My memories have begun to dull to some extent. Hmm, perhaps a less grim place better suits such a conversation?"

Creaakkkk

Without a care he opens the heavy metal gates with one hand, signalling to follow with the other. Claws? He's certainly not human but what is he? Combat is too risky right now. Let's asses. First though.

"What do you mean by your all-father?"

"Exactly what I said. He's our father but what is to say he can exist as only one vessel. Where else would we get protection? Now if you would kindly follow me."

"...protection from what?"

"Your all-father. He who holds the future."

The dungeon starts to vanish, replaced by wide hallways of mottled brick and burnt torches. Faded carpet follows us as we walk though a dilapidated castle, empty rooms full of dusty furniture appearing only to fade every few steps.

"Quite a lovely home misterrrr?"

"You may call me Piero. Manners do dictate you do tell me your name as response. Would you do me the honor?"

"Gerald. So where exactly are we going then Piero?"

"To the gardens."

So silence issues. Step by step we move closer to the entrance. Flags depicting a people protecting a small tree pass, carving resembling the sun appear and fade, and drawings resembling children's art from various ages fill the rooms. Eventually we reach a grand hallway. Jewels line the roof, all emitting a gentle glow. Pillars as wide as five men hold a curving roof.

A grand remnant, at least almost grand. By the all-father there's paint everywhere. There must be dozen of children around somewhere. It's all way too fresh! How did they get the roof? Can they fly?

Creaakkk.

Hmm? How long has that door been there? As if pushing a bundle of feathers Piero opens the newly appeared rotted wood door open. A weak light forms as the door, tall as ten men shows...what? Why is the sky like that!

Above our heads is a sheet of undamaged clouds, a weak snow falling from them. No cracks in reality or spires of ashen wood. Streams of light follow the snow, highlighting the old gardens around us. Brilliant lilies of white and gold form neat rings around a small gazebo. Unlike the cracked and blackened walls around us the ground and gazebo accompanying the swaying flowers are flawless.

The sky? There's nothing? Where are the spires? What am I supposed to burn here?

Just before the confusion can overwhelm me I see him walk towards the gazebo. More importantly I see her. At least a version of her. At the gazebo's center sits a wooden statue of a young woman. Her body is cloaked in a holy garb. Patterns of gold wrap around her, depicting elements of flame and wind moving to consume her heart.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"I see. Yet again you lot live unaware of saintess Alicia."

Saintess? Is that why she's leaning forward?

With her hands clasped in front of her, a weathered stone cloak covers her small body. From the hood covering her head broken strands of wooden, vine-like hairs drapes onto her shoulders. What is she holding? Even when closer her hands are held too tight together to tell.

"Kindness she embodied. A spirit abandoned by they of the old faith grown to a gentle snow. Cold winds blow as her tears lay and erase the path out last steps left. Tell me. How do you feel seeing her?"

I feel calm. Despite the layer of frost covering her face, her beauty is almost overwhelming. If she was here would she open her eyes and look at me? My heart. It feels warm. Too warm? It hurts!

"And so begins the corruption. Yet again I live a millennia waiting."

What? No this is the blessing of the father! But it hurts. There's no comfort! No peace! My skin? Why are roots starting to sprout from my fingers. Everything. It's all so heavy.

When was I facing the sky? Ah, it's so beautiful. The clouds. Their whole and free, not a crack to be seen. Snow...it's been to long. Wet and cold yet still pleasant. It's been to long since I've felt this peaceful. Wait, who's getting closer!

Squelch

"Over the years I've come to realize. His grasp has grown too strong. These roots calling for your flesh are not his yet they hold a power similar. Perhaps, I shall assist you and those that come after."

Suddenly Piero stands above me. In his right hand is a squirming black mass of roots and snakes. My chest? There's a hole in my armor where my heart is but other than that there's nothing else. Without issue I stand up. As they continue to squirm he check his pocket watch.

"Would you like to join me for some tea? The foxes should come out to play soon."

This thing. This spire. Everythings too dangerous. I have to be careful. Even so, it's best to go along for now.

"Sure."

As he turns around bright purple flames consume the writhing mass, leaving a floating ball of dirty black ash. Just before he can do anything "her" eyes open. Bright as the most polished of gems a blue light shoots out and consumes the ash. Gone as soon as it appeared. In under a second quiet returns, the patches of dirt growing closer to her clasped hands.

"Well now. Where's the delay Alicia?"

With a newfound smile he leads me to the gazebo. It's rather small. Even so it doesn't feel cramped, the floral embellishments and lily carvings add a sense of liveliness and space.

"Have you noticed you exist with flesh yet?"

Hmm? So the I wasn't imagining it. Well that explains why I still have clothes. Ah shite what am I gonna eat? I can probably filter the snow into safe water but what about food.

...the snow. Again I look to the sky. A world without cracks? This has be some kind of trick. It's impossible.

"I assure you all is possible. Have you also noticed yet how lively I am compared to the plays you last acted in?"

Mind reading? No. He's too calm and confident. I don't know how many have come before but my reaction should be a common one. Plays....now that I think about it the previous dives always felt fake. A set scenario solved in only one way. Defending a village, killing a mighty beast, or gathering precious items. Is this a more realistic one? But those expressions are too real. Maybe it's only real here?

"So what's with the corruption you were talking about?"

"I don't wish to tell you anymore."

"Wha? Why?"

"Because you interest me. You are the first I've freed and the first to receive a reaction from the saintess."

".....well go and tease me then. Jerk."

The more words we exchange the more playful his grin. Damn demon is looking at me like some kind of kid. No. It's better this way.

"So I've noticed. You've been talking like the statue is alive. Is it?"

"Not at all. Even so I will treasure these memories as if she still lives. That statue just holds a bit more significance than the rest."

"Lovely. Can ya tell me more about Alicia? The way you speak about her can only leave a man curious after all."

"Another refusal for you my dear friend. I can show you to the library instead. First, I must watch the foxes play."

With his last word a genuine smile appears. With a quick flick he pulls and opens his watch. Slowly the winds grow stronger, yet never overpowering. The snow grows thicker as small balls start to form in the air.

Swish Swish Swish

The lilies quiver with joy as a gentle smile appears on "her" previously still face. The balls of frost and snow take shape. Suddenly dozens of children appear. Their hair is a shiny white and their eyes a shimmering azure. The coats covering their small bodies are thick and fluffy, the hoods covering their heads hiding their hair. Snow crunches as they stomp around with their black boots.

Little boys and girls alike frolic in the snow, pelting each other with balls of snow. Despite their mouths moving as if screaming not a sound comes out. All except for one.

"Can we eat yet?"

Crisp as a bell. Her voice displays a youthful energy. Among all the children only she walks calmly. Her golden hair protected by her hood sways in the wind as her golden eyes struggle to stay open in the biting winds.

"Of course Alice. Why don't you join us Gerald? I make a lovely stew. I'm sure you would love it after just a taste."

...what is this place? It's to different. Too calm. No, for now I need to focus. What is the goal. Even if different there's always a goal.Suddenly Alice grabs the side of my left leg. The children. Even if their voices are quiet the joy on their faces in undeniable.

We are but children before the all-father. Should we come across a tough decision then we must ask. What is the kindest response? The answer here. I don't know so I best do a bit of searching.

"I promise it'll be really tasty. Dad is a really good cook."