My life has been muddy ever since my family died. All my dreams and memories blur together in a sickly brown, thick with fear, anguish, and hatred. Every action, every moment – every breath I took was dedicated to the destruction of Fa Fumerunner. Now that I am on the other side, free from the shackles of my family’s death I… I see that my life has truly lacked purity. Everything has been laid out in front of me for this moment. I left my room, cutting the lock like it was air. I walked out with a smile and my head held high. I hid Savra under my coat, disappearing into the crowd quickly. Getting to the plane of purity is not an easy feat, however, it is possible. I must journey up the Tunnels of Tretriah. Many consider this one of the more dangerous planes to journey through if you are not born of Tretriah, however, it is the easiest to navigate with a guide. The endless twisting tunnels confuse the mind, body, and soul, making you second-guess every direction you turn. Getting lost is a death sentence, however, guides here are able to easily move through without getting lost. They dream of tunnels apparently – of an exits' warm glow that can be followed. Paying a guide to go through is a challenge, however, it is one I can work with. I have a ring, a family heirloom. It is made from precious materials. Normally, I would die with this ring but now, now I see such ideals are foolish. I cannot let my family’s memory muddle up my soul for a moment longer. I must go to the place it all started. I must go to the plane of purity.
Finding a guide is easy – just walk to the city's exit and guides will hound you down, asking for payment for services. Finding a good guide who isn’t going to scam you is a skill worth having, but I don’t care about any of that. There is a guide, they look strong and able. They are talking to me with a smile – a business-minded person. What they are saying does not matter. What they are offering is guidance through the tunnels. I agree. They ask for payment. I give them my ring. They look confused and then inspect it, realizing its value. This ring could get me far more, but material wealth matters not. No material in the world could be greater than Savra. Nothing in this world could give me her warmth.
“…are you sure?”
“Yes. Take me to the plane of purity.”
The person nods and we travel. As we get to the city’s exit, there are guards inspecting everyone entering and exiting. They look through your items and make sure there is nothing illegal being transported between planes. Alas, some items can be transported into some planes while being illegal in others. You cannot bring outside food into the plane of pastures, but you can into any other. The guards look over me. I smile. I tell them the captain has ordered me to travel. The guards here ask me a few probing questions and I answer them with confidence and ease. How useless, anyone could get through here if they wanted. I have my ticket to where I need to be. I need purity. The guards let us through – the captain is going to be livid when they find out what has happened here. The person they are trying to put on deathrows march disappearing into the tunnels – they will never understand. Never understand what it is like. Never understand what I’ve gone through, and will never be able to take me back. I smile creeps across my lips. The doors open. We leave.
“…So, Gan, if you don’t mind me asking, what’s the reason behind traveling to the plane of purity? And why do you have that dreg knife on you? The guards seemed to know who you are.”
“I did not pay you for conversations, I paid you for guidance.”
The guide shakes their head, “You paid me a fuckload. You paid me enough to retire after this trip if I wanted but that requires me to sell the ring somewhere. I just want to know a bit about the person who gave me so much wealth for such a cheap trip.”
I let out a dramatic sigh, “Well, I suppose it is not bad to talk while walking. To make a long story short, I am on a pilgrimage for purity.”
“What for?”
“Again with the questions!”
“We do have a lot of walking to do – one second.” Before us is a wall of wood with countless holes cutting through. Each one is large enough to fit a large monster though, and if you take the wrong one, that is what you are going to be meeting very shortly. The guide closes their eyes and walks to the side. We walk for a good 15 minutes, constantly stopping and starting as each hole is inspected and considered. We finally stop at a hole the guide approves. They motion for us to go in. It is a hole, truly. I do not know how they can differentiate holes, but who am I to judge?
“Please, this is the best tunnel for us. It will take half an hour longer to travel through, but the incline is far less steep than the others nearby.”
“Excellent, I knew you were the correct guide to get.” The guide smiles at that comment. Good, making positive rapport is important, especially when my life is in their hands. I should just talk to them properly and lie if I must. Everything for good rapport.
Walking into this hole and entering the tunnel is… strange. There is the smell of wood in the air, but there is so much more than that. It smells weathered and old, yet polished and sanded. It smells brand new, yet ancient. The tunnels are perfectly circular as if they have been either carved out by a higher being or drilled through by a ball of sand. There is some texture to the wood, stopping any potential slipping. The guide cracks a flameless torch, filling the tunnel with a warm orange glow. This tunnel continues straight, being swallowed up by the pitch-black darkness, and every few steps forward reveals hundreds of tunnel entrances. From this section alone, there are millions of different potential paths we could take. The guide walks straight and then turns to the left. I follow closely behind. The wooden pattern does not change at all, the number of tunnels does not lessen, and the darkness consumes all. This place is truly a death trap.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“We have a few hours of walking before arriving at the plane of purity.”
“Thank you! Also, I am very sorry for what I said before. I was just a little stressed; this trip is quite hard for me and there has been a lot on my mind.”
“Hard? How so?”
“You see, last time I traveled to the plane of purity, I went through the fumes of Fael. It was with my family and we were one of the last victims of Fa Fumerunner.”
The guide looks at me with shock, “Fa Fumerunner?! You are the boy that survived?”
I smile and nod “Indeed, I am. I helped the investigation and persecution. I was a key witness that stopped him from weaseling his way out of judgment.”
“I… I can see why you were lost in your thoughts coming here. Now it is my turn to apologise for prying into your life, Gan.”
“It is quite alright. I must be honest, the last while has been a bit of a blur and I cannot remember your name. Could you please remind me?”
The guide chuckles, “I am Tria Tunnelcarver, and don’t worry about it. So… would you like to walk in silence? I am happy to respect your boundaries here, Gan.”
I shake my head as they turn and glance at me “No, I’d rather chat. Please, ask away.”
“Well… I was wondering, again, you definitely do not have to answer this, what was Fa Fumerunner like? I have heard the horror stories and read the articles but… you offer such a unique perspective.”
I rub my chin; it is strange how there is no echo here. “Fa Fumerunner was just as terrible and terrifying as reported. He was cunning, and his skill with the knife was truly something to behold. It is strange to me; how can such talent end in the hands of someone with such an evil purpose in the world. If only he became a butcher or chef, maybe that cutting could go to something more useful.”
The guide laughs, “I suppose that is one way to look at it. Strange question on my part, but do you hate him?”
…huh? “Hate him? Of course I hate him! He killed my family and almost ended my life if it wasn’t for the fact that I woke up a little earlier than anticipated. Why would I not hate him!”
“I don’t know – don’t take this the wrong way but there is almost… a touch of envy when you were talking about his knife skills?”
“Ah… well, he did have a magnificent blade and could use her – it incredibly well. In my reflection on the events that happened, how can one not be a touch envious of his skills? That being said, one can respect villains and still hate them.”
“That is quite true. I respect many leaders for how they are so heavily in the public eye. When something goes right, some congratulate them and the others pull up every single other thing they did wrong and try to bury them under it, and Wol’zarath help them if they do something wrong. They become the punching bag of all. Yet they do it. I respect them for that, and yet still hate them for the terrible things that happen. After all, Dreg runs this plane. It runs everything. Why must our world bend its knee to Dreg?” such passion in this guide's voice, how foolish they are. Dreg is everything. Savra is everything. Without Dreg, there would be no Savra, and that would be a truly dystopian world. A world without Savra would be… I cannot imagine that.
“I get what you mean, Tria. There is so much that happens in the world which cannot be controlled. I do get what you are saying, although the plane of pastures did try without dreg and it failed so how could we just change away from what works?”
“Well, just because it failed once does not mean it could never work. That and there were many issues behind how they tackled it…”
Our conversation continues without end. They talk about the value of taking Dreg out of our society and I argue the opposite. It is perfect, a circular, never-ending conversation where all I have to do is agree more and more with the guide’s points as we walk, and they will think I actually care about what they have to say. They will think I am a friend. I only have one friend – I only need one friend, Savra. All this discussion means nothing without Savra in the equation. Soon, we shall be together. It is strange though, the more I think about Savra, the more I see clouds of colour. There is this beautiful shade to them; purples, yellows, and greens wafting through the air. Savra… she is so lonely. She is waiting for someone to return, someone to properly hold her close. I am but… but she wants more. She wants more of me. I know exactly what she wants and I can deliver. I can be the man she truly wants.
We walk and walk and walk and walk. We turn in what feels like circles, and yet after what must be a few hours, there is light.
“…and here we are! The plane of purity, Gan. Thank you so much for chatting, I really appreciate just how open-minded you are.”
“Of course, Tria! My eyes have really opened up to what you are saying. Perhaps if we meet again, we could petition to get things changed!” I give them a smile. The guide waves goodbye and disappears into the darkness once more. I look forward, finally! FINALLY! I take my first steps into the plane of purity.
I see it. I see the truth. It has been there all along. I look at Savra, her form so beautiful and pristine – her curves so beautiful beyond anything I have ever seen. She is all – the darkness that gives peace. With her, my world is no longer burning my brain – no, she is my true guide, the black light that sucks in warmth. I love her darkness. I love her coolth. My dear, my love Savra. Thank you for existing. That you for returning me to existence. I know who I am now – I know what I want. I know what must be done for Savra has but one true love – Me.
Perhaps killing is not too bad for all,
Perhaps I have been thinking far too much,
This world is run by Dreg from short to tall,
I thought I was wise – I was out of touch.
Savra, my dear, my love, my old friend,
Thank you for showing me reality,
This world is here to bend and descend,
We bring the truth. We bring the gravity.
Who am I? I am the one Savra loves.
I am Fa Fumerunner, release the doves.