Jackson entered a realm of true darkness. The only thing illuminating his path were stairs of floating rock that led to a cracked stone altar. It had no markings, no symbols or iconography. Jackson knew it was the key to defeat the Black Cathedral, but he also knew that the altar wasn’t the heart. He never knew where to find it, nor if there was one to begin with.
As he made his way to the altar, he could recognised familiar blood patterns and blade marks. He rested his hands on the altar to feel its warm touch. It was there he had to make offerings, sacrifices to satisfy the creature. So many regrets, so much pain! All for him to live through it again.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the metal container. Inside, was a black-and-white photo of a plump woman with short brown hair, and a gentle smile. In her hands was a newborn baby girl. The reptile couldn’t keep his eyes off the person he loved, the only surviving photo of the person who died because of him. The photo was no bigger than his palm; it was faded, and the top right corner of it was burned off. But he treasured it, for it was all he had left to remember her.
The custodian appeared from the darkness, standing besides the reptile. ‘You know what you have to do, Jackson. Why the hesitation?’
Jackson paused as he traced his fingers over the photo, ‘it’s hard to let go.’
‘You said that about everyone, yet you always move on. It is what you are, a creature to outlive everyone you care about.’
‘No, this time it’s different?’
‘I don’t believe you,’ the old man argued. ‘I know you will move on. You have to if you do what you always do. A hunter that never stops.’
Jackson disagreed, ‘no, I don’t think I can.’
‘Can’t or wouldn’t? We are both ancient to humanity, and we both learned to walk alongside a changing world. To accept loss when it happens. We both can’t afford stagnation, not when everyone else's lives are short lived.’
‘This is different. It isn’t like the other times.’
The old man scoffed, ‘of course not. It is always different when someone or something steals your heart. I know you well, Jackson. You will move on, you always do.’
The reptile stood there in silence, refusing to give a response to the custodian. He had a reason to not share what he felt, what was the moment that broke his spirit. I can explain further, but at that moment it will be polite to give the reptile some space to himself. You will find out soon, I promise you that.
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‘But tell me, who is that woman? Is that even your child?’
Jackson scowled at the custodian. ‘You’ll never know their names!’
‘Fair, but you will need to make a choice. For me to leave humanity alone, I demand something in return. You know this, Jackson.’
‘I do,’ the reptile replied. He looked at the photo once last time, how the photo was taken when she left work during the spring of 1940. Jackson couldn’t help himself but smile, as it was the day he gave her flowers and chocolates for their anniversary. The reptile bought a camera a week prior, and to celebrate the special occasion he wanted to take a photo of her and their kid. He didn’t know that it would also be the last photo he would take of her.
Jackson took a candle from the altar and burned the photo. The picture reduced to embers, and how the flame burnt his fingers. He held back his tears for losing something important to him. The last memory of a person he loved, a person erased from history because of his actions.
‘It is done,’ the custodian said after they summoned a door leading to the outside world. The old man picked up the reptile’s folded trench coat and handed it to them. ‘When I return, I hope it isn’t you who steps foot near me ever again. You offered enough sacrifices, it's time to rest.’
‘Agree,’ Jackson somberly replied before he made his exit.
The Black Cathedral was satisfied and left for 6 years. For the Order, it was a mission success. Humanity could now rest for the monster was no longer considered a threat. For Jackson however, it might as well be a defeat.
The moment he made his way out of the cathedral and watched how it teleported away. He climbed the tallest tree he could find to overlook the swamps to watch the sunset. Jackson kissed the ring on his finger. He never liked sunsets, but she did, the woman that he loved would always go to the highest point to experience the same sunset every single day. Even if nothing changed and nothing special happened, she only wanted to see it because to her it was the experience that mattered, not the repetition.
… That was the reason the reptile loved her.