Chapter 20: Time After Time

Time.

It was something that should never be wasted. And I didn't.

The moment I claimed the time rune from those hunters, I used it to grant me what I so deserved; the chance to snatch the vessel before his uncle does.

Funny how my first trip to Midaharian land was an exclusive one. The time rune was an elusive gem. I bet I was the first one to use it in ages. Now I just need to find the estate the little vessel was born in. It shouldn't be far.

I followed the smell of juniper which led me to a massive garden that surrounded an impressive estate. I always admired Midaharian architecture; so detailed and colorful. There was a man standing outside, filling clean air with the bad smoke of a hookah. I'd recognize Eden's husband from anywhere.

Yes! I was in the right place!

He was distracted by a woman wearing a bloody apron then ran inside. The vessel was born. His uncle wasn't far off. I must hurry.

I ran up the steps and duck behind a column as more women ran from the room in a panic. Taking the vessel the day he was born and raising him among us was something we should have done from the very beginning! Now it was up to me!

I took a deep breath and pushed the door open, ready to immobilize all that stood in my way.

What's this?! Sand?! The door led me to an empty desert??

I turned around but the door I entered was gone! How? Why??

"What is the meaning of this?! Horseradish!"

Calm down, Chakma. Use the time rune. Use the time rune...

I blinked and I was back to when the vessel was born. But his uncle was here! Why?! It was supposed to send me ahead of his arrival! No matter, if I have to slit his throat, so be it!

I was steps behind him when he rushed into the room, slamming the door behind himself. I tugged on the handle, but it was locked. That won't stop me! I will get what I came for!

The door flew off its hinges at the sound of my very persuasive voice and....

No!!! Not this damn desert again!!

The rune had better give me what I sought this time or I'm...I...

.....

..Why wasn't it working?

Focus, Chakma. Breathe.

Close your eyes and when you open them....Horseradish!!!

I pounded my food into the sand. "WHY WAS I STILL IN THIS DESERT?!! WHAT WENT WRONG!?"

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Sand, sand, and more sand!

I must have walked for hours. Interesting how I wasn't hot, nor thirsty. It would be more interesting if I knew where the Hell I was!

No people, no structures; where was I?

The sun hadn't moved an inch since I got here. It was as if it were frozen in time.

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Time....

You stupid rune! Will you work if I wanted to go back to the current time?!

I closed my eyes and filled my thoughts with the home and people I left behind. The sweet smell of tea, the dances, Yestha; I want to go home this time.

I slowly opened my eyes and shrieked! There was something standing in the distance. It looked like...a door.

I ran as fast as I could to it and it was a door, hovering over the sand. "Unbelievable."

There was nothing holding it in place; nothing behind it. It was just hanging there. "Dare I open it?"

I looked around and my eyes widened. There were even more doors on the horizon. "Was this some kind of game? A test?"

Which door should I open? Where would it lead me to? What if I went through the wrong door and ended up who-knows-when?

Oh, forget it! Anywhen was better than nowhere!

I gasped as the door before me vanished into thin air. All of them were disappearing, one after another!

“No you don’t!” I made a mad dash to reach the nearest one before it was too late. If it turns out to be wrong, I should be able to use the time rune to escape.

As soon as I leapt through it, the door was gone. I’d better not be stuck in some long forgotten moment in time!

At least I wasn't in a desolate desert. Green leaves, lush grass; I could almost kiss it. The air was crisp, however, the sky was extremely dark. No stars; no moon; nothing. "Okay..."

Curiosity compelled me to explore my surroundings, but then, out of nowhere, someone grabbed my hair and I shrieked. Whoever it was started dragging me through the grass. Struggling did nothing! That damn rune wasn't responding. Where was he taking me?

I tried twisting my hair from his grasp, but then he grabbed me by my neck instead. There was no twisting free of that grip! It was so tight, I could hardly swallow, let alone let out a defensive scream! A path was lit with torches. Flames crackled close by; then the smell of burnt flesh filled my nose.

Was I to be burned alive? Curse you Aiden! If I die here...!

My body hit the ground. I looked up to see who my attacker was, but he was covered in darkness; a darkness that almost seemed alive. Just wait till I get my voice back!

Suddenly, I felt myself floating, but I couldn't move! Even my tongue was frozen.

A hooded fellow stepped out of the dark and approached me. I couldn't even see his eyes, but I felt them piercing my soul. He circled me like a predator toying with its prey before the kill. Then he took my hand, my rune hand! Huh? How long had it been glowing??

"Lecm col dsk asgtz elol, mgul? A'il cvolcad locnla dsk."

"A xsul yosu ctsmelo hsova, Clo hsova." The rune...! It spoke..through me?! Wait...! Hold on! This man...was he...?? Could he be...?! Damnation!"

"An mecm ns?"

"Utvd Lgalt lfgnmn gt elo hsovaa tsm dsk."

He removed his hood, and held me in an unwavering gaze. "What has Aiden done?"

Oh, am I allowed to speak now? "He changed his destiny with a new rune. There are two different realities now, thanks to him."

"Well, that's both impressive and disappointing."

"But, I can stop it from happening with the time rune..."

"No, if he controls his destiny in your realm, you can't do anything to change it."

"I won't accept that! There must be something you can do! I've been awaiting your arrival for years. You must undo what he's done!"

"Quiet! Mgul, as dsk hctm ms wllr elo?"

"Vs. A ecml elo."

"Very well," he said, putting his hood back on. "Question; how'd you get here?"

"I don't know. I used the time rune, there was a desert and a bunch of doors...."

"Puzzling."

I could finally move again, but where did Damnation go? "Please! Come back! You must allow me to be your servant!"

How could he shun me?! ME! He needs to know how long I've waited for...!

Heavy footsteps approached. It almost sounded like a herd of elephants charging. I stood my ground, more than ready to defend my life when it appeared. A giant lizard, the size of a mountain, with a mouth big enough to swallow a house.

The beast charged me, but I was ready for it!

"Die you stupid piece of....!"

***

"IIIEEEEEEEE!!!!!!"

"Chakma??"

"Chakma!!"

"She....she's gone...."

"You felt it too?" the old seer asked.

"Yes. She was in so much pain. I couldn't bear it..!"

"I'm to blame, I suppose, Yestha. I encouraged her to find the time rune and use it to reverse Aiden's action. It didn't work out as I intended."

No, this is my fault," I said, attempting to stand, but my legs wouldn't allow it and I was back on the couch.

"Take it slow, Yestha. You've been unconscious for quite a few moons."

I shouldn't have done it. Attacking Aiden's mind was supposed to be achievable, but no. It just led to Chakma's demise. I should have been there to help her; not passed out. We have nothing to show for our attempts to correct what Aiden has done. Nothing!

"I mustn't allow Chakma's death to be in vain."

"Hmm. I wonder if it's best we accept the reality we live in instead, Yestha. "

Pathrus left me to my thoughts; my regrets. Chakma was the only thing on my mind. All this time and now I feel like she should have been the only thing on my mind; not the promise of our ancestors.

Their words didn't come to pass; not entirely. I was so positive their will was unbreakable. Damnation would bring and end to this world; what would Chakma have to look forward to knowing the future would be grim? I thought it was my duty to prepare her for that.

"I was wrong, Chakma. I'm so sorry."

On the grave of our ancestors, I promise to make Aiden regret what he's done.