Originally uploaded Mar 18, 2023

Arthur Pov

My vision shifted, as my surroundings stretched and morphed. As if everything around me was made of malleable clay. Even without using any of my godrunes I could feel the immense amount and strength of the aether moving around me. This was something even I could only dream of achieving.

A nauseous feeling hit me like a truck, similar to using warp portals, but multiplied ten-fold. I reeled forward, covering my mouth in an attempt to not regurgitate the little food I had eaten. I could feel the bile and stomach acids rise and scratch my throat.

I felt my body being propelled forward, despite not moving. No... it was more accurate to say that the space around me was moving instead of me. I could physically feel the time and space that was moving around me. I could hear different voices, different things. All at different times.

I saw things that only the greatest poets and writers could ever describe. Stars and entire worlds being birthed from cosmic clouds. I saw great sea leviathans only told of in long lost legends and myths. Creatures so vast they seemed more akin to moving mountains than living creatures.

Time was warped, I witnessed the first signs of life, budding like flowers. Great kingdoms and empires rising then falling. I saw it all, in that slight moment where I was in between realms, I saw the whole infinite of creation.

Then suddenly all I was left with was the smell of the salty ocean. Recovering from the pain and disorientation I look around. Seeing the almost painting like scenery before me.

The beautiful clear blue ocean, rolling in waves. The bright blue sky with puffy clouds that looked more like desserts than actual clouds.

It was all so perfect, as if some artisan had dedicated their entire life to sculpting every minute detail of this reality. But there also was an underlying unsettling quality about all of it. It was... too perfect.

It felt like I was in a dream, the waves all rolled and crashed in a perfect sync to each other, creating a sort of harmonic rhythm. The sand beneath my feet, all the tiny little grains of the eroded rock were all the same size. All matching each other seamlessly. And in the distance was a small house, raised above the sand by wooden piers, with a chimney spewing out a steady stream of smoke.

The air was so dense with aether it felt as if I could cut it with a regular knife. Far exceeding even the levels of the Relictombs. It was raw life energy of reality.

My vision shifted again, stretching and distorting. Similar to how it does when I teleported using spatium. And I appeared in the beach house. A warm comforting light from the fireplace filled the room. And the smell, it was hard to describe. It was a smell I could have sworn I have smelled before but couldn't place a finger on it. But it smelled like home. A sense of nostalgia

The house was empty, the only sounds was the fire crackling and a faint sound I couldn't quiet make out coming from behind a door which seemed to lead to the backyard.

I made my way across the wooden floor, each plank of floorboard was a rich brown color. Freshly waxed and all meticulously cut and crafted. I couldn't explain why but with every step I took I felt my body grow heavier and heavier. The aether around me grew increasingly more dense, as it all weighed down on me. From behind the door I could feel an otherworldly presence.

I hesitantly turn the doorknob and swing the door open. Knowing what I will find didn't help the overwhelming feeling of dread I felt.

The door swung open on well oiled and maintained hinges. And in front of me laid a small garden. With dirt a rich-dark brown, almost black. And lush plants, all of which seemingly resembled fruits and vegetables from my old world.

In the middle of it all was a man, he was dressed simply, like a farmer. Dark pants, pale shirt made of simple fabric with a straw hat to block the sun atop his head of blond hair.

He was wearing gardening gloves, squatting down and tending to his garden when he spoke.

"You're probably wondering why I brought you back here." He spoke, but his mouth didn't seem to move. He spoke directly to me, much like how Sylvie or Regis would speak in my mind.

I approached closer, the feeling of uneasiness only increasing. I have fought against beings entire civilizations worshiped as gods, things that could level entire countries with their power. But this... him... It felt as if I was conversing with entity that was beyond my understanding, as if my feeble mortal mind could barely perceive him.

He then stood up, dusting himself off in the process and faced me. He had the same ageless face as me, but certain features made him seem more... mature. Maybe it was the ever so slight wrinkles around his eyes, or just his eyes themselves which seemed to have a hypnotizing effect as I stared into them. Like an endless void of knowledge and power that pulled me in to its depths.

Stolen novel; please report.

I had to force my eyes closed, I felt as though I would go insane if I continued direct eye contact.

He approached me as he handed me what appeared to be some red fruit. It was a very vibrant red, almost making me question if it was edible.

"Try it, it's good. Grew it myself." He reassured me as he took a bit out of the one he was holding in his other hand. Making a satisfying crunch sound as he bit down on it.

And hesitantly I did as he instructed, biting down on its hard glossy surface. I was met by a very sweet and slightly sour flavor. It was unlike anything else I have tasted before. So juicy and full of flavor.

The old Arthur seemed satisfied as he smiled slightly. Before he continued speaking.

"Arthur, there is a good reason why I brought you back in here again." He spoke, this time in a more serious tone. He was directly speaking with his mouth now. And I could just feel the incredible amount of power he was suppressing. It seemed to take more effort to contain than to let it loose.

"And that being?" I asked as I finished chewing. This... older version or different version of me was like the current me in many ways. But time and experience was what made he so unpredictable and different from me. But I knew he wouldn't have brought me here just to give me some food from his garden.

"I have been watching you for some time now, and you seem different." He said as he removed his straw-hat. Letting his mane of light gold hair flutter in the gentle breeze of the sea.

"Regis would call you out for being a creepy stalker." I pointed out as my eyebrows raised at his statement. Which made me wonder, did he have his own Regis? Sylvie, while being an asura she still had a limited lifespan. Even with the aether helping to extend her life, me being a creature of pure aether would outlive her. But Regis was a different case. He wasn't a natural living animal and was directly connected to me. So in theory he could stay alive as long as I lived or as long as he had a stable source of aether.

I could still feel Regis, deep within my core in a state of hibernation but I couldn't sense anything around his core, heck I couldn't even feel his core. It was all overpowered by a oppressing aura and physic presence around him.

"Ha ha, yes... yes he would." He lightly laughed while scratching his cheek. Quickly recovering he continued.

"You are different from the others, Art."

"Different from who exactly?" I probed, I had an idea of the answer he would give but still wanted to be sure.

"Other Arthurs from different... lets say timelines and realities. You have made some interesting moves I must say. Most would go on a rampage with all the power they gained from their previous lives. Or at the very least rush into things." He replied, taking another bite of his fruit.

So he confirmed my theory. I had an inkling that something was different of my new world. It didn't completely match up to my previous timeline. If he were to extract me and insert me into an already existing timeline that differed from my own it would make sense why things were slightly different.

Not to mention this old Arthur who seems to have been observing me could have been pushing some buttons behind the scenes as well.

"Oh, don't worry. I have only interfered with the little things. Nothing major." He replied, quickly waving away my suspicious, as if I had spoken them out loud.

'Nothing major? That would explain certain things. Not sure if now the correct time to ask about it in detail though. Even if I asked I doubt he would tell me everything.'

"Just some quality of life things you know. Nothing you should be concerned about right now. I have more important things I must tell you." He continued as a small wooden table and chairs materialized in front of us. He motioned for me to take a seat, and he followed afterward.

"I have been watching you, and I think I pieced together a bit of your plan." He eyed me closely, trying to judge me from my reactions.

"A bit? From what I have seen it doesn't seem to be difficult for you to read my mind." I asked back, trying to keep a neutral face. I wasn't sure it quiet worked, but old Arthur still continued.

"Where is the fun in that? Also I do respect your privacy. You are me and I am you after all." He said with cheeky smirk that reminded me a bit too much of my wolf companion.

All these beings who are above everybody else just seem to look at us mundane people as a source of entertainment it seems. Seems to be a fate that will even befall me someday.

"Anyways, I have gotten a basic gist of your plan and I must warn you. You are treading a dangerous path." His voice suddenly turned ominous, and I could sense his aura swirling around inside him like a whirlpool.

"You care to explain why?" I questioned cautiously. He wasn't like Kezess or Agrona, I couldn't get a good read on him. And there wasn't a doubt in my mind that he would utterly and completely delete me if he deems necessary. He was a being completely detached from any norms. Like a true higher being.

"You're smart, I'll let you figure that out on your own. I'll just warn you. If you continue down the path you are on now, the asuras you are worried about will be the least of your worries. Don't let your past memories and experiences lead you astray." He finished as he got up from his seat.

While I had realized that my knowledge of the future will become more and more useless the more I alter the timeline. It didn't make the entirety of my past experiences useless. No, there was something else in his threat. Some thing even I couldn't foresee.

"Are you implying that you yourself might take action?" I asked in genuine concern. The difference in power and knowledge between us was something I couldn't even fathom right now.

"That relic I gave you will answer some of your inquiries. As for that last question... who knows? But if you manage to make things so dire that I need to get involved then..." His words trailed off with a shrug as he turned around to face me again. This time with a straw-woven basket in his hand.

"Here, think of it as a souvenir." He said, the poison underlying his voice now gone. As he placed the basket in my hands.

Peering into the basket I just see an assorted collection of various colorful fruits.

I looked back up at him with a questioning look. He just threatened me and expects me to leave with a fruit basket all happy?

"Yes, yes I do. They're all grown here by me I assure you they are good. Share them with your family." He answered the question that didn't even leave my mind.

"Well, I suppose it's time you leave now." He said as he looked up at the now sky. Now a faded orange with the setting sun in the distance. The clouds now thin wisps that streaked across the painting-like sky.

Before words could leave my mouth my vision was warped again. The space around me was visibly stretched and began to change. As a great blackness eclipsed my vision.