[—Umm— Let me start off by saying I am aware of the concept of one having a name. I have never communicated with anyone else so have not needed one till now. To my knowledge, I was created without parents. One day I simply just was. I learned everything about this world, I could see everyone, everything, go anywhere I wanted, and listen in to all of the great conversations going on around me. Sadly when I spoke, no one could hear me. So the loneliness and lack of communication coupled with the fact that I simply came to be, I never thought about it before you just asked. You have no idea how happy I am now, to be able to talk with someone, and experience the world through extremities I never had. To be able to explain and to be heard and understood after so long. I wish you could feel this because I know this feeling to be special and powerful. When we get this connection thing fixed I very much wish to convey just how I feel, no, how MUCH I feel at this moment. Just to be asked “What is my name” is absolutely wonderful. I Have heard this question be asked in multiple languages and dialects, between so many different races and species. None of them compare to when the question is finally directed to yourself and after so long wishing to be heard, to be listened to, only to have nothing to respond with. It is simply overwhelming.] It said, suddenly being over flooded with emotions by a seemingly mundane question.
Alistair just stared off into the woods, trying to imagine how lonely that must have been for him, to go through god knows how long alone with no one to converse with, to share their feelings with. To know so much but not tell anyone. He started to empathize with it, feeling lonely, and sad, but also grateful, and appreciated. What started with a trickle quickly sprang open a floodgate and Alistair was overtaken with emotions of elation, drunk with so many feelings flooding into him. Pain and loneliness, the kind of loneliness that is so lonely it can never be told or witnessed. Not through lack of trying, but lack of awareness by others. Grateful and appreciative, the kind that fills your heart knowing that you finally found something you were so desperately missing, missing so badly that you even gave up looking for it out of fear that the desperation you would feel would once again overtake you. And you would lose yourself.
[ALIS…TAIR… ALISTAIR!!! Can you hear me? Are you there? Please say something. I’m trying to close the connection but I can only do so much… I’m unable to close it completely. ALISTAIR!] It screamed and begged in Alistair’s head.
Alistair opened his eyes, he was laying face down on the ground. “Yeah, I’m here.” He said out loud spitting grass and dirt out of his mouth as he lifted himself off the ground, now on all fours. “What the hell was that?”
[Oh thank Mother you are alright. I wasn’t expecting you to open the connection as wide as you did. I regained my control over my emotions and should be less of a burden now. I am so sorry.] It apologized profusely. [How did you open the connection that much? People in this world do not possess the capacity which you showed just now. How do I put this in lay-mans terms… If our connection was a two-way road, you widened it enough to fit six wagons on it. You kept your side of the “road” closed while opening my side. meaning in a way, you reached out to me without extending your hand, there was only input from your part and no output. Feelings like these must be shared, if not it overloads the other and causes what you just went through. I had no idea you were feeling it until you face planted. Only then did I notice. That was very scary and a bit intense, I had to use my mana to force my connection to close, but as your companion, I can never completely shut it. You can shut yours though, it seems.] It finished.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
Confused and standing up, Alistair felt weird, he felt like he had laughed for hours, while also crying for hours. He felt drained and relieved at the same time.
I guess that’s what Mother was referring to when she spoke about my capacity for empathy. It sucks… Alistair thought.
[Mother? What do you mean by “she referred to?” You speak as if she actually spoke to you.] It said, slightly stumped and mocking Alistair at the same time.
She did before I woke up with you in my head. She told me that she would send a follower to help me navigate this world, that you were to be my, how did she put it… My own “Personal Google” when it comes to this new world. Alistair replied.
[Very funny, Alistair. Ha-ha… So you actually think you spoke with her? Alright, what does she look like?] It asked, not believing a word Alistair was saying, but oddly could not feel deceit in his words.
I thought you could tell if I was lying. Or was I imagining that conversation as well? Alistair replied a bit heated.
[I can, which is why this makes no sense. No one ever gets to speak with Mother. She always listens, but never have I heard of anything saying it spoke back to her. Not even in jest.] It said in a serious tone. [It is a serious offense to speak lies about Mother or use her name to coerce or manipulate others.] It said. [It is one of the Basic Laws of this world.]
Well, I don’t know about the laws, or why I’m the only one to speak with her, but after I supposedly died on my planet she was there and gave me a choice to save this world. Well, at least to try. Or to move on to my afterlife. I’m here, so you know what I chose. Alistair said bending down and picking up his Makeshift Staff while leaning on a nearby tree.
[Oh Mother, this makes so much more sense then. I was wondering how I ended up inside of you, I just thought that Mother simply made my wishes come true. I didn’t even think this was a possibility. Not to say that I could believe she was incapable of doing anything she wants, but this has never happened before that I know of, and with what you were saying before about pooping and peeing and the Earth place you were talking about, I was still getting my bearing and thought you were still joking with me like the that’s what she said thing. Wait, was that a joke too? Was that what Mother said instead of the hypothetical “She?”]
Slow down, we will get to all of that, for now, let's just start with what to call you from now on, because seriously I need to stop picturing clowns every time I think of you as an “It.” Alistair thought, letting out a little chuckle at the thought.
[How did your parents come up with your name, maybe a name is something that is always given, and not chosen for yourself?] It asked. [Maybe you should name me, apparently, I am your “Google” as Mother put it. What about that?]
No, definitely not that, I don’t want to go around saying “Hey Google” again in this world. How about we just call you “G?” Alistair said laughing on the inside.
[G?] It asked, [That’s not a name that’s a letter.] It said sounding a bit annoyed. [If you're not going to take this seriously then I will just have to name myself. And I'll name myself something you will find silly and I'll only respond to you if you say it.] It said.
“Fine, Fine, alright…” Alistair laughed. “Since you, how you came to be, and this whole place is a mystery… How does the name “Myst” sound? Short for “Mystery.” Alistair said.
[Hmmm, I think I actually like it, it sounds mysterious as well… Good job, well done. Yes I think my name shall be Myst from now on.] Myst said.
So much better.
“Nice to meet you Myst, I believe we are going to be great friends,” Alistair said out loud.
Meeeooowwsssssss!