Chapter 73

Finding the Truth

  The main task was done. I had done my part. I had planted the seed of the world tree, as was my part of the arrangement. I even went the extra mile, in taking down a Prolaxian Infiltrator’s plot to destroy or at least cripple the world tree seed. Battled through the darkness.

  I also learned a few things. First off, they, and by they, I mean the Prolaxian Infiltrators, they refer to themselves as Heralds. Does that mean that they are a sign of something far worse that is yet to come? I shudder to myself, as I think of having to face something even worse that just these heralds. Each herald seems to be wholly unique and separated from the others, but what are they meant to represent? So far there have been three, one that contained diseases that were resistant to fire and even bleach. Then another that tortured women, infesting them with some type of cancerous bile. Then this last one who created a field of darkness around him that made it so most people couldn’t even fight back. These seemed to be themed related, but what was the theme for?

  I made a mental note to ask the Endarians, if they had any stories that covered such widespread destruction. That was also part of why I am still here, versus taking care of the thing that I should have fixed a while ago.

  Ping.

  Ping.

  Ping.

  I don’t have to look, but I look anyways.

  Are you okay?

  I saw the news?

  Speak to me.

  Messages from Goldie. Messages that still cause an involuntary reaction in my brain.

  Pulse, twitch, tingle.

  I feel like garbage, as there is a part of me that genuinely wants to think there could be something there between Goldie and me. Then another, more cynical part of me that realizes she is likely also having her own emotions forcefully changed. If that was the case, then I needed to end this as quickly as possible. I have a way, at least, I think I have a way to fix this. But I need to see if there is a base emotion that needs to be there, or if these baubles being used can implant feelings. With that in mind, I have a control.

  In this case, my control is Rayquel. Well, this universe’s version of Rayquel. She will be my litmus test, to see how much control these baubles have over us.

  See my logic goes like this. In the alternate universe, Rayquel and I had a deeply spiritual bond that was forced on us. Looking back on it, I am almost certain of this, from the way not just I, but Wizard Me from that universe and Jess also formed a pair bond. My guess is they used some type of bauble to increase the chance of pair bonding. I don’t know why; I don’t know how it worked. In fact, just thinking it now to myself makes me sound crazy. But that said, the way to prove I am not crazy is by asking this universe’s Rayquel a few series of questions.

  This Rayquel will be my litmus test. She will be the control to prove if there was some type of foreign influence on the alternate Rayquel and myself, or if there was something there between us. I know logically this Rayquel and the other are completely different beings. But I must assume that if there is a connection, then this Rayquel would also feel the same connection.

  Unfortunately, I can still feel the attraction to Rayquel, I am a guy, I’m sorry. I look at this Rayquel and can’t help but feel the deep connection that I felt with the Rayquel from the alternate universe. But I know part of that might be due to what General Tigran did, that is the other celestial being that I know I encountered in the alternate universe. Something that tells me if I interact with her, I can reset the timeline again, but I don’t want that. Namely due to the fact that I would be stuck in the alternate space. While the tree I just planted, has all but assured me I can easily hop between the two universes thanks to my psionic ability Total Recall, I don’t quite want to put that power to the test. Nor do it, only to find out that there is an exceptionally long timer to come back.

  No, I need to do this quickly and efficiently. Regardless of what is happening, I owe it to Goldie to find out about first the cause of these forced emotions. Then I need to act in accordance with my conscience.

  “As per our agreement. Rayquel is here to answer all questions, however personal. She will answer these questions truthfully and accurately, to the best of her ability.” General Fellina said.

  Taking in a deep breath, I prepare myself for what is to come next. I immediately hit the kill updates tab on my communicator. This way I will not be distracted by incoming messages.

  The three of us are in a small meeting room. There is a table, a few Endarian chairs. These are just like normal chairs but have little slits in the backs for wings. While this is an antiquated style, especially as there are only two beings in all existence who have Endarian backed chairs, or chairs with slits in them. They are still in vogue, mainly because anyone who has a chair can safely say they can host Rayquel, should she deign to go to their dwelling. Naturally all the Endarian military chairs also had these slits, a feature that I was now very thankful for. While I could sit and rest upon my wings, I did note that they get cramped rather easily.

  While we can, with great effort and will of strength bend the wings around us, this act is quite painful. Looking back to the leather bodice incident in the alternate timeline, I can only imagine the sheer pain puppeted Rayquel put herself through, all to torment me. See these wings are not like bird wings that are designed to wrap around the body and torso. These are literally evolved butterfly wings, or a similar creature. While these wings do need to bend slightly to generate lift, they are also effectively giant pieces of cardboard strapped to our backs. All this is to say, that chairs with slits in the back are very comfortable.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  This is also part of why I will not be able to get back into Dwenvarian Mechanoid units. First there is the size thing. Even if I could fold the wings comfortably around my body, I would still be too big for even the most robust cockpits. Then there is the fact that I would easily cramp up in such a position. Then the idea of having to deal with being in a cramped position for hours, just made the entire idea unbearable, at least for now. Besides, I had bigger fish to fry right now.

  “Thank you.” I begin, as I realize both General Fellina, who is acting as moderator, and Rayquel who is acting as annoyed interogatee are both staring at me. “So, to be clear, you will answer any and all questions I have clearly, with no ambiguity, and no deception? Is that correct?” I ask.

  Rayquel pauses, then takes in a calming breath before answering. I can tell from the posture and body language alone that she is annoyed at this whole charade.

  “Yes.” Rayquel manages, though her actions are forced. She is clearly forcing herself to remain calm. I don’t know if my observations are a matter of my new Skill in Empathy, or my knowledge of Rayquel from the alternate universe, or both. But I think I can gauge her responses to be fairly accurate.

  “Okay, before I begin. I would like to point out, that this is not meant to be a pickup line, an allusion to a potential future romantic tryst, nor anything of the sort. Instead, know that I am going through a bit of an existential crises right now. Part of this is, I don’t know whether things I have experienced are real, or completely altered by forces beyond my control.” I begin.

  “Is this related to your PDD?” General Fellina asks, a note of concern in her voice.

  I grimace at that, but this is just as good of an excuse as any. Reluctantly I nod. “In a way, yes.”

  That is about as accurate of an answer to that question as I can provide. Honestly, I am having a hard enough time keeping different factors, and actions separated, that this all might be more PDD.

  “I’m sorry, what is PDD?” Rayquel asks.

  “Right.” General Fellina says, a note of concern in her tone. She now realizes she might have said too much. She looks to me, but I am already willing to lay all my cards on the table, for the sake of expediting this whole process.

  “PDD, or Precognitive Dissociative Disorder, is a condition where certain people with advanced Precognitive capabilities have a hard time differentiating a vision of the future, from reality. In my case, I am currently diagnosed with having an advanced case of PDD. In fact, I have believed that I have lived through twelve full previous lives. This is my thirteenth life, though even that is suspect, as I have witnessed what could be considered other episodes during this time as well. It is for these episodes that I have come here.”

  There is a silence as the two let all this information soak in. Seeing that they don’t have any questions, or maybe they feel it would be rude to ask anything at this point. Regardless of their reason for not asking anything, I continue.

  “I have recently had what could be described as an episode. One where I went to an alternate dimension and managed to pair bond with you.”

  Gasp.

  I hold up my hand, to stall any complaints or arguments. “I know, you already had a pair bond before. One where your partner died in the temple run, where they went ahead to the forty-first floor.”

  “Yes, you have said as much.” Rayquel says coldly.

  Right, I did already say something like this to her when I first handed the seed over.

  “You are right. I apologize. Again, this is not to make light of the situation you felt before, nor belittle your feelings in any way. Instead, this is just to get an unbiased opinion of what you think of me. See in the alternate universe I think external forces forced the pair bond between us. Well between the alternate you, and me.”

  “What do you mean by external forces?” The General asked.

  I pause, not quite knowing what to say. Finally, I shrug as I realize this is likely the best way forward. This is my one chance to be completely honest and see how it will all unfold with honesty.

  “I mean there are forces that are working in the darkness of our different galactic governments.”

  “Like the Prolaxian Infiltrators?”

  I pause.

  “They are similar to the Prolaxian Infiltrators, or heralds as they seem to refer to themselves as. But these have a different mission or purpose for being here entirely. I do not quite understand their rationale for being here, but they are as much an outside force for change as the Prolaxians are.” I respond.

  “So, what does this have to do with me?” Rayquel asks.

  I gulp, as I try to find the words to explain what I am thinking.

  “I need you to act as my baseline. I do not care one way or another what your true feelings are. All I ask is that you tell me honestly and accurately what your thoughts are. Again, this is not meant to be a pickup line, or some way for me to feel I can try courting you. Instead, just know that I need closure on certain aspects of my life. How you respond here and now will give me clarity on what I need to do. That is why I did this mission for free, with the sole condition that you answer these questions truthfully and honestly.”

  Tremble. My hand is shaking, I am so nervous right now. Part of me wants to know, while another part of me wonders if I should just leave well enough alone.

  “What is this question?” General Fellina steps in, trying to drive this conversation forward.

  Hearing that, I pause as I inwardly sigh to myself. This is it, my one chance to see if everything I have been feeling was a lie, or if there was one shred of truth to the whole thing. If these baubles could only work, if there was at least a baseline of emotions.

  “I asked you this before, but I will ask it again. This time again, realize this is not meant to be a way for me to pick you up. Instead, I need to know if what happened was real, or just forced upon me. But do you find my attractive in any way?” Gods, it sounds lame when I think about it. But I can’t help but think, this is the best and most direct way to ask.

  “No.” Rayquel answers coldly. She stares me down with dagger filled eyes.

  There was no pause, no hesitation. Instead, almost a pure revulsion at the thought of being attracted to me. Hearing that, my next course of action is set. I know what I need to do, to fix this whole thing.

  “Phew.” I say and gesture in an exaggerated way. Instantly some of the tension that had been building in the room suddenly dropped.

  “What? Why?” General Fellina asked.

  I smile, realizing that I am free to act. With my litmus test being so adamant that there was not even a trace of attraction. Now, I can rest assured that what I have been planning for a while, is the correct path forward.

  “Well now, I can move forward with my plans, with no real cause for concern. Thank you.” I say looking to Rayquel. Rayquel for her part looks confused for a second. I then turn to General Fellina as I begin to stand up, making extra sure to be careful with my new wings, “Thank you as well.”

  “Is that it?” Rayquel asked, shock in her voice.

  “Yes. That was all I needed.” I respond.

  “Wait, what are you going to do now?” General Fellina asked.

  “I am going to fix this whole mess.” I say to the general, then I turn back to Rayquel, “again, thank you.”

  With that, I activate Total Recall, and am suddenly on a different planet, in a different part of the universe.

  ***

  Meanwhile, back in the Endarian conference room, where a confused looking General and Rayquel both sat in wide eyed amazement. The General turned to Rayquel and asked a question.

  “Why did you lie to him just now?” General Fellina asked.

  Rayquel for her part looked confused, then sad, as her stoic mask broke. “I, I don’t know why. I gave the line I tell everyone.” She stammered.

  “But that isn’t just anyone. That is the world tree’s first guardian.” General Fellina snapped.

  “I just panicked. Now that he is the Guardian, his musk is so overwhelming. If I don’t keep him away, I don’t know what I’d do. This is for the best, isn’t it?” Rayquel asked, a note of panic filling her words.

  The General paused, and let her vision go, as she tried to look into the future. Her eyes glowed in the typical way most seers do. Finally, after a few seconds the lights paused, and she shook her head.

  “What happens? What does he do?” Rayquel asked.

  The General just shook her head. “I don’t know. The future is dark.”

  “Does he die?” Rayquel asked, knowing that should the first guardian die, especially so early in the life of the tree. The tree too could suffer grave spiritual damages. Damages that might be impossible to recover from. Have I doomed us? Rayquel thought, as she wondered just what drastic course of action the strange half-human Kyle Goldman would do now.

  “No. You don’t understand. It is not just his future that is dark. The future of the universe becomes dark in a little under an hour from now.”

  “What does that mean?”

  With the question, General Fellina was only able to shrug her shoulders in confusion. It was clear that she too was at a loss for what this meant.

  “Should we call someone?”

  “Who would you call? Also, what would you tell them?”

  Hearing this, Rayquel went quiet, as she realized she had made a mistake. She had made a sacred oath that she would tell the truth to any question asked. And she lied. She lied to a person who was clearly having self-doubt issues, along with a disorder. Finally, after realizing that there was nothing else, she could do, she asked the only question she could think of.

  “What do we do now?”