The world was in turmoil, and for good reason. The United States had been attacked and was now preparing a counteroffensive that threatened to drag the rest of the nations into a third world war. Although daily activities had not been completely halted, they had been significantly affected. What had initially plunged people into a desperate need for media satisfaction gradually turned into an urgent demand for real information. A growing concern gripped the hearts of every inhabitant of the planet as the first official reports emerged, estimating thousands of casualties from the attack. Amid this collective psychosis, only one person had absolute clarity on what needed to be done, and it was not running towards a television or a radio in search of news.
Gabriel stood on a packed subway train of the A line, surrounded by people who did nothing but stare at a small television positioned at one end of the car. Unlike usual, the murmur of conversations was completely absent this time. An eerie silence had settled in, allowing everyone to catch the latest updates, though the train’s noise nearly drowned out the broadcast. However, Gabriel was not looking at the screen. He was lost in thought, eager to reach the old man's house as soon as possible.
An hour and a half later, he stood in front of the door to the old man’s clock repair shop. He stepped inside but did not see Don Anselmo. Almost immediately, a voice echoed from the back of the small workshop, where the elderly man spent most of his time reviving ancient relics.
—Come in, boy. Step closer.
Gabriel walked around the small counter. He found the old man just as he had on his first visit.
—Look at this watch. A dear friend gifted it to me in 1781. It is one of the first chain watches ever made—a true relic. It had never failed before. Every three years, I would clean it, but it had never stopped working until today. Strange coincidences, don't you think? Perhaps it is telling me that my time has finally run out —said the old man.
He stood up and instinctively slipped the chain watch back into his pocket, a gesture he claimed to have repeated since 1781.
—Come on, boy. Follow me to the basement. I have something to show you.
—Should I close the shop door?
—Leave it. I doubt anyone will come today.
As they descended the stairs, the old man continued speaking.
—You know, Gabriel, I have no regrets about taking on this mission, even though it forever separated me from my loved ones, my hometown, and my friends. I have met wonderful people and lived unforgettable moments—things that would never have happened if I had not accepted the legacy entrusted to me. I have experienced an epic and glorious adventure.
They reached the bottom of the stairs.
—Sit down. I need to find something. Just let me think where I put it —he stood hesitantly in front of one of the shelves, filled with books and dust-covered papers.
—Ah, yes! Now I remember! I believe it’s in this pile.
He pulled out a stack of old, yellowed papers and carried them to the table. Sitting down, he began searching while continuing to speak to Gabriel.
—As I was saying, Gabriel, I have lived an epic and glorious adventure from my perspective, and I do not regret embarking on this journey that is now reaching its conclusion—a journey spanning thousands of years. Throughout all this time, I have loved, suffered, laughed, and cried. I have composed my own epic poem, much like the Sumerians composed their tale of the great Gilgamesh. My only regret is that I will not witness the continuation of this story. And although I will be remembered as the one who made Dontar’s final wish possible, your journey, which has now begun, will overshadow all others ever recorded and transcribed in the Grand Book of Legends, kept by the magi. Your journey, Gabriel, regardless of its outcome, will be inscribed as ‘The Last Legend.’
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
The old man spoke as if he already knew Gabriel’s decision. By now, Gabriel was no longer surprised by this—he merely confirmed everything the old man had revealed the night before.
—Unfortunately, events have unfolded in the most violent manner. Many people have died today, Gabriel, and many more will perish in the days to come. We cannot prevent that. But we must act swiftly to provide an opportunity for salvation to the remaining humans and, consequently, to the rest of the races. You must leave as soon as possible.
Gabriel’s heart skipped a beat.
—Right now!?
—Tonight, Gabriel. But first, you must see this. Here is what I was looking for.
He pulled out a wrinkled and yellowed parchment, designed by him hundreds of years ago. He spread it on the table and blew dust off its worn surface. It was a map, featuring continents with rivers, forests, and settlements entirely unknown to Gabriel, whether by their configuration or the names inscribed upon them.
—Look closely at this map, boy. Observe my world as I left it thousands of years ago —the old man said, his eyes clouded by ancient memories—. I am not a great draftsman, but I managed well enough to recreate what was known of the world at that time. The biggest problem with all of this is whether the towns marked on this map still exist. Most likely, some have disappeared.
—So, I suppose you’ll give me this map?
—You suppose wrong, boy. That’s why I told you to look closely, to imprint as much as you can into your memory—especially the X’s I’ve marked and the lines connecting them.
—But why not make me a copy if you want to keep this one?
—It’s not that I don’t want to give it to you; it’s that you cannot take it through the portal. That is one of the things I needed to explain to you. When you cross the portal, everything material, everything that is not a part of you, will vanish. You will appear on the other side completely naked.
—And where exactly will I appear?
—Here, at this first X: The Tranquil Forest —the old man said, pointing with his finger.
—But I can’t just walk around naked!
—If everything goes as planned, you will appear at the foot of Old Thom, the most majestic tree in the Tranquil Forest. You must check inside a hollow in its trunk, and if they haven’t turned to dust, you will find suitable clothing there. Now, listen carefully to what you must do. But remember: all of this was planned over five thousand years ago. Many things may have changed. If you encounter any setbacks in finding those you need to meet, you will have to solve them on your own. The most important thing in this first stage is to avoid danger, as you are not yet ready to face it.
The old man then detailed, step by step, what Gabriel had to do in a conversation that lasted over three hours. Afterward, Don Anselmo urged him to rest. The passage through the portal was not a pleasant experience, according to him, and for that reason, he also advised him not to eat.
Gabriel returned to the boarding house. Doña Zara was not surprised to see him at that hour; she assumed many activities had been suspended due to the attack on the northern country. Nevertheless, Gabriel told her he was taking a leave of absence, which further satisfied the woman’s curiosity. He went up to his apartment. He wasn’t hungry. His mind was swirling with thoughts. Something unreal was about to happen to him. He had no more doubts.
He stepped out of the bathroom after a refreshing shower. Drying himself off, he walked naked to the large wardrobe mirror. Staring at his reflection, he asked himself, “Me? A hero?”-
He wondered as he observed his body, a bit thin for his six-foot-one frame. Gabriel was a handsome young man, but nothing out of the ordinary. He wore his short, dark hair slicked back, his thick eyebrows and long eyelashes framing his deep, piercing hazel eyes. His straight nose and average lips complemented his square, firm jaw.
He finished combing his hair and got dressed. He would ignore the old man's advice about resting—it would be useless to try with so many thoughts running through his head. Instead, he would go for a walk and eat something light to avoid overloading his stomach. He needed to clear his mind, to free himself from his thoughts. Perhaps all of this was just a dream, the dream shared by thousands of people who, like him, felt trapped in a ruthless society. A dream from which he might wake up at any moment, realizing that nothing had actually happened, that he was still imprisoned in that inescapable cage, the one into which everyone was born and sentenced to a lifetime of confinement.
That was how Gabriel saw society, but he would keep going. He would enjoy this supposed dream until the very last moment.