"Change is the basis of existence. Some think it's creation, but creation is merely one side of a coin, because without its opposite, nothing could change. Creation is all well and good, but how can one create something new without first destroying the old? That is how progression is measured. But we should not see this as a cycle of destruction and creation, but rather as a continuity of change. This basic essence of transformation, progress, creation, and destruction. When it all comes down to it, change is all that matters."

"Whether your purpose be one of self-fulfilment or one of spreading happiness unto others, whether you are an instigator or a protector, it all comes down to change, and whether one embraces it, or resists it. Change is inevitable, and those who resist it with all their might are merely impeding the progression of the world. There is no going back, because in order to maintain the new, the old must always crumble. Looking back to what once was is a fool’s errand, because things can never be the same again. But one should not despair, because whilst change may bring about suffering and loss, it is also the engine by which even the things you cherish came to be. And through its relentless churning, new things that are precious to others will emerge."

"As immortals, it is up to us to accept this. We all have our regrets, but by getting stuck in the past, the future will only tear us apart. There is no choice here, even for a former mortal such as yourself. You must cast aside your humanity and move on. Otherwise, you will be crushed, like so many others before. Instead, learn from this mistake. Become stronger, not so you will never experience this again – it is inevitable that you will – but so you can get back up every time, and aid in creating a brighter future for all."

These words were the first words I heard after the day I lost my humanity. It died with her, just like I should have. Instead, I had to sit through this damn lecture on why I shouldn’t get bogged down by the past. It makes sense, logically speaking. If I am to live forever, becoming too attached to the ephemeral is a recipe for disaster. But even so, everything just feels… wrong now. I knew I would lose her someday, and I was preparing for it mentally. I just hadn’t expected it this soon, I suppose.

“Are you still thinking about her?” I looked up at the entity standing beside me, the source of the sound. I could feel the disapproval radiating from it.

“You already know the answer. I could never forgive myself if I ever stopped,” I replied.

The entity remained silent for a while, before eventually sitting down beside me and let out a deep sigh. Here we go, I thought.

“I know she meant a lot to you, young one, and I know it’s only been two hundred years-“

“Two hundred and three,” I interrupted, before wincing at my own tone.

“Two hundred and three years. You have made it longer than some, but I have seen this happen countless times before. I see within you a great potential, but if you remain restrained by the chains of the past, you will be destroyed by it. I am not asking you to forget her, or even forget your feelings for her. I am only asking you to accept that what’s done is done, that there is no going back. I don’t want to see you suffer the same fate as your predecessor.”

I casually picked up a rock and turned it around to inspect it, noting the outline of a shell in it.

“Eternity… I never really asked for this, you know. It feels like such a long time has passed, but I know it’s only a flash in the great scheme of things. To one like you, this must seem very foolish. I may no longer be human, but if I let go of her, then I fear I will be unable to continue on this path.”

“If you don’t let go of her, I doubt you would even last another century. You know, if it really is that hard, I could always find someone else worthy. It would be a shame, considering the work we’ve already done, but I have time. The world does still need ones like us, and if you honestly think that you are incapable of carrying on, then perhaps it would be for the best,” the entity said.

I considered its words for longer than I care to admit, and it wasn’t the first time it crossed my mind. A shiver went down my spine as I contemplated the implications. But at the same time, if this really was the case – and I had no reason to doubt the entity’s words – then maybe…

“I just… can’t seem to see the beauty in the world anymore," I finally said. "This change that you spoke to me of back then, I can see it unfolding before my eyes even in this short time I’ve been around, but all I see is her getting farther and farther away from me.” I once again regarded the stone in my hand. Would her legacy one day be nothing more than rock? I clenched my hand at the thought of it. The rock cracked under my strength and dust blew off into the wind. I let out a sigh as I dropped the crushed pebbles to the grass below.

“Then perhaps what you need is a new perspective. I prefer not to do it this way, as there are grave risks. But your spirit is sufficiently strong that I find it likely you would survive the process relatively intact. It would allow you to perhaps see the beauty in the new, and maybe gain some key insights that has eluded the both of us,” the entity said.

Curious, I turned my head to look at its face. Impassive as always, white as marble, the unchanging visage gazed at the sky, almost wistfully. I still didn’t know if any emotions lie behind those eyes, or if they ever had. It was unnerving at first, but I eventually got used to it. “What did you have in mind?” I queried.

“Reincarnation. Your spirit would be reborn into the world as it is. You would lose all your memories and powers until you Ascend again, but I think returning to the state of mortality could enlighten you to some new things. Make you appreciate the nature of change and forge some new bonds. Even in the past two hundred years, you have refrained from forming any close relationships. It is understandable that your old bonds would be such a burden to you if you still haven’t learned to forge new ones. You hold too tightly onto those, while neglecting to maintain any others. Perhaps another life will reignite your appreciation for this world?”

I gulped. The thought of abandoning her memory stung at my very core. Even forgetting her for an instant would tear me apart. “I can’t say that I can accept this. I don’t want to forget her.”

The entity contemplated silently. It then rose back up, and held out a hand in front of it, causing a constellation of moving lights to appear in the air all around us, like little globes containing the essences of reality. I marvelled at the display. No matter how many times I saw it, I could never get over the beauty of it. Those who could interpret the threads of fate were few and far between, even amongst the Ascended. Threads connecting the globes flashed in and out of existence, forming chains and then breaking apart, dimming and brightening with seemingly no discernible patterns. The entity looked at one specific set of globes, but then seemed distracted by something else. It willed us over to whatever it noticed. There was an orb that was flashing red, with fraying threads shooting out of it in chaotic bursts. I had never seen anything like this before, but even in my lack of experience I could tell this was not a good sign. Even the entity gave pause.

“What’s wrong?” I asked. The entity held up a hand to silence me, and I complied. It listened intently to the melodic chiming of the globe like they were words and scrutinized the light. After several minutes of intense staring, it lifted its eyebrows in a surprised expression. At this sight, my heart skipped a beat. This was going to be very, very bad.

“Twenty-three years. How did we miss this? I must inform the rest of the Ascended about this cataclysm. You, go and deliver this vision to the prophet by the name ‘Ilhaui Chebra’ of the village Raxi,” the entity said, and held out a white slab, which would contain the message to be brought to the mortal world. I immediately acknowledged the command and consulted my Omniscience spell.

Three hundred thousand strides north-west, in the middle of the desert lake of Shari.

I froze. That’s…

“Is something the matter?” the entity asked as it noticed my hesitation.

“Isn’t this…”

“It was the site of the volcano that destroyed your mortal home two hundred and twenty years ago, yes. The villagers living in that crater now are the descendants of your former friends. And they are about to face an existential crisis.”

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My heart was beating fast, and my mind was racing. I hadn’t felt such urgency since I was a mortal. I had been too afraid to visit my old home in all this time, expecting to see nothing but an empty sea of stone. There was a lake there now? With people living there? A spark of… something was felt within. I did not know what it was, but at this time I wanted to be there as quickly as I could. I crouched down before leaping off in the direction, covering the entire distance in a single leap.

There it was. It was… unrecognizable. A sense of nostalgia washed over me at the sight of the mountain’s silhouette, but it quickly turned into sadness as I looked to where my home once stood. It was a desolate field of sand, with wind-eroded shards of obsidian sticking up from the ground. A river ran along the former edge of the village, with boats floating down its length. Wait, boats?

I approached the river and looked at the mortals casting their nets hoping to catch fish. As with most mortals, they were unable to see me. The sadness inside me gave way to curiosity. How much had this place changed? Rivers, boats, fish? I looked up towards the source of the river, the crater of the mountain that changed my life forever. I made another leap to reach its top, and standing there at the rim of the crater, I was awed at the sight of a lake filling the former caldera. Sparkling in the sunlight, the lake was a place of serene beauty. Jutting out from the centre was a rock formation like a spike, reaching up some two hundred strides. Around it was a modestly sized island, dotted with buildings and filled with people. Children running around chasing one another or splashing in the water. Men sparring with weapons and fists. Women cheering for their husbands or peddling fish in the markets. Boats were floating around in the lake, transporting goods between the central island and the farms at the shores.

I was overwhelmed. This place was so different to the life I knew of mining and trade. But seeing these people, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of familiarity. I would often observe the mortals, giving them guidance and prophecies, but this place felt… different. I suppose it should make sense, as these were supposedly the descendants of people I once knew in life.

I was so surprised I had almost forgotten my objective. I berated myself for my foolish behaviour, unbefitting of an immortal. I looked for the temple in the village, and upon recognizing its arches, I took another leap and landed in front of it. I stepped into the building and felt an immediate change in the atmosphere. This place was closer to the realm of the Ascendants, to facilitate easier omens, prophecies, and communions. Though this temple was quite shabby as temples went. I suppose they don’t get many pilgrims here. A statue of my form as a mortal decorated the hall. Was I really that imposing? I shrugged off the nostalgia and walked up to the shrine, feeling the texture of the stone with my hand. I heard footsteps approaching from a side room. I turned around to see an elderly woman with sagging cheeks walk into the room, wearing long robes with tassels and broaches to denote her status as a prophet. I used my Omniscience spell to analyse her and learned her name. “Ilhaui Chebra,” I called out. She started and looked toward me before quickly rightening her posture. “My apologies, Great One. I didn’t hear you come in!” she bowed respectfully.

“Rise,” I called out. “A new prophecy shall be given. You will receive this vision and convey its contents to your people. Prepare for what is to come.”

I went around the altar to stand opposite to the prophet and placed the white slate onto it. Ilhaui approached the altar, and then kneeled in front of it in a prayer posture to receive its contents. I opened the vision, which would play vividly in the prophet’s mind. I could see it from outside, like a projection similar to the threads of fate, only much smaller in scope. There were no rules against observing another Ascendant’s prophecies, so I took the liberty to tune in.

I saw death. That was all I could liken it to. Invaders from another world had breached the sky, and the bodies of both mortals and Ascendants littered the ground. What could possibly kill an Ascendant? I thought in horror. Ilhaui herself was trembling, and the blood had drained from her face. The vision continued, delivering instructions. A new Chosen One was to be born in this village. They would be marked with the symbol of a star to show their role in the Ascendants’ plans, and would be instructed in arts both martial and magical. When they come of age, they would become enlightened to their true purpose, and defend the world against the invasion. A Chosen One? Why have I never heard of this? I thought to myself.

Eventually the vision ended, and the prophet collapsed in exhaustion, breathing heavily. Was she going to be okay? She’s quite old. “The prophecy has been delivered. You will do as you were instructed, prophet,” I commanded. She feebly sat up and nodded as she tried to control her breathing. “I-It shall be done, Great One. I thank you for this warning,” she bowed once again to show her respect. I was impressed at her resolve, but I still felt a little sorry for her. No matter. I have to go ask about this “Chosen One” business. “My blessings to you and your people. May you prevail through this trial,” I said, before casting a Divine Blessing spell over the village to heal and strengthen the people, and then left to go speak with my master.

After several leaps I arrived at the Ascendant capital, Gloria. Its crystal spires rose above the clouds, with the central one rising higher than I could see, even with Omniscience. There were private islands the size of nations belonging the most senior Ascendants floating in the sky surrounding the capital. Using Omniscience, I could always track down anyone I wanted to find, and it led me to the central spire of Gloria, which was said to have been built by the first Ascendant. Few among even us Ascendants had ever laid eyes upon that one, and I was not one of them. There were not many Ascendants compared to mortals, but there were still enough that a large room would feel crowded if you invited everyone who wasn’t doing vital work to show up for an announcement. Well, with how much of a presence a single Ascendant had, it would feel crowded regardless of how many. This hall, grand as it was, was filled with hundreds of Ascendants. I had never seen so many gathered in one place, and they were all outranking me in both power and age. Even as a mortal, it was quite rare for me to feel dwarfed like I was now. It was eerily quiet, even with this many. I guess living forever means you eventually run out of things to talk about.

Standing on a crystal stage at the other end of the room, my master spoke up. “I have grave news to announce. It seems an invasion has somehow evaded our notice until now, and will come upon us in a short twenty-three years.” This did cause some murmurs among the crowd, but nothing more. “I have concluded that this must be due to foul play. It is taboo to speak up against another Ascendant, but I have no choice but to acknowledge this fact. As a result, our intervention is too risky with so little time remaining. Instead, I have decided that the best course of action is to raise a new Chosen One. I have invited you here to see if there are any volunteers.”

The entity did not look at me, but I knew it would know I was here as well, just as how I also knew the identity of everyone here. Names were unnecessary for Ascendants, as they always knew when they were spoken to thanks to Omniscience. Some who were more active among the mortals adopted a name for them to use, but these names would not be used among Ascendants. I could sense everyone except for the one standing on the stage, whom I had never been able to gauge. The other Ascendants were standing, contemplating their choices. I used Telepathy to ask the entity what a “Chosen One” entailed and received a reply: “A Chosen One is when a task of great importance falls outside the ability of Ascendants to accomplish from this side. A willing Ascendant may be reincarnated as a Chosen One, a mortal with immense potential, in order to fulfil some great goal. This is rarely done because of the risks involved with their soul, which may sustain permanent damage during the process. There is also the possibility of failure. If the Chosen One fails their task, this would prevent them from Ascending again, and they would die like any other mortal would.”

A few hands rose from the attendees. My admiration for these Ascendants increased, as I witnessed their bravery and resolve to protect this world. They were each fairly experienced, with multiple millennia under their belts. They were looking for ways to improve their standing, as they would have to live for far longer still before they had any real authority in the world of immortals. Perhaps even I could… My mind drifted back to the prophecy I witnessed, and to the faces of the villagers I saw. My very human feelings started to rise to the surface again. Drat, I thought I had gotten a better grip on those! My hand started to rise, but I forced it back down when I remembered that I would forget about her if I ever reincarnated. I can’t. These other Ascendants are all more experienced than me, they’d probably do a better job anyway.

“Anyone else?” The entity suddenly looked right at me. That flat emotionless stare pierced through my clouded thoughts, and I realized that it challenged me to volunteer. Was this a test? My past experiences flashed through my mind. My conversations with this one, the endless lectures. What would happen if I said ‘No’? Perhaps if this were earlier today, I wouldn’t have cared, but after seeing what became of my home, I suddenly felt this urge to want to see where it would go next. I made a choice. My insides screamed at my actions, terrified of letting go, but I did it. I raised my hand, defiant of what my heart was telling me.

The entity smiled. I was baffled, and so were the other attendees. It wasn’t easy to perturb someone who has been around for as long as these ones had, but some of them even seemed scared. The other volunteers looked at me in confusion. “That one? That one is the youngest one here. Are you sure?” one of them asked. “It is decided. This one will be reincarnated as the Chosen One. As the eldest present, I give this one my blessing. Please, approach.”

I felt the Divine Blessing of the entity wash over me, overwhelming even my incredible aura. How powerful is this one? Has it always been this terrifying?

I forced my legs to move, and the Ascendants in front of me parted. I climbed up, feeling regret, terror, but also resolve. Resolve to save what remained of the legacy of my past. To give them a future. And to take my own next step as an Ascendant. Barely two centuries, a mere babe in terms of Ascendants, and I was already going back to the mortal world. My thoughts once again drifted to her, and my heart lurched. How could you? How could you forget?

The entity laid a hand on my shoulder, and everything went dark.