stepped out onto the plateau to find a vacated amphitheatre, surrounding the square. The majority of the amphitheatre was still enshrouded in the gloom so its size was impossible to tell. In the middle of the open semi circle at the base of the seats stood a stone podium upon which Joe could see his name lit upon in gold. Joseph John Peters. Below his name other names attempted to make themselves known, but they flickered in and out like a dying candle, illegible.
Feeling underwhelmed for his own milestone, Joe walked forward to see if he could get a better view of the podium, yet as soon as he took a step something changed. For from behind the podium a figure flickered into view. The silvery image, somewhat like a hologram, depicted a bespectacled elderly looking man, who was garnered in some sort of long robe, and in his hands he held a large book which he placed upon the podium.
“Welcome challenger, first of your year. You have completed the challenge within the allotted time and you have made it to the ultimate step.” The figure gestured to the seats at either side. “You may now rejoice with your family that you have completed the 144 steps and brought honour to your people. As is your just reward, you make ask of me any boon that you so wish and that is within the power of the 144 steps. Be warned however, in the interest of saving time you may only choose once so choose wisely.”
Joe had a lot to unpack. Firstly, what the fuck. Secondly, what the actual fuck. He had many questions to ask the strange image, yet felt that it would be unwise to do so. He thought for a moment and then immediately spoke. “ I would like to know about my father, and whether he entered this challenge. John Peters was his name.
“No record is held for this name, please ask for another boon”
Tutting, Joe rubbed his chin disturbing some dried blood as he did so. “Has Mary McQuairn entered the challenge?” he asked.
“The challenger Mary McQuairn has been deemed unfit for the challenge and has been relegated to oblivion. Only the strong may prosper.”
“What is oblivion?” Joe asked almost already knowing the answer with a sinking feeling in his stomach.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
“The path to reincarnation challenger. Now ask for your boon, time is running out and I can tell my image is failing due to lack of spirit”
Joe stared at the image, and then felt anger boil within him. ‘Path of reincarnation. Death’
“For my boon, I ask for the challenger Mary Mcquairn to be returned from oblivion” the image flickered alarmingly and the face of the image distorted.
“Boon accepted challenger. Congratulations once again, until we meet again on the path.”
With that the image evaporated and Joe was left confused and feeling somewhat bereft. ‘If he could perform any boon, could I have chosen anything?’. He felt a bit bad about considering superman’s powers as a boon over Mary’s possible existence but he still felt some regret. ‘Ah well, I’m pretty strong from this already, definitely superhuman already I reckon. The biggest shame is no knowledge about my old man. How did he die if not through the challenge then?’ He thought about the greasy man and gritted his teeth. “Looks like you’ll have the answers eh?”
Walking forward he noticed that the book the man had held remained on the podium. He picked it up and found that although the book opened it was blank. On the cover however was an assortment of squiggles which looked remarkably similar to his second box. This too he placed in his bag as he walked past the podium behind which he discovered a dark hole was revealed perpendicular to the floor. He looked at it, then strolled around the edges of the podium to seek an exit. Even when he followed a flight of steps to the top of the amphitheatre he was blocked by a solid wall. With no alternative he returned to behind the podium. ‘Hmm, black death hole it is then’.
—----
Joe found himself in a familiar place. Before him stood Augustus, a faint smile playing on his lips. “It seems my young disciple is not so useless after all” the man cackled. “Come disciple, we only have mere moments so gather your wits. You have completed the first step of your journey although you may feel this is a grand achievement you have a very, very long way to go. And” here Augustus seemed to age and turned wistful “ the path is broken.” Augustus looked at Joe with sympathy and then sighed. “In the first box you should have received, you will find a compass, which only points in one direction. The direction of the next step on your path. Take care disciple, for these compasses, although once commonplace, are now rare and sought after. To open the box simply apply some spirit, which is to say, the power within you. This, by tradition, you must learn by yourself. The second box is an unknown and you must discover its secrets by yourself too.” Wiggling his eyebrows the man looked up at the sky which was dimming. “Ah my time is running out but I should be thankful that the 144 steps allows it to be so” he looked back down at Joe kindly. “As always my disciple of the future, Ad vitam aeternam, remember Pillsmithing and may we meet once more on the path”.