CLICK
Tobi snapped a picture with his newly acquired camera. He then waited for the image to load. A few seconds went by before it popped up.
It was a pyramid. The structure reached high into the sky. Beautiful craftsmanship, something he knew Gummy would've been ecstatic about. Beside him was a tired man on a camel.
"We should look for a place to set up camp soon." He spoke with an Egyptian accent.
The young esper looked up from the camera and gazed at the pyramid far in the distance. What a view. To think that he'd be seeing such a thing. He never thought he'd be the one traveling.
"...Alright." Tobi finally said.
The two had met in the middle of the desert. Deep in the endless dunes of nowhere. The man's name was Alibaba but he preferred to be called Ali.
After wandering in a direction aimlessly, he'd come across Ali. The man was on his way to his daughter's baby shower. Gifts were stashed on the back of his camel.
Both figures stopped at a rock structure shaped by nature and erosion. It would shield them from the harsh sand-infused winds. Not to mention the sun.
Tobi immediately pulled out a bottle of high shelf alcohol and poured two glasses. One was offered to Ali. The gruff man shook his head.
"It's not safe to drink out in the wild. Raiders and bandits could come at any time." Alibaba said. Tobi grunted before downing the extra glass.
"...Suit yourself."
"If you can't hold your own, I'll leave you behind."
"...I'll be fine, old man."
"I'm not old, kid!"
"............." Tobi remained silent and kept drinking.
"You've never told me. Where are you headed?"
"............"
"Damn. You really suck at conversations."
Time would pass as the two maintained a comfortable silence. Even though they didn't truly need the company, it was still welcomed in the middle of nowhere. In the endless desert.
That's right. Tobi was currently in the continent of Africa. Heading in the opposite direction of Egypt toward the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula. Rumor had it that ancient ruins presided there.
"...I don't have a destination. I'm just looking for sights to see. I'm just living." Tobi finally said.
"Quite young to be living like that." Ali responded. He didn't press any further though.
Several layers had been taken off. The overcoat, the suit, and the tie. Only the white button up was left…and even that wasn't fully buttoned. More alcohol passed through his lips.
The sun finally dipped below the horizon. Alibaba went to sleep while Tobi sat on top of the rock structure. It was at moments like these where he would use his mental energy to ignore the limitations of the human body.
Far in the distance, a group of camels could be seen. Tobi scanned the group with his senses. A bunch of men in black garb and masks. Scimitars, knives, old fashioned guns.
'Raiders.' He thought.
Tobi raised his hand and tapped on the air. The sand particles in the air were infused with energy before blasting off into the horizon. It wasn't long before the group of raiders were riddled with holes. Anyways…
He raised the glass of alcohol to his lips. Another fiery breath was exhaled. His eyesight eventually went blurry. Finally…just what he was waiting for. This was the best part. The part where you feel numb.
Hours went by as night slowly turned to morning. The sun had yet to rise above the horizon. Halfway out. It was a picturesque sunrise.
CLICK
He snapped another picture. All of these moments…he would document them on this camera. Once he had his own place to live, he would set aside a room for these pictures. They would all end up on the walls. Every place he visited.
After a good while, the young man hopped off the structure and landed on the soft sand. Alibaba was still fast asleep. It was time to go. Tobi wrote a note for the man.
'Took care of some raiders for you. Congratulations on being a grandfather.' It read.
With those words, he left. His steps brought him toward the pyramid. His silhouette eventually disappeared in the horizon.
Not even thirty minutes later, Tobi had blinked onto the top step of the pyramid. Just one step below the point. He sat there and scanned the environment. It was peaceful here. Nothing to worry about.
He exhaled as all of his past problems washed away. Lex was dead. There shouldn't be anyone else searching for him. He could relax.
After about another twenty minutes of peace, his gaze caught something in the horizon. His senses stretched forward in a straight line. Then he saw something promising. Water.
ZMMM
Tobi appeared on the edge of the Gulf of Suez. Right across this small ocean, he could see land. Old and ancient structures. With only a step, he traveled across the entire body of water. Teleportation was lovely.
'Is that…a kingdom?' He thought.
A capital city…or what was left of one. The weather was calm here. Not too hot. Not too cold. He could put his layers back on. The breeze traveled through his hair and clothes.
He lit up a cig and began his slow trek through the empty ruins. The Bazaar, a place specifically designed for market stalls and vendors. Traditional homes built in the styles of old. Educational buildings. Governmental structures.
Rivers ran through the small kingdom. Irrigated and meticulously designed water ways. Dipping his hand in it and tasting it…it was still clean. What? How? What was keeping it clean?
His senses immediately pulsed outward like a wave. It spread across the entire capital city. Upon reaching the far off castle and the throne room, he locked gazes with a hooded man sitting on the throne.
They'd noticed each other at the same time. Tobi nodded his head politely before blinking onto the hands of a statue directly in front of the castle walls. It was actually two statues, both of them bowing toward each other and holding hands. Almost like a bridge.
The young esper pulled out his half finished bottle and poured two glasses. Then he sat and drank. The other glass was left untouched. All under the figure's gaze. After what felt like an hour, the man on the throne moved.
KRAKOOM
Air molecules crackled in response to him rising from his seat. A cape was revealed behind the hood. His muscular body turned into a bolt of blue lightning, appearing in the air before Tobi in an instant. His appearance was accompanied by the sound of striking thunder.
"You tread upon protected land, boy." The floating figure spoke with authority.
"...I'm only visiting. Care to join me for a drink?" Tobi looked up at the powerful looking man.
"A visitor?" He scratched his chin in thought. "State your name, mortal."
"...Tobi. Just a traveler."
"A traveler who can cross distances in under a second. You put most travelers to shame."
"Even so."
"Sticking to your words, are you? Hmph." He grunted before sitting on the other hand statue. "I'm known as Teth-Adam. A champion of the gods. Ruler of Khandaq."
"...Well met."
Adam picked up the untouched glass and drank it. It went down smoothly. Carried a pleasant taste. Not too strong, not too soft. Hmmm. Not bad.
The breeze was gentle. The quiet hum of moving water right below them. Tranquil. An empty city…yes…but memories of its past could be seen in every direction. What used to be. A kingdom full of life and passion.
They drank silently. When the dark champion looked away, Tobi vanished. A second later, he was back with a chess board in his hand. He set it between them.
"...Shall we play a few matches?"
"What game is this, child?"
"It's called chess. I'll teach you."
"Hmmm. So be it."
Time would pass in a pleasant manner. The young esper taught Adam how to play. After a single match, the powerful man had memorized all of the rules. It was the second match that was actually challenging.
Victory was a tug of war. Back and forth. A win by Teth Adam, a win by Tobi. As the matches went on…conversation inevitably took place.
"Are you from the nearby lands?"
"...No…I'm from America, but it makes me sad to admit that."
"You hold no love for your home?"
"Not at all. It's a lawless place. Even when there are laws, it's manipulated by those in power. A paradise for the wealthy, a living hell for the average person."
"I've lived in an era past with the descriptions you speak of. Accept my condolences."
"...Have you been here alone this whole time?" Tobi asked. Adam shook his head.
"I am not alone. Look around you. The people's goals and motivations. I live with them to this day."
"...Hmmm. Then we are similar."
"Whose torch do you carry?"
"...My family. Not as grand, but it's mine."
"Hmph. A noble cause, friend."
"...The world would rather consider me a villain."
"Truly? Then that makes us all villains."
Over time, Teth Adam changed the way he addressed Tobi. He grew comfortable around the boy who remained filial. The day went on. After growing tired of chess matches, they flew around the capital city.
Adam would explain what certain places used to be like in the past. His favorite spots, the best food stalls, where he used to live, and more. By the end of the tour, Tobi was now wearing two diamond clips on his left ear. Gifted by Adam himself.
Eventually, it grew late. All good things come to an end. Tobi patted Adam's shoulder.
"Looks like I overstayed my welcome. I should get going."
"I won't stop you, Tobi. Safe travels then."
"...I'll return again. Let's try a different game next time."
"I'll be waiting, kid."
They said their goodbyes. It was a pleasant experience…this meeting. Tobi could say the itch for companionship had been satisfied. Now it was onto the next location. All of this sand made him long for the beach.