"…. He was strong, he was brave, and the most important – he saved us all"
That concluded the man speech. The priest shook as he stepped back from the podium. On his hand rested a piece of paper – wrinkled and folded, while each step counting staircase. By the time his feet touched the ground, the paper was gone, hiding inside his white ceremonial coat.
For such flawlessness… under such circumstances
Mortals…
Null huffed, staring at the priest with emotionless face. How long since the last time he attended ceremony suchlike this. Thousand? Two thousand years? He couldn't recall.
And it's not his job to begin with.
"Did you find it, Idrilla?"
Null asked, to the floating box in front of him. While ignoring a rectangle-shaped stone in the ground. All kinds of flowers carved in the stone, circling a name written with utmost precision. Kara Reeves. A title that supposed to tickle his memory.
Sad that he was here for different things
I: Yes, my Love
A sentence popped on top of the blue transparent box.
"Good, Show me"
As in command, the box changed its shape. The hole became a rift, while the bulge rose into a mountain, with a yellow line stretching across the plane--A map
With a flicking red dot in the end of the line...
'So that's where they put it'
Null thought, scratching his non existence beard.
"Should I erase the journal, Idrilla?"
I: According to protocol, you should.
Yes - the protocol. A clause that caused him to ponder. He glanced at the ground, littered with wet dirt and fresh buried tombstone. The gate swung with assaulting creak as the crowds grew sparse, leaving an echo of sniffled cries.
'Oh, Kara… what would you react i wonder'
"I want your opinion, Idrilla"
I: …
Silence
"Idrilla?"
I: Null, did it ever occur to you - the pain of being forgotten.
Null paused at the words before him. Forgotten. His eyes tracing the contour of the map, while his mind recalling the name in the tombstone. Kara Reeves, the Hero. Did the monument really helped them remember?
And as what?
"You know well I am unable to feel such thing, Idrilla. That is why I asked"
I: …
Again... silence.
Minutes passed, yet still no answer. They stood still until the darkness approached, rising from the edge of heaven as the twin moons became its harbinger, shining with a glow that match the tombstone.
Time
What a strange limitation.
I: Hide it
"And how about the protocol?"
I: The fate is silent
Null nodded. Once again watching the horizon, especially the twin moons.
This world....
Blink
He was gone. Too fast for mortals.
---
A boundless space, one speck inside the cosmos -
A room of plain nothingness. Darkness so deep and ancient, the kind where light was unable to touch. It was silent, for thousands and thousands of years. Nothing moved, because nothing was supposed to move.
Until for once, something stirred.
In the sea of void, a dark portal emerged, tearing through nothing. A finger like shape was clenching the opening, and thousand of black tendrils began to coil against it, begging the grip to be released.
Yet, it held.
The finger was welcoming something, a presence.
A foot-like limb thrust to the portal, followed by a human-like torso. Broad shoulder clad in dark armor, with a strange weapon shining with white glow.
A light... the thing void couldn't tolerate
So the tendrils grew, larger, stronger, fighting the presence while the darkness pushed itself through the portal, clawing to reach the other said.
Yet it didn't matter
Because Null has arrived, stepping out of the hole like the space itself owed him an explanation.
And the moment he arrived, the space became his own.
"Idrilla,.."
He spoke, spawning the box again.
"…My report"
I: … Mission successful, the fate had followed its course. Splendid, my love :D
"That is good"
A melody without note. Prose without substance. Yet for Idrilla, who was closer than any being could be – a poem. His attempt at emotion. Born out of care. Born out of love.
I: D
"Next… any new mission?"
I: Calibrating…
I : …Next mission is world C5V313Z – Codename K.A.I.S.E
That cursed world…among hundreds that need correction. Why?
I: You are trembling
It was subtle - almost nonexistent. She noticed because she was half of him. A two-way connection, just like he could see her - but he didn't. Boundaries – a concept he was forced to accept
"Are mortals supposed to tremble when they feel fear?"
I: D… Almost love
Satisfaction… how do mortals express such emotion? He crossed his arms
"Details, Idrilla"
I: Looking for details…
I:… Failed
Silence. Time passed, void darkened, embraced by nothingness. Nothing… nothing was happening. Was she gone? Returned… a program, like the others.
"Idrilla? Are you able to hear me?
Stillness. The box of blue never answered.
…
I:…
Was it finally time?
I:… The bill comes due… My child
My child. Only one being were able to call him such name.
"I greet thee, my creator. The great weavers"
I: And the great answered. Mercy was their judgement.
"Why?"
I: Such question… you are not worthy. Transporting sequence….
"Wait, Idrilla!"
His tone rose, was he scared? Or is it anger? What emotion could he possibly felt. Love… What feeling bred from love?
Devotion
Compassion
Fear
Desire
Or Pain? Was it pain? Was he wincing because of pain? His grip weakened because of pain?
Did his creator, allowed him to feel just to make him understand the punishment?
Fairness: what even is fairness?
I: Mercy was their Judgement
I: Mercy was their Judgement
I: Mercy was their Judgement
I: Mercy was their….
The sentence, repeating like order. Time blurred, no way to tell how long. The bill, for ignoring the protocol.
This moment was never supposed to happen
I: Sending… Terminating…
DEATH
He was torn, turning into pieces