I stare at the endless road ahead. It stretches far as the eyes can see. I looked at Reynald, unsure if I should keep moving.
"Easier said than done. There's nothing out there but damnation."
He put a hand on my shoulder.
"Those who lack imagination, tend to see numbers in everything."
He raised a hand in the air, pointing towards the seemingly endless path. Then.. his hand started to glow a brilliant light, absorbing the energy particles in the domain as the air around us tensing.
"My friend. What you must do now is ponder its significance, and return to that damnation."
A shallow figure of a structure starts to build itself in front of us — it's a gate. One by one, the gate builds itself by the fabric of the fourth dimension. I was awe struck, had I never seen it, I would not even believe my eyes.
When the final pieces merged with the structure, the gate slowly opened, revealing a blinding light that pierced through every shadow. A question raised— where does it lead?
"Off you go then."
I turned to look at Reynald, but he was gone, vanished like he was never there. I look around, trying to find any traces or signs he left behind, but I can't even smell the musky smell of his perfume anymore.
"Damned magician.." I muttered to myself.
I fixed my gaze on the gate again, it's shining like a melody that's calling out to me with desperate cries. With hesitant steps, I make my ways to the gate, standing in front of the tall structure. With a deep breath, I take another step, bracing myself for what's to come.
At that moment, everything went white, and all that I could see was nothing. Where am I? Where is this place?
.....
Slowly, my eyes flutter open, and I see a familiar ceiling. I quickly sit up, recognizing the place I'm currently in.
It's my parents house.
I still remember every detail, the old wooden floor, the plant inside the house, another me..
Wait..
Another me? No, that's not right, why am I seeing my younger self? I tried to approach my lookalike when suddenly, the door creaked open. I looked behind my back, and standing at the door frame.. were my parents — Miss and Mister Escoffier.
I looked at them for a while, doubting my own eyes for deceiving me. My hands instinctively fly to grasp their faces. But then it hit me — my hand went through their figure, like touching a hologram. I tried to touch them again and again in a desperate attempt.
"Mama, papa! I'm here! Don't ignore me!"
I know they wouldn't be able to hear me, but I don't care. I just wanted them to see me, to earn their approval. Their.. acknowledgment.
My eyes filled with unshed tears, why are they not responding?
"Please.. I'm your son.. just.."
I collapsed on the ground, feeling defeated and powerless. I looked up to their faces again, as tears streamed down my face onto the wooden floor.
"They won't respond to you."
That voice.. it's him.. he is toying with me..
I look around the room, trying to find any sign of him.
"Show yourself you bloody bastard! I'll rip you apart!"
I shouted at the voice, my eyes wandered the room wildly, searching for him. Then, I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn my head back, seeing him standing over me.
"Looking at you now, it's kinda pathetic you know that? But nevertheless, only those who are broken have the will to rewrite the fate itself."
I tried to stand up but he pressed me back onto the floor
"Don't even try. I've told you I'm not your enemy. If anything, I'm offering you a chance. A chance.. at redemption."
He releases my shoulder, it feels cold with the absence of his hand.
"Redemption..?"
I look at him with a genuine look. At this point, I'm too desperate to acknowledge that I would sacrifice anything.
"Frienzi of Escoffier. Do you want to be—"
He paused, turning his back on me and glancing back from his shoulder.
"—a Timeless Author?"
—Penning a new chapter...