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Odiumiumium

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  5. A Month of Prompts

    in Creator's Corner

    Posted

    1-1-23: The Cycle Resets

    Spoiler

    Nameless wandered the slopes of a broken mountain. To most, the scar of such a catastrophic event would have been awe-inspiring. For him, it was mundane. Once, the Shattered Peak had pierced the sky, scattering clouds and proving insurmountable. Obviously, that was before it had blown itself to pieces. Legends spoke of years of darkness when the oppressive clouds of dirt and ash choked every plant exposed to the elements. Most of those legends were exaggerations, but the results of the ancient eruption were still echoed in the incredible stones scattered around the base of the Shattered Peak. 

    The sights were not what had drawn Nameless here, however. He was here on a mission. Today was precisely 32 years after he had been born. He wasn't quite sure what made that number significant, but he understood it was important. Weeks ago, he had parted from his family, receiving tearful hugs and well wishes. Despite their well wishes, however, he had been plagued by storms, politics, and shady businessmen. And yet, he had arrived precisely on time. Nameless shook his head as he thought about his ill fortune. 

    "Blasted luck. It's as if the world didn't want me to leave early," he grumbled to himself. "If I had known that, I would have stayed a few more nights at that nice inn."

    To say his journey had not been smooth was an understatement. After a tiring walk from his innocuous little village to a small city, he bought a mule to make travel easier. Of course, it would vanish in the middle of the night to find water, along with most of his supplies. As he went out to find the traitorous animal, of course a storm would roll in. Crossing borders, haggling prices, being robbed in his sleep, a storm at sea, all things that had delayed him so that he arrived for his death exactly as appointed. 

    His musings filled his mind until he reached the lip of a crater where the mountain peak once stood. Looking into the crater, he saw a bright column of light in the center. Nameless ran to the light, slowing as he neared it. The bright yellow light filled his vision. The pillar rose several times his height. He took a deep breath to calm himself and began walking towards it. He stepped foot into the pillar and—

    You're on time.

    A booming voice filled his mind, shaking the corners of his consciousness. Nameless couldn't identify anything about the voice other than it was something beyond mortals. He hesitated, stunned by the power of the voice. 

    "I...I didn't really have a choice," he stammered. He couldn't help but feel tiny beside that booming voice. 

    Indeed. Do you remember why?

    "Something to do with a cycle? I...I think I'm supposed to keep it going or else...something."

    Something indeed. This world is beautiful and lush and is also tearing itself apart at its seams.

    "And I have to stop this...tearing?"

    Can, not have to. You could choose to return, your memories and body intact. Break the Cycle, and watch your world begin to crumble.

    "I definitely won't do that. If I continue this Cycle...I die, right?"

    Your mind will be reborn, but with faded memory and a new body. If this is death, then yes.

    Nameless reconciled himself with the fact that he would essentially be dying. But it was to save the world, no?

    "I'm ready," he said.

    32 more years of peace. Enjoy this next Cycle, and this time, give yourself a name. 

    This is like my first ever bit of creative writing ever; please tell me what I can improve on!

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