The Aspiring Archivist

"...Okay." TAAron chose to keep his eyes open for the time being.

"Something wrong?" TAAron asked from his seat, apparently not fully asleep.

That'll be my team, red. @Doomstick that's two more people

Mister Madison

"Alright." He turned and walked to a spot in a different part of the lobby, then sat down and closed his eyes. This time he did not start glowing.

TAAron approached her. "I assume you wouldn't want company?"

@CalanoCorvus

"Yeah, I guess so." He smiled slightly.

He followed, trying his best to get his mind off of the strange experience. "Well, that went pretty well for the most part."

TAAron helped where he could, but he was still distracted. He had felt, if only slightly, the soul of each of these people. It was disconcerting and a bit terrifying in a way he found difficult to describe. So many identities and experiences, so little overlap. Each was the center of a unique universe, each so vast and yet so hidden.

TAAron was far too shaken to notice that she had moved. "Okay. Good."

"Right." TAAron closed his eyes, feeling again for the Stacic energy deep within him. He touched it more quickly this time, although it still took nearly two minutes. Finally, wisps of light began to rise from his body, and his vision opened up to the world, viewing it with that strange, crystalline cast. He reached out, sensing the many souls nearby. He was unable to think clearly enough to be discriminate in his selection, so he seized a connection to them all at once. He shuddered, suddenly feeling them all, hearing their frightened whispers. Taking a deep breath, he opened his eyes and spoke. "The battle is over. The light has won, and the Clinic is restored. Come find the gateway, you should see the group of us nearby." He quickly cut off the connection, visibly shaken and overwhelmed. The light faded. "How was that?"

"What should I tell them? Just that the battle is over, and to come to the gateway?"

"I think I could probably find a way to speak to them all at once, if someone has an idea of what to say. It might make things easier."

TAAron raised and eyebrow at the dismissal, then followed, though he was unsure of how he would help.

"You think that every person like him is destined to the same thing? Why? Have you never seen or heard of a single example to the contrary?" TAAron sounded more curious than judgmental.

TAAron looked rather uncomfortable. "He isn't. He's a good person." "Oh. Well, you said you might like to read a book. That's something." He frowned. "I don't believe that."

"I didn't say we had to. I said that we could. The things we want to do." TAAron watched them, a bit confused but not certain if it was a good topic to engage in.

"I imagine it won't. But hopefully we all can do something with it while it lasts, right?"

"Well, it was a long time ago. It feels that way, at least. I'll always carry a piece of that world with me, both literally and figuratively, but I no longer grieve for it." He paused for a moment. "I guess you could call me a tragic hero, but I'd like my story to be more than that."