----Ragens POV----
It feels as though I've been waiting, staring and observing. The skies have cleared, I wish I knew how many days have passed or it could probably be just a second.
The lawn had been empty in akin to my memories, there used to be someone there but time took it all away.
Everything is hazy and repulsive as pain, suffering and I. Mask and more masks, faces I don't recognize. My head is swirling with memories my own tiny life couldn't have possibly accommodated.
Everything is in a rush, coming back to me all at once. Do the memories belong to yours truly?
I tried to search my library for confirmation, unsteady in my steps and unsure to my own conditions. I couldn't even reach the shelves when I crashed to it, books falling all over me.
I can see death and more deaths; a betrayal of the worst kind. I do not believe in the afterlife but it is welcome nonetheless.
Beliefs are of no consequence more than to what is happening, but self is what I am.
All I know are these books, the books I have written and my own set of memories. I know that I have lost a past through death but dead, I was not.
I have remained and now, I have been built again, a most certain recreation of my own. In comparison, death could not change even I.
The correct term would be that 'I have remembered the masque from which I am a part of' and 'I have meshed the boredom and deprivation I have felt'.
'I am invariably the same as I have been for you as you are to me, Yve.'
The entertainer of the world has come to me for she is one and one who serves. Ever so fragile in her emotions that she sulked in her resting chamber, Vylemor's pleas have convinced the unconscious ego of us all to take home in this era and the stage we've secretly set.
[It won't be long, my publishers are awakening one by one.]
'Lord Ragens, you have awakened?' Vylemor, the discriminative opposite persona of Yve sits on my precious books, ill-mannered to anyone but his master as always.
'Would you like a tour of your many a splendored ideas, R-gens?' Yve is my harbinger of thrill and imminent action.
Never have I seen or heard myself decline her such that I am troubled for the fact itself.
'Certainly, lead if you must.'
The old nickname brings tremor as I remembered how things remain as they were, even the tragic fate that binds us all.
For she who punishes herself in the rain and myself, in seclusion. Her decisive acts for her kin and my constant memory loss have always been the 'us' of yore.
We are invariably still repeating a history which I must see to it, the conclusion shall be the cessation of a tragic cycle in the circle I have created.
'Master, shall I make myself scarce?' Though subtly, Vylemor towers over Yvelmor with his adaptive transformations to suit her demanding needs. He bows to her in deep revere and affection like a mother who truly cares.
'No Vyl, please transport us to ES. I'll be directing the way.'
'Correct me if I'm wrong, master, but humans have specialized devices in the atmosphere that watches over the earth.' Vyl deserted the scattered books to emphasize his point by edging closer to Yve.
'Yes Vyl but I sorely miss riding above in that atmosphere you speak of and I have an exclusive, secret way to sheild those prying eyes.'
'I can set it so that anyone who spots us will never see what they're not supposed to see.'
Yve as her wont when imagining sat on my study table and plastered her cheek on her palm, lips stretching to a smile and eyes, a faraway look.
'Mysterious as always aren't you, Yve? I'll be right next to you,' I snapped her from that illusory world of hers to a reality which shall soon grant its deepest desires.
'Well, it's your call.' She said, looking at me like looking at nothing. It's a bit uncomfortable to be honest.
She and Vylemor disappeared in a puff as I slowly descend to meet her for a flight long abandoned by death.
I took a momentary stop to linger my sight to Arte's room, a new reality syncing in to settle with me.
[My dear Aunt Arte, Title Bearer of Art and Destruction. Are you true to me?]
It felt as though I have never been out for so long, revelling in the brush of the gentle breeze to my whole being.
I knelt to touch with my hands the soft, green grass and reached for the water in the fountain.
[I am alive.]
What a strange thought. I smelled the flowers long enough to register them.
[I'm alive.]
There it goes again. I felt the cement through my shoes knowing how it will feel, I can remember, what a pleasant condition.
This is life and you can only feel it through appreciation and acknowledgement. It's quite the thrill, such a peaceful feeling indeed.
'But Master! Your abilities always get you into an accident. Sure, it's quite convenient to use but we're practically vulnerable from the scrutiny of the other Title Bearers and the Shadows.' Vylemor came after Yve, worry evident on his face to the stubbornness of his master.
'Relax, I decided against the idea of flying and yes you can make yourself scarce but the book comes with me.' Yve released a yawn then made her way to me.
'So what's the alternative?' I totally agree with Vylemor. After all, the reason why we are always hunted by our peers is because of the specialness of Yvelmor's book.
'We'll walk until our transport comes to fetch us,' She opens the umbrella and held it over our head. Vylemor on the other hand, disappeared into the book she was carrying.
'That would be the first in this life, walking together again that is.' Yvelmor always appeared boring and unresponsive but I know how wild and whimsical she is deep in her bones.
Sometimes, I wonder if her restriction has something to do with her persona. Perhaps this is the reason why she is so restrained and melancholy. Often looking at others with envvy in her eyes.
'This life,' she repeated barely audibly, sighing to herself and shaking the thoughts away.
We covered about 120 meters when a car pulled up, 'Yve, I'm on my way to work. I'll drop you guys to your stop.'
I've got so little interest for other people, much like Vylemor, I must confess. I only got my mind on registering our current environment and possible enemies who might be on to us.
Yve is pleased with the offer, 'Doctor! You have the most convenient timing every time.'
Honestly though, I was glad to leave the most civilized area where most humans lived because of the repulsive odours and air temperatures plus highly concentrated transportation fumes, dust and overall the garbage that litters the place.
I almost thought it was an alien planet. Sure, we came from an ancient civilization but what happened to Earth was simply out of my comprehension.
It was totally unbelievable but on their level of treachery, I could guess a more hazardous act from them.
Instead of sitting with the doctor which my memory dictates that he is her father, she joined me at the passenger seat.
'I know what you're thinking.' It was predictable that she'd know because we have been from the same era.
'I was just wondering why Anaphrea or Magi allowed such disturbing changes to happen. If my guess is correct, situations have been spiralling out of control and their usual righteous propagandas are collapsing.'
'It may have already collapsed but I doubt they'd just let that end. If my guess is correct, the passages that connect all realms were sealed to protect their books and the interest of each Author and their Publishers.'
Observing my publisher's expression, it was rather blank but I don't know why, I have a feeling that there will be unrest from hereforth.
[Well, each to their own interests.]
'You are awfully correct for I myself will not allow such obvious ignorance. Much less tolerate acts which can only be as foolish as stepping on a banana peeling even though you saw it and the result is not a much unforeseen accident.'
Yve laughed but I know she knows how totally serious I am, 'Are you going to write a book about them then?'
'That would be quite amusing, how about a litterbug spray, a toxic invention waste bin and a law punishing stupid people and their stupid ideas.'
[I know. Childish, right?]
I considered making that a reality. That would be a total thrill bone but I've got 3 books published already.
[3 is my limit and I can't write on them again because my books aren't that privileged like that old hag Anaphrea or worry freak boy Magi.]
[ I only have three publishers, Anaphrea has less than 15 and Magi has more than a thousand. I don't know why the number of my publishers had been stagnant while the other two just keeps on increasing. Am I so unpopular?]
If I want to make that happen, we have to die again but that is out of the question. I'll just make do with what I have; it'll be quite a challenge and a test for me and my team.
'I'll be giving you back your book when we arrive, okay?'
'It was with you?'
'It was with me.'
The ride took longer than anticipated but I was glad we have arrived at long last. My ears felt like they were plugged but I only have my attention on the massive structure in front of me.
'I remember writing about it but seeing it like this makes the pyramids of Egypt look cute!'