Chereads / Echoes of the old / Chapter 19 - cosmic god

Chapter 19 - cosmic god

Tabahi sat cross-legged on the cool ground, bathed in the gentle embrace of the moonlight and starlit sky. It was an evening like countless others he had experienced, yet tonight, something profound stirred within him. He gazed around at the wondrous beauty of nature. The forest, once a target for his destructive whims, now stood as a testament to nature's resilience.

His attention shifted to the waterfall, where crystal-clear water cascaded into the serene lake below. Tabahi found himself entranced by the tranquil music of flowing water. Beneath the moon's gentle glow, various water creatures leaped and played, their joy contagious.

With a sense of childlike wonder, Tabahi extended his hand towards the running river. The water, felt refreshingly cold against his skin. He closed his eyes for a moment, allowing the sensation to wash over him.

But this newfound serenity was abruptly disrupted. As he withdrew his hand, he discovered something unexpected on his palm—dirt. The water, once crystal clear, had turned dark and murky, robbed of its purity. His smile faded, replaced by a frown of bewilderment and frustration. Who would dare mar such natural beauty?

High above, on the source of the waterfall, a man continued to dump dirt into the once-pristine waters. Tabahi's eyes, which had glimmered with wonder just moments ago, now darkened like the deepest recesses of the cosmos. It was an act that defied reason and marred the very essence of the world he had come to admire.

"Tabahi, come here! Where are you?" a voice called out from behind him. He closed his eyes briefly, his emotions and demeanor shifting back to their customary calm. When he turned to face Meer, the striking figure before him, his heart couldn't help but skip a beat. Dressed in a combination of white and black, Meer's presence was as captivating as the natural beauty surrounding them.

"You look as marvelous as the nature," Tabahi remarked, his voice husky and slow, as he couldn't help but be mesmerized by Meer's presence.

Meer, his cheeks tinged with a gentle blush, replied with a simple, "What are you doing here?" His tone was casual, but his eyes held an inquisitive spark.

"Looking at nature," Tabahi replied, the frustration of the earlier disturbance still lingering beneath his calm exterior.

"You don't seem too happy about it. Did something happen?" Meer asked, raising an eyebrow inquisitively.

Tabahi sighed, his gaze returning to the now-turbid waters. "Someone has destroyed the beauty of the waterfall by mixing dirt into it."

A sly smile played on Meer's lips, indicating that he understood something more profound beneath the surface. Tabahi, puzzled by Meer's reaction, folded his arms and pressed for an explanation.

"Why are you smiling? You should do something about this," Tabahi urged, his frustration evident.

"Tabahi," Meer began, his hand gently cupping Tabahi's cheek, "even if I wanted to, I can't. The water, the stars, the trees—everything belongs to everyone. It's available for all to use, and I can't intervene just because I don't like what someone is doing."

"But the other day, you stopped that elf from using a dirty cloth to clean your axe," Tabahi recalled, perplexed by Meer's response.

"That was my possession," Meer explained. "As the owner, I have the right to protect it from being dirtied."

the words exchanged with Meer echoing in his mind. Turning toward the water, Tabahi's voice was a low, contemplative murmur, "Meer, everything belongs to everyone, you said."

Meer's voice carried a gentle reassurance as he responded, "That's the nature of the cosmos, Tabahi. It is shared among all beings, regardless of our desires."

Tabahi's eyes remained fixed on the once-pristine river, now tarnished. His words were thoughtful, tinged with defiance, "But what if I refuse to accept that? What if I don't wish to share?"

Meer turned, his expression curious, "Tabahi, the universe is vast and independent. You cannot simply claim it as your own." Tabahi looked above in the sky lost in his own thoughts.

Meer then shifted the conversation not understanding the waves of ocean in tabahi mind as he gained his attention back " Tabahi I have to go to town with fairies , so have dinner and then go early to sleep we eill meet tomorrow" he said caressing his hairs and then left him alone with his own thoughts.

He couldn't help but replay Meer's words in his mind. "Everything belongs to everyone," Meer had said. But in that moment, Tabahi felt a burgeoning sense of defiance. 

Tabahi contemplated the water, which he had once marveled at. His fingers, now unclenched, felt the coolness of the dirt-stained liquid. The same river that had soothed him moments ago was now a canvas for his inner turmoil.

Alone once more, Tabahi returned his attention to the man still defiling the waterfall. Frustration surged within him as he watched the man carelessly toss dirt into the pristine waters. Unable to bear the sight any longer, Tabahi took flight and confronted the man, his eyes brimming with darkness.

"Stop it," Tabahi demanded, his voice laced with anger. "You're turning this beauty into filth."

The man glanced at Tabahi but continued his work as if dismissing him. Tabahi's eyes grew even darker, and with a firm grip on the man's collar, he lifted him into the air.

"Don't you understand what I just said?" Tabahi's voice was low, a dangerous edge to his tone. The man struggled in vain, unable to escape his grasp.

Tabahi's fury seethed as he declared, "From today, I declare myself the owner of this water and everything in the cosmos. I abhor any being who dares to defile the beauty of nature."

But as Tabahi continued to hold the man aloft, a revelation began to dawn upon him. He saw the fear in the man's eyes, felt the man's helplessness in his grasp, and understood the depth of his own power. It wasn't just about controlling the elements; it was about mastering the hearts and wills of those who defied him.

The man, trembling with fear, dared to mock Tabahi. "So, you think using your power will stop everyone from harming it?"

Tabahi's smirk was as cold and unforgiving as the cosmos itself. "Indeed, It will"

As Tabahi lowered the man back to the ground, the fear in the man's eyes had turned to submission. Tabahi's smirk deepened, and he released his hold. The man in an instant ran disappearing in the night fog. But tabahi stand there , something hit in his mind his smirk grew wider " The possessor of the world" he whispered.