"How long have you been here?"
Matthew inquired.
" A really long time. "
The old man responded.
Darkness stretched as far as the eyes could see, akin to a black hole—a pure and absolute absence of light.
In this silent abyss, two voices echoed. One was low, young, and fractured; the other, aged and mature.
"..... "
After the question they both sat there in silence; it wasn't an awkward silence but one of agreement and peace.
"You know I wish I had the chance you have."
The old man suddenly said.
"What chance?"
The younger voice queried.
".... Revenge."
He let out in a dark tone.
"di...?" He wavered.
"Did she harm those close to you too?"
"Haha."
The aged man chuckled softly.
"she did worse."
He replied.
Hearing the aged man reply, he became silent and pondered the horrors the man could have faced.
"If you are not going to ask I tell you."
The story goes back a few thousand or so years ago, I lived on a planet called Garanna, it was a beautiful blue planet.
The planet was a peaceful thriving one but it all changed the day we were invaded.
Kritins as they called themselves were a race of insectoids that go around invading other species.
They were 7 feet tall, with 2 sickle claws for hands, and they had piercing glowing eyes and mandibles that could easily tear through the toughest of metals.
We tried fighting back but they overpowered us in all ways, and 60% of the population died.
Just when we had lost all hope she showed up; our saviour she gave us power in exchange for our faith.
And foolish me who has always been in the dumps believed her more than anyone, I became her most faithful follower, her knight; the number one pioneer for my world.
"Why are telling me this?"
He asked.
"Cause I want you to understand."
The old man answered.
We fought back with me leading the war, we took back many cities.
During one of my longest battle, I met her... My wife.
And like clockwork, we fell in love, and eventually, the war got to a stalemate.
We were planning an ambush when I was summoned by her, our saviour.
Hearing this I was elated and hurriedly addressed her summoned.
Elena who at the time was now my wife spoke against going too soon since the planned ambush was just at hand.
But I refused to listen and left anyways, I came out of the makeshift tent and I was dragged by our saviour.
I found myself in the vast expanse of space, of course, I panicked but I could breathe perfectly.
" Kandor."
She called out to me.
Hearing her sweet voice I fervently answered and bent a knee.
"You have disappointed me, and for that, you shall be punished."
"Wha-"
I couldn't comprehend what she meant.
She snapped her fingers and...
"ARGH!!! "
I cried out in pain.
"Can you feel it, at the moment you are feeling the pain of more than a million people at a time, some are being reaped apart, others are being torn limb by limb and you can feel it."
Hearing her remark, my expression grew dark and I wondered where the kind and gentle celestial who saved us went to.
I could feel my limbs being torn, my heart being yanked out and other parts of my body being burnt, chopped or devoured all at the same time.
I lost the ability to think and all I could register was pain, a colossal amount of neverending misery.
"Of course, I also made sure you won't run mad because of the pain."
I struggled to turn my head within space and I looked at her and at that moment I froze, she had an expression of pure glee on her face, her cheeks were dyed red and her entire body language said two words "No Remorse"
".... "
".... "
"What about your.... wife?"
He asked.
"Sh-she became.... a.. bbbreeding tool f.. For the Kritins."
For the first time during the conversation, Kandor's voice broke and the atmosphere became solemn.
'The pain of an entire civilization, and he bore it.'
.
.
.
.
.
After a long while Kandor suddenly uttered.
"It's time for you to leave."
"And go where exactly?"
He said in a calm and doubting voice.
Tap*
The sound of what seemed like a cane striking the floor echoed.
"Oluminate."
Kandor said and the area surrounding him suddenly became bright, it became the only spotlight could reach in the dark room of despair.
Matthew stared at Kandor and tried to burn his image into his brain.
Kandor was a typical old man, he had a hunch back and his spines were protruding through the rags, he was dressed in rags and most of his hair had fallen out.
His eyes were dull without life and hope.
"Follow me I want to show you something."
He said.