Reach above the stars, and solace I find at last. Two hundred and fifty stars I passed, and only one shone. Two hundred and fifty stars I passed, and only one is warm as a sun. Chapters vanished, mind broken, and I saw angels in a blink. Who am I? Why am I here? And why couldn't I recall a single pain? Why do I keep ascending?
*Ting* The elevator stops. The number is set to 250.
[250th floor]
"Augh! Finally, what took so long...?" Eve stressed off the elevator.
"Woah...elevator effect...woah...Charger didn't like this...woah..."
"What floor are we right now?"
A long hallway awaits before their eyes. The highest floor in this tower laid records of art throughout the ceiling and wall, all concealed away from a window. Fire swayed away the darkness and radiated this temple-like spot with white sparks.
There is nobody here than Eve and her companion. Tranquility is sacred on this floor, and nothing's more important than manners to uphold between angels in the walls. They guide those to higher-ups who await on the large, swipe stone doors with triangle marks afar.
"Looks lonely, friend. This is quite a view, isn't it?" Charger walks around cheerfully, waiting for Eve to follow.
"W-wait, is that creature wearing your shirt? You let stranger wear your clothes, Eve?" Cyrus took a second stare at Charger.
"I'm no stranger, Cyrus. I'm awesome..."
The higher-ups await, and Eve is face to face with its concrete skin for her answer. Whatever resides behind the door welcomes her in a blinding light and chirping birds. With more pressure applied to the door, Eve and her companion can listen more to the harmony.
"So, you might pass..." Dion steps aside.
Feeling nervous yet confident with no regret, Eve braces herself for this choice. It took her minutes to push the gate off with her bare hands when aided only by mere creatures like Charger and Cyrus on his. But with enough force, the strength allows the three to be welcomed by the higher-ups.
The wind swirls around, and the sun strikes brightly in her eyes. Everything becomes white and detached from reality, and the chirping turns into a laugh. The old feeling came to Eve again like nostalgia.
There is a playground before her, filled with children with hopes for tomorrow. Oh, there was also a little Eve who glances all of this herself on her bench while holding a book. She was here under the tree, reading a comic with peace and excitement while the others were leaping and swinging around under the sunlight. The scent of flowers and macaron flew through her nose as she prepared the day to start the first page.
"Eve? Eve. Eve!" A child calls for her name from the dome climber. Many are looking for a challenge on top while Eve is out there sitting by herself.
"What? Why are you yelling at me?" She had to pull her book down with discomfort. She seems uneasy with the people around her.
"Come play with us! We have one more space for a frontline against the other team! Quick!"
"No, I don't want to hurt myself from the metal. It's not safe, you know?" Her voice was more active, bearing more concerns and life for others than herself.
"Oh, come on, Eve. You've missed a lot...why did you start leaving on us?"
"Because I want to finish this
"You sure you don't want to join with us?"
"I will. Once I done reading this chapter, I'll go play with you...I promise!"
The playground becomes intense, and children lie with fun while the sun slowly descends to dusk. Laughs and chirps mixed in the air as everyone settled their scores on their fortress game. And Eve still munches on macaron after countless panels before she can finish.
Time passes, and each macaron leaves its crumbs on the bench as she flips the pages excitedly.
"Oh, girl! You've missed the game!" The girl checks on her.
"I...I did? Oh, my bad. I just finish this book and was ready to play! I guess we can play tomorrow?" She stood awkwardly guilty before her friends, rubbing her shirt off from bread crumbs as she finished.
"Come on, everyone. It's only a book! There's nothing wrong with one, right? I'm not a bookworm—I'm just...intrigued? Don't you want to read some?"
"Eh, no. We'll see you tomorrow, Eve!" Few kids had left the playground with their fun. The empty dome and seesaw are what is left for Eve to see.
"Eve, why did you even bring macaron if you're not sharing it with us? We were friends, right?"
"Oh, we are! Uhm, I have...some? I know it's already bitten, but my mom made this for you!"
"No, thanks. I'm filled with the sand in my throat right now."
"Aww, it was such a great day to have fun, too..." Eve looks ashamed.
"Hey, do you ever think about going to space before? I heard it's cool..."
"Really? Aren't you a curious one, Eve?" The boy teases.
"Oh, why couldn't I? Are you not amazed by the existence of stars, moon, and sun out there? Aren't they amazing?"
"I can't wait to learn and become an astronaut so I can venture over the sky myself!" She raises her palm cheerfully to the sky.
The two walk around the park like two expeditors on a hill, leaping on wonders and opportunities where they could find one. While others had already left Eve, only one boy stood alone to be on her side. Together, the trees and the bushes are nothing to their matches.
This dynamic appears unmatched by Eve somehow. The cheerful dawn and courageous truth-seeker were nowhere when she was hiding behind her books and fantasies. But in this soon-to-be-night run, Eve unleashes every strength she has to outrun her friend.
"I thought you wanted to be a novelist?"
"Agh, come on! Can't a girl chooses more than one dream? Are you going to be a mechanic, though?"
"Obviously not! Eugh, I don't even know how to be one. I only wish to be a doctor."
"But, if you happen to be an astronaut once...would you reserve a seat for me? Not that you would mind?"
"Obviously! I would need someone to save me if I fell. I'm glad we are friends..." Eve sat cheerfully after draining her strength.
That scent brings her a joy she can never reach anymore. No matter how many times the scene replays, that day is never the same. All she can remember is the scent and the last chapter covered in sunlight, where she keeps reading despite the dusklight.
"What? What is this...feeling? I don't remember this one..." The sky utters with her voice.
"Eve?"
"Why does it feel so warm? So friendly..."
"Eve?"
"When did I stop eating macaron before? That spark made me forget everything..."
"Eve? Eve? Eve, Are you there?"
"What?" Eve snaps off of the beauty of the floor.
"Look, we're here!" Charger drags her to the front.
The higher-ups sanctuary—or councils, in their words. This most exquisite, huge garden-like site is reserved only for the almighty entities. Even the room itself houses yet another facility within.
Rectangular water centered around an obelisk being carved into a podium for a giant. The greenery decors at the edge of this not-so-entertaining watery ground make this scene look ancient to pass upon. The arches and maze-like walkways remind Eve of a challenging past in her entrance.
"Hey, this place looks huge. But where are we supposed to find the higher-ups from here?"
"I suppose...we should look over the higher spot? There's radiant...and there's high..." Eve pointed upwards, where stairs are aligned.
*Whisper* "High."
"Oh, I'll go first! Let me protect you, fellow humans!" Charger travels excitedly through the platform.
"Eve, are you okay? You look unwell..." Cyrus comes after her.
The spark keeps aching her head. The jolts of thunders felt like a fork piercing through her eyeballs before it vanished with her wounds—a ghastly wound. The ache couldn't leave her head, and her eyes couldn't stop blinking at the bright light.
*Faint* "Eve...are you okay? Eve...?"
"I'm fine. I can go...find the higher-ups...or the shapes..." She resolves her conscience with a bottle of water over her face.
"That's better."
"Eve, I think that sparks on your head are severe. Don't you think it's too dangerous to walk off like this? Right after you get like two thunders in you?"
"Beside, I don't think you should pour water..."
"I'm fine, you dimwit. Let's just go and get this "enforcer" thingy done."
"Alright. Alright...let's get some fresh air and power up there. I'll be waiting from behind, okay?" Cyrus walks off with Charger.
*Faint* "Wait for me, creature!"
*Faint* "I'm Charger! Charger the Great!"
"You're not coming, new boy?"
"This is a private business between you and the councils. I'm afraid you're on your own here. Which is sad, because I'll miss every seconds we spend here..."
"Don't hurt yourself. Haha..."
"That's me to decide." Dion slowly pushes the door to close, ending Eve's meeting with him in a thump.
I couldn't resist it anymore. I feel a surge in my head! Aagh, it breaks me! Why do I keep out of touch with things around me? Why is everything so thin? So weak? So fragile? Even the air is binding me.
I spent every second and worth to find this place myself. I began to hallucinate, spasms, and even felt like tomorrow was nowhere for me. Then, I feel hopeful yet directed to move forward because—well—another worth of wisdom.
As the adventurer steps onto this garden, he feels the spirit of freedom return to his body and forward to the center. Through torches and flowers, he, Cyrus, and Eve awe themselves at the relics and foundation beside their walk path.
"Hck..." The air chokes in Eve's neck.
"Woah, can you believe how big this place is? Imagine the higher-ups..." Cyrus touches the pillars.
"Yeah, I can. They're shapes."
"What? You already knew?
"Yes. The imp told me."
"They're called councils of the highest! They don't look too human, so don't get too underestimated with them. I heard they were benevolent, and they are currently." Charger pulls out a flashlight.
"Cool. Can't wait to help you out so you can go home early, friend. None of this place looks safe for both of us...and I hope we didn't have to stay here any longer with those people." Cyrus was fixated on the hanging torch. The soothing warmth on the wood handle and its glowing orange light guide his mind to old times.
"Hm." Eve hums indifferently. Yet, her mind goes differently with his decision.
"Only if you are passed this class..."
At last, the three reach the top of the square floor, where they encounter four plinths lifting burning bowls of transparent-like ores. Their arrival on the top appears like a trial, yet no one but them to be met. Only a large stone block appears with a white banner.
"Uhm...hello? Is anyone here? Hello...?" Eve glances left and right.
"Huh, that's strange. I thought we were supposed to be here..."
"Maybe we need to flash them! Hey! Hey, mr. Shapes!" Charger swings the torch sideways.
The sparkling creature taps the flashlight on and off several times to signal his presence, hoping to earn the attention of the so-called higher-ups.
"Ouch! I can't...ugh..." Eve sat weakened on the ground, struggling to maintain her position with the blinding light.
"Eve! I think you're not recovering from that sparks. We need to get you out first before—"
"I'm fine! Just let me do this, okay? This is my adventure! My journey! I'm the one to decide..." She slaps Cyrus from his palm.
"Hm. I think no one is here...sad."
The ground shook, and the pebbles floated. The three found themselves teetering on an unknown tremor. Mild but noticeable, they searched for safe ground to step on as something seemingly emerged from the ground. From down the stairs, they found safety among the plinths and pillars, waiting for the tremor to end.
"What is that?" Eve grasps tightly onto a banner.
"I don't know, but Charger was the one causing it!" Cyrus pass the buck.
"Hey, at least I did something!"
The tremble continues, and the wavering is no longer a threat. The building seemed to fall any second, but the tremor took a rest afterward. Only the vines, lanterns and every pillar are shivering from the aftermath, leaving an uneasy sensation for a descent.
"Augh! Aagh...Aack!" The headache is unbearable for Eve. Her book fell as much as her sanity.
"My book!" She yelled in desperation as she descended to reach between the creaks. Cyrus follows her from behind after the weakening tremor allows him to ladder down.
"Eve!"
"Is it over? Are the trembles gone for good?"
"Come on. Come on...where is it?"
"Aha! Got it. Now, where am I? Oh, right...the headache...ouch..." She continues writing again on the paper. Behind her, Cyrus opens a path by moving two stones away.
If the earth was to be shaken by my curiosity, then let the cat tremble the sky. Earth had shook before my feet in a taunting rhyme, yelling at me to look down unworthy. No more! No more shall I give my shame to the light, for I am standing bright among these pillars.
Yes, pillars! These are the foundations I am laying currently. There are leftovers of lives here, and I didn't see any more hills to climb. I think I can see the very round sun rising for a dawn.
"Are you writing at this time right now, Eve? Not that I mind, but..."
"Shut up! Shut up! I can't think clear with this noise in my head!" She yelled with rage as her pen went thick into the paper.
"Eve...?"
"Can't you see I'm busy right here?"
*Clack* A tile opens from the ground. Something emerges in an elevating transition.
"What is that? I hear contraption! Is that the higher-ups?" Cyrus looks around.
"There they are! The councils returned!" Charger slips out of the pillar.
As the vibrancy stops, six figures of entities appear on the podium of Highness. These are not what Eve had expected at first sight—the so-called councils were geometrical forms floating free in a radiant white, metallic-like skin.
"They're...shapes?"
"Yeah! Councils of the high! The incomprehensible form throughout the Universe! They are here to show you how to be great, friend!" Charger kneels with one leg.
"Halt, mortals! Step aside and embrace your judgment!" The cube roars the hall with an echo. Its voice resembles a god's hum who tears everything in silence for its siblings to speak.
"Your eerie presence disturbs our progress. Your insolence is intolerable!" The pyramid judges.
"Who are you to land on our sacred home? And how?" The prism finishes.
There was a silence between the tension.
"Ouch...my eyes..." Eve shielded her face in a struggle to maintain eye contact. The shapes shine and float too high for her to see.
"Woah. That's the higher-ups, right? Okay, who's the leader here? Are you the guy in charge here?" Cyrus approaches.
*Clank* A glowing spear shatters a chunk of ground before Cyrus' feet. It reminds him of his negligence and the steps he shouldn't take.
"Insolent behavior! Mortals, who told you to step further?" The cube roars louder.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please don't hurt me! We were just here for a business!"
The dawn reckons, and the sun rises before me. I smell the blissful warm oil from the sunflowers nearby and trees roasting in sunlight. It is unusual for such height to recall that scent, yet it wasn't even a vague trail. But something tells me that there is more than just a sun ahead. I feel something big coming from the sun. I am ready!
"Business? What business? And why?"
"Y-you said you were accepting to help my friend and her companion apply on this enforcer thing. You don't remember?" Cyrus steps up.
"No. And what makes you certain of that statement?" The pyramid uttered.
"Because Dion—D-001 said so? You know? One of your enforcers?"
"Lies. Uttering lies, are you?? The sphere rolls down to Cyrus.
"Woah!! We're sorry! We're sorry! We didn't meant to intervene!"
In response to the convolution, Charger heads to Eve for a plea. Hugging down her calf, he looked at her with a begging stare while she was dazed by another spark.
"Eve, do something! Please tell them! Tell the councils about everything! Please...!"
"Ugh."
"We're here to get to earn this enforcer now. Tell us how to get this and we'll—" Eve steps forward.
"You have no rights to earn it, mortal. Not one of you ever..."
The words have been made, and the others were disappointed. The shapes merely heard their plea and directed their judgment shortly.
"Noo!! But we climb all over the floors for this!" Charger falls to his knee.
"Please! There must be a misunderstanding here! We're here to make amends of my crimes! All of it!"
"Crimes? No, no...it's you." The prism turns grim to Charger.
"Eh? Yeah, I know. But I'm here to change it! For this once! No more treacheries and arsonism included! Please, my lord!"
"Foul creature. Even after a decade, you haven't learn anything? There are more for you to reconcile than an apology."
"Which is why I'm begging you! I want to change! I want to make rights of my past! I came here to finish what I have left long ago!"
"Eve, are you not going to help the creature?"
"Let him be. This will take a long time." Eve scratches her head.
Charger walks left and right while begging the councils to give him a chance. It is a difficult approach to appease the Highness, given his records of infamy throughout the years.
"Please...I've been going far for this, Lord of the High! I only seek redemption and change. I need no excuses further than redemption!"
"Perhaps you can...but perhaps you cannot. How shall we accept your offer without taking you with another offer?" The prism bargains. Its words tinker the acceptance between the shapes and Charger.
"I can't go to prison. It's a terrible place! It is not where I'm supposed to be..."
"Not when I have to be around unjust people! I'm Charger the Great!"
"No! Never. You are yet to understand and we are not to oblige in any of your mischief again. Doom shall be yours after years..." The sphere stood firmly. Its confidence and presence at the center ensures the absolute decision for many.
"For years, you have been a pest to justice..."
"For years, you cross the prohibited..."
'For years, you have put yourself in infamy..."
"And for years, you took many of our soldiers...and for what?"
"Justice? Volition? Nothing."
"How much effort will you put into us so that you can fulfill your meaningless purpose? Have you bear no shame ever? What reason shall we not obliterate your life instead?" The triangle berates. Its calm yet sharp critic catches Charger's argument like a fly to the web.
"You dare come to us and bring your puny excuse after how you belittle our trouble?"
"No! I didn't mean anything! I swear! Please give me a chance to clear my past!"
"No more past is yours! It is you that the problem that we are bored of! You are to be decimated at once!" The hexagon yells angrily. Its temper surpasses every shape around it.
At last, I stood among the stars as a champion. The highest position in the sky and the secrets lie within the glimmering dots in the space, varied with shapes and lights. They came to me and showed me their presence as an appreciation. But it is too long for me to wait any further, for I shall make this swift as the wind that blew above my head.
"This is taking too long." Eve walks past Charger.
"Huhuhu...huh?"
"You. The one with the hexagon body. How about you shut up and let us handle this creature ourselves if you really wish to not be in trouble?"
"You dare insulting me, mortal?"
"Dare? I merely challenge you. You think I came here to fight all over your henchmen just to challenge the only person in charge of restoring order? That would've been a busy Tuesday to decide..."
*Whispers* "And it was better that I don't return at all."
"Did you say something, Eve?" Cyrus glances behind.
"Who do you think you're talking to? You are in the presence of radiant and Highness. We are the ones who brought the golden era and glory among the stars! Shame for you to raise your tone in such ignorance." The sphere uttered proudly. Its ego boosted the others' perception of its siblings.
"He came to me for a begging. He wants this to end. So end it."
"You can't just tell him to die and never do it at all, right?" Eve begs for the shapes.
Another silence comes. The shapes are speechless.
"Whoa...Eve..."
"Look, I'm not returning to my home again after this. I've went through city and people throughout this realm after using this crystal."
"If you can't redeem him, at least let me dictate his punishment. Wouldn't it be better for all of you to have someone dragging him out of trouble? Someone HE complies upon than hiding?" Eve sounds desperate and begging for the shapes.
"Because who knows how long he would do this again? How far he would run around the town? Maybe if not, he would've run through that window and searched for someone else...because he has no loyalty to anyone but himself."
"No, it's not true! I loyal to you, friend!" Charger argues.
"So are you going to let him astray again?"
The council remains silent again. This time, they are discussing Eve's words.
"Alright, mortal. We have decided your fate and the creature." The sphere concludes with Eve with slight reluctance. Yet, it feels a reasonable thought.
"Your request for enforcer shall be given."
"Really? You will?" Charger stood excited. His eyes would glamor if they could glimmer.
"Not for you. You foul rubbles should be desolated upon the stars than to be here." The hexagon goes a bit too edgy.
"We admire how you reached up upon us, mortals. We believe you have been brought here by honor?"
"Y-yes. A bit of it..." Eve kneels with reluctance.
"Then an honorable request you shall be given."
"Does that mean I can join! I can help these two as a supervisor."
*Roar* "Tell him we are not enforcing another stranger, brother." The cube roars in sharp resentment. But the sphere looks otherwise.
"You may join, second one. For as long as you do not abandon your works."
"Don't worry! I will not, my Lord." Cyrus bows.
"Yeah!! This is great! Finally, I'm no longer having to run anymore! Woohoo!" Charger leaps in excitement. Never has he ever been this excited.
"Now's time to start listing my crimes! Where was my pen? Uhm...oh. Eve, can I borrow yours?"
"Yeah, finally. I don't have to anymore..." Eve pulls out the brochure from her bag. Seeing the first page had already drawn a bad image in her head.
*Rips*
"There you go. For the better..."
"What was that? Is that a brochure?"
"It's nothing. Not anymore..." Eve looks at her book.
"Oh, Eve! I can't wait to get this power and do some magic with you. Isn't that exciting? Even better, I get to watch on your back too. That's two birds in one stone! Whoo!"
"Yeah. You're right..." Eve glances in doubt with Cyrus. Her lips were frowned upon and displeased upon hearing him saying those words.
The excitement around the room fills the room with sounds the councils had never heard before. And from behind the door, Dion seems contentful for Eve's success as he stands up and prepares for his arrival to the meeting between them.
I will become a part of the star! No longer defined by flesh! Knowledge shall descend upon this world with righteousness to the ignorants who mock me. Heed my name, Gold Creek.
For if a goddess had descended, it would be polished in the stars you had praised before the autumn's night. The night will be long, and the sun will not rise when the white clouds are waving above the mountains, from where I will descend afterward.