Episode 17: My Dream

"Do you guys believe in Gods?" Griswa asked, his voice breaking the heavy silence.

Malaes and Yesdar exchanged puzzled glances. They had never given much thought to such matters. Religion, gods, worship – these concepts were as foreign to them as the distant stars. They weren't religious or non-religious; they simply didn't know what it meant to believe in something greater than themselves.

Seeing their confusion, Griswa turned to face them, his expression solemn. "Let me tell you a story," he began. "It's a story of ancient times, long before the existence of mankind as you know it. My story. I come from the race of Skaar Gods, my name is Griswa Hezick Skaar."

Malaes and Yesdar leaned in, their curiosity peaked.

"In the span of trillions of years," Griswa continued, "there were gods before mankind existed. Gods are regarded as powerful entities of worship in these kinds of worlds and other worlds in the present, but in the vast expanse of all the greater verses, gods were as simple a term of normal existence. Being a god was no big deal back then; it was like being a normal living being. Gods existed in trillions, perhaps even more. There were many species of gods, sects of gods, races of gods, however you want to group them. The first god came from the point of Origin beyond infinity."

Malaes and Yesdar's eyes widened as they tried to comprehend the scale of what Griswa was describing.

"In those ancient times, that was known as The Era of Gods," Griswa continued, "the omniverse was a tumultuous place. There were eight Great God Wars in the history of the omniverse. These were known as the Omni-Wars. Each war engulfed the entire omniverse, causing chaos and destruction on an unimaginable scale. These wars resulted in the death of countless gods, with only the most powerful rising to the top."

Griswa's voice grew somber as he spoke of the wars. "Among the survivors after the eighth great god war were the Skaar Gods, the Frezihan Gods, and the Nurulis Gods. The Nurulis Gods, in particular, became exceedingly powerful over time. They came to be known as the Infinity Gods, such was their strength and influence."

Malaes and Yesdar were entranced by Griswa's tale, their imaginations painting vivid pictures of the ancient battles and powerful deities.

"But power breeds conflict," Griswa said, his voice heavy with the weight of history. "A civil war erupted among the Nurulis Gods, a conflict so fierce that it resulted in the death of many of their kind. In the end, only a few remained. Among them was Ozem Nurulis, known as the Brighter Dark in this world of Aeartha and many other worlds too, since centuries. He betrayed the remaining gods of his own race, it remains a mystery why and how, but he did something that let the Nurulis Gods be consumed or precisely feasted by the point of Origin except him. What we know about the Origin is quite basic, the subject of it remains beyond understanding of not just normal beings but even Gods too."

Malaes and Yesdar shuddered at the thought of such a ruthless being and were utterly confused by something they couldn't catch up on, What exactly was the Origin?

"Ozem Nurulis found and took in subordinate gods who were lost in the great expanse as he journeyed through the verses, remaining from the different god races, he gave them his own blood, that resulted in the rise of power of those beings. They came to be known as 'The Xionziveras' by title," Griswa explained. "As billions of years passed and the era of gods faded, the remains of the gods' bodies and their powers structured the universes, giving birth to normal living beings. With only a few gods remaining, these normal beings began to worship them as their creators. The Yahunyens are worshippers of Brighter Dark. Yes, even you people have evolved from the existence of Gods."

Malaes and Yesdar sat in silence, absorbing the magnitude of Griswa's words. The story he told was unlike anything they had ever heard before. It was a tale of unimaginable power, ancient wars, the rise and fall of gods and mankind's origin of existence and why worlds would fear the Yahunyens just like their world did.

Griswa paused, letting his words sink in. "The Skaar Gods, my people, were among the survivors. We were not as numerous as the Nurulis or Frezihan Gods, but we were resilient. We survived the Omni-Wars and the chaos that followed. Later we remained at peace. That is why I am here today."

Malaes and Yesdar looked at Griswa with newfound respect and awe. They had known he was different, but they had never imagined he carried such a weighty legacy. Yesdar already knew Griswa wasn't from Aeartha, yet he was amazed as much as Malaes, as she learned Griswa wasn't from this world.

"But what happened to the remaining Skaar Gods and Frezihan Gods?" Yesdar's extreme eagerness reached its peak, his eyes wide with anticipation.

Griswa's face took on a more somber expression as he delved deeper into the ancient history that had shaped his existence. "I never knew if any of the Frezihan Gods still remain," he began slowly. "Their fate is shrouded in mystery, a puzzle that has intrigued scholars and gods alike for millennia. There are thousands of theories about what might have happened to the Frezihan Gods, an unknown history called as the 'Frezihan Fate.'"

Malaes and Yesdar leaned in closer, captivated by the intrigue surrounding the Frezihan Gods. Griswa continued, his voice tinged with a mix of reverence and melancholy. "Some say they ventured into uncharted realms beyond the known omniverse, seeking new dimensions where they could evolve beyond the limitations of godhood. Others believe they were annihilated in a cataclysmic event, a war or disaster so devastating that it erased them from existence. Then there are those who think the Frezihan Gods found a way to transcend their corporeal forms, becoming pure energy or merging with the fundamental forces of the cosmos."

Griswa paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "Despite all these theories, there is not one properly proven fact about their status of existence. The truth about the Frezihan Gods remains one of the greatest enigmas of our time."

The cave fell silent as Malaes and Yesdar absorbed the profound mystery of the Frezihan Gods. Griswa's eyes then took on a reflective gleam as he shifted his focus to his own people. "As for the Skaar Gods," he said, "our story is somewhat different. Skaar Gods have always been known for their resilience and longevity. We live for millennia, some even for eons. Yet, paradoxically, I am the only remaining Skaar God."

Malaes and Yesdar exchanged confused glances. "But why?" Malaes asked softly.

Griswa took a deep breath, his expression a mixture of sorrow and pride. "The Skaar Gods, by the relentless march of time, developed a unique and ultimately fatal flaw. If one Skaar God was exceptionally powerful, his child would be weaker and perhaps would never grow as strong as the father. However, if that weaker child had a child, the grandchild would inherit the traits of the powerful grandparent, often becoming stronger than the immediate parent."

Yesdar frowned, trying to grasp the implications of Griswa's words. "So, the power skips a generation?"

"Exactly," Griswa confirmed. "It's a cyclical pattern that seemed designed to balance the power within our lineage. My father, Hezick, was considerably weaker than his own father. I never knew my grandfather, but I inherited his traits. I became stronger, carrying the strength that skipped my father's generation."

Malaes' eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Then why are you the last one?"

Griswa's face darkened. "Despite this pattern, we faced a far greater challenge. Over time, the number of Skaar Gods dwindled, partly due to the Omni-Wars and partly due to internal conflicts. We were few in number, and each loss was a significant blow. The aftermath of these conflicts left us isolated and vulnerable."

"Yes, but if the cycle of power continued, why didn't it ensure the survival of more Skaar Gods?" Yesdar pressed.

Griswa's expression turned grave. "Because the cycle is at a pause, I don't have a child, do I? When I am myself one?"

Griswa's gaze became distant, his eyes reflecting the turmoil of fragmented memories. "I don't remember what happened to the remaining Skaar Gods of my father's generation," he began, his voice carrying the weight of forgotten horrors. "It's as if there's a veil over those memories, a barrier I can't break through. I try to remember, but it's always just out of reach. My mind is a labyrinth of disrupted memories, fragments without a clear path." 

Malaes and Yesdar exchanged concerned glances. The gravity of Griswa's plight was evident in his expression, a mix of frustration and sorrow. The silence in the cave deepened as they processed the revelation, the only sound the distant rumble of the storm outside.

"The confusion always tells me that you will never know the difference between what happened in front of your eyes and what didn't. That's why I don't even know that if I have even witnessed the fate of the remaining Skaar Gods or not, the mind's playing true or not with me." Griswa continued.

"Yesdar," Malaes whispered, her voice barely audible, "Do you think he was meant to forget? Or is it some kind of trauma?"

Yesdar shook his head, his brow furrowed in thought. "I don't know, Malaes. But whatever it is, it's clear that those memories are crucial. They hold the key to understanding what happened to the Skaar Gods."

Griswa continued, his voice a low murmur. "The history I've shared with you is what I remember learning. The grand narratives, the chronicles of wars, the rise and fall of gods. But the last events before I came to this world are a blur. It's as if someone took a knife to my memories and left them in pieces. There's no connection, no flow of events that I can make sense of."

Malaes felt a pang of sympathy for Griswa. His struggle was palpable, a testament to the weight he carried as the last of his kind. "Don't push yourself too hard," she said gently. "You might remember later, when the time is right."

Griswa shook his head, his expression determined yet troubled. "There is one thing I do remember," he said slowly. "Just one clear fragment amidst the chaos. I remember my father, Hezick, telling me to escape. He was insistent, desperate. He told me to find Ehayor."

"Ehayor?" Yesdar echoed, his curiosity piqued. "Who or what is Ehayor?"

Griswa's eyes met Yesdar's, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features. "I don't know. I don't remember what Ehayor is or why it's important. I only recall Hezick's urgency, his command to escape and find it. But I don't remember what I was supposed to escape from. It's as if that part of my memory has been wiped clean."

The cave seemed to grow colder as the mystery deepened. Yesdar and Malaes felt a shiver run down their spines, the unknown casting a shadow over their thoughts. The story of the Skaar Gods was already filled with tragedy and loss, but now it was clear that there was an even greater enigma at its heart.

"Could Ehayor be a place? Or perhaps a person?" Malaes speculated, her mind racing with possibilities. "Maybe it's something crucial to your survival, something that can help us now."

Griswa nodded slowly, considering her words. "It's possible. All I know is that my father believed it was essential. But without knowing what Ehayor is.... wait, I arrived on Aeartha, because father asked me to, because Ehayor is here, maybe that's, that's most prolly a person."

"Yesdar," Malaes said, turning to her companion, "we need to help Griswa. His memories might hold the key to not only understanding his past but also to our own survival and victory."

"Yes," Yesdar agreed, his resolve firm. "Griswa, we'll do whatever it takes to help you recover those memories. We'll find Ehayor together, whoever it might be."

Yesdar had another doubt gnawing at him. He couldn't let it go unanswered. "Griswa," he asked hesitantly, "if you're actually a God, why couldn't you save Sivera and the whole group?"

Malaes remained silent, her interest seemingly fading. She neither showed eagerness nor indifference but simply observed. Yesdar pressed on, his curiosity and frustration getting the better of him. "Are you weak too?"

Griswa's eyes darkened with a mix of sorrow and determination. "No... it's because I am way too overpowered. I drained my powers."

Yesdar's mind flashed back to an earlier conversation. Griswa had once mentioned something that had seemed almost unbelievable at the time. "Do you remember when I told you I killed 70 billion people?" Griswa asked.

Yesdar nodded slowly, the weight of that statement settling in once more. Malaes, however, was stunned. "What?!!" she exclaimed. "Yesdar, you knew?"

Yesdar quickly tried to calm her down. "I only knew he wasn't from our planet and that he killed some 70 billion people. The rest, I'm hearing for the first time right now."

Griswa took a deep breath, his expression pained. "In those lost memories I'm not able to fully revive, fragments come to me suddenly. They clash and dance around in my mind. The truth is, I didn't kill 70 billion people. I killed 193 billion people."

The cave seemed to grow colder with his words, the magnitude of what he said hanging heavily in the air. Yesdar and Malaes listened, their faces a mix of shock and confusion.

"I wiped out two planets," Griswa continued. "I remember destroying the first one when I was just six years old, and the second when I was eight. These are the memories I can recall, but there might be more. I could have wiped out many other planets in that time. But those two... those two are the ones I remember clearly."

Malaes and Yesdar were silent, grappling with the enormity of what Griswa was saying. The idea of such power, wielded by someone so young, was incomprehensible.

"Yesdar, Malaes," Griswa said, his voice heavy with regret, "I don't know why I did it. It's hard to remember everything clearly. It feels like there's a fog over my memories. Some parts come back to me, but others remain lost. It's frustrating and terrifying."

He paused, struggling to find the right words. "I feel like my mind was unconscious when I killed those people. Like I was being controlled by someone or something else. I didn't do it on purpose. I never wanted to kill anyone."

The cave fell into a deep, contemplative silence. Yesdar's mind was racing, trying to piece together this complex puzzle. He could see the pain in Griswa's eyes, the torment of not knowing why he had committed such atrocities.

"I never said all this, because umm... I thought, anyone wouldn't believe me or if they did, they would see me as a threat, it wouldn't be a problem for me but it would be a problem for them if they attacked me and I killed them accidentally. I don't want to harm this world, I don't know when I might go insane and burn it down, if my powers are not in my control, it might become a horror for everyone, and that's why it haunts me. I didn't use them and I failed to save Sivera and the others, and I am sorry.... because my insanity is uncertain/unpredictable and I could revive a dead dragon at most, and I didn't wish to use my powers beyond that. Just one thing at a time for now. I think I shouldn't be with you people, I should be on my own path, it might be dangerous if you stay with me." Griswa confessed to make things clear, once and for all.

"Well, I couldn't bring myself to believe if you were an alien, I thought you cooked it up, but now I see myself alive, I escaped from the slave order which I thought I was gonna stay in, my entire life working and getting tortured, then I found new friends here, even though losing them pains and we couldn't be together even for a week, I am glad I found them which I could have never, lastly I escaped my death from a situation which had no room for survival... and only one person is responsible for all of this... you.

Yes, I believe you... Griswa, I trust you, and that's why I am going to be there for you, I am not leaving, where am I going to go alone? If the world was free, I would have maybe. But no, you are not alone on your path, it's better battling together. I don't have anyone else as my family in this world anymore, probably my father is dead too and unfortunately, not something I wished for... so is Malaes', we all share the same pain, don't we Malaes? " Yesdar didn't hold back the feelings. 

Griswa's eyes widened, he thought in his mind, "Not bad, kid."

Malaes wasn't in the cave anymore, Yesdar looked left and right and called out her name twice and thought where did she go all of a sudden. Malaes came back to the cave after a while, turned out she was collecting some old clothes, and the food grain bags which were tied to Silyahun's body, she thought they might be useful in the journey. 

And lastly, she had collected the baby dragon that was born a few days back, Griswa and Yesdar glanced at the dragon, the dragon that had taken a liking to Griswa.

"Don't you wanna find this Ehayor guy?" Malaes asked the both of them.

"We do!" came the reply from them.

"Then start getting ready, go wash yourselves and change your clothes, you guys stink. I'll go after you." Malaes teased them. 

They did as she asked to. Malaes had some lone time in the oasis to wash out her pain a little more, to move on and attain peace. The day passed by and as the night came, she couldn't sleep as she was remembering everyone in the stars gazing at them, like she would with Sivera. Griswa and Yesdar noticed her, they didn't sleep too, but they let her have her space with no interference. Yesdar was trying to resist his body ache.

As the dawn broke, they all packed up already, waving their goodbyes to the chasm. Malaes showed a shortcut climb out of the chasm from the insides which she had discovered long before, but she never went out using it because Sivera had asked her not to. 

The Orangish Yigritha of the dawn rose higher, they all walked towards it, not knowing where to go but keeping a purpose in mind. Malaes was always walking ahead of the two boys, maybe she was hiding her tears.

"You don't think she has forgotten, do you?" Yesdar asked Griswa as they reached the crest of a violet-sand dune, Malaes had already gone down and continued walking. Griswa said confirming, "No, she is just hiding her tears."

"Yesdar, remember I said you, I lacked a dream?" Griswa continued asking Yesdar, his vision rising at the orange sun.

"Yes, what about it?" Yesdar replied.

"I know about Sivera's dream, not even Malaes does." continued Griswa, his eyes falling on the silhouette of Malaes as she continued walking.

"What is it?" Yesdar, eager to know.

Griswa looked back at the sun, his face lightened up as his colorful eyes reflected with sun and colorful sands, his expressions of anger mixed with determination and resilience, "I'll make Sivera's dream my dream... I'll free this world from the Yahunyens, for you, for her, for Sivera... and for that old meat man, FOR EVERYONE... that Yesdar, is...

MY DREAM." 

Pronunciations:

Skaar: [SCAR] (duh!)

Hezick: [HEY]+[ZIK]+[KH]

Frezihan: [FREY]+[ZEE]+[HAAN]

Xionziveras: [EGG]+[ZIYAN]+[ZEE]+[VEY]+[RAAZ]

Ehayor: [EE]+[HAA]+[YAWR]