Chapter 351: Zach and Ryun

Chapter 351: Zach and Ryun

Past Recall

Zach

Zach sat in a lavish room, Naha at his side. Across from him sat Ryun Nacht, the man whose name Zach had taken such pain to preserve, alongside Nahas. Carving it into the mountains, into stone. There had been a lot of there, the ramblings of a dwindling mind. Many things he still didnt understand, others he lacked context for. But now, he had an opportunity to learn more.

You dont remember anything before Hastur captured us? Ryun asked slowly.

The woman sitting next to RyunErdanianudged him.

We told you about it, she said.

She and the rest knew, not everything. He hadnt been in any real shape to communicate back then. Ryun had been dead, so Zach understood him wanting to learn.

For a moment, he wondered why she was here. But then again, Zach had brought Naha. Mostly because he still needed her to keep him anchored. Just because he had rectified his issues, it did not mean that it had all been fixed overnight. He still spaced out, got obsessed over various Aspects. Even now he was having trouble not turning all of his attention on Ryun, or rather the power inside of him. He couldnt feel it, not exactly. It was his skill, |I Focused And Saw All Flaws|. It didnt just show him the flaws in the world around him, it also let him glimpse things beyond what was ordinarily apparent. Why or how, he didnt quite understand yet. Perhaps all of existence had some innate flaws to it that he could detect, or perhaps he was mad and imagining thing. Regardless, he pulled his mind away from those thoughts with an effort.

The silence had stretched almost uncomfortably, so Zach spoke.

No, not in the manner you are thinking, Zach said, then because he didnt want for any misunderstandings, he explained to him what had happened to him. He didnt go into details, of course. He just told them that he had seen through Hasturs illusion, and that the Dome Leader had wanted to torture him with eternity for it. Zach didnt actually remember that, he had read it in the stone. He told them of all the time he had spent alone, and how he had lost himself.

Well, Erdania started. I am grateful that youve managed to overcome it. You saved all of our lives.

Ryun on the other hand had a different look on his face. So much time, he said almost wistfully. Such an opportunity is

A horrible thing to happen to anyone, Erdania interrupted.

Ryun paused, but didnt respond. Zach could see that he didnt share the same sentiment. In some ways, Zach didnt either. He had gained the power he held because of it.

You wanted to talk with me, Ryun said. What about?

I want you to tell me about us, Zach said. Who we were to each other, what happened on Earth, everything.

Naha had told him what she knew, which was what he had told her before. He didnt know how much his hate had tainted the story he told her, but he would like to know both sides.

Ryun tilted his head, his expression wary.

Oh, Erdania spoke. This is going to be that kind of a conversation then.

As Zach turned to look at her, she leaned over the table and pulled out glasses and a bottle of something dark. She stood up and slowly, with great care and grace poured each glass while humming softly. There was something about the act that echoed to him, a calmness that settled in his bones. Everyone around the table was almost entranced by it.

Come now, she said and gestured. Drink up.

Once they had walked for a few minutes, she spoke.

How are you feeling?

I am well, he said. You dont need to worry.

I always worry about you.

I know, he smiled at her.

Did you find what you were looking for?

I did, Zach said slowly.

You know, Naha started slowly. You couldve punished him for what happened back then.

If I was this strong back then, yes, Zach said slowly. But the River of Time moves only onward, what has passed had been etched in the banks of the river far behind its first wave, it is history. And he has shown the capacity for good. And life is precious.

Naha nodded her head, and didnt say anything more for a few more minutes. Then she spoke up again.

What now?

Now, Zach looked at the sky as they left the mountain side. Now we will do as Hitor had asked of us. Lets see if we can find and gather Wardens.

Ryun

As soon as Zach left the room, it was as if the air suddenly become lighter. Ryun let himself relax. He had seen Zachs power when they fought Hastur, but now There was so much power around him that it almost stifled the Essence surrounding him. And there was something strange that he could see with his sight. An Essence that almost seemed to be anchored on him.

You alright? Erdania asked him.

Thank you for being here, he told her. When you told me that he had no memory, I wondered what I would face. But this this is good.

Good how? She asked.

He is the same, Ryun said with a sad smile. He had just lost the naivety of youth. Of trying to be a hero and save the entire world.

And he is much stronger, Erdania said.

Yes, Ryun smiled now, a deep void opening inside of him. An old sensation that he had nearly forgotten. You know, He started slowly. When I came to this world and encountered people that were stronger than me, I was never really in awe of them. They, you, were all so much older you see. You had time to get your power, and I knew that I would grow and reach and eclipse them eventually. It was never a question of if, but when for me. And now He is strong, someone who is the same age as me, someone worthy. Ah I needed this, to push me more, harder. I need to get stronger.

Just like that? Erdania smiled at him.

Yes, Ryun said slowly. But inside, he was glad. He had advanced, but there was more to power than just advancement. He wanted to stand at the peak, to grasp all the power that he possibly could. To most, his advancement would seem too fast, but those were their scales and their ideas about what growth should look like. He never accepted that as truth. His Path was his own, and he would grow beyond his once friend, beyond everyone.