"It was a tough experience for you," a deep and coarse voice echoed all along the hollow space. "Who …. I want to know who you are?" a being with only the soul left was startled and asked in an anxious tone to the entity who was rather translucent himself.
Why can I see him, hear him and listen to him when I have lost my mortal self, she thought to herself. Is this some sort of trick this being has played on me?
Even if she had met him in her past life, she would have been equally shocked as he was so huge and scary.
"Is this my second life, but what am I to do in this empty space with only my soul remaining. I had a nice nap, something which I could rarely afford previously and the last thing I remember was those memories that flashed before me, " her voice was getting lower as though not wanting to remember any further.
"HA HA HA, A second life? you are quite an amusing being little one. If you wish to know who am I , solve this riddle for me."
She did not have any other option as she wanted to get out of this situation and know what was going on.
He then said in a loud voice so loud that it echoed everywhere in this empty space. This empty place was so quiet that if anyone had appeared in their mortal self they would be able to listen to their heart beat lubb-dubb and blood gushing through their veins. It was so peaceful here. But it was not the time to get distracted as this huge and scary person might ask something beyond my knowledge of my past self.
So the question he asked was:
"Something which is difficult to build between mortals but very easy to break."
What type of question is this, Did I hear it properly.
This was nothing sort of a difficult question for her, she came across many more complex riddles in her past life. It felt as though he was purposely asking this.
It did not take her seconds to know the answer as it was something she experienced it quite well in her past life. Her voice now firm and determined she answered with all her might, TRUST.
"As expected of you little one I knew you would be able to answer it within seconds, Now I shall disclose my identity. I am the keeper of time and known as Lord Linux".
She was astonished for sure, but with only her voice and soul left she asked, "What are you , A KEEPER OF TIME, what is that , It's the first time I have heard of such a thing and you are a Lord meaning you are someone equivalent to the great tree of life, Is that right? and most importantly why would I be here with you ,what am I doing here in such a isolated and hollow place?''.
"Wait for a bit, Little one you have poured on me so many questions, I don't know which to answer first but I can tell you which one I cannot. The one about my identity, little one you are capable now to only hear my name and as to what am I exactly and what is my purpose cannot be answered as THE RIGHT TIME IS YET TO COME".
She patiently listened to this being who kept on calling her little one as at this point of time she was just curious and worried at the same time thinking if this might be a trap. After that betrayal, she had suffered very much and now she could not trust anyone even if someone proclaimed to be a god. But right now, she had no means to attack him as she had lost her spirit core and all the connections she had with her spirits, Aria, Aquella earth and fire spirit.
So, she waited patiently for the translucent being to tell her about the other things.
"MELANIA," he said
It was unfathomable for her to think this being who proclaimed himself to be a God would know her name. But something else blew her wits, her name which she thought she would never hear any more; for there would no one who would remember it, she thought to herself.
She was thrilled as she could hear someone call by her name again. If she was in her mortal form tears would have welled up. Yes, she was the empress of Memoria, the one who was betrayed by the most trusted person and the one who is fired up for revenge but doesn't know what to do.
The keeper of time continued, "You seem as though I would not know your name. Little one you misunderstood; I am the Almighty Linux. How would I not know your name mortal. I am an entity greater than you could imagine. So let me clear your doubts, little one. "
"Firstly I don't know if you remember but a bright light might have shone before you closed your eyes. That was trigger that brought you here. Normally mortals who die are sent to another place which you might call heaven or hell.''
"Wait, you are saying a light was what that brought me here.''
She didn't believe him because there should be something else which brought her here, a spell or something. She was sure about it because a bright light as that is usually a resultant of very high magic spell. She had read about it in those ancient texts preserved by the priests.
"You are just telling me the half-truth right, why are you concealing the truth when you told me you would answer my other questions.''
"WOW! I am amazed Melania at your wisdom. I was just teasing you, ha ha ha....
So listen carefully, the answer lies in the sword which pierced your core. It contained an incantation, one which contained words in alluric language, THE REINCARNATION MAGIC".
"What are you saying, alluric language it was the lost language of our planet, we call the magic derived from it the runic magic. As many texts were lost so we couldn't retrieve the whole meaning and hence use a modified version of it for high level spells.
But what you said after that, reincarnation magic? What is that? It's the first time I am coming across such magic"
"Your reaction is justified, this spell is something which transcends time itself, a complex spell".
I can only think of one person who is capable of making such a complex spell, that good looking fool. We sure came across each other in a rather amusing way, a reincarnation spell. But thinking it is you, I guess this is the best way we could have met. It is the best way to describe you. But for what purpose did you chose to use a complex spell on this mortal and send this mortal to me ? For what purpose, Ah I guess there are some things even I don't know. But I know for sure her journey would surely tell me the purpose. I better keep eye on her. He was in a rather deep thought.
Even Melania noticed it. He then continued…..
"Let me explain you in simple words, this magic allows the one who is dead to be born again. Normally it is impossible for someone who is dead, a soul to travel and deviate from its original path of heaven or hell. You came here as a proof that your soul has taken another route which was impossible in first place, something that time does not allow. Hence you came here to me the keeper of time.''
She was awestruck. She understood how complex of a spell this was. A tier above the high level spells. But who could have done it and for what purpose, those answers are still a mystery to her. If she would be reincarnated she would be able to take her revenge on the ones who betrayed her trust.
She did not enquire further as she had something more important to ask about, more important than being reincarnated..
"I don't know about your journey ahead, where your soul, your destiny will make it's way but I am sure it is going to be tough. For in you that person has placed his trust."
She didn't know about which person the Lord was talking about and knowing his personality up till now he wouldn't disclose it for me.
It was for the first time she talked politely to the almighty being.
She decided to speak her mind, her only one concern.
"Lord Linux, before departing I would want you to listen to my one request, something which I am dying to know."
"But you are already dead, HA HA HA, how many times are you going to die, HA HA HA".
Melania was annoyed by seeing this sort of behaviour, she thought someone of the level of the great tree who is respected by all would be a disciplined person too. She was totally wrong.
Linux continued, "Sure little one I would grant your one request but after that you would fall asleep, as to your destination your soul would know better."
Melania was hesitant but then she spoke confidently as it was related to her only desire , "I want to see the aftermath of Memoria, what has happened to it after I died. You're the lord of time, please show me a glimpse."
Linux then focused a small light, which lit the whole void space, the light which was showcased in the background had a familiar feeling and reminded her about something.
But something seemed different. It took a while for her to figure it out. After realising it ,she screamed, let out a loud voice, before she could ask anything she fell asleep. These were the only sounds that echoed the space after her soul left the void place the Time Palace.
"NOOOOO....."
"What is this? How did it even come to this?"