Remnant

There was a time before. I think I remember this. I used to be just of…of whatever we—whatever I am. I have continued. The others were mortal; I should be too. So, whatever I’ve become, I’m not one of them anymore. I’m not one of you either. I’m not one of anything. I’m old yet cannot age; old and alone. My time has come and gone long ago. Still, I persist. You seek wisdom; I don’t know if I can give it, for it is something other than what I have. If you want knowledge though, in these long ages I have seen the coming and going of nations and kings which were once the legends of the legends you know. I was old then too and had seen much more still. I saw an age of magic and an age of steel; they both fell into the desert sands of time. I have seen the forms of things moving under the sun which would hold the blood in your veins still and cleave your mind between madness and cruel comprehension. I slayed the last of those beasts and was bathed in its blood when my sword smote the black thing that was its heart. Then I was young, as you are. I too was helped, I think, and given wisdom.

The thing you seek rides on the air, and you must find its nest. You have searched high, on many mountaintops? That is what brought you to my cave? You will not find it on this summit either, for it is a clever thing. Though it is a master of heaven, it too must die. It burrows down deep into the earth when it is young and changes slowly from a worm into a shell. In its shell, it changes again into the thing you know. It does not lose its affinity, though, for the grave it once occupied. If there were any earthquakes before it came, search there; somewhere there will be a hole. Though you may find that there are many. Some still occupied by dreaming shells.

I see in your eye, you know now where to look. Let me add, then, one warning and another. Be careful when you go down. It may have born children, more worms, by now. They will be hungry. And, there will be other things down there too which eat them. Black shadows made of the dust of burnt bones. They pierce the skin of the infant worms and suck them dry, so you will know the sign if they are near, the shriveled, empty skin of a worm. Very intelligent are the shadowy ones, but without a soul. They will hunt you too. Don’t accept their peace. The worm can be satisfied. They will eat anything, grow fat, and die. The shadows, though, know only ceaseless hunger in the darkness below.

Be off, prince, and save your kingdom. Be a hero. A new world needs heroes.