Roger was close behind Terrance, but said nothing. His cloak or head looked downwards. Roger could almost sense the deep thought. Then Terrance felt something odd on his cloak. Enigma's hands were nearly clasped tightly on his cloak. Roger was confused at this movement, but Enigma opened his eyes. "This is the answer of why there is life in you even after death," Enigma said, "Life killed you so young that you never had time to wonder about yourself nor find yourself, all there is a sense of maturity from you, in truth you're a 16 year old still wondering around for 300 years...this will be your greatest journey of time finding who you are not why you're dead or why you we given life after death."
Terrance had been so deep in thought that he barely noticed the hand that gripped his cloak, he turned and found Enigma grasping it, Terrance was surprised, Roger seemed just as surprised. "This is the answer of why there is life in you even after death," Enigma said, "Life killed you so young that you never had time to wonder about yourself nor find yourself, all there is a sense of maturity from you, in truth you're a 16 year old still wondering around for 300 years...this will be your greatest journey of time finding who you are not why you're dead or why you we given life after death." Somewhere in his soul a glimmer shined through, it even brought tears to his eye... sockets, that is if he had any tear glands. "That's deep man," his voice cracked a bit, "if you're the prophet, or a prophet, then I gotta say, you do just too damn good at your job. Who knows though, maybe this will be my last crusade."
Enigma stared at him. "I'm sure when you were sixteen and you thought this was your last crusade," Enigma said, "But life brought you a surprise and it may again, maybe you shouldn't look at as the end, but look at as another journey...true death is but another journey." Enigma stared at him. "I don't like the word prophet makes someone sound higher then everyone else," Enigma said, "Universal guidance is what it should be called not prophecy because even prophecies can be changed. And that is why you lock all prophecies in a library so the knowledge doesn't leak out and people think it's set in stone...nothing is set in stone, nothing so why are our futures? And why do we seek the easy way of nothing our life? Life is a journey and a mission to continue to live and we should never seek the future for the easy way of knowing...that is why you also should never seek the future for the easy way of knowing...make the best of whatever life you have now."
"I don't like the word prophet makes someone sound higher then everyone else," Enigma said, "Universal guidance is what it should be called not prophecy because even prophecies can be changed. And that is why you lock all prophecies in a library so the knowledge doesn't leak out and people think it's set in stone...nothing is set in stone, nothing so why are our futures? And why do we seek the easy way of nothing our life? Life is a journey and a mission to continue to live and we should never seek the future for the easy way of knowing...that is why you also should never seek the future for the easy way of knowing...make the best of whatever life you have now." Marcus looked over to Enigma and thought,"He is right. Prophecies can always be changed if leaked out to people concerning them. He seems to read our minds." Looking over to Terrence he thought, "Whatever you do shall not stop me from killing." He had correctly remembered the day all had happened. Terrence did not know what it was like. He does not know that until there are criminals in this world, innocents will never be happy. Criminals who can never be improved deserve death. Criminals who commit crimes for fun deserve nothing but death. Death is the ultimate solution. Death and only death.
Britney stretched awake as the others were piling out of the van. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she yawned. Despite her ungraceful waking, her slightly puffy eyes, she still held all the poise of a princess. Britney got out of the van a little clumsily. Fell, actually, but that didn’t keep her from smiling. She looked up at the tower in front of her, its glittering walls catching her eye. “Oh, it’s so beautiful!” she said. Jules jumped out of the driver’s seat and slammed the door with enough force to make the van rock. She stared up at the tower, shimmering in the light. Oh my gauche!, she thought. Jules snorted at the joke only she heard. I’m so punny. She found herself inadvertently following the others who walked alongside the huge building. Just before her were Terrance, Marcus, and Roger, with Enigma in tow. Some deep conversation was going on, and Jules rolled her eyes, protesting her ears not to hear. “Who knows though, maybe this will be my last crusade." Her palm met her head with the smack felt ‘round the world. Jules was stronger than she realized, and it actually kind of hurt. Jules rolled her eyes so far back in her head, she could see her brains. That’s what it felt like anyway. The combination of the hit and the dizziness she brought on herself made her lose her balance, and Jules fell to the ground, her arms flailing to her side rather than out in front to catch her fall. "I don't like the word prophet makes someone sound higher then everyone else," Enigma said, "Universal guidance is what it should be called not prophecy because even prophecies can be changed. And that is why you lock all prophecies in a library so the knowledge doesn't leak out and people think it's set in stone... Jules, face firmly planted in the ground, didn’t bother attempting to tune out the weird kid. She lifted her head, face covered in dirt, and finally just listened. nothing is set in stone, nothing so why are our futures? And why do we seek the easy way of nothing our life? Life is a journey and a mission to continue to live and we should never seek the future for the easy way of knowing...that is why you also should never seek the future for the easy way of knowing...make the best of whatever life you have now." It was too real, and she couldn’t deal with it. Jules got up, turned on her heel and walked in the other direction. Then, she stopped. I don’t care if I see my demise, she thought. I haven’t cared about that for years. I’ll keep going if it means restarting time. I’ll keep going… She would read any book if it would give her the answers she needed to restart time.
"I'm sure when you were sixteen and you thought this was your last crusade," Enigma said, "But life brought you a surprise and it may again, maybe you shouldn't look at as the end, but look at as another journey...true death is but another journey." Enigma stared at him. "I don't like the word prophet makes someone sound higher then everyone else," Enigma said, "Universal guidance is what it should be called not prophecy because even prophecies can be changed. And that is why you lock all prophecies in a library so the knowledge doesn't leak out and people think it's set in stone...nothing is set in stone, nothing so why are our futures? And why do we seek the easy way of nothing our life? Life is a journey and a mission to continue to live and we should never seek the future for the easy way of knowing...that is why you also should never seek the future for the easy way of knowing...make the best of whatever life you have now." "I again find your words deep and enlightening," he said while continuing his walk, "I digress, a title like prophet, or any title, is just a title to show the significance of someone, and it adds more weight to the knowledge and enlightenment one has. You're strong Enigma, to bear such a burden as prophet, knowledge keeper, fate teller, whatever you desire. Whatever lies within here changes fate as we know it, yet I'm sure that eons ago this was decided to happen, if we decide to leave we could change it, or maybe it was still foretold in legend. Sorry, I'm losing myself here, thoughts tend to make me over evaluate." "Whatever you do shall not stop me from killing." Terrance stopped and sighed, "I have already said my piece, do whatever you want, in the end you're only destroying yourself, and you're no better than the murderers if you bring yourself to their level."
Scott hopped out of the van and stretched his legs and wings. Normally he wouldn't stay with a group for this long -- his usual strategy was to mooch a few crumbs of bread off the more compassionate then fly on out -- but how could he abandon a group in which he was so clearly welcome amongst the female company? Besides, the old man was the only one he had ever met that could speak Duck, so that was another plus. Of course, the group was filled with weirdos. Potentially deadly weirdos. That kid particularly worried him. Sure he was young, but he clearly had too much power and too little inhibition. Then there was that guy who traveled in the trunk -- he seemed too pale and skinny to be normal. And that guy who slept all the time. Why were they even bringing him along? Even the womenfolk seemed dangerous: the redhead carried a sword and knew how to cook duck (a worrisome combination), and there was something ethereal about the blond. In fact, come to think of it, there wasn't a single person among them who seemed entirely "normal" or "safe." Scott swore. ("This was such a bad idea. I'm going to end up roasted on a spit; I just know it. I should have stayed home.") He looked around. No ponds, rivers, lakes, or any other good duck habitats as far as he could see. And the van had ruined his sense of direction -- there was no going back. He swore again. ("Looks like I'm stuck with them,") he grumbled.
No one had seemed to complain when Flint had kept moving with them. When asked, he simply said he needed to make sure he was paid for the chair, and that he was already going in this direction. In all reality, he had nowhere else to go. During the trip he had made a few tools with junk parts he had bartered for in the town, and had cobbled together a working set of power tools and a saw. As a joke, he made a little harness for the duck everyone seemed so fond of, with a leash coming off the back and a little bell on the front. After he got bored, he fell asleep in the back seat. He figured someone would wake him up if they went somewhere significant.
Enigma stared at Terrance only think of the face inside the hooded abyss. He smiled and closed his eyes. Roger pushed his way through Terrance and stood close to the door of the tower. "As Jules had blatantly yelled and how obvious Enigma just acted now," Roger said, "Enigma is the prophet of one thousand years, you'll have many questions answer, many questions revealed, and you will be getting some food...welcome to the Prophet's Tower."
"As Jules had blatantly yelled and how obvious Enigma just acted now," Roger said, "Enigma is the prophet of one thousand years, you'll have many questions answer, many questions revealed, and you will be getting some food...welcome to the Prophet's Tower." "Well dude's got a pretty sweet pad I'd say. So, lets unlock the doors and walk on through."
After what seemed to be just a few minutes of traveling, Aves slept the whole way, the group arrived at a massive tower. It seemed that the tower was pretty important, and as soon as they stopped everyone got out of the van, even the duck, leaving Aves all alone, unable to move. ("Hey ducky, don't you dare run away now. You owe me your life, and at the cost of my chair, I expect you to repay me. Because otherwise... Kaethe over there can make a wonderful duck soup.") Aves communicated with a grin. He probably wouldn't really eat the duck, but it made a convincing argument. Aves looked around for someone to help him out of the van and into his chair when he noticed that the drive mechanic was still in the van, sleeping. "Hey, uh, Flint. Wake up, it seems we've arrived at wherever we're going. And it sounds like they have food. Mind helping an old man into his chair?"
Ted grumbled as he woke. Hey, uh, Flint. Wake up, it seems we've arrived at wherever we're going. And it sounds like they have food. Mind helping an old man into his chair? "Sure, supposing you'll add it to the growing list of debts... especially considering that I procured some tools to fully repair your chair." Ted assisted the old man into his chair, and walked towards the tower.
Roger nodded and opened the doors of the tower. Roger stared at the creatures whom they encountered in the very beginning. "These aren't criminals...a group of Time Heroes," Roger said, "And the one to take the map is now in this group as well, someone go make something, we'll be placing the map where it belongs."
Kaethe stepped out of the van, gazing up at the glittering tower in awe; That was alot of jewels. She slowly folled the group, hearing their conversation, but not really listening to it. All she managed to gather was that Enigma was the prophet and they were about to get food and answers. The news that Enigma was the prophet didn't really suprise her, it all made sense. She just hated hasty assumptions, like the one Jules had made. hasty assumptions had a habit of leading you down the wrong path, and she had already done that too many times. She couldn't afford those kinds of mistakes now. her thoughts turned to her brother, what if this was a big mistake? what if following these people and helping these people would do nothing to aid her in her search for Jasper? Their alligence was fragile; everyone wanted similar things, and that could tar them apart in an instant. What if this turned out to be a wild goose chase? It's not like she had much evidence to go by...and every moment made Jasper's trail grow colder an colder. and it was barely there to begin with. She buried her face in her hands tears pricking at her eyes. Why the hell did you take him!?! she screamed inside her head and she fought down the tears that were threatning to engulf her.
The doors opened and they encountered the locust men from before, Terrance took no stand though. He knew the right words would be said. "These aren't criminals...a group of Time Heroes," Roger said, "And the one to take the map is now in this group as well, someone go make something, we'll be placing the map where it belongs." Apparently he was correct, and the locusts flew off. He started walking inside when he saw Kaethe with her hands buried in her face. Something was amiss, he walked over to her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, "Everything alright Kaethe?"
Still staring at the beautiful tower, Britney walked forward. She tripped on something blocking her way. “Ah!” she yelled on her way down. She twisted on the ground, and saw the duck, it’s feathers ruffled from her tumble over it. “Oh, ducky!” she said in a baby voice. She smiled and reached over, grabbing the duck and bringing it in for a hug. She drew it away, and looked in its eyes. It seemed to be so full of thought. The others were headed to the gates, so with the duck in tow, Britney hurried to catch up with them.
"Everything alright Kaethe?" She looked up with a start as a hand touched her shoulder. She turned to see Terrance standing there, concern coloring his voice. She tried to smile but she couldn't. She wanted to say yes and act all calm and cheerful and such, but she couldn't. She was too worried and scared. She missed Jasper too much. "No...I miss him to much." She fought against the tears again, and she knew Terrance had no clue who she was talking about, but it still felt good to say it.
Roger felt a push on his chest. "You can put me down," Enigma said. Roger put down Enigma and now Enigma was walking on the cool ground on pale bare feet. He stared at the group and walked over to Rogue. Enigma stuck out his hand. "Map please," Enigma said. Rogue handed him the map without an utter. Enigma handed the map to Roger and Roger nodded. Roger walked off and left to place the map into the map room. Enigma smiled at the group. The group felt an almost odd feeling when the child smiled and they found it odd how no matter how much the child spoke his lips never moved. "The dining hall is down that way," Enigma said pointing down towards a hall, "Shall we go?"
"No...I miss him to much." She fought against tears. "You've lost someone very dear to you," he had sorrow in his voice, "I'm not sure if you lost him to the road, or to the grave, either way, I'm sorry for your loss." He looked down to his robe, and grasped part of the end, he tore off a small piece of it and handed it to Kaethe, "There is no shame in tears, if you keep it bottled up it will only worsen your condition, its better to do it now where we have time, then in the heat of battle," she looked at the cloth questionally, "don't worry about this, the robe is fairly new, you think I'd wear the same thing for 300 years? Times do change, whether time stands still or not." "The dining hall is down that way," Enigma said pointing down towards a hall, "Shall we go?" "I'm sure your hungry, we should get you something to fill you up. I'm also sure that the food will make you feel better."
"The dining hall is down that way," Enigma said pointing down towards a hall, "Shall we go?" Jules followed them in the building, glancing at Enigma as she passed by. The kid was creepy, no doubt about that, but something about him reminded her of… her brother. The thought finished despite her resistance. She shook her head, but the image remained. Enigma didn’t really resemble her brother physically. Same sleepiness, always a little bit sickly perhaps, but no man in the Camden house ever wore a dress. Enigma just looked that age – the same age Jason was when he… died. Jules looked up, pretended to gaze upon the ceiling. Years of study, devoted for one reason, for one person, wasted, useless. Jules couldn’t cure him, and she couldn’t…. She rolled her hand into a tight fist, kept it firmly by her side.
"There is no shame in tears, if you keep it bottled up it will only worsen your condition, its better to do it now where we have time, then in the heat of battle," she looked at the cloth questionally, "don't worry about this, the robe is fairly new, you think I'd wear the same thing for 300 years? Times do change, whether time stands still or not." "I'm sure your hungry, we should get you something to fill you up. I'm also sure that the food will make you feel better." She looked up at him, and felt the tears rolling down her cheeks at the kindness he was showing her. Taking the cloth she wiped her face and managed a watery smile at Terrance. "maybe some food will help a little."
Enigma slowed down because he could feel tensions in the air. He slipped beside Jules and took his cold hands and unfolded her hands. "There was no wasted effort at all, it was an effort met with a terrible consequence, but I think the thing he will always remember is the struggle and fight you put for him," Enigma said, "You did him proud and I am sure that is what his last thoughts were, how much he loved you, and how much you were his driving force, don't push yourself to hard, and don't hate yourself so much for you it...you were a wonderful role model to him I am sure." Enigma nodded and then he stared at Rogue. And Rogue gave a cold glare back, but he nodded and seemed to understand. Enigma stared back at Jules and smiled. "Now you know where your hard shell comes from," Enigma said. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rogue walked off and ended beside Terrance. He over heard Keathe say she missed him and it reminded him of something. He wanted to say something, but wasn't sure what to say social situations were never his thing. "I..I understand about losing someone," Rogue managed to say. Rogue looked back as Enigma's eyes gazed towards him a second time. This is what Enigma wanted him to do socialize with the group instead of being the outcast. "They took him away, so I understand," Rogue said.
"maybe some food will help a little." He smiled at her reply, tears rolled along her face which she wiped away. "That's the answer I wanted to hear, don't worry though, I'm sure you'll find whoever you're looking for. Now come on, let's get you something to eat." He started to nudge her towards the dining hall. "I..I understand about losing someone," Rogue managed to say. He turned to see Rogue, and Terrance raised a questioning eye socket. "They took him away, so I understand," Rogue said. "Took who?" he turned to Kaethe for a moment, "you also never told me who you lost," he looked at both of them, "so who did you both lose?"
"That's the answer I wanted to hear, don't worry though, I'm sure you'll find whoever you're looking for. Now come on, let's get you something to eat." He started to nudge her towards the dining hall. "I..I understand about losing someone," Rogue managed to say. He turned to see Rogue, and Terrance raised a questioning eye socket. "They took him away, so I understand," Rogue said. "Took who?" he turned to Kaethe for a moment, "you also never told me who you lost," he looked at both of them, "so who did you both lose?" She started to walk towards the dining hall but then heard Rogue. She looked at him sadly for a moment, and she could tell by his eyes that he understood almost exactly how she felt. "Who did you lose?" she muttered echoing Terrances words.
He slipped beside Jules and took his cold hands and unfolded her hands. Jules sucked in the air, and it was suddenly very cold. A shiver ran up her arm and back down her spine. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end. If he looked creepy, this kid was even creepier to the touch. "There was no wasted effort at all, it was an effort met with a terrible consequence, but I think the thing he will always remember is the struggle and fight you put for him," Enigma said, "You did him proud and I am sure that is what his last thoughts were, how much he loved you, and how much you were his driving force, don't push yourself to hard, and don't hate yourself so much for you it...you were a wonderful role model to him I am sure." How the hell does he know that? she thought. Oh, yeah, prophet and all. He looked away momentarily, then turned back. Jules frowned at his smile, and looked at the floor. "Now you know where your hard shell comes from," Enigma said. She clenched her jaw, anger boiling, but she couldn’t deny such an easily deduced conclusion. She kept her palms open and relaxed. Jules looked around to make sure no one had been listening in. She nodded at Enigma, showing she understood him clearly. It was all rather civil, if lacking in warmth. “So, the dining hall is this way,” she said, hoping that tactlessness of the subject change didn’t affect things poorly.
