Tempus Fugit

 

Three…

Two…

One…

One…

One…

Mortals. Celebrating the passage of time every full cycle around their star. Such foolish practice. Do they not realize that time is irrelevant?

They are not able to fully grasp the force that controls their lives. I should just stop it forever, even if it goes against God’s wishes.  He should consider this as a merciful act for his creation. Leaving everything still as a painting so it cannot reach its obvious demise.

-          You sure you want to stop everything at this moment?

-          What? Who are you?

-          I’m Emily! Nice to meet you.

-          Emily? A human? How did you get here? It should be impossible!

-          Well, the door was unlocked, and I let myself in.

-          The door? These are the Halls of Time! Not a lot are able to enter here! Who are you and how did you get here?

-          Emily, Death and like I said, the door was unlocked so I let myself in.

-          Death? You’re not my brot… oh, I see. You’re the second one, the replacement. What do you want?

-          How rude! I just heard this place existed and I thought I could make a little visit. You know, the new hire getting to know the whole “office”.

-          Well, you have seen this place. Now you can go.

-          But you didn’t introduce yourself yet.

-          Fine. I’m Tempus, guardian of time. Now go.

-          What do you do here?

-          I watch over the fabric of time and make sure everything nothing goes wrong. Now go. I want some solitude.

-          Come on… Talk a little with me about your job and after that I’ll leave you alone. Promise.

-          Fine. Anything to get rid of you.

-          So… something can go wrong with the fabric of time?

-          Yes. The more it grows, the more it can become susceptible to anomalies. Some anomalies can become dangerous and destroy the fabric itself.

-          What counts as an anomaly?

-          Anything that does not follow the normal passage of time in a specific location. Time flowing faster, slower, in reverse or it completely stops.

-          Would an immortal human count as an anomaly?

-          Yes, and I think I know who you are referring to. He is the only anomaly that cannot be fixed, but the only one that does not affect the fabric of time. I was with Death when the immortal came into existence. We were so surprised that we started to laugh.

-          Sounds like it was a fun moment.

-          Yes, yes it was. But nevermore.

-          You miss him, don’t you?

-          I do. He used to visit me so often and tell me stories. Back then the Halls of Time were much more alive, but after he disappeared the place got darker and colder.

-          And with it, you became lonely and colder. Maybe he had a good reason to go. Considering that had happened.

-          What he did was selfish and reckless. Why, because of a mere mortal that got to him? And then he disappeared like a little kid to hide from what he did.

-          He was afraid.

-          He was afraid? What about me? What he did could have created such a temporal anomaly that the fabric of time would have been destroyed in an instance and killed me. I’m almost one with the fabric of time. The moment it is gone I start to die. I am not just guarding it I am also making sure I continue to live. Imagine your own brother killing you because of a stupid mistake.

-          Don’t you think he also realized this? Don’t you think he was afraid you would not forgive him?

-          He knows me better than that! I love him and I would have forgiven him.

-          Maybe he could not forgive himself for what he did.

-          But he didn’t have to go and leave me alone. I could have helped him with the aftermath.

-          It must be horrible to be all alone.

-          It’s heartbreaking.

-          Is this why you stopped time?

-          Yes. I know it’s shameful, but I had enough. This way the mortals would also disappear, and existence will be better for it.

-          Give them a chance.

-          A chance? Why? What’s something good that they ever offered?

-          Hope.

-          Hope?

-          And the willingness to overcome any adversity.

-          You sound just like him.

-          Is that such a bad thing? Your brother love humans, but I think he loved you more.

-          I doubt that.

-          Without you, humans would stop to exist. I bet your brother saw humans as a gift from you and that why he loved them.

-          Fair point.

-          Keeping them alive, as well as yourself, gives a reason to your brother to return.

-          But I feel so alone. Solitude is such a burden and it take a toll on me.

-          I have an idea. Hold out your hands. Here.

-          What is this creature?

-          It’s a puppy.

-          It’s so small. And it has a tendency to lick my face.

-          He does that when he likes you.

-          I admit he is a cute little one.

-          You can keep him. Should help with the loneliness.

-          Thank you.

-          No problem, Tem.

-          Don’t call me that. Only one can call me that. The name is Tempus.

-          Okey dokey, Tem.

-          Don’t… fine. You can have this one, but just because you gave me a puppy.

-          Hihi. So… will you let the flow of time continue?

-          I will.

-          Thank you so much! I must be going then. I might drop in from time to time.

-          You’re welcome anytime.

-          See ya!

-          Bye!

Brother, I do miss you and I hope you’re well where you are and that you will return. You must meet my puppy and I must tell you that I forgave you long ago. You should also meet the blue haired girl. I have a feeling you two would have gotten along very well. She reminds me of you. You share the same joyful spark in your eyes. I will continue to keep watch over what you love and make sure you will find them upon your return.

One…

One…

One…

Happy New Year!