August Daily Writing Challenge Day 1 - Darkness
The Construct gazed out over the ragged landscape and the sweeping darkness of The Maw, fingertips idly tracing the delicate ridges of the soulkeeper crystal he had acquired nearly a year ago. One year was nothing but a speck of dust for one such as ‘C’, yet he had learned so much from this place and the inhabitants, explorers, and even the banished within.
It was here he was met with a Crossroads of sorts, and it was there he still stood with infinite pathways from which to choose - yet he found it difficult to stray from what had already been chosen for him. Chosen for him. Was the feeling of free will just a farce all along? Was he made to choose only this path or did he fully believe in the cause? He wasn’t so certain anymore and his recent conversations had only muddied his thoughts.
“Why do you obey and follow him so blindly?” The feminine voice broke the comfortable silence.
“You are one to speak on having loyal subjects obey blindly.” It was meant to be a tease, yet was delivered more harshly than intended unbeknownst to himself. “This is the reason for my…being. It is my purpose”
“It is dangerous to confuse what you are made to do and what you choose to do. Perhaps you should look inside of yourself more closely and decide if this is your purpose, your life’s path, or someone else’s.”
Her words faded from his thoughts as he clutched the crystal tighter. It was a peculiar ‘acquaintanceship’ the two had formed, especially since his presence directly impeded her penance. Yet she never tried to stop him, at least not physically.
Free will had often been the topic of their brief conversations. It had been weighing on his thoughts for a long time. After being a part of this world and walking among its people for nearly a decade now, The Construct had often found himself questioning everything that had been already present within his mind - and his Master wasn’t always there to remind him of their path. With their presence growing and ever-expanding, C was alone more often than not.
With a fervent expression, he made his way to the portal, through Oribos, and into the Arbiter’s chamber. Unfurling his grip from the soulkeeper crystal, he raised his hand in offering. “I present these souls for your judgement.” There was a wave of euphoria in his defiance, or perhaps over the anticipation of his inevitable chastening. It wouldn’t be the first time he had rebelled for attention. Anyways, he had already retrieved many a soul for Gaebral, perhaps it would provoke a different feeling to do something unexpected.
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