The Clock

We walked along the busy street to find a bigger inn. In this place, time was of no importance. Night or day, it was the same. Darkness endured in the sky. Inflicted by Helcurt's curse in the entire Land of Dawn, the Barren Lands was never an exception.

"When can we ever see the light again?" Ellie sighed, with her robot following right after her.

"It's been a long time, Ellie. But do not lose hope. You see this place, right? The Barren Lands, before Helcurt's curse took effect, had been barren already for time unknown. And when darkness took over, there was no difference. Dark or not, barren or not, all the villagers still survive," Benedetta argued.

"Unless Helcurt kills us all," Ellie sighed again.

"That will not happen," Benedetta urged.

"And why is that?" Ellie, curious.

"Because I say so," Benedetta, with a laugh to make her point humorous.

"Okay, I think this is good for all of us," I interrupted their conversation, having found what we've been looking for. It was an inn with a sign posted outside that reads "Barren No More! Experience Heaven in This Inn. All Lives Matter. All Are Welcome. As Long as You Pay Twilight Coins on Time! Cats Not Allowed."

"You sure about this, Super Minion?" inquired Benedetta. "It looks like the landlord is afraid of cats."

"We'll see," I said, as I started knocking the door.

Suddenly, a tiny voice shouted from the inside. "Do you have any cat with you?"

"Ahm. No," I replied.

"Good! Come in!" the voice instructed.

As we opened the door, the sparkling colors and distinctive design immediately caught our eyes. The blue-themed inn was a combination of night sky, blended with stars, moon and planets, floating in ceilings and engraved in walls.

So this is heaven. I thought.

"Hoot hoot! Welcome to my inn! Horology is my craft! Diggie is my name!" the landlord said. But these girls didn't seem to notice him.

"Whoa! This is so beautiful!" Ellie exclaimed. "This is the perfect inn!"

The landlord cleared his throat to get their attention. "Excuse me, ladies and hooded gentleman over there! But I think we need to settle the terms first!"

"Oh! Hi there, Diggie!" Benedetta went to greet him. "We are definitely staying here! That hooded gentleman over there? He's my boss. And he got a lot of twilight coins. Even his eyes are made of gold," whispered Benedetta to him.

The landlord Diggie seemed to be amazed.

"I heard you, Benedetta," I said.

Oh come on girls, we still have to check if we can afford this inn. Sounds expensive to me. I said in my mind.

"How much for a month?" I asked Diggie.

"A month would be long, mage. Your clock says you are leaving by tomorrow," Diggie replied.

"What do you mean 'my clock'? And have we met before?"

He flapped his wings to come near me.

"Hmmn. You will know that I have said so."

Then he looked at my two little companions and said, "Come, let me show you my precious."

This Diggie. It seemed he knew many things. I thought.

We followed him as he led us into our room.

The room suited well the tastes of these two little girls. It was more of a kids' room by design. Glass walls, big and soft star pillows, crescent-shaped beds that looked like a living moon, a huge clock with a sun face, lampshades hanging in a tree, and chirping wooden birds all around the place.

It was also at the topmost portion of the inn. With no visible ceiling, the dark sky can be seen directly above us. And Diggie's magical stars floating freely in the air.

"Don't worry. A fragment of Athena's Shield protects this room. No one can harm you. And of course, it will not rain. The Barren Land doesn't even know what rain is," Diggie grinned.

"Okay, so how much?" I asked again.

"You were right when you thought this was expensive."

"How could you--"

"Read your mind? How I read your mind is not important. Your Fleeting Time. Drop it, in exchange of my Athena's Shield."

"What? A barter as a form of payment?"

"Not as a form of payment. Accept this as a form of help. I know you will be reluctant in handing out one of your treasured magical weapon. But trust me, Vale. You don't need it as of the moment."

How did he know my name? I wondered. Then I got confused. I was thinking if the switch of items would offer a better build. Magic Defense Shield? What for? I thought.

"Okay. It seemed you still won't turnover your item. I take back my words. Consider it as a form of payment then. Hand it over, or all of you will leave now," Diggie insisted.

Benedetta and Ellie suddenly stopped from wandering around. It seemed like this decision would be a matter of life and death for them.

"Okay. Let's exchange. Fine with me."

"And one more thing, Vale," Diggie said. "You may think I'm weird. And I know you have lots of questions."

"You're good. You caught me on that one," I jokingly said.

"Well, have you heard about the Twilight Orb?"

"Twilight Orb? Yes, I heard of that one before. A common childhood tale."

"If you find yourself asking some questions no one could ever answer, ask the Twilight Orb. You have three questions, Vale. And it will give you three exact answers. The Orb could never go wrong."

"But it is just a myth. It's not even real."

"And so is Helcurt. It started with a myth. But now we see a living myth in front us."

"What are you saying, Diggie?"

Diggie looked up and said, "Do you see the sky? I see you right up there. Above. Up and above. Before you die."

"Who are you Diggie? Who are you? Why do you know me? And why are you telling me these things?!" I asked and held him furiously, with a sharp wind accidentally making a thin cut on his cheek.

"Those eyes, do you know why they turn gold every time you're upset?" asked Diggie.

I released him from my grip. "I'm sorry."

"I am an old hero, Vale. The Clock, they say. As old as time perhaps. And the only hero yet, that never dies. Every time I'm killed, I would turn myself into an egg, and after a full new season, reborn again."

The revelation hit me. So heroes like Diggie exist? I asked myself.

"Yes. I exist. They say tales about me are myths. But look at me. You can touch me. You can see me. You can hear me," gestured Diggie. "I was there when the secrets of the Twilight Orb were revealed. I was there when the first Turtle was slain," Diggie said, his magical robe now glowing and sparking beams of blue light.

And every time Diggie spoke, the transparent, magical ceiling would transform itself into pictures and series of old, important events about him.

"I co-founded the Magic Academy. I wrote the Book of Equipments and co-authored the Book of Builds. Later, I would become an inventor. Because way back then, items were few. And some needed revamps to customize the need of the caster.

"Do you wonder who invented Fleeting Time? Clock of Destiny? Yes, I agree with what your mind is saying. They were all my masterpiece. For decades I was hunted, and so I always put Time Bombs everywhere to get rid of my enemies.

"But I never gave up on my passion. And I used my research primarily for developing items that focused on cool-down reduction. But here goes the Dark Empire's quest for Immortality."

"You invented the item Immortality?!"

"Yes. Eventually. Three hundred years later... with a knife pointed on my throat. But after the Dark Empire took advantage of my invention, they exiled me here. To struggle just like the others.

"But with an unlimited life, I had nothing else to do. The Land of Dawn needed someone that can create new innovative ideas. Someone that can challenge existing rules and defy existing laws of knowledge. And I chose to be that someone. I had to invest my whole time learning for knowledge. To devote my entire life for science and magic. I believe these two are the pillars of this land."

"Knowledge is wielded by time. And so is magic," I said. "Our body may grow or weaken, but knowledge and magic are as strong as time itself. These are the principles I've learned from the Magic Academy. By chance, are you the one who wrote it?"

"You said so. Well, maybe this was my purpose. Maybe this was the reason I have to be alive all the time and not die. For our paths to cross. I believe it's up to you now, Vale. I have done my part."

"I don't know what to say. I am overwhelmed. But thank you," I replied.

"Well, just enjoy the night, Wind Mage. Savor the calm before the storm."

Then Diggie faced the girls who were amazed by the different events portrayed on the ceiling. "Alright. Enough bedtime stories. We're all settled here. And young human girl, before you leave for work tomorrow, you must bring your old robot with you, understand?"

"Aye-aye, Captain!" Ellie agreed, now merrily enjoying her moon-shaped bed.

"And Benedetta, I see a strong character in you. Can you assure me you won't give up on your dreams? Here, take this," Diggie, as he handed over an item to Benedetta.

"What is this, Master Diggie?" Benedetta asked.

"My new invention. And please don't let everyone see it. It's our secret," grinned Diggie before walking out of the room and heading downstairs.