The Ejo Dynasty Part 1

The boy passes out, somewhat relieved. Killing Vitrolica was not the answer to his problems. It was an answer to a different problem, surely, but Atticus still needed to learn how to live comfortably under his own skin. Learning from his mistakes and saving his captain this time, with his own power, was a start. Now at least, the boy could stand on his own legs, and take the time he needed to understand himself.

Reinforcements arrive moments later to carry them back to the Lapse. Resting on his bed, Imperium is surrounded by his teammates. As a still conscious Killerkill recounts the battle against Vitrolica. Franchise, Evangelist, Juice, and Ragnarok. Although worried, there was a strong pride over that sleeping child. It was a feeling that made them want to tell others: “This is my friend! This is Imperium!”

The World’s Strongest Searcher, Imperium.

One week passes and Ejo of Sadness was nowhere to be seen.

He was about 1,80 meters tall and had immense black hair which was carelessly tied together into thick ponytails. There was black rectangular tape over his nose and two other strands, horizontally placed in his forehead, like an equal sign. He also had immensely tired eyes, to the point which it seemed like they hurt. He wore a worn out, dark blue 1700s suit or vest, not pompous at all. Slippering its way around the man`s waist and shoulders was a thick snake-worm, made out of flesh, with a human face. It kept cacking its teeth, trying to please it`s master.

That man was named Ejo, embodiment of Sadness.

— What was it all about? — Ejo thought.

He was outside the Lapse, standing before the white-marble conglomerate. Letting his clothes and hair sway silently in the wind. Even his worm was silent, eyes closed.

— Oh, that’s right…

Ejo sits down. Legs crossed. Hands together. Staring at the grass blades ahead of him.

— Evolution… no… I don’t think it was that deep… Growth…

He nods to himself. That was a far more appropriated word. He was outside the Lapse, yes. But already, completely surrounded. Dozens of squadrons and a lineage of different Searchers ready to strike him down. They knew they could best him, with little to no sacrifices. And more so than that, Ejo knew he had already, in a way, been defeated.

He recalls the day of his birth. The moment he became self-aware. Ejo could breathe, feeling a moisture in the air. A wet, dirty fluffiness in his skin. The strength of his grip against what he knew was called dirt. He was within the soil, struggled to lift himself of the earth he was born in. Shirtless and with disentangled hair, he looks around. Lost, yet found. The chirping of birds, the leaves swaying, the sound and refreshing flow of water not far from him. Life.

— I… am alive.

Lifting himself, he shrugs the dirt off his body. He knew of everything, but also knew nothing. Born with knowledge and without wisdom. But Ejo was a dangerous kind of man, for he had peace and justice in his heart. And those were qualities that could not be taken lightly. His name was Ejo. He didn’t know why, but it sounded right.

— Humans… I am human? — Ejo examines his hand.

The animals inside the massive forest of Depth Three were all peaceful and strangely curious about this naked man aimlessly walking around. Even if these creatures would harm one another as per their nature, Ejo radiated safety. His presence was a safe haven, and all that was living, was very much welcome.

— I don’t feel very human…

It seemed for Ejo, even if he was an new-born, and even if he had never seen a human in his minutes-long life, that he was very different from them. His innate and profound knowledge told him that were was a fundamental flaw that separated him and his dear humans.

Dear, indeed. Even Ejo did not know why he respected and adored this species. Maybe because he was made to their likeness and because he knew so much about them. Love was a word he did not understand but was quite fond off. Maybe, yes, he did love humans.

— Selfishness separates them. Madness destroys them. Illness consumes them.

And Ejo had none of these to slow him down.

— And sadness is all that is left.

If only humans were not plagued by such things. If the binds were only a little bit looser. There could be more room for growth. He could make the world a little better for everyone in it. Ejo did not mean to be a saviour. He knew he wasn’t that capable. He was more of a helper. He wanted that to be the first great act of his life.

— To help others…

Because he felt that in his heart, that he disliked pain. Despised suffering. Ejo enjoyed communion and joyous peace. If it was selfish of him to want the best for others… that was too complex a feeling for him to attempt at grasping. But Ejo knew, for certainty, he did not want to be lonely. What was the point of grace if you had no one to share it with?

— Rise.

With his hand, he generates his own family. Three beings rise from the dirt like him.

— Where the hell am I?

— Eww, gross, gross!

— RECALCULATING MOLECULES!

Ejo had names for them and functions for them. These beings, mildly untouched, with their new-born purity. Slightly less insane at one point in time. They were there to represent the iconic failures of humanity. They were meant to take in those agonies and ease the burden on the nurturing human race. Vessels for these anti-humanity concepts. For Ejo, every little counted.

— But what went wrong then?

Surrounded by the Searchers, Ejo returns to the moment.

— Anti-Human Ejo!! We know everything about you, and we will not allow for even the slightest movement! Surrender now or be killed!!!

— I would like… — Ejo speaks slowly, as to not frighten his captors. — To meet with the ones responsible for the eternal sleep of my family. If possible, that is… I do not want to bother anyone.

Inside the Lapse, a certain group of Searchers is called forth. After the 70 of the 116 Searchers facing Ejo agreed that he was not only telling the truth, but that he also was in no position to battle. On the lounges, a Searcher assigned as guard asks her friend about the passing group.

— That is the Ballada right?

— Yeah… don’t they look different?

— Ever since their captain died, they seem completely different…

A group of six talented searchers. In an isolated room for themselves. A dark office with a large table in the center. The table had an interface displaying an interactable map of the Wetlands. The Captain was a table’s end, standing with her arms over it. Imperium was standing by her right. All the other members were seated across the meeting room.

— The last target is an Anti-Human named Ejo. — Killerkill briefed.