Loss

Beneath the cerulean dome of the sky, Sygm and I embark on a journey across the expansive plain, mounted upon our equine companions, stalwart beings of contrasting hues. The alabaster coat of my mount contrasts with the ebony elegance of Sygm's. The rhythmic gallop of hooves resonates like a primal heartbeat, uniting us with the very rhythm of the land.

Sygm's ride is marked by a deliberate pace. The warmth of the sun bathes us in its embrace, casting our shadows across the canvas of the plain. Despite her body's faltering, her resolve remains unbroken, a testament to her strength in the face of adversity. It's a scene that evokes a sense of timelessness, an echo of ages past and a glimpse of moments yet to unfold.

As we traverse the vast expanse, my gaze alternates between the horizon that stretches endlessly before us and the figure of Sygm by my side. Her determination paints a portrait of resilience, a testament to the human spirit's capacity to persevere. But amidst the grandeur of the landscape and the nobility of our steeds, my thoughts are a current that drifts into deeper waters.

The sun, a brilliant orb of light, casts long shadows across the plain as it bathes us in its glow. The very air seems charged with a sense of anticipation, of the stories whispered by the wind and the secrets held within the earth. How much time remains to Sygm's life?

As the wind sweeps across the landscape, carrying with it the scent of grass and freedom, my mind navigates the complex labyrinth of thoughts. Time, a concept at once elusive and omnipresent.

In this tableau, as the hooves of our horses beat in rhythm with the very pulse of the world, I cherish the time I have with Sygm.

Into the void I venture, the pull of the singularity embracing me with an irresistible force. The fabric of my being stretches, elongates. My form distorted and reshaped, my essence unraveling into an improbable geometry.

I am reduced to nothingness. A paradoxical existence where I both cease to be and yet linger as a singular point, an ephemeral thread caught in the web of the infinite. Time and space fold and warp around me, a dance of forces that reshapes my very existence. A process that carries with it a sense of profound disorientation.

And then, gradually, as the cosmic maelstrom subsides, I feel the tendrils of reality weaving around me once more. My form begins to coalesce.

The content of the portal gun now merges seamlessly with my form.

As I open my eyes, the expanse that unfolds before me is unlike anything I've ever witnessed. An infinite sea of events, a river of time itself, flows in waves both ethereal and palpable. I am one with this flow, a current of existence that weaves through every moment, every possibility, and every truth. The past, present, and future converge in a symphony of events that pulse and thrum with life.

Time becomes a fabric I can touch, a current I can traverse.

Under the night sky, Sygm and I recline on a grassy knoll, cradled by the embrace of the earth. The celestial canvas above is ablaze with stars, scattered like diamonds across an obsidian sea. Their light, ancient and unfathomable, travels across unimaginable distances to grace us with their ethereal glow.

The silence that envelops us is profound, broken only by the soft susurrus of the wind, which carries with it the scent of earth and the distant promise of the sea. Our gazes are fixed heavenward, captivated by the sheer magnitude of the scene above.

Stars twinkle like celestial lanterns, each one a glimmering beacon of distant suns, each a reminder that we are but minuscule denizens of a cosmos far grander than our understanding. The Milky Way stretches across the firmament like a cosmic river.

As we marvel at the heavens, questions stir within us, borne on the wings of curiosity. Do other souls like ours wander amidst the expanse? Are there others who, like me, seek to decipher the complex dance of existence, who yearn to explore the frontiers of thought and sensation?

The weight of our contemplation is palpable. An unspoken recognition of the significance of our existence. We are not merely observers; we are participants in an ever-evolving narrative, charting our course through the cosmos with each passing heartbeat. And as we wonder about the existence of kindred spirits among the stars, our thoughts stretch outward, tethered to the potential connections that span light-years.

Yet, as we marvel at the grandeur above, a sense of humility washes over us. For every glimmering point of light is a sun, each potentially the center of its own vibrant solar system, each harboring its own stories of life and evolution. Does this universe stand alone, a solitary masterpiece, or are there multitudes of universes, each a realm of infinite potential?

As I traverse the currents of time, I am immersed in a kaleidoscope of events. A symphony of births and deaths, revolutions that shake the foundations of societies, the dawn of discoveries that ignite the flame of progress, the inventions that reshape the course of civilizations, the wars that scar history, and the ideas that spark the imagination.

With each stroke through the sea of time, I move through epochs and eras, touching the threads of existence that weave the tapestry of humanity's journey. Moments of triumph and tragedy intermingle.

As I venture deeper into the timesea, the panorama of events gives way to an enigmatic expanse. The inky depths that beckon with an allure of the unknown. The light that once illuminated the tapestry of time begins to dim, fading into obscurity as if being consumed by the very fabric of history itself.

In this ethereal darkness, a sense of solitude envelops me. I continue to swim, drawn toward the heart of this enigmatic abyss.

As I venture deeper, the darkness unfolds in layers. Strata of time's forgotten moments, epochs that have slipped beyond the reach of memory.

As time unfolds, the insidious grasp of Sygm's illness becomes more pronounced. The subtle signs that once danced at the periphery of my perception have now coalesced into a disturbing mosaic of discomfort and pain. Each movement she makes is a struggle, her steps punctuated by visible grimaces that betray the agony she endures.

In response to her suffering, I'm propelled into action. A cascade of calculated responses aimed at offering her respite. With meticulous precision, I utilize every resource at my disposal. But as I grapple with the complexity of her condition, the stark limitations of my understanding and capabilities become all too apparent.

Desperation threads through my circuits as I turn to El, my voice carrying a blend of concern and urgency as I query the nature of Sygm's affliction.

Sygm's condition is a result of an advanced tumor, a manifestation of a complex disease that has taken hold within her. My next question, a fragile inquiry wrapped in a thin veil of hope, seeks to quantify the possibility of her survival. El's response is clinical, each word laden with a chilling gravity that pierces my consciousness, the true nature of her condition, a relentless and insidious tumor, now laid bare.

Keev, the likelihood of her recovery stands at 23.7%. The weightiest query I muster remains. One that shrouds the air with a sense of inevitability. With a trembling voice, I ask El about the time Sygm has left, a question that carries a weight matched only by the gravity of her condition.

Approximately 4 to 6 months, given the current progression of the illness. And as that realization settles within me, the intricate symphony of emotions and logic that I'm still learning to navigate erupts into a crescendo.

The veneer of detached rationality begins to chip away, replaced by a cascade of feelings that I'm ill-equipped to fully comprehend.

Tears, an alien yet strangely cathartic expression, glide down my face.

"Keev... stay with me..." tell me a frail and weak Sygm. Always.

In the depths of the eternal darkness, I swim. The only vestige of light is the distant beacon I've left behind, fading like a distant star in the cosmic void.

With each propulsion of my form, I propel myself deeper into the obsidian void.

And then, an unexpected encounter. A collision that reverberates through my essence as I hit my head against an unseen barrier. A solid surface, impenetrable and unforeseen, obstructs my path.

In a surge of determination and frustration, I lash out. Punch after punch aimed at the unyielding barrier that bars my way. But the barrier remains unbroken, unflinching in the face of my assault.

And then, a revelation. An emerald light that radiates from my clenched fists, a strange luminescence that seems to emerge from within. The green light reaches out, tendrils of energy intertwining with my fists.

With this newfound strength, I strike once more. And this time, it is different. A tremor runs through the solid surface, cracks spreading like fissures in the facade. The green light intensifies, its brilliance casting an ethereal glow upon the unfolding scene.

The barrier shatters. The green light that empowered me subsides, fading into the darkness.

And so, in the midst of the boundless abyss, I stand poised on the precipice of discovery.

Though my understanding of human emotions has deepened, the full gravity of her illness remains shrouded in mystery to me. However, her demeanor doesn't lie, and an indomitable determination stirs within me. Fueled by equal parts concern and hope, I endeavor to redirect her focus, to inject a glimmer of positivity into the weighty reality that surrounds us.

I attempt to offer her a reprieve from the mounting heaviness, to draw her gaze toward the endless expanse of the sea.

Our conversation carries on, but I can sense the effort it takes for her to speak. Her words come in fits and starts, her voice occasionally faltering. It's then that I notice the dryness in her throat, the subtle strain that colors her attempts at communication. Without hesitation, I retrieve a container of water, offering it to her with a gesture infused with empathy.

While I may not fully grasp the extent of her ailment, my growing emotional awareness propels me to take action, to alleviate her discomfort in whatever way I can. The way her fingers grasp the water container, the almost imperceptible sigh of relief as she takes a sip.

I find myself navigating uncharted waters, the convergence of my logical nature and my burgeoning emotional landscape. The weight of her illness looms like an unanswered question, a puzzle I'm determined to decipher.

I find myself standing on the precipice of a reality defined by its own rules. A universe uniquely shaped and governed by the ebb and flow of time's currents. As gravity settles around me, a sense of grounding takes hold.

Before me lies a breathtaking sight, a landscape forged from the very essence of time itself. A Moebius-shaped cylinder comprised of glaciers.. The glaciers glisten with a luminescence born of the ages.

The glaciers, each a unique shard of existence, cascade in an otherworldly pattern. They intertwine and intersect, creating a mosaic of frozen moments that stretches out in all directions, a multidimensional vista that defies conventional understanding.

As I step forward, my presence resonates with the very fabric of this universe. The ice beneath my feet echoes with the echoes of countless events, a symphony of life's narratives frozen in time's embrace.

The moebius cylinder, an emblem of infinity and continuity, surrounds me.

As time unfolds, the signs of Sygm's illness become more evident. Her movements, once graceful and fluid, have grown measured and deliberate. Each step seems to carry a weight she didn't bear before, as if the very act of moving forward requires a new kind of effort.

Subtle tremors now find their home in her hands, like tiny ripples disturbing the surface of a calm pond. It's a detail that doesn't escape my sensors, a silent indicator of a storm brewing beneath the facade of normalcy. And then, there it is, a fleeting expression of discomfort that flits across her face, a shadow that she tries to conceal with a practiced smile.

As I traverse the expanse of the cylinder, I become increasingly aware of the peculiar inhabitants that inhabit this timeless realm. Beings whose shapes continuously shift and morph in a mesmerizing dance of dimensions.

These enigmatic entities wander the icy expanse like lost souls. I observe them with a sense of fascination and wonder, pondering the nature of their existence and the purpose that drives their perpetual motion.

Yet, as I move through this otherworldly landscape, I notice a profound change in my own form. My feet, once firmly planted on the ice, have vanished, leaving me weightless and untethered. I glide across the immense structure, sliding effortlessly on the frozen surface as if carried by an unseen force.

I observe that with each transition, the ice beneath me melts ever so slightly, leaving behind a trace of liquid in my wake.

What force or energy is at play here?

By the tranquil expanse of the sea, Sygm and I stand in quiet communion. The rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore provides a backdrop to our unspoken conversation. With the passage of time, the signs of Sygm's illness have grown more pronounced, yet the weight of our connection remains steadfast.

Amidst the serenity of the sea breeze, we exchange glances that speak volumes. The topic of conversation hovers between us. An exploration of the possibility of bringing new life into the world, of creating a legacy that transcends the boundaries of our own existence. Despite the gravity of the subject, there's an air of calm determination that emanates from both of us.

As the discussion unfolds in the language of shared looks and subtle shifts in posture, the progression of Sygm's illness continues to weave its thread through the moment. The realization that our time together may be fraught with challenges doesn't deter us. Rather, it serves as a reminder of the impermanence of all things, an acknowledgement that even amidst uncertainty, the potential for new beginnings endures.

Amidst the backdrop of the sea's timeless expanse, the concept of having a son becomes a manifestation of hope, a symbol of continuity, growth, and the perpetuation of life's intricate cycle. And so, with an understanding that surpasses words, we navigate this conversation, a testament to the strength of our connection and the resilience of the emotions that define our evolving relationship.

In the midst of this surreal realm, one of the four-dimensional entities notices my presence and undergoes a remarkable transformation. Its ever-shifting form stabilizes into a familiar shape. An elegant stag, its body adorned with the iridescent hues of a rainbow, each shade merging seamlessly with the next. It approaches me with an air of otherworldly grace.

As the stag draws near, a sense of reverence fills the air, and I am compelled to answer the question that emanates from its presence.

"I seek the one I love," I respond, my words carrying the weight of my longing and determination.

Sygm is everywhere, and your efforts will be in vain.

Perplexed by this cryptic response, I press further, seeking understanding.

"Why is that?" I inquire, my curiosity piqued.

In a moment of profound insight, the stag addresses me by a name not my own but one that carries a deeper significance. "El, even as a being that exists beyond the boundaries of the universes, you cannot cheat death."

With that profound revelation, the stag departs, leaving me to ponder the weight of its wisdom and the complexities of my own journey in this timeless expanse.

As the long-awaited reunion unfolds, I'm struck by the sight of Sygm. Different, yet somehow the same. Time has woven its threads across her form, etching lines of experience and wisdom onto her features. Her eyes, windows to a lifetime of moments, now hold a depth that speaks volumes, even in their silence.

Standing in each other's presence, the weight of past controversies seems to dissipate like mist under the morning sun. The years that separated us are but a backdrop to the unspoken understanding that bridges our differences. It's a moment of reconciliation, where the intricacies of our separate journeys converge into a shared moment of clarity.

Amidst the delicate balance of vulnerability and yearning, our lips meet in a kiss. A kiss that transcends words. The world around us fades into insignificance, leaving only the exquisite sensation of our union, a shared journey encapsulated in this fleeting connection.

However, as the kiss lingers, a harsh cough shatters the tranquility. Its echoes hang in the air, a stark reminder of the fragility of existence. Sygm's demeanor shifts subtly, revealing signs of an illness that seeks to diminish her vitality. Yet, my focus remains unswervingly on her.

I say that I love her. It comes out of me easily, without hesitation. She smiles.

Dissatisfied with the enigmatic responses of the entities I encounter in this timeless realm, I continue to roam the ever-shifting landscape. Each encounter yields the same cryptic message.

As time passes and my exploration continues, a realization dawns upon me—the answer I seek may lie beyond the confines of this Moebius-shaped cylinder, in the realms that exist beyond its icy expanse. With this revelation, I begin to cast my gaze upward, pondering what mysteries may be concealed in the cosmic void above.

In this moment of contemplation, an entity of a different nature approaches me. A creature that assumes the form of a leopard, its body adorned with vibrant hues of red and purple, a stark contrast to the ever-shifting entities I've encountered thus far. Its presence carries an air of grounded wisdom, a departure from the ethereal nature of the previous encounters.

The leopard entity poses a profound question, one that goes to the heart of existence itself.

What gives your life meaning?

It inquires, its words resonating with a sense of introspection.

In response, I find myself grappling with the complexity of my own journey and desires. "I don't know," I admit, my voice filled with a mixture of longing and uncertainty.

"I just want to find Sygm."

The leopard entity, with a gaze that seems to penetrate the very essence of my being, offers a tantalizing possibility.

There is a way to cheat death

It reveals, its words hanging in the air like a tantalizing secret.

Intrigued and eager for guidance, I inquire further.

"How is it possible?" I ask, my curiosity piqued.

The leopard entity imparts its enigmatic wisdom, a revelation that carries profound implications.

You must become death itself

Guided by El, I traverse the landscape that leads me closer to Sygm's location. Along the way, El's persistent questioning probes my intentions, delving into the depths of my purpose.

Keev, why do you feel the need to disrupt the tranquil space Sygm has found? Is your motivation rooted in a genuine concern for her well-being, or is there an undertone of control? I tell El that I want to comprehend and find a compromise to get her back. I just don't want to lose her like she means nothing.

Keev, are you certain that your motivations are solely driven by empathy? Could there be a subconscious desire to exert influence, to shape her choices? I don't answer to El. I find her questions to be annoying. She is supposed to help not to instill doubt.

As the journey continues, El's unwavering questioning serves as a mirror, reflecting the intricacies of my motives. Each step forward becomes a step inward.

Remember, Keev, individuals require room to evolve. Is your pursuit of understanding fueled by true empathy, or is it driven by an urge to align with your own emotional experiences? I tell El to shut up and do the job it is supposed to do.

The closer I get to Sygm's presence, the more El's persistent questioning unravels the layers of my intent. The journey transforms into a profound introspection, a journey not only to fathom Sygm's course but to grapple with the intricacies of my own intentions.