Harmony and Discord

The trials continued, each one testing mine and Blin's powers, our connection, and our balance. We created and destroyed, harmonized and discorded, our abilities growing stronger with each challenge.

But as the trials progressed, I began to feel a growing sense of unease. I realized that our actions, though necessary for balance, were having unintended consequences.

A world we had created was now facing a catastrophic event. A civilization we had harmonized was now struggling to adapt to the changes.

I turned to Blin, my concerns etched on my face. "We need to be careful," I said. "Our actions have consequences."

We need to be more than careful, we need to stop this... A voice was screaming inside my head and I tried to quiet it. Stop...stop...stop... destroying...worlds...power...misuse.

With a grunt I silenced it, paying attention to Blin as they nodded in agreement. "We must consider the ripple effects," they said.

The Bastion of Finire appeared beside us, their expression stern. "You have completed the trials," they announced. "But now, you must face the final challenge."

Blin and I stood ready, our powers resonating, our connection strong. We knew that the final challenge would be the most difficult one yet.

"The balance of the universe is at stake," the Bastion said. "You must work together, using your powers in harmony, to maintain the balance."

Blin and I nodded, our eyes locked on each other. We knew that we were ready. Together, we would face the final challenge, and ensure the balance of the universe.

What the fuck is happening to me?

Before I could answer that question, my reality adjusted.

The final challenge unfolded before us like a tapestry of complexity. A cosmic scale wavered, threatening to tip into chaos. Blin and I stood together, our powers entwined, ready to face the ultimate test.

"We must harmonize the discordant energies," I said, my voice firm.

"And create a resonance that stabilizes the balance," Blin added, their eyes flashing with determination.

As one, we raised our hands, and a blast of creative energy shot forth, harmonizing the discordant frequencies. The cosmic scale trembled, then steadied, its balance restored.

The Bastion of Finire appeared, their expression unreadable. "Well done," they said finally. "You have passed the final challenge."

Blin and I stood panting, our powers spent, but our connection stronger than ever. We knew that we had saved the universe from destruction.

But as we turned to leave, the Bastion's words stopped us. "Remember, balance is not a static state. It must be maintained. And sometimes, the price of balance is sacrifice."

Blin and I exchanged a knowing glance. We understood the weight of their responsibility, and the true nature of our connection.

Together, we stepped forward, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, our bond and our powers forever entwined.

My head began to ache and as I closed my eyes and brought my hands up to take hold of my head, trying to keep the pain away, I felt it diminishing. I panted, breathing nervously. When I opened my eyes I was shocked to see that the scene around me had changed again.

Fortunately it wasn't a continuation of the weird deja vu moments I'd been stuck in. I was back in my hideout once more, safe, safe away from the madness.

What had that even been? I thought. Was it a weird time loop or what?

I ran my eyes over the attic and… I paused and jumped to my feet. The attic? What was I doing back here? I hadn't been to this place since I gained my powers. That was almost a month ago now. How did I end up back here?

And suddenly Primus was standing before me. I blinked and took a step back. It was so jarring, his mysterious mode of transportation.

I looked at his sole eye in apprehension then the attic we stood in which I hadn't been back in for weeks and couldn't remember returning to.

"What the hell did you do to me?" I asked the alien.

"Ah, the training program. I heard it can be hard for Goldilocks lifeforms," Primus said.

"What?"

"That is to say, mortals who evolved in Goldilocks Zones," Primus explained for my benefit.

I stared at him in shock. "Wait, you mean there are alien species who evolved outside Goldilocks condition…" I paused and shook my head to clear off the distraction. Getting into that now would lead me diving into a rabbit hole. "Forget about that. Now tell me, what's happening to me?"

Primus sighed and went to stand by the window, tilting his head to look up at the morning sun. "That was the training program, that was a conflation of all your alternates in your native cluster of realities."

"My what and what now?" I wondered out loud.

Primus for the first time since I'd known him, smiled. "This is going to be a long lesson," he stated without insincerity. "You may want to sit down."

I did as he had asked, and settled down upon the single bed in the attic. He took his eye from the sun and focused all of his one-eyed attention on me.

"When you were taken to the higher plain of the Aeons, you were made a Bastion but you believed you immediately returned after the ceremony, which is partly true as you are just returning."

I wanted to disbelieve him, I wanted to call it bullshit so much so I picked up the phone Mindy had gotten for me and pressed the power button to wake it up. The screen blinked on and on the locked screen I saw today's date and time: 07:45, 9/24/2021.

He was telling the truth. I'd been let out on the twelfth and became a Bastion two weeks after that.

"This is exactly the day I became a Bastion, but why do I now have memories of the future?" I asked Primus.

"Because you went through the training program. The program is about a Bastion of Noyanu, uniting your existence with the existence of alternate selves who have the best grasp on your new powers so that you can benefit from their skill and knowledge. After which a Bastion of Xim will restore your separation from your alternates. A side effect is not only gaining the skill you need for your powers, but also the memories of your alternates."

I stared at the alien in shock. "So all that never happened?"

He shook his head in denial. "They did happen, just not here in your universe."