The other thing on the island was a lake. But it seemed ridiculous, considering the water all around. So much water. Water in its bones, water in its mind, water around the island, water simply being. There was enough of it, and it irritated [i]This One[/i]. Would that it could erase all of it, but unfortunately it couldn't, so it stood and made for the hut. Some things tell stories with physical appearance. The hut was one of them, as [i]This One[/i] found out. There were more rooms than it would have thought, but some things are surprising. Claw marks lined the walls, a half eaten, rotted feast filled one room, one room was furnished for comfort. This was the saddest. The aura it gave off was one of innocence and happiness, but draped in thick bolts of tears. In a way, it thought, these things were laid like a puzzle. And yet, it understood, despite unknowable differences. [color=CC0886]"Why is this?"[/color] Content with no answer, it sat. Why was it that the place in which it awakened was so opposite to this other place? Here, now, it seemed the room was comfortable and familiar, and though sad and heavy, it was comforting. In the other place, it was less than comfortable physically, and the air was the most twisted mix of comfortable, familiar, vitriolic, swift, and cruel. It was repulsed by the mere thought that some place could exist purely to bring pain to others. Even worse, to lure it in with a falsehood. It resolved to not be like that. It would bring love to all. The water was not good for the wood, so [i]This One[/i] up and left. It had got what it had unknowingly come for, and the body was less weighty now. It left the house and walked to the lake. The sand crunched under its weight. In the lake, a spark did reside. It looked up at [i]This One[/i], despite its nonexistent happening. It was just a reflection, if something was really just anything. It saw the love it now bore on the surface of the water. Tempted by what may have been under the surface, it jumped in- And found itself falling toward yet more water. A familiar feeling. It crashed into a lake, and was again engulfed. It dragged itself to shore, and stayed there for a while. [center]---[/center] And a while it did stay, until the sun cast long shadows over the earth and yet a longer shadow came forth, growing smaller as it came. The shadow then stopped before [i]This One[/i] and when [i]This One[/i] looked up it saw a figure of black and stars. Two white orbs glowed down upon him and then, the figure spoke. [Color=black]"Eurysthenes? What might you be doing here?"[/color] he said, his voice layered. [i]This One[/i] pointed at itself, and gave the Shadow a quizzical expression. It felt the blaring eyes boring into it. [color=cc0886]”Me? Here? I don’t know,”[/color] it said. It dropped its head into the ground, prompting a thin pat noise. [color=cc0886]”Why did you call me that? And who are you? And why is anything anywhere?”[/color] The figure descended before [i]This One[/i] and landed without sound. Its eyes became quizzical as it looked over [i]This One[/i]. [Color=black]"I called you that because that is the name I know you by, Eurysthenes."[/color] the figure said softly. He then crouched down, placing his hands a top his thighs as he did. [Color=black]"It's me, Orvus. Your fellow god?"[/color] the figure said in a questioning tone. [Color=black]"I know we have never met before but surely you know my name?"[/color] [color=cc0886]”I did not know your name, but it is nice to meet you,”[/color] it said, smiling. It sat up and brought its head level with Orvus’. It regarded him quizzically, and asked [color=cc0886]”Why do you know me by that name?”[/color] Orvus squinted his eyes and said, [color=black]"I know you by that name as I know all our fellow gods by their own names. The Architect told us, do you not remember? Or rather, have you lost your memory? What is the last thing you remember before coming here?"[/color] [color=cc0886]”I was in a hut, then I fell in a lake. Before that, I was surrounded by spikes that were pinning me to the ground. And before that, the other half of me fell.”[/color] it said, without any hesitation. [color=cc0886]”Let me show you,”[/color] It reached out with one hand, palm up, a small sprig sprouting from it. This grew rapidly, surrounding Orvus, thickening and twisting. Showing, retelling, before vapourising into a thin mist. Orvus blinked when the retelling ended and his eyes frowned slightly. [Color=black]"I came here searching for Li'kalla, but it seems I found another instead."[/color] he said absentmindedly before focusing his attention on [i]This One[/i]. [Color=black]"It seems I was right, you've lost a part of yourself. Can you tell me anything about your 'other half'?"[/color] [i]This One[/i] laid back down. The sand was comfortable and lovely as anything it had ever known. It was warm. [color=cc0886]”Who is Li’Kalla? Can you show me?”[/color] it asked. Happiness was a note that rang with clarity when it spoke. [color=cc0886]”You think I’ve lost my memories? But I just showed you, I can remember everything. No, I will not tell you about my other half.”[/color] Orvus stood up, his eyes becoming emotionless. [Color=black]"This is what I feared. Unless you lived a very dull existence for these past few ages, then there is a gap you have forgotten. Not knowing who I am or Li'Kalla, who is but one of your sisters, is concerning."[/color] Orvus said flatly. [Color=black]"I have not any clue where Li'Kalla is either. You seemed to be in her sphere, where one of her fragments was said to inhabit but it seems you found no one. Which is even more concerning but besides the point. Why will you not tell me about your other half?"[/color] He said again. it this time there was a hint of sadness in his voice. The one who would be called Eurysthenes, if it took Orvus at face value, lay in silence for a whole measure. It filtered what Orvus had said with a fine sieve. [color=cc0886]”Few ages? Pardon?”[/color] it asked. There was a spacious flavour to its voice, chasm-like, dissonant. [color=black]”Time. Much time has passed since we arrived here in this universe. This was an orb of blue, there was no land, no life… Not until the Gods worked upon it. Galbar is it’s name, this place many call their homes. I stand and you sit upon the island that was Li’Kalla’s. Here home is not far… I would take you to her if I knew where she had gone.”[/color] Orvus said, looking around. [color=black]”I know not what else to tell you, or even how to help. If you would even want it.”[/color] he sighed. [Color=cc0886]”Orvus, you may say I've lost my memory, but I'm not so forgetful that I forgot what you said not ten seconds ago,”[/color] it said, airily, trying to lighten the mood in preparing for the next statement. [Color=cc0886]”I don't want to believe you, but if you are right, would there be any of you gods who could help?”[/color] [color=black]”Apologies.”[/color] Orvus said, pausing in thought. [color=black]”As for those who could help you…”[/color] he paused as if in thought, [color=black]”Perhaps Abanoc? I have not met him, or most of our siblings to be honest. I do know that he is the God of Recording, and his Sphere is Celestial.”[/color] [i]This One[/i] lay in a silence with pressure, gazing at, or rather through, Orvus. Up at the sky. There were treasures up there somewhere, it now knew. Even if it hadn’t lost its memory, it would know for sure. [color=cc0886]”Orvus… my deepest thanks,”[/color] it said. It proceeded to stand up, leaving a patch of wet sand behind. [color=cc0886]”Where would I find Abanoc?”[/color] [Color=black]"In my travels I have found a place that felt touched by his essence. To the far east, over water and through storms there is another continent. This one is named the Dragons Foot but directly above it, there resides another piece of land called the Kick. Upon a mountain in the east, that is where the area resides. I wish you luck in this journey."[/color] Orvus then said, [color=black]"Or you could just call for him. Either your mind simply speak his name and perhaps he will answer."[/color] “Eurysthenes” nodded and smiled. [color=cc0886]”I already offered thanks, but just once doesn’t express my gratitude. Truly.”[/color] it said, and slithered away. [center]---[/center] [hider=summary] Eury is confused about the island it was on. Goes and has an emotional moment in Li's hut. Jumps in the lake, and pops out on Galbar. It's approached by Orvus who is concerned Loss of memory is confirmed Eury argues with Orvus about whether or not its memory is gone, but eventually is like "Please tell me where I can find out if I have" Orvus tells Eury to find Abanoc Eury is like the toy story aliens, eternally grateful Goes off to find ABBA [/hider]