Neytopia › Part 2: Noon › Chapter 11

The depressed centre of the universe

The raven began to hear voices. It was like a choir of whispers that drove him on to a city in the northern continent. He knew that city would give him the means to destroy his enemies. But first, he had to cross most of the southern continent and sail across the Middle Sea.

He and the giant would have to endure hail, exhaustion, famine and scorching heat. But for now, they just walked pleasantly across valleys and forests while they talked. They avoided talking about themselves, which both agreed was a sign of bad manners,

Tell me raven, what is it exactly you hope to find in the city that you don’t even know exists?

Something lives underground… something that has been waiting for a longer span of time than none could ever imagine. I can hear its pain, calling me, seeping into my thoughts. I’ve seen vast gulfs of time, I, I can’t explain it but—The raven noticed the look of concern on the giant’s face—You probably think I’m a madman, don’t you? Honestly I can’t prove that I’m sane, but I can assure you that what we find there will be worth the trip.

It’s ok, I trust you.

The giant didn’t have to say another word, and the raven appreciated it. After a silent walk through the woods, the raven asked,

Where do you come from, do you remember that?

The giant shook his head.

I can’t remember anything except that fucking island. How about you, where are you from?

Oh, I come from a small village nearby. It won’t be more than four days on foot from here.

Then we should go there, if you want. That way—The giant stopped when he saw the raven had raised his hand.

The barbarians burned down my village and enslaved us.

That’s horrible. I think I was captive once, but I can’t remember. I lived there in the island at least two centuries, maybe more. I tried to keep track of time, but it was too painful. Eventually I just stopped caring. All I know is I have lived there since I can remember, with this great scar in my head.

The giant showed him the scar. Hidden beneath his thick hair, it ran across the base of his skull. It was a deep, precise cut. The raven noticed for the first time the giant’s empty stare and realized his own self-absorption, acting like he was the only one who had problems. He promised himself to stop acting like the depressed center of the universe. After all, his life was not that bad.