The Very Last Day (Day 77)

The planar stone was more than just a monument. It was a focal point for strange and powerful energies. This was clear to Terakiel not but he knew none of the specifics. He had melded with the stone and it had yielded some of its secrets to him. He felt like he had the memories of a thousand men running wild in his head, but most were locked away in a deep, dark vault in his mind. He could only glean minor tidbits of information from these memories but he now had the vaguest of ideas what the planar stone might be used for. It was a gateway to the mysterious Black World, where nothing made sense.

"Are you. . .from the Black World?" Terakiel asked. 

The other young man furrowed his brow in confusion. "I traveled the Exod, if that is what you mean. I'm not sure any living thing could call that place its home. It is. . ." He paused for a moment, as if lost for words. "It's a different place. It does not exist in the same way as you or I. But surely you must know this."

"No, I. . . I don't know anything. I was not the one that brought you here." Terakiel paused. "At least. . .if I did, I didn't intend to." 

The other man appraised Terakiel with the same skeptical look he'd been wearing for the past few moments. "How might one do such a thing by accident?"

"I don't know," the shirtless man insisted. "I don't know anything about this. The monument--the planar stone. . .I don't even know why I know what it is called." 

"This is no monument, as you must well know. You know it is a planar stone--but why wouldn't you? It is clear you possess some level of familiarity with The Strand and so you must know much of the different planes, and especially the Exod." It seemed as if he might continue, but he stopped suddenly, looking Terakiel up and down once more. 

"Just what is going on here?" he continued. "You've summoned me without knowing how you've done so, you're dressed in tattered, filthy clothing in the bitter cold. . . Do you speak truly? Who are you?"

"My name is. . .Terakiel," he replied reluctantly. 

"Very well, but from where do you hail? Are you far from home?"

Terakiel was unsure how he might answer that question. He'd always imagined if he encountered others on his trip he would craft some story about his origins, some beautiful lie that would quash any suspicions. But he hadn't had time to do any of that. He was at a loss for words. He had no reason to trust this man who wasn't being very forthcoming with information himself.

"I see. You're running from something; that much is clear. I won't invade your privacy, but there are questions that must be answered here. Let us figure this out together, yes?"