Word count: 1138 words
Despite his intentions to explore more of the forests of Cadmus, the teen found himself drawn back to the wasteland and the tower at its center, Cadmeia. However, instead of heading straight across the dunes to it, the the senshi headed east from its base. Cadmus expected to find nothing of interest, but to his surprise, there was something of some mystery.
Beneath the shadow of one of the black figures jutting out of the sand was a tattered bivouac and a few pans and bowls. While Cadmus would've thought it odd that someone decided to live out there in the middle of nowhere, his mind couldn't help be taken by the hunk of black. It was the clearest image the senshi had of the figure; it was only visible from the 'waist' up, its other half sunk deep in the sand. It slanted away from the sun, though rays streamed through the wide, circular opening at its center. One 'arm' kept it propped up, and it was here the rope to the tent was tethered.
"Well, that seems like a bright idea," Cadmus said, raising eyebrows as he inspected the temporary shelter. He then took in the full size of the black figure and sighed. "I don't think I'd be getting a full night's sleep knowing this rur could crush me at any second."
Cadmus was prepared to leave, but caught himself and jerked back to take in the figure. "Wait—rur?" he said. "Why do I..."
Suddenly, the significance of the find became apparent, and Cadmus began to wander about the area to trigger the memory located there. The familiar push and tug came to him a few feet from the rur.
The memory began with a hearty guffaw and pained groan as the Grand Master and the Cadmus of the past became visible. The old man was clutching at his stomach and gasping for a breath while the younger boy lay sprawled out in the sand. Cadmus sat up and glared at the Grand Master, whose laughter settled into a cheery smile.
"You said you'd go easy on me!" Cadmus cried.
The Grand Master shook his head. "That was my easy, Laius," he said. "You weren't putting up much of a fight, but it seems these old bones still got it. Now, come." He motioned with his cane. "Up again, and come at me with your full strength.
The present Cadmus's mouth drew to an O. So my past name was Laius, he thought.
Laius groaned again. "Grand Master, we've been at it all morning!" he cried. "Can't we take a break?"
The Grand Master prepared to protest, but gave in to Laius's pleading eyes with a sigh. "Fine, my boy, we'll take a short break."
The childish cheer Laius gave made even his present incarnation smile. Seems even old habits didn't die hard, even from another lifetime ago.
Laius watched as the Grand Master hobbled over to the bivouac, likely for a drink of water. He continued to study him absently, but in particular, his red eyes were on the mantle about his shoulder and waist.
Tilting his head, Laius said, "Hey, Grand Master, how did you become the Grand Master?"
The Grand Master looked at the boy, and hummed out a note. "Well," he began, hobbling back to the boy and taking a seat in the sand. "It's a bit of a tale, but now would be a good time to tell you."
"Tell me what?"
"Of your past, Cadmus. Well, what is known of your past."
Laius's face filled with awe. He nodded his head in encouragement to the older man, hugging knees to his chest and waiting patiently for the Grand Master.
The Grand Master hummed again, trying to collect his thoughts, before beginning: "There were many other sailors that held the name of this asteroid, Laius, but history only documents your great grandfather, simply known as Cadmus. His birth name is lost to time. He is said to have lived for centuries, and was the founder of Cadmeia. So, essentially, he was the first Grand Master. This mantle was made in his honor, and passed down to each male who held the title."
Cadmus glanced down at the mantle he wore on his own fuku. It was the very same piece of cloth, and it was only then he made the comparison. So some time in the past, Laius became the Grand Master as well, he thought.
Laius looked confused. "But I thought you were the Grand Master.", he said.
"I'm getting there, boy," the Grand Master said. "After the death of your great grandfather, his son, Polydorus, became the new Sailor Cadmus and Grand Master of Cadmeia. He awakened late in his life at age forty. He was an awful man, a complete lush and glutton. He died two years after being appointed. Then, Cadmus was without a sailor for a number of decades."
"Nothing happened?"
The Grand Master shook his head. "No. It was peaceful in the cosmos then, and we didn't wait long for a new sailor to return. For that time without a sailor, the eldest male of the southeastern settlement took on responsibility of Cadmeia until you were to return. That is why I am the current Grand Master, but it wasn't for long. I relinquished the title when your father, Labdacus, came to us when unrest met the people of Cadmus. He awakened at nineteen, in time to stop the battle of Teleboae. Your father, Laius, was a brave man, and the sacrifices he made are priceless. Absolutely priceless. We would all be gone if he didn't stop the rur."
His interest was piqued by the mention of the battle, but the boy looked reluctant to question about it when he saw the far away look on the Grand Master's face. Instead, he asked, "What happened to my father?"
The Grand Master scratched at his cheek. "No one knows," he said. "After the battle, Labdacus simply... disappeared. Some thought he died, taken by the drink like his past reincarnation, some others thought he wanted his simple life again, others thought he'd run off with a lover. Whatever the case, you were found on the banks of the Nilus two years later, and became the new sailor and protector of our world." The Grand Master smiled. "History starts again with you."
Laius returned the smile. "Then I'll write out an epic!" the boy said, launching to his feet. "C'mon, Grand Master, let's begin again! I'm gonna kick your butt!"
The Grand Master chuckled and staggered to his feet as well. "Then give me your best," he said.
The memory stopped there, fading away with a gust of wind across the wasteland. Cadmus smiled to himself, and turned about on his boot to return to Cadmeia.
