Charon flashed through his mind as he woke up. Around him was an empty room, with large windows in every direction. The space was dome like in shape. The scenery outside was dark grey, as if he were staring into a storm cloud. It swirled and plumed around the windows; thick and menacing.
Standing in the way of the swirling storm that played outside the window was a woman. A woman clad in a menacing red cloak. While the storm outside was dark, inside the room was a bit darker. She was backlit, but enough light came through that he could make out small details. Her long, claw like fingernails; also red. Her grin, vicious and fear inducing. The way she regarded Otto gave him a sense of dread and finality. As if this woman would be the last person he ever saw; as if she spelled his end simply by having locked eyes with her.
"It's time, Otto." She spoke in a silky voice, her smile tight and eager. "You have two options, Otto." Her smile twitched, "It's about that key of yours. It's absorbed a lot of power, and it's ready to burst!" She smacked her lips, imitating a popping sound. "Pop it goes~ With you along with it."
"But as I said, you have two options here. One? Is to allow me to take that key off your hands."
"No." He didn't even give her a moment to explain or bargain. However, he'd found it very difficult to speak, or even breath without great effort. His body felt heavy; his head felt feverish. He knew she was speaking the truth. His body would give out at any moment; he was on the verge of blacking out.
"Do let me finish." She said with a roll of her eyes; a gesture that was almost missed in the dim room. "The end will be the same either way, Otto. If you keep that key? It's power will transform you, and you'll blindly destroy everything you come into contact with. You won't have any control. You won't even know it's happening. You'll be as good as dead."
"But you see, Otto. If you allow me to take that key from you? All that power of destruction will be in my capable hands. It was supposed to be mine anyway." He felt as if he was haunted. Nothing he could think or do would wash that woman's evil smile from his heart.
"Either your friends die by your hands, or mine. Which would weigh easier on your soul?" Either way, people would die. Either way, Otto as he knew himself was already gone.
"Time is ticking. It's now or never. The power of all of Earth's destructive power is about to explode in that hand of yours." Otto found himself on his knees. His body was burning up, and his strength was waning. She knelt before him, offering her hand. "Time to let go, Otto. Just let go."
Otto shook his head.
That sealed the deal. She was gone, and Otto was alone. Tears streamed down his face as he felt all he used to be crumble away. His body was being destroyed from within. It hurt so much, but what hurt more was what he saw outside the windows. The storm was gone, and what he saw made his decision hurt all the more. These windows were not windows. He was inside his own mind, and the windows were what his old body was seeing. His friends looked at him in horror, as whatever Otto used to be was transforming. Becoming something larger and terrible. They summoned their weapons. They brought out guns, nets and canons. They were ready to throw all they had at him. But the eyes and cries of his loved ones was the worst of all.
They'd loved him. They really did. He'd taken it all for granted, despite all the loss he'd ever gone through. He prayed they took him down before he had to see them die. He didn't want to destroy the world, even though there were times he felt the world had destroyed
him. He wanted everyone to be okay. He wanted them to be happy. Alive. Even if he wasn't there anymore.
Hours went by, maybe days. He wasn't sure. The entire time, his body was wrecked with pain. He'd felt like he'd been on fire. Felt like his brain was full of nails.
Somehow, against all odds, the Hunters took him down. As far as he could tell, he'd turned back into his old body from the way his friends looked at him. He knew he was dead. The light in the windows was fading, but he could see Maebe lift up his head. He saw others look on. He heard them calling.
"Hang on!" "Please don't go!" "Don't give up now!" "Come back, Otto!"
They knew he was gone. He could hear it in their voices. The lights dimmed, darker and darker. Soon, the room in his mind was gone, and he felt as empty as it seemed.
After a moment, two doors appeared before him. One was light, and alive with energy. He could hear the voices of his friends from the other side. He knew as he stared that if he walked through that door, he might end up back in his own body. He'd be alive with his friends. They'd smile, they'd be glad.
But what about him?
The other door was dark and murky, but he felt a warm and comfortable air around it. It was a soft feeling, like sleeping in on a day off or dozing off in the sun on a grassy clearing. He felt as if it drew him in. As if within it was rest. Comfort, peace and rest.
Maybe that's what he really wanted. He wanted to rest. He loved living. He loved his friends. But he was tired. Very, very tired. As if he'd died a long time ago, and all the pain and mistakes he'd made were his clumsy attempt to cling to a life that was no longer his to have.
Without even any attempts on his own, his body moved towards the darkness. He didn't fear it anymore. He was inviting and warm. Soft and welcoming. His friend's voices faded, and it was easy to forget they were waiting for him to wake up.
But he would never wake up again.
The door closed behind him, and he felt himself get tucked into a large, comfy bed. It was okay now. He could finally let everything go. He let out one last breath, and gently fell asleep; a long and eternal sleep.
- - -
- - -
Otto woke up slowly. His body felt heavy and stiff. He slowly remembered the dream, and his heart clenched in terror. He'd felt as if he'd really died. It was just a dream, but he had to wonder;
If giving the chance... would he ever choose that dark door for real?
His heart knew the answer.
Reply
