The Truth Keeper Awakens

I know not how long I slept in that tree before I awoke, but awaken I did. It was cold, dark, and frightening. Sounds of battles rage throughout the forest. I only hoped that my place of hiding not be soon included this game of death being played out before my very eyes.

It was told to me once, that before you die, "Your life will flash before you. Will you be prepared for that which you see?"

I don’t know why my feeble mind chose this to remember when it still refused to acknowledge it’s own name. But then again, is it thy name or thy actions that make thee? I don’t know, I can’t remember, but me thinks thy actions. <smiles to self at this great thought> -then rubs temples that ache so much-

<clouds appear and dissolve before my aching minds eye>

I see before me a young boy, looks familiar, but can’t quite place him. He’s happy in his vaguely familiar hills. Running and playing with his ma an dah. Happy times I guess.

"All stories have their beginning" a warm voice enters my waking dream

<gray clouds this time come and go>

Now I see the boy, older and in pain. My heart tugs. <frowns> His running has slowed. I think I used to run a lot. I don’t know, I can’t remember. His dah is nowhere insight, and his ma seems old beyond her years. <wipes tear that appears from nowhere>

"We all face trials." Soothed the voice. "Tis fine you show such compassion, for this one has a long road ahead. But strength of heart ye needs wish upon him for here is the time of direction. Which way will he go?" asked the sad voice. "That of the easy road. Anger and Evil live on this road. Tis a strong pull, this road. Or, that which is hardest, understanding, compassion, truth" the voice said no more.

<clouds once again>

This time the boy is almost a man, a young man, but all the same a man. One who has traveled a hard road. But the eyes tell all, someone once told me. These eyes showed strength and heart, no anger. <smiles> He is with an older man, looks like his dah, but this man is too old. He has a kind but strong face. I think I like him. They are in his hills again. And he’s RUNNING! This feels right I think. He is home.

"See" says the voice. " that which one day is unbearable and makes thee want to run down that easy road, is the next gone, replaced with hope." The voiced paused, then began again, "If thee but have the strength to wait. All wounds heal" the ache in my head eased up a bit after the voice’s warmth washed o’er me.

<gray clouds> <frowns at what must follow>

Now I see the young man and the older. Running! <heart leaps for a moment> But this running has a different feeling to it. <tilts head, rubs temple> One of great import me thinks. < a blur, then it clears > The two are underground. This seems familiar, but I can’t REMEMBER! Ah, my head hurt. <the voices feeling of warm eases o’er me> "Better, my thanks" I thank the voice in my head.

They are running, ever down. This be dangerous I know, but they seem to be running towards not away.

They stop and examine something. Sorrow fills their eyes. They are too late to save that which brought them without fear for themselves so deep into this place. <frowns> They cover the remains. The younger says words of life o’er the makeshift resting place as the older watches the darkness close in. Again they run. Only towards the light so long gone from this place. Hours it seems they ran on and on. I can feel their pulses racing in mine own heart. Then the older stops short and points into the darkness. I can hear sounds now, a strange language, but one that needs no translation, Death is coming. <frowns, fearful for the pair>

A mighty battle erupts! Light and fire from every direction! The older one, more powerful and experienced takes the brunt. He seems to be luring the battle away from the younger!

"Life is a choice" the voice said with a touch of sadness.

Twas a fierce battle fought by the duo. But alas the tide was turning against them. "Fight on!" I yelled at them, knowing they could no hear. Helplessness o’er came me. <again the touch, and mine heart lightened a bit> The even as they fought on knowing that this was the end, they still managed not to show the despair mine own heart felt! Their eyes met, I can see smiles! Even as I watch, I can but feel the warmth that passed between the two. "Honor thy families memory! Open thy heart!" the older man yelled while fighting beyond belief! "Tyr is waiting, and ye must be ready! Keep this truth close" The older man finished, and with a mutual nod they sprang at the creatures that had brought them to this final moment.

<The world explodes>

-My head aches again from that which surely had happened. Mine heart fills with sorrow and pain for the two brave souls-

"Why do thee hurt so?" asked the voice.

"Why. WHY!" I yelled incredulously with hands pressing against my aching temples. Those two brave men deserved not to die in that dark place!" I answered back a bit angrily. "And they, they seemed not to fear for what came." A replied very confused. My head aches.

"You rush them to an end which has not come, my young friend" came the voice without a hint of chastisement. Only that of caring and understanding.

"This story continues.."

<pure white clouds linger for a moment, then clear>

I see the young man awaken from his long sleep in the darkness. He is surrounded by death and destruction. <tears well> He makes his way to the older man. I know not how, for the cavern is strewn with all manner of parts and rubble. Such destruction I can not imagine! And he liveth! What of the older man I wonder. He finds the man, surely he is gone. He is blackened by fire, and broken by the whole of a mountain upon him. <tears flow> Yet he but lives! <tears flow unchecked> "Tyr.. .is call..ing" came the unasked for answer from the older man. "tis not you time." He said, trying to smile through fire baked skin. <sobs now accompany the unchecked tears> "You have but to…. follow the path…" he stops to catch his breath, "up.. towards the light" again he stops.. the rasping worsens. < a soft caress > "Hold thy.. family..close..Keep truth…" with that the old man was no more.

"Arrrgggghhhh!!!! Why show me this voice!" I sobbed. "Twould have been better thinking them gone in that instant, together….Has not the young one lost more than his share?! What is there for this one? His family gone, but a memory…can this keep him warm and safe at night..this memory? What more is there!" I pleaded with the voice. Banging my head with hands wet from tears shed for this one. "Ah, TYR! Help him!" I pleaded. "Help him! Help Him! Help Him! Help ME!" I yelled.

< a great warmth o’er came the pain >

"I have my son" came the voice, "you have but to open thine heart and see what layeth there. Is it not lightened of it’s burden? Are thee not safe?" the gentle voice spoke on. "Have thee not learned that all things have a time? That out of the darkness, comes light? the voice paused again.

"Can thee not hear?"

"Melazar!" a voice came out of the darkness. Different this time.

"Are you leaving me?" I asked "your voice sounds far off."

"Nay, my son" warmth again, and love….."I am but giving thee back to those that yet now search for thee. Long have they been at this task."

"Melazar!" closer came the voice.

"They are but that which you sought" the voice caressed my mind , "Look inward for that which you lost"

"Am I the young man in mine dream?"

"Yes my son"

"Then they be family?" I cried.

"Yes my son..They be thy new family."

"Truth Keeper be thee called. Know thee not the truth when thy heart sings?"

The warmth of love and FAMILY washed o’er me.

"I see the truth." I answered the voice.

"I shall keep this truth" <smiles through tears of joy>

"Over here!" I yelled. "Over here.. my family"

As I waited for my family come to take me home, I felt the warmth of a touch on my heart. And a single word echoed as the touch faded, "Family".