#chehro

Nothing could live in this place.  The air was thick with the stench of methane and sulfur. Jagged rocks erupted randomly from the ground on this otherwise featureless plain.  On one of these rocks a boy sat, his head tucked between his knees, back rising and falling at odd intervals as he choked back tears. Snot stained the arms and legs of his well-tailored suit.  Even if the sobs could subside his breaths would be thick and choking in this humid primordial landscape.  Plumes of steam escaped the ground around shallow pools creating a soft "shhhhhhhh." It reminded the boy of his mother and he sensed the presence of microscopic organisms swimming in the pools. Eating, growing, they would one day outgrow their tiny ponds. Then, all at once, everything would be different.  Forever.

Footsteps approach and a grey skinned alien addresses the boy.

"You are much changed by your journey, Travis. I can see that. You will want answers that will be difficult for me to provide, but I will do as best I can."

Wiping his hands over his face to hide his flush skin and red eyes the boy lifts his head to face the alien.  "It's weird. I don't feel I've changed as much as I think I should."

The alien shrugs, "That you are aware of it is as much change as you could hope for."

"Why the fuck am I helping you? I need to know that there is a reason for this before I go any further. I've had a lot of time to make my own plans."

"I am sure you have," The alien grinned with a confidence that belied his small, slight frame. "And we will need all of those thoughts in the time to come."

"That sounds an awful lot like stalling asshole. You need to get to the point, I've waited long enough!" As the tears dried from the boys eyes his youthful visage melted away revealing wisdom beyond his apparent years.  Eyes that have seen to much.

"Very well. Paradox space is a loop, yes?"

"Sure."

"Do you know what is on the further side of the loop?"

"No."

"What is on the far side of the loop is the sum of all unexplored possibilities. I will not fool you, I seek power. But judge me by what I would do with it! Paradox space and its cruel "game" foists the role of god onto the bloodstained hands of unprepared children."

"There we're on the same page. Children shouldn't be told to play god. But, even as old as I am, I don't feel that I can either."

"I will be an excellent god, because I must."

"That's not an argument. It's a statement of commitment. You need to convince me not to drown you in a scrying pool right fucking now."

"The nature of paradox space means that a cruel, unpleasant world exists in perpetuity. The loop of all that is sustains it, those deaths are preordained, and from an inside perspective, that cruel angel's thesis is destined to replay itself. That is paradox. These are our tools, knight of life. What would you defend?"

"Choice. Life. Love."

"Innocence?"

"..Yes. I am not convinced mankind needs gods."

"Then mankind need not have them, although I think it is perhaps a little too late for you to judge, Marduk. Or do you prefer Jesus?"

"Yeah yeah, touche' asshole."

"That is a term used when humans cross blades, is it not? I prefer not to use it with you. Words have power."

"Okay, whatever." It was upon this plain of poison and desolation the boy and the alien shared their visions.  Each saw merit in the other's plan to ensure the continuation of life. An accord was struck. The boy came to his feet to tower over his ally, "And if you fail?"

The alien only smiled, "I will not. But were I to, it would fall to you."

"So why wouldn't I just betray you?" asked the boy.

"Because you do not want this. Despite your recent actions, betrayal is not your real nature."

"I don't know, it kind of seems that way."

"It is not. You may think me petty and small, but my dreams are grander than myself. All I want is to be the greatest there could ever be, the ultimate self improvement, and then use my greatness as a testament to itself, burning it into paradox space. And with my great ambition, the stakes of all beings will rise. And so will you."

"And what if I find you lacking?"

"Then strike me down. I invite it. All I ask is that we proceed towards this goal. I accept that you are not fully on board the plan. But you will not recognize the person I become as the person that I am now. You are free to pursue your own goals, and I will help you. If I fail, then I have helped you on your way. If I succeed, then you will see the wisdom of my plan."

"It would be a lot easier to see the wisdom of your plan if I didn't know about your Nhamni obsession."

The alien dismissed the concern with a wave of his hand, "Psh."

"Don't psh that shit. That's fucked up."

"It is complicated. You are in a poor place to judge our culture, but I crafted Nhamni into the person that she is."

"That sounds like Dad talk."

"Ah yes, the incomprehensible phenomenon of being raised by a breeding competitor.  I crafted Nhamni into the person who would make the deep, fatalistic decisions that would allow us to win the game. And I find her beautiful. Is that so wrong? Knowing what you know now, does your heart not still beat a little stronger for Tara?"

"Fuck you."

"But accurate, yes?"

"...Yes."

"I will proceed towards ultimate godhood, and you will join me."

"If you show any, ANY sign of not keeping your end of the bargain, I'm going to strike you down."

"I am counting on it."

"Are you now motherfucker?"

"You are a remarkably consistent being, Travis. You will do just as you have said. And for me, that is enough. Knowing that you will do so means that I will succeed or die. And that fact alone is my guarantee of success."

"As a sort of paradox probability sorter?"

"You are that consistent."

"Huh."

"Huh indeed. Now come, Khetus has acquired some excellent game afield, and we are to feast."

"What are we going to do with the prisoners?"