“It is simply far too easy to manipulate these mindless masses.”

“You are telling me, all I have done was let slip a little ‘secret’ about you-know-who colluding with the wrong people and my campaign practically ran itself!”

“Now all we have to do is convince them that we deserve tax relief for all that ‘hard work we are doing for this city’ and we will be sitting pretty.”

“That is, until we are voted off the council….”

Ark leaned against the wide mahogany doors as he listened to the room within burst into laughter. He grinned. Just when you’d think you are safe… He shook his head and stepped away from the door, turning towards it. Standing at the ready, he knocked the heel of his boot rhythmically into the ground until the etchings hidden faintly on the dark leather began to glow bright red.

Amongst the circle of portly politicians, the laughter has yet to cease. Tears rolled down their faces, dampening their perfectly curled moustaches. The jokes shared amongst themselves were at the expense of others, and that made it all the more satisfying for Ark to blast down the doors with a single swift kick. The splintering of wood turned the red faces of laughter into red faces of fury as the circle stood from behind their podiums to reprimand the one who dare intruded on their private meeting.

Sweaty faces could not make out the sharp silhouette of the culprit against the bright hall light beyond the doorway. One shaky voice managed to call out in mock authority, “Hark, whoever you are, you shall indeed be punished post-haste for this unprecedented intrusion on political grounds! It is our right to convene here without interruption and you shall be jailed for forgoing that right, or worse, fined!”

“That will not be necessary gentlemen, as I have a far more fitting punishment for one who dares step on something as serious as another man’s rights,” Ark said as he stepped lightly over the splintered wood littering the way to the center of the congressional hall. The dim light closed in around him as he reached the edge of the circle where squinting eyes could now barely make out the form.

“I dare say– Ark Tyrian? I do hope you realize that this breach of law will not net you any gain. Your grant application has been denied, and I do think you shall be even worse off now that you shall be paying for the damage done to our building, let alone any fines we shall place on you at our own discretion,” a politician remarked, leading the group into a cacophony of nods and affirmations.

“Fines? I do hope you mean like the fines you personally collect, Emerson Daly, was it? I think one might call that ‘embezzling funds’ but who am I to say, I am just a simple scientist.”

At mention of his name, he flicked his eyes back and forth at the others. All eyes locked with his before turning in unison back towards the accuser.

“Or you, Sigurd Helmsbrook– or was it Helmsbrand? Hecklesberry? My my, you all have such terribly formal and long winded names that I can hardly keep track, but last I heard was that you were sleeping with the mayor’s wife! The lengths one will go through to gain power, it is simply disgusting.”

Sigurd stood at this claim, enraged. “Indeed, who are you to say anything at all, Mr. Tyrian,” he shouted through spittle and sweat. Others in the circle began reaching up to ropes hanging from the ceiling. “First you somehow manage to evade our guards and break into government property, and next you destroy said property, and now you dare slander us at our own council? I dare say, my compatriots seem to agree on your fate, Ark Tyrian.”

Ark let another smirk loose. “That will not be necessary,” he said, producing a small disk contraption from his jacket. With a swift wind up, he tossed the device into the center of the circle, and with a jolt of purple electricity, it slammed to the ground as if gravity weighed it down hard.

That is exactly as it has done, for upon activation it began generating a limited gravitational field that was nearly triple the strength than what was natural. Congressmen all sank back into their chairs, arms weighed down onto their armrests before a single one of them could pulled down their ropes.

Ark, however, moved freely in the field, in fact, he seemed even lighter on his feet than before. He sprung forward towards one named Bruno Maximilian directly across from him. Ark seemed to float down into a deep lean against his podium as he watched him struggle to move out of his seat at all.

He rest his head in his arms and said, “Mr. Maximilian, usually gerrymandering would be cause of such an easy council seat for someone such as yourself, but fraudulent votes on top of that? A bit unnecessary.”

Tears were practically pulled from his eyes when he asked, “What will you do, kill us?”

Ark pulled back and laughed, nearly toppling over with a hand covering his forehead.

“Kill you? Good gracious, no, I am not one to do something like that and after all, if you were dead where would this city be in terms of leadership, legislature, or even just people to look up to?” Ark pulled himself together and reached over the podium to press a button on a console.

The room shuddered as the ceiling split in two. Light poured into the dark council hall through the tiny sliver. The light grew brighter and brighter as the two pieces pulled away from each other acting as a sort of hangar door above them. Then the ground creaked to life as it began to spiral upwards along tracks now illuminated by the light of the daylight above them. Slowly the platform rose to the top, locking into place in the center of the city, just before the government plaza behind it’s thick intimidating walls.

The politicians will soon pay the price for their hubris in making a “private hall” that can be converted into a public debate space. It was their own fault for relishing in the public attention, and now surrounding the outdoor platform was the public. Every man, woman, and child gathered around the corrupt few who have claimed to be representing the people’s rights, just as Ark had planned. The gravitational field still held but Emerson managed to pull himself up in his cushioned leather seat.

“Is this all your plan? To expose some ‘secrets’ you have of us, with no proof?”

Ark ignored the questioning of the council and turned towards the crowds surround him.

“Greetings, people of the great City of Kings! I am Ark Tyrian, a proud scientist and mage who has come to free you of the clutches of such corruption dictating your lives, while they sit free of all rules and regulations. You have heard my call and gathered together here, which I do greatly appreciate, and while I am sure some of you already have your doubts and disliking of these poor old men surrounding me, I think it is best to hear some of the disgusting things they have done from the doers themselves.”

Some of the council members broke into a fit of laughter. “And how will you manage that, Mr. Tyrian?”

Ark finally decided to face his adversaries. “You may remember how I called myself a mage, yes?” Ark began, “Well, some magicks are finicky in the way they way work, especially when used on the human mind. Unfortunately for me, the sort of truth spell I wish to put you fellows under is incredibly difficult, requiring many years of research on the human brain, as well as extensive knowledge of illusionary magicks as well as adept skill in control magicks.”

Ark snapped his fingers together and a light haze passed through the minds of the councilmen.

“Unfortunately for you, I have done a lot of practice.”

Ark approached each of the podiums they sat behind and switched on the microphones connected to speakers throughout the city for large scale announcements or public debates. He turned with a final wink to the circle before letting the spell to kick in and the true secrets to be exposed by the ones who spent their lives keeping them.

Voices were heard over the loud speakers that were soon drowned out by the angry mob forming around Ark as he waltzed through the crowds out of the city.

The heat. I am burning alive. Ark breathed heavy through the thick dust, licking sweat as it rolled down his cheeks. It never ends. He reached down for the canteen secured at his waist. His hand touched rough leather, but found no canteen. Oh yeah. I don’t have a canteen.

Pulling his shirt-turned-scarf up over his nose, he dropped to his hands and knees, climbing slowly up the steep dune just before him. I’ll look for water. That’ll work, right? Wind made progress slow as sand blew into every crevice of his body. Reaching the top did nothing for his hope, as his vantage only revealed miles and miles of sand. Behind him was endless dust as well.

Ark fell onto his side in defeat. Gasping for air, he felt as though he were suffocating in the heat. His vision darkened. Dehydration was setting in. Maybe they would have water. He looked up at a tall figure, standing silhouetted against the yellow sky full of dust.

He blinked hard. Wait a second. Who on earth… Where did they come from? The figure’s long scarf blew in the wind. They raised their arms to their hips, and shook their head.

“W-water….”, Ark barely managed, arm outstretched to this figure, before collapsing into the sand.

~~~~~

Ark sat up suddenly from the bed, gasping for air. Drenched in sweat, he threw back his covers. A bad dream?

“No, not a bad dream, unfortunately.”

Ark tensed. He looked around but did not see where the voice came from. Whether or not it was a dream, he was still not in his own bed. The walls of the room he found himself in were mostly window. All that could be seen outside is clear blue sky.

The room was bare, lacking furniture, decoration, and most importantly the origin of the voice.

“You nearly died, you know?”, the voice echoed about the empty room. “Why would you walk out into a desert without water?”

Above me? He looked up and noticed a hole through the ceiling. Up there? He got up out of the bed, which was simply a large cushion atop a stand. Most of his clothing was stripped off him, but thankfully underwear was left where it was. His belongings were nowhere to be found.

He crept silently up to the hole, to catch a glimpse of what was above. It seemed this was the bottom floor of where ever he was, as he could see upwards through several holes before he saw ceiling again.

Suddenly a foot appeared over the hole, and a person dropped down from at least three floors up. Ark stumbled back just in time to avoid being crushed by a falling figure. They landed without a sound on both feet, with a large pot in one hand, and a bowl and spoon in the other. Their long green scarf wrapped around their neck fluttered down behind them.

“Hey, you should be in bed! You are weak still,” they said, pushing Ark back towards the bed, leaving the pots and bowls suspended in midair. Ark sunk back into the bed, with too many questions filling his mind.

“Slow down with the questions, I can’t answer so many at once!” They gasped though and with eyes widened, they bowed down before Ark. “Oh, I am so sorry about the mind reading, I was worried about your state and whether or not you were alive. I don’t usually use it if I don’t have to. Please forgive me!”

“Well, it’s okay, I guess,” Ark said in response.

“Oh thank goodness!” They said, jumping back upright and fetching the floating kitchen supplies. “I made you some soup, because I figured you’d be hungry after how I found you in. Like I said, you almost died.”

They began to prepare soup from the pot, when Ark finally managed to ask a single question.

“Um, who are you?”

The mysterious host paused. Their tanned skin seemed to turn white in embarrassment. “Oh good heavens, I completely forgot.”

They stepped away from the soup, leaving it suspended in midair once again, and turned to face Ark. They adjusted their glasses, and brushed off their most beige outfit.

"I am named many things. I was once Tenchiuxingusu. Then, Cygnatii. While there are many other names, you can just call me Benji. Some call me a god, others, a deity. I’d like you to just consider me a friend though.”

Ark furrowed his brow. “Surely, this is a dream.”

“Nope, one hundred percent real!” They turned back to continue the preparation of the soup.

“So I am being cared for by a god, named Benji?”

“Hey, I like that name! It’s simple and easy to remember, not like those other names people made up for me. Also I’m not a god, I am an ethereal being. I am immortal though,” they laughed to themselves. “All technicalities though. Here’s the soup!”

Ark took the bowl in his hands, but didn’t even look at it. “Where on earth am I though?”

Benji waved their hands and the pot floated back up the ceiling hole. “Like I said, you nearly died out in the desert. I was watching for a bit, but you travelled in circles. Once you collapsed, I knew I had to do something, so I brought you back to my house!” They smiled with their arms outstretched, showing off the entirety of their empty room.

“Thank you for that. I am truly grateful, but I have one thing to ask. I don’t even remember going out into the desert. I have no idea what happened, but I know I didn’t go out on my own accord. Especially how unprepared I was. I didn’t even have a canteen! So very unlike me, truly. Do you know what happened?”

Benji crossed their arms. They seemed deep in thought. They shook their head and sighed. “I wouldn’t know myself. You would, though, technically.”

“Technically?”, Ark asked, while sipping his soup. It was really good, and started drinking it heartily. Ark couldn’t even begin to describe its flavor, but it was easily the best soup he’s ever had.

Benji began pacing. “You see, I could look into your memories, but like I said, I don’t usually like using the mind reading. If it’s your desire, I can make an exception.”

~~~~~

The two knelt across from each other on two plain green pillows taken from the bed. Ark shifted uncomfortably but Benji was obviously a natural, and settled into a peaceful disposition. At least I’m clothed.

“Ah,” they sighed. “Now that we are ready, we shall begin.”

Ark adjusted his position, and with brows furrowed, he nodded in agreement. Benji returned a smile to him, and closed their eyes.

“Now, you are going to have to understand that I am reading your thoughts. I’ll do my best to keep what’s private, private, but I’m just saying that I could see something secret. The human mind is a weird place.”

Met with another nod from Ark, they continued, lifting both their arms up to either side of his face. Fingertips lightly brushed against Ark’s neck and chills went up his spine. Benji’s eyes were shut tight in concentration as their fingers traced along his skin.

To Ark’s surprise, Benji halted their tracings and pressed hard just below his jaw. Their eyes opened and instead of their kind eyes, bright light shone.

Gasping for air, Ark found himself standing in the middle of a forest. Or at least what he thinks is a forest. Shapes are blurred and constantly morphing, but it generally looked as if he were surrounded by trees. He looked down to feet that were carrying his body onwards through the forest. He seemed to be wearing exactly what he had on in the desert.

“This seems to be tied to what happened before you made it to the desert,” Benji’s voice emanated from somewhere unseen. “Unfortunately, like most memories are, you have to remember it from the beginning. It’ll all happen as it did, so just sit back and watch.”

Through the blurry woods, a different color appeared between the trees. Ark arrived to an outcropping of rocks, which had been adapted into a strange makeshift home. What seemed to be a wooden door was placed in the middle, and a large chimney puffed purple-tinted smoke.

Ark reached his knuckles up to knock on the door, but it swung open suddenly and out ran a short old woman.

She began to talk but words were muffled, incomprehensible. The scene began to blur further, the old woman blending with her rocky home.

The scene continued nonetheless, and Ark raised his hands up in defense. He pulled something from a backpack he must have had on, and shows it to the woman. Vague motions of anger and muffled voices grow more intense, when a bright yellow light shines beneath Ark’s feet.

All at once, he is falling through the air, and promptly lands in the hot sand of the desert.

~~~~~

“Sorry, memories can be a bit foggy. Looks like someone got mad at you though, possibly a witch? Awfully rude to send you to the desert.”

Ark swayed, dizzy from the whole experience.

“Yes, well, I do remember what happened now. Seems that that was just enough to jog my memory.”

He struggled to his feet, dizziness turning to nausea, but he stands resolute.

“It is such a silly dispute as well, for I had come to provide that very witch with some rare herbs and reagents from a far friendlier witch friend of mine. She claimed I brought her bad ingredients, and I turned her into the old hag she appeared to be. Of course that was not true, for even I had checked the ingredients before delivery.”

Benji, still kneeling, shook their head in disbelief. “Like I said, that’s awfully rude!” They levitated themselves back onto their feet. “Will you do something?”

Ark shrugged and walked over to the large window looking over the desert. Winds kicking up sand made it difficult to see the ground but the building was easily built a good thirty meters up the side of a cliff.

“There is no point in it now. The woman got her ‘revenge’ so to speak. It is a shame though, as she would most likely not trust me anymore.” He laughed to himself. “Who am I kidding? Like I care what some lonely witch does out in the woods. It is honestly her own fault for screwing up such a spell.”

Benji giggled to themselves, joining Ark at the window. They placed a hand on their shoulder.