Within the practice of science, everything has started with a question. Why does it happen? How does it happen? What causes it to happen? And so, as scientists, we try to find an answer. And as the process goes: question, hypothesis, test, rethink if needed repeat, result.
One way to put it is “fuck around, find out.”
It’s not suited for all fields of scientists, but it is kind of what happens. Otherwise, how would we get to where we are today? Mendel’s Laws of Heredity came to be accepted due to some peas. The telescope was built to prove that planets went around the sun by whoever wanted to do that. I’m not into astrology.
However, those I would say are safe examples. The sun has been with us since the human population began. And so was hereditary. We have tried to go out beyond our familiar box. Things that we imagine and never run into.
And yes, it is good to get out of the comfort and familiar zone to try new things. But with science? Strategy is needed with that.
Working on science that is beyond us is walking a tightrope on the verge of breaking with a pit of fire and sharks below. You must calculate. You must think of everything, every possibility. You must go at the right pace.
One miscalculation, one thought missed, one wrong speed of pace, and you are gone. The result breaks the rope and you fall into the pits of fire and sharks. And if you make the result a monster, you risk all of life.
But there is something far much worse, I believe. If a person fucks around so far on that little tightrope, something else happens. You don’t fall to your death. You don’t doom all of life. The worst that can happen is that you become the result that now controls the tightrope.
Why do I think that becoming the result is the worst outcome?
Because I became the result of my own experiment.
I wanted to find a cure to all illnesses and upcoming ones. My team and I found an island that had mysterious properties. That included a crystal with magical powers. I was ecstatic that I was getting a breakthrough.
However, I made a mistake with the pacing. I had gotten sick during the time studying the crystal. But, being the young dumb man I was, I pushed myself. Too hard.
My entire team tried to convince me to stop, but stopping could have made the result kill me on the tightrope. So I didn’t. Then I got to a critical point of my illness. As much as the Doctor warned me to not get out of bed under any circumstances, I ignored him.
I wondered what would have happened if I listened. Would I…
…
I went to the crystal. It was glowing brighter than any night. My illness and desire to have an answer corrupted my brain to grab it. When I did, I could feel something inside it. And I heard a voice. I still remember it to this day.
Morgan Cottrell. I have seen you visit everyday, writing in the notebook you carry. You look with wonder and curiosity. But I knew there was something you desired.
And I believed I replied with:
I noticed that the crystal had healing properties. I thought if I could find a way to harness it, I could wipe out all diseases and any future one.
And what of you? You are sick now. Did you come here to heal yourself?
I honestly didn’t think about myself. At least as far as I can remember.
I came here because I wanted to continue the work. I need to know how to do it. I need to know how I can use this crystal. I want to stop the suffering in all of humanity. I want everyone to be happy and healthy! No one should have to suffer from something that can’t be cured!
The voice went silent then spoke again.
I must admit, I never expected a human to give me the truth like that. Many before you, even nonhumans, have lied to gain this power. And the results are the creatures who live on this island now. But you, Morgan Cottrell, are the first. Not only to tell the truth, but have the truth be out of good intentions. But this must do with why.
…
I’m cutting off the last part. My purpose is something that I rather keep private from strangers. Back to the voice.
But this will not help you.
When I heard that, I was confused and upset. I asked why, and the voice responded.
I have seen how the humans of earth act with medicine. Your homeland has… trouble with that. Medicine that was once free now has prices. And it grows. If your land gets a hold of this, it won’t make anything better. Even if you say it will be free, higher ups will find a way to price it.
And when it is priced, people who have nothing won’t get help. Diseases will not be stopped, they will grow. And more will come. Along with that, the power will be abused. The world will be destroyed.
I told the voice it couldn’t be true.
Because you put too much faith in your kind on earth. I wouldn’t trust them with a crown to let them rule.
Now thinking about what the voice told me, I could understand what the voice meant.
Then what are you going to do to me? I tried to harness the power.
I honestly didn’t expect what I was going to be told next. I thought I was gonna die or be turned into a beast.
I will make you the god of healing in my lands.
You can see why I was surprised.
Why me?
I have been looking for special people to help create and balance my land. But that all depends on your answer.
I thought about it. And I came to a conclusion.
I will go… if you keep my friends safe on the way home. And you give them some kind of help.
The voice was quiet for a moment.
… You really are like no other.
And then I felt pain.
Everything after that is black.
I heard that the voice kept the promise. The team returned home. They each got help in their lives. But me? I awoke in a dirt field. There was no green within sight. The voice spoke to me.
Find a place to set up your home. Once you have it, the land will become to your liking. You are the first one here, so you have free range.
So I searched. It was hard to say what was a good spot when the only damn thing I saw was dirt. But, I eventually found a spot I thought was… alright. The voice spoke.
The top middle? Interesting.
Not sure what was interesting about it. Still don’t know why.
The dirt started changing and shifting. I was soon standing on a forest mountain. And there was the cottage we both are standing in right now. It reminds me of home, back to when I was a child.
A few days after, I started to change into this form. I still have some of my old human features, but this took a while to get used to. The voice came back to me again.
You are now the god of healing and family. You are to be only referred to as Cottrell by the mortals. More like you will come.
I asked the voice what happened to me.
You have changed.
And they never specified no matter how many times I tried to ask. So I only went with the clues I got.
Different look, not aging in the past 50 years, and the new healing ability I had and mostly used on myself.
Yes, 50 years. I’ve been here for 50 years with no one else here. Can’t believe I haven’t gone insane. All I’ve been doing is just trying to get into hobbies to keep myself occupied. Gardening, cooking, sometimes sewing. I would probably do some farming, but no animals.
I didn’t know how long I would be alone, but seeing another person now? I’m guessing the voice got to ya too about some stuff and you proved yourself to be worthy of some kind… whatever it was you claimed.
Speaking of which, I don’t think I ever got your name. And I mean both first and last. We’re both no longer humans. We’re immortal gods to this new world. So we can share full names.
As you probably already guessed, Morgan Cottrell. God of Healing and Family.
…
Ronnie. Ronnie Bernal. I’m… unsure of what I am.
Don’t worry, you’ll learn. And I’ll help you through it.
