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The Guardian Dragon Chronicles

Dissonance

"A whole other world is now ravaged by discord!" shouted one voice. "By our grace, we permitted you to proceed with your undertaking, but now collateral damage has been sustained!"

"Your reckless negligence, lack of vigilance makes fools of us!" shouted a second. "You share responsibility for this calamity, but with Rak dead, only you we can hold accountable!"

"I was his executioner. Surely that merits me a reduction in consequences," Cid stated.

"You would have been wise to speak with humility, but instead you have the audacity to speak with pretension!?" shouted another. "Do you even fathom the gravity of your summons!?"

"With all due respect-" Cid started.

"It's too late for formality!" a fourth voice interrupted. "You are not helping your cause. We lean towards the decision of forcing your master awake!"

"By our grace, we have permitted you to appeal!" the first voice shouted "That is the main reason why we demanded that you appear before us!"

"A world is devastated, but so are we!" a fifth voice shouted. "Not a single Keeper survived the massacre! Even in a timeless setting, time still has relevance! Could you even measure the exasperating length of time it took to culminate such a large number!? In what could be measured as mere minutes, the number was reduced to nothing!"

"With all due respect, do not insult me!" Cid shouted. "I am well aware of the responsibility that I must take in this matter, and fully intend to do so! The 'time' I take here to appeal needlessly I could be spending towards assessing Gaia with Acorech like we planned! I will not forget the Keepers. I will take charge in culminating a new generation. With that said, you overreach yourselves by succumbing to emotion! Do not let anger cloud your judgment! You yet may see your grace as pointless, but putting things to a premature end will even more so make all for nothing! If you awaken him, Gaia endures a calamity for nothing, the Keepers were annihilated for nothing! Taking such an egregious action will punish the victims, not me. If I must receive a reckoning, then so be it! However, it must be something else!"

"You speak down to us with authority!?" a sixth voice shouted. "None else would dare attempt! However, there is no fault in this instance. You have done so with valor, not arrogance."

"Indeed," replied a seventh voice. "Your honor and convictions are acknowledged. You were granted what none other were: A first chance. Now beyond that, you are granted a second chance. Do not let that be for nothing!"

"Yes, my efforts will be significant, but it is not ultimately up to me if there is meaning in what transpires," Cid responded. "Regardless of whether or not you have found fault in my words, I must still rectify them. Having spoken as if the decision you were inclined to make was the only way to strip recent events of their meaning, I spoke presumptuously. It is not guaranteed that we will succeed in our goal. I may not fail you again, but if we fail that, then meaninglessness will still be. Only when this is at its end will we know if it will be fruitful or not."

"Do not doubt now!" an eighth voice shouted. "The end is nigh. You can't afford to have thoughts of failure. You must remain focused on success!"

"We will not detain you further; you are adjourned," said a ninth voice. "Go and do not fail!"

Cid departed from the nothingness he was in, and went to Dragon Heart Temple. There, in front of the others, he confronted Kardonyth.

"What were you thinking!?" Cid scolded. "You should have contacted me as soon as you realized what happened to Acorech!"

"Are you kidding me!?" Kardonyth retorted. "I tried to not involve you because you've stressed how busy you are, but now you're taking the time to what, lecture me!?"

"Exactly," Cid answered. "You knew how much of a threat Rak was with the four of you, you dared to confront him with just three, and then you left leaving only two. You're lucky Rak was obsessed with prolonging suffering, because they'd be dead otherwise!"

"I left to join up with Crystal!" Kardonyth replied.

"Who you should never have even sent off to a different world all by herself in the first place! With the Dragon Key, especially!" Cid yelled. "There's a difference between faith and foolishness. I know you'd like to think nothing could possibly happen, but you have no way of knowing. Nobody's perfect. She could very well have ended up losing it, it could very well have ended up being stolen, who knows?"

"Better to have had it lost in a different world than in Rak's hands!" Kardonyth responded.

"What if he went off and found it first!?" Cid asked.

Kardonyth had no answer.

"You should have involved me from the start, but instead you ended up involving me after involving people who had nothing to do with this!" Cid continued.

"Well, one of them turned out to be Acorech!" Kardonyth retorted.

"What if he wasn't!?" Cid asked.

"Acorech or not, it's because of him you were contacted!" Kardonyth replied.

"You don't get it," Cid breathed. "If I was involved from the start, there would be no need for others, you wouldn't have been a dog!"

"If you're so busy-" Kardonyth started.

"I don't have time for leisure, but I make time to help others!" Cid shouted. "Keep in mind I assist not just you guys, but others as well. If I only cared about my business, I wouldn't help at all! The fact that I came to your aid when I did proves I would have done it right away had you contacted me sooner! You've lost sight of many things. I think you let Rak get to you. You're judgment has become clouded. You've become reckless in thought, and in action. Acorech made himself a sacrifice, and that was nearly in vain because of the decisions you've made. The decisions you made were a factor in yesterday's jeopardy pertaining not just to Acorech, but to the others, also to the world, and to Gaia. Out of respect for your ambitions, the others have crowned you the unspoken leader. Perhaps it's best that until you have redeemed yourself, you should relinquish that role."

"Aren't you being too harsh?" Alakin asked.

"Yeah! I think you're going too far!" Crystal exclaimed. "None of this stuff mattered yesterday, now it does?"

"Now it does, yes." Cid leered. "I was recently, abruptly, inevitably, ordered to appear before the Council concerning what transpired yesterday."

"'The Council?'" Kardonyth asked.

"Yes," Cid answered. "You had basic prior knowledge of the chains of memories and the Memory Palace, but along with everyone else you were grossly misinformed about the Zero Dimension. I myself was caught up in the moment, and as such, I gave an extremely inaccurate explanation of it. The Zero Dimension is split into three parts. First and foremost is it's core: Absolute Zero. It is total, complete nothingness. The rest of the dimension is split into two planes. One being time without space, and the other being space without time. It is in the latter, near the border between it and Absolute Zero, that three relevant institutions exist. There is the Eternal Prison. People who break cosmic law, in other words, those such as Rak who perpetrate extreme chaos, are put on trial before the Council, then, if and when they are convicted of their crimes, are sentenced to centuries, millennia, perhaps even an indefinite duration in the Eternal Prison. Rak would no doubt have ended up there had we not killed him. That is maintained by the Sentinels. There is the Memory Palace. Fragments, or even whole chains of memories that have been displaced, either naturally or by force, make their way to the Memory Palace. Those memories were organized and safeguarded by the now extinct Keepers. Both places and their respective faculty are under direct control of the Council. The Council is a collective of nine beings who discarded their corporeal form, and acquired godlike power. Together, they fancy themselves the overseers of universes and the divine authority of cosmic law. They see all, hear all."

"They blame us for what happened?" Kardonyth inquired.

"They hold us partially accountable, particularly me," Cid admitted.

"Why?" Kardonyth questioned.

"I am an Agent of the Nine. I am this realm's representative who intermediates on its behalf, and am responsible for enforcing cosmic law within it," Cid confessed. "For someone from one realm to commit a cosmic crime in another, is seen as a greater sin than for it to occur in the same. What happened to Gaia was already enough to greatly infuriate the Council, but having had the Keepers wiped out right under them has them far more vehement. Things could have, should have been handled differently, better. You, Kardonyth, sent Crystal off to Gaia with the Dragon Key, joined her there, and therefore Rak chased after you, entering into Gaia. If you had immediately alerted me, and here remained, Rak would have been to this realm contained! Don't you see the error of your ways? The effect your mistakes had?"

"You're right," Kardonyth answered. "I'm starting to fathom the reality of my decisions."

"Yeah?" Cid asked.

"People all over a world are hurt, homeless, even dead because I initially sent Crystal there with the Dragon Key?" Kardonyth asked.

"Yeah," Cid answered.

"An entire group of people were massacred for the same reason?" Kardonyth asked.

"Yeah," Cid answered.

"Don't let him blame himself for what happened!" Alakin snapped. "It's all because of Rak!"

"Were we arrogant?" Calic asked. "We wrote him off as nothing more than a nuisance, a pest, thinking he could never overcome us. He continued to grow in power while we did not. I can't help but think that if we had humbled ourselves, and had been more cautious, that yesterday could have been averted. We stopped what happened, but we did not prevent it. We have desecrated our reputation as the Guardian Dragons.

"Let me blame myself!" Tears streamed down Kardonyth's face as he dropped to his knees. "Don't share the blame, this is all me! I aspired to be a leader, you all looked to me, and look where I lead us! How many lost parents!? How many lost children!? How many lost siblings!? How many lost family!? How may lost friends!? How many lost lovers!?"

"To you I bestowed Dragonfang as well as fragments of my knowledge because of my faith in your competence as a leader," Cid stated. "To an extent I still have faith, but you must yet face consequences for your shortcomings."

"So be it," said Kardonyth. "Then my last act as leader, and first of redemption, is to appoint the one who will take charge in place of me,"

"So be it," said Cid.

"Calic," Kardonyth named. "Your wisdom shall be the rightful foundation of our leadership."

"I-I... I'm flattered," Calic spoke.

"Well, I'm sure that it goes without saying that I have even lost the right to wield Dragonfang," Kardonyth continued. "In my hands, it was nothing more than a mere weapon. In the hands of Acorech, it performed extraordinarily. Acorech, Dragonfang is now yours."

"I'm not sure what to say," Acorech spoke.

"What is there to say?" Kardonyth asked. "I believe Dragonfang has proved itself to be a weapon that has chosen its master."

"There is nothing more to say," Cid spoke. "There is work to be done. We all have work to do. The present will define the future. We must remain vigilant."

"'There is nothing more to say' says someone with something to say. Okay, then. Now that this talk has been exhausted, let's get on with what we mean to do," Acorech retorted.

"Yes, let's." Cid opened up a portal for them.

"Wait!" yelled Sara. "Please let me come!"

"You're worried, as you should be. Gaia is your home, of course. However..." Acorech embraced Sara and looked into her eyes. "It's already hard enough to focus with you always in my thoughts. While Cid and I conduct our work, I can't have your presence tempting me to be doing more of this." He gave her a passionate kiss, and she lost herself in his arms.

"Well, when you put it that way, for the sake of Gaia, I'll remain here," Sara responded.

Cid and Acorech stepped into Gaia, to the spot where they had left to return to Dragon Heart Temple. They gazed upon the ruins that had been known as a town.

"The whole world experienced disaster yesterday, but not as bad as this. This is the epicenter," Cid stated.

"Not to mention the massive hole where 'Neo Rak' was rooted," Acorech said.

"Yes, it's size makes it appear significant, but it is trivial," Cid replied.

"What?" Acorech questioned.

"To an extent I could gauge the increase in Mana, but now that there's no fighting, I can be precise," Cid said.

"Answer!" Acorech yelled.

"Patience!" Cid replied. He closed his eyes, and appeared to be lost in thought. When he opened his eyes again, he took a walk.

"Well?" Acorech asked as he caught up.

"The worst has yet to come, and the world is ill prepared," Cid answered.

"What do you mean?" Acorech asked.

"A precise measurement of the level of Mana reveals nothing more than a rough one," Cid began. "As we speak, and even as far back as yesterday, mutations occur. Organic and inorganic entities alike, albeit not all, are developing magical properties. In addition to the increased potential of what people will be capable of, it is guaranteed that yesterday's unprecedented incident has exacerbated malicious intent. There will be a number of people who will walk the path Rak did, and seek out ultimate power."

"One like Rak was, is bad enough, but multiple!?" Acorech questioned. "The Guardian Dragons plus the Great Wizard barely stopped Rak. How will this world combat the future villains it has been doomed to face!?"

Cid walked in silence.

"Can't Mana be somehow contained?" Acorech inquired.

"What part of 'irreversible' did you not understand?" Cid snapped. "Once Mana is free, it is free forever. Imprisoning Mana to then liberate it is impossible. Mana's release is a process of Nature that cannot be emulated."

"Then nature is flawed," Acorech replied. "Each instance of Mana somehow remains confined to its respective world, but it can't somehow be contained?"

"Reality is full of scenarios beyond our understanding," Cid replied.

The two were spotted by Zade who ran up and greeted them. "Back so soon?" He asked.

"We're trying to get a better picture of the situation," Acorech replied.

"I see," Zade said sullenly. He perked back up a second later. "I want to thank you."

"For coming back?" Acorech asked.

"No," Zade replied.

"What for?" Acorech questioned.

"Your confession of love to Sara encouraged me to tell Teri how I feel about her," Zade answered. "It turns out that she feels the same way about me! It's because of you that we're together!"

"You're not spending time with her?" Acorech asked.

"She's helping people on the other side of town," Zade replied. "This side needed more help so I stayed behind. By the way, why didn't Sara tag along?"

"Oh, you know," Acorech winked.

"What?" Zade was confused.

"You'll understand soon enough," Acorech replied.

"Okay?" Zade was still confused.

"Anyway, we're both busy at the moment. Lets' get back to work," Acorech said.

"Yeah," Zade bid the two farewell and went off to continue what he was doing.

Cid and Acorech started to walk again, but the latter, face down, suddenly stopped in his tracks.

"What's wrong?" Cid asked.

"I can't help but still... second guess myself, my memories, my feelings," Acorech answered. "I love Sara, but is it really fate that brought us together? What exactly is fate? I can't help but believe that I am an anomaly. I don't belong in the memories of Gaia's inhabitants. Due to Rak, not just my memories, but the memories of everyone in this world are changed forever. Just think of all the collateral damage to peoples' lives that has been done because I've been inserted into their lives. The house that I called my own, was it previously vacant, or someone else's? Was Sara actually in love with someone else? Who knows? I want to discern where in others' memories and lives I don't belong and reverse the damage done."

"Firstly, replacing a person in memories can only ever be deliberate, so you'll only ever be an addition," Cid replied. "Secondly, don't be a hypocrite. Don't tell me you want to revert peoples' memories when you still want to be with Sara. You just can't pick and choose with a situation like this. Besides, as has been many times noted, lives are connected. These connections, these networks, are like a web. Changes spread, don't forget that already."

"I'm stuck in a dilemma!" Acorech exclaimed. "I want to be with Sara, but I want to set things right. I...I-" He grabbed his head.

"Acorech?" Cid asked.

"My head hurts!" Acorech groaned. He then fainted.

"Acorech!" Cid exclaimed.

Acorech was returned to Dragon Heart Temple, and placed in his bed. Everyone gathered around him. He regained consciousness and continued to display excruciating pain.

"What's happening!?" Sara worried.

"I was afraid this would happen," Cid replied.

"Afraid what would happen?" Kardonyth asked.

"For a while his mind managed, but that time has passed," Cid replied. "His mind can't handle two chains of memories."

"So what now? What's he supposed to do?" Kardonyth asked.

"The pain from this predicament is paralyzing. He's immobilized and unable to be wholly focused on anything," Cid answered.

"Is there any way to fix this?" Sara asked.

"We could 'fix' him by removing one of the chains of memories," Cid answered.

"Don't do it!" Sara exclaimed. "It is our fate to be together! For that purpose his alternate memories brought us together!"

"I don't believe in fate!" Cid exclaimed. "I believe that destiny is ours to control! Acorech is a Guardian Dragon. It's his responsibility to protect this realm. He must give up his alternate memories."

"If I give up on love now, what right do I have to ever love again?" Acorech asked.

"Don't spout nonsense!" Cid exclaimed. "Your duty leaves no room for love!"

"Why us? Why are we the Guardian Dragons? Why them must we forever be?" Acorech asked. "Perhaps it's time we have successors."

"Don't be a hypocrite!" Cid exclaimed. "Helping people is your passion! It happens that you have what most people do not: Immortality. You would selfishly abandon your convictions and your gift all for love?"

"Maybe the solution isn't Crystal becoming immortal, but for me to become mortal..." Kardonyth stated.

"Perhaps yesterday's events doesn't just mean that we've desecrated our reputation as the Guardian Dragons, but that we've exhausted ourselves as them..." Calic stated.

"Don't waiver!" Cid exclaimed. "Persevere! Remain vigilant! For you all to question everything, to question yourselves, renders you all in a dangerously weakened state. This is Rak attacking from beyond the grave! Who know who will strike next or when, but you all need to be ready, to be prepared for whatever comes next. Your current thoughts endanger this realm. To linger on failing your duties is in and of itself failing your duties now! If being a Guardian Dragon is such a burden, would you really 'condemn' others to carry it? I assure you, being a Guardian Dragon is an honor."

"How would you know? You're not one!" Acorech exclaimed.

"That was uncalled for!" Cid screamed.

Acorech, with all his might, forced himself out of his bed, and onto his feet. Hunched over, he stared Cid in the eyes. "I will overcome this pain. In the end, I will retain both chains of memories."

"That's your answer!? You're better than this, Acorech! Don't let emotion cloud your judgment! Do the right thing!" Cid shouted.

"If you relieve me of my second chain of memories, everyone on Gaia will be ignorant of their world's situation. They need to be prepared!" Acorech replied.

"They may forget, they may not," Cid replied.

"What do you mean?" Acorech asked.

"The problem within the problem-A paradox," Cid answered. "At the point where your two chains meet, not only do they merge, but others, in their single chain, know you as both people. To remove your false memories, it's more likely that rather than forgetting you, their memory of you 'pre-merge' will be altered. How exactly, I do not know. How can people remember Acorech before they know Acorech? How, if at all, would their memories parallel ours?"

"There's a paradox within the paradox," Acorech said. "Sure, while I was unconscious, the memories fabricated are truly false, I'll grant you that. However, they become real at the point of consciousness."

"Holy damn," Cid said. "You actually have a point. I should have thought of that, but I didn't."

"Nobody's perfect, not even you," Kardonyth replied.

"I'm flattered that you'd give me such a compliment," Cid contemptuously smirked with overt sarcasm.

"If you had to guess, how sure can you be that the effects of removing my memories won't be adverse?" Acorech asked.

"The Collective Unconscious is enigmatic. It won't repair damage, but it will resolve certain errors. The way it operates is mysterious enough, can I begin to decipher what outcomes it will provide? I cannot," Cid replied.

"I'm not asking what the outcomes will be, I just simply want to how likely they are of being favorable!" Acorech snapped. "Based on prior knowledge, prior experiences, can you estimate what the chances are?"

"That's what I'm saying!" Cid replied. "The processes of the Collective Unconscious itself is unpredictable! In that regard, there is no such thing as certainty! The certainty of particular results can only exist when the natural operation of the Collective Unconscious is influenced. There is nothing natural about what has been done, and what would be done."

"You say the Collective Unconscious doesn't repair damage, but it repaired me!" Acorech retorted.

"It didn't fix you, it created a new you. There is only room for one you." Cid replied.

"As long as there is a chance that we can remember each other without our memories, I should take that chance," Acorech said.

"Don't even contemplate giving permission for your memories of us to be removed!" Sara scolded. "Don't risk our love!"

"If we are truly fated to be together, then our love will withstand whatever happens," Acorech replied. "Have faith in us, our love, have faith that this is just a trial meant to test our love, our faith."

"So Acorech..." Cid spoke. "Are you willing to relinquish your other memories, or do I have to purge them without permission?"

To be continued...