128 An Endless Tu-dey In Mediocrity (2/2)
Even so, the terrified remnant of a man would not bend. He'd rather die than follow the path that the phantom wanted him to walk.
…Perhaps he was right. That his reason for moving forward wasn't enough, given what he'd have to face at some point in the future.
If she died… would he lose his reason for fighting? If so, that was an extremely dangerous thing. All it'd take for him to give up would be her untimely death.
What would happen to the world after that? It stood to reason that it'd all be over for the world's final hope were she ever to perish at any point in the journey.
He could not allow the entire multiverse to hinge on the life of a single person.
It'd be the height of stupidity to allow something as naive as that, so he hurriedly acted to nip the idea in the bud before it took hold.
Twilight Cem-Elle was his response to the fool's dreams and ideals.
A town filled hopeless, mediocre fools who lacked what made them unique. They were all bereft of their drive to improve and seek what lay beyond their short lives — a purpose, a goal greater than even themselves.
These people were happily content when the sun shone and hopelessly despaired when the stormy clouds hovered above the city.
Not a single one of them had the creativity to feel joy in seeing a thunderstorm. They feared and loathed what they felt was overpowering to them in their eyes. The sound of thunder was enough to make them suffer…
They could not, for instance, dreaming of being as awe-inspiring and powerful as the flash of a bolt of lightning, nor the sound of its companion the sonorous clap of thunder that followed it…
Cattle lacked the drive to be better — to one day pursue the thunderstorm. They would forever fear it and call it evil.
This was his perception of Reed's dream. What he thought of the life Reed aspired to live until the day he died. Thus, he had created the world that the nameless vagrant now found himself trapped within.
He would make the stupid, naive boy fear that which was mediocre. One 'today' at a time, until the boy strived for greatness past his petty fears.
…The world needs someone strong. A person who can withstand all suffering that the world has to offer and still strive for greatness. To still believe in the idea of hope, no matter what is thrown at them.
Why can you not see that you have the potential within you…?
You've done it once already; do it once more and reach greater heights, Reed. For everyone's sake and not just your own.
The phantom had returned calmer than before. He had cooled himself down after he realized that yelling at the poor creature would not do him any favors.
Making himself an enemy was the last thing he wanted to do. All he wanted was for the boy to see how dangerous the path he had chosen was.
…Look, let me make it easier to for you understand, okay?
There's a massive canyon in front you and you need to get across it, right? An endless abyss is all that awaits those who fall into the canyon.
Now there are two options for you to cross the canyon.
A strong and sturdy bridge that'll let you cross safely — that's the path I'm offering you, Reed.
Your path? A thin and flimsy tight rope across the canyon. If even the slightest breeze hits you and you lose your balance…
Well, I'm sure you understand, right?
Okay… Now imagine that situation, but you also have to carry the entire world on your shoulders. And if you fall, it won't be just you that falls — the whole world will go down with you.
Which path do you think is the safest, Reed? Which path do you think is the most responsible one for you to take, hmm?
…We'll be here as long as it takes, buddy. Until you finally see reason and grow up a bit. When the time comes, you're going to have to be more than a hero or even a saint.
That's what we got signed up for, bud. No running from that. Trust me.
The nameless vagrant shut his eyes and said, \”No more… tu-dey… please…\”
The phantom gazed up at the twilight sky and said, \”That's not my call to make, bud. You're the one who'll free us both from…\”