The red abyss was calling to me.
Life asked for sacrifice time and time again. It was greedy, always asking for more, never satisfied with what it had taken.
Or maybe I was the greedy one.
Asking to never be separated from my loved ones, asking for the world to be still. Asking for kindness, hoping for peace.
But if all of those things were an impossibility, if I had to make do with this world that would snatch all of those things from me…
I don't want to be a part of it.
My Grandfather, the last remaining unchanged facet of this world. My world. He had changed into something monstrous that I couldn't stomach witnessing. I stared at the red wastelands.
I would just be another drop in that vast ocean, a ripple that would exist for a moment and nothing more.
That was pretty fitting for a person like me.
Almost reassuring.
I turned back to that familiar stranger.
"So long, Grandfather."
With all of my strength I pushed off the balls of my feet, leaping backwards into the free air.
I was a coward, even when moving forwards I couldn't look. I had to move backwards to even try and change, bumbling through the darkness and unfamiliarity. I had to remind myself of the familiar to even have a chance of taking that step.
Even if it was peering at the face of this monster wearing my Grandfather's visage.
I watched as his face slowly morphed from that cold blanket of uncaring stoicism to fear and worry.
Even though I had troubled my Grandfather.
In the last moments.
…I'm glad.
So he did still care…
I could die satisfied knowing that much.
The air rushed by as I closed my eyes, preparing for the silence that would greet me any moment.
What happens after death?
Is it nothingness?
Is it the same as that cave? No sensation, only the thought of your own existence… Maybe I had doomed myself, I couldn't say for sure.
But I was frustrated. I wanted to change something, even if it was ultimately for the worse. This world didn't agree with me.
In that case; for someone weak like me there was only one option. I couldn't change the world, not even a small portion of it. If I couldn't change anything, then I'd just depart from it. It was that simple.
A voice suddenly reached out to me. A curt and abrasive tone, one that when projected felt like it could split the air itself.
"Hey, kid. You know you're about to die, right?" A grotesque man wearing rags appeared before me, falling at the same speed. He looked completely calm, at peace with the current situation. I couldn't help but think this was some strange figment of my imagination.
"…" I closed my eyes, not bothering to answer the strange apparition.
"Why did you jump? Hey brat, I'm asking you a question."
"…Can I not at least die in peace? Leave me alone." I peeked at him once more. Although he was dressed shabbily, certain items of clothing were grades above the others. In particular the gloves and shoes which he wore were of a much higher quality than anyone in this tiny village would own. They were black and glossy, soft. Probably very comfortable… Did he steal them?
"Ahh, so this isn't an accident. But it seems you're about to be saved, you know?" He pointed in an exaggerated fashion towards the cliff face.
"What?" I looked in that general direction, a shadowy figure silhouetted by his flowing robes. The same dark and flowing robes that my Grandfather would wear… He was rapidly descending down the cliff, jumping from different stone ledges, gradually catching up with us.
How?
My Grandfather is amateurish at best… in all of my life he had hardly ever used the element, that posture and destitute body of his would get in the way.
I can see that was an act as well.
How long had he been lying to me?
How much had he…?
…
What am I doing, thinking about such fruitless things?
It doesn't matter.
"GET AWAY FROM HIM!" Wait… This oafish man isn't just some figment of my imagination, or a ghost or spirit or something? It was real?
"Scary." The man said with a wry smile, giggling to himself.
What the hell's going on?
…Whatever, it doesn't bother me. I just want to hit the ground and then everything can be over.
I could hear something cut through the air nearby. Fragments of earth shot out like arrows let loose, making their way to the grotesque man. Each and every one of them gradually met his hand, a naked hand as he discarded a glove into his other open palm. When they met the earth itself would melt away, decay and turn to ash upon even brushing his fingers.
"Yu! Wait a moment! I swear, I'll save you! I will never allow you to get hurt again!" Don't you understand, Grandfather? I don't want to be a part of this anymore. I just want to sleep, even if that's a never-ending rest, I'll gladly accept it.
"Hmm… You're an interesting kid. You look like you hate this world entirely. What do you see when you gaze upon this place?"
Despite myself, I answered. "…Something disgusting and unsightly."
"Hahaha! Makes sense. Why don't you change it?"
"…I lack the strength or care to do such a thing. Just let me die."
"I see, if you're that set on it. There's only one thing to do…"
In my periphery I could see it, the ground was close enough. My Grandfather couldn't get here in time. This stranger won't help me, even if he did, those hands would decay everything he touched… Most likely he was…
Well, not like it mattered anymore.
…
I couldn't hear the wind anymore.
I wasn't hurtling towards the ground anymore.
My body had come to rest.
…