Perpetual

Rahu laughs, jovial in a way you haven’t seen before. Leaning forward, he reaches across the table to shake hands. A bit dazed, you do so, and Rahu chuckles again as he sits back.

“You seem a bit surprised! That’s good, it means I did well. To answer the obvious question, yes, I was once sat where you are, a long long time ago.”

Still smiling, he looks up at the ceiling. “A long time ago indeed. I’m guessing my own companions are getting a bit impatient for my return.”

Poena nods. “Indeed. Rest assured, I have kept them abreast of your situation.”

You look at Rahu, finally able to interject. “You’re saying you were a champion once? And you won? But…how did you end up here, then?”

Rahu nods. “I was, and I did. But to answer your last question, we need to start with what’s happening now. As Poena said, your responsibilities don’t end with victory. Now you become a watchman over this reality. The hands of Poena once she moves on.”

You lean forward. “So, a god?”

Rahu shakes his head. “Yes and no. We use the word Perpetuals to describe ourselves. We are not gods, we are guardians of our respective realities.”

You shake your head. “You lost me there. What’s the difference?”

Rahu smiles. “It’s subtle, but I’ll explain. Your sole purpose is to prevent anything that would destroy the reality Poena has created. I can see the disbelief in your face, but consider your own father. The power he wields, and the power he’s capable of wielding. In the hands of a less moral being, he could easily be a threat.”

Slowly, you nod. “I see. And…that’s it? I just watch for that?”

He shrugs. “It sounds simple, until you need to act. Naturally, we are given power to act in defense of the world, but we must otherwise remain somewhat neutral. We protect the world, we don’t influence it. We simply act against anything that threatens our reality. Anything…and anyone.”

You look at him closely, seeing his smile fade. “I take it you’ve had to act, then.”

Rahu nods. “I won’t speak of it, other than to say this. The power required to become champion will often lead to powerful children. And their children as well. Watch them closely.”

His voice trembles slightly as he says that. Shaking his head, he sighs. “Poena will empower you to aid in this duty. You will be immortal, along with those you choose to join you. I think we can safely guess who will be joining you. Quite the family you have, Nicholas.”

You chuckle. “Like father like son, I suppose.”

Ferra, who had been quietly listening, interrupts now. “You haven’t explained how you ended up here, however.”

Rahu smiles at the former golem. “Indeed, I suppose that’s fair. I have watched over my reality for a very long time. Poena came to me and asked if I would be interested in a new job. Naturally, something new excited me, and so I came here as the Great One, to guide the playing pieces to where they belonged. I didn’t expect it to take so long, but that’s fine. It was new and exciting, which is all I wanted. But now I’m ready to go home.”

Poena nods, looking at you. “Do you understand? You will be granted my blessing, should you accept.”

You nod. “I understand. And I wasn’t aware I had a choice here.”

Poena tilts her head. “There is always a choice, though never has a champion refused. Regardless, you can choose. Refuse, and you live out your normal life, and this reality has no guardian. Accept, and become that guardian, forevermore. As a Perpetual.”

You nod, thinking about it for a moment.