Standing on the edge of time, Klarington Everest endured, arm outstretched, focused on the single largest target he had ever held outside of the timestream. For the inhabitants of Travance it had been many weeks, to him many hours; a very long time to maintain such concentration, and so this gift was now at its end. Unable to hold it any longer Klarington’s arm fell to his side numb, his mind reeling with pain. He would return to his wife this night, and this time he would sleep. Before passing out, he wondered if it was enough. He wondered if someone used the time he gave them to any measure of success. Only time would tell…
* * * * *
The curse resumed its endless torture. Each common man and woman returned to the beginning of the day of the Athenaeum’s death. The short reprieve was refreshing for some, to be able to see time pass in some semblance of normality was a gift; to others, it was a constant reminder of what was truly at stake.
The next morning had come and many didn't even get out of bed. Nothing mattered anymore. Why fight? Why survive? Death only meant waking up in bed the next morning only to repeat the same series of events over and over again. Morality was lost on some while others tried to hold true to their convictions, even after weeks of repetition. Consequences were no longer a factor. Anything could be done without worry because the actions would only be undone with the Athenaeum’s curse.
How long would this curse last? The Sorcerers of Travance scoured tomes to try and figure out a solution, but to no avail. Priests of every faith called to their gods, begging for insight. Those who knew him wondered where Klarington Everest was and if they would ever find him.
* * * * *
A lone Halfling who held onto the words of the Sorcerer had done all she could to help set right the path of time. Rowan had contacted the Lorestri Eralyn and had told her of all that happened. Lorestri exist outside the time stream and so she was not aware of the time loop, nor did she take well the news that her surviving was an accident not originally intended by fate. Even worse yet she took the news that this accident would need to be fixed in order to give the people of the world a chance.
“Can I help you now? No.” She told the Halfling. “I must see to the affairs of my own, and then I will come to you. I am sorry that you will have to return to this loop of time, this curse of the Athenaeum. You will have to do so, and have faith that at some point, I will come to you and do what I know deep down is right.”
And so she sent the Halfling back to the doomed world, and sat alone in her eerily quite chambers. The only other Lorestri that now existed was new and traveling time, learning the ropes of it. She was in fact alone and had to bear the weight of this solemn situation herself. So she sat alone and deep in thought, staring at a beautiful painting of her mother, looking for guidance or perhaps just an inner peace…
* * * * *
Elsewhere on the world others have also taken notice and have tried undoing this wretched curse. Ancient people long forgotten have made their own attempts as well in secret and in silence. Sometimes a people no matter how powerful, cannot accomplish something on their own… Sometimes two forces must collide for progress to advance.
