5

As time passed, the landscape became bumpier and the sun even more relentless.
Nevertheless, the wanderer kept going. The curiosity was just too great.
Where would the path end? He couldn't remember the time when he didn't follow it. Did the path have an end at all?
Lost in thought, the wanderer noticed the cadaver only when he bumped into it with his foot.

It was a black raven, almost identical in appearance to Avemortis.

Do birds have a god? If so, is he still alive?
The day slipped past him, a feverish dream that swallowed him whole. Not even the small blue lights could tear him from his thoughts.

Finally, it was the smell of tobacco that pulled him back to reality.
The man was handsomely dressed, suit and hat entirely black almost as if he were personally inviting death to join him. In contrast, the bench he sat on was bright yellow. It took him a few moments to notice the wanderer and gesture for him to join him.
"What brings you here?"

His voice was friendly and warm.

"The path," the wanderer replied simply.

The man smiled.

"Yes, that's what most people say. I'm beginning to wonder what makes this path so special that so many follow it."

"Well, you can come along and find the answer yourself."

Shaking his head, the man puffed on his cigar and looked far off into the sunset."Not now."

He pointed to the sun that was slowly sinking below the edge of the world.

"Look, the world is collapsing. It's a beautiful image. Something I want to enjoy a moment longer. Who knows if I'll still be able to do that when I move on now."