036 ┃ Neros' vision (Part 1)

When Spud opened his eyes, he was no longer in the sanctuary. He found himself in a dark alley, with rats scurrying across the ground and wooden crates piled up against the wall. He looked around, thinking that the sight seemed familiar.

A murmur could be heard not too far away, grabbing his attention. More than a murmur, it sounded like the voices of many people. Surprised, Spud ran to the end of the alley.

When he reached the main street, he had to put a hand in front of his face to shield his eyes from the blinding sun. The murmur had become a deafening noise, and there were thousands of people gathered around him, chatting excitedly.

Astonished, Spud surveyed his surroundings. There was no doubt about it. This was the city, but instead of being covered in snow, the sun was shining brightly, making the vibrant colors of the landscape come alive.

He approached a man nearby who was drinking what seemed to be beer with others.

“Excuse me…” Spud began, touching the man's shoulder to get his attention. However, his hand passed through the man's clothing and body, causing no reaction. The man continued to speak in an unfamiliar language, unaware of his presence.

“No one can hear you,” a voice announced from behind him.

Spud turned around in fright, only to see the god sitting on a crate, watching him.

“I'm just showing you the past with telepathy. You don't exist in this world,” the god explained.

Spud stood still, not knowing how to react. The god brought a hand to his head as if he had just realized something.

“How rude of me. I haven't introduced myself yet. You can call me Neros,” the young man said, bowing slightly.

Spud looked around again. So this was the past? The bustling city was nothing like the ruined landscape they had found.

“Why am I here?” Spud asked, afraid of angering Neros. If he really was a god and the myths he had read about him were true, Neros could kill him in less than a second if he wished.

“Silence and watch,” Neros commanded, pointing into the distance. The other citizens around them also began to look up and applaud with joy.

Spud followed their lead, eager to see what was causing such a commotion. They were looking up at the large rock upon which the castle stood. Up there on a large balcony, a man with a bushy beard and a crown on his head stood next to a woman in a dress, also wearing a crown.

Although they were so far away that Spud could barely make them out, he was shocked to recognize the king of the island. Neros had truly taken him to the past.

As soon as the king raised a hand to greet the citizens, everyone erupted in cheers and applause, making Spud almost have to cover his ears from the noise.

He turned to look at Neros, but instead saw a horse-drawn carriage heading straight for him. He closed his eyes and put his hands in front of him to brace for the impact, but it never came.

Opening his eyes in fear, he was surprised to see that the scenery had completely changed. He was still in the city, but now he found himself in a humble square with much fewer people than before. In the center was a stone fountain, surrounded by dozens of stalls selling fruits, clothes, utensils, and many other things. Several people walked by the stalls, stopping to chat or make purchases.

Two children ran through Spud's body while playing with a leather ball. Spud followed them with his eyes, astonished. He couldn't imagine that the city had once been such a lively and warm place.

One of the children kicked the ball too hard, sending it rolling out of control until a foot stopped it. It was the king, walking down the street accompanied by the same woman from before and a small girl holding his hand. He moved his thick purple cloak to see the ball at his feet. The children stood still, surprised by the man's presence. They said something that Spud couldn't understand. Instead of scolding them, the king kicked the ball back and started playing with them among the market stalls. The queen watched him, laughing.

Still not understanding what he was seeing, Spud stood there, dumbfounded. Why was Neros showing him this? Suddenly, the ball they were playing with flew directly at his face, making him reflexively close his eyes.

When he opened them, he found himself in the throne room where he had been a few days ago with Dawn. The king was standing in the center of the room, talking to two other men who also looked noble. Behind him, the queen watched with a pained expression.

Spud approached until he was a few inches from the king. No one noticed his presence. He tried to understand what they were saying, but he had never heard that language before. He raised his hand to touch the king. His hand passed through the man's face again and again, without the man reacting.

A thud was heard. Everyone, including Spud, turned to see that the queen had collapsed to the floor and was now sweating with a red face.

The king said a few words and went over to the queen to assist her.

Spud moved away from the room, trying to understand what Neros wanted to show him. When he opened the door to leave, he suddenly found himself in the king's bedroom. It was practically the same as when he and Dawn had been there, but now the queen lay on the bed. At her side, holding her hand, was the king with a weary expression. Standing, a man in a green robe was explaining something that Spud didn't understand. At one point, the man placed a hand on the king's shoulder, lowered his voice, and shook his head. The king stared at the floor as the man left the room.

Spud watched him until he passed through the door. He looked back at the king, but now it seemed time had passed. The king had grown a little beard, and his face appeared even more tired than before. There was another man by his side, who Spud assumed was a healer like the previous one. This one also shook his head and left the room.

Spud watched him leave and when he looked back at the king, his beard had grown even longer, and dark circles had formed under his eyes. The queen's appearance had also worsened. She was much paler and thinner than before, and she seemed to struggle to breathe.

The king sighed and got up, releasing the woman's hand. He walked quickly out of the room. Spud, with few other options, decided to follow him.

When he left the room, instead of being in the hallway, he appeared directly in the library. The king was seated at one of the study tables, his face buried in a book. There were dozens of open, disorganized books on the table, giving it a chaotic appearance. Sitting on the table was Neros, swinging his legs cheerfully.

Spud walked urgently toward the god.

"Why are you showing me this?" asked the boy, fearful.

"Didn't you want to know what happened to the king? I'm showing you," explained Neros, staring at him with eyes so wide it gave Spud chills.

"But..." the boy began, but the god interrupted him.

"Shh, be quiet. Here comes the best part."

A kind-looking man entered the room, whom Spud recognized as one of those who had spoken with the king earlier. He approached the king and said something Spud couldn't understand.

"What are they saying?" asked Spud, looking expectantly at Neros.

"Oh, of course. Sorry," said the god. He snapped his fingers, and Spud's head hurt for a moment.

"Nothing works. I can't find a cure," said the king, still speaking in the same language as before, but somehow now those words made sense in Spud's mind.

"Do not despair, your majesty. It was Neros who gave you the queen. Surely he will hear our pleas and save the queen," replied the man kindly. Spud assumed he was the king's advisor.

Spud turned his head to look at the god. The teenager was watching the scene with a smile as if he were watching a movie.

Suddenly, from one of the library shelves, a book fell to the floor. It was all black with metal-covered corners. Spud held his breath when he realized it was the same book he had found in the library.

The king rose from the table, attracted by the noise. He went to the black book, followed by the other man and Spud. Neros stayed seated at the table, watching the scene entertained.

The king's advisor's eyes widened at the sight of the book.

"Your majesty, that is..." the man began, scared.

"The forbidden book," the king finished, picking it up from the floor. He stood up, looking at the tome with suspicion. "Perhaps I'll find the answer here."

He rushed to the study table, where he opened the book from the beginning. The advisor followed him with an alarmed expression.

"You shouldn't use the book, your majesty. It is dangerous to recite those spells," the man warned, trying to get into the king's line of sight.

"He was the one who gave it to us, wasn't he?" the king justified without taking his eyes off the book. "Then I can use it. In fact, it must have been a sign from Neros so that I can save her."

The advisor became serious and approached the table.

"Your majesty, that book has been forbidden for generations. You could die if you use it," the man urged.

The king stood up and with a strong shove, pushed the advisor to the floor.

"Be quiet! If I can save my wife with this, I don't care what might happen. Don't question me again!" the man yelled, furious.

From the floor, the advisor backed away frightened. He quickly got up and left the room.

"How scary. I wouldn't want to be that poor man," commented Neros, looking at Spud.

The boy watched as the king studied the tome intently. Ignoring the god, he ran toward the library exit.