Chapter 7: The Old Man's Desperation
The Gatekeeper
Outside the boundary of the Human Void, Fighter was cautiously walking, searching for a local to ask for directions. Rechel had a map, but it was outdated and unreliable for local paths.
Near the Void's gate stood a peculiar old man. His clothes were worn and faded, and his face and hair were caked with dirt. He seemed unhinged, with a distinct hint of raw, inconsolable sorrow radiating from him. He was babbling to himself.
A poor old man, Fighter thought, sadness momentarily pushing past his hunger. Maybe he lost someone in that hell hole. It's miserable seeing someone suffer like that.
The old man suddenly looked up, his eyes locking onto Fighter. He stood up and began walking toward him, still uttering incoherent phrases. Fighter, though tough, was terrified—a truly insane person charging at you would scare anyone. He tried to run, but his weak, feverish body was too slow.
The old man reached him and captured Fighter's arm with a surprisingly gentle grip. His eyes were wide and full of desperation. At first, his words were a frantic, unintelligible jumble.
Old Man (Babbling): "Did you see my Heena, hjbhhhvjdi didyouseenmyHeenaajkhk DidyouseenmyHeena... Did you see my Heena? She should be in there. Those men, Tu Kahe R, took her away from me! They said they left her in that place! That place was dark, Heena would be scared! I didn't find her, but you! You walked out of death, you must have seen her! A beautiful girl with a bright smile!"
Fighter looked into the man's pleading face and resolutely told him the truth, softening it with a promise.
Fighter: "No, I did not see her. I did not see the girl called Heena. But I will find her. At least, I will try my best to find her."
To an outsider, this might sound like a lie designed to escape a sticky situation. It wasn't. Fighter genuinely resolved to try and find a living or dead Heena. The girl had no personal connection to him, but the man's despair did.
Fighter had a core philosophy, tied to his new Book, Spawn of Scrap: what he could not see, he would change. He didn't want to see the old man's desperation and misery, and he wanted to change it by doing the only thing he could.
As Fighter spoke, the manic glint in the old man's eyes faded. He calmed, and his voice became clear and sane.
Old Man: "What a foolish child of scrap you are. I wasted my life searching for my little angel, why do you have to waste yours? I do not need your help."
The old man's eyes were now clear and sharp, yet the profound sorrow Fighter disliked was still etched onto his face. Fighter's resolution didn't waver.
Fighter: "No, I am not helping you. If I want to change something, I will change it. It is for my own self, only for my own amusement. Do you understand, old man?"
Old Man: "You are truly a foolish child. Oh, child of scrap, if you want to help me, you will need this."
The old man peered into Fighter's eyes once more, then gently released his arm. As he turned and walked back toward the Human Void, Fighter felt a strange, cold sensation in his palm. He looked down, but saw nothing in his palm.
The Long Walk
Fighter: "That was a weird encounter. So, how do we reach civilization? Where are we, Rechel?"
Rechel: [I can tell we are in the middle of nowhere. Specifically, outside the Human Void. It will take at least two hours to reach any station. I will give you directions. Ok.]
Fighter: "Can you play music directly in my head, like your voice? If you can, would you find music from my old life?"
Rechel: [...You do have a lot of requests. You should appreciate me more; a 'thank you' will be welcome. Yes, I can do that. Ok.]
Fighter: "Thanks, Rechel. Without you, I wouldn't be here. Thank you again," Fighter replied, a note of forced irritation creeping into his voice at Rechel's demanding tone.
With his path set and music filling his mind, Fighter began his two-hour walk toward the nearest station, leaving the Human Void behind.