It floated for an eternity. Currents weaving around it. It knew what it was, but soon it wouldn't. It passed through realm upon realm, each folded onto the other. It saw fragments of patterns as it passed through, like viewing organs bunched together, each communicating and interacting in its own way. It passed through the Lethe and forgot what it was. It found itself in a desert city. Confused, lacking identity, it tried to catch someone by the arm, but it had nothing to grasp with. I should have a body! With an audible crackle, a body formed around it. His body. He fell a half foot, jarring his ankles as he landed. Surprisingly there was no pain. He took a step, but could not walk properly; his ankles were damaged. How interesting. I... guess this is right. But it seems wrong somehow.
“Watch it!” Someone yelled at him as he stumbled into them. He realised he was attempting to wander down an avenue. Confused, he stumbled to the side of the road to think. Nothing was right.
Someone sauntered up to him.
“Confused?”
“I... Can't remember anything.”
“Ah. You must have arrived via the Lethe then.”
“The... Lethe?”
“Yes, Lor-Torren Maildun, Forgetfulness, the Shadow of Death.”
“Then, is this Torren Maildun?”
“It sure is! You mustn't have spent long in the Lethe if you can piece that together! Most of you remain there, forgotten. Of those who don't, you've almost always lost the memory of what they are. They usually can't even become corporeal.”
“So, am I dead?”
“You died, but that doesn't mean you're dead,” the stranger grinned a toothy grin. Filed teeth poking out at odd angles. “You're needed!”
The new arrival chewed on that for a while. “Is everyone here as knowledgeable as you?”
Spike-tooth chuckled. “No. I am something of a special case.”
“Oh. Why?”
“I am the warden of this place. Marrow Tend. It's not normal for me to be present to greet newcomers. I'd call this a coincidence, except that I know they don't occur.”
“Oh. Well, what does that mean?”
“Obviously there's something special about you. Otherwise we wouldn't be talking! That's why you must be needed!”
“But I don't remember anything!” He was becoming frustrated by his memory loss and by this Marrow Tend's patronisation. What sort of a name was that anyway? Marrow Tend.
“I'm sure we'll figure something out!” Marrow Tend winked and walked off, leaving Torion shaking his head in confusion. Ah, Torion. That was his name. Perhaps something else would come to him soon.
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