Chapter 78: Memories
The next scene that played out was different.
The child was gone, replaced with a teenager who looked just like him. White sprouts were mixed with his shaggy brown hair, as if years of stress were taking their toll.
His lantern was full to the point of bursting, a torrent of orangey-red fire spilling out of the sides.
The forest had also changed, giving way to a field of black lilies, a soft purple glow in the center of every flower. The stage was now brightly lit, allowing the audience to see everything.
Whispering to himself, the teenager found a spot to sit and did just that, his fingers still wrapped around the handle of the lantern. He stretched and groaned from the effort as if he were an old man.
Someone else joined him on stage, a man in black robes. His hood was down, revealing a full head of white hair that grew to his waist. A faint smile was on his lips as he approached.
"The years are catching up to you. The weight of a thousand souls will do that."
Looking up, the teenager grunted, his breathing slow.
"Yes... yes they are. I can hardly remember what it felt like when I began. All I know is that I could walk and run, and now I would be lucky to crawl."
The man nodded his understanding as he crouched down to inspect the lantern. He raised an aged hand to the flame and let it lick at his skin, not withdrawing it even as it began to burn him.
"You have carried the lantern for many years now. Do you feel the memories inside you?"
The teenager lethargically raised his head to watch the flame dance, tears beginning to collect at the edge of his eyes.