Defiance of the Fall

The old man appeared closely related to humans, with a normal number of limbs and features. The familiarity was a surprising comfort after standing in the shoes of an utterly alien entity as a Stellar Wanderer. He was small of frame with a slightly hunched back, only reaching to Zac's chest. His skin was grey and coarse, resembling ancient bark, and he lacked any aura.

Nevertheless, Zac could see a hint of the unfathomable power hiding within. The stranger's eyes lacked pupils and irises, only being an iridescent white. The very same white he'd seen in the Stellar Wanderer's star, and which mimicked a piece of the Eternal's gaze. This man was utterly, inconceivably powerful.

This stranger had a very different air to Sendor, the only other ancient existence he'd faced. Sendor had given glimpses of tremendous power and callousness before reverting to acting as a mischievous old man. This old monster had only briefly glanced at Zac before turning away. The look contained desolation, detachment, and deep exhaustion.

The old man radiated longing. It was like he hoped to catch another glimpse of the Eternal, yet afraid to disturb her slumbering memory. He stood with arms behind his back, looking in the direction of where the Stellar Wanderer had previously appeared. The giant was already gone, and the Lost Plane had reverted to a state closer to when they first entered.

The millions of fragmented memories and scenes were back, shining brighter and lasting longer in the old man's presence. There was no hint of the wrongness of Dead Dao, though, and nothing had taken its place. Zac couldn't even sense the Void on the small platform they stood on.

Zac's mind was already a mess from seeing the Stellar Wanderer's journey and the Eternal's awakening. Hearing the old man say he carried Karz's shadow set off new waves. It was the first time Zac had heard that name from anyone else. Even Sendor only referred to Karz as the Void Emperor. There was no time to figure out what that signified as the old man spoke up again.

"The Eternal named me Wal'Zo. It meant ferryman in the common tongue," Wal'Zo continued. "I have the honor of maintaining the Ultom Courts in Master's absence."

"You—what—" Zac stammered as multiple questions fought for precedence in his mind.

The Eternal named him? Just how old was this person? Zac already suspected remnant populations were hiding inside some of the Eternal Heritages. But Ultom? It was likely the oldest heritage around. Zac couldn't imagine a society surviving inside this twisted environment for so long. Let alone a single person, whether that was a spirit, golem, or man.