Chapter Text
"In a far away corner of the galaxy, a lone planet hangs with one equally lonely moon right with it. The planet, despite its loneliness, has many guests that come and go on a daily basis. Its name: Epsilon, home of the World's End Tavern. The original one.
The name should be of no surprise to anyone. Its reputation has earned both the humble establishment and its home planet many nicknames of varied flattery. One famous quote by a self-proclaimed "knower of all things Elated" reads: "World's End Tavern, commonly refered to as World's End, is the home of the Masked Fools, the good folks blessed by Aha the Elation. Its the epicentre of all things pleasurable and indulgent, including the more taboo ones. There, people, creatures and other entities can lose themselves in the finest wines, greatest performances and juiciest gossip known in the galaxy. A second spent is enough to drive anyone mad, an hour is enough to make them want to stay forever. Despite the rumored fall of The Joyseeker, World's End remains as the number one place for all your hedonistic urges!"'
"Heh. How sweet of them." The fresh newspaper containing the article gets thrown on a dingy old desk, already cluttered with other similar pieces of trash, illuminated only by the moonlight. "One bad performance, and they declare me dead! What ballocks!" Away from the hustle of World's End main stage, among the many winding corridors of hosting rooms, one room stands out. ln the small office space, a figure stands alone, silence following their statement. Their frame stands tall. A cream poets shirt, slightly oversized, hangs from their shoulders. Black pants tightly hug their legs. A contrast from the preformers usual extravagant dress. Long limbs move with a light awkwardness, as if conciling a mind of their own. Their features are angular, their eyes sharp and more focused, despite it being leasure time for them. The figure's hair stands out, surrounding their face in a fiery red mess of curls, still damp from sweat. Their makeup, as intricate as their previous costume, is slightly smudged, glittery details reflecting under the moonlight on their dark skin.
The preformer sits by the desk, spinning mindlessly in their chair. Distant echoes of celebration can be heard from beyond the offices thin walls. Despite the grand show being over, celebrations never cease in the tavern. They have grown used to its somewhat strange ambiance, enveloping them in a sort of comfort. As they were close to dozing off among the noises of their beloved home, a nock on the window jolts them awake. Aha quickly got up and let the guest in, who gave them a wide grin in response.
"Here I thought you'll never let me in. It was getting cold out there!" The guest was no where near a stranger. They moved through the performers office with ease, as if It was their own. Aha said nothing and followed suit, sitting vis a vis to eachother.
"I am ever so sorry, friend. The bustle of the tavern must have muffled your cries out." Aha said sarcastically, complimenting the statement with an exaggerated sigh. An incredible show of acting skill indeed. The mood in the room shifted. The presence of their old companion made Aha regain some lost vigor.
"Well, what gossip do you have for me? Anything of note?" The preformer began brightly, taking out a bottle of light champagne. The guest shook their head in protest.
"Ah, sorry, I can't tonight. I have some matters I must attend to later."
"A shame." Aha replied, sipping the drink alone.
"Not at all. You see, The Garden of Recollection has been busy like never before. I have been personally asked by THE Remembrance to assist them. Exciting, isn't it?" The guest brightened up at that, as If this was their lives greatest achievement. A soft chuckle escaped the others lips.
"As if that's some special occurrence. You are Remembrances most trusted companion.
"The guest shook off the scaving remark."Oh stop it! Let us talk about something else. The universe has been in a bit of a ruckus and I'm sure you would love to hear about it!"
Aha exclaimed with matching excitement. "Go on then! I am all ears!"
"Well, first of all, The Destruction has been causing lots of trouble. Its one disaster after another!" Aha's expression changed to a mixture of annoyance and disgust upon the mere mention of the other Aeon.
"Ugh, don't even start! I was curious about them once. Upon hearing the news that one of these Lord Ravagers was spotted in the Xianzhou I rushed there right away. And you know what? Nothing! The show was nothing short of pathetic, I couldn't help but laugh."
The visitor was listening intently, sharing their frustrations. Whether faked or not, an anger boils under their skin. "So you have already heard about it." "Of course I have. Their existence is so loud, it's hard not to hear about them, especially in this place. Rumors spread here like wildfire. Perfect for me." Aha chugs the last bit of champagne before pouring another glass.
They notice the lingering frustration on their guests face and decided to take charge of the conversation again. "Let us not talk about that. It's ruining my mood. I heard of some issues in The Planet of Festivities."
The other speakers eyes light up at. The topic seems to hold some special significance to them. They laugh as they begin the next story. "Oh you don't even know know the half of it!
"Well stop keeping me in suspense! Tell me all about it!" The pairs combined enthusiasm could blow the entire Tavern into dust. Lucky or its residents, the two choose to use it for gossip instead.
"Okay, okay. You see, one of those delusional members of The Family decided they had enough of The Harmony's rule over Penacony and wanted to turn to someone more... experienced."
"Wait. You're not saying..!"
"I am saying exactly that!"
A beat of silence passed between them, letting the new information marinate in it stillness. Aha's face was a mix of shock and happiness, delighted beyond anything at the extraordinary news. The guest giggled at them, satisfied at their reaction. But they weren't satisfied enough and decided to keep adding fuel to there fire of gossip by saying the quiet part out loud.
"Imagine. That foolish mortal awakened Ena from heir peaceful rest, even if just or a minute. Poor xipe has been whaling ever since."
With every sentence Aha's jaw dropped even lower. A million images were running in their mind of their two fellow aeons fighting for control. What a magnificent spectacle it must be!
"Ironic isn't it? The two aeons of balance stuck in a futile fight for power. Its almost sad." The guest said with faked concern, barely holding in their laugh.
Aha looked at them, fighting a similar fight with their instinct to simply burst out in joy. "Yes. Quite sad this whole thing is." The two lock eyes in a mutual understanding.
Suddenly the gossiping pair erupt in a roaring laugh. So loud, it could be heard on the other of the Tavern, yet the sound goes unnoticed. It's not unnatural to hear joy of any kind in World's End.
The pair kept laughing, tears now forming in their eyes and spilling on their cheeks. Only small words were exchanged, only furthering their reaction. After a few minutes, the duo began to calm dow. The roaring laughter turned into soft giggles, eventually dimmed with a final sigh. But it wasn't the end of their meeting. The pair kept gossiping, exchanging whatever information they remembered and telling whatever stories they came up with. Laughs, gasps and sighs could be heard from the office long into the never changing night.
"Oh Aha, the universe has been wallowing in despair as of recent. Your laughter is like a cure for all its ailments." The guest began with an audible smile in their voice.
"Say, Wouldn't it be nice to bring some color into this sad, cold place?" Silence pours into the office, filling its every corner. It carries with it an air of melancholy. Like the silence that follows a fireworks boom or a bombs explosion. The silence in itself could answer the guests question, yet Aha can't leave any doubts in their decision.
"Sorry, dear friend. I've long stepped down from that type of... entertainment. I do not plan on going back on my decision." The preformer answers. They say it with an air of calmness and elegance, like a businessman rejecting a deal. Yet their tone carries something else. A tinge of happiness. Was it an attempt to brighten the suddenly somber atmosphere, to reassure their companion, or to reassure themselves? Only they may know.
"And yet, you are so egear to listen to my reports of the universe. A hypocrite you are." Their friend said with a feigned contempt. They have been expecting this answer, but another side still told them to ask the question.
"Hey, hey, hey. Just because i stepped away from all the bigshot Aeon horsecrap, doesn't mean I stepped away from Elation itself. I simply found its other sources."
Aha said with a smile. They walked up to the window, staring into the vast sky above where their kin resigned. Time never passed on Epislon, neither did it for Aha. They were an Aeon. They didn't hide it, they didn't resent it, they weren't afraid of it. They simply enjoyed pretending they aren't. That wasn't a crime. They found other sources of Joy. Ones that didn't require so much hastle. So much authority. So much... presence.
"Besides. You big lot bore me incredibly so. No offense. Only talking with you do I feel any sense of fulfilment..."
Aha turned to their companion, who was now resting their head on the office desk.
"...Enigmata."
Upon being mentioned by name, the other aeon jolted slightly. A beat passed between them, like an unspoken agreement. They gave Aha a slightly worn out smile.
"And do you enjoy this new lowkey life? Only being perceived by others when you let them?" Aha laughed softly at their question.
"Why do you ask? Interested in becoming a recluse?"
"And what if I am? Just think about it. Wouldn't it be easier to challenge the certainty of the universe as a human? A meaningless pebble, entirely dependant on the will of those above them?" The Enigmata mused on, their words eventually melting into a similarly meaningless pulp, at least to Aha's ears.
"...But challenging fate isn't the only thing you do, right? You're Mythus. An unsolved and unsolvable mystery. The great Prince of Folly. Enemy of Erudition. And now, a Shadow of Remembrance" At the mention of their new profession, Mythus immediately woke up from their philosophical musings.
"THE REMEMBRANCE! Right!" The guest just came to realization of how long they must have been gone for. "If Fuli notices my absence, I'm in huge trouble. Unfortunately I will have to cut my visit short Aha"
Mythus got up from their seat, giving their companion a hug. They made their way to the window that they came from.
"Rest in peace, Aha of The Elation." Mythus turned to Aha for the last time, giving them a bow. A similar one that Aha gives their viewers after their performances. With one last smile, the trace of Mythus the Enigmata from Aha's little office was gone.
And there it was. Silence filled the room once more. Not the first or the last time. Aha's smile dropped, returning to a relaxed expression of indifference. A dangerous occurance, considering their philosophy. In their indifference however, their mind was running in circles attempting to organize all the information they were given.
"The Destruction's rise, The Order's temporary awakening, and the Garden's sudden activity... Just what is happening..."
Aha looked up at the sky again. As if attempting to cast a curse on the God's domain.
"Are you planning something again, you old jackass?"