"I'm not sayin' the gods are infallible. I mean, look at the Calendar. AC stands fer 'After Cataclysm'. Ain't no one knows what happened, but it must have been real bad. Cataclysm ain't a word you use everyday. Now, I know what you must be thinkin'.

'But Larry, the dragons would know.'

Sure they would buddy, they was from the BC times. Go ask one, I'll pray fer ya.

Look, you know how they say, "with the benefit of [Hindsight]?" It's easy to have faith in the Gods when their [Hindsight] goes back to the beginning of forever."

--Larry the Clergy Guy, Gods of the Working Man. AC 1238

Pain wracks my body as my thoughts still. I've been struck blind, having SEEN too much. I can feel my body starting to fail, pain turns to numbness as I grow cold. The Goddess' final words continue to echo in the dark.

"What is your choice?"

I'm just a simple crab. If you asked me yesterday what was more important; my life or the fate of the world, it would have been a simple answer.

Now?

Now, I can consider things.

It makes my decision both easier and harder in a way I've never known. For the first time in my new life, I regret being [Sapient].

With [Eyes of Intent] I manifest my will, and let it be known...

"I rescind my request. I choose to speak with this era's Intelligence."

Silence answers my call, as I descend into the dark.

***

I wake up to a familiar shore, waves crashing on the coast. Moonlight shines from above, and the agony of my body fades. I look around.

Pincers? Check.

Legs? *Scuttle* Okay.

Body? Good.

All my injuries have gone away. Have I died? Is this where I go at the end? For an afterlife, my coast line is a good choice. It's where I met Erica after all. I enjoy the sound of the crashing waves, the taste of salt in the air. Not a bad choice at all.

My musings are cut short as a new sound enters my awareness. I bring my attention to bear and see Toriana. She's as beautiful as ever, yet I hardly notice. My admiration is crushed by a wave of fear at her presence.

She gingerly sits beside me and sighs.

"Don't be afraid Crabby. I'm not going to hurt you. What you see here, now, Charisma. This is what I am."

I try to compose my thoughts.

"And what you were before?"

"That is also who I am. Before is an illusion; different faces, different names... all are ASPECTS OF ETERNITY. You looked into the shadows and struggled to see a mere fraction of the entirety. All are me as I was, as I am, as I will be again. Compared to what you saw I am so much more... to you, to others, to the Universe. But here and now? It's just me, Toriana. Do you understand?"

I struggle to respond. I go with what I know.

"I... erm... don't think I have the... *Intelligence* to figure it out."

She freezes, momentarily shocked, then giggles, claw covering her mouth.

"Was that a pun? Oh, that's a good one. I'm going to tell Wisdom later. She'll absolutely hate it."

I relax a bit. This isn't so bad. She still seems nice. Not at all like the,

PASSION, RAPTURE, MADNESS.

Pain shatters my mind. I recoil inward, instinctively trying to protect my core.

"Shh, shh Crabby. It's okay. Sleep now, I'll return soon."

***

Her next visit goes better. We talk of simple things. I tell her stories of my life before. The memories are hazy before I became sapient, but I manage to entertain with few embellishments. She's a good listener.

Finally I voice my fears.

"Why am I here?"

She gently pats my shoulder.

"You are here to rest Sir Crabby. You've undergone a great trial and were injured. To think, a crab is the first mortal in an age to witness the triumvirate unveiled. How silly this world is."

I nod, thoughts shying away from the agony of those memories. I consider her words, then remember something I was wondering.

"The triumvirate, Wisdom, Intelligence and yourself... but what of Strength? Vitality? Dexterity?"

She freezes, voice hesitant but gives me a reply,

"The trinity... they... they are not involved in the... [Administration]... of the [System]. They fulfil a vital role, but are closer to what you saw in the shadows."

A twinge of pain flares at her mention of shadows. I manage to follow along as she continues.

"Do not speak of them. At least not here, lest you draw their attention."

That brings me to my second concern.

"And where is here? It's a good copy, but it's not my home. I don't think the sun has risen in two days."

She giggles and says,

"Here is what I say it is. You're in-between, a safe place. Don't worry about it and focus on healing."

I nod as our second visit concludes.

***

Days pass as I grow stronger. I no longer collapse at the thought of shadows and can remember without pain. The Goddess and I talk of nothing of import, not wanting to jeopardize my recovery. I slowly gain interest in leaving; the peace and tranquility beginning to wear thin.

One day, as I'm frowning at my status screen, Toriana asks me what's wrong.

"Look at my skills! A 2% increase in movement for [Scuttle]? That's useless."

She laughs at me. Laughs! My frustration rises as she says,

"You're a level one crab, with a rank I skill. The maximum is rank X you know? With ten levels in a rank and ten total ranks, that maxes out at 40%."

Oh...

"Well that's not too shabby."

"Not too shabby indeed. Plus, you can train up to rank V without combat."

"Wait... I've been doing a lot of training! I've [Scuttle]'d quite a bit here and there and when I met the Gods..."

She shook her head,

"It's a physical skill. You can't train a skill without a body."

"I can't train a..."

I look down at me. I look at her. I look at me again.

She giggles again, "you're here in soul form silly."

Ah... that's what I was afraid of. I guess what was injured was my soul then. At least it appears to be getting better. All I need is time.

***

The day has come, and I must say I am both scared and excited. Toriana takes my claw in hers and wishes me luck. I summon my courage and throw my other claw in the air.

"Let's go! GET READY WINGS AND FEATHERS! THIS CRAB IS GOING TO FLY!"

An awkward pause ensues.

Toriana is quietly shaking, and fear grips my shell. What's happening? Did I offend her somehow? Is she going to blow up?

Stillness returns as she gains control of herself. She responds in a perfectly neutral tone.

"There will be some changes and an adjustment period. You'll have to figure it out. Have faith."

I wave my claw nervously in acknowledgement.

"I guess this is goodbye then." I swallow, then gathering my courage, speak all of my feelings at once.

"ThankYouSoMuchTorianaYouWereFirstNiceThenScarythenNiceAgainButIt'sNotYouIt'sMeAndThankYouForLettingMeBeABirdAndIConsiderYouAFriend."

*pant*pant*

She leans forward and kisses my forehead. My everything freezes, completely dumbstruck. I hardly hear the next thing she says,

"You'll always be my Friend Sir Crabby. Goodbye for now."

I struggle to form anything resembling thought as my consciousness dims.

Before she completely disappears, I hear a light giggle. I can barely make out her last words as I fade to black.

"Oh and by the way..."

...

......

........

"You're not dead yet."