THE 'STATIC RUN'. (Chapter III ).
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The Voyage was long. Longer than Mike could EVER imagine it to be. Mike’s consciousness swirled in the nebulous aftermath of his enigmatic journey. He had been traveling through Time and Space and had crossed over an object known as a Static Barrier. The fabric of reality had frayed, and he found himself suspended in a translucent limbo- a place where the mundane and the ethereal danced in delicate balance. This voyage was called a 'RUN'.
The Static Barrier, that elusive threshold between dimensions, had yielded to his relentless pursuit. Time and space had bent, twisted, and woven themselves into a cosmic tapestry, and Mike was now an unwitting thread in its intricate design.
Mike lay still, there was silence now. His senses stirred, awakening from their slumber. The once-piercing hum had dissipated, leaving behind a profound stillness. Now awakened, his Eyes looked about, like ghostly lanterns, surveying the room. He could not move his Head. The familiar contours of his surroundings- Bedroom Walls, a Kitchenette, a table and chairs-loomed before him. Yet, they were insubstantial, mere wisps of existence. Could he pass his hand through them, as if they were mirages conjured by a fevered mind?
Mike’s lips quivered, attempting to shape words, but the silence clung stubbornly. He wished to talk but no words could form. His Lips moved, but no Sound came forth. He held something in his Arms-- glancing down-yes!! His Guitar was still with him. An anchor in this ephemeral realm. Its wooden body resonated with memories. It was focus, a tether to sanity and comfort even.
And then, the Voices-a cacophony of curiosity- swirled around him.
"Who gets to keep the Prizes?" They chorused. Each syllable reverberated through his consciousness, demanding answers. But what were these prizes? Was it knowledge? Enlightenment? Or perhaps something more elusive- a glimpse behind the cosmic curtain?
Mike’s mind churned, wrestling with fragments of understanding. The Voyage had been a RUN, a sprint across existence itself. But what had he gained? What had he lost? The answers eluded him, dancing just beyond reach.
In this twilight of existence, Mike clung to his Guitar, its strings humming a melancholic tune. Perhaps the true prize lay not in possession but in the Journey- the unravelling of mysteries, the communion with the enigma. And so, he listened to the voices, hoping they would reveal the secrets of this spectral traverse.
But for now, he remained suspended- a traveler between worlds, a seeker of truths, and a custodian of questions. The Prizes? They shimmered like distant stars, waiting to be claimed by those who dared to traverse the Static Seas.
And so, Mike whispered to the void,
“I keep the prizes, for they are woven into my very essence- a melody of existence, a chord of wonder”.
["Why, he does, of course"], said the Voice of a Mage.
"No Prizes for us, no Prizes!!?" The unseen Voices replied.
["Not for you, for him? Yes. I brought him here, sent him across the Barrier--he has traveled well and made the Run successfully. He has earned a Reward-- and he has much more work to do in which to earn it"].
Mike could feel himself moving to a different position other than on his Back, and automatically threw out his Arms to feel around himself. His head felt heavy and in fact, his entire Body started to feel heavy as if Gravity were returning around him and forcing him to stand up once more. He grappled with the unfamiliarity of this situation and the disorientation of his altered state. His Head started to feel clearer, and he was able to start thinking cohesively. He began to attempt to speak.
"Where...where the.... Hell, am I?! What? Is this place? Am I inside a Lantern- or some...place else?"
The same Voice of the Mage spoke.
["You are inside just one of the 'Lanterns of the Fates'. Let me introduce myself, I am the Pathfinder they call Ris Oblika. I bring beings such as yourself to help us order the Chaos to some parts threatened, in this present Universe. I took you across the Static Barrier and thus you are now deposited on this side with us."]. Oblika openly stated.
Now in a standing position, Mike was able to bear the weight of his Body on his Legs, he tried to step forward but stumbled. Then remained motionless standing erect.
"So, am I dead?" Mike asked.
["If I had wished you harm you would never have left the Tunnel alive that night,"] replied Oblika.
"Well, that is a good thing, will I ever be able to walk normally like before?" asked Mike.
["Oh yes! We have need of your kind. You are not dead. In fact, in a way, you are re-born, into a New Future,"] Oblika assured.
"Where are you? Why can't I see you?" Mike insisted while looking about.
["I am here, nowhere and everywhere,"] Oblika answered.
The 'Room' or Chamber Mike had been apparently traveling inside was more like a Yellow and Pale White Orb, devoid of Edges, in Ceiling, Corners or Floor. It was as if he stood inside the leathery confines of a giant Egg, bathed in an otherworldly light that emanated from no discernable source. The Floor was flat and not curved for what he could make out. There was in fact absolutely nothing around Mike but the Guitar in his Arms. Like a personal Life Preserver.
"So, I am happy to hear I'm alive at least. For now...and so was it you that I met in the Tunnel that night? he asked inquiringly.
["That was not I, but another like me. A Recruiter if you wish. We move in and out of different Dimensions at will. Our Lanterns permit this possibility. It is they how we Travel from Point to Point, from place to place,"] the Pathfinder Oblika explained.
" Those other Voices I heard, that talk about 'Prizes'? What is happening here?" Mike said.
["Don't let them bother you Mr. Parris, Mr. Mike... Parris, I have willed them silent to your awareness-they will not disturb you now."] Oblika answered.
" You willed them away? And you know my Name?" He spoke.
["I know many things. We can read most of your deeper and established thoughts and have retrieved your name from your own consciousness. These other Voices are Refugees that followed us Pathfinders into this Lantern. Most are unlike you, non-Human in form, the Voices that you heard are the fellow Human Beings among them. One of my Roles is to return them back to their own Time/Space Origin. Does this answer your questions on this?"] Oblika explained matter of factly. More than Mike had expected.
"Yes, thank you. So why am I here? And what do you want of me?" Mike pressed.
["So many Questions need so much answering I know. You have a certain Talent that we Pathfinders are looking into using. We feel that we have NEED of you, we shall keep you safe and return you to your World in due time."] Oblika stated.
"When?!" Mike demanded.
["When you have helped accomplish what we brought you here to do."] Oblika replied again.
" And just where is HERE?" Mike said frustrated.
Mike stepped forward again. His tentative steps led him further into to the enigmatic Chamber, and to his surprise found that his strength returned. He was starting to become able to move in his usual manner. He no longer felt groggy, nor weak. As he explored, Mike noticed subtle shifts in the Orb’s hues. The Pale White now danced with hints of cerulean blue, and the Yellow deepened into a warm Amber. The light remained diffuse, casting no shadows, yet illuminating every detail with clarity.
The floor beneath his feet remained flat, defying Gravity or any conventional Laws of Physics. It was as though the very fabric of reality had softened, allowing Mike to move freely. He wondered if this place existed in his mind or if it was a tangible realm beyond comprehension. And so, with newfound strength and curiosity, Mike continued his journey through the egg-like chamber. Each step revealed more mysteries - the absence of any edges, the weightless atmosphere, and the ever-present low hum of an unseen melody. Perhaps this was a place where Music and Magic intertwined, where the boundaries of possibility blurred into infinity.
The Voice of Oblika once more spoke...
["I will pause this Question-and-Answer session for now-- you have more and deeper Questions that can better be explained by a Supreme. A 'Supervisor' of ours if you want to better understand this description. To speak with the Supreme, you will have to adorn a Universal Translation Head Wear System,"] Oblika said.
Then the Humming grew noticeably louder...
This time it was different, and did not impart a sense of impending acceleration, but rather a Mechanical functioning. Above Mike's Head, a large round bowl-like object began to hover and then moved downwards to embrace his Head. Mike remained in awe, as the chamber revealed yet another layer of mystery. The hovering Bowl-like object defied any conventional understanding- it was neither celestial nor mundane, but something altogether different. The mechanical precision with which it descended intrigued Mike. Its surface gleamed like polished Metal, and intricate patterns etched into its rim seemed to pulse with a faint luminescence.
As it enveloped his Head, Mike felt a gentle pressure, like the embrace of an otherworldly Helmet.
'This is it then?" Mike said.
["Yes, it is, it will be quite all right, it will sit over your Head as would one of your Motor-Cycle Helmets and then switch itself On. The Supreme will speak afterwards and inform yourself of why you are here. He has Language in which he will talk that there is no direct Human equivalence for. Therefore, it is necessary to use this, Tool. I say again, you are in no Danger here."] Said Oblika assuredly.
The Helmet lowered over Mike's Head, and it seemed to fit amazingly well. Then the Humming ceased. There was Silence but for a moment. Mike stood there in apprehension, not knowing where he was, nor what was about to happen to him. Let alone what had happened thus far already?
Within the bowl, he sensed a resonance—an echo of forgotten memories or perhaps glimpses of a future yet to unfold. Was this an interface to another dimension? A conduit for cosmic knowledge? Or merely an elaborate construct of his own mind? The guitar in his arms hummed in response, its strings vibrating in harmony with the hovering object. Mike wondered if he should resist or surrender—to fight against the unknown or surrender to its embrace.
And then, as if guided by an unseen hand, he tilted his head slightly, aligning his senses with the bowl’s contours. A surge of information flooded his consciousness—a symphony of data, images, and equations. Formulas danced before his inner eye, revealing secrets of the universe—the curvature of spacetime, the harmonics of distant stars, and the elusive nature of existence itself. Mike’s mind expanded, transcending the boundaries of his earthly self. He glimpsed constellations that bore no names, heard melodies that resonated beyond sound, and touched the fabric of reality itself. In that moment, he was both vessel and explorer—an unwitting traveler on a cosmic journey.
As the bowl tightened its grip, Mike surrendered to the flow of knowledge. The guitar’s notes merged with the symphony of the universe, and he became a conduit—a bridge between realms. Whether this was salvation or madness, he could not say. And so, within the egg-like chamber, Mike stood with the weight of infinity upon his head, ready to unravel the mysteries that awaited him.
["CAN YOU HEAR ME PARRIS"?] A deep Voice spoke gravely.
" Yes, I can, and you must be the Supreme"? Said Mike.
["GOOD, THEN I CAN BEGIN. I AM SPEAKING TO YOU AS A 'SUPREME', A MEMBER OF A RACE OF BEINGS THAT ARE CHARGED WITH MAINTAINING A BALANCE AND HARMONY WITHIN THIS UNIVERSE. THE 'WHOLE' IS WHAT WE SUPREME S CALL IT"] ....
......At the mention of this Word, and in the blink of Mike’s mind’s eye, a cosmic symphony unfolded—a celestial ballet of immense proportions. Galaxies, like shimmering tapestries, stretched across the vast expanse. Gigantic solar systems danced in intricate patterns, their planets pirouetting around blazing suns. Quasars pulsed rhythmically, casting their luminous glow across the cosmic stage. Pulsars spun like celestial ballerinas, emitting beams of energy into the void. Neutron stars, dense and mysterious, twirled gracefully in their cosmic waltz.
And there, amidst the cosmic choreography, binary stars performed their eternal duets—a pas de deux across the fabric of spacetime. Blue dwarf stars, their brilliance subdued yet enchanting, added their own harmonious notes to the cosmic score. Red giants, ancient and fiery, blazed with passion, casting their warmth upon distant worlds.
Yet, beyond all these known celestial bodies, Mike glimpsed something more—a tantalizing hint of undiscovered wonders. Perhaps there were cosmic entities yet unnamed, waiting for humanity’s curious gaze. In that fleeting moment, Mike’s mind bridged the gap between the mundane and the sublime, and he became an unwitting witness to the cosmic drama.
For a heartbeat, he held the universe in his thoughts—a kaleidoscope of stardust, a canvas painted with the hues of infinity. Then, just as swiftly, the vision faded, leaving only the echo of wonder and the yearning for more.
In the quiet of his mind, Mike wondered: What other celestial secrets lay hidden, waiting for curious minds to unravel? And so, he closed his eyes, ready to explore the cosmos once more, one blink at a time.
" Ooww!! My God!!". exclaimed Mike.
The instant of this Vision within his Mind caused a sudden pain to Jolt and shoot throughout his Brain.
["YOU SAW IT THEN? IMPRESSIVE ISN'T IT. THAT WILL BE IT FOR NOW...NO MORE SHOCKS. IT IS TOO OVERWHELMING FOR YOUR PRIMATE BRAIN TO COMPREHEND ALL AT ONE TIME. YOU NOW SEE WHAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH. YOU WILL ONLY BE WORKING WITHIN A MINUTE FRACTION OF THIS YOU HAVE WITNESSED. THERE IS A WAVE OF MAJOR DISTURBANCE IN OTHERWISE AREAS WHERE PEACE HAS BEEN ENJOYED FOR A LONG, LONG TIME. THERE ARE EFFORTS IN PLACE WHEREBY SIGNIFICANT COUNTERING FORCES ARE IN PLAY, IN ADDITION TO CLEANING UP A MESS, WE 'SUPREMES' ALSO ARE BEING PREVENTATIVE IN MEASURES THAT INVOLVE HUMANS LIKE YOU MR PARRIS. WE 'SUPREME S' ARE USING THE MEDIA OF MUSIC. YES MUSIC, TO CALM VULNERABLE SPECIES AND THE ONES YET IN THE PATHWAY OF THAT WHICH WOULD YET THREATEN TO DISTURB THEM.
WE WANT YOU TO FORM A BAND, AND PLAY MUSIC THAT WILL PACIFY THE WORLDS, YOU MAY BEGIN WITH THIS ONE! WE CALL IT 'JELLSIUS 4', AFTER IT'S SUN"]. The Supreme said.
In that cosmic moment, as the Chamber ‘Egg’ dissolved around him, Mike found himself suspended in the void, gazing upon a breathtaking tableau. Before him stretched a colossal planet—a celestial titan wrapped in hues of blues, violets, and purples. Its surface undulated with vast oceans, jagged mountain ranges, and lush forests.Above, a mass of stars adorned the cosmic canvas, each one a distant beacon of light. Some blazed fiercely, while others twinkled gently, their stories etched across eons. Tiny moons danced in intricate orbits around the planet, like celestial companions in an eternal waltz.
And there, at the planet’s edge, a corona of brilliance erupted—a halo of sunlight breaking over the horizon. Brilliant shards of golden warmth pierced the darkness, illuminating the landscape below. The sun itself emerged, a radiant sphere of life-giving energy, casting its benevolent gaze upon the world.
Mike felt awe wash over him—an insignificant speck in the grand cosmic design. He wondered about the civilizations that might inhabit this distant planet, their histories, dreams, and struggles. What tales unfolded in their cities? What mysteries lay hidden in their oceans?
As the corona expanded, bathing Mike in its ethereal glow, he realized that he was witnessing a cosmic ballet—a symphony of light and matter, choreographed by the universe itself. And in that moment, he became part of the cosmic narrative, a witness to the unfolding drama of creation. With a sense of wonder, Mike whispered to the void, “What secrets do you hold, magnificent world? What stories shall I uncover in your starlit embrace?”
And the universe, ever enigmatic, remained silent, inviting him to explore—to seek answers among the constellations and chart his own course through the vastness of space.
" I, What! This is what I am here for!?! This is incredible. You are asking me to form a Band-- and do Gigs out in this place, out in the middle of Space!" Said Mike incredulously.
["WELL, YES. ESSENTIALLY--THAT IS IT!"]. The Supreme was plain and to the point.
"So just how am I to breathe, or even get down there, as it looks like I am free-floating in a Bubble of your own making over the top of this World's Orbit?" Mike said quite logically.
["YOU WILL FIND OUT ALL IN TIME. WE SHALL DEPOSIT YOU AND THE OTHER MEMBERS WE THINK ARE SUITABLE FOR YOU TO PLAY WITH. YOU MAY DECIDE WHO IS COMPATIBLE. YOU HAVE A LOT OF WORKING THROUGH THIS PROCESS TO DO MR PARRIS. BUT TAKE THIS IDEA WITH YOU BEFORE I HAND YOU OVER TO OBLIKA ONCE MORE, YOU DO NOT HAVE MUCH TIME TO 'GET IT TOGETHER' AS YOU SAY",] the Supreme emphasized.
'Where are these others, Humans I hope?" Mike asked.
["THEY ARE CLOSE BY. YES, THEY ARE LIKE YOU, 'STARVING MUSICIANS', PEOPLE DESPERATE TO DO GOOD AND BRING OUT THEIR SKILLS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THEMSELVES AND OTHERS. FOR THERE IS A RACE AGAINST TIME ON THE PLANET BELOW. THERE IS A SHAPELESS EVIL THAT NEARS WE CALL THE 'SHADOW MAN'...OBLIKA WILL PASS ON THIS INFORMATION FROM HERE. I BID YOU A GOOD NEW DAY APPARENTLY DOWN THERE, AND AS THE SAYING GOES ON YOUR HOME WORLD, GOOD DAY, AND YOUR GOD SPEED MR PARRIS. "]
With this, the Vision of the beautiful vista of a new World below began to fade back to an Opaque barrier again. Then the Hum that brought down the Translator Helmet began, and the Helmet began to rise off Mike's Head again. That unseen pressure that stood Mike upright now began to recline him backwards once more.
Oblika spoke as Mike felt a sudden drowsiness fall over him. He was being artificially put to sleep to rest.
["Mr. Parris, you must rest now--today has been a most unusual day for you indeed. You will have to rest your Mind and Body for the new day to come,"] Oblika said.
Mike’s eyelids grew heavy, and the weight of the cosmos pressed upon him. No longer able to resist Fatigue, Mike closed his eyes and began to fall into a Long, fitful Sleep. He attempted to speak, but his words fell quietly.
Then his words dissolved into silence, and he surrendered to the embrace of sleep—a voyage into dreams where stars whispered their secrets and galaxies spun tales of wonder. May his slumber be filled with celestial visions, and may he awaken to new horizons when the dawn of another cosmic day breaks. 
END OF CHAPTER III: 'THE STATIC RUN'.
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