Man of Stories
Chapter 2, Queen of freedom

The fairies carried Tom through the endless universe, they traveled past worlds, stars and galaxies faster than speed of light. The vast fullness of space was incredible to see once again. The many lights that populated the darkness was filling to say the least.

“We’re nearly there.” said Hoolo as they continued on their journey towards the home of the fairies. Their utopia known as Teseara. A luscious and green planet. They eventually arrived to the planet after a few moments of being taken away from Beatrice and Gambur. They would land on the planet of Teseara just as fast as when I had left. Tom and the fairies landed in a large open field in-between two sets of woods. The planet of Teseara had more trees than water, the woods and acted as civilizations for the fairies. Their small lights within their wooden homes were visible from most moons that surrounded their home. The fairies then took Tom along a stone path towards the heart of Teseara, The city of dreams. Said to hold within it the real dreams of every living and non-living thing within the universe, the city itself desires to hold all of them as legend says. It had been a long time since Tom had visited this place, the fairies that he and his guides went past all remembered him and looked at him as an old friend. The architecture was otherworldly yet had a hint of familiarity to it.

Tom watched as the many fairies in the kingdom flew all across the world in seconds, a world so massive that you could fit thirty Jupiters inside it and you still wouldn’t fill it halfway. The fairies flew through the sky like jets with others closer towards the ground were either singing or dancing. Tom eventually would reach the center of the kingdom where Queen Evela herself could be found surrounded by hundreds of fairies each one singing a individual song and yet somehow all were harmonizing perfectly with each other. A intoxicating aroma hung in the air, one that went beyond being a scent and was more of something unknown. Her hair was massive and yet also well-kept together and braided all the same. It was a pale blonde like color, her ears were as point as Tom remembered. Her features were gorgeous and sharp, rosy lips and soft hands as she was gracefully holding fairies. She also was much taller than the fairies themselves and most men for that matter too. Her attire was lovely and made of a thin silk, her figure was long and slim.

The fairies around Tom then moved towards Evela, Hoolo pointed Tom out and Evela and him finally made eye contact. Evela walked over to Tom and greeted him with a hug which for the fairies is informal, but Evela and Tom’s relationship had gone beyond tradition or at least the less restrictive parts.

“My dear friend, old hero. Tom. It is such a pleasure to see you again.” Evela said as she then looked at Tom and finally noticed his age, such a thing as aging was completely beneath fairies. They were immortals afterall. Faries were known by many traits, being immortal being one of them. However Evela was much more than all of them.

“So it is true, you did leave Qio. Likely against Teer’s orders no doubt. Your place there was a gift, why would you give it up?” Evela asked

“I loved going on adventures, exploring the universe and facing the hive and it’s forces, but eventually every story needs a ending.” Tom said

“Hmmm, perhaps.” Evela clearly wasn’t amused, Tom could tell he was wasting her patience.

“Evela, the hive are returning. I need your help.” Tom said, the mention of such a thing caused all the cheer around them to cease and paint ever fairies face with shock and terror. Evela looked around here before looking down at Tom.

“Inside quickly.” Evela said as her and Tom rushed inside of the grand hall of the central structure of the city. Evela looked outside one more time to see the worry and fear of the fairies before closing the door.

“...If I had known you were coming to darken my door with such news I may have hesitated to talk in public.” Evela said as she turned around and walked past Tom and the other fairies.

“My lady, we need you to give us freedom so that we may be able to create a artificial hero to combat this coming evil.” Hoolo said before the other fairies could cover her lips.

“You should have let Tom ask!” Fen said

Evela walked over to a wooden bench and sat down, Tom moved towards her.

“Evela, your power, just a portion could be the key. The hive are coming Evela. We must act now, Gambur has already made his people aware.” Tom said

“...What is your plan?” Evela asked

“We’re going to use the combined power of ulu and your power of freedom to create a artificial hero, My time of playing adventurer is done. To wait on a new hero to emerge and be chosen could take years, years we don’t have. We need this to combat them and quickly.” Tom said

“I see, Alright then. I will lend my aid. I’ve combated against this great evil before and held back that monster from entering into this universe before. Have you spoken to Io about this yet?” Evela asked

“No, but they will be informed. Do you need time to give it to us or-” however before Tom could speak Evela put her hand into a cup shape and with little effort created freedom, free of laws, physics, quantum physics and all manner of cosmic laws. She then held it in her hands as she walked over handed the sphere to Tom.

“Thats all? My lady the hero will need-”

“I have given you what is nessacry.” Evela said

“Nessacry? Your highness with all due respect-”

“NO! Listen to me now Tom, You were a great man and have aided thousands of worlds during you’re time. However do not mistake my kindness for lack of reason. My job is to protect this universe, but more importantly my people. The hero was always born into the universe and was granted power by Endu. However you ask me to give them a gift that is beyond my own power. I will say that I indeed posses the gift, but to share it with being such as this. I cannot grant you this gift nor can give you what you despreatly seek. I do hope this will help.” Evela said, Tom wanted to say more yet kept his mouth closed. He bowed and walked away.

“I hope you succed in this, for all our’s sake.” Evela said as she watched Tom leave with the other fairies behind him.

“I thought Evela could give us the full deal, I’m sorry it didn’t work Tom.” Hoolo said

“Yea, but maybe this will be enough.” Fen said

“I hope so, otherwise we’ll need the ulu to do a lot of the carrying. Hoolo you said you could replace ulu. Track it down and meet me back at the tower” Tom said as he looked down at his hand saw the power Evela had given him, Tom then coughed a bit as he walked to a near by bench with the help of the fairies.

“Here, Just sit for a bit there Tom and we’ll go ahead and grab you something to eat.” said Fen as her and the other fairies flew off to get Tom something to eat. Tom sat down, as he got drowsy a bit his mind raced to thoughts of him. The evil force behind the hive, a primordial evil being. One who at one moment threatened everyone and everything, to destroy them all. However that is when Tom thought about...

The Universe, the universe was explored by the Red shadow, a androgynous entity that wore a large red cloth like attire and documented everything. Gambur and his species owe everything to the Red shadow who discovered everything in the universe. To its infinite sets, to the theories of set, ZFC, M and many others. The theory of everything was discovered many, many lifetimes ago thanks to the discovery of set and M-theory by the Red shadow. The Universe was also discovered to be beyond manifolds and transcend dimensionality entirely.

The Red shadow then went on to teach Gambur’s people, the Eert. They would be famously known for discovering that this universe does not have no limitations and has infinite sets. Tom’s brain was hurting from remembering all of this knowledge. However knowing this was key to learning how far the influence of the hero could go. So he continued to remember how vast and big the universe is.

The universe would later on begin to be further explored by Gambur’s great grandfather or as his people would call it, his gungandar. Gambur’s grandfather, Gutear would discover that the universe expands infinitely. but not just that, but that it expands into absolute infinity (Cantor). bigger than any other comprehensible or incomprehensible quantity either finite or transfinite. Mighty beings like Evela and even The Dark One, being entirely able to influence the flow and pattern of the universe. While others can do lesser deeds or things not on quite the same scale, such as the beings Yuta and Rindeer.

“Tom!” shouted Hoolo who had brought Tom some food with the other fairies supplying him with other wonderful dishes. The food of the fairies was often vegetarian and mostly made up of greenery. However from his travels around the universe, Tom would later learn to appreciate their food as it was the closet to “normal” human dishes.

“So, anything on what to do next?” Fen said

“...Hoolo, did you get the ulu?” Tom asked to which then Hoolo pulled a small odd looking spherical object similar to apple, yet to compare it would be doing it a injustice as the two even though similar shared nothing.

“Thank you Hoolo, We should get back to Gambur and Beatrice.” Tom said as he finished a few bites of his food before standing again.

“Leaving so soon?” said the voice of Evela as she walked over towards him. She bent down and put her hands on Tom’s shoulders.

“I hope you understand my choice Tom.” Evela said as Tom looked at her.

“Yes, I do.” He said as he then turned around and began to walk away with the other fairies. Evela watched.

“Lets head back to Hurazu.” Tom said as the fairies then held onto Tom and traveled back to Hurazu. They were outside of Gambur’s room where they could hear Beatrice and Gambur lightly bickering with one another. As Tom and the fairies entered inside they could see Gambur meditating above the ground with Beatrice sitting at a wodden table near the balcony.

“It wouldn’t ever hurt you to come downstairs sometimes. I make food and other dishes that I know you like.” Beatrice said as she sipped from a cup like object.

“Like I said, I need nothing to survive. Eating is a choice and one I would not partake in. Ah Tom you’ve returned.” Gambur said as he floated down and walked to him with Beatrice also coming over.

“Did you get it?” Beatrice asked as then Tom would get the orb of freedom and the ulu that Hoolo collected and hand them to Gambur who then took both in his hand.

“Ah yes, the power to create a being who can refuse the rules and regulations of the universe itself.” Gambur said as he then fused his power to orchestrate a physical avatar for the artificial hero.

“Should we stand back?” Fen said worried

“Yes. Unless you don’t mind no longer being able to perceive space’n time.” Gambur said as everyone nodded and stood back a feet as Gambur began to mend the power of freedom and the essence that lied within ulu.

“Gambur said this hasn’t been done before. Lets hope our attempt doesn’t end with failure.” Beatrice said as she held Tom close protecting him from the raw power emitting from the event in front of them. Gambur’s wooden hands cracked and chipped as he mended these two massive conduits together into one single focus point. He then proceeded to mix them even tighter together. Soon the raw output became stable and calm like water in a pond. Gambur then held it in his hand and looked back at everyone who was still a bit shocked.

“Its safe now.” Gambur said as he walked further ahead, Beatrice and Tom took a large sign of releif.

“Man, I’m getting too old for this crazy stuff. heheh.” Tom laughed as Beatrice lightly chuckled.

“Yes laugh it up, not like some of us got injured.” Gambur said as he recreated the wood on his hands that were destroyed. Fen flew over and landed on his shoulder.

“I appreciate your efforts.” Fen said smiling

“Thanks.” Gambur said as he then put the essence of the artificial hero inside of a spherical casing, he then walked it over to Tom and handed it to him.

“You did it Gambur! Great job.” Beatrice said as she went in for a high-five only for Gambur to stare at her and then put her hand down.

“There it is, I felt the so called “freedom” that Evela lent you. This will not be enough to replicate the hero you seek, in fact I wouldn’t be surprised if this is one of the weakest heros yet.” Gambur

“Great, thats not good news.” Beatrice said

“Yea, it isn’t much less will it be enough to beat the Dark one, This hero will need to be trained in the ways of older heros. Its the only way I can see this working.” Gambur said just as Tom the began to cough again only this time it was harder.

“Tom, are you alright?” Beatrice said

“Just old age is all.” Tom said as he continued to cough again.

“No, You must return back to earth. I think what is happening could be his doing. He may be weak, but that monster’s influence can be felt anywhere in the universe. You must return back to earth where its safe for you. The protective ring around your planet should still hold until this hero is made.” Gambur said as he walked past Tom and out of his room. The others followed.

“But what will the rest of us do while Tom is away?” Beatrice asked

“Last I checked you and I weren’t statues waiting to be brought to life. We’re gonna go down to the lower levels of Hurazu and replace some more info about the Dark one’s return before we do anything with that sphere of power.” Gambur said as Tom then handed the orb to Fen who gladly held onto it.

“I guess this is goodbye.” Beatrice said sorrowfully

“Not goodbye, just see you later is all.” Tom smiled while Beatrice wiped away tears.

“I don’t know those terms.” Beatrice said as she began to cry, Gambur walked past her and stood in front of Tom. Tom went in for a tight hug as Gambur did the same.

“It’s been good to work alongside you again Gambur.” Tom smiled as tears went down his wrinkled face, as he remembered journeying with his old friend.

“I couldn’t agree more. My hero.” Gambur said as the two chuckled. Gambur and Beatrice watched as the fairies took Tom back to earth and the doors to the tower of Hurazu closed.

“Oh Tom...What now Gambur?” Beatrice asked

“Without proper freedom, the hero will be weak. We need a proper vessel. Someone from a decent race whose worthy of such a task, role and most importantly responsibility.” Gambur said

“Maybe someone from the human race? Tom has shown us humans can be vital assets to the universe. Maybe getting one of them would prove useful to us.” Beatrice asked, Gambur touched his leafy beard and thought for a moment.

“This process could be a lot longer than I thought. While I’m thinking grab me my tools, my writing ones specifically. I’ll be down at the 3rd level of the tower.” Gambur said as he began walking to the stairs.

“What are you doing?” Beatrice asked

“I need to know just what the Dark One is up to and how we should prepare a counterattack. We aren’t warriors, but if we can alert any of the higher up kingdoms then we might have a shot. Once I the information we need then we’ll ask for Tom’s input on which race gets to be the next hero.” Gambur said

“I’ just saying, I think human would be-”

WOULD YOU SHUT IT WOMAN! Now go get my stuff like I asked for!” Gambur shouted to which Beatrice sheepishly ran off towards Gambur’s room on the upper levels. Gambur rubbed his temple frustrated.

“Why in all the twelve realms did you have to pair me with her Tom.” Gambur said as he walked down the long spiral of stairs.

Back on earth, Tom would wake up in his spot in the park. It was dawn and as he got up felt a lot more better than when he was away from earth. Tom looked down at his typewriter and picked it up along with his pages he had written. He eventually returned home where his wife, Anna was cooking up a nice stew.

“Oh my goodness Tom, glad your back however why on earth are you so late? Did you fall asleep at that park again.” Anna said as Tom came over and took a nice whiff of the stew. Anna then flicked his nose and puffed her chest out.

“Now you get back, This food ain’t ready for you. Go ahead and sit down and write some more why don’tcha.” Anna said. She was beautiful woman, age was kind to her. Her hair was as beautiful black color and her skin softer than silk. She was a korean woman who moved over to here after large down rate in job over in her country. Tom and her had met in a café when they were in their early 30s and have been together ever since.

“How was you’re writing session? You were out there for nearly six hours. Write anything good?” Anna said as Tom then put his typewriter on the table. He looked at his wife in the kitchen and then began to ponder about humans...

Tom looked onward from his typewriter and towards his wife who was just starting to finish the stew.

“I’m sure Beatrice and Gambur have everything sorted out and together. I’ll see about visiting them again tomorrow just to be sure.” Tom thought as then he and his wife soon would come together and have some nice stew while watching their programs and favorite shows.

However back with Gambur and Beatrice the two sat down together. Beatrice fast asleep as Gambur reread his notes on the universe.

The Canvas, was more than anyone could have imagined. Many discoveries were made by the Red Shadow, a androgynous entity that wore a iconic red cloth like attire and documented everything on the Canvas. The Red shadow traveled to the farthest reaches of the Canvas, exploring every corner and every planet.

In their adventures they discovered the existence of the following theories, Set, ZFC, M, K, Superstring along with the average string theory. With them together, the Red Shadow along Gambur's people the Eert they discovered the theory of everything. The Canvas would later then be documented to transcend dimensionality as a whole. It was as if they never existed.

Gambur continued to read more into his notes and would read about the Canvas, about how it never started nor never could end. That improbability, impossibilities and all things that never could be; can be inside the Canvas. As the Canvas had no limits. Even the galaxies within share the same qualities yet will always be infinitesimal in comparison to the Canvas itself. The Canvas which exist so far beyond galaxies and galaxy clusters; only sees them as beneath it even though they are undimensioned. However to it they are nothing. The comparison being like comparing anything to a Inaccessible cardinal. There is nothing you can do to gain distance.

Gamber closed his notes as he then got up and procced to water some of the greenery in his observatory.

"Feels like the universe is shifting, if just a little." Gambur said