TRL 4

¹The traveler sits comfortably in the vessel, gazing out of its window. ²This world is empty and dark, it seems, but peaceful, the stars above dimly lighting up the rivers and fields around her. ³And as she sits, her thoughts race, thinking about home and herself and all the worlds she has seen. ⁴She almost wishes she could stay in the vessel forever, only watching tomorrow instead of living it. ⁵But she knows she has no choice, for she is a traveler, so she begins to roam this world. ⁶And humanity’s presence is subtle, but certain, as she wanders aimlessly through the crops and the ruins. ⁷The traveler cannot quite grasp what it is, but this world gives her an eerie feeling, enough to send a shiver down her spine. ⁸“Who are you?” ⁹She knew to expect the representative, eventually, but not like this. ¹⁰“I am a traveler. ¹¹I come from a world, far, far away.” ¹²The representative does not move, and only stares at the traveler. ¹³“I guess it was only a matter of time before someone like you showed up.” ¹⁴The traveler is confused. ¹⁵“How is life on your world? ¹⁶Are you happy? ¹⁷Tell me, please, because I know that you are human, and you represent the humans of this world.” ¹⁸The representative and the traveler face each other. ¹⁹It is night, and it is dark. ²⁰“Do you understand it now?” ²¹“Maybe. ²²I don’t know. ²³Because what if you’re wrong?” ²⁴“If I’m wrong then I’m wrong, and I fear it every day. ²⁵But I’d rather be wrong and be destroyed than live without trying.” ²⁶“You don’t get it. ²⁷You’ll never know what it’s like to be me.” ²⁸“I know, I never will. ²⁹But do you not dream of grandeur? ³⁰Do you not wonder what lies between you and the face of death?” ³¹And as the traveler and the representative face each other, the sky lights up, epic purples and pinks flooding the heavens, almost as if there were a window into the soul of infinity ^^TKS^^. ³²By now, the traveler is inside, and she is cozy, but she is lost in her thoughts. ³³The representative speaks, offering the traveler a warm drink. ³⁴“Would you like some?” ³⁵The traveler glances up. ³⁶“Yes, please, thank you.” ³⁷“But what is your secret, traveler? ³⁸How do you find the strength to continue your journey, when even the stars themselves begin to cool down?” ³⁹The traveler smiles, but looks down. ⁴⁰“I don’t know. ⁴¹I’ll be completely honest with you, dear representative. ⁴²I don’t believe in ghosts. ⁴³But still, I fear there is more in life and death than what is possible in this world. ⁴⁴But it doesn’t keep me up at night, no, not quite like it used to. ⁴⁵It only inspires me to climb closer to glory. ⁴⁶And I don’t know if my pride or my heart will destroy me first, but I don’t think that I could stop fighting, even if I wanted, because I fear what I am more than anything.” ⁴⁷The representative’s eyes are closed, and there is a moment of silence. ⁴⁸“Your words impress me.”