I am the crown and the wisdom, the understanding and the mercy, I am the strength and the beauty, the victory and the splendor, I am the foundation and the kingdom. I am who I am.
Act 1:
The earth was in complete darkness on a moonless night. He looked up at the sky; he could see a star falling over the horizon. Its light faintly illuminated the entire face of the earth.
Half his body was under that mud, a thick black liquid. Only the trees stood out from that brew, a dark forest. He crawled through that swamp with no apparent direction; he moved only out of fear.
First, a couple of minutes, then hours, then what seemed like days, he moved and moved. He saw in the distance what looked like a great mountain; it rose above the treetops. That mud suffocated him; he was sinking slowly.
The closer he got to that mountain, the more the air gradually filled with dense smoke. The smell of that plague was similar to burnt flesh. Soon, the trees disappeared, and he began to come across half-collapsed houses and ruins covered in mud. With every step he took, the smell grew stronger and stronger.
Along with the plague came distant screams; he heard them deep within his mind. They came from everywhere, but he couldn't see anyone. Cries, despair, screams, moans, and laughter. All at once. That smoke turned reddish, like from a great bonfire.
Silhouettes surrounded him everywhere. They had no form; they whispered inside his ears. They were only eyes and mouths without any color. Their words were incomprehensible. Those silhouettes began to take some shape; they drowned alongside him, writhing in the mud, among the ruins. They came closer, grabbed him all over, and pulled him down. Dozens of sticky hands all over his body.
He sank into that sea of oil and drowned slowly. Darkness took over his sight. All his senses faded. Only one image came to his mind: a cross-shaped medallion swinging over the water like a pendulum. In its center shone a large reddish stone. Like a pendulum, it swung from side to side again and again. Each time it touched the water, more images came to his mind: incomprehensible beams of light. More and more laughter, smiles of unimaginable forms, beams of colors that reached the horizon.
A beam of red light began to dominate, repeating itself again and again. The same scene: a titan rising from the mud and rubble. A humanoid wearing large red armor: steam came out of it. It seemed to have large metal wings. The titan rose like a tower. Its chest shone intensely; it opened like a hatch; the flesh inside pulsed and emitted a yellowish light.
Another figure appeared, just as large, a white silhouette. It struck a heavy blow and lunged at him; they were two gods fighting, two fruits from the same tree. The smoke was so dense that it barely let the fight be seen; the blows created clouds of steam.
The medallion moved faster and faster until the only thing visible was that shining stone. His vision was filled with that scarlet, reddish, and orange hue. Large clouds moved through the void; they looked like stains floating in a white sky; it was like watching paint in water. Strokes of a canvas.
Brushstroke after brushstroke, he filled the entire canvas with that mixture. He painted the silhouette of the red titan's torso and head, taking care of every detail, exactly as in his dream. His painting was finished, but he was not completely satisfied. —It's too clean. Dreams are never this readable. —He grabbed his brush and blended the paint. —There, I think I like it now. —He put his tools away on a small piece of furniture.
The room was filled with canvases. Paintings of a great tree, a vase, the sun, a serpent, a pine nut, a black cube, a lion, a bull, an eagle, and a man. So many different works, all with the same technique. He took off his apron and put it away with his things. —Vanrra! Vanrra! Can you hear me? Are you there? —He heard those voices from somewhere below.
Vanrra went immediately. His hair reached his neck; it was a deep black, with slight curls. He was around twenty years old. His face was fine, with a soft and straight nose. His eyebrows and gaze were firm, perfectly aligned like the rest of his face. His mouth was small, with slightly dry lips. He wore a worn leather jacket, simple pants, and boots. Downstairs, the patriarch of the village awaited him. He was seated as usual, right in the center of the room. Behind his chair, a large mandala was embroidered, covering the entire wall. It looked like a rose with large petals.
The big house was made of wood and stone; lanterns lit up the hallways. The floor was perfectly varnished; the walls, completely clean and cared for. There was no place decorated with any furniture or paintings. The servants moved from place to place as usual.
—What's missing for the big day? —His voice was that of an old man. His beard was white and thick. A man was by his side; the old man held him by one of his arms. His gaze was lost. Seven more men were around him.
The man replied: —Everything is ready, boss; we just need the girls to finish adjusting the dress. —His voice was deep. He had a broad chest and big muscles. He was a hairy man; his hair was somewhat reddish, with a dull tone. He immediately noticed his friend's arrival. —You finally deign to arrive, workaholic.
—What do you want?
—Were you very busy?
The patriarch said to him, —Vanrra, I'm glad you're here.
He greeted the rest of the men with a gesture. —Why did you call me?
The old man was not in his best state. —Call you?
The red-haired man said to him, —Did you forget an important day again? My big day, unique and unrepeatable. You should be happy.
—Why should I be happy?
The old man struck the ground with his cane. —Vanrra, don't be rude. Esau is getting married tomorrow; you should congratulate him.
—I've been congratulating him for three years.
—I appreciate him more than you know, especially coming from a damn madman. —He approached to give him a friendly hug.
Esau had goosebumps. Vanrra said to him, —You're nervous.
—Is it that obvious?
—You look like a tomato.
—The happiest tomato in the world.
—The world? It's pretty obvious.
—A tomato and a madman, who would have thought we'd be so close? Would you have expected it?
—It was one of the best things that could have happened to me.
One of those present said: —Vanrra, have you tried on the suit I gave you? We don't want you to show up in those rags. Tomorrow, you have to look as presentable as possible; maybe then you can finally impress a girl.
—You are the only ones who need to look presentable to flirt. Do you really think I need that?
They replied: —Whatever you say, darling.
Esau gave him a pat on the back. —We take it as a compliment.
Another of the men said, "It's good that we aren't missing anything anymore."
The patriarch called for attention with his cane. He addressed Esau. —Aren't you forgetting something?
—No, I don't think so. The food, the flowers, and the musicians are all ready. We've installed everything...—The patriarch took something out of his large robes and handed it to Esau. —Is this... a pine nut? An ordinary pine nut. I never knew exactly what they were for.
—I want you to give it to Devi; tell her to put it on her dress. It means something very important; it's the key to everything.
Esau handed the pine nut to Vanrra. —Brother, you do it; you know I can't see the bride until tomorrow.
—I'm always their messenger.
One of those present mocked him. —That's what the village madman does. —Vanrra seemed ready to start a fight. —Do you really think you can tickle me, weakling? —You look so cute!
Esau stood between them. He pushed the other man away. —Don't pay him any attention; do it for our friendship. Besides, this might be the last message you deliver; after tomorrow, you won't be needed anymore. You'll finally be free from my romantic troubles. —He gave him a pat on the back. —The end of your martyrdom.
He said to himself: —It's just the beginning of a new one. —He headed for the door.
The old man said to him: —Oh! Vanrra, I almost forgot. What did you paint today?
Those children's screams from deep within came to his mind. —I painted something I saw in my last dream, a... a great red giant.
—A red giant? What was it like?
—It was immense, taller than a windmill. It was an intense red, with many yellow lights. It had what looked like wings.
They made some mocking gestures. —It seems you still haven't lost your madness.
The old man continued. —Wings? A giant with wings?
—That's what it seemed, but they were very rigid. It wore a kind of armor and a type of war helmet.
—Didn't you dream of a titan?
—A titan? —Everyone was surprised by the word.
—I know an old story. It is said that a long, long time ago, titans walked the earth. Giants are dozens or even hundreds of meters tall. They dedicated themselves to terrorizing and devouring humanity.
—Devour? Did they eat people?
—That's what the legend says.
Esau asked him, —What was the origin of the titans?
—The sky, they fell from the sky. Fallen angels. Beings from heaven who mingled with human women; from that blasphemous union, the Titans were born.
The red-haired man replied, —Thanks for never telling me that story when I was a child, old man. I can't even imagine the nightmares I would have had.
Vanrra was intrigued. —What did humanity do to defeat the Titans?
—Defeat? No, nothing like that. Humanity was on the brink of extinction; we had no chance against those monsters. They were exterminated by a great flood, a deluge that covered the entire planet. A cleansing done by God.
—God? Who is God?
The old man was left catatonic, with a lost gaze, motionless like a statue. After a few uncomfortable seconds, the men approached to help him. —Help! Call a doctor! —All the servants arrived immediately. The old man was still breathing; they took him straight to his bed. It wasn't the first time..
Vanrra wanted to accompany the old man. His friend stopped him. —You have things to do. Don't worry. He'll be as good as new by the afternoon: old man things.
—I want to keep asking him questions.
—You want to know more about those stories? Go ask the children. They're nonsense.
—Of course not, it's just that... he had never told me anything about the past of this village. Do you know anything about... the history of the world?
—History? Is that important? I'm getting married tomorrow; I couldn't care less about those stories.
—You say you don't know anything?
—What is nothingness? Does that exist? What does not knowing anything mean to you?
—Do you know who founded this village? How long ago? Are there more towns beyond the mountains? Do you think we're the only ones in the world?
He stroked his chin. —Now that you mention it, I had never thought about it. I don't know anything beyond the mountains. I've visited some towns, but none across the mountains. This valley is my life. But I suppose if there are more people, what's the name of that doctor? The one who lives in the mountain..
—Hiram.
—You get along very well with him; you're the only one who visits him. He arrived about three years ago, a little after you; he comes from outside. You should also know what's beyond; supposedly, you were born outside.
Vanrra felt a bit uncomfortable. —It's been three years already; how time flies.
—True. Maybe that's why you're like this; I forget that you're not from these valleys. A forgetful one who doesn't even remember his own name.
—Yes, maybe it's because I'm not from here. I wish I could remember. But even so, aren't you curious? To know what this world is? What's in it? How was it created?
—It wouldn't be of any use to me. Raising cattle is more useful to me.
—I don't know how you can live like that, existing blindly. Like a complete madman.
—If I'm a madman, then everyone in this village is too.
—Then I'm the only sane one.
—That's what a madman would say.
—Whatever you say, longhair.
Vanrra left the cabin; the light blinded him for a few seconds. The sky was completely clear; the sun was at its zenith. The street was crowded with people; children ran along the edges. All the facades had flowers and large, colorful fabrics. The bright colors extended along the entire stone street. The women, in their big skirts, carried baskets full of fruit and groceries. The market was packed. He knew the faces of almost everyone; the village was like a big clan.
He walked down the avenue, passing house by house. They were all practically the same, made of wood and stone blocks. Many lanterns lit up the streets. It seemed like a sea; people pushed him in the opposite direction; many were already celebrating in advance. Vanrra always got lost, no matter how many years passed. After a couple of turns, he could see his house in the distance, at the end of the street. Its facade was painted sky blue, decorated with dozens of fabrics and flowers. The scent reached him.
He reached the doors; before knocking, he felt chills, a coldness in his chest. It was slightly difficult to breathe; the crowd's noise made him dizzy; he wanted to run away from it. He squeezed the pine nut almost to the point of breaking it. One of the women opened the door for him. —Hello, Vanrra! Why are you standing there? Come in. —Vanrra was still a bit stiff. The house was beautifully decorated; every corner was cared for with the utmost affection. Paintings, flowers, and figurines abounded on all the furniture. Inside, he felt an enormous calm. —Are you looking for Devi?
—Yes, the patriarch asked me to give her this, to decorate her dress.
—She's upstairs, in her room.
Vanrra went up the stairs; large veils hung from the ceiling. He stopped in front of her door; he caressed the doorknob. Devi opened it from inside. —Vanrra.
—Hello, Devi.
Her hair was brown, her nose was small, and her lips were delicate. —Why did you come? Why now? —She pulled him into her room and closed the door.
—The patriarch wanted me to give you this for your dress.
—A pine nut? Where am I supposed to put it?
He approached her. —I don't know, maybe here. —He gently tapped the pine nut on her forehead. —Or maybe it looks good in your hair. —Devi pulled up her hair and tried to put the pine nut among it. Vanrra helped her clumsily.
—You don't even know what you're doing.
—You don't either.
—Just a little more than you.
—Are you sure?
—Very sure.
—You don't look very convinced.
She got a little upset. —Why do you think that?
—You don't have to tell me; I can see it in your eyes.
—That's what you think.
—You don't know how to lie, Devi.
—I don't care.
—You always say that; is there really anything you care about?
—You matter to me, my family matters to me, my friends, and many other things. I'm not as apathetic as you think.
—I spoke with Esau a while ago. —The mood changed. —We chatted a bit; I asked him about the history of this place. —Devi looked at him strangely. —He didn't have the slightest idea. —He looked into her eyes. She blushed. —Devi, what do you know about the history of this village?
—Does that matter to you right now?
—I had never asked myself that.
—Don't you have better things to ask?
—Are you upset?
—No. It's just that... why don't you talk to me about other things?
—Is there anything more important? Think about it, do you know what's beyond the mountains? Aren't you curious? —Devi turned her gaze away. —Why does everyone react like this? Aren't you all interested in the world you live in?
—You're not interested in what really matters.
—Life is much more than parties and gossip.
—Your friends and your family. That's the most important thing.
—We only live to fatten up and reproduce. Have you noticed? There must be something more; maybe it's across the mountains. Seen this way, what differentiates us from cattle?
—Cattle for whom? You and your craziness.
—Now you're insulting me too?
—No, it's just that it makes me uncomfortable when you talk about those things; I don't want to think about it. —She lay down on her bed. Vanrra sat on the edge.
—What shape do you think this world has? A cube, maybe?
—Can't you see it with your own eyes? The world is flat.
—What do you think is at its edge?
—Maybe the earth is infinite, without a limit.
—How was it created?
—Maybe it has always existed; it could have arisen from nothing.
—Why do you think that?
—I don't know; it's what I can see. What my reason tells me.
—The doc told me the world is shaped like a sphere, like a fruit. —She burst out laughing. —I'm serious.
—The Earth is shaped like a fruit? Has the doc seen it from above?
—Of course not, no one has. He knows it thanks to the movement of the stars, the angle of the shadows, the eclipses...
—Don't you think that's too far-fetched? Maybe they're just coincidences. If you look out the window, I assure you you won't see any curve.
—Maybe it's because we're too small.
—Maybe you should ask me other questions.
—Don't you think it's already too late?
She looked out her window. —Vanrra, have you ever wanted to change the past, to wish things had been different?
—It happens to me every day.
—Do you think there's still time?
He stood up. —That will depend on you. — he headed to the door.
—Where are you going?
—To visit a friend.
—The doctor? Tell him he's also invited. If you want, also ask him to bring one of his toys; the children love them.
—I'll think about it.
—Vanrra, we still have time.
—I would love to believe you.
—I'm serious.
—It seems crazy to me that you even think about it.
—Wouldn't you like to?
—The decision is not mine.
—I can't do it alone. Tell me, would you be willing?
—You've always known my answer.
—You've never told me.
He opened the door. —It's already too late. I don't want everyone to hate you because of me; I don't think you're capable of leaving everything behind for a madman like me.
—I'll do it tonight; just wait for me.
—You never get tired of getting my hopes up.
—I'm serious, Vanrra. —He left the room. He went down the stairs without looking at anyone.
Vanrra walked through the streets; he almost bumped into some of the villagers. He didn't stop to look at anyone in the crowd. He headed toward the village's outskirts, to the meadows. The grass had already taken on that intense green color. That field of grass stretched to the horizon; the only thing he could see in the distance was that great mountain range. A great wall of mountains surrounded the valley, covering the whole horizon, no matter where he looked.
Below that great wall, there was another group of small mountains; they seemed like mere hills compared to the range. The closest of them was called Mount Mat; at its summit was the doctor's house. Vanrra took one of the horses grazing on the outskirts of the village and set off toward that mountain.