Ebrahmn and Maricur.

My eyes gradually adjusted to a world without light. Eventually, I could make out the interior walls of the Tzoid. It was cold, solid. From what I could tell, there were no cracks or fissures where light and heat might penetrate. I made my way into another chamber and down a flight of stairs as I descended deeper within the structure.

Suddenly, I heard someone whistle. “Etand?” I shouted.

“Can you see my lamp?” asked the voice.

“No. Where is it?”

“Right in front of you,” it replied. “Relax your eyes and focus. You’ll see it.”

I squinted and made out a faint glow just ahead. Carefully pacing myself, I hurried to join the one who called to me. It was not Etand, but a pale looking gentleman dressed very much like Brother Guy.

“Who are you?” I asked.

“Cesare Shimoda. I am the caretaker of the Tzoid.”

“So, what…do you live here?” I continued.

“Not exactly,” he said. “I’m not really here, so to speak.”

“What do you mean, you’re ‘not here?’ Of course you are,” I insisted.

“Neither are you, my son. You see, once you entered, we rendezvoused on another plane. Not only is Montedio outside, but so is reality, as well as the metarealities from which we each originated.”

“So basically what you’re saying is that we’re no longer in reality?”

“Precisely,” he answered. “The Tzoid serves as a house of transference, a jumping off point for the rest of your journey. It’s also the mathematical center of this realm.”

“Why are you here then?”

“Simple – I’m a Themet like my brother outside. I’m here to explain the trials you must incur before proceeding to Montport.”

“What trials?” I asked.

“The Walk of Agony, a corridor that extends to infinity if you let it, but there are five skills you must possess in order to pass the test.”

“Fine,” I said, “what are they?”

“It’s not that simple,” Cesare told me. “I believe you would do well to follow the example set forth by Ebrahmn and Maricur.”

“Who are they?”

“Ebrahmn and Maricur were two themetic monks, very much in love. When Maricur began to venture along her personal epoch, Ebrahmn was left behind. He was so lonesome and depressed that he decided to set out after her.

“Unlike you though, Ebrahmn did not have someone to help him in his journey. When he reached his place of transference, he knew nothing of what it would take to overcome the limitations he put upon himself. However, he quickly learned to develop and hone them.

“The first skill is patience. The Walk of Agony may be long, and it can indeed be agonizing. But Ebrahmn persevered, and the more he was patient, the more he could work on building other skills that would soon come into play.

“He also had strategy. Strategy would allow him to formulate a plan and adjust his plan when necessary. Ebrahmn knew there were more skills to master, and he incorporated that knowledge into his strategy.

“However, to have strategy and patience, one must also possess excellent reasoning. Logic and reasoning are not just about solving mental dilemmas, but defining reasons for one’s actions. Ebrahmn realized that, and by excelling in those qualities, he was that much closer to finding Maricur.

“Of course, good reasoning can’t do it alone. To have good reasoning, one must also develop good ingenuity. Without ingenuity, Ebrahmn couldn’t solve the problem of ending the Walk of Agony.

“Finally, the most important element to have is power.”

“Power?” I asked.

“Yes. Without power, Ebrahmn would have lacked the ability to use the other four skills to his advantage. Power allows one the opportunity to successfully navigate the Walk of Agony. You can’t have power without the others, and the others are nothing without power. I’m sure you have it though. If you didn’t use your power, it’s unlikely you would’ve made it this far.”

I paused for a moment after Cesare finished, letting his story sink in. “Is that it?”

“Pretty much,” he said. “I do want you to remember this bit of advice from me though. Successfully completing the Walk of Agony requires a balanced combination of these five skills. It was only through using all of these skills together that Ebrahmn was able to reunite with his beloved Maricur in Elysium.”

“Is that what the rest of my group did?” I inquired.

Cesare looked confused. “What group?”

“Etand and Soren and Luci…the ones that came in before me?”

“I don’t understand. No one else entered the Tzoid before you. I don’t know of these people.”

I wanted to wonder why, but by that point I figured that dwelling on issues like that would lead me nowhere. So after thinking for a little while about what Cesare had told me, I realized I had already found the answer – a way to make it through this so-called “Walk of Agony.” The solution came to me like an epiphany. I wouldn’t do a single thing. I looked at Cesare and could tell he saw the proverbial light bulb shining brightly above my head.

“Congratulations,” he said, “I see you’ve triumphed in completing this task.”

Instantly, he vanished and an ethereal glow started shedding light on the cavernous chamber in which I stood. In front of me was a drop-off that extended into utter blackness and a shadowy nothingness. I heard what sounded like the roaring waves of the oceans though, so I looked up to see an undulating golden sea, unaffected by gravity – at least the kind of gravity that held me down. This remarkable vision covered the ceiling above me, and I suddenly knew where I was. This was that gateway Cesare and Brother Guy had mentioned to me. This was Montport.

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