Epiphany/Part 5

Today marked a momentous occasion for Rayzok. Firstly, it was the half-year anniversary of his residence in this strange universe. It also marked the most unusual experience he had ever had.

After defeating Horez in the arena, Rayzok had been approached by a small group of his previously defeated gladiatorial opponents and told to follow them to city hall. Seeing no reason not to, he complied. Upon his arrival at city hall, everything Rayzok knew about this society was turned on its head. The gladiators, the Vendora workmen, the whole system, it was under the control of a single ruler, and that ruler was the very last person Rayzok expected him to be.

“Hello, me,” the other Rayzok said cordially.

Our Rayzok first started, not sure what to make of this. Then he figured that this was simply an alternate version of himself from some universe parallel to his own. He didn’t look much different, but his armor did have a darker tone of green to it, and contained more black highlights. He also had more of a regal look to him as opposed to the warrior-like appearance our Rayzok went with.

“Salutations,” he said to “himself.”

The ruling Rayzok smiled. “When I first heard that it was me out there kicking tail, I was confused, because my all-consuming duty of being the absolute ruler, albeit secretly, of this land permitted no time to get in the arena. Then I heard that what everyone thought was me didn’t look quite like me. So, naturally, I assumed you were a doppelganger of mine. Was I in error?”

“No,” the gladiator Rayzok confirmed. “I believe that we are in fact one and the same, yet different.”

“Isn’t that convenient?” The ruler Rayzok asked. “You have ascended to the top of the chain of command, much as I did a few years ago. Now I can rule this land alongside my most trusted companion, myself.”

The gladiator Rayzok smiled. This Rayzok was a vivid mirror of his own ambitions, and, much like the gladiator Rayzok, had achieved them. This mirror, however, had achieved them years before, and was now living the he had sought. It was like looking into his own future, as if in a dream, a vision of the future. The difference was that it was no dream. His wishes had come true. And now he was seeing what they would do for him in the coming years.

The gladiator Rayzok reached out and shook the hand of his double. The ruler Rayzok nodded and said, “Now, let me show…uh, me…how I run things around here.”

The two Rayzoks turned and walked together into the hallways of the city hall building, ready to bring in a new era of darkness together.