Me and Gwen are walking home. Our predecessors have fulfilled their last wish and have passed on. With that our deal ended.
"How did she ask you for your help?"
I ask Gwen because my predecessor was pretty straightforward with me.
"She just showed up in my mind and asked to borrow my body for a date. I did ask what she was going to do. She just said that she will go on a final date with her husband. I had no reason to decline so I just asked her to not harm my reputation in any way." (Gwen)
That's a valid point.
"What about you?" (Gwen)
"Mine was short. I was burnt out when he appeared and asked if I can give him my body for a while. I just said okay."
She sighed.
"You are so nonchalant about things. What if he actually did bad things while in your body? The public would take you as the offender." (Gwen)
"I know but I trusted him. Because he and I are similar. I have looked through his memories. I can confidently say that he isn't good at scheming bad stuff."
"That's so like you. I hope they managed to fulfill their wishes." (Gwen)
"I think they did. They left pretty peacefully. And I am back to normal as well. A nice walk does wonders for a tired mind."
I am feeling better than before.
"It has been a while since it was just the two of us." (Gwen)
"Yeah. And it has been a while since I was alone with just one person. These few days have really been hectic. I may be a harbinger but I am still a human at heart. It takes a toll on me."
A human heart is a hindrance when it comes to the harbinger business. My mind has always been tired.
Gwen stops and gestures to me to bend forward. I did and she pats my head.
"I know that you are tired. But you have to shoulder the duties that you have taken. You can't always complain." (Gwen)
She is reminding me of my duties and responsibilities while slightly pampering me.
"You really have a way with your words and behavior. That makes me feel better. Then let's go home. I guess they are wondering what this was all about."
"True. It was kinda abrupt." (Gwen)
We teleported near the gate and entered. We all decided that we would not take any special treatment. Because running a country takes money. I can't just waltz in and destroy a functioning country.
I am no damn colonizer. It's bad that you overthrow an already existing country to make it your colony and the people of the colony your slaves. Even worse if you extract that colony to make your country rich.
In my case, I have no country. I am me. Sometimes being down to earth is soothing. I can't always ignore a few core problems. I am pretty sure harbingers and creators have their own problems as well.
My monologue was long enough for us to reach home.
Gwen opens the door and enters. I enter after her. Everyone is present in the hall room.
"We are back." (Gwen)
"Welcome back. How was the date?" (Hazel)
"It was so so. Besides, I didn't peek much into the date. I only saw the final moment of the date."
"I was mostly meditating so I didn't see anything." (Gwen)
We sit and explain how it went for us. No one seemed angry or upset so I guess both of us are off the hook.
It was going well. No one asked us anything more about our predecessors. I thought it's over. But Aera and Aegis started acting weird.
Both of them are shaking slightly with their eyes closed.
It startled us. Hazel is trying to snap them out of it but it didn't work. Is something wrong with them?
I touch them to check what is truly wrong when I heard a knock on the door.
Someone is at the door. Fiona isn't at home. Aura went to check.
I focus on both of them. It's normal. They are getting a transmission from someone. I do know that they are capable of cross dimensional communication but this is all too sudden.
"It's fine. They are in the middle of receiving a message."
Aura came back with a guest.
"Gwen, there's someone who insists on meeting with you." (Aura)
I look closely at the guest. A truly androgynous look. Can't tell if they are a man or a woman.
"The current harbinger of life, Gwen McCarthy, I am your inheritance."
They said with a tone that's too flat. There's no pitch or intonation. A flat tone which is kinda eerie.
Everyone is confused. So am I. I have no idea who this person is.
"Do you know who that is?"
I ask Samantha. She may know this person. But she nodded sideways. That's a no.
"And who might you be?" (Gwen)
Gwen just asked them?
"I am your possession from now on. The Seed of life is at your service."
They knelt before Gwen putting her in a bind. She doesn't know how to handle this situation.
But Aera and Aegis opened their eyes.
"Are you two okay?"
"Yes. I think we both are fine." (Aegis)
"That was a long message. Master, you have officially been recognized as the harbinger of death, destruction and chaos." (Aera)
"You have officially been recognized as the harbinger of life, Gwen McCarthy."
They said after Aera. So Aegis and Aera were getting that message.
I wasn't recognized all this time? The system must be quite slow.
"That's good, I guess. But what took so long?"
"There was a big protest against you taking position. The main protestor is the harbinger of time." (Aera)
The situation has gotten weird again. Just when I had thought that I can take it easy for some time, in comes a news. This news is not looking too good.
I look at everyone. They are confused. I guess we need to sit down and have a good discussion before moving forward. Too little progress is a problem but who much of it can be painful as well.