Xeikthyr

It was a different morning that Xeikthyr woke up to.

It was clean. Everything they could see. The mattress was comfortable. The blanket was warming. The air was nice. The sunshine felt different than what the blurry window showed. Heithrun was here too. Everything was unfamiliar, but it felt better than what they were used to.

Months passed by. Xeikthyr’s recovery went well, thus they were released and continued their recovery with their sibling in their new life. It took some time for them to get used to each other. Xeikthyr’s behavior changed drastically. From a brat with infinite energy to a silent kid whose best idea is to sit down and wait until an adult orders them. Heithrun tries to accommodate their little sibling the best they can, even dropping his studies and pausing his job. Xeikthyr still experiences flashbacks and drawbacks a few times, but it’s alright. Because now things are different. And tomorrow will be different, and the day after tomorrow. And the day after that. And…

Until in an episode where they were alone. Heithrun wasn’t there and it was the most horrible one they’ve experienced. It lasted long, too long. And it stopped. They passed out in intense agony.

When they woke up, they had no memories of neither yesterday nor today. Not their identity either. Only their older sibling. Things went back to 0, and no one really knew what to do with them. Not like they have anyone else. From that day on, Xeikthyr lives on with nothing. Holding on their name, age, and sister.

Xeikthyr’s short term-long term memory loss was diagnosed as a mental side effect. Yet despite the countless therapy and training they went through, most of them produced little changes in Xeikthyr’s behavior and memorisation. It felt like wasted effort, but Heithrun is not losing hope anytime soon. Often they settle on days where they would take Xeikthyr out for the day to refresh themselves. Sometimes it’s as small as a walk, sometimes it’s as fun as going to a carnival, sometimes as confusing as going to the movies. Xeikthyr would keep a journal to keep track of the little things, in hopes of retaining memories.

On one particular day, they went to the woods to go camping. An activity Xeikthyr used to enjoy so much in their childhood. Things were going well until Xeikthyr’s childish curiosity awakened and made them travel far too deep in the woods with only a bag filled with supplies and a journal. The sun stood above them.

Despite being completely lost, Xeikthyr didn’t panic. But was instead curious of their whereabouts. Where are they? How did they get here? That doesn’t matter much, as the woods had such an inviting air to their curiosity. It didn’t last long until they remembered their sister’s existence. So they traveled until before dusk where they met a person laying still in a particular debris.

While alarming at first, they noticed the person didn’t have any energy to do … anything. As if dead, yet still breathing. They didn’t bother with the person and continued to find a way through the forest. Until the next round they found the person in the same condition. Once again they didn’t bother. Until the 3rd round where they once again found the same person. Before going again, the person shout, albeit softly:

“You’ve been going in circles”

Xeikthyr didn’t even notice. Not that they even remember going to this path, nor have they ever met the person shouting. In a moment, they sat next to the person and asked questions:

“Who are you?” “a stranger”

“Have we met?” “three times”

“Where are we?” “deep in the woods”

“What are you doing here?” “...”

silence ensues

“Do you know the way home?”

...

Nothing.

Xeikthyr didn’t know what to do. On one hand, Heithrun told them not to trust strangers. On the other hand, Xeikthyr was so tired of walking through and through. And it doesn’t feel right for them to do something without the other person not saying anything. So they sat still throughout dusk and night and even offered the stranger something to eat and drink.

The next day, they woke up to empty bottles and packaging. As well as a stranger near them. Startled at the stranger, they immediately grabbed their bag and held tightly in preparation for running away. The stranger themself was confused at Xeikthyr’s sudden behavior. But still the stranger tried to approach them calmly. While in high defense, the stranger’s words calmed xeikthyr a bit, but they didn’t dare speak. It was only after a gentle persuasion xeikthyr was able to question them once again:

“Who are you?” “Ah- Merely a teacher passing through. My name is Gaia”

“Have we met?” “We met just yesterday. You were kind enough to give me food”

“Where are we?” “deep in the woods, we shouldn’t be here”

“What are you doing here?” “hmm… I got lost, I think.”

“Do you know the way home?” “... maybe”

Gaia continues “We can go back… um, home, together”

Xeikthyr didn’t know what to do. On one hand, Heithrun told them not to trust strangers. On the other hand, there was no other way to go back especially with their condition. And it doesn’t feel right for them to not take up on the offer. So they agreed and let Gaia lead the way.

At first, they didn’t say anything to each other. Until halfway through the walk Gaia asked:

“What’s your name?” “Xeikthyr”

“How did you get here?” Don’t know”

“What about your parents?” “Don’t know”

“...You really don’t remember anything?”

In silence, Xeikthyr stopped their track and pulled out their journal. Hoping to find something, maybe. They didn’t even remember why they were walking with a stranger, or where they were going. The stranger noticed and asked about the journal. In which Xeikthyr responded to write about important things. The stranger took a glance, and their face started to wrinkle. Just as Xeikthyr couldn’t make sense of it, the stranger couldn’t either. So they suggested:

“Why not try drawing the path we’re going through?”

Xeikthyr was familiar with drawing interesting things. But they always turn out to be liminal or empty. Nevertheless they gave it a chance. Gaia even offered to draw xeikthyr and themself in it. In their journey, Gaia would give Xeikthyr interesting fun facts about the environment and pointers of xeikthyr’s path. Some time going through the same path to re-observe. They both had fun and Xeikthyr admired Gaia’s passion and knowledge of such things.

As time went on, night came along and they took a rest. They recalled all the things they experienced and drew. The green bushes and the tall trees with falling leaves, one taller than the other, the sun shining through, the river that splashed through the stone debris and damp grass of green and blue hues. The drawings that Xeikthyr drew and the little things that Gaia wrote and drew. While Xeikthyr doesn’t recall half of these things as well as the scribbly drawings they drew, they still note how enjoyable it must’ve been. Gaia laughed and assured Xeikthyr that it’s alright. And even if it didn’t leave a mark on Xeikthyr, there are drawings that could describe a wider arrange of feelings than objective, to the point words can.

The next day, Xeikthyr woke up to empty bottles and packaging. As well as a stranger near them. Startled at the stranger, they immediately grabbed their bag and held tightly in preparation for running away. The stranger smiled and greeted them, as if they knew who Xeikthyr was. While in high defense, Xeikthyr was lenient on asking some questions:

“Who are you?” “Merely a traveler, you’ve drawn and written me in your journal”

Gaia then points to Xeikthyr’s journal. Checking in, it does seem to have records of them going together. Surprisingly, Xeikthyr recognised the road they drew.

“Have we met?” “I’ve been guiding you for a while”

“Where are we?” “In the woods, we should be getting back soon”

“What are we doing here?” “Finding our way back home”

For the first time in what seems like forever, Xeikthyr felt familiar with a person other than their sister. Someone that seems like they could latch into Xeikthyr’s mind. They continued walking and did the same as yesterday. Xeikthyr would draw their path and Gaia would talk about the biology of the environment. Of the trees, plants, faunas and other stuff. And xeikthyr would record it in the form of drawings.

When they finally reached the outskirts of the woods, they were greeted with several locals and officers. Xeikthyr and Gaia were quickly secured and Heithrun was called. When Heithrun got there they immediately hugged Xeikthyr and promised to not leave them ever again. They returned the warm hug. They don’t really get what’s happening but it was nice to be hugged by their sister

Xeikthyr doesn’t quite remember what happened, but they remembered about the stranger next to them, named Gaia, who taught them of the trees and bushes. Of the begonias, river splashes and damp grass that they seemed to go through. While they had recorded their journey and identity in the journal, Xeikthyr didn’t want to part with Gaia forever. So they stubbornly insisted on getting a method of contact from Gaia so they could meet again, despite both Heithrun and Gaia insisting otherwise. Defeated, Gaia wrote down their phone number and address in their journal. They bid each other goodbyes and went their own ways.

The next morning, Xeikthyr had a strong feeling of meeting someone. But who was it?

When xeikthyr told their sister about it, she didn’t respond. Said she was too busy for this. So Xeikthyr looked back on their journal and found the name, phone number and address of the person they seemingly wanted to meet. With their sister’s help, they got in contact. And immediately the familiar voice ask a set of questions: .

“Who are you?” “I’m Xeikthyr, is this Gaia?”

“Have we met?” “I think so”

“Where were we?” “In the woods, i think”.

“What are we doing?” “Calling each other”

Xeikthyr didn't know what to make of the question. Was this something they were not aware of? Even Heithrun started to give weird looks. Gaia giggled at the other side. Said they were just messing around. After a minute of discussion they agreed to meet up on a day where both Gaia and Heithrun are free.

Ever since their first meeting, things have been going well for Xeikthyr.

Developed a hobby of mapping and decides to do that for a living. Joined a group of explorers so they mostly stay out of their home. May or may not accidently accessed other universes.

And then Xeikthyr meet God

The end

Not really i just got lazy writing the last part of this section.