Restored

Restored

Perseus leaned heavily upon his staff, pausing to catch his breath. His thick, colorful robes were very out of place in the dank jungle. Besides his wheezing breath, there were no other sounds, the place feeling suffocatingly quiet. No bird calls or rustling of animals moving through the foliage broke the silence. There should be other sounds as well; children’s laughter, a bustling society, and the bell ringing in the tower. Perseus took another breath, steeling himself for what he knew he would see once he was inside.

As soon as he crested the hill, he saw the familiar archway, the bamboo shoots layered with large, purple leaves that caused the path to be covered in shadow. He lifted his staff, and after whispering the enchanted words, a warm yellow light appeared in the orb at the top of it. He ventured in slowly, knowing that the creature must have sensed his presence by now.

He shuffled along, the light bouncing between the bamboo shafts causing long shadows to dance around him. He was nearing the end of the tunnel, but just then, a figure appeared at the end of the walkway. He paused, spotting the hulking, cat-like figure, a long black tail swirling behind it. It was enormous for a panther, and its eyes were a glistening gold that betrayed a great intelligence within them.

The pair stared at each other for a moment in silence. Perseus could only guess at all the memories that were passing through the creature’s mind just as they were in his. The cat, as though suddenly recognizing him, sank low and bared its teeth and let out a terrible snarl. Its body began to tremble, muscles flexing and tensing as it crouched, ready to strike.

“I’m not here to kill you,” Perseus said, lowering his staff.

The creature froze, but remained poised.

“I’m here to do what should have been done long ago.” He paused, swallowing a lump in his throat as he looked into the distance. “Long ago.”

The tension in the cat’s shoulders released as it rose up to its full height, tilting its head thoughtfully as its golden eyes bore into him. With a huff it turned, walking slowly away, its tail winding behind it. Perseus nodded, advancing once again as he followed the panther.

As he exited the dark tunnel, his eyes rose to take in the sight before him. A massive castle, or what was left of it, was ahead, a crumbling bridge that once had water beneath it leading past the rusty gates that led inside.

He remembered when he first saw the castle all those decades ago. It was splendid, a beautiful, piercing white that stood starkly against the bright green backdrop of the jungle. Now it was choked with vines, the jungle reclaiming it as it slowly deteriorated. His eyes went down to the cat’s large form, its step slow and tired. He knew he’d find the creature here. It never left this place.

He followed the panther as they both passed through what had once been the town square, Perseus seeing the scorch marks from fire, and deep purple cuts in the stone from lightning spells. He dared not look in the abandoned homes, as he knew what he would find.

He had an idea where the cat was leading him and sure enough, they ended up in the great hall, the panther climbing up the steps to the throne before lying down beside the empty chair. It looked away from him, deep sorrow in its eyes. Perseus had expected the creature to put up a fight, but he sensed the same weariness within it that was within him.

He sat down, clasping his hands together as he looked at the floor.

“We have both seen a lot, Aldous.” He spoke, the mention of its name causing the creature’s eyes to lock onto his. “We’ve watched generations come and go, and now we are both left alone.”

He paused, debating what to say, how he could possibly explain why he was back.

“I’m just so... tired of it all.” He sighed. “The rules, the divides, the war. I was a fool to think The Enlightened’s presence would be a benefit to you all. I told myself that we were saving your society. That lie was easier than admitting we were forcing everyone to bend to our will.”

The feline was listening, its golden eyes fixed on him, waiting.

“Some part of me respected you though. Your unwavering resolve to do what you thought was best for your people. We were similar in that regard.”

“Not to say that you weren’t a fool yourself, with what you told your people.” Perseus looked at the cat pointedly. “How you told them that we were sorcerers who were only there to destroy them all. Your foolishness is what started the war!”

The panther bared its teeth, letting out a low hiss.

“Come on!” Perseus waved. “Admit it! After all these years, we can both agree we were young and foolish then, needlessly sacrificing innocent lives for our visions of a better future.”

The cat’s features softened slightly, it now looking tired as it laid its head on its paws.

“I’ve thought of what I’d say to you if I ever saw you again, of all the different ways I could try and explain myself, but none of those explanations would make up for what I did, for all that happened. All I can say is… I’m sorry. So terribly sorry.”

The cat looked up, hearing the waver in his voice.

“I know it’s too late to do anything to save your people, but the least I can do is give you a chance at another life.” He rose to his feet. “I couldn’t move on without coming here, just as you can’t move on without leaving.”

The cat remained still as Perseus slowly eased himself down next to it, wincing in pain.

“Even when I first met you, some small part of me thought, I bet in another life, we could’ve been friends.” He laughed ruefully.

He looked down at the panther, slowly lifting his hand up over it.

“I don’t expect you to forgive me, but just know that as you start your new life, I will always be here for you, Aldous.”

As he spoke, his hand rested on the shiny black fur on the cat’s back, causing it to shudder as it let out a sigh. Perseus lifted his staff, passing the orb over the panther as he muttered the enchanted words. He sat back, watching as a powdery white mist engulfed the feline. The shadow within began to shift as it rose on two feet, the figure changing. Perseus quickly stood, reaching out just as the mist disintegrated, catching the arm of the man that now stood in the panther’s place.

Aldous still wore the same clothes as the day he was cursed, the gold crown set upon his head along with the heavy fur cape wrapped around his shoulders. His youthful features had long since vanished and were replaced with dark and wrinkled skin, his black hair streaked with grey. It seemed that although the magic had allowed him to live for so many years, age had still managed to catch up with him.

Aldous gasped for breath as though he were breathing for the first time. He looked up, his eyes full of tears. “Perseus?” He wheezed.

“You’re back, Aldous. Although I fear the world has moved on without us.”

Aldous gazed at him for a moment, the foggy look in his eyes growing clearer.

“Just as we must do as well.” He reached out, his hand clasping Perseus’s other arm. “I think it is finally time to leave this place behind.”

The two men left the throne room, making their way back towards the bamboo archway. They shuffled along, both appearing much older than before, leaning on one another for support. The archway was no longer cloaked in darkness as a small shaft of light from a long forgotten sun illuminated the interior, promising that the dawn of a new day.