Lapis in Aeternum

There is only one truth in the universe and that is that man is doomed to die from the moment he takes his first breath. The march of time never slows down for anyone, it's prison enveloping all souls who come to the isolated island in space known as Earth, each person and creature doomed to the cycles of joys and suffering they had experienced before in a never-ending cycle that would last all eternity. As the stars lined themselves up in a dance of cosmic proportions a heavenly figure came forth from the shadows sending down a rain of crystals upon the blue orb's surface to help perhaps a few escape this physical reality prison. The heavenly figure had an owl-like appearance as well as a regal aura about him. He wore a golden bejeweled crown symbolizing his power and status as a prince. His white feathers rustled only ever so slightly. He peered down with piercing onyx eyes and then left having good faith that the crystals would find their way to the right owners.

One never knows when fate might intervene as it doesn’t always serve one’s own selfish desires, but what is meant to happen. Stephano Wyatte, a man aged thirty-five years had stepped outside his humble one-bedroom apartment in the cool morning sunlight. He had a chubby body and stood around six foot four inches. He was dressed in a simple t-shirt, pants, and tennis shoes. His bald head shined slightly in the sun’s rays that were just beginning to peak over the surface. He had a septum piercing with a stainless steel nose ring and onyx black ear gauges about the size of a quarter. He looked down at the sidewalk before him and that’s when he spotted it. It was a blood-red garnet the size of a golf ball. It had a heavenly aura about it that seemed to emanate something unworldly about it. When temptation presents itself in such a way many people would find it hard to resist the temptation. Staphano was no different as he kneeled down to look at the gemstone picking it up off the ground. As he picked it up he could feel the energy of the stone latching itself onto him as he felt his energy intertwine with the gemstone. The garnet seemed to emit an aura of light that he couldn’t take his eyes away from. It was like a light shining in the darkness of a world that seemed rather cruel and merciless at times. Placing the gemstone in his pocket he ventured forward on his walk.

He continued on his walk feeling a little more relaxed and courageous than he did before. The weather out was quite beautiful and there was a gentle breeze that swayed the trees ever so slightly. There was a shopping center near his home where he would go get a few things he needed for the day. He made a living as an animator and hosted a YouTube channel featuring parody videos of some well-known cartoons and video games. While he had several subscribers and fans there was no doubt there were people who were either offended by him or hated him entirely because of the content he created. He stepped inside a local seven eleven and began picking up a few snacks and drinks when he turned to see a fiery red-headed woman who caught his attention. She had a full face with a beautiful curvy body. She was dressed in a tank top and shorts with thick leather boots. She casually picked up an energy drink and headed for the counter. As she did this Stephano gathered up his courage and said to her.

“Hey, I was wondering if you were doing anything today.”

She turned looking up at his much taller frame looking slightly alarmed and back away from him as she said to him.

“Yeah, I’m really busy. I’m sorry.”

Her expression was nervous as she turned to the store clerk and purchased her drink. Stephano just sort of awkwardly stood there feeling foolish for even trying to speak to her. An awkward silence seemed to surround him now as he looked at his selection of snacks and drinks. A feminine voice came from behind him. The voice was mocking and sarcastic from the person it belonged to as they said.

“Well…you certainly are the charmer aren’t you?”

Stephano turned around feeling even more awkward now to see a woman holding a few protein drinks in hand. She had short brown hair, a slightly pointed nose, and hazel eyes that were contorted into a smug smirk. She wore a black oversized hoodie and tight black pants underneath it with black and white sneakers. Stephano narrowed his eyes down at her and said.

“What exactly is it you want?”

“Just making casual conversation. My name is Alexia by the way.” She said as she picked up some chips from one of the shelves.

Something about her felt off to him, there was a certain unpredictable nature about her that he couldn’t quite place. She turned to the counter and started laying her items down on it and she gave him a side gaze still giving him a smug expression as she sad.

“Just a fair warning, you’re going to die in the near future. I’ve sensed it as a possible future event. Just be careful.” She said in a neutral tone that sent shivers down his spine.

“What the hell are you even going on about?” Stephano said in an annoyed tone as he frowned down at her.

“Did you find a gemstone on the ground?” Alexia asked as she kept giving him the side eye treatment smirking playfully at him.

Stephano raised an eyebrow at the question. He took the garnet out of his pocket showing it to her and said “Yes, how would you know about that?”

“That’s not an ordinary crystal. Put it away. Once you picked it up your aura completely changes.” She said as she paid for her things. “It’s completely bound to you now…..and will be for all eternity.”

“Pfft, my aura? Completely bound? What are you? Some sort of psychic?” Stephano said casually laughing it off as he pocketed the garnet again.

“No…just another soul who picked up a gemstone similar to yours. Whatever you do don’t let it go.” Alexia said as she brought out an amethyst with a similar aura as the garnet he had in his possession.

Stephano looked down at the amethyst in her hand. It had a brilliant glow about it and he felt the presence of a human soul inside it. Was this her soul? She then put the amethyst away in her pocket as she said “Would you be okay with me giving you my number in case anything were to happen?”

Stephano looked at her suspiciously and skeptically. Was there an ulterior motive to her words? Surely just taking her phone number wouldn’t cause any harm by itself, so he replied to her saying “Sure, I’ll take your phone number.” He brought out his phone opening up the contacts list of his phone.

“My number is 913-777-4808 and my full name is Alexia Morningstar. I’m usually horrible at checking my text messages, but I’ll be sure to reply back as quickly as I can if you need anything.” Alexia said casually as she rubbed her chin with her thumb and forefinger.

Stephano added her into his contacts still looking at her suspiciously. He then asked her “Do you know who I am?”

“Yes, yes. You’re a youtuber who creates parody videos of various cartoons and video games correct?” Alexia said looking slightly bored by the subject. “You’ve had quite the career in the field of animation, but the question is are you prepared to fight?”

Stephano rolled his eyes and retorted back at her saying “What the hell are you going on about? Am I ready for a fight? Where is this logic even going?”

Alexia looked at him through half-lidded eyes with a smug smile and said “I suppose you wouldn’t know about that yet. Well….if it turns out you do need me I can pop up anywhere where I’m needed.”

With the sound of a pop, Alexia vanished out of sight in an instant leaving Stephano alone and confused as to what just happened. Seeing such an act of magic only served to leave him more confused. He went back to his apartment and sat at his desk as he opened the bottle of Dr. Pepper he had purchased at the convenience store. His desk was somewhat messy, but not to the point where he couldn’t do anything. His house wasn’t exactly spotless, but it was tidied up enough to where everything wasn’t completely cluttered. Taking a sip of his soda he reviewed the replies on his Twitter feed. As he replied back he could feel a strange sense of heat emanating from his body. It was like an inner power was emerging from his body, but he couldn’t quite place where it was coming from.

‘Maybe I’ve been working too hard.’ Stephano thought as he walked over to the sofa in his living room and flipped on the television. As he sat on the sofa he could smell something burning. Frowning slightly he went to the kitchen wondering if perhaps he left the oven on. It was a small, neatly organized kitchen with a few appliances. It was rather plain looking with all the essential things he needed to do basic cooking. The oven wasn’t even on and it was ice cold to the touch. He went back to the sofa to see a burnt outline where he had been sitting. Frowning in slight confusion he placed his hand on the sofa and noticed steam rising from where his hand was placed. He lifted his hand off of it to reveal a burned handprint on it. He took the garnet out of his pocket holding it up on his palm and noticed it was glowing more brightly and intensely than it did before. He wasn’t experienced in magic at all, but it felt like it was emanating the energy of his very soul.

‘Should I try to get rid of this?’ He thought to himself as he frowned at the garnet now.

He pulled out his phone and texted Alexia. As far as he knew she was the only person who knew about the effects of the stone.

What do you know about these gemstones? Everything I keep touching has started to get burn marks on it.

He waited for a reply with baited breath wondering if she would even reply.