No More Beyond

On the island of Ashutosh things have always been done a certain way, everyone follows the laws laid down by the elders. Vedic on the other hand has always done things another way, blatantly ignoring the laws laid down by the elders. He has always wondered why things were the way they were. " Because that's the way things have been done since our clan was formed." Would always be the answer Vedic received. For Vedic, this was not a satisfactory answer. For some unknown reason he was always different, everyone on the island seemed so content with their lives. The real trouble happened after Vedic had a dream about a magical island across the Ananth Sea, Vedic went around Ashutosh excitedly telling everyone about his dream. Vedic grew up being told about the struggles of living on a small island and keeping everyone fed and entertained. " Vedic! You need to stop thinking about things beyond Ashutosh!" The main elder (Akhil) said with his usual sternness when talking to Vedic. Vedic can't recall a time when he wasn't being called to the elder lodge to be reprimanded. Vedic just stared at his feet thinking about how unfair it was, that just because he thought differently than the others on the island he was treated like a constant source of disappointment. Akhil just stared at him, but not with anger as his tone would suggest, but concern. " Listen Vedic, I know you don't mean any harm. But we are a small tribe, the rules are in place to protect us." He said never breaking eye contact with Vedic. " I know it's to protect us, but what if there is something out there that could help the tribe?" Vedic asked desperate to get someone, anyone, to understand him. " There is nothing beyond Ashutosh. Our founders sent out scouts long ago, they never returned. Now return home and leave it be!" Akhil stated with a sternness that implied the conversation was over.

It was a balmy night on the way back to his hut at the edge of the village. Most people were in bed by this hour but Vedic felt like he needed a walk, usually he would brush off the dire warnings of the elders. But this time felt different, it felt like someone was warning him in a caring manner, rather than an annoyed one. Navigating the the well trodden dirt paths crisscrossing the village Vedic was deep in thought, when suddenly he heard a sound that snapped him out of his reverie. Is there someone following me? He thought to himself. It was hard to hear over the wind that suddenly picked up, but it sounded like bushes rustling and twigs snapping. Vedic quieted his breathing and focused his hearing. " Yeah I heard he got called to the elders cabin yet again!" A voice said in the distance. They were talking about Vedic of course, but why were they sneaking around in the middle of the night? " I'm guessing that's why this is finally happening." The second man replied. " I still feel kind of bad, I know it's got to be done but." The first one said with an air of regret. Vedic had been inching closer when he finally realized where they were heading, straight towards his hut. " That fool Vedic has gotten enough warnings, we have our orders. Shaila awaits him. Vedic's stomach sank, there is no greater punishment. Those dropped into the hole at the top of the mountain never return, they are sacrificed to promote longevity into the tribe. No more, he has had enough of these people and their ridiculous fears. No more.

Sneaking through the village, Vedic was still reeling from the idea that the elders were going to sentence him to a lifetime in a dark pit. Vedic just hoped that he could figure out how to operate a fishing boat. He had to choose his path carefully, he refused to let the people who tried to censor him his whole life determine how his story ends. It looked like most everyone was already home in bed, just a few stragglers heading home after some late night work at the docks. Not taking any chances Vedic stayed out of sight, the docks looked eerie bathed in the moonlight. Vedic spied three boats tied to the docks, he wasn't going to risk gathering any extra supplies, whatever is on the boat is what he's leaving with. Vedic chose the one at the end of the dock, the further from the village the better. He undid the rope to the dock and remembering watching the fisherman he somehow managed to unfurl the sails. " On my own, not much of a change there I suppose. I guess I always wondered what was beyond the village." Vedic said aloud. A cool breeze hit his face and suddenly his fear turned to excitement.

It didn't take long for the island that was all Vedic has ever known to vanish from sight, it was clear blue water all around. Once the sun rose he took stock, he had about four days of rations. Checking the compass to make sure he was still heading north, Vedic pondered what he would do if he never encountered land. " Well this is a fishing boat." Vedic pondered out loud, searching the boat he found nets and fishing rods. He took hold of a rod and baited the hook, casting his hook into the water Vedic let his mind drift. He always hated fishing, it was practically all they did on Ashutosh. But he had nothing else to do to pass the time, and he was concerned about the available food supply on the boat. Suddenly he got a nibble on the line, it was a struggle but he got it close to the boat. As he was reaching in to the water to grab the fish he saw an enormous shadow beneath the water. " What the...." Before he could finish the thought the largest shark Vedic had ever seen burst from beneath the waters surface and consumed the fish and took the fishing rod down as well. Vedic got knocked down to the floor of the fishing boat as the shark reentered the water whilst hitting the side of the boat on the way down. Vedic laid there for a moment stunned feeling the boat rocking with the waves before he regained his composure. " Maybe I was a little rash not grabbing more gear from the village." Vedic said aloud. He got up and grabbed the wheel pointing the boat back north, scanning the surface of the water desperately trying to calm his breathing. The fisherman on Ashutosh always talked about the gargantuan bloodthirsty sharks of the Ananth Sea, Vedic always thought they were exaggerating. As long as he doesn't fish or drop food in the water they should overlook him, hopefully.

Vedic drifted for days, weeks maybe. He ran out of food and water two days ago, looking up at the sky he thought back to Akhils words. " Listen Vedic, I know you don't mean any harm. But we are a small tribe, the rules are in place to protect us." Perhaps he was right, but Vedic has come too far to turn back now. He stood and stretched and considered making another fishing attempt when he spotted a dark shape on the horizon. " That's it! I did it!" Vedic shouted, more than a little hoarse. He took the wheel and looked for a spot to dock, he spotted an old rotted harbor area. He tied up the boat and surveyed the land, the harbor looked like it hadn't been used in years. The island looked lifeless and dead. like all the life was sucked from the earth. " What happened here?" Vedic asked aloud. Choosing his footing carefully he crossed the dock, he stepped onto the dead grass with trepidation. Vedic saw a worn down path and thought there must be someone here, he started down the path both curious and concerned about who or what he might find. He walked for what felt like an hour before coming across a cave the looked like it was preserved from the destruction of the land around it. " Hello?" Vedic inquired towards the cavern entrance. Nothing but silence followed for a time, Vedic took a step forward but was stopped by a voice from the darkness. " At last!" The eerie voice cackled. Suddenly Vedic could make out a slender figure in the shadow of the cave. " Um, my name is Vedic. I'm from an island called Ashutosh, I'm on a voyage to discover things that might help move us forward...….and prove I'm not asinine." Vedic said hoping he made a friend and didn't just wake a psychopath. " Ahhh, a new land. I think my lord would enjoy a meal, he must be famished." The figure said stepping out of the darkness, sending shivers down Vedics spine. He didn't look human, the man looked like a lifeless corpse. " Uh, I'm sorry did you say your lord wants a meal? Did.... you mean my island?" Vedic asked not totally sure he wanted to know the answer. " Hahaha, yesssss. My lord Alok consumes life, ALL LIFE. We do appreciate you bringing us a source of transportation, we have tired of this place." The mysterious man said, at this point Vedic wasn't really sure what to think. Vedic took off sprinting towards the harbor when suddenly he was face down. " Leaving so soon?" The man said, his hand was glowing with his fingers outstretched . " My lord is on his way, I will leave you here in his company. I will need to move my summoning equipment to this.... Ashutosh?" the man said with an evil grin. Vedic was horrified, if only he had listened. He had no idea the horrors that existed beyond his home. Suddenly the world went dark, the last thing he saw was the mysterious strangers corpselike face sneering.

Vedic was staring at the moon up above, his thoughts were scattered and fuzzy. He sat up and took in his surroundings, he was at the harbor. His boat and the dock were covered with strange things, and to his horror the stranger was standing near the dock conversing with a hooded figure hovering in the air made of smoke. " Is that the being known as Alok that consumes life?" Vedic thought. " This is all my fault, I can't let this happen." Vedic decided internally. The man went to the boat and continued loading things onto it, Alok just hovered there. Vedic spotted a bucket of what looked like meat and ran towards it with an idea. He kicked the bucket as hard as he could muster, it landed in the water around the boat. " Now, what did that accomplish?" The man said with an air of almost disappointment. When the water around the boat erupted with great whites. " That, is what I accomplished." Vedic added slyly. The boat started taking on water fast. " YOU HAVE DOOMED US ALL YOU FOOL, YOUR VILLAGE WAS RIGHT ABOUT YOU. YOU ARE A FOOL!" The acolyte of Alok screamed. " I lived my whole life a fool, but I will not die as one." Vedic retorted falling to his knees exhausted. The old fishing boat was fully submerged and the acolyte was finally silenced, the summoning equipment and the only man who knew how to use it were lost to the oceans depths. Vedic was about to celebrate his victory when his blood turned cold, he had forgotten. He turned his head and stared into the face of death, his vision turned dark as his soul was ripped from his body. As his consciousness drifted into oblivion he wondered if anyone would even remember his name.