T Comics Presents #2

Mr. Keeper

“Petras.”

“I’m here, sir. How can I be of service?”

“You have done well in your role of Keeper of the Stories, now I have need of you for a special assignment.”

“Whew! I thought you were about to say something else. You know, like you’re fired. Which takes on a whole other meaning here.”

“I know your concern, but you will not have to worry here. This assignment is one that I know you will excel in. Out of all of your brethren, you are most suited.”

“Great! What am i going to be doing this time? Watching a star be born? Or maybe…”

“Ahem!”

“Sorry! Thank you for stopping me from running away at the mouth before I got started. Love how you stop me before i get started and…. shutting up now.”

“Thank you. A new universe has been birthed. Even now it has begun to grow into a multiverse of worlds. Worlds that will soon grow beyond comprehension. However, this growing system needs someone to tend and keep it safe from influences from within and without.”

“Oh, okay. A whole universe. Right. I’m assuming that I’m going to be dealing with Earth then?”

“Yes.”

“Does this mean I can take on a human form too?”

“Yes. You will need that for the interactions that are before you.”

“Yes! I always wondered what that was like. Watching them with two arms and legs. Looks limiting, but intriguing. This is going to be fun!”

“I am glad for your enthusiasm.”

“Yeah, I… wait a minute. You did say that this is already becoming a multiverse, right?”

“Yes.”

“So which universe are you assigning me to for this assignment?”

“Nearly all of them.”

“Nearly… all of them?!”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Just practicing a panic attack before I have a human body. I’ve heard that…uh, monumental moments, uh, create that in them.”

“Do not fear. I will guide you throughout your assignment. You will be allowed to establish a dwelling among the worlds you will interact with. You know that you can call out to me, should the need arise. However, do not misuse this.”

“An assignment this big. You are going to send me help. Bending time and space notwithstanding, I can’t be everywhere at once. Can I?”

“There will be others from among your brethren who will be assigned to similar assignments in other worlds. You are the first.”

“I’m - I’m grateful for the relief, sir. Curious, will I meet any of this help?”

“Of course. Your various assignments will cross paths in time.”

“That’s great! Will I know them when I see them? Will they know me? Will you make sure that we aren’t stepping on each other’s human toes?”

“You will know them when you need to know them. Trust me. I will be guiding them as I will be guiding you.”

“Glad that is cleared up. So, when can I start?”

“While I appreciate your enthusiasm, Petras, there are some aspects that must be made clear. I sense that your enthusiasm may blind you to the rigors of your new position. This will not be as it was for you as Keeper of the Stories. You will no longer be just a keeper of the stories, you will be come a part of the stories. With that, you will be limited in your abilities on an as needed basis. The moment may call for you to show your vaunted power before them or it may require you to be the weakest of them. The appearance of great power can drive some of humanity to feel cut off from you or resistant to what you have to offer in assistance. You have seen some of this in the stories of the books you have kept.”

“Yes. Humanity can have such predictable and unpredictable moments. Personal, yet private. Joy, yet pain. They can go in millions of directions that it would take a multiverse just to see them all. Now, to be a part of that. To be a part of keeping them safe and play a part in guiding them in their stories as you see fit. To feel and be a part of their trials and their successes. I consider it a honor to serve you in this assignment and be a part of their journey, sir.”

“Good answer. Now you must know this as well. There is a darkness that you must be aware of. Even now, it is reaching out towards these worlds and seeking to enter in and destroy it as it has countless other universes. Those it has destroyed so far, have scattered omniversal fragments that have found there way to this one as well. Most of these fragments, these objects, you will find and keep them out of the hands of those who will misuse them. Some will have a part to play in the stories to come and will therefore be delayed in your collecting them. I will guide you accordingly.”

“The darkness. It must be the same one I saw mentioned in the stories I kept for you. I fear for their chances now.”

“But?”

“But I know from the other stories that there is always hope. That light can grow and face it. This is a heavy assignment.”

“Yes, it is. Does this diminish your resolve and enthusiasm now?”

“No. When do I leave?”