Grave-Keeper

The Gardener and the Grave-Keeper met on the mountain top overlooking the wisest city. “Good day to you, cousin,” the Gardener said. The Grave-Keeper did not answer, instead staring out over the valley. “Someone’s in a bad mood today.” “Yeah, I am.” The Grave-Keeper continued to look out, their

A small bell affixed above the door clinks as the Grave-Keeper takes their first step into Oz’s Diner. It’s late, and the establishment is sparsely populated. The Grave-Keeper is disguised, their hood pulled up over their head; no need to worry about the humans seeing their true face.

“Is there some point you’re trying to make?” the Grave-Keeper asked, now fully regretting having pulled over to attend to the dead man. “All stories have points to make, but what point I’ve made is up to you to make sense of — or don’t, I don’t

The dead man began his story: “Once there was a man named Sisyphus who kept a beautiful farm, full of fertile, black soil (this was after he had decided to let the boulder roll away long ago). As he expanded his land, he excavated a beautiful assortment of statues made

The Grave-Keeper reached down and pulled the dead man from his grave — the grave they had just dug for him. The dead man brushed the neutrinos off his vest and spoke, even though his jaw was unhinged on one side. “Thanks for that. Though, I suppose it was your fault

The Grave-Keeper dangled their arm out a window in the not-car. Solar winds brushed against their face as they pushed the pedal to the floor. It had been some time since they’d cruised the Celestial Highway, a long time since they’d made time just for themself. The Highway

At an uncertain time, the Grave-Keeper accidentally stumbled Outwith. They looked around, pulling off their hood for clarity, and were confused — this is a place they didn’t know could exist. Outwither: Haven’t seen your kind before. Startled, but not afraid, the Grave-Keeper turned to meet the unfamiliar voice.

I followed my soul along a straight line through the endless forest (that one of my dead selves had previously found, now that I think on it). We entered a grove beneath a cathedral of trees, and my soul suddenly split and unfolded along many paths. My Soul: This is

Grave-Keeper: Well? Which doorway will you choose? I had thought long and with great intention about this choice — any of these worlds (the Seas Below, The Infinite Well, the Hall of Echoes) could lead me to the Secret of Life and reunite me with my soul. I: I choose the

The Grave-Keeper and I walked past a massive tree into a passageway tucked behind. For a while, we walked in darkness. I never felt afraid, though I also felt as though I should. Grave-Keeper: Here we are. They motioned about a juncture with a mid-height ceiling. Before me there were

I followed the Grave-Keeper through a cavernous chamber. At its center a sarcophagus sat beneath a massive tree. I: What’s the tree for? Grave-Keeper: Oh, that’s for carbon-based life forms that require high blood-oxygen saturation levels to live. Don’t worry, you don’t need that. I: What

I: You said you found my soul. Grave-Keeper: I did. I: Is that why you've brought me to this place? I look back at the dead body in the dark passage. Grave-Keeper: I told you not to tarry. That note wasn’t meant for you. I keep the note. Or…

Grave-Keeper: Don’t tarry here, Watcher. I couldn’t help but return and examine the corpse I had stepped over. What had been a candle was left burnt to nothing by the body. I noticed a paper note, suspiciously conspicuous, left unfolded by them. I picked it up and read

The Grave-Keeper and I walked down long-forgotten halls made of a cold stone. I: What is this place? Where have you led me? Grave-Keeper: This is The Mausoleum. I: I’ve never heard of this place. Grave-Keeper: Few have. I: Why is that? Grave-Keeper: Here, one may find the Secret

I followed the Grave-Keeper across a line I did not know existed. Such a funny thing, the things that lie within our periphery — both inside and outside our vision. Before I knew it, we stood in a strange, stone place. This is where I found the Secret of Life.