Ardor The Bright (Marzi’s Short Stories)

(Marzi’s Short Stories is a collection of children’s stories written by the fictional character Marzi in the TTRPG game I run! I wrote all of these stories with the intent to provide hidden truths to the way the world works, while still having a storybook feel.)

-Marzi’s Short Stories-

Ardor The Bright

A long time ago, there was a great astronomer named Kir’aga who spent his life searching for the center of the universe.  His pilgrimage took him to many lands, where he read many books.

A long time ago, there was a young paladin named Ardor who spent his life searching for the heart of the people.  His pilgrimage took him to many lands, where he met many individuals.

Kir’aga and Ardor crossed paths three times in their travels.  The first was when Ardor was still young, with little knowledge of the world.  He was at the docks, begging for passage.  Kir’aga said to him:

“Where is it you want to go?”

Ardor said: “To the end of the world.”

“Why would you want that?” Kir’aga asked.

Ardor said: “So I know where to start.”

And so Kir’aga bought Ardor passage across the ocean.

Ardor grew into a powerful man and a well-known hero.  He never turned down a request from someone in need, and was often misled by his own naïvety.  It was on one of his many foolish missions that he once again ran into Kir’aga.

Kir’aga asked him: “Why do you solve the problems of strangers?”

Ardor said: “I am better suited than they.”

Kir’aga said: “There is always someone better suited.”

“Exactly,” Ardor said.

Kir’aga continued: “If one solves all the problems of a stranger, that stranger will never learn to solve their problems on their own.”

Ardor said: “Were the world a perfect place, and the purpose of my shield and sword mere cosmetic, no one would have to do anything on their own.”

And so Kir’aga bought Ardor a drink and a meal.

The third and final time Kir’aga met Ardor, it was in the dark of night.  The only light was that of a nearby town as flames turned it to ash.  Kir’aga stood beside a mirror with no reflection and Ardor’s shield and sword were drawn.

Kir’aga said to Ardor: “Do you see it?” and gestured to the mirror.

Ardor said: “It is empty.”

Kir’aga said: “Nothing is truly empty.  In the vastness, there is something invisible.  The greater the void, the greater the power unseen.  I’ve found infinity in the stars.”

A darkness spilled out of the empty mirror and wrapped around Kir’aga’s body.  He grew taller than any building Ardor had ever seen, with blood red eyes and tentacular limbs.  Citizens of the burning village rose into the air, arms outstretched and screaming.  Their bodies were affixed to crosses of red light and dissolved into dust.

As the second wave of villagers were pulled into the sky, Ardor struck Kir’aga with his blade.  The sword slid into his belly with ease, but it was nothing more than a splinter to the creature Kir’aga had become.  Then the villagers stopped rising.  They sank gracefully back to the ground.  Ardor glowed red as he siphoned the energy out of the monster’s stomach.

In the end, Kir’aga’s body shriveled and died.  Ardor had absorbed so much of the evil power that the red glowed a brilliant white.  When the villagers approached, Ardor cautioned them away.  The power inside him was too great, and it would soon destroy his body.  It was the only way to dispel the evil for good.

He told the villagers to lock away the empty mirror forever, and in the coming dawn he faded away.  His final words were to the villagers:

“I’ve found infinity in you.”