Everything Changes, Epilogue
It is only a few days later, Earth time, but almost six months later, internal Rock-time, when , while walking the halls after an intense study and learning session, he sees the Door. There are many Doors in the Rock, leading via magical portals to many different dimensions and places.
Now, normally, he would not know what it is, but since beginning his studies, he has learned some magics, and the most potent of those is complete knowledge of the Rock and all it's ways and means. His senses have been sharpened and alerted to magic in every way the Book knows how. So when he sees the Door it is only a moment later that, with a shock, he knows what it is.
A Door to Milliways.
Over the next few days he tires to forget it. His position at the Rock is permanent, he is needed to hold it there, and cannot leave the rock or it will shatter and it's magic will rain down on the Earth again, causing untold misery and destruction.
He tries to put it out of his mind, but it doesn't work too well.
After several days of this, he takes a different tack, instead using all his growing powers to investigate the Door. He finds it to be permanent, a gate of some kind, and one that has been there for awhile, but just gone active. He learns how to control it and how to keep it shielded. And he learns that it is a genuine gate to Milliways.
He stares at it for long hours son end and then finally, knows he has no choice.
He has to go to the Darkcave and consult the Oracle.
***
At the doorway to the cave, he almost hesitates, almost stops, but then he grins as he gets the image in his head of the Batcave. And, grinning, he passes within.
Within, all is dark. In the center of the room, a greater darkness, the Oracle.
"ASK."
He takes a deep breath, and then he does.
***
When he exits, over an hour later, he walks out and then leans against a wall, sliding down to sit on the floor. He shivers for a long time, thinking.
He can go.
He can go!!
It will be hard, and require sacrifice, and will have limitations, but he can go and spend time away from this place!
He finds himself crying, slightly, from relief, from fear, from the utter strangeness, after six months, of knowing he will be able to be among other people.
He smiles through the tears and begins to plan.
Now, normally, he would not know what it is, but since beginning his studies, he has learned some magics, and the most potent of those is complete knowledge of the Rock and all it's ways and means. His senses have been sharpened and alerted to magic in every way the Book knows how. So when he sees the Door it is only a moment later that, with a shock, he knows what it is.
A Door to Milliways.
Over the next few days he tires to forget it. His position at the Rock is permanent, he is needed to hold it there, and cannot leave the rock or it will shatter and it's magic will rain down on the Earth again, causing untold misery and destruction.
He tries to put it out of his mind, but it doesn't work too well.
After several days of this, he takes a different tack, instead using all his growing powers to investigate the Door. He finds it to be permanent, a gate of some kind, and one that has been there for awhile, but just gone active. He learns how to control it and how to keep it shielded. And he learns that it is a genuine gate to Milliways.
He stares at it for long hours son end and then finally, knows he has no choice.
He has to go to the Darkcave and consult the Oracle.
***
At the doorway to the cave, he almost hesitates, almost stops, but then he grins as he gets the image in his head of the Batcave. And, grinning, he passes within.
Within, all is dark. In the center of the room, a greater darkness, the Oracle.
"ASK."
He takes a deep breath, and then he does.
***
When he exits, over an hour later, he walks out and then leans against a wall, sliding down to sit on the floor. He shivers for a long time, thinking.
He can go.
He can go!!
It will be hard, and require sacrifice, and will have limitations, but he can go and spend time away from this place!
He finds himself crying, slightly, from relief, from fear, from the utter strangeness, after six months, of knowing he will be able to be among other people.
He smiles through the tears and begins to plan.