Ryder stood before the great hollow once more, how he got here eluded him but then again was it really important at this point?
The first couple of times it may have been, but after so many repeats of life it became mind numbing to even attempt to keep track of it. Though through everything this was the only place he could never predict, it was always changing and shifting, each event being different from the last.
Yet one thing always remained the same.
His friend would be waiting here.
Never in the same form.
Always different.
Yet this time he was still a mute child, one unaware of the horrid fate that awaited him and was simply resting in this godly place without an ounce of worry.
However this time the child was now standing on the edge of the water once more, looking off far into the horizon at what Ryder knew as an invisible island... one he'd only been able to see once before with his friend's help.
Quietly Ryder walked up next to the child and stared out in the same direction, his hazy memory ever shifting and blurring what was there.
For the first time this cycle the child spoke up, though he didn't look to Ryder. "Is it scary?" His voice was soft, gentle, curious, but also afraid of something. A force beyond his understanding perhaps.
"It used to be..." Ryder began, letting out a rather steady breath for the first time in ages "But at some point it stopped being so scary, I guess I just got used to it."
The Child doesn't respond now, and neither can Ryder.
A silence falls over the realm of creation, a place that should be lively is left empty and waiting.
Yet, without the right push it may never again be used... and as things stood he was the only one who could do it, the one chosen to bear the weight of this task.
"Riley" the child spoke Ryders name... his- no, their true name... one that they hadn't heard in many many years.
Riley could only look down at the child with a look of confusion and sorrow, any time he did something surprising it signaled an oncoming tragedy, one that could never be avoided.
"What is it, Vincent?" Riley asked, a bit worried about what the child may say.
"Will I see you again? Beyond the sea?"
"I don't know, the only one who would is with Lily now... meaning I think our time together is coming to an end."
Riley begins to step into the waters of creation one final time, a rush of memories flooding over them as they moved further and further in.
How many times had they been through this?
How many more will arrive?
The future is uncertain.
All that is certain is their one goal.
To bring an end to this, to finally see the dawn... and to keep that one final promise.
The promise he made with Six.
"I'll see you beyond the boundary... and what lies beyond shall be your resting place."