Leaving the council with nothing else but his accompanying thoughts, Janus leaned his back onto the wall near the towering entrance of the meeting area. Exhaling a loud sigh, he closes his eyes for a while and contemplates what to do next.
He couldn't believe what he had heard from them; the idea of a deity from a different pantheon being forcibly brought to this world just to save it from certain doom is cliche in any setting he knows, but this is different as it revolves around him.
Is this the reason why Nyarlathotep sent him here to fulfill some prophecy? That doesn't sound right; this god, or whatever it is, doesn't appear to be anywhere altruistic or benevolent in nature after revealing itself to him. In fact, Janus doubts this malicious god had any desire to help anyone whatsoever.
However, gods are known to be bored and ever-seeking in reaching new heights of experiences like himself, although each deity is different, depending on their own individual nature and personalities. Regardless, a single question remains in his mind.
They are trusting him to save this realm from the great darkness, as they have dubbed it. An immensely powerful entity that the council said surpasses anyone currently residing in the dreamlands, even a god like himself who was needed to be imprisoned by the combined might of other gods.
"That is food for thought," the narrator commented. "I can't believe we are some destined hero to save the world from certain doom." Chuckle was audible as he continued, "We are, in a sense, a chosen one in a role we were cast to play," finding this all to be somewhat interesting.
Although not all agreed as Culsans exclaimed, "hey, I know I've been enjoying the journey so far, but to think we are brought here for that purpose," softly laughing at the whole ordeal, "this is going to be fun, if it turns out true," he joyfully states.
Sighing again, Janus replies, "I see nothing fun about this," speaking from the bottom of his heart, "I don't even know why I even agreed with this." There is no turning back on this; he accepted the elder council's offer to save this world.
However, Quirinus happily proclaims, "All is well, young warrior." Feeling confident and mirthful, "fighting someone beyond our capabilities is thrilling if nothing else," reassuringly stated, wanting to find the perfect thrill of experiencing a battle that pushes their limits to their fullest.
Pondering for a second, he always imagined himself to be the unbeatable god of all gods. Janus had never experienced true defeat, unlike those backstabbing Roman deities who planned to imprison him rather than outright fighting him face-to-face.
If the idea of being defeated or being pushed beyond his own limits is something he can handle, then it will give him a meaning to strive for, as the yearning to meet someone on equal terms is a reason for his purpose to find a point of continuing his existence.
The presence of Print suddenly made himself known: "How's it going?" He said, walking towards Janus, who appeared to be deep in thought, "Is something wrong?" Concernedly asked as he stopped, watching the man open his eyes and then stand up to face him.
"Yes," she annoyingly asked, "what do you want?" Janus really didn't want to deal with him right now. Especially after agreeing to fulfill this prophecy of some kind, "Can't you see I am currently busy at the moment?" I find it unnecessary to speak with someone who's supposed to be a distraction.
Print shook his head briefly. "You seem worried after learning your purpose." The answer completely made the god of time snicker at this, causing the cat to raise an eyebrow or two from this response. "Excuse me?" Saying to him, trying to remain polite to their supposed hero.
Janus nonchalantly waved his hand. "Did it even occur to you that maybe, just maybe, I do not wish to be this 'prophesied' god who comes to save this world from ruin?" Looking into the cat's eyes as the latter tries to comprehend the situation, "Why does it have to be me? I'm not saying that I do not wish to help or even save this place, but rather that I do not wish to be defined solely by what I am because of some prophecy."
The cat hummed curiously, looking straight at the eyes of man, who is technically the god they have been waiting for. "If you forsake this quest, where will that leave you?" The question caught him off guard, although he did not reveal that in his face: "Are people born for greatness, or do they choose it?" He began, "And even if they did, that would not make them greater or lesser. All things come and go. Who can tell whether you shall ever achieve anything in this life or the next?"
Looking down at his feet, he has no idea what will happen if he denies his destiny. Is there anything left for him aside from revenge and heading straight to a place where he has no home? No, he is wiser than that, far too prideful to succumb to that level of discombobulation.
He sighed once again, expressing further exhaustion and uncertainty about it all. "You know what?he said," raising his head slightly to directly look at the cat. "I have nothing back home," he confessed, "not a single thing that motivates me to do anything more than just being me." Hurtful expression then flashed over his own face. "I just...have nothing to live for." Janus looked away, unwilling to expose his weakness.
Print blinked, comprehending the meaning behind it: "If you don't have anything in your life, then would it be better to search for a purpose that currently lies before you than drown in your downheartedness?" Answering that question as straightforwardly as possible, "even if it's not the truthful answer, it would be better to achieve something what is originally intended for you than nothing."
Emotion entered his conceptual essence, pouring down on him like a cascading waterfall as he could no longer suppress it. "I don't know," sadness seeped through his words, "it felt so pointless doing these things with no meaning behind them," as tears began to trickle from his eyes.
The cat stepped closer as sympathy and melancholy flowed through his body. "Forget what others have told you. Forget what fate and the rest have decreed. Focus on yourself; focus on what is truly important to you; and whether you accept the destiny that has been given to you or not, it's entirely up to you to make the final call."
Janus chuckled, wiping the tear from his face, turning around before walking forward to the hallway as Print followed suit. "I think I should do it," seeing an opportunity to find his true identity in this realm. "If I can find something, anything that gives me reason to continue striving for, then perhaps its worth the hassle," he nodded, thinking deeply about the path he'll take.
Pride and happiness swell within the cat's soul: "I think you are making the right choice," concluding that this is an excellent start to preparing for what is to come; "without you, who would save the dreamlands? Me? I'm a simple cat; all I can do is help my community," stating factually, "but you? You're the chosen one who has the power to save all of us. Your power is unfathomable; it's nothing we mere dreamers could imagine."
If he had lips, Janus would smile at the notion, "perhaps so," looking ahead, where the quiet hall of this temple leads. He wondered if he actually did stop whoever or whatever the entity was. "What was the great darkness you are all referring to?" Having not gained enough information about what to do, he hoped for someone like Print to be clear in their explanation in this situation.
The corridor was a stark contrast of dark and light, with a ceiling that stretched as high as the sky and a floor that appeared as though it were made of polished basalt. The walls were lined with torches that burned with a warm glow, providing a comforting ambiance in the otherwise silent and empty space.
As the air was cool and crisp, the faint smell of smoke filled their nostrils as both walked along. Janus found it oddly comforting, while the cat could not help but admire the intricate design of the place, the stone pillars, and the tapestries that adorned the walls.
Its splendid place is where the cats of Ulthar have built, displaying their wonders that could rival any civilization that ever existed. "We don't know much, but it is said that it is an ancient entity that has consumed world after world, blocking out all light that ever existed," informing all that he knew.
"However, we know enough that he is an extremely dangerous being who also devoured other gods to grow in strength and size. His appetite knows no limits, and he will continue to consume until all worlds have been devoured and destroyed."
Interesting, Janus thought. The prospect of this entity could be bigger and stronger than he had imagined. "I suppose that explains why I was brought here," either that or he will become another lunch for this entity. "Tell me, did Nyarlathotep ever fight against this being?" Questioning the cat.
"Oh no!" Print said surprisingly, "In fact, it was raised and created by him." The cat explained, "The great darkness acts as a herald that brings an end to the Dreamlands," giving him another hint to what is to come: "Because of this, we were given a prophecy to save ourselves from the coming cataclysm by summoning not a mortal but god who has the power to combat it."
This revelation confused him further: "Why can't Nyarlathotep just do it himself?" Finding all of this waste of time and effort just to create this troubling scenario, "isn't that much hassle to do all of that?" He can't fathom the malicious deity's reason for it.
Only to receive a scoff from the cat, "the crawling chaos with all his power doesn't wish to destroy everything. He cares only to cause more misery and uncertainties for his own amusement," answering a bit more clearly on this topic, "for reasons beyond us, he desires in playing dangerous games with poor souls who foolishly gotten his attention."
"I see," he said, nodding with a look of sympathy for the victims who were unfortunately taken by the chaos god. "That would explain why the prophecy was created," he said in a low tone of voice. "Regardless," changing the topic to a more hopeful mood, "when should I get started?" I curiously inquired, wondering if this would take a few days, weeks, or months.
"Ah, about that," Print answered with slight unease, "we can talk more about that after we leave the temple," not wanting to discuss the subject too much. As he does not wish to ruin the mood even more for Janus, "once we are outside, I'll let someone else guide your mission," gesturing to whom they are to meet outside, "he might know something that could assist you to counter the great darkness."
Janus nodded, acknowledging that it would be a good idea if he were to ask a scholar about it. "Good idea," he agreed. "I would not want to forget about that," he said, trying to brush off the dark conversation they just had. "Speaking of, where's the exit?" Turning to the cat while attempting to change the subject of their discussion once again.
Print giggled, pointing his paw at their left. "There is another short hallway," he said softly. "Follow me, and we shall soon reach it," directing them to the path ahead. Janus followed in stride, hoping to get out of the boring temple.
As the two turned and walked, they noticed other cats finally showing themselves to them, passing by their side with attire that reminded them of the Janus of servants,, who serves kings and queens of many ages. Carrying strapped items on their backs with them while also conversing with one another about mundane activities or subjects.
He finds these domesticated cats being governors of their own society while able to speak with a fluent tongue is both hilarious and humorous; it felt like the existence of the Dreamlands will forever confuse him. "Your people remind me of my own," nostalgically commented, "back in Rome, they held themselves with such grace and intelligence while being strict when it comes to their culture," telling Print of his past.
Print smiled at him, finding that amusing. "I take it that it's the same for the whole empire where you came from?" Assuming that he meant by it, "are they also ruled by cats as well?" He teased him lightly just to make the god of time nodded mirthfully at this notion.
"Cats?" He said, amused by the comparison, "No, in fact, it was ruled by men."
