ALL NOVEL Loop 254 - Stabilization
From the start, he knew this was the likely outcome. What he wasn’t sure of was just how much Cal understood it. The kid was too optimistic and didn’t get the way the universe really worked; he reminded him of Twonger in all the worst ways. Onelder hadn’t believed the whole time-loop claims initially, but the more he considered the situation as things escalated, the more it seemed the only thing that really made sense. Somehow, the kid, his family, and his friends were fighting an invading force from another universe that, if not stopped, would destroy this one, and while he wasn’t big on the idea of self-sacrifice, there were a few people he liked more than himself in this world.
The sword, though, Onelder was sure he at least understood there was no coming back from this. “Good, keep going, hold yourself together, Onelder. Stan stop feeding Cal; his part is done. Get the fruit into Onelder and Melissa,” Excalibur yelled.
“I ain’t got much left in me; just hit me with every bit of energy ya got left,” Onelder yelled back.
“Are you sure? If we do this slowly, there may still be a way to save you,” Excalibur replied.
“There ain’t, and you know it, but thanks for pretending otherwise. Tell the kid I really am sorry we killed him all those times, and take care of my brother,” Onelder laughed as he felt the rest of the world seed’s mana hit him. He just had to hold his atoms together long enough to get this all out. It should be plenty to hold this realm together, plus it would have anything left of him to help it regrow.
“Why are you both acting like this is forever? You will be back at the start of the next loop!” Melissa yelled, her voice full of exhaustion.
“Yah, maybe, but the sword and I doubt it; ya will have to ask him to explain though, don’t think…” Onelder’s words cut off as he collapsed forward, the last of the mana flowing from him, and with it, his physical form vanished into the flow. The mana cascade faded, and Onelder was gone.