Moments ago, in the warping grounds of Limbo, Pain stood before Joshua the Golden Tyrant, within a throne barren of walls. Joshua sat wryly on the throne. His golden eyes were half closed as he looked down at Pain. His black hair braided into thick locks that ran down his golden armor. He opened his fanged mouth to let out a hefty sigh as he leaned forward.
JOSHUA
I am surprised that you remembered me this time.
His deep voice rumbled.
JOSHUA
I could use your company right now. Better you than that king of yours. How have you been within the Fire Kingdom?
Pain, bewildered with fleeting memories, approached him.
PAIN
We spoke so many times before. I remember now.
Pain whispered. Joshua sat up with furled brows.
JOSHUA
You do?
PAIN
Yes. I was here before with you—we hunted devils or demons—you told me about your daughter—you told me...
Pain froze as another sharp memory came to him.
PAIN
You told me you were once immortal.
JOSHUA
Fascinating.
He uttered, rising like a giant from the chair. Pain noticed his movements made no noise. The realm of Limbo seemed to absorb any sound they made other than talking.
Joshua came to a stop before Pain,
JOSHUA
Nobody ever remembers speaking with me.
He plopped down onto the shifting grounds and beckoned Pain to sit.
JOSHUA
For more years than I can count, I have yearned to talk to a person who would remember their dreams. You do not understand how happy I am at this very moment.
PAIN
Dreams?
Pain asked as he attempted to sit balanced on the shifting grounds of Limbo. He studied Joshua's stern face, free of any readable emotions, and wondered if he was truly happy.
JOSHUA
But as I have told you before, we bantus—
PAIN
Are horrible at expressing emotions.
Pain suddenly remembered.
JOSHUA
Ah,
Joshua nodded somberly.
JOSHUA
You remembered. I wonder why. Do you know why you are remembering our times together now?
He asked, his golden eyes piercing through Pain in anticipation.
Pain knew precisely why he was suddenly remembering and recalling old memories with Joshua. It was because Pain was currently immortal and had a passive ability called Recall Memory, allowing him never to forget. As of now, the old fleeting memories of dreams with this gent began to resurface and stick permanently.
The many times Pain dreamt of being an adventurer, he was here with Joshua slaying demons he thought were fiends. Even in his dreams as a ruler, Pain was here pretending to lead an army.
PAIN
First, tell me why you can communicate with the living.
Pain asked, realizing that he had once asked that question before.
JOSHUA
Absolutely. I repeated this tale countless times to you and others before. I was born with a gifted ability—I learned you all call it a prodigy ability.
Pain lurched forward,
PAIN
Prodigy!? You were a prodigy child? What does that mean?
But Joshua was already shaking his head solemnly as his eyes fell.
JOSHUA
I do not know. All that I know now is that a few are given a gift. My ability allowed me to communicate with the sleeping. It has been happening ever since I was a child. I thought it was normal, but as I aged, I figured it not to be. And then, when I died, I was surprised to see that I still could.
PAIN
Is that why we are talking now? Because I am dreaming.
Joshua lifted his piercing gaze.
JOSHUA
No,
He rumbled.
JOSHUA
You are different from the others. When I communicate with others, their minds become one with mine. You were the only one whose mind was separate from time to time. And my ability does not only allow me to communicate but also to manipulate others.
PAIN
Manipulate others?
Pain repeated as a flurry of exploitive ideas flushed his mind.
JOSHUA
Persuade is a better term. For instance, your king. King Solo.
PAIN
You persuaded him?
Pain asked, and for a brief moment, Joshua's lip twitched into a brief smirk.
JOSHUA
Many of the kings that I speak to during the current age of the plains are childish in their dreams. I do not blame them. They spend their days being leaders with no way to be free. They are a slave to the throne. But King Solo... he was... he was a bit like me during my days as a king.
Joshua looked away, gathering his thoughts.
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JOSHUA
Overly proud. Seemingly untouchable. Spoiled bastard. So, in one brief conversation, he told me about a God item he had found. I persuaded him to hold a grand festive so others could see how vain he was.
Pain's brow raised in shock,
PAIN
You made him do that?
JOSHUA
Yes. However, I did not believe my persuasion would work as it is unreliable and works sporadically.
Joshua leaned in as he continued.
JOSHUA
But when it came to you, it never worked—not once. You were a unique child, always seeking an adventure and dreaming of a better life. You reminded me of my younger days—my better days. I sought to only direct you in the right direction after learning your strife so you would not end up like me—bitter, angry, and hated.
Pain smiled weakly,
PAIN
Possibly too late.
JOSHUA
How so?
PAIN
I am Immortal.
Joshua had nothing to say as he stared into Pain's eye in search of humor.
JOSHUA
No...
He finally whispered.
JOSHUA
This... This is not good.
He rumbled and stood to his feet. Pain followed after him.
PAIN
Why?
JOSHUA
So that is how you are remembering!
He spun back around, and Pain nodded fearfully.
JOSHUA
I have seen it.
Joshua began to ramble.
JOSHUA
The kings, the scholars, the vain gents who call themselves overlords, each and every one of them is searching for Infinity! And you have it!? How?
His voice carried, but Pain studied his calm expression, unsure of whether he was furious or worried.
PAIN
King Solo's ceremony.
Realization dawned upon Joshua's face, and despite showing no emotion, Pain could feel that he had calmed down.
JOSHUA
I see. No... this is better after all. The plains would not survive one bit with another tyrant, such as King Solo. During my days, Infinity was but a myth until I obtained it. But now, you are not safe. Every king and scholar will seek your end. They will come after you.
Joshua approached him, towering two feet over Pain. Pain stared into his eyes and noticed the tinge of worry.
JOSHUA
Do you remember how I died? How my daughter rose up against me and my ways.
Pain shook his head as he wasn't able to search his thoughts with Joshua's piercing eyes, poisoning him with fear.
JOSHUA
I admit I was a horrible, selfish king. I thought I was doing right. I was quick to anger. I lashed out at anyone who sought to hurt me and those that I love.
That was how Pain acted, but he said nothing as Joshua continued.
JOSHUA
My own daughter hated me, and I knew that if she saw the fruits of my labor, she would come to understand and love me. But, no... she had one of our strongest Psi's to twist my mind, forcing me to halt my immortality... allowing her to behead me.
He finished painfully.
Pain adverted his gaze, wondering how many times Joshua must have explained this painful story. How has it not gone mad for being alone for so long, Pain wondered. He wanted to ask but felt like he should do his best to remember on his own. He was positive Joshua had told him before, and Pain didn't want to make him utter a depressive answer.
JOSHUA
But enough of my sorrows. You are in danger. Does your king know of your immortality?
Pain nodded and began to explain all that had happened to him. Pain told him of his torture, the dragon attack, becoming a vampire, facing off arachnids, losing Clifford and Mac, decimating a city, and his newfound powers.
At the same time, Pain learned Joshua was in agony. As he stood before him, Joshua was suffering through a painful turmoil that tormented his existence every second.
JOSHUA
It is Limbo itself. These plains... this realm of sorts attempts to break me down and turn me into those things.
He pointed upward, and Pain scanned the skies, taking in the silently wailing ghosts. They were large heads of people, creatures, fiends, and even dragons blotting out the entire sky as far as the eyes could see.
PAIN
How are you resisting it?
Joshua shrugged softly.
JOSHUA
Those answers elude me. The only theory I can muster is that it has to do with my previous life with Infinity.
A sudden jolt shook Pain's body.
PAIN
What was that?
JOSHUA
It seems you are waking up.
PAIN
Dammit, I have yet to speak of Locness? Do you know of her? Have you seen her?
Pain quickly asked.
JOSHUA
Of course,
Joshua answered somberly as the realms began to tremble for Pain.
JOSHUA
That was why I came back here. She wails your name.
PAIN
I want to bring her back! I need to save her!
He shouted, as his vision of Limbo began to warp and darkness began to spread across the realm. Pain chased after Joshua as the lands began to drift away from him.
JOSHUA
But I will need your help too.
Joshua replied.
PAIN
What?
Pain sprinted, attempting to Quickstep, but saw that his abilities had no use within the lands of Limbo. The lands began to break away, leaving darkness in its place and halting Pain in his tracks.
JOSHUA
Save me from this place. I want to move on and meet my friends again. I want to see my daughter again.
A deep emotion painted Joshua's face as he whispered,
JOSHUA
Please.
Pain was torn out of Limbo, and he was reunited with his body within the embrace of the broodmother.
Pain stirred and then grimaced in agony. The curse that plagued his right arm and right eye had spread down his entire right side, just missing his mouth and chin by an inch. From out his right ear, he could hear nothing, and his right leg was unmovable but radiated with immense pain.
PAIN
Just another obstacle.
Pain growled to himself as the broodmother aided him to his feet. Pain relied on Body Control, Blood Control and his newly learned passive, Bone Control to move about.
PAIN
The Law of Growth is a god given gift.
He whispered, and the broodmother nodded in agreement.
PAIN
Shall we?
