The end of an era. These five words are bandied about so easily and used to describe, well, just about any and every thing. Except, this time, it happens to be absolutely true.

The Almighty’s had predicted this. Everyone who was lining up as possible replacements has said that they can never adequately replace him. The whole country was already in mourning and he hadn’t even passed yet.

But, as it must to all humanoid bipeds, death was coming to the Supreme Heidyin. However, he still had some secret knowledge to pass on. And, if you believe The Scrawlings, this would be passed on to the person who was to succeed him.

So, this, outside the room that is widely accepted as containing his death bed, was more like a circus than anything else. Supposedly favoured people, religious leaders (and some of their followers), sycophants who want to follow in his footsteps, magical beings of every stripe were here. There was even one of the higher up’s in the government in attendance at all times. Prayers and spells were being uttered in equal measures and seriousness. Altars had been placed just about everywhere. Music, both religious and secular was being played constantly. By musicians, through radios. You would not have believed that it was, in fact, the corridor in a healing ward.
And there I was as well. I really don’t know what I was actually doing there. I’m not particularly religious. I’ve been more than critical of the guy in the past, but something drew me there. I’m not sure entirely what it was. It was a force almost like gravity. So, there I was.

Then the door opened. He wanted to see people, the first time in at least a week that he wanted to do so. The same mysterious force that drew me to this place dragged me to the door. Just as I entered the door, behind noted, well, notables, top religious types and magical beings, the door slammed shut.

Instantly, looking round the room, I wanted to escape. But I somehow knew that the door would not yield if I tried to open it. I was stuck with only one possible course of action. Just as I had done in the corridor, I had to try and make myself as inconspicuous as possible.

There having been no pictures of him released since entering the healers ward, no one was quite sure what to expect. The presence of spells in the room was almost tangible. Like you could taste or see them. They were mostly concentrated round the body on the bed with one or two leaking out. The Heidyin was linked up to an amount of machines that would make the biggest technophile salivate. Wires and tubes all over the place. All this gave the impression that the Heidyin was tiny; when in fact he was large, not only in stature, but in build.

Then the Supreme Heidyin spoke. At first, no one could hear him, so weak was his voice, which was copying his body. Then one of the magical being muttered a few words and his voice was amplified. It was weak and scratchy, as if the throat that it came from had not had a drink in a long, long time.

“People! I know that you all came into this room with the same purpose. You all think that one of you will be chosen to receive my final advice. One of you will be chosen to follow me. Well, it’s not going to happen. I would say sorry, but I won’t. I’m sure that even the least of you here will understand that. This is my final advice, the last knowledge. Spread it far and wide: the answer is the question and the question is the answer. Now go, spread the word and leave me alone. Could you cut the voice thing please?” As he said these final words, he made a cutting motion across his throat, which was slightly unsettling. The magical being who cast the spell muttered something and the spell was broken.

There was a rush for the door. I would have followed, but I considered what has just been said. And I found that I understood it. As it was I was the last to leave, or at least I would have been, if the door hadn’t shut in my face. The Supreme Heidyin looked at me.
He smiled. “So, you understood exactly what I meant by that?”
His voice wasn’t amplified. He could have spoken out loud before. Not only that, but it was as strong and clear as it ever was. No sign of the weakness or scratchiness of before. It was almost as if the voice was coming from someone else.
“Sorry Sir. Why did you have your voice amplified before when it didn’t need to be? And why did it sound the way it did?” It wasn’t exactly the best thing to say, but it seemed like the right thing to do.
“Seemed like the right thing to do. Smoke, mirrors, along those lines. But having said that, it is true, I’m on the verge of death. I can see him in this room. You still haven’t answered my question.”
I looked at him. Surrounded by tubes, wires, machines and so many spells that you could almost see them in the air. He deserved the truth.
“Yeah, I understood it.” I started to falter, not sure if I should be speaking like this to the guy. But he almost made a motion with his hand. Even more, it was in his eyes. Almost a pleading. So, I continued.
“The whole point of discovery, is answering the question. In space, once we reached one planet, can we reach the next? In maths, physics, writing, song writing, fiction, everything is about finding a solution to the question.”
I paused. Partly because I couldn’t quite explain myself how I came to this, partly because all I wanted to do was vanish, partly because I thought he wouldn’t want to hear this. Then he motioned for me to continue.
“So, that answers the first bit. As for the second. There are people who discover things for which there are no questions. And dismiss their findings because there are no questions. But the questions are out there just waiting for this. You just need to find the question that you’ve just answered. Otherwise, your answer is just a useless piece of trivia.”
He smiled. “It’s definitely you.” He motioned to a chair beside the bed. I walked over to it and sat down, glad of doing so as I had started shaking. “You ready for this?”
I shook my head. How could I be? How could anyone? “Are you absolutely certain that it’s me? How can you possibly know?”
He looked me straight in the eyes. “How does one know how to breathe? It’s intrinsic. It’s innate. I knew that the person who could work that out would be my successor. I knew as soon as you walked in here, it would be you.”

This really shook me up and I physically moved backwards in the chair. “Scary, isn’t it?” He chuckled. “I was the same when I found out. Didn’t have any pre – ordained destiny, so young, unsure what to make of my life. Then I found out that my destiny was set out for me. You’ll be fine.”
“Thank you for your confidence, but I can’t follow you.”

He chuckled again. “And you’re not meant to. Blaze your own trail.” The noise outside the room had stopped. “They’ve noticed that there is still someone in here. And you tried so hard to not be noticed this whole time. Let me give you some advice. Surround yourself equally with people who both agree and disagree with you. From all spheres of life. Listen to advice from both and then use your own council. Have fun with the position. Never stop learning and growing as a person in the position and into the position. Now, are you ready to go out there and speak to your people?”

I thought about everything that had lead up to this. Me, 19 years of age and sat in this room, being told I would be the successor to one of the most influential religious leaders in history. I didn’t have a destiny set out for me. I could be whatever I wanted. At school I wasn’t quite a conscientious student, but I didn’t do too bad. Never got into serious trouble. Had a family who loved me but allowed me to make my own mistakes. After school I decided against college or university and worked a series of menial jobs. Biding my time till I found a place in the world.

And now, it seemed that I did have a destiny, just one that could not be revealed before now. Instead of plugging away at work, or giving in and returning to education, I would be dining with Kings, Queens and Presidents. The Top Bloke himself (and his successors) would be consulting me on decisions. After a lifetime of being led in one way or another, I would have to do the leading. And, to top it all off, I’m not particularly religious.

The truthful answer was no. I didn’t think I would ever be ready. But I needed to make myself ready. I looked the Heidyin in the eyes. “As I’ll ever be.”
“Good answer. Now, these are my true final words and after this, I’ll be gone. Listen closely. Above all this: life is obsession. Above all this: obsession is love. Above all this: love is life.”

With that he fell silent. The machines would not register it immediately, but I knew he was dead. And I knew what I must do. I got up, walked over, took a deep breath and opened the door.

BACK TO TOP