"You said you would come back."
The man's expression softened.
"I did."
"You didn't."
"I know."
"You left me."
The man lowered his head.
For a moment, the chamber was silent.
Then he looked at Jude again.
"I suppose you have questions."
Jude found his voice.
"Who are you?"
The man smiled faintly.
"You know."
"I don't."
"Not yet."
"Are you another version of me?"
"No."
"Then what are you?"
The man looked towards the fourth Sol.
"I am the person who made the first promise."
The boy's breathing became uneven.
Jude stared at the man.
"You made the promise?"
"Yes."
"About nobody ever being lost?"
The man nodded.
"I wanted to keep everyone together."
"And the tree?"
"I planted it."
"The house?"
"I built it."
"The island?"
The man hesitated.
"I asked for it."
Jude's eyes narrowed.
"You created Elyrion?"
"No."
The answer came quickly.
"I did not create the world. I only gave it a place to remember."
The man stepped aside.
