THE MONO-YELLOW HALLS

Why am I here? What did I do? And more importantly, what is this place? The ill-fitting mono-yellow rooms disgust me in a deep guttural fashion. And the hum-buzz of the lights echo, cackling with laughter is haunting. Every step, every movement is reflected a thousand times over, as I peer deep into the halls. Every room looks like an uncanny remanent of the room before, yet none of them seem to be the same. How do I leave?

Alas, after walking for what could have been seconds, minutes, days, weeks, months, years, or even decades, I collapse. Out of exhaustion, possibly. Now I lie on the damp-moist yellow and spongey carpet. It could have been the weight of not stopping for time immemorial, or it could be the mental toll of the inescapable corridors. No, that's not it. It could never be either of those. It's the weight of the invisible and clearly unfathomably unbearable truth. Or the conception of it. How do I leave?

The voice is not clear, reverberating and echoing, bouncing and conforming, distorting and altering, before it fades into coherent language. "Who said that?" I can only react. I am no longer the protagonist of my own mind, and only instinct is taking hold. It comes from everywhere, and frantically, I search for the source, but there is no source. Of course there isn't, who am I to think that I am sane?

The crescendo of echoes and distortions, in wake of the true voice. It's a voice that is indescribably beautiful, soft, calming and comforting, whilst also being confirming and absolute all at once. It's odd that the reverb comes before. But who is saying this? Or more accurately what? I don't know. I don't think I'll ever know. But I want to know. It's my desire. I want the truth.

I get up, as one can only do, once exhaustion has faded. Has my wish been granted? A small star, of absolute brilliance forms. The star holds absolute truth, and pure knowledge it gives, so severe that it is just a white dot to any me, like a incandescent hole burnt into my retinas. As it moves, floating from it's inconceivable origin to my cupped hands, the star leave behind a trail of glowing accretion, cold to the touch, and probably non-existent, which fades out of existence no longer than 5 seconds after forming. As I touch it, mortality starts to fade. I feel, experience, and become a part of every moment to every be happened, every possible location and decision that could come to be, or simply is. The past, present, and future, in every place or alternate reality all at once is now my knowledge.

And my mind, absolutely breaks.

THE CONCRETE COMPLEX

What cannot happen? An exit. My death. Why can't it happen? The truth defines all. Questions run through my mind infinitely and endlessly, whilst being answered instantly. I've found the first star. They are of knowledge, of truth, and of purity. I find myself in this next point in space, an endless concrete complex, dripping with condensed moisture, and lights flickering slowly and endlessly. I know the exact point of where I need to travel. To see whom is my species. I'm close.

As I walk, I'm not startled to see what happens. I've already known what comes, so no surprises. A man, not significantly older than a helpless teenager, demands, "Speak your name."

I already know every consequence of every possible decision, and emotions have been long gone since absolute knowledge. But I know my name isn't the true name of me. I am the Star Seeker.

As the words vibrate through my vocal chords, I feel them change and evolve to a higher level. Though my voice speaks, it breaks whoever hears it. In this case, the man. My voice, without choice, contains information that no mortal should nor could handle. The man's eyes fade, looking to the ever-distance, and their throat clogs with regurgitated blood. Without meaning, I killed him. What have I done?

Before I've acquired all and absolute truth, each word was a puzzle to decipher, yet now, it's as simple as a conscience speaking in my mind. It's simply a being of pure truth, speaking comfort and serenity. It was not a sin I committed, but applying knowledge to whom is uneducated. But it's a weight I feel, and I will not speak. Then who can I talk to?

Though I understand what this means, I am confused by it's intention. And I wonder, Do my eyes glow with knowledge?

Do my eyes really glow? Most likely not, but what does it actually mean? I have absolute knowledge, yet this simple fact is floating over my head. Maybe my knowledge isn't absolute, maybe it's only a fraction of what it could be. Many thoughts weigh on my mind, many possibilities that lie unknown. Was this truth that I learned not the truth? But rather, was it lying by omission? But I can trust this unknown conscious, time and time again it's shown me the path. But that leaves one big question, Who are you really?

What… This gives no answer, or it does, but not the one I was looking for. How have I not known them before? How are they my parent? And, What can I call you by?

This leaves me even more confused. They have no name? But I know, I am the Star Seeker, so they must be The Star.

Talking to the Star is an unusual form of communication. It's not actually talking, my vocal chords has evolved past that, but rather, the sharing of truth. There is no lying. Just simply fact. Being. I've ignored what comes next for a moment too long, at it's now catching up with me. A woman, this time younger, comes up to me.

They look at the corps of their comrade. "And you did this?"

I cannot speak, that would be another tick on the counter of death. But not speaking only can make it worse. The matter of fact is my only options to communication are nods and hand gestures. Sign language could be an option, but nobody here knows it. Though I know complete truth, I feel utterly helpless. Like a child, just old enough to know that they know nothing. All I can do is nod, as if to say "yes, I did it." Simply without words.

"Speak god damn it!" They yell, with a hint of fear in their voice. Her eyes are accompanied by the shine of disbelief, and it looks like they are going to falter.

I try to make a hand gesture to indicate I need something to write with. It's my knowledge which hand gesture will get what result, but I can't trust myself anymore. If I really knew the truth I wouldn't have killed a man. The hand gesture that instantly seems ideal is writing with an invisible pen, on an invisible notepad. Something to say "I need to write."

"What does that mean?" She says, in shock, and their voice is starting to shake, like they can't stand it anymore. Then a pause, of only their breath, and my still, faultless stance. "Do you need to write? Are you an idiot or something?" They are clearly not happy. It's pretty obvious by the tone of voice.

I nod, to say "yes, I do need to write." But that many words can't come out of a single nod, so the meaning should be implied.

"Fine! Just follow me, or you aren't going to have a good time." They, as soon as saying it, storm off somewhere away from me. But in truth, it's not "somewhere" that they are going, I should know. No, I can't know. Not yet, not ever. I'll just follow, because I might be wrong. There is always more to learn, and always something I don't know.

THE ACQUAINTANCE

"So." The woman says plainly, almost like they forgot the pain of seeing their dying comrade. "Who the hell are you? More accurately, what the hell are you? A person? An entity? Or something that I will never know?"

"And that's supposed to mean?" They respond, with a highly confused, yet at the same time, plain tone. It's clear that she's displeased.

"Good point." She pauses, for dramatic effect, before a sharp increase of volume. "Not! Like hell, just give me a straight answer. Are you a human?"

"So very helpful." They say, with obvious sarcasm, followed by a heavy sigh, not even trying to hide their annoyance.

"Wait." They blurt out with surprise, as they reach for me. "Let me come with you. I want to learn your knowledge, and I want to find an exit."

"I could tell." They say, with confidence, unlike me. The complete opposite of me, actually. "Everyone wants the exit."

"I'm still gonna come with you." It seems like there is no stopping her, so I don't try. But I have one question that I need to be answered.

"Of course I care!" Their voice wavers, as they remember the traumatic past few seconds. "But… You seem. Uh, I don't know how to put it." As they say that, they look down, as if they don't want to say what may come next. But before I let them decide, I start heading due south. "Wait!" They yell, and I do.

I need to know, and I ask, Is this a good idea, Star?

I walk in silence as she follows me. Heading due south, I know that my acquaintance feels awkward with no words, but there is little change that I can make. They interrupt the silence, "Ah, you don't know my name, right?"

I nod, but don't stop walking. I probably do know their name, but my confidence has dwindled to all but a smudge on the ground, being stomped on by people who happen to be walking on me.

"My name is Celeste." She says, with a tone of voice that indicates a slightly uncomfortable feeling. "It's nice to meet you… Star Seeker?"

I nod, there is no reason to slow down and write an answer, as we are just but a few moments away. I can make out the sign in the distance, only because I already know it's there rather than spotting it without notice. As we close in the distance, I can clearly make the words, "Level 1.1". With instinct, I grab Celeste's arm, and tug her into the entrance. She has no time to act, only barely letting out a gasp.

CHAPTER NAME HERE

The universe fuzzes, and we appear in the bleak and linear corridor. The walls glimmer a sad dance, white paint on bricks, and the floor is tiled a blue-like color, while being lit by brightly shining fluorescent lights overhead.

"W-what was that for?" Celeste exclaims, with a clear sense of confusion. She's questioning my authority. "Why did you tug me like that?"

"Star?" She says, with her interest piqued.