◦tales from Jericho◦
~❦~the first story
Jericho left the small collective of restless souls accompanying him to go and visit the recently departed 'are you ready to go young one?' Jericho asked, in a deep, smooth tone. there was an elderly couple resting near one of the oasis' many pools---it was her time, and he would soon follow her. she knew that so she pleaded with Jericho to stay in the oasis until she could leave with her love
' it might take a while my dear, but i know how you love him and wish to stay with him always. we can wait for you both.' Jericho waved over the other souls that where originally with him, he introduced the newly detached---
"my name is Margret, this one over here is my husband john. we where on a trip, we knew it was going to be our last... but this oasis is so beautiful.. it was like heaven on earth, not a bad place to pass on from." Margret sighed "me and my john have been married for 60 years. weve lived, loved and have three children and a gaggle of grandbabies. weve lived a great life, no regrets." Margret rests her hand on john's cheek, then rubbed it with her thumb lovingly
' it is almost time for him too Margret.' Jericho said calmly as she looked up into Jericho's soft glowing eyes, "yeah. hes always been stubborn."
she smiled as a mist started to form around john, it was his soul forming outside of his body. the mist slowly began to regain the form of john---shocked at the sight before him, "Iris, is that you my sweet?---w-w-what is going on here?" john asked in a panic ,
Margret sighed once again "yes its me orchid. it was our time, and now its time to go with them" Margret swept her arm to show Jericho and the other souls with him. "well darn , i was really looking forward to that buffet at the hotel tonight... oh well. at least i get to be with you, like always my love." john embraced Margret and they smiled while she shed a tear, "i hope the kids wont be too torn up about this... us going on vacation and not coming back..."
john chucked---"im sure they will be for a while, but then theyll find a way to keep going. thats how we raised them you know" john wiped her tear away, "i know" she replied. they cleared their throats and then grabbed each others hand firmly....
"were ready to go, mr. Reaper" john said as he took Margret's hand to his lips and kissed it.
'alright everyone, to your after lives you go---' Jericho motioned his arms and they where taken to an open area in the desert, there where doors for the souls to choose. 'go on now children, choose your afterlife. the first door is a haven for the weary, you will always be happy and taken well care of. your souls will be at peace there.' jericho looked at margret and john, thinking that they might choose that door.
"what are the other doors for mr--- 'jericho letum is my name Margret'--- oh excuse me, sorry if calling you mr reaper was rude, i didnt know"
Jericho tilted his head in curiosity, 'you did not know, and it did not offend me' margret let out yet another sigh, but this time in relief. "so mr. letum, sir---if you dont mind... what are the other doors for?"margret repeated her question, john looked at her like she'd lost her mind.
'there are some doors that lead to specific religions' depictions of afterlife. i summon a being of their religion to take that soul to where it belongs. i only take you to the doors, i do not force anyone to choose, but you cannot go back as you are.' margret nodded to jericho's answer.
"is... is there a door for reincarnation?" Margret sheepishly added , once again john tried to reel in his inquisitive wife---to no avail.
'there is, does the concept interest you? i cannot guarantee you'll be reborn human though. if the risk does not bother you, it is the second to last door on the right' jericho pointed to the door that looked like the sliding glass doors to a grocery store. margret thought long and hard about it, but all she wanted to know is if it was a possibility, she didnt want to leave john behind.
they discussed between them where they wanted to go, and they did in fact choose the haven door. but before they walked through it, they turned around to thank Jericho and wave goodbye. "maybe we will see you again one day in the future when you bring our family when they pass" Margret said to Jericho,
he smiled softly, while bending over a little with a pat to her head, 'they will live a long life as you two did. and they will be glad to see you again one day, as i will. now go, please enjoy your peace' jericho stood up straight again,
waving goodbye to the couple as they where the last to pass through the doors. as they vanished, Jericho sighed and remarked on how sweet and accepting of their fate they where. as he started off on his travels again, to Shepard souls to their afterlives.
the second story
Jericho returned to the oasis to inform karma of a departure. They entered the main hotel of the oasis, the golden sunset. He walked up to the registration desk and one of the receptionist was too afraid to look them directly in the eyes, but she still spoke to him, "is it my time sir?" She stammered to ask, in fear of passing at a young age.
'I am not here for you daughter of life. I need to inform karma of some of her guests... they will not be returning.' Jericho placed the necklace that Margaret was wearing on the desk. The receptionist let out a sigh for herself, then pressed the manager button to call over karma."I'm sorry I feared you sir. Your work is honorable" she still trimmbled.
'It is ok child. Everyone fears my work. But I do not end them, only guide them when their time is up---' just then karma bust out of her office to rush over to Jericho.
"Who was it this time letum???" She regaining her breath after a mad dash to the reception desk. Jericho took the necklace off the desk and placed it gently into karmas' hands.
'It was an elderly couple. They both passed relatively close to one another. They're names where Margaret and John. They passed on to the peaceful haven and are no longer in pain' Jericho looked at the pained expression on karmas face for she had a disdain for having to call families of departed love ones.
"Thanks for letting me know letum. Where where they when they passed?"She handed the necklace back to Jericho, and wrapped his hand around it. With a "you keep it" look on her face.
'They where by the paradise pool, holding hands while in the shade of the largest palm' Jericho looked at karma as she sighed. Then she turned to the receptionist and told her to call the Coroner. The young lady behind the counter nodded and began calling people.
"I'll let the family know soon. I'm glad to know you where there to guide them letum. And that they're not just out there wandering in the oasis" karma patted jericho's chest. " you're very kind I wish more mortal people where like you." She gave a weak smile then shook his other hand and waved goodbye as she returned to her office to contact the family.
'Thank you friend' Jericho said under breath as he vanished in mist. Spooking the young receptionist "I will never get used to that" she remarked
Common Experiment #1031
Omen
