The One and twenty too
It is not possible that they could be mistaken. Do not worry about that at all. And if you are afraid, you are only deceiving yourself.
Thus began the Great Story, which is far from over. For this is not a matter of circumstance or status. In its very essence, whoever has departed shall not return. Indeed, why would they? For what reason? For whose sake?
They sat around the table, yes, one plus twelve. The One had opened the Gate and invited them all inside, saying: "Choose your own places, according to your own will. Were I to do so myself, It would lose its validity." Some of the twelve trusted; they found their places without hesitation, even if it were to cost them their lives that very moment. Surely, they all knew... Only some of them did not believe themselves, while others wandered about, perhaps in some kind of enchantment.
"Lord, I am troubled. I wanted that place over there, but it has already been taken." One glance was enough. The one already seated rose and, with reverence, moved elsewhere. Everyone was silent, and yet words were everywhere, in abundance. No one needed to concern themselves with anything; everything unfolded of its own accord. No one breathed. No one dared. Time stood still before the Gate. No one else could enter. No one tried anymore. Only Nothingness kept beating its hoof against the Gate's knocker. Yet you know it well enough — always a useful idiot.
They gathered around the table. Before each of them stood a goblet, all identical to one another. Each contained a little drink, surely the same amount in every one. They congratulated one another, for they had been chosen to be present. And that was what mattered most. What a peculiar sense of equilibrium, what a remarkable tableau. Consider that beyond the Gate and the table of feasting there was nothing, nowhere, no one — only them and the One. And yet none of it loses its meaning, even if Time should eventually prevail with its own hoof... It happened all the same. Perhaps it had to.
"I have called you here to celebrate, so that you may all drink. Only one goblet is poisoned." And so they did rejoiced, and did drink.
/For had they not drunk, it would have cost them their lives, as eternal kneeling bore down upon them./
