Free Omega Point by Guy Haley

welcome state of affairs."
      "Does this chap ever shut up?" said Bear to no one in particular.
      "Rarely, I admit," said Piccolo.
      "That it? I'm Bear," said Bear.
      "He's a toy, even though he looks like a bear," added Richards. "And I'm Richards."
      "And he's an idiot, even though he looks like a fool," added Bear drily.
      "A toy like a bear and an idiot fool, eh? Ohohoho. What a gay pass."
      "Ra-ight," said Bear. "Well, I think we'll be on our way now, if you don't mind. No need to worry about the rescue and all."
      "In that case, strangers, I assume you do not wish to be made aware of what occurred in this place?" inquired Piccolo.
      Bear huffed. "No."
      "Yes," said Richards.
      "I shall perforce forgive your hirsute companion, sir, for he is but a rude beast, with manners to match. Indeed who would expect more –" he laughed "– from a bear? 'Tis fortune indeed for him for that he is naught more. Mayhap, were he a man, honour would compel me to slice the blaggard from gizzard to crotch."
      "Just you try it," muttered Bear.
      "This land you presently stand in," began Piccolo, "was once the happy YamaYama nation of Optimizja. Ah!" he projected, bouncing his voice off the surrounding buildings. "Ah! Optimizja! The very name is sweet mead on the tongue! A veritable salve to any misery was a week in Optimizja! A panacea to the ills of the soul! A joyous place, where the YamaYama folk were happy with never a care, all times willing to see the best in things, always hopeful for tomorrow, forever…"
      "They'd be optimistic, then?" said Bear. "Hurry it on."
      "I suppose one could ineloquently put it like that, if one had to, or were one rushed for time," said the cavalier. "May I, with your leave, Sir Bear, continue?"
      "Be my guest," said Bear, settling down on the floor. "Sit down, sunshine," he said to Richards. "This may take a while."
      "They were always well fed and industrious, the people of Optimizja. The eternal light that would never dim providing them both with vittles and joy, fuelling their sunny dispositions. They worked hard and laughed long, the people of Optimizja, always illumined by glorious gold until…"
      "Let me guess," said Bear. "The sun set one day."
      "Will you be silent, please? I am mid-narrative," snapped Piccolo.
      Richards dug Bear in the ribs. "Sorr-ee," said Bear.
      "Then, one awful eve, the unconscionable occurred. The folk of this joyous place were overcome with horror when the sun unexpectedly set," said Piccolo.
      "See?" whispered Bear to Richards.
      "After marvelling at such a thing, for many of them had never travelled to the lands where the lamp of Sol is extinguished, borne through Hades by the chariot of glorious Apollo ere close of every day, only to be hauled forth again the next –" he paused to draw breath "– the people were terrified, yet, in their terror, they were hopeful that the sun would return, the elders reassuring the youngsters that this was what passed ordinarily in foreign parts, and that even here the sun required to rest from one age to the next. Thus they went about their business in the unfamiliar night with smiles upon their faces."
      Bear put a paw up.
      "Yes?"
      "Was that because they were optimistic?"
      "But little did they know!" shouted Piccolo. "Little did they know that this was merely the precursor to the Great Terror about to engulf their land in perpetual gloom! They kenned nought of it, the dark that sweeps the land, consuming all in its path, the armies of vile creatures that are its van, and Lord Penumbra! The evil beast who is its master, the shadow who controls it all! For why should they? The people of Optimizja never ventured forth from their happy land, for they had no need. Everything required was here for them. An enchanted, blessed place was this."
      "Hmph. Sounds like they needed a reality check to me," said Bear. "Ooh, look! A ladybird."
      "But woe unto