廟宇與雕像之城

City of Temples and Statues

女祭司伊特福特微微前傾，低下頭，雙臂抬起至肩膀高度，然後完全伸直，並喊道：「OO-OO-OO-OO---LA！」就在那一瞬間，商場內的空間變得模糊，開始旋轉成一個旋風，圍繞著兩個身影，速度越來越快。

Priestess Itfut leaned forward slightly, lowered her head, threw up her arms bent at the elbow to shoulder level and then straightened them fully with the exclamation, ‘OO-OO -OO- OO ---LA ! In that instant, the space inside the mall became cloudy and began swirling into a whirlwind around the two figures moving with increasing speed.

然後旋風的速度開始減慢，轉向相反方向，展開成一個靜止的空間，黑白石頭的物體逐漸從空氣中憑空出現。慢慢但不可避免地，場景的完整畫面浮現出來——一座沉浸在半黑暗中的死城，幾乎完全由廟宇和雕像組成。

Then the speed at which the whirlwind span began to slow and turn in the opposite direction unfolding into a static space in which objects of black and white stone gradually began to materialize literally out of thin air. Slowly but inevitably, a complete picture of the scene emerged — a dead city immersed in semi-darkness consisting almost exclusively of temples and statues.

地面的表面像一個巨大的棋盤，白色雕像排列在黑色方格上，黑色雕像排列在白色方格上。雕像的高度是人類的兩到三倍。視野的兩側和遠處點綴著凱旋門和小廟宇，灰色調的，主廟有白色石柱，矗立在大廣場的中心。在這個單色場景中，歌后和女祭司是唯一的色彩來源。

The surface of the ground resembled a huge chessboard on which white statues were arranged on black squares and black ones on white squares. The statues were two to three times the height of a human being. The view to the sides and into the distance was dotted with triumphal arcs and small temples in shades of grey and the main temple with white, stone pillars loomed at the center of a large square. In this monochrome scene, the diva and the priestess stood out as being the only source of color.

被巨大的紀念碑包圍，這兩個身影看起來像微型雕像。歌后和女祭司來回走動，觀看雕塑。

Surrounded by huge monuments, the two figures looked like miniature figurines. The diva and the priestess walked back and forth looking at the sculptures.

「福蒂，你確定這是你的城市嗎？」瑪蒂爾達問。「它看起來有點像，但那些美麗的小巷、房屋、樹木和花朵去哪了？」

“Futi, are you sure this is your city?” asked Matilda. “It looks a bit like it but what’s happened to the beautiful alleys, the houses, trees and flowers?”

「這不是物質現實，蒂莉。」伊特福特說。「我們仍然在元現實中。這裡沒有任何人，看到嗎？由於某種原因，我們還沒能回到物理現實中。」

“This is not material reality, Tili.” said Itfut. “We are still in meta-reality. There are no people anywhere, see? For some reason, we haven’t managed to get back into physical reality.”

「我們現在該怎麼辦？」

“What are we going to do now?”

「我不知道。我們四處看看吧。」

“I don’t know. Let’s take a look around.”

「福蒂，我想我快要哭了！我們會不會回到現實？！」

“Futi, I think I’m going to cry! Will we ever return to reality?!”

「好了，蒂莉，蒂莉！」女祭司抓住歌后的肩膀，輕輕地搖了搖她。「你可能很可愛，但你得控制住自己。

“Come now, Tili, Tili!” The priestess took the diva by the shoulders and gave her a gentle shake. “You may be a darling, but you’ve got get a grip on yourself.

記得追蹤你的注意力。想像我們只是在電影中散步，好嗎？」

Remember to track your attention. Imagine that we’re just taking a stroll through a movie, ok?”

「好吧，」瑪蒂爾達喃喃地說，努力忍住淚水。「我只是對這些噩夢感到厭倦。」

“Okay,” muttered Matilda struggling to hold back the tears. “I’m just so tired of all these nightmares.”

「我們先找找我的雕像吧，」伊特福特建議。「那會很有趣，對吧？」

“Let’s start by finding my statue,” suggested Itfut. “That would be interesting, right?”

「是的，我想是吧……」

“Yes, I suppose…”

她們手牽手開始尋找圖芙蒂。

They joined hands and set out in search of Tufti.

「這些雕塑都是獻給誰的？」瑪蒂爾達問。

“Who are all these sculptures dedicated to?” asked Matilda.

「他們都是過去的傑出人物和被遺忘的神祇，」伊特福特回答。「為什麼被遺忘？」

“They’re all prominent figures of the past and forgotten Gods,” replied Itfut. “Why forgotten?”

「因為人們傾向於發明自己的神祇，以尋找某種支持。他們不斷發明新的，而舊的則消失在遺忘中。」

“Because people have a tendency to invent their own Gods as a way of finding some sort of support. They keep on inventing new ones, while the old ones disappear into oblivion.”

「這不是很愚蠢嗎？」

“Stupid isn’t it?”

「人們並不是真的愚蠢，他們只是不了解現實的運作。他們不明白他們可以在這一生中像神一樣。哦，看，那邊有一個看起來有點像我。」

“People aren’t stupid as such, they just don’t know how reality works. They don’t understand that they can be like Gods in this life. Oh, look, over there, there’s one that looks a bit like me.”

她們走近一個基座，上面矗立著一個伊特福特的黑色花崗岩精確複製品，只是她平常大小的兩倍。基座下方的銘文刻著「圖芙蒂。大女祭司」。兩位朋友繞著雕像轉圈，欽佩地看著它，心中充滿敬畏。然而，伊特福特對這一景象的反應似乎比預期的要冷靜得多。

They approached a plinth on top of which towered an exact copy of Itfut in black granite, only twice her usual size. The inscription pecked out on the plinth below read ‘TUFTI. HIGH PRIESTESS’. The two friends circled the statue admiring it succumbing to a sense of awe. Itfut, however, seemed to respond more calmly to the spectacle than one might have expected.

「做得不錯，」她說。

“Not bad work,” she said.

「福蒂，看到自己的雕像你不會感到害怕嗎？」瑪蒂爾達驚訝地說。

“Futi, surely it must freak you out looking at a statue of yourself?” said Matilda in surprise.

「哈哈哈！」女祭司以她特有的輕鬆方式回應。「這又不是墓碑！即使是墓碑，那又怎樣？我可是女祭司！」

“Ha, ha, ha!” responded the priestess in her characteristic light-hearted manner. “It’s not like it’s a tombstone! And even if it was, what of it? I’m a priestess!”

「幸好你們沒有顯示出生和死亡日期的傳統。」

“It’s a good thing you don’t have the tradition of showing the dates of birth and death.”

「是的，沒錯。就好像沒有死亡，只有永恆的記憶。但你知道，死亡本身並不存在……」

“Yes, quite. It’s as if there is no death, just eternal memory. But you know, death as such doesn’t really exist...”

伊特福特還沒來得及說完，她的話就被一聲隆隆的鑼聲打斷了。就在那一刻，雕像開始移動，從基座上走下來。它們的動作緩慢而沉重，就像它們所代表的巨人，而且是石頭的重量。圖芙蒂的雕像是唯一一個仍然站在基座上的。歌后和女祭司躲在它後面，觀察著巨人們。

Itfut did not have time to finish her sentence before she was interrupted by the booming sound of a gong. In that moment, the statues began to move and stepped down from their plinths. Their movements were slow and heavy like the giants they represented, moreover heft from stone. Tufti’s statue was the only one to remain standing on the plinth. The diva and the priestess hid behind it watching the giant figures.

與此同時，所有黑白的巨人開始同步移動，向前邁步，然後向左和向右轉，直到它們像棋盤上的棋子一樣排成一行。最大的巨人走到隊列前面，用低沉的男中音說話。

The giants, meanwhile, all black and white started moving synchronously, stepping forward and at right angles to the left and to the right until they were all lined up like pieces on a chess board. The largest of them stepped forward front of the row and spoke in a low bass voice.

「我聆聽並崇拜！」

“I heed and worship!”

「我們聆聽並崇拜！」其他人以雷鳴般的合唱重複道。

“We heed and worship!” the others repeated in a thunderous chorus.

然後他們轉身，打算一起朝主廟的方向走去，但這並沒有發生。

Then they turned intending to walk together in the direction of the main temple but that was not to happen.

「嘿！」伊特福特對瑪蒂爾達驚恐地喊道。

“Hey!” shouted Itfut to Matilda’s horrified surprise.

「福蒂！你瘋了嗎？！」瑪蒂爾達低聲絕望地說，仍然蹲在基座後面。但女祭司已經走到紀念碑前，雙臂交叉。為了不讓朋友獨自一人，瑪蒂爾達也從基座後跳了出來。

“Futi! Are you mad?!” Matilda whispered still squatting behind the plinth. But the priestess had already stepped forwards of the monument, her arms folded. Not wanting to leave her friend alone, Matilda jumped out from behind the plinth, too

「蒂莉，無論發生什麼事，都不要害怕。他們不能傷害我們。」

“Tili, whatever happens, don’t be afraid. They can’t hurt us.”

「你怎麼知道？！」瑪蒂爾達絕望地低聲對她說。「因為那是我決定的，就是這樣！」

“How do you know that?!” Matilda called out to her in a desperate whisper. “Because that’s what I’ve decided, period!”

石頭雕像凍住了，然後它們都猛然轉向面對不速之客。領頭的巨人伸出一根手指，用可怕的聲音雷鳴般地說。

The stone statues froze and then they all turned sharply to face the uninvited guests. The head giant extended a finger and thundered in a terrifying voice.

「跪下，凡人！」

“Drop down, mortals!”

「沒有活著的生物會在死者面前跪下，」伊特福特不以為然地說。

“No living being falls down before the dead,” said Itfut unimpressed.

憤怒的巨人伸出巨大的手試圖抓住女祭司，但他的手像穿過空氣一樣穿過她。無法理解出了什麼問題，石頭巨人繼續試圖抓住這個或那個受害者，同時不停地喊著：「跪下！」

Furious, the giant stretched out a huge hand and made a grab at the priestess, but his hand passed through her as if through empty space. Unable to understand what was wrong, the stone giant continued to grab at one victim or the other all the time shouting, “Kneel!”

「馬上就來！」伊特福特回答，然後冷靜地爬上她的基座，雙手叉腰站在自己的雕像旁邊。瑪蒂爾達則驚呆地站在原地。

“Right away!” replied Itfut and climbed calmly up onto her plinth, her hands on her hips standing beside her own statue. Matilda stood rooted to the spot petrified.

現在輪到巨人因震驚和恐懼而僵住了。

Now it was the giant’s turn to freeze in shock and horror.

「大女祭司圖芙蒂！」其他雕像的隊列喊道。「活在死者之中！」

“High priestess Tufti!” shouted the rows of other statues. “Living among the dead!”

「我聆聽並崇拜！」巨人隆隆地說，然後跪下，低下了頭。「我們聆聽並崇拜！」其他人重複道，單膝跪下。

“I heed and worship!” the giant boomed and knelt down with his head bowed. “We heed and worship!” the others repeated going down on one knee.

伊特福特從基座上爬下來，隨意地用肘部倚靠在基座上。瑪蒂爾達終於恢復了鎮定，站在她朋友旁邊。

Itfut climbed down from the plinth and nonchalantly leaned her elbow up against it. Matilda finally took a hold of herself and stood beside her friend.

「你們不是不朽的，所以不要把自己當成神。」伊特福特說。「什麼？」巨人驚訝地抬起頭問。

“You aren’t immortal, so don’t make yourselves out to be Gods.” Itfut said. “What?” asked the giant in surprise lifting his head.

「你們被石頭永垂不朽，但僅此而已。你們也不需要向我鞠躬。起來吧！」雕像們聽話地再次站起來。

“You are immortalized in stone but no more than that. And there’s no need for you to bow before me either. Get up!” The statues all stood up again obediently.

「那麼，帶領我們，哦偉大的女祭司，」巨人說，「進入至高無上的廟宇！」 「為什麼？」女祭司俏皮地問。

“Then lead us, oh great priestess,” said the giant, “into the Supreme Temple!” “What for?” asked the priestess playfully.

「去崇拜造物主！」

“To worship the Creator!”

「好吧，」伊特福特以之前的方式回答。「我們走吧。」

“Okay,” replied Itfut in the same manner as before. “Let’s go.”

「我們聆聽並崇拜！」雕像們莊嚴地宣告，然後一起跟隨兩位女祭司走向主廣場，邊走邊低聲交談。

“We heed and worship!” the statues pronounced majestically and as one they followed the two priestesses as they strode towards the main square, whispering to each other as they went.

當整個隊伍到達廟宇時，伊特福特和瑪蒂爾達走上台階，站在柱子旁，而巨人們則在下面排成半圓形。主巨人走到半圓的中心，帶著極大的感情說話。

When the entire procession had arrived at the temple, Itfut and Matilda made their way up the steps and stood beside the pillars while the giants arranged themselves in a semi-circle below. The main giant stepped into the center of the semicircle and spoke with great pathos.

「哦，至高無上的女祭司圖芙蒂，聆聽我們的呼籲！重啟偉大的莊嚴儀式！」

“Oh, supreme priestess Tufti, heed our appeal! Renew the great solemn ceremony!”

「我們聆聽並崇拜！」雕像們合唱。「什麼莊嚴儀式？」伊特福特用諷刺的語氣問。

“We heed and worship!” the statues sang in chorus. “What solemn ceremony?” asked Itfut in an ironic tone.

「崇拜造物主的儀式，莊嚴而神聖！」巨人回答。

“The ritual of worshipping the Creator, solemn and holy!” the giant replied.

「現在，伊利特廟的選定者將向你們揭示一個非常莊嚴的信息，」伊特福特神秘地宣布。

“Now the chosen one of the Ilit Temple will reveal to you a very solemn message,” Itfut announced mysteriously.

雕像們屏息以待。瑪蒂爾達向前走了一步，然後左右搖擺著，脫口而出她的信息。

The statues froze in breathless anticipation. Matilda stepped forward and then shifting from one foot to another, blurted out her message.

「你們根本不需要崇拜任何人！就是這樣。」說完這句話，她退到一旁。

“You don’t bloody well need to worship anyone! That’s it.” And with these words, she stepped to the side.

石頭偶像們驚訝地張大了嘴。然後伊特福特把手向兩邊一揮，似乎在說，「這就是生活」。

The stone idols stood open-mouthed in amazement. Then Itfut threw her hands to the side in a gesture as if to say, ‘c’est la vie’.

「我們？」驚訝的聲音在雕像的隊列中響起。「根本不需要？不需要根本？什麼是根本？」

“Us?” Sounds of astonishment sounded along the rows of statues. “Don’t bloody well need? Don’t need bloody well? What’s bloody well?”

「根本不需要，意思是，你到底需要它做什麼？」瑪蒂爾達重複伊特福特的手勢說。

“Don’t bloody well need, means, what the hell do you need it for?” said Matilda repeating Itfut’s hand gesture.

「到底是什麼？」雕像們疑惑地重複。「到底是什麼？還是什麼到底？什麼是到底？」

“What the hell?” repeated the statues questioningly. “What the bloody hell? Or hell the bloody? What’s hell?”

「到底是什麼，意思是沒有人在乎你們的儀式，」瑪蒂爾達解釋。

“What the hell, means that nobody gives a damn about your ritual,” Matilda explained.

「我們明白了！」主巨人宣布。「我們根本不需要它！我們聆聽並崇拜！到底是什麼！」

“We understand!” the main giant declared. “We don’t bloody well need it! We heed and worship! What the hell!”

「我們到底要那個做什麼？！」雕像們熱情地重複道。「我們聆聽並崇拜！」

“What the hell do we want that for?!” the statues repeated with enthusiasm. “We heed and worship!”

「不，你們不明白！」伊特福特打斷道。「你們從哪裡得到造物主必須被崇拜的想法？」

“No, you don’t get it!” Itfut interrupted. “Where do you get the idea that the Creator has to be worshipped?”

「因為祂偉大而全能！」巨人回答。「你們是奴隸嗎？」伊特福特問。

“Because He is great and almighty!” replied the giant. “What are you, slaves?” asked Itfut.

「不是！」雕像們咕噥著。「我們不是奴隸！不是我們！」 「也許你們是懶惰的？」瑪蒂爾達用嚴肅的語氣問他們。「不！我們不是懶惰的！」他們非常認真地回答。

“No!” the statues grumbled. “We aren’t slaves! Not us!” “Maybe you’re sloths?” Matilda asked them in a serious tone. “No! We aren’t sloths!” they answered in all seriousness.

「造物主告訴你們要崇拜祂嗎？」伊特福特問他們。「不，祂沒有，」雕像們回答。

“Did the Creator tell you to worship him?” Itfut asked them. “No, no he didn’t,” the statues answered.

「你們見過祂嗎？」 「不，我們從未見過祂。」

“Have you ever seen him?” “No, we’ve never seen him.”

「沒錯。祂不想見你們或與你們交談。」 「為什麼？為什麼？」雕像們驚訝地問。

“That’s right. He doesn’t want to see or talk to you.” “Why? Why?” the statues asked with genuine surprise.

「因為你們狡猾地用崇拜祂來替代履行祂的誡命，」伊特福特回答。「並且自以為是地將自己提升到聖人和不朽者的地位。」

“Because you have cunningly swapped fulfilling His commandments with worshipping Him,” replied Itfut. “And have presumptuously raised yourselves to the rank of saints and immortals.”

雕像們看起來困惑，沉默了一會兒。

The statues looked puzzled and fell silent for a while.

「但我們把自己置於祂之下！」巨人反對道。「我們崇拜祂！」 「你們為什麼認為祂會覺得這是必要的？」

“But we place ourselves below Him!” the giant objected. “We worship Him!” “And what makes you think he would find that necessary?”

「因為祂偉大！」

“Because He is great!”

「你們只是偽君子！你們在偽善，根本不怕祂！」

“You’re just hypocrites! You’re being hypocritical and have no fear of Him at all!”

「怎麼？我們怎麼偽善了？」雕像們再次驚訝地問。

“How? How are we being hypocritical?” the statues asked again, genuinely surprised.

「因為你們自以為是地和狡猾地替祂決定了祂需要什麼和不需要什麼。你們已經習慣了自己的欺騙，以至於真的認為這是事實。」

“Because you have presumptuously and cunningly decided on His behalf what He needs and what He doesn’t. You’ve become so accustomed to your own deception, that you genuinely think it is the truth.”

嚴肅的沉默籠罩著。他們無話可說來為自己辯護。「那麼我們該怎麼辦，大女祭司圖芙蒂？」巨人問。

A grave silence reigned. There was nothing they could say in their defense. “Then what are we to do, high priestess Tufti?” asked the giant.

「聆聽但不要崇拜。讚美但不要崇拜。相反，與造物主一起共同創造。」

“Heed but do not worship. Praise but do not worship. Instead co-create together with the Creator.”

「但我們怎麼能與祂共同創造？」巨人深感驚訝地問。「畢竟我們在祂之下！」

“But how can we co-create with Him?” asked the giant in deep surprise. “We are below Him after all!”

「你們在祂之下嗎？這很狡猾，」伊特福特回答。「你們不等同於祂，但也不低於祂。造物主按照自己的形象和樣式創造了你們。你們認為祂為什麼這樣做？」

“Are you below Him? That’s cunning,” replied Itfut. “You aren’t equal to Him, but you aren’t lower than Him either. The Creator created you in the image and likeness of Himself. Why did He do that do you think?”

「為了讓我們崇拜祂？」

“So that we would worship Him?”

「我重複一遍，『按照自己的形象和樣式』。為什麼這樣表達？孩子們崇拜他們的父母嗎？不，他們聽從並尊重他們。或者也許造物主決定崇拜自己？不，因為祂不浪費時間。祂創造。與你們不同，祂不是懶惰的。」

“I repeat, ‘in the image and likeness of Himself.’ Why is it expressed in that way? Do children worship their parents? No, they listen to them and respect them. Or maybe the Creator decided to worship Himself? No, because He doesn’t waste time. He creates. Unlike you, he’s not a slacker.”

「你們不僅什麼都沒創造，」伊特福特繼續說，「你們殺戮，發動戰爭和破壞。你們認為通過崇拜祂，你們會獲得祂的寬恕，以便你們可以心安理得地殺戮和破壞，但那只是偽善和欺騙。這就是為什麼祂從不向你們顯現。」

“Not only are you not creating anything,” continued Itfut, “you kill, you cause wars and destruction. You think that by worshipping Him, you will earn His indulgence, so that you can kill and destroy with a clear conscience but that’s just hypocrisy and deceit. That’s why He doesn’t ever show Himself to you.’

「我們該怎麼辦，哦偉大的女祭司？我們該怎麼做？」雕像們問。

“What are we to do, oh great priestess? And how are we to do it?” asked the statues.

「我是否偉大，你們該怎麼做，怎麼做，我現在會告訴你們。看看我和我的雕像。」

“Whether I am great, what you are to do, and how you are to do it, I will show you now. Look at me and at my sculpture.”

就在雕像們驚訝的目光下，伊特福特用「oo-oo-oo-oo-la！」的喊聲施展了她的魔法手勢，瞬間，她的雕像和基座一起從廣場上消失了。

Right before the eyes of the astonished statues, Itfut carried out her magic gesture with the exclamation ‘oo-oo-oo-oo-la!’ and in that moment, her statue disappeared from the square along with the plinth on which it had rested.

「所以現在，我問你們，我偉大嗎？」

“So now, I ask you, am I great?”

「不，女主人，」他們回答。「但是你是怎麼做到的，偉大的女祭司？」 「先告訴我，我偉大還是不偉大？」

“No, Mistress,” they answered. “But how did you do that, great priestess?” “First tell me, am I great or am I not?”

「我們不知道，」雕像們猶豫地回答。

“We don’t know,” the statues answered hesitantly.

「偉大的不是個人，而是他們的行為。明白嗎？」

“It isn’t the individual that is great but their deeds. Get it?”

「你是什麼意思？你是什麼意思？」雕像們困惑地問。「一旦你開始創造，你就會明白。」

“What do you mean? What do you mean?” asked the statues bewildered. “Once you start creating, then you will understand.”

「教教我們，偉大的女祭司！」

“Teach us, great priestess!”

「又回到那裡了。幸運的是，在這個世界上，你不必付出任何努力和工作。你只需要形成一個意圖並指示它發生。看看它是怎麼做到的。」

“Back to that again. Luckily for you, in this world you don’t have to put in any effort and work. It’s enough for you to form an intention and instruct it to happen. Watch how it’s done.”

伊特福特以通常的方式前傾，然後直起身來，舉起雙手喊道：「依我命令，願如此成真！」

Itfut leaned forward in the usual way, and then straightening herself, she threw up her hands exclaiming “By my command, so be it!”

就在那一刻，在先前圖芙蒂雕像所在的地方，出現了一個絢麗的噴泉，湛藍的水流入一個圓形的池子，裝飾著精美的孔雀石馬賽克。石頭偶像們爆發出熱烈的歡呼聲。

In that very second, in the same spot where previously Tufti’s sculpture stood, a fabulous fountain appeared with azure waters falling into a round pool, decorated with exquisite malachite mosaics. The stone idols burst into enthusiastic cheers.

「你是怎麼做到的，哦偉大的女祭司？！」 「你也能做到一樣的，」伊特福特回答。

“How did you manage that, oh great priestess?!” “You’re capable of doing just the same,” Itfut replied.

「再看一次。」這次歌后也參與了這個魔法創造。瑪蒂爾達整理了一下她的蝴蝶結，舉起雙手喊道：「依我命令，願如此成真！」

“Watch again.” This time the diva joined in the magical creation. Matilda straightened her bow, threw up her arms and exclaimed, “By my command, so be it!”

片刻之後，整個城市，原本沉浸在半黑暗中，被陽光照亮，彩虹的所有顏色在晴朗的藍天上閃耀。

A moment later, the entire city, which had until now been immersed in semi- darkness, was illuminated by the rays of the sun and all the colors of the rainbow shone across the clear blue sky.

「哦，偉大的女祭司圖芙蒂！」雕像們讚嘆地喊道。「哦，伊利特廟的偉大選定者！再為我們創造一個奇蹟吧！」

“Oh, great priestess Tufti!” cried the statues in admiration. “Oh, great chosen one of the Temple of Ilit! Do another miracle for us!”

「這與奇蹟無關，」伊特福特說。「現在輪到你們了。來吧，開始吧。記得，你們中誰曾經擁有技能。」

“This has nothing to do with miracles,” said Itfut. “Now it’s your turn. Go ahead, get on with it. Remember, which of you used to have a skill.”

「告訴我們我們必須做什麼，哦偉大的女祭司！」巨人驚呼。

“Tell us what we must do, oh great priestess!” exclaimed the giant.

「首先，擺脫你們所有的『偉大』基座，取而代之的是建造自己美麗舒適的家園。然後，裝飾整個城市。」

“For a start, get rid of all your ‘great’ pedestals and instead build yourselves beautiful cozy homes. Then, decorate the entire city.”

「我聆聽並崇拜！」巨人回答。

“I heed and worship!” the giant answered.

「什麼？！又來了？！」女祭司責備道。

“What?! That again?!” said the priestess attacking him.

「不要生氣，女主人，」他請求道。「我們會把一切做好，也會讓自己變得更好。」

“Don’t be angry, Mistress,” he requested. “We’ll make everything right and make ourselves right.”

巨人轉向基座的方向，舉起雙手，用雷鳴般的聲音喊道，

The giant turned in the direction of the plinths, threw up his arms, and in a thunderous voice exclaimed,

「依我命令，願如此成真！」

“By my command, so be it!”

令剩下的雕像驚訝，令歌后和女祭司欣喜的是，巨人成功了。基座消失了，取而代之的是古雅的房屋，正如圖芙蒂現實世界中的那些，只是大小適合巨人。

To the amazement of the remaining statues and to the delight of the diva and the priestess, the giant managed it. The plinths disappeared and quaint-looking houses appeared in their place, exactly like the ones in Tufti’s real world, only of the size fitting for a giant.

「榮耀和讚美！」伊特福特喊道。「太棒了！」瑪蒂爾達喊道。

“Honor and praise!” shouted Itfut. “Bravo!” Matilda shouted.

「哦哦哦！啊啊啊啊！」烏鴉叫聲響起。「下一個是誰？」伊特福特問。「別害羞！」

“O-o-o! A-a-a-a!” the crows sounded. “Who’s next?” asked Itfut. “Don’t be shy!”

一個勇敢的靈魂從人群中走出來，舉起雙手喊道：「依我命令，願如此成真！」

A brave spirit emerged from the crowd, threw up his arms and exclaimed, “By my command, so be it!”

棋盤消失了，取而代之的是到處都是誘人的步道和林蔭大道。

The chessboard disappeared replaced everywhere by inviting walkways and boulevards.

然後下一位志願者走上前來。「依我命令，願如此成真！」

Then the next volunteer stepped forward. “By my command, so be it!”

小徑、小巷和廣場出現，遍布灌木和樹木。接著，一位女性雕像走上前。

Paths, alleys and squares appeared all overgrown with shrubs and trees. Then a female statue stepped forward.

「依我命令，願如此成真！」

“By my command, so be it!”

除了植被之外，整個區域還被精心裝飾上了花卉。每個人依次走上前來宣告「依我命令，願如此成真！」並為空間增添了一些新的細節。最終，這座城市被改造成瑪蒂爾達在觀察圖芙蒂的世界時所欽佩的那個幸福之地。

In addition to the vegetation, the entire district was tastefully decorated with flowers. Each in turn came forward and proclaimed, ‘by my command, so be it!’ and added some new detail to the space. Eventually, the city was transformed into the same blessed place that Matilda so admired when she had observed what was happening in Tufti’s world.

「那麼，你們現在的口號是什麼？」伊特福特問。「我聆聽，讚美，創造！」主巨人回答。「我們聆聽，讚美並創造！」其他人重複道。

“So, what will your slogan be now?” asked Itfut. “I heed, praise, create!” answered the main giant. “We heed, praise and create!” the others repeated.

緊接著這些呼喊，廟宇開始從建築物內部閃耀出明亮的光芒。這光芒持續閃爍約一分鐘，所有人都靜靜地觀察著這神聖的現象，心中充滿了前所未有的喜悅。

Immediately after these cries, the temple began to shine with a bright radiance that was coming from inside the building. The glow continued to shimmer for about a minute, while everyone silently observed the divine phenomenon with unprecedented delight.

「造物主以祝福的形式向你們顯現！」伊特福特驚呼。

“The Creator has appeared to you in the form of a blessing!” exclaimed Itfut.

巨人們將兩位恩人高高舉起，興高采烈地在城市街道上抬著他們走過。這是女祭司圖芙蒂和伊利特廟新成員的真正勝利，為此城市中的神聖建築隨後以他們的榮譽命名。然而，朋友們最傑出的成就仍然在前方等待著他們……

The giants lifted both their benefactors up above their heads and carried them ecstatically throughout the city streets. This was a real triumph for priestess Tufti and the new recruit of the Ilit Temple in whose honor the sacred building in the city was subsequently named. Nonetheless, the friends’ most outstanding achievements still lay ahead of them...

目前，他們最重要的任務是逃離元現實，回到物理現象的現實中。這究竟何時會發生，只有門檻（Threshold）知道。

For now, their most important task was to escape meta-reality and return to the reality of physical phenomenon. When exactly this was destined to happen, only Threshold could say.

神殿與雕像之城

City of Temples and Statues

「女祭司 Itfut 略微前傾，低下了頭，雙臂從肘部彎曲至肩部位置隨後甩出，然後又伸直，並大聲喊道：‘OO-OO -OO- OO ---LA！’就在那一瞬間，商場內的空間變得朦朧起來，然後開始以加速的速度在兩人身邊旋轉成一陣狂風暴雨般的漩渦。」

Priestess Itfut leaned forward slightly, lowered her head, threw up her arms bent at the elbow to shoulder level and then straightened them fully with the exclamation, ‘OO-OO -OO- OO ---LA ! In that instant, the space inside the mall became cloudy and began swirling into a whirlwind around the two figures moving with increasing speed.

「接著，那漩渦的速度逐漸減緩，轉向相反的方向，最終展開成一片靜止的空間，其中黑白石塊逐漸從虛無中凝聚而出。慢慢地，一幅完整的景象顯現出來 —— 一座沉寂的城市，籠罩在半暗之中，幾乎全部由神廟和雕像構成。」

Then the speed at which the whirlwind span began to slow and turn in the opposite direction unfolding into a static space in which objects of black and white stone gradually began to materialize literally out of thin air. Slowly but inevitably, a complete picture of the scene emerged — a dead city immersed in semi-darkness consisting almost exclusively of temples and statues.

「地面看起來猶如一副龐大的棋盤，白色雕像分別立於黑格上，黑色雕像則置於白格中。這些雕像約有兩三倍於常人高度。視野邊緣和遠處散布著凱旋拱門和灰色調的小神廟，而一座主神廟以白色石柱雄踞在一個大廣場中央。在這單色調的畫面中，唯有女歌手和女祭司顯得格外鮮豔，成為了唯一的色彩焦點。」

The surface of the ground resembled a huge chessboard on which white statues were arranged on black squares and black ones on white squares. The statues were two to three times the height of a human being. The view to the sides and into the distance was dotted with triumphal arcs and small temples in shades of grey and the main temple with white, stone pillars loomed at the center of a large square. In this monochrome scene, the diva and the priestess stood out as being the only source of color.

被巨大的紀念碑所環繞，這兩個身影看起來宛如精緻的縮小擺設；女歌手與女祭司在雕塑旁前後踱步，細細欣賞著每一座藝術品。

Surrounded by huge monuments, the two figures looked like miniature figurines. The diva and the priestess walked back and forth looking at the sculptures.

「Futi，你確定這是你的城市嗎？」Matilda問道，「雖然看起來好像如此，但那迷人的小巷、房屋、樹木和花朵都去哪了？」

“Futi, are you sure this is your city?” asked Matilda. “It looks a bit like it but what’s happened to the beautiful alleys, the houses, trees and flowers?”

「Tili，這並非物質實現 (Material realisation)。」Itfut說，「我們仍舊處於元現實之中。哪裡也看不到人，瞧！不知怎地，我們還未能回到那個物理現實。」

“This is not material reality, Tili.” said Itfut. “We are still in meta-reality. There are no people anywhere, see? For some reason, we haven’t managed to get back into physical reality.”

「那麼，我們現在該怎麼辦？」

“What are we going to do now?”

「我也不太清楚，我們先四處看看吧。」

“I don’t know. Let’s take a look around.”

「Futi，我覺得我快要哭出來了！我們到底還有沒有可能重返現實？！」

“Futi, I think I’m going to cry! Will we ever return to reality?!”

「快點，Tili，Tili！」女祭司抓住女歌手的肩膀，輕輕搖晃著說，「你雖然可愛，但必須學會自我控制啊！」

“Come now, Tili, Tili!” The priestess took the diva by the shoulders and gave her a gentle shake. “You may be a darling, but you’ve got get a grip on yourself.

「記得要追蹤你的注意力 (Attention) 喔。想像我們只是在電影中悠閒散步，好嗎？」

Remember to track your attention. Imagine that we’re just taking a stroll through a movie, ok?”

「好吧，」Matilda低語著，努力忍住眼淚，「我實在受夠了這些惡夢般的景象。」

“Okay,” muttered Matilda struggling to hold back the tears. “I’m just so tired of all these nightmares.”

「我們先從找出我的雕像開始吧，」Itfut建議道，「那一定很有趣，不是嗎？」

“Let’s start by finding my statue,” suggested Itfut. “That would be interesting, right?”

「是的，我猜……」

“Yes, I suppose…”

他們手牽著手出發去尋找 Tufti。

They joined hands and set out in search of Tufti.

「這些雕塑都是獻給誰的呢？」Matilda問道。

“Who are all these sculptures dedicated to?” asked Matilda.

「它們都是過去的傑出人物與被遺忘的神祇，」Itfut回答道，「為什麼會被遺忘呢？」

“They’re all prominent figures of the past and forgotten Gods,” replied Itfut. “Why forgotten?”

「因為人們總喜歡自創神明以求依靠。他們不斷地發明新的神祇，而老舊的，則漸漸隨風消逝。」

“Because people have a tendency to invent their own Gods as a way of finding some sort of support. They keep on inventing new ones, while the old ones disappear into oblivion.”

「真是愚蠢，不是嗎？」

“Stupid isn’t it?”

「人們其實並非愚蠢，只是不懂得現實的運作原理。他們不了解，在這一生中，其實可以如神般存在。喔，看，那邊有個東西，看起來有點像我。」

“People aren’t stupid as such, they just don’t know how reality works. They don’t understand that they can be like Gods in this life. Oh, look, over there, there’s one that looks a bit like me.”

「他們走近一座基座，基座之上豎立著一尊由黑色花崗岩雕成的、與 Itfut 完全一模一樣的雕像，只是尺寸約為她平常體型的兩倍。基座下刻著『TUFTI. HIGH PRIESTESS』。兩位友人環繞著這尊雕像，讚嘆之餘心生敬畏，而 Itfut 面對這景象卻比人們預期的更顯平靜。」

They approached a plinth on top of which towered an exact copy of Itfut in black granite, only twice her usual size. The inscription pecked out on the plinth below read ‘TUFTI. HIGH PRIESTESS’. The two friends circled the statue admiring it succumbing to a sense of awe. Itfut, however, seemed to respond more calmly to the spectacle than one might have expected.

「幹得不錯，」她說道。

“Not bad work,” she said.

「Futi，看到一尊自己的雕像，難道不會讓你毛骨悚然嗎？」Matilda驚訝地說。

“Futi, surely it must freak you out looking at a statue of yourself?” said Matilda in surprise.

「哈哈哈！」女祭司以她一貫輕鬆的語氣回道，「又不是墓碑！即使是墓碑，又如何？我可是女祭司呢！」

“Ha, ha, ha!” responded the priestess in her characteristic light-hearted manner. “It’s not like it’s a tombstone! And even if it was, what of it? I’m a priestess!”

「還好我們那邊沒有在上面標明出生與逝世日期的傳統。」

“It’s a good thing you don’t have the tradition of showing the dates of birth and death.”

「是啊，就好像不存在死亡，只有永恆的記憶。不過，你知道的，死亡其實根本不存在……」

“Yes, quite. It’s as if there is no death, just eternal memory. But you know, death as such doesn’t really exist...”

Itfut 還沒來得及把話說完，就被一陣隆隆的鑼聲打斷了。就在那一刻，那些雕像開始移動，陸續從各自的基座上走下。它們的動作沉重而緩慢，猶如所代表的巨人一般，再加上石頭的浩重。唯有 Tufti 的雕像依然穩立在基座上，女歌手與女祭司便躲在它背後，默默注視著這些龐然大物。

Itfut did not have time to finish her sentence before she was interrupted by the booming sound of a gong. In that moment, the statues began to move and stepped down from their plinths. Their movements were slow and heavy like the giants they represented, moreover heft from stone. Tufti’s statue was the only one to remain standing on the plinth. The diva and the priestess hid behind it watching the giant figures.

與此同時，那些黑白相間的巨像開始齊步前行，同時向左右以直角方向移動，直至排列得如同棋盤上的棋子。最大的一尊走到隊列最前，以低沉的嗓音開口說道。

The giants, meanwhile, all black and white started moving synchronously, stepping forward and at right angles to the left and to the right until they were all lined up like pieces on a chess board. The largest of them stepped forward front of the row and spoke in a low bass voice.

「我們傾聽並崇拜！」

“I heed and worship!”

其他人齊聲以雷鳴般的合唱答道：「我們傾聽並崇拜！」

“We heed and worship!” the others repeated in a thunderous chorus.

接著，它們轉身打算一起朝主神廟的方向走去，但事情並未如計劃般進展。

Then they turned intending to walk together in the direction of the main temple but that was not to happen.

「喂！」Itfut大喊，這讓Matilda驚恐不已。

“Hey!” shouted Itfut to Matilda’s horrified surprise.

「Futi！你瘋了嗎？！」Matilda蹲在基座後面低聲道。然而，女祭司早已走到紀念碑前，雙臂交叉。不願讓朋友獨自一人，Matilda也從基座後跳了出來。

“Futi! Are you mad?!” Matilda whispered still squatting behind the plinth. But the priestess had already stepped forwards of the monument, her arms folded. Not wanting to leave her friend alone, Matilda jumped out from behind the plinth, too

「Tili，無論發生什麼，都別害怕。它們傷不起我們的。」

“Tili, whatever happens, don’t be afraid. They can’t hurt us.”

「你怎麼知道的？！」Matilda絕望地低語著對她喊道，「因為那就是我下定的決心，就是這樣！」

“How do you know that?!” Matilda called out to her in a desperate whisper. “Because that’s what I’ve decided, period!”

石製雕像頓時凝固，隨後全部猛地轉向這些不速之客。領頭的巨像伸出一根手指，低吼著，聲音恐怖無比。

The stone statues froze and then they all turned sharply to face the uninvited guests. The head giant extended a finger and thundered in a terrifying voice.

「快跪下，凡人！」

“Drop down, mortals!”

「凡間之人絕不會在死者面前俯伏，」Itfut不以為意地說。

“No living being falls down before the dead,” said Itfut unimpressed.

氣急敗壞中，那巨像伸出一隻龐大的手試圖抓住女祭司，但他的手卻如同穿透虛無般，毫無阻礙地滑過她。那石製巨像困惑不已，不斷抓向這或那個受害者，同時大聲喊道：「跪下！」

Furious, the giant stretched out a huge hand and made a grab at the priestess, but his hand passed through her as if through empty space. Unable to understand what was wrong, the stone giant continued to grab at one victim or the other all the time shouting, “Kneel!”

「立刻！」Itfut回答道，平靜地攀上自己的基座，雙手叉腰，站在自己雕像旁；而Matilda則驚恐得僵立在原地。

“Right away!” replied Itfut and climbed calmly up onto her plinth, her hands on her hips standing beside her own statue. Matilda stood rooted to the spot petrified.

接著，那巨像也因震驚與恐懼而愣住了。

Now it was the giant’s turn to freeze in shock and horror.

「高祭司 Tufti！」一排排雕像齊聲喊道，「生者居於死者之中！」

“High priestess Tufti!” shouted the rows of other statues. “Living among the dead!”

那巨像以低沉的聲音喊道：「我傾聽，我崇拜！」隨後跪下低頭；其他雕像也單膝跪地齊聲回應：「我們傾聽，我們崇拜！」

“I heed and worship!” the giant boomed and knelt down with his head bowed. “We heed and worship!” the others repeated going down on one knee.

Itfut從基座上緩緩爬下，隨意地用手肘靠在上面；Matilda終於鎮定下來，站在她朋友的旁邊。

Itfut climbed down from the plinth and nonchalantly leaned her elbow up against it. Matilda finally took a hold of herself and stood beside her friend.

Itfut說：「你們並非不死，因此別自詡為神。」那巨像驚訝地抬起頭，問道：「什麼？」

“You aren’t immortal, so don’t make yourselves out to be Gods.” Itfut said. “What?” asked the giant in surprise lifting his head.

「你們只不過是被石化而永存，僅此而已；也沒必要在我面前下跪。快站起來！」這些雕像頓時都乖乖重新站了起來。

“You are immortalized in stone but no more than that. And there’s no need for you to bow before me either. Get up!” The statues all stood up again obediently.

那巨像說：「那就帶領我們吧，哦偉大的祭司，進入至高神殿！」女祭司頑皮地問道：「為了什麼呢？」

“Then lead us, oh great priestess,” said the giant, “into the Supreme Temple!” “What for?” asked the priestess playfully.

「為了崇拜創造者！」

“To worship the Creator!”

「好吧，」Itfut一如既往地回道，「走吧！」

“Okay,” replied Itfut in the same manner as before. “Let’s go.”

「我們傾聽，我們崇拜！」雕像莊嚴齊聲誦道，隨後齊步跟隨兩位女祭司大步朝主廣場走去，邊走邊低語交談。

“We heed and worship!” the statues pronounced majestically and as one they followed the two priestesses as they strode towards the main square, whispering to each other as they went.

當整個隊伍抵達神廟時，Itfut與Matilda走上階梯，站在石柱旁，而那些巨像則排列成一個半圓形於下方。那最大的一尊巨像走到半圓中央，滿懷激昂地宣說著。

When the entire procession had arrived at the temple, Itfut and Matilda made their way up the steps and stood beside the pillars while the giants arranged themselves in a semi-circle below. The main giant stepped into the center of the semicircle and spoke with great pathos.

「哦，至尊祭司 Tufti，請俯聽我們的呼求！重啟那莊嚴的典禮吧！」

“Oh, supreme priestess Tufti, heed our appeal! Renew the great solemn ceremony!”

雕像齊聲歌唱：「我們傾聽，我們崇拜！」Itfut則以諷刺的語氣問道：「什麼莊嚴典禮？」

“We heed and worship!” the statues sang in chorus. “What solemn ceremony?” asked Itfut in an ironic tone.

那巨像回答說：「正是崇拜創造者的儀式，莊嚴而神聖！」

“The ritual of worshipping the Creator, solemn and holy!” the giant replied.

Itfut神秘地宣告：「現在，Ilit神廟中受選之人將向你揭示一個非常莊嚴的訊息。」

“Now the chosen one of the Ilit Temple will reveal to you a very solemn message,” Itfut announced mysteriously.

雕像屏息凝固，Matilda上前一步，然後左右換腳踱步，忽然喊出她的話語。

The statues froze in breathless anticipation. Matilda stepped forward and then shifting from one foot to another, blurted out her message.

「你根本沒必要崇拜任何人！就是這樣！」說完，她便閃身走到一旁。

“You don’t bloody well need to worship anyone! That’s it.” And with these words, she stepped to the side.

那些石像驚愕得張大了嘴巴，接著Itfut擺出一個手勢，彷彿在說「c’est la vie」（這就是生活）。

The stone idols stood open-mouthed in amazement. Then Itfut threw her hands to the side in a gesture as if to say, ‘c’est la vie’.

「我們嗎？」一排排雕像驚異地議論紛紛，「根本不需要？根本沒必要？‘bloody well’到底是什麼意思？」

“Us?” Sounds of astonishment sounded along the rows of statues. “Don’t bloody well need? Don’t need bloody well? What’s bloody well?”

Matilda重複著Itfut的手勢說：「‘根本沒必要’就是指，你究竟為什麼需要它？」

“Don’t bloody well need, means, what the hell do you need it for?” said Matilda repeating Itfut’s hand gesture.

雕像疑惑地重複道：「到底是什麼鬼？到底是什麼鬼？或者說，‘鬼’又是什麼？」

“What the hell?” repeated the statues questioningly. “What the bloody hell? Or hell the bloody? What’s hell?”

Matilda解釋道：「‘什麼鬼’的意思是，沒有人在乎你們那套儀式。」

“What the hell, means that nobody gives a damn about your ritual,” Matilda explained.

那最大的一尊巨像宣告道：「我們明白了！我們根本不需要那套東西！我們傾聽，我們崇拜！到底是什麼鬼！」

“We understand!” the main giant declared. “We don’t bloody well need it! We heed and worship! What the hell!”

「我們到底為什麼還需要那個東西？！」雕像們興奮地齊聲重複道，「我們傾聽，我們崇拜！」

“What the hell do we want that for?!” the statues repeated with enthusiasm. “We heed and worship!”

「不，你們完全不懂！」Itfut打斷道，「你們怎麼會認為創造者必須受到崇拜呢？」

“No, you don’t get it!” Itfut interrupted. “Where do you get the idea that the Creator has to be worshipped?”

「因為祂偉大且無所不能！」巨像回答道。「你們算什麼？奴隸嗎？」Itfut問道。

“Because He is great and almighty!” replied the giant. “What are you, slaves?” asked Itfut.

「不！」雕像們嘟囔著，「我們又不是奴隸！絕不是！」Matilda嚴肅地問道，「那你們是不是樹懶？」它們認真地回答：「不，我們絕不是樹懶！」

“No!” the statues grumbled. “We aren’t slaves! Not us!” “Maybe you’re sloths?” Matilda asked them in a serious tone. “No! We aren’t sloths!” they answered in all seriousness.

「創造者有沒有告訴你們必須崇拜祂？」Itfut問道。「沒有，完全沒有，」雕像們回答。

“Did the Creator tell you to worship him?” Itfut asked them. “No, no he didn’t,” the statues answered.

「你們有見過祂嗎？」「沒有，我們從未見過祂。」

“Have you ever seen him?” “No, we’ve never seen him.”

「沒錯，祂既不想見你們，也不想與你們交談。」雕像們滿懷驚奇地問道：「為什麼？為什麼呢？」

“That’s right. He doesn’t want to see or talk to you.” “Why? Why?” the statues asked with genuine surprise.

「因為你們狡猾地把履行祂的戒律與崇拜祂互換了，」Itfut回答道，「還自以為是地將自己舉升到了聖人和不朽者的地位。」

“Because you have cunningly swapped fulfilling His commandments with worshipping Him,” replied Itfut. “And have presumptuously raised yourselves to the rank of saints and immortals.”

雕像們露出困惑的表情，隨即一時默然無語。

The statues looked puzzled and fell silent for a while.

「可是我們是自認低於祂的！」那巨像反駁道，「我們崇拜祂！」「那你們憑什麼認為祂會覺得那是必要的？」

“But we place ourselves below Him!” the giant objected. “We worship Him!” “And what makes you think he would find that necessary?”

「因為祂偉大！」

“Because He is great!”

「你們只不過是偽君子！你們虛偽得一無所懼！」

“You’re just hypocrites! You’re being hypocritical and have no fear of Him at all!”

「怎麼會？我們到底哪裡虛偽了？」雕像們再次真心驚訝地問道。

“How? How are we being hypocritical?” the statues asked again, genuinely surprised.

「因為你們自以為是且狡猾地替祂決定了祂需要什麼、不需要什麼。你們已經如此習慣了自己的欺騙，竟然真心認為那就是事實。」

“Because you have presumptuously and cunningly decided on His behalf what He needs and what He doesn’t. You’ve become so accustomed to your own deception, that you genuinely think it is the truth.”

嚴肅的沉默籠罩著一切，他們無法為自己辯護。「那麼，高祭司 Tufti，我們應該怎麼辦呢？」那巨像問道。

A grave silence reigned. There was nothing they could say in their defense. “Then what are we to do, high priestess Tufti?” asked the giant.

「傾聽，但不要崇拜；讚美，但不要崇拜；而應與創造者共同共創。」

“Heed but do not worship. Praise but do not worship. Instead co-create together with the Creator.”

「可是我們如何才能與祂共創呢？」巨像驚愕地問道，「畢竟我們比祂低下！」

“But how can we co-create with Him?” asked the giant in deep surprise. “We are below Him after all!”

「你們說自己低於祂？真狡猾！」Itfut回答道，「你們既不與祂平等，也並非低於祂。創造者按照祂的形象與神似創造了你們。你們認為祂為什麼要這麼做呢？」

“Are you below Him? That’s cunning,” replied Itfut. “You aren’t equal to Him, but you aren’t lower than Him either. The Creator created you in the image and likeness of Himself. Why did He do that do you think?”

「那是為了讓我們崇拜祂嗎？」

“So that we would worship Him?”

「我再重申一次：‘按照祂的形象與神似’——為何要這樣說？孩子們會崇拜父母嗎？不，他們會傾聽並尊敬父母。或者，創造者打算崇拜自己？不可能，因為祂不浪費時間。祂專注於創造，而不像你們那樣懶散。」

“I repeat, ‘in the image and likeness of Himself.’ Why is it expressed in that way? Do children worship their parents? No, they listen to them and respect them. Or maybe the Creator decided to worship Himself? No, because He doesn’t waste time. He creates. Unlike you, he’s not a slacker.”

「不僅如此，」Itfut繼續道，「你們不僅無所創造，反而互相殘殺、引發戰爭與毀滅。你們以為追隨崇拜祂，就能獲得祂的憐憫，因而可以無愧地殺戮與破壞，但那只不過是虛偽與欺詐罷了。這正是祂從不向你們現身的原因。」

“Not only are you not creating anything,” continued Itfut, “you kill, you cause wars and destruction. You think that by worshipping Him, you will earn His indulgence, so that you can kill and destroy with a clear conscience but that’s just hypocrisy and deceit. That’s why He doesn’t ever show Himself to you.’

「那麼，高祭司 Tufti，我們該怎麼做？又該如何去做呢？」雕像們問道。

“What are we to do, oh great priestess? And how are we to do it?” asked the statues.

「不論我是否偉大，你們應該做什麼，該如何去做，我現在就讓你們看明白。好好看看我和我的雕像！」

“Whether I am great, what you are to do, and how you are to do it, I will show you now. Look at me and at my sculpture.”

在那些驚愕的雕像眼前，Itfut施展了她的魔法手勢，大聲喊道：「oo-oo-oo-oo-la！」就在那一瞬間，她的雕像連同所依附的基座一併從廣場上消失無蹤。

Right before the eyes of the astonished statues, Itfut carried out her magic gesture with the exclamation ‘oo-oo-oo-oo-la!’ and in that moment, her statue disappeared from the square along with the plinth on which it had rested.

「那麼，我問你們，我偉大嗎？」

“So now, I ask you, am I great?”

「不，女主人，」他們回答道，「但是，偉大的祭司，你是如何做到的呢？先告訴我，我究竟是偉大，還是不是呢？」

“No, Mistress,” they answered. “But how did you do that, great priestess?” “First tell me, am I great or am I not?”

「我們不知道，」雕像們戰戰兢兢地回答。

“We don’t know,” the statues answered hesitantly.

「偉大不在於個人本身，而在於其行為。懂了嗎？」

“It isn’t the individual that is great but their deeds. Get it?”

「你是什麼意思？到底在說什麼？」雕像們困惑地問道。「一旦你們開始創造，就會明白了。」

“What do you mean? What do you mean?” asked the statues bewildered. “Once you start creating, then you will understand.”

「請教導我們吧，偉大的祭司！」

“Teach us, great priestess!”

「又來到這個話題了。幸運的是，在這個世界裡，你根本不需要付出任何努力，只要形成一個意圖 (Intention) 並指令其實現就足夠了。瞧瞧我是怎麼做的。」

“Back to that again. Luckily for you, in this world you don’t have to put in any effort and work. It’s enough for you to form an intention and instruct it to happen. Watch how it’s done.”

「Itfut像往常那樣前傾身體，隨後挺直了腰桿，揚起雙手，大聲喊道：『依我之命，照辦！』」

Itfut leaned forward in the usual way, and then straightening herself, she threw up her hands exclaiming “By my command, so be it!”

「就在那一瞬間，就在先前Tufti雕像所在的那個位置，竟出現了一座絢麗的噴泉——碧藍的水流傾瀉入圓形水池，四周點綴著精美的孔雀石馬賽克裝飾。那些石像隨即爆發出熱烈的喝彩聲。」

In that very second, in the same spot where previously Tufti’s sculpture stood, a fabulous fountain appeared with azure waters falling into a round pool, decorated with exquisite malachite mosaics. The stone idols burst into enthusiastic cheers.

「『偉大的祭司，你是如何做到的？！』巨像驚叫道。Itfut答道：『你們也完全可以這麼做。』」

“How did you manage that, oh great priestess?!” “You’re capable of doing just the same,” Itfut replied.

「『再看看一次。』這一次，女歌手也加入了這場神奇的創造。Matilda挺直了身姿，揚起雙臂，高呼：『依我之命，照辦！』」

“Watch again.” This time the diva joined in the magical creation. Matilda straightened her bow, threw up her arms and exclaimed, “By my command, so be it!”

「片刻之後，那座一直籠罩在半暗之中的城市突然被陽光照亮，彩虹的七彩光芒灑滿了澄藍的天空。」

A moment later, the entire city, which had until now been immersed in semi- darkness, was illuminated by the rays of the sun and all the colors of the rainbow shone across the clear blue sky.

「『哦，偉大的祭司 Tufti！』雕像們充滿敬意地呼喊著，『哦，Ilit神廟中偉大的受選者！再為我們創造一個奇蹟吧！』」

“Oh, great priestess Tufti!” cried the statues in admiration. “Oh, great chosen one of the Temple of Ilit! Do another miracle for us!”

「Itfut平靜地回應道：『這與奇蹟無關。現在輪到你們了，動手去做吧。記住，你們當中曾經哪個人擁有真正的本事？』」

“This has nothing to do with miracles,” said Itfut. “Now it’s your turn. Go ahead, get on with it. Remember, which of you used to have a skill.”

「那巨像回答道：『我們傾聽，我們崇拜！』」

“Tell us what we must do, oh great priestess!” exclaimed the giant.

「『什麼？！又來這一套？！』女祭司斥責地喊道。」

“For a start, get rid of all your ‘great’ pedestals and instead build yourselves beautiful cozy homes. Then, decorate the entire city.”

「『別生氣，女主人，』那巨像懇求道，『我們會把一切都整理好，也會讓自己變得正確。』」

“I heed and worship!” the giant answered.

「那巨像轉向基座的方向，舉起雙臂，以雷霆般的嗓音大聲喊道：」

“What?! That again?!” said the priestess attacking him.

「別生氣，女主人，」他懇求道，「我們會把一切都整理好，讓自己變得正確。」

“Don’t be angry, Mistress,” he requested. “We’ll make everything right and make ourselves right.”

那巨像轉向那些基座，舉起雙臂，以雷霆般的嗓音大聲喊道，

The giant turned in the direction of the plinths, threw up his arms, and in a thunderous voice exclaimed,

她也齊聲喊道：「依我之命，照辦！」

“By my command, so be it!”

令剩餘的雕像驚愕，令女歌手與女祭司欣喜莫名的是，那巨像竟真的做到了：那些基座頓時消失，取而代之的是一棟棟古色古香的房屋，正如Tufti現實世界中的房子，只不過尺寸更適合巨像使用。

To the amazement of the remaining statues and to the delight of the diva and the priestess, the giant managed it. The plinths disappeared and quaint-looking houses appeared in their place, exactly like the ones in Tufti’s real world, only of the size fitting for a giant.

Itfut高聲喊道：「榮耀與讚美！」；Matilda則大喊：「太棒了！」

“Honor and praise!” shouted Itfut. “Bravo!” Matilda shouted.

「嗚～嗚～！啊～啊～！」伴隨著烏鴉般的叫聲，Itfut問道：「下一位是誰？」隨後補充：「別害羞！」

“O-o-o! A-a-a-a!” the crows sounded. “Who’s next?” asked Itfut. “Don’t be shy!”

一位勇敢的靈魂從人群中挺身而出，揚起雙臂，大聲喊道：「依我之命，照辦！」

A brave spirit emerged from the crowd, threw up his arms and exclaimed, “By my command, so be it!”

那棋盤般的地面頓時消失，被四通八達誘人的步行道與大道所取代。

The chessboard disappeared replaced everywhere by inviting walkways and boulevards.

接著，又有一位志願者上前喊道：「依我之命，照辦！」

Then the next volunteer stepped forward. “By my command, so be it!”

四周的小路、巷弄以及廣場上長滿了叢生的灌木與樹木，這時一尊女性雕像走了上來。

Paths, alleys and squares appeared all overgrown with shrubs and trees. Then a female statue stepped forward.

她也齊聲喊道：「依我之命，照辦！」

“By my command, so be it!”

除了豐茂的植被之外，整個區域還以花卉精心點綴。各個人輪流走上前，高聲宣告「依我之命，照辦！」，並為空間增添全新細節。最終，這座城市轉化成為Matilda曾在Tufti世界中目睹時讚歎的那個神聖場所。

In addition to the vegetation, the entire district was tastefully decorated with flowers. Each in turn came forward and proclaimed, ‘by my command, so be it!’ and added some new detail to the space. Eventually, the city was transformed into the same blessed place that Matilda so admired when she had observed what was happening in Tufti’s world.

Itfut問道：「那麼，你們的口號現在是什麼呢？」主要的巨像回答說：「我傾聽，我讚美，我創造！」其他巨像隨即齊聲附和道：「我們傾聽，我讚美，我們創造！」

“So, what will your slogan be now?” asked Itfut. “I heed, praise, create!” answered the main giant. “We heed, praise and create!” the others repeated.

隨著這聲聲呼喊，神廟立刻從內部散發出耀眼的光芒，持續閃爍約一分鐘，眾人默默觀察著這前所未有的神聖現象，心中充滿莫大的喜悅。

Immediately after these cries, the temple began to shine with a bright radiance that was coming from inside the building. The glow continued to shimmer for about a minute, while everyone silently observed the divine phenomenon with unprecedented delight.

Itfut驚呼：「創造者已化為恩賜向你們顯現！」

“The Creator has appeared to you in the form of a blessing!” exclaimed Itfut.

那些巨像將他們的恩人高舉於頭頂，欣喜若狂地穿梭於城市街道之中。這對祭司Tufti及Ilit神廟的新進成員而言，皆是一場真正的凱旋，後來該城市的神聖建築也因他們而命名。不過，這些友人最傑出的事業仍在前方等待……

The giants lifted both their benefactors up above their heads and carried them ecstatically throughout the city streets. This was a real triumph for priestess Tufti and the new recruit of the Ilit Temple in whose honor the sacred building in the city was subsequently named. Nonetheless, the friends’ most outstanding achievements still lay ahead of them...

目前，他們最重要的任務是逃離meta-reality，回歸物理現象的現實世界。究竟何時會發生，只有Threshold才能知曉。

For now, their most important task was to escape meta-reality and return to the reality of physical phenomenon. When exactly this was destined to happen, only Threshold could say.