The cafe seemed to fall into an unnatural hush as the man approached. His steps were deliberate, his gaze locked onto mine. For a moment, it felt as if time itself had bent to his will, slowing down the world around us.
Kazuki shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his expression unreadable. "Iori, who is he?"
"I… I don't know," I stammered, though my heart told a different story. My pulse quickened as if trying to recall something my mind couldn't grasp.
The man stopped a few feet away, his presence commanding yet oddly comforting. Up close, he was even more striking. His silver-grey eyes held a depth I couldn't decipher, as though they carried the weight of centuries. His dark, tousled hair framed a face that seemed carved from perfection, yet there was an air of otherworldly familiarity about him.
"Iori," he said again, his voice a soft murmur that resonated deep within me. "You don't remember me, do you?"
"I…" Words failed me. My head was spinning.
Kazuki stood, stepping between us. His expression was tense, his protective instincts kicking in. "Who are you? Do you know Iori?"
The man's eyes flicked to Kazuki, his gaze cool but not unkind. "I'm afraid this is a conversation Iori and I must have alone."
Kazuki bristled. "I don't think so. I'm not leaving her with some stranger."
"Kazuki," I found myself saying, though my voice was distant, as if it belonged to someone else. "It's… it's okay."
He turned to me, his brow furrowed in concern. "Iori, are you sure? This doesn't feel right."
I nodded slowly, though I couldn't explain why. Something about this man's presence felt inevitable, as though resisting it would be like trying to stop the tide.
Reluctantly, Kazuki stepped aside, his expression troubled. "I'll be nearby," he said, his tone firm. "If anything happens, call me."
I gave him a faint smile, appreciating his concern.
The man gestured toward an empty table by the window, away from the other patrons. "Shall we?"
I followed him, my legs feeling like they were moving of their own accord. We sat across from each other, the sunlight casting a golden glow over his features.
"Who are you?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
His gaze softened, and for a moment, he seemed almost vulnerable. "I am Alaric," he said simply. "And you… you are more important than you know."
I blinked, taken aback. "Alaric? What does that mean? How do you know me?"
He leaned forward, his hands resting on the table. "Because we've known each other before, Iori. In another time, another life. I've been waiting for this moment for what feels like an eternity."
My breath caught. "What are you talking about? That's impossible."
"It may seem that way," he said gently. "But deep down, you've felt it, haven't you? The dreams, the strange sense of familiarity… the pull you feel even now."
I stared at him, my mind racing. The dreams. The birthmark. The inexplicable connection I felt when I looked at him.
"You're saying we… knew each other in a past life?" I asked, my voice tinged with disbelief.
"Yes," he said, his gaze unwavering. "You were the love of my life. And I was yours."
A part of me wanted to laugh, to dismiss his words as the ramblings of a delusional man. But another part—the part that had been haunted by dreams and shadows—knew he was telling the truth.
"Why now?" I asked, my voice trembling. "Why are you here now?"
"Because time is running out," he said, his tone heavy with urgency. "There's so much you don't know, so much I need to explain. But for now, all you need to know is this: you are not ordinary, Iori. You never have been. And your destiny is far greater than you could ever imagine."
I shook my head, the weight of his words pressing down on me. "This… this is too much."
He reached out, his hand hovering over mine. "I know it's overwhelming. But I promise, I will be here every step of the way."
For a moment, I hesitated. But then, almost instinctively, I placed my hand in his.
And the world shifted.
It was as if a veil had been lifted, and suddenly, memories that weren't mine flooded my mind. A forest bathed in golden light. A castle hidden in the clouds. A love so deep it felt like it could move mountains.
And then, darkness. Pain. A separation that tore through my soul.
I gasped, pulling my hand away. "What… what was that?"
"Fragments of our past," Alaric said softly. "Your memories are beginning to awaken."
I stared at him, my chest heaving. "This can't be real."
"It is," he said, his voice steady. "And it's only the beginning."
Before I could respond, the cafe door swung open again, and I felt a chill run down my spine.
Two figures entered, their presence immediately unsettling. They were dressed in black, their expressions cold and unyielding.
Alaric's demeanor shifted instantly, his eyes narrowing.
"We need to leave," he said, his tone low and urgent.
"Why?" I asked, panic creeping into my voice.
"Because they've found us," he said, standing and offering me his hand. "And they won't stop until they've taken you."
Without thinking, I took his hand. And together, we ran.