Chatting with the elders had been a delightful and heartwarming experience, but as time flew by, they began to depart. Alex and Lydia were filled with a deep sense of respect and gratitude for them and sent them off with bows and heartfelt thanks, appreciating their time and effort to come out of their way and offer their blessings.
When Elder Yan returned, she signalled to Alex that she was ready. Lydia, her eyes brimming with a genuine and intense curiosity, stepped forward. 'May I come with you?' she asked, her voice filled with emotions, her curiosity shining through.
Elder Yan considered for a moment before nodding with a teasing smile. "Mmm. Yes, you come too, Lydia. Good to know husband past, no? Ha ha ha."
Alex and Lydia blushed but quickly recomposed and brushed it off with a deep bow to thank her. Jeb and Linda decided to stay behind in the room to talk with the other elders who were still around, continuing their conversations.
Elder Yan then led Alex and Lydia down several dimly lit hallways until they reached the room she had been preparing. The room was a captivating enigma, its secrets veiled in darkness. Only a few strategically placed candles cast eerie shadows, revealing a circle drawn in chalk, adorned with intricate symbols, that dominated the floor, adding an aura of mysticism. To the uninitiated, it might resemble a simplified version of a cult ritual, sparking a sense of intrigue and curiosity.
The flickering candlelight cast eerie shadows on the walls, highlighting the worn texture of the old stone. The air was thick with the scent of burning wax and a hint of something herbal, perhaps sage or incense, adding to the room's otherworldly atmosphere. Shelves lined the walls, filled with ancient tomes, jars of strange substances, and various mystical artefacts. In one corner, a small altar was adorned with crystals and talismans, glowing softly in the dim light. Alex and Lydia couldn't help but feel a shiver run down their spines as they took in the room's mysterious contents.
Elder Yan moved with purpose, her robes rustling softly as she positioned herself at the edge of the chalk circle. 'Young man, stand in centre,' she instructed, her voice calm but commanding. 'I and you see into past, but you must remain still. Focused.' Alex felt a knot of anticipation in his stomach as he stepped into the circle, his heart pounding. Standing just outside the circle, Lydia could see the determination in his eyes, and she couldn't help but feel a surge of pride for her husband's bravery.
Alex stepped into the circle, his heart pounding with anticipation and anxiety. The floor was cool beneath his feet, and the chalk felt slightly gritty. Elder Yan began to chant in a language Alex didn't recognise, her voice rising and falling in a rhythmic cadence. The candles seemed to burn brighter as her chanting grew louder, the shadows on the walls dancing more wildly. Lydia stood nearby, her eyes filled with a mixture of apprehension and support, adding to the suspense.
As the ritual continued, Alex felt a wave of inexplicable sensations. It started as a tingling at the base of his spine and slowly spread throughout his body, a warmth that was both comforting and disconcerting. His vision began to blur, the room around him fading into a hazy wonderland, captivating his senses.
Suddenly, images began to flood his mind. Fragmented memories, like pieces of a shattered mirror, started to come together. However, these memories were all too familiar. They were his time in the lab, where he was constantly tortured by the scientists. He saw himself strapped to a cold metal table, wires and tubes attached to his body, the faces of the scientists cold and emotionless. The pain, the fear, and the despair were all too real as if he were reliving those horrific moments.
As the memories replayed in Alex's mind, he heard Elder Yan's chanting falter for a moment and then a gasp of pain. Almost immediately, Alex's vision cleared abruptly, and he saw Elder Yan swaying slightly, her face pale.
"Elder Yan!" Alex and Lydia quickly rushed to help her, holding her steady.
"Elder Yan, are you okay?!" Lydia exclaimed. Noticing some sturdy-looking boxes nearby, she grabbed one of them and hurriedly put it under Elder Yan, urging her to sit down. "Here, sit. Rest for a while…"
"Ah. I fine now, Lydia. No worry, no worry." Elder Yan, having recomposed herself, insisted.
"What just happened, Elder Yan? Is something wrong with Alex's past?" Lydia asked worriedly, looking at Elder Yan's pale face.
Elder Yan stayed silent and glanced at Alex before facing Lydia with a severe expression and holding onto her hand, "It fine, Lydia. It fine. But, I need time alone, speak to young man. About vision. Very worry vision. No good for Lydia."
"I think it's okay for her to…" Alex wanted to assure Elder Yan that he was okay with Lydia hearing about his past, but Elder Yan shook her head immediately. "No, young man. Must speak alone. Please, Lydia."
Lydia hesitated but nodded, reassuringly squeezing Alex on his arm and bowed to Elder Yan before leaving the room.
Once they were alone, Elder Yan fixed her piercing gaze on Alex.
"Young man," she began slowly, "Answer me true. You born in lab? You remember lab room?"
Shocked to hear her straightforward question, Alex struggled to find the right words, his mind racing. "Elder Yan, I... I'm not sure. I don't think I was born in the lab."
Elder Yan sighed deeply, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinised Alex. "Listen, young man. My ability, see into past. From beginning, we see past. From baby." As she explained herself, she began gesturing. "From baby, man grow. Will see past. But, Alex. You no past. Only you now."
Alex struggled to grasp the whole meaning of Elder Yan's words, but he understood the essence: her ability allowed her to see a person's past from infancy to the present. Yet, in his case, all they had seen were the horrific memories from the lab, as if those torturous experiences marked the beginning of his life. As this realisation settled into his mind, Alex nodded slowly, a chill running down his spine. But he suddenly remembered the memories from his classroom when the government official came to promote the serum.
"Elder Yan, to tell you the truth, I also remember the memories from the visions. But I also remember a time before those visions. A time in a school, in a classroom. It-it's a hazy memory, but I can remember it." Alex starts to detail the hazy memory from the classroom about the government official visiting and giving him the serum. Hearing his explanation, Elder Yan paused momentarily but sighed again while shaking her head. "I believe you, young man. But I cannot see this memory in your past. Like this past disappeared. I no understand. But, vision earlier is true. No mistake. I sorry, young man. I cannot help further."
Feeling slightly disappointed but thankful, Alex smiled, bowed, and thanked Elder Yan. "I appreciate what you've done for me, Elder Yan. I'm sorry my memories caused you discomfort."
"No, young man. Is I sorry. Also, for Ascension doctor torture. I understand. Nasty people." Elder Yan apologised with a sad expression, but Alex perked up upon the mention of Ascension.
"Elder Yan, do…do you know who the 'doctors' were?" Alex probed further, clinging to the thin line of a hint for new information.
"Oh, yes. Ascension doctor. They with world government. Crazy doctor all. Do experiment all day on Flawed. Then kick us out, to here, in Genesis." Elder Yan shook her head as she described the doctors she saw in the vision.
Alex clutched his hands, looking straight at her. "Elder Yan, can you tell me more about the 'Ascension doctors'? I…I think they have the answers to my past."
"Mmm. Sorry, young man. I know no more. But, can ask Elder Wendigo. She knows. Ask her tomorrow." Elder Yan paused for a moment, thinking. Then, she looked at Alex with a serious expression. "Young man, be careful. Ascension, dangerous people. Mess not with them."
Alex winced a bit but nodded, acknowledging her warning. "I understand, Elder Yan. I will tread carefully."
Elder Yan grinned, stood up, and pointed to the doorway. "Go, young man, go back to Lydia. She your wife now. Treat her well. Protect her."
"Yes, Elder Yan, I will. I appreciate your help. Please let me know if you need anything, and I'll do my best." Alex bowed for the last time and walked out the door, leaving Elder Yan in the room.
Almost immediately after stepping out, Alex saw Lydia in the hallway a bit further away, who noticed him coming out and rushed towards him.
"Is Elder Yan alright?" Lydia asked with concern, evidently still worried.
"Yes, she is. No need to worry. I-I think…my memories were too much for her to handle." Alex scratched his head awkwardly, not knowing what to say.
"Ah. I see. It must have been quite a horrible memory." Lydia tugged on Alex's clothes, "Are you okay? Do you feel fine? Did…did you find out anything about yourself? Ah, but you don't have to tell me if you don't want to…" she asked with caution, aware that she may be touching on a sensitive topic, given the elder's discretion.
Alex smiled and held Lydia's shoulder reassuringly. "I'm okay, but I'm a bit disappointed. Elder Yan couldn't see into my past. She…I don't think she knows why, either."
"Ah, that's unfortunate. I'm sorry to hear that, Alex." Lydia hugged him tightly. "It's okay, though. We can make new memories from now on. Together."
Hearing those beautiful words strung together made Alex smile, and his disappointment instantly melted away.
"Ah, well. All I can do now is learn from Elder Wendigo about this world tomorrow," Alex thought, looking forward to the future and returning Lydia's hug.