Chapter 11 - unspoken tales

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Within the silence of unspoken tales and forgotten memories, there lies a symphony of untold stories, a poignant whisper of what has been and could have been. These hidden narratives, like fleeting shadows, dance within the realms of time, leaving traces of their presence in the hearts of those who remember. They haunt the corridors of our minds, begging to be acknowledged, yearning to be understood. Yet, unspoken tales and forgotten memories are like stars extinguished, their light no longer visible but still radiating in the darkness of the past. In their timeless existence, they remind us of the ephemeral nature of life and the eternal longing for connection.

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A long lost memory.

The scene was set in a spacious room where one person, standing, could be seen carefully maneuvering a camera, while the other figure, sitting on a chair, had his gaze fixed on a pair of photographic portraits that rested on a desk. With a.. unreadable expression on his face, the standing figure adjusted the angle of the camera to ensure that it captured the photographs perfectly. Meanwhile, the seated figure's eyes were intently studying the photos, his gaze flickering between the two images in front of him. The photographer, with a practiced eye, made slight adjustments to the camera, carefully framing the images to perfection.

Yet,

The person standing nearby couldn't help but wonder why the seated individual was so fixated on those particular photographs. Curiosity getting the better of them, they decided to pose a question. Leaning a bit closer, they spoke.

"You've been looking at those photos for quite awhile.. is it that important or something?"

"It's nothing too important or anything for you to know."

The man's response was nonchalant, as he placed the photos back into his pocket and stood up from his chair. With a tired sigh, he sauntered over to stand in front of the camera, his expression indifferent and weary. He stood there, his gaze fixed ahead, his presence seeming nonchalant, although his eyes betrayed a subtle hint of sadness or perhaps even guilt for the people depicted in the photographs he had just tucked away.

..

Click!

Click.

Click!

Click.

The photographer, having taken multiple pictures, finally felt satisfied with the results. They grabbed the photo, their task complete, and approached the man with a sense of satisfaction. They extended the photo towards the man, who took it with a quiet nod of thanks. As his eyes fell upon the image captured in the photograph, a pang of sorrow seemed to cross his features, a subtle mixture of fondness and melancholy washing over his expression. his eyes was being fixed on the image as a look of sorrow washed over his face. He studied the photograph for a moment, his expression pained, as if the image stirred up memories of times long past. For a few seconds, he remained silent, lost in contemplation, until he finally spoke, his voice tinged with a mixture of nostalgia and sadness.

"..Everything is getting all according to my plan, it should be ready soon enough."

"That's a relief then!"

The photographer let out a sigh of relief knowing that the plan seem to be going smoothly and successful. They called out to the man whose expression is still fixed on the photograph that he held, his eyes flickering across each inch of it with a strange mixture of nostalgia and longing..

Then, the photographer couldn't help but ask out loud, curiosity getting the better of them. They glanced back at the man who was still lost in contemplation of the photograph, and then turned to face the man, their voice holding a hint of curiosity.

"After you're gone, what should I do next?"

They inquired, a mix of anticipation and uncertainty clear in their tone.

The man's words echoed in the air as a list of names, accompanied by their corresponding faces, materialized in his hand. The list seemed to be surrounded by a soft, silvery-blue light, giving it an almost ethereal quality.

"Please gift the photos to each person on the list if you could.."

the man repeated, his voice firm and unwavering. The names on the list seemed to glitter slightly in the dim light, almost as if they were waiting to be addressed.

The man continued, his voice taking on an unusual mix of pity and resignation.

"Oh and… you'll have the identity of the messenger.." he said, his tone laced with a touch of sympathy. "You will be the one who stands between the past and the future, bridging the gap with memories of what once was, just like these photos."

He paused for a moment before continuing.

"You'll be the one who brings these people their past, whether that past is painful or full of joy, it will be your time to present the photos for them."

Perhaps even find a sense of closure for the pain they have endured..

The photographer let out a soft sigh, their expression neutral as they contemplated their upcoming new role. They weren't exactly opposed to the change, but they couldn't help but feel a twinge of concern for the amount of work that would come with it.

"Seems like I'll be trading my camera for a messenger's badge!" they mused quietly, a hint of resignation in their voice. "It'll be a new type of role for me definitely, but the work might turn out to be more exhausting than I bargained for… but since it's part of the plan, I might as well do it eh."

The photographer shrugged their shoulders, not minding the work much.

The man spoke with a voice that was soft, yet held a note of firmness to it. He mentioned the need for the photographer to meet the Sylvan earl, who would take on the role of guiding them. There was a hint of relief in his tone as he mentioned this, though his expression betrayed a sense of bittersweetness.

"You'll meet the Slyvan Earl," he explained quietly. "After all, I'll be gone. I'll just lose to my memories once more again, he'll be your guide this time."

He said, a flicker of sadness and regret in his gaze.

I hope I'll be able to remember you tho.

The photographer's smile was warm and genuine, a mix of excitement and a hint of melancholy in their expression.

"Then, Let's shake on it one more time!" they proposed, their hand extended in front of them in a friendly gesture. "We are already starting the plan and this will probably be our final moment together before the plan unfolds successfully,

The man in return was bittersweet, his smile reflecting a mixture of anticipation and a touch of sadness. He reached out, taking the photographer's hand in a firm grip, knowing that he will soon forget the person standing in front of him.

"It was nice meeting you, Clytius."

"It was nice meeting you too, Kyo!"

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You have acquired information.

List of people.

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The originator.

Arbiter lord.

Magistrate of regulation.

The outsider of a revenant world. 

Luminary executioner.

Infernal Botanist.

King of an ancient empire.

Cryptic Archduke.

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Request from Kyo.

Explanation: 

Deliver the photos of each person regardless of danger.