The first sensation Riku felt as he came back to consciousness was a dull ache, spreading from his head down to his limbs. His eyes fluttered open slowly, adjusting to the dim light of the unfamiliar room as he tried to process his surroundings. A wooden ceiling loomed above him, unfamiliar yet grounding in its reality. With a throb of realization, the thoughts tumbled through his mind: This world is real. My powers... they're real.
The memory of what he had seen in Aina's mind flashed before him, and his heart raced. He pushed himself upright, intending to stand, but the instant he tried, his strength gave way. He stumbled and tumbled off the bed, landing with a jolt of pain that spread across his body. Every muscle felt strained, as though he'd run miles with a weight on his back.
In the corner of the room stood a small mirror, and he caught sight of himself. For the first time, he truly saw his reflection in this new world. His eyes—now a shade of deep blue, mirroring Aina's—looked back at him, wide and dazed. His hair was a light blue, softer than he remembered from his old world, and though his frame wasn't muscular, it was fit enough to pass for an adventurer.
He took a shaky breath, his mind racing. The goddess, the library, my wish... He tried to piece it together, his memories mixing with a whirlwind of emotions. Just as he managed to steady himself, a gentle knock sounded at the door.
"Riku? Are you awake? May I come in?" It was Aina's voice, soft yet concerned.
His heart leaped into his throat. Her voice, though gentle and warm, made his pulse quicken with fear. The memories he'd glimpsed in her mind felt too raw, too terrifying. He could still see fragments of her past, flashes of battles and despair. The idea of experiencing that all over again gripped him with panic. He was terrified, but he couldn't deny her kindness. She was worried about him.
The door creaked open, and in a panicked instinct, Riku scrambled under the bed, pressing himself against the wall. His heart raced, and he fought to control his breathing, hoping she wouldn't see him.
Aina's soft footsteps entered the room, and she paused, looking around with confusion. "Riku?" Her voice held a mixture of surprise and worry. "Are… are you alright?"
From beneath the bed, Riku managed to reply in a strained, shaking voice. "I'm alright. Could… could you please leave me for a moment?"
She blinked in shock, her expression quickly shifting to one of exasperation. "I saved you, brought you to my home, and you're hiding from me under the bed? You're so rude, Riku!"
Silence fell between them for a moment as Riku tried to calm himself, forcing a steady voice. "Aina… I'm sorry. Please… could you leave me for a bit? I'll catch up, I promise."
Aina looked at him, her eyes softening slightly, though her brow was still furrowed. After a beat, she brushed a strand of her golden hair back and sighed. "Alright, but make sure you rest. You're clearly still exhausted."
As she left, closing the door behind her, Riku slumped back onto the bed, his thoughts swirling. He felt a strange mix of fear, confusion, and shame. Here he was, burdened with absolute knowledge, and yet he was the one struggling the most to make sense of things. This world was supposed to be his fresh start, but now, he felt more lost than ever.
After a while, Riku decided he couldn't stay here—he needed air, space to think. Quietly, he made his way to the window, opening it and looking out at the world beyond. The view took his breath away. Below him lay a vast kingdom, bustling with life. Streets wound through a sprawling city filled with buildings of every shape and size, from simple stone cottages to grand, towering structures. People of all kinds moved through the streets: humans, demi-humans with animal-like features, and other beings he couldn't name.
The air buzzed with the hum of life, voices and footsteps blending into a chaotic symphony that filled the streets. For a moment, his fear faded, replaced by awe as he took in the kingdom's liveliness. So this is Aethrion…
But then, the creeping dread returned. What if my power activates again? What if I see someone's memories and can't stop it? The thought terrified him. Panic surged, and without thinking, he bolted, running through the streets, trying to escape from everything that surrounded him.
Riku ran until his body, still weak, couldn't handle it anymore. His vision blurred as his energy waned. He stumbled and fell, his face hitting the ground as his last reserves gave out. His sight dimmed, but just before his consciousness faded, he saw a figure approaching him.
With all the strength he could muster, he reached out, desperation filling his voice. "Help… please…"
And then, darkness claimed him once more.