Chapter 6: Traces of Forgotten Memories
A Haunting Dilemma
That night in Lyndor, the guild felt quieter than usual. After the events in the cave, Kano couldn't sleep. The image of the mysterious figure who appeared when he used his power lingered in his mind. The man's words—"Don't forget who gave it to you"—felt like both a clue and a warning.
Kano sat on the guild's balcony, gazing at the stars. What really happened to me? Who am I in this world? he wondered. As someone who had died in his previous world, he felt like a puppet being toyed with by fate.
"Still thinking about what happened earlier?" Reina's voice broke the silence. She walked over, carrying a cup of warm tea, and sat beside him.
Kano nodded. "I feel… like something is watching my every move. And this power, I don't even know if I can trust it."
Reina looked at him seriously. "Great power often comes at a high price. But you're not alone. Everyone here at the guild will help you find answers."
Kano gave a faint smile, though his heart remained clouded with confusion. "Thank you, Reina. But sometimes, I feel like… I don't belong in this world."
Reina regarded him for a moment before replying, "Maybe that's true. But whoever you are, wherever you came from, what matters is what you do now. Don't let your past or your fears hold you back."
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Dreams Revealing the Past
That night, Kano finally drifted to sleep, though it brought him no peace. In his dream, he stood in a dark room filled with strange symbols. At the center of the room was a large mirror radiating the same blue light as the runes on his body.
As he approached, his reflection in the mirror changed. His face looked older, harsher. He was wearing a black uniform with an emblem of a red eye on his chest. He recognized the symbol—it belonged to Ordenium, a mysterious organization he had read about in the guild's books.
Suddenly, the man he had seen in the cave appeared behind his reflection in the mirror. "Remember, Kano. You are one of us. Your destiny cannot be avoided."
Kano turned around, but the man vanished, leaving only his voice echoing. "When the time comes, you will know who you truly are."
Kano woke up in a cold sweat, his heart pounding. One thing was now clear to him: his past in his previous world might not be as he remembered it.
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The Mission to the Magic Library
The next morning, Reina informed Kano that Master Arvyn wanted to see him. In his study, Arvyn held an old, tattered book with a nearly crumbling cover.
"I've found something that might relate to your powers," Arvyn said. He opened the book to a page with an illustration. It depicted runes similar to those on Kano's body, but with additional symbols forming an eye-like pattern.
"These are ancient runes called Rivandus. They are said to originate from an era before the world we know was destroyed. It's believed that those who bear these runes are directly connected to a great entity known as Voidus, the master of darkness and secrets."
"Voidus?" Kano asked, the name feeling foreign yet oddly familiar.
Arvyn nodded. "Yes. This entity was once regarded as a god of knowledge, but some believe he was also the cause of the old civilization's downfall. If your powers truly stem from these runes, we must tread carefully."
Reina, listening from the side of the room, added, "There's a place that might give us more answers—the Magic Library of Gravantis. It's where records of the ancient era are still preserved."
Arvyn agreed. "I'll send you there. But be cautious. That library is not guarded by ordinary means. Many believe it's protected by ancient creatures that awaken if anyone attempts to uncover forbidden secrets."
Kano felt a tremor in his chest. "I'll go. I need to know who I really am."
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The Journey to Gravantis
The journey to the Magic Library of Gravantis took two days through rocky terrain and dense forests. Reina and a few other adventurers accompanied Kano. Throughout the trip, Kano couldn't shake the feeling that something was following them—a shadow that couldn't be seen.
When they finally arrived, the sight of Gravantis left them speechless. The library was a towering structure made of black stone, adorned with ancient rune carvings that glowed faintly. Its massive doors bore the same symbol as the runes on Kano's body.
"We need to go inside," Reina said. "But remember, don't touch anything that seems strange."
As they stepped in, the atmosphere inside the library felt cold and eerie. Shelves of books stretched high into the darkness, filled with scrolls and ancient tomes. In the center of the main chamber stood a large altar holding a crystal orb that radiated blue light. Kano felt the runes on his body react strongly to the orb.
"Don't approach it yet," Reina cautioned. But before she could stop him, the crystal orb lit up, and a voice echoed through the room.
"Welcome, successor. Are you ready to uncover the truth about yourself?"
The light from the crystal morphed into a large shadow. The shadow took the form of the man from Kano's dreams, but this time, his features were clearer. His face bore a mysterious, unsettling smile.
"Who are you?" Kano asked firmly.
"I am a part of you. I am the reason you're here."
The shadow moved closer, and before Kano could react, he felt himself being pulled into the crystal orb, leaving Reina and the others watching in shock.
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End of Chapter 6
Now standing on the brink of the answers he's been seeking, Kano must confront the shadows of his past and the truth of who he truly is. But the deeper he searches, the greater the dangers that await with every step.