Aria's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps outside her door. She quickly hid the Memory Keeper under her pillow, her heart racing with anticipation.
The door creaked open, and a tall, imposing figure loomed in the entrance. Aria's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing the figure as if trying to see beyond its surface.
The figure stepped forward, its features becoming clearer with each passing moment. Aria's heart skipped a beat as she realized who it was.
The figure was none other than Elder Harlon, a member of the Council of Elders. Aria's instincts told her to be wary, that Elder Harlon's visit was not a coincidence.
She forced a smile onto her face, trying to appear calm and composed. Elder Harlon's eyes seemed to bore into her soul, as if searching for something.
Aria's grip on the pillow tightened, her heart racing with anticipation. She knew that she had to be careful, that one wrong move could mean disaster.
Elder Harlon's expression was unreadable, his face a mask of calm and composure. Aria's instincts told her that he was hiding something, that there was more to his visit than met the eye.
"Aria, I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Elder Harlon said, his voice low and smooth. "I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop by to see how you're doing."
Aria's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing Elder Harlon's mask of calm and composure. She knew that he was not telling her the whole truth, that there was more to his visit than met the eye.
"I'm doing fine, thank you for asking," Aria said, trying to sound calm and composed. "But I'm a bit busy right now. Can we talk later?"
Elder Harlon's expression did not change, but Aria could sense a flicker of disappointment behind his eyes. "I'm afraid it can't wait," he said. "I have some important news to share with you."
Aria's heart skipped a beat as she wondered what Elder Harlon's news could be. She knew that she had to be careful, that one wrong move could mean disaster.
"What is it?" Aria asked, trying to sound calm and composed.
Elder Harlon's eyes seemed to bore into her soul, as if searching for something. "The Council of Elders has decided to accelerate your training," he said. "We believe that you have the potential to become a powerful member of our society."
Aria's eyes widened in surprise as she processed Elder Harlon's words. She had always known that she was different, that she had a special gift. But she had never imagined that the Council of Elders would take notice of her.
"What does this mean?" Aria asked, trying to sound calm and composed.
Elder Harlon's expression was unreadable, his face a mask of calm and composure. "It means that you will be trained in the art of memory manipulation," he said. "You will learn how to control and manipulate memories, and how to use this power to serve our society."
Aria's mind was reeling as she processed Elder Harlon's words. She had always known that she had a special gift, but she had never imagined that it could be used for something like this.
"What about my memories?" Aria asked, trying to sound calm and composed. "Will I be able to remember my past?"
Elder Harlon's eyes seemed to bore into her soul, as if searching for something. "Your memories will be... adjusted," he said. "You will be given new memories, ones that will help you to fulfill your role in our society."
Aria's heart skipped a beat as she realized what Elder Harlon was saying. She would be given new memories, ones that would erase her past and replace it with a new reality.
"No," Aria said, trying to sound firm and resolute. "I won't let you do that. I want to remember my past."
Elder Harlon's expression did not change, but Aria could sense a flicker of disappointment behind his eyes. "I'm afraid it's not a choice," he said. "You will do what is best for our society, and that means accepting the new memories that we will give you."
Aria's heart was racing as she realized the true extent of the Council of Elders' plan. They would erase her past and replace it with