The system chimed.
[System Alert:]
Side Quest Completed.
Reward: Memory Fragment x1
Kael's gaze locked onto the notification, his brows knitting together. Memory Fragment? His fingers twitched as if he could grasp the intangible reward. "What the hell is this?" he muttered.
A flicker of light danced beside him. Limo, his system guide, materialized in a swirl of energy, its bright, mischievous eyes twinkling.
"Ooooh, a Memory Fragment!" Limo chirped, spinning midair.
Kael's eyes narrowed. "Is that supposed to mean something to me?"
Limo bobbed up and down. "Most reborns like you lose pieces of their memories. Guess that means you did too."
Kael's breath hitched. "Lost memories?" The words felt foreign, like they belonged to someone else. A creeping unease slithered into his chest, cold and insidious.
Before he could press further, a sharp inhale cut through the silence.
"Wait... I know you."
Kael turned sharply. One of the caravan members stared at him, eyes wide, filled with something between disbelief and fear.
Kael frowned. "You do?" His voice was steady, but doubt gnawed at the edges of his mind. "I don't know you."
The man hesitated, scanning Kael's face as if searching for a ghost. "You're Kael. We came from the same city. I... I thought you were dead. Your sister—Lira—she's been looking for you for days."
A tremor rippled through Kael's body. "Sister?" The word felt distant, unfamiliar. "I have a sister...?"
The air grew heavy. Something was wrong. The man swallowed hard before speaking again, his voice cautious.
"But... you look different. The Kael I knew wasn't an Awakener. He wasn't..." He trailed off, struggling to find the words.
Kael's grip on his sword tightened. "Wasn't what?"
The man exhaled, as if bracing for Kael's reaction. "Before you disappeared, you were... simple. Childlike. You could barely form sentences, let alone fight like this."
Kael felt the world shift beneath his feet, a terrifying question clawing its way into his thoughts. What exactly happened to me?
Am I even the same person?
The idea struck like a hammer. Did he take over someone else's body when he reincarnated? Was he truly Kael, or just an intruder wearing his skin?
He forced himself to breathe, staring out into the distance, his thoughts spiraling.
He had awakened. He had grown. But at what cost?
A new purpose burned in his chest. He needed answers. He needed to find this sister—Lira. Maybe she held the missing pieces of his past.
Maybe she could tell him who—what—he really was.
"Lira's looking for me..." he murmured, then turned his gaze back to the man. His voice hardened. "Tell me everything you know. About me."
The man hesitated, unease flickering across his face. Then, carefully, he asked, "You really don't remember, do you? Did you, perhaps, lose your memories?"
Then Norton, the leader of the team, breaks their conversation. "Let's talk about this once we get to Greythorne. It's dangerous here. Who knows what comes next."
********
The group safely reached Greythorne, a rugged town nestled in the foot of the highlands, known for its hardy sheep and renowned wool trade.
Its people were fiercely independent, their livelihoods tied to the land, and their reputation stretched as far as Krythgard, where they supplied winter garments durable enough to withstand the gritting cold of the north.
Traders, merchants, and awakeners frequently passed through, seeking supplies for expeditions into the harsher regions beyond. Greythorne wasn't just a waypoint—it was a lifeline for those who dared venture into the unknown.
As they walked through the town's well-trodden paths, Mylar, the man who had recognized Kael, took it upon himself to explain.
"There are only two inns here in Greythorne—Fanous Inn and The Hollow Hearth," he said, gesturing as they passed rows of timber-framed buildings.
"Our group will be staying at Fanous Inn. It's where most awakeners and travelers lodge. The Hollow Hearth, on the other hand, is more of a local spot—cozier, with the best stew in town."
Kael nodded absently, taking in his surroundings. The town had a raw, practical beauty—sturdy stone houses with slate roofs, reinforced with timber and weathered banners that fluttered gently in the crisp wind.
"There are four main sections in Greythorne," Mylar continued. "The Awakeners' Ward, The Commons, The Forge Quarter, and The Exchange District. Each has its own purpose."
He pointed towards the bustling center of town. "The Commons is the heart of daily life—markets, inns, general shops, and where most townsfolk live. If you need anything basic, that's where you go."
Then, further south, he motioned to an area lined with forge chimneys, faint glows of molten metal visible through open workshop doors.
"That's the Forge Quarter—industrial sector. Ironstoke Forge is there, along with other craftsmen specializing in weapons, armor, and tools."
He then gestured eastward. "The Exchange District is the center of trade and commerce. You'll find the Greythorne Wool Exchange there, as well as warehouses and merchant stalls."
Finally, Mylar turned his gaze toward a fortified structure in the distance—thick stone walls surrounding a towering edifice at its core. The sight of it exuded authority and mystery.
"And that," he said, voice dropping slightly, "is the Awakeners' Ward. If you're an awakener, that's where you'll want to go. Inside, you'll find all the important facilities—The Awakeners' Lodge, The Runeveil Archive, The Verdant Bough, The Emberfang Arena, and The Hollow Reliquary."
Kael listened carefully as Limo, floating beside him and invisible to everyone but him, chimed in with its own input.
"What he says is accurate," the small creature affirmed. "But the most important place for you is The Awakeners' Lodge."
Kael's brows furrowed slightly. "It's an inn?"
"No," Limo corrected. "It's a guildhall. A place where awakeners gather, exchange information, and accept missions. It's the heart of the awakening community—if you want work, training, or guidance, that's where you'll find it."
A guildhall for awakeners. A place filled with stronger warriors, quests, and knowledge. A slow excitement stirred in Kael's chest.
Limo floated closer, whispering in his mind, "We should check it out tomorrow."
Kael gave a silent nod.
By then, they had reached Fanous Inn.
The three-story building stood at the outskirts of The Commons, near the Awakeners' Ward, making it an ideal midpoint between the bustling town and the world of adventurers. Its weathered yet well-maintained facade bore signs of many travelers who had come before them.
Lanterns with faintly glowing runes hung by the entrance, casting a warm, welcoming light over the carved wooden sign—a symbolic flame, representing guidance and refuge.
The scent of roasting meat and spiced ale drifted from within, mingling with the crisp, earthy aroma of Greythorne's highland air.
"Let's head in first. I know you wanted to learn more about yourself and your family. I'll explain everything after we've all freshened up," Mylar said, giving Kael a reassuring pat on the back.
Kael studied the inn's sturdy timber frame, reinforced with stone at the foundation, built to withstand both harsh winters and rowdy awakeners.
This place… it felt different from the cold, distant memories of cities he could barely recall. There was something solid here—real.
Maybe, just maybe, this was where his new journey would truly begin.