Aziel raised an eyebrow. "Experience them myself? How?"
"Before... well, before this," Blackie began, "the 'you' from before you lost your memories, had prepared something. The past you broke down the significant memories from after the Beast attack up until... well, until before you made your way to Elysian Forest, into fragments."
"Fragments?"
"Think of them like pieces of your past, stored away. You hid these memory fragments in specific locations across the land."
"Why would I... the past me… do that? Why not just... I don't know, write it down or just let you be the one who tell me?"
"Because the past you wanted the you right now to experience them directly. Not just hear the story from me. He wanted you to feel what he felt, see what he saw."
"So... how do I get them?"
"Remember that faded point on your curse mark? The pentagram on your chest?"
"Yeah?"
"Each point corresponds to a memory fragment. When a point fades significantly, like that first one has, it means you're ready, or perhaps stable enough, to retrieve the corresponding fragment."
"So, since one point is faded, I can go get the first piece of my memory back?"
"Technically, yes. The path to the first fragment is now... accessible to you. There are a total of five fragments that you need to retrieve."
There was a pause.
"But Aziel," Blackie's tone turned serious, "I honestly don't recommend it."
"Why not? Don't I deserve to know who I was, what happened to me after my family died?"
"Knowing the past can be a heavy burden. Those memories... they are tied to who you were. Retrieving them might just chain you to that past, prevent you from truly moving forward and building a new life here. Wouldn't it be better to just live as Elias, free from whatever came before?"
Aziel fell silent for a moment, considering Blackie's words. He looked down at his hands, then back towards the wall, his gaze distant.
The simple life in Glenwood wasn't bad. He had a job, a place to stay, people who were becoming familiar.
But the emptiness, the feeling of not knowing... it gnawed at him.
"No," Aziel said firmly, looking at the ring on his finger. "I can't just ignore it. I need to know. Even if it's difficult, even if it changes things. I have to understand who I am... who I was."
Blackie let out what sounded like a sigh through their connection. "I figured you'd say that. You always were stubborn."
"So, where is it? This first memory fragment?"
"Alright. But don't say I didn't warn you. The place you need to go... it's not exactly a holiday destination."
"Just tell me, Blackie."
"The first memory fragment is hidden deep within the Death Forest."
**********
Aziel grabbed a small, well-worn bag and started tossing in the bare essentials; some tough, chewy dried food that would keep him going, a trusty water skin filled right to the top, a roll of bandages for the inevitable cuts and scrapes, some practical clothes, and other things — didn't need much else for a trip like this. He gave the bag a quick cinch.
With that sorted, his mind turned to the grim destination, the Death Forest. The objective was simple, though risky — venture into that forbidding place and retrieve the first fragment of his past memory.
He had started his preparation for this trip several days earlier.
Getting time off had been straightforward enough. He'd approached Dr. Hana at the clinic during a quiet moment.
"Dr. Hana, I need to request some time off. A few weeks, maybe."
"Time off? Why?"
"I heard a rumor... a traveler mentioned a settlement further west that might have records, maybe something about families who lost people to Crazy Beast attacks years ago. Thought it might be a long shot, but... maybe a lead about my past." He kept his explanation vague, sticking close enough to what he'd shared with her during the job interview before.
Dr. Hana frowned, fiddling with a mortar and pestle. "A few weeks is a long time, Elias. We're busy here."
"I know. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important to me."
She looked at him, her expression unreadable for a moment. Then she sighed. "Fine. But don't expect me to hold your position indefinitely if you're gone too long. And be careful. It's not quite as safe out there as it is here"
"I will. Thank you, Dr. Hana"
Days go by.
Now, standing outside Madam Rosita's inn, the morning sun casting long shadows, Aziel was surprised to see both Dr. Hana and Jonas waiting.
He hadn't told them exactly when he was leaving, hoping to slip away quietly. He planned on coming back, after all.
Dr. Hana stepped forward, adjusting the satchel slung over his shoulder unnecessarily. "You're really going?"
"Yeah. Gotta see this through."
"Is it truly necessary? Going off on some rumor?"
"It feels necessary to me."
Jonas stood silently beside Dr. Hana, his large frame looming. He offered a small, hesitant nod. "Travel safe, Elias."
"Thanks, Jonas. Don't let the Doc work you too hard while I'm gone." Aziel grinned, trying to lighten the mood.
Dr. Hana ignored the remark, her gaze serious. "Just… come back. You said you would."
"Of course. Glenwood's starting to feel like home. Besides," he nudged his satchel, "I still owe your mother rent."
A small smile touched Hana's lips, but her eyes remained worried. "Don't take unnecessary risks."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
Madam Rosita stepped out onto the porch, wiping her hands on her apron. A warm, slightly worried smile touched her lips.
"Elias, dear. Be careful out there, won't you? We'll all be thinking of you."
Aziel turned, his grin softening genuinely for her. "I will, Madam Rosita. Promise."
"Good. Now, you make sure you eat properly on your journey. And come back safe and sound," she added, her tone gentle like a mother hen fussing over her chick.
"Wouldn't miss coming back for your cooking," Aziel quipped, giving his satchel a final adjustment. "Well, I should get going. Sunlight's burning."
He met Dr. Hana's gaze one last time, then Jonas's, before turning towards the village gate. The morning sun cast long shadows behind him as he walked away.