Newfear

Ram and Albert were running at a breakneck speed, the sound of cars and urban noise gradually fading away, as if they were disconnecting from the outside world.

They were heading toward a towering building that stood like a silent giant in the middle of the city. When they reached the entrance, Albert raised his head to look at the distant top, where the building seemed to touch the clouds. With his heavy hand, he opened the creaky front metal door, which emitted a faint squeak, and exchanged quick glances with Ram.

Ram: "Forget the elevator, we'll take the stairs!"

Their footsteps quickened impossibly. They were in a rush, as if every second could make the difference between life and death. The cold air struck their faces fiercely, while Ram's long hair flew in every direction behind her. Albert was breathing deeply, his face taut with tension, and his eyes fixed on the seemingly endless stairs.

Each step on the stairs pulsed with strength and determination, the repetitive sound of their shoes on the tiles filled the air, echoing between the narrow stairwell that almost suffocated them with its cramped space. Their heartbeats accelerated with each floor they ascended, ignoring the rising pain in their legs and the exhaustion that began to seep into their bodies.

When they finally reached the top floor, the sound of their heavy breaths mixed with the noise of their quick steps on the concrete floor. Albert, who had been ahead of Ram by a few steps, extended his hand forcefully toward the heavy metal door leading to the roof. He pushed it hard, and a sharp clang echoed when the door hit the iron wall, creating a metallic resonance in the space. The cold air rushed toward their faces, as if slapping them, carrying with it the scent of dust and industrial fumes rising from the city streets.

Their heartbeats raced, not only from the running but also because the sensitive mission was about to begin. Ram, breathing heavily, spoke in a broken voice.

Ram: "Let's hope we find the signal before the attempts run out... there's no room for failure."

Albert, standing next to her, pulled out a small device from his bag. The device was cold, about the size of a palm. It looked like a shiny metallic object, with colors ranging from black to steel-gray, with touches of glowing electric blue on the buttons and components. It featured a circular transparent screen in the center, where 3D maps or the data being searched for were displayed. This screen could also show glowing blue signals as the device neared the target. There were three integrated buttons on the sides, emitting faint blue light. These buttons controlled the device and adjusted the settings. It also had small foldable antennas that extended when needed.

After Albert pressed the activation button, the device started spinning at an incredible speed, emitting a loud noise similar to a small aircraft engine.

Albert, tense: "Damn it! I still haven't gotten used to the noise of this thing! We'll be spotted easily!"

Ram, gritting her teeth: "Hold on! We only have two tries."

The annoying sound reverberated through the crowded streets below them, where police officers passed in their cars without paying attention at first, but something caught the attention of a policeman standing near a gas station.

Police officer, perplexed: "Hmm?... What's that annoying sound?"

Then, after a brief moment, he looked up to see two shadows moving quickly above the building's roof.

Police officer: "A man and a woman... wearing black clothes?! Wait a minute! They're the fugitives!!"

The officer immediately raised his radio and contacted his captain, his tone filled with tension.

Police officer on the radio: "Sir! I've found the fugitives!"

Captain of the guard, sternly: "Well done! Where are they now?"

Police officer: "They're on top of the 'Visca' building, making a loud noise!"

Captain of the guard: "We're on our way, don't let them escape!"

As the police started moving toward the building, Albert stood on the roof, yelling in frustration.

Albert: "Damn it! They heard us, those bastards are coming!"

Ram, in a calm but firm tone: "We can't do anything now, just wait until the device finishes pinpointing the signal."

The sound of sirens began to approach, and the police closed off the surrounding streets. The screeching sound of burning tires on the road grew louder as the guards got out of their cars and ran toward the building.

Inside the building, the police officer who had discovered them was running toward the elevator. He pressed the button, but it didn't open immediately, so he ran and began to climb the stairs as fast as he could.

Albert, nervously watching the police's progress from a distance.

Albert: "How long do we have to wait?!! Don't tell me it's going to fail like last time!!"

Suddenly, the device stopped making noise, and a sharp blue light signal appeared, pointing to a distant location on the horizon.

Ram, with a small smile: "We've found it!"

Albert, catching his breath: "Great! Let's go quickly!"

Without wasting a second, they ran toward the edge of the roof, where the fall seemed to lead to an endless abyss. They jumped together, and during the free fall, they opened their parachutes, which quickly expanded in the sky like giant wings, slowing their descent.

The officer, who reached the roof at the last moment, saw the parachutes soaring in the sky. He screamed into his radio.

Police officer: "They're jumping!"

Ram and Albert were descending quietly toward the nearby park, while the police began chasing them from the ground.

Captain of the guard, from inside a black pursuit car: "It's them! Quickly, follow them! Don't let them get away!"

Albert, looking back and noticing the police cars.

Albert: "Damn it! They're chasing us! Do you know where the boy is?"

Ram, pointing toward the park below: "Yes, he's there, in that park by the river!"

As they neared the ground, the guards and police cars were closing in quickly, and the entire city turned into a tense chase ground, where there was no place to escape except forward, and no time to retreat.

As Ram and Albert quickly made their way toward the garden, the police and Stanvilla's guards pursued them, their footsteps growing louder with each passing moment. Elsewhere, Arthur sat on the garden grass, surrounded by his grandparents Emily and Oscar, gazing at the clear blue sky while enjoying his delicious sandwiches.

Arthur, smiling: "Hey? Haaaa!"

Arthur, waved his hand, astonishe: "Grandpa, Grandma! Look over there!!"

Oscar, astonished: "Oh my God! Are they going to jump into the lake?"

Emily, worried: "I hope they land safely!!"

Suddenly, Ram and Albert unstrapped their parachutes and fell toward the lake from a short distance. This happened just as the captain of the guards approached the garden, rapidly descending from his car, accompanied by his men.

Arthur, slowly turning: "Hmm? What is this?"

Then, he realized that twelve men were running toward him, their shadows speeding through the air.

Arthur, retreating in fear: "W-What is going on?"

At that moment, Ram and Albert emerged from the lake, running toward Arthur at full speed.

Captain of the Guards, astonished: "Huh? Why are they running toward us?"

The captain turned to find the elderly couple and the boy together, realizing what was happening.

Captain of the Guards, shouting: "Wait! It's him!!! Men! Arrest that boy at any cost!!"

Emily, confused: "Darling, they're carrying weapons. Why are they running toward us?"

Oscar, standing up, slowly heading toward them: "But what's going on? Is there something wrong, sir...?"

Suddenly, the silence of the garden was broken by the sound of a gunshot, its echo reverberating through the air like thunder. Oscar, who had been watching the situation with concern, was struck by a bullet and fell to the ground, as if the world had stopped for a moment.

Emily, screaming in panic: "OSCAR!!"

Emily fell to her knees beside her husband's body, watching as the blood flowed from his wound, a red stream mixing with the green grass. Her eyes widened in terror, and tears streamed down her cheeks, flowing like a river that had been trapped for so long.

Emily, crying in a broken voice: "No... nooo... nooo... Oscar!!... My love... don't die!!!"

She held his hand, feeling the coldness of his body as life faded from him. The pain burned her heart, as if everything around her was vanishing. The only sounds were her sobs and the rapid beating of her heart.

Meanwhile, the guards rushed toward Arthur, who was standing in a daze, fear rooted in his heart like a storm. He couldn't comprehend what had just happened.

Arthur, in a broken voice: "No...noooo! Grandpa!!!!!"

He ran toward his grandfather, but the guards intervened quickly, grabbing him forcefully, as if they were shackling a free soul. Their curses fell on his ears like gunfire.

Albert, shouting in concern: "Damn it! We're too late!!"

Emily rose, trying to defend her grandson, her eyes filled with tears and anger.

Emily, angrily: "Stop! Leave my son alone!!"

But before she could reach them, one of the guards fired a shot directly into her heart. The sound was harsh, as if time had stopped. Her body fell to the ground next to Oscar's, her blood pouring out, staining the grass in a dark red.

Arthur, screaming at the top of his lungs: "No!!! Nooooooooo!! Grandma!!!"

His cries filled the air, echoing in every corner of the garden, expressing the deep pain of losing his loved ones. His body trembled, as if life were being sucked out of him with every tear that fell.

As the guards ran toward Arthur, one of them fell to the ground, but there were still more. Ram and Albert intervened swiftly, holding their weapons and shooting with precision, determined to protect Arthur.

Albert, focused and determined: "I won't let them take you!"

Shots rained down into the air, thundering as they struck the bodies of the guards like collapsing blocks of ice.

Captain of the Guards, stunned, watching the chaos: "Damn it! Kill them all!!"

In an instant, a bullet struck the captain of the guards in the head. He froze for a moment before collapsing lifeless, his face expressing shock he couldn't comprehend.

Albert walked toward Arthur and placed a hand on his shoulder.

Albert: "Are you okay, boy?"

Arthur continued to stare at his grandfather and grandmother, as if his mind were shrinking under an indescribable pain. His heartbeats quickened, and he felt the weight of the loss engulf him like an unending nightmare. Tears fell relentlessly from his eyes, soaking his cheek as he gazed at their bodies, soaked in blood before him. A vast, empty void expanded inside him, as if the whole world were being swallowed by the darkness of loss.

In moments of intense silence, he continued to watch his grandfather and grandmother, feeling helpless, as if his words were trapped in his throat. He wished there was something he could do to bring them back.

Arthur, whispering: "No...no...what will I do without you..."

He lifted his gaze toward Ram and Albert, who stood in affected silence. Ram tried to ease the weight of the pain.

Ram, in a calm voice, filled with sorrow: "I'm sorry, little one. Life is harsh sometimes. But we have to move on.

We're in a hurry, we must leave now."

Arthur, trying to think, but the pain still dominated his soul, and the words came out with difficulty.

Nott: "Who are you!! Stay away from me! I won't leave them!! I can't... I can't leave them!!"

Albert, stepping closer to Ram, whispered in her ear.

Albert: "Just lets take him quickly!"

Ram: "Shut up, he lost his family!"

Ram stepped forward a little toward Nott and said.

Ram: "Come on, Boy, let's go."

But Arthur, deeply affected, couldn't hide his profound pain. He cried bitterly over the loss of his grandfather and grandmother, and the echo of his scream reverberated through the air as if he were calling for help from the world.

Arthur, in a broken voice: "Go away!!... I don't know you! I can't leave them... they won't be alone."

Ram and Albert exchanged a look of sympathy before approaching him and trying to calm him down.

Ram: "We're here with you, we came to protect you... it's okay to grieve, but we have to go now, we don't have much time."

Arthur, pulling away from them, hugged himself tightly, screaming with pain.

Arthur: "I won't leave them!!..."

His cries pierced the air, as if nature itself was sharing in his sorrow.

Ram: "They sacrificed themselves for you, they won't be happy to see you crying and refusing to move forward to fight for justice."

Slowly, Arthur began to grasp the weight of the responsibility awaiting him, despite the deep sorrow that squeezed his heart. Ram and Albert stepped back from the scene of the tragedy, leaving him with those difficult moments, while Arthur continued to stare at their bodies, his eyes filled with sorrow and anger. It was as though the whole garden had turned into a graveyard for his dreams.

Arthur remains submerged in sorrow, embracing his solitude, feeling as if a part of him has vanished with them. He gazes at their fallen bodies, the pain sinking into his eyes as he struggles to gather his strength for the journey ahead. He takes a moment to comprehend the full extent of the loss.

Arthur, whispers, With tears in his eyes: "I hope you are at peace now."

He takes a deep breath, his words mingling with his sobs. He bends down to kiss their foreheads, as if bidding them farewell on a journey from which there is no return.

Arthur: "Rest in peace... Grandfather and Grandmother... I... I... I'm... sorry... You will always remain in my heart... Thank you for everything...

Goodbye."

He embraces their bodies one last time, then looks up at the sky, laden with both pain and hope for the task ahead.

Arthur: "I will be strong, for both of you..."

He turns his gaze towards Ram and Albert, his eyes filled with tears.

Arthur: "... I'll go."

Ram, with an encouraging smile: "Well done! Let's head to the hotel now, 'Steel Hotel'... The President is waiting for you.

Did you inform the driver of our location, Albert?"

Albert: "Yes, he'll be here soon."

After a few minutes, a sleek black car pulled up in front of them, its shiny surface reflecting the dim street lights. Arthur slowly stood, weighed down by his grief, as if his feet were guiding him unconsciously. His eyes were lost in emptiness, his mind still stuck on the final moments when he witnessed the deaths of his grandfather and grandmother.

They entered the car in gloomy silence. Albert settled in the front seat next to the driver, his eyes fixed on the road, his features stiff. Ram sat in the back next to Arthur, staring out the window with anticipation and caution, her eyes occasionally flickering towards him. The atmosphere inside the car was heavy, as if silence had become part of the unspoken dialogue. Arthur's sorrow overwhelmed everything, while Albert and Ram remained tense. The car moved quietly, and the only thing breaking the silence was the soft hum of the tires against the wet road.

They arrived at Steel Hotel, which loomed in front of them like an extravagant architectural masterpiece. Its gleaming glass façade reflected the city lights, while the massive marble columns added a sense of grandeur and elegance. After they exited the car, they made their way to the grand entrance of the hotel. The glass doors opened automatically with a silent grace. They crossed the luxurious lobby, their measured footsteps echoing softly on the polished marble floors. They headed towards the golden elevator, decorated with classical engravings, which silently took them to the top floor.

Inside the elevator, a quiet atmosphere prevailed, save for the faint hum of the old elevator machinery, which added a subtle sense of awe. Arthur, despite his outward calm, could feel his heartbeat quickening, while Ram and Albert stood beside him, neither speaking a word.

When the elevator reached the top floor, the doors opened to reveal a long hallway, dimly lit to enhance the feeling of isolation and waiting. The air was heavy, and the walls were adorned with wallpaper in shades of gold and dark purple, while the luxurious carpet beneath their feet softened the sound of their steps.

They proceeded slowly, Ram leading the way with Albert following behind, until they stopped in front of a heavy wooden door, marked with a brass plaque reading "1402."

Ram: "Alright, this is where we part ways."

Arthur: "Should... should I go in alone?"

Ram: "Yes, the Boss wants to see you alone."

Arthur took a deep breath, feeling the tension building in his chest. He tried to collect his scattered thoughts.

Arthur, in a soft voice: "Okay."

He reached for the doorknob, opening it quietly, the sound of the door's movement seeming to announce a grand entrance. He peeked his head through first, then confidently stepped inside the luxurious office, where the quietness held an air of anticipation. The towering walls were decorated with shelves of ancient books, their aura shrouded in mystery, while other walls displayed eerie, enigmatic paintings.

Behind the elegant desk, made of dark, polished wood, sat a woman with a commanding presence. Her silver-white hair flowed smoothly like strands of moonlight, and her her eyes were an ocean in themselves, a deep blue rippling with countless secrets, as if they held the vastness of the sea and its enigmatic depths, if they could pierce into the depths of anyone who met their gaze. A faint smile played on her lips, carrying a thousand secrets, as if to tell him she knew everything, even before he spoke a word.

"There are those who die a thousand times, and there are those who seek revenge... what's the difference between them?"

She spoke in a mysterious tone, as if opening an internal dialogue.

Arthur, shocked: "What?"

The Woman smiled gently, as if realizing she had spoken out of turn. "Oh, sorry, I said that without thinking."

Arthur felt the tension, but couldn't look away from those eyes. They held a strange mix of deep wisdom and cold cruelty. Her gaze pierced his thoughts. She stared at him for a moment before speaking with clear seriousness, filling the room with her energy.

Lorian: "Hello, Ethan. My name is Lorian... What do you think of working here?"

Arthur stumbled, still not fully comprehending what was happening.

Arthur: "E... Ethan? Work? ... What are you talking about?"

Lorian leaned forward, resting her elbows on the desk, her eyes never leaving Nott's.

Lorian: "I'm here to offer you an opportunity. A service in exchange for one condition."

Arthur found himself drawn to the woman before him, despite the hidden currents of anxiety rising inside him like waves crashing against ancient rocks. The silence weighed down the air around him, as if the world had stopped to listen to what would be said next. Everything inside him wanted to escape, but he knew he had to stay. Tension crept into every part of his body, but his eyes never left hers. He waited, as if she held the key to rearrange the chaos of his life.

Lorian speaks in a calm voice, but with the weight of a truth that cannot be escaped.

Lorian: "I will restore your lost memory."

The words strike his body like lightning, leaving an immediate impact he cannot overcome. A strange feeling overwhelms him, as though something ancient inside him has awoken from a long slumber. He can barely utter the word, but it escapes him in a faint, stunned voice.

Arthur: "My memory...?"

Lorian raises an eyebrow, and with deliberate coldness, she takes control of the situation confidently.

Lorian: "Yes, your true memory. You don't even know your real name, do you?"

Arthur steps back slightly, as if the words have slapped his face. His name? Everything he knew about himself, every identity he lived with, now crumbles before him like a house of cards. Confusion, curiosity, and despair fight inside him. Finally, he breaks the silence with a trembling voice.

Arthur: "My name is Arthur!"

Lorian smiles a cold smile, as if she expected this answer from the start.

Lorian: "No... that is not your real name."

Arthur's eyes widen, as if a deeper horror than anything he has ever faced appears before him.

Arthur: "W-what do you mean? "[ What are she talking about!?... How... how can everything I know about myself be wrong?!]"

His mind screams with questions racing mercilessly, spinning and colliding like a storm growing stronger with each moment. The chaos inside him is like an unending storm, and the glimpses of truth before him only bring deep fear, the fear of confronting what he has long tried to bury. But amidst this terror, a small part inside him pulses with determination.

He realizes that this moment is his only chance to unravel the mystery that has haunted him for years. His heart beats wildly, as if declaring rebellion against the lost calm, but his mind tries, even in vain, to hold onto the remaining threads of rationality. He tries to find balance, even if it's an illusion, amidst the overwhelming chaos.

He breathes slowly, his eyes briefly lowering to the ground as if searching for hidden courage. Then, he raises his head suddenly, and his voice breaks the silence, a mixture of subtle disturbance and overwhelming resolve.

Arthur: "... Alright... I agree."

His words carry not just acceptance of her offer, but a silent signature on a contract with the unknown. In that moment, he seems to have let go of all his fears, ready to face the truth, no matter how ugly it may be. One step forward, as if standing on the edge of an abyss, looking down not to fear the fall, but to long for it, for in the fall, a new birth may begin.

Arthur doesn't take a single step forward. He stays where he is, his eyes fixed on the ground as though balancing his thoughts. He takes a deep breath, the air heavy in his chest but steady as he exhales. Slowly, he raises his head, his gaze locking with hers, as if the words he's about to speak hold the key to the mystery surrounding them.

Arthur, in a serious tone, calm but with an undeniable weight: "Before we continue... there's something I cannot delay any longer."

The leader raises an eyebrow with curiosity, her glowing eyes shining with intense interest: "... Something like what?"

Her tone was neither mocking nor surprised; there was a deep sense that this was a moment as significant as anything she had built so far. Yet, there was an enigma in her smile, as if she knew what Arthur was going to say before he said it, but she was waiting to hear his words herself.

After a few moments, Arthur stood before two simple graves engraved with the names 'Oscar' and 'Emily,' their tombstones weathered, yet filled with the dignity granted by memories. The ground was covered with long, tangled grass, as if nature itself wanted to hide from him the harshness of reality. Above, the sky, overcast with dark clouds, seemed to reflect the weight of the sorrow in his heart. The cold breeze passed gently, like a final touch from his ancestors, whispering to him not to forget.

His memory sank into the depths of those moments he spent with them, the only two months in his life where he felt the true taste of safety. Oscar and Emily had represented the family that gave him unconditional love, the family that embraced his fear and comforted him in his darkest moments. He struggled to recall their warm smiles, the tender tone of their voices, and the longing that choked him every time he closed his eyes.

Arthur, in a low voice: "I know you deserved a better goodbye than this... but the world doesn't keep anything the same.

Oscar... Emily..."

He glanced around for a moment, as if the place expected something from him. Then, he bent slightly and placed his hand on the cold grass.

Arthur, with a voice full of contemplation and sadness: "That time was more than just passing moments for me. In those few months, I learned from you what cannot be taught in years. But more than anything... you gave me something I had lost a long time ago... a sense of belonging, a feeling that I am part of something bigger than myself... family."

The words came slowly, as if heavy on his heart, as though he was rediscovering the meaning of life itself. These moments in his life represented a turning point; when a person encounters what fills the void of their loneliness, it feels as though time stops for a moment to give back a part of the self that was lost.

He stood before the graves, alone in the dark silence. Lorian stood at a distance, far enough to let him speak freely, her eyes silently watching.

Arthur: "Thank you for being a part of my life... for the stories you told, the lessons you taught me. For every moment I spent with you."

Suddenly, Arthur began to cry. His tears fell slowly, heavy with meaning, more than just tears of farewell. He was crying for a part of himself that was lost, for those moments he believed would last forever, but the world had left nothing of them.

Arthur, with a sad smile through his tears: "I will miss you both so much..."

His words couldn't fully express his sorrow, but the silence that followed carried a deeper weight. The silence was more than just a moment of stillness; it was a heavy burden, carrying the weight of an eternal goodbye.

Arthur, muttering softly: "Even though it was only two months... it felt like years of my life... goodbye."

Then, after long moments, as if time itself had stopped to give him one last chance to hold onto that moment, Lorian's voice pierced the silence. Her steps were steady, but she approached him as though carrying a solution to a pain that refused to fade.

Her face held enigmatic features, but there was something else in her expression... decisiveness, as if she held the answer he had long been searching for. Her voice, though calm, carried something that reached deep into his soul, a question that held more than just a desire for an answer.

Lorian, in a soft voice: "Shall we go now?"

The question held only an indication that everything was moving toward the unknown. And Arthur had no clear answer, but he knew the road ahead would be more complicated than he imagined.

Arthur, as if suddenly returning to reality, stared at her with confusion.

Arthur, in a faint voice: "Where to?..."

Lorian smiled coldly, as if she had all the answers while he was drowning in his questions.

Lorian: "To the hotel. He must have arrived by now."

Steel Hotel – Inside Lorient's office

After a few moments, Arthur found himself in a strange office, inside one of the luxurious hotels that seemed to hide countless secrets behind their walls. The dim lighting cast long shadows over everything, adding a somber atmosphere filled with mystery, where only a few details around him were clearly visible. The air was heavy, charged with tension and anticipation, as if the place itself was aware that a pivotal moment was about to unfold.

The desk before him was cluttered with scattered papers and electronic devices strewn about, as if telling the story of someone who had been there before him...bor perhaps waiting for something significant.

On the other side of the room, Lorian stood before a massive window overlooking the quiet city outside. The distant city lights filtered through the buildings, casting faint shadows across her features, deepening her enigmatic presence. It was as if she wasn't just part of this place, but a part of the very shadows that surrounded her.

Lorian turned to Arthur, interrupting his thoughts with her firm and resolute voice.

Lorian: "Now. It's time to recover your memories."

Arthur, unable to hide his surprise: "But… how will you do that?"

Lorian, her tone unwavering: "Do you really think we would recruit you as just some ordinary boy who doesn't even know how to use his own power? We have someone here who can manipulate memories. His name is 'Remda.' He will help you retrieve everything."

At that moment, the door to the room slowly opened. Remda entered with measured, confident steps, exuding an unshakable calm, as if nothing in the world could surprise him. He wore a dark motorcycle helmet that concealed his face entirely.

His gaze, even through the helmet, passed over Arthur... cold, weighted with experiences and secrets, as if Remda had lived many lives within a single body. That stare carried the past, present, and future all at once. In that moment, Arthur felt the weight of the memories about to return to him... memories that could be as dark as they were essential to reclaiming his identity.

Without a word, Remda gently placed his hands on Arthur 's head, preparing to begin the process of memory restoration.

Suddenly, a powerful wave of memories surged through Arthur's mind, like an unstoppable flood, sweeping away every moment he had ever lived... each filled with joy and sorrow, loss and longing.

Emma… his mother… with her warm smile that had lit up his days, even in the darkest times.

Wilson… the man who was like a father to him, whose wisdom had guided him whenever he lost his way.

Rion… His brother and his spontaneous laughter and improvised words that breathed life into every moment.

Ryan… his loyal friend, the unwavering support who had never abandoned him.

Elory… the girl who had left a deep mark on his heart, a beautiful scar that would never fade.

The images danced before his eyes like ghosts of the past, each carrying a different emotion... a painful reminder of everything he had lost, and everything that still lived within him.

With his eyes shut, Arthur let his tears fall freely, without resistance. He wasn't just feeling sorrow... he was drowning in a profound human experience, where the emotions of loss and nostalgia intertwined like a sorrowful symphony echoing in the depths of his soul.

At that moment, he realized that his emotions weren't merely a reaction to loss; they were an echo of shared experiences, of living memories that transcended time. He was experiencing a state of self-awareness, where each tear carried the bitterness of separation, yet also brought with it a deep gratitude for every moment he had shared with his loved ones.

So instead of despair, he felt liberated from the chains of the past... as if every tear carved a promise onto his heart, a vow to keep going despite the pain.

Nott, his voice hushed: "Those… were difficult moments."

Slowly, he opened his eyes and met Lorian's gaze, as if every recovered memory had returned a missing piece of his fractured soul.

Nott, his voice quiet yet weighted: "…But thank you for bringing them back. I'll do what you asked… I already made you a promise."

His voice carried a determination to act and persevere, even though his heart still ached under the weight of the past.

Lorian, her joy evident: "Excellent. I'll send you all the instructions tomorrow. You can rest for now... it seems those memories were painful."

She handed him a key.

Lorian: "Here, this is the key to your apartment. You'll be staying there for the duration of your time here. The test begins in three days."

Nott, his voice quiet, burdened with pain: "Thank you."

Turning away, Nott left the office. His footsteps quickened slightly, despite his desperate attempt to mask the tension building inside his chest. His expression remained calm, but the heavy weight of his thoughts clung to him with every step, leaving an imprint on every word he had spoken.

Still Hotel - Inside the Apartment

Returning to his apartment after a long, exhausting day, it felt as though each step brought him closer to the shell he used to isolate himself from the world. Entering was like leaving a part of himself behind in the chaos he had carried throughout the day.

He headed to the bathroom, where the water cascaded over his body... an almost futile attempt to wash away the burdens of his days. Each droplet promised purification, but as it touched his skin and slipped away, it left behind wounds that could not be cleansed.

With every stream of water, the pain clung to him, as if it were an inseparable part of his being... a shadow he could never escape.

He stepped out of the bathroom, but the water that had touched his skin could not wash away the fog clouding his mind.

Even though he desperately needed cleansing, it seemed that this pain… would always remain with him in the dark.