Awaken

"Don't worry, I will always be here for you."

"I'm not going anywhere. We'll be alright."

"Everything is gonna be okay."

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry if I can't be with you."

"Don't cry."

"I'm so sorry—"

"Please forgive me."

"Thank you for being my friend…"

"I'm… sorry…"

"Hey, are you alright?"

"Hey, are you feeling alright?"

"Then, let me be that nobody."

"Izac!"

"Do you remember now?"

GASPS!

I woke up, heaving. That dream, those voices, they're…

I felt dejected after seeing those events again. The memories of the past. But who is that person telling me if I already remembered something?

I breathe slowly to calm myself down. I was able to regain my memories about my past when…

GASPS!!!

Is the boy alright? I can't remember a thing after I collapsed. Where am I?

As I slowly recovered my senses, I deliberately realize that I am laying on a bed, inside a hut, wearing different clothes. I see some thatched roofs, badly-made wooden furniture, and some firewoods.

I am in someone's house, I guess? But whom? Is the boy safe? Did he manage to escape the beast?

I hope he's safe. Then, I wondered.

How did I end up here?

It's quiet and peaceful. I then heard some footsteps from outside. That must be the owner of this hut.

Who could it be?

The owner appeared at the door, to my surprise, I gasped. It was the boy. I am so glad he's alright.

But how did we survived?

Did someone else came and saved us?

Or did he?

Or did I…

He's carrying firewoods on his shoulder when he comes in. As he enters the hut, he finally notices my recovery.

"Gasp! You're awake!" the boy exclaimed.

I cannot simply understand why he looks so happy seeing me.

"Hey, are you feeling alright?" he uttered with such a warm and caring voice.

I look at him, he has these serene expression of concern that keeps bothering me. Not only that, but his words also sounded like one of the voices I heard in my dream earlier.

"…I think so," I replied while checking myself if I have some sort of wound.

The boy then laid the firewoods which he collected in a pile and took a bowl.

"I'm really glad that you're finally awake."

What does he mean by that?

"How long was I've been asleep?"

My body feels weak. I think I've been sleeping all day since it's already late afternoon.

"You've been asleep for… almost seven months."

I didn't expect that.

I've been sleeping for seven months straight!

That long?

A made an expression of deep surprise.

"I didn't give up hoping you'll open your eyes again. I didn't lose hope because I want to say 'thank you' to the one who saved me," he uttered.

"Thank you!"

It was genuine. I couldn't believe that there would be someone who would be willing to look after a bedridden stranger for several months.

I was moved.

However, I am still confused about how we survive that beast. The last thing I remember; this boy possesses a fragment, the cloak. I don't understand the reason behind these fragments. All I know is I must find them and I have no clear idea why.

Remembering that thought makes my head hurt. After glancing at the cloak that day, I saw a glimpse of events. It's not clear but something's telling me that they weren't visions but a memory. A memory of the past that I have forgotten. Someone told me that I need to collect the essence imbued in each fragment to fully restore my memory. The only problem is I don't know how many or what the fragments are. The only way to find one is to glance at it. A surge of energy will trigger a part of my memory signaling that it is a fragment. And now, I found one.

The boy is pouring some kind of soup into the bowl and handed it over to me.

"Take this."

He seems like a nice person. As I get a closer look at him, I finally realize that he did look familiar. I stare, trying to recognize him but I still couldn't.

Do I know him?

"Is there something wrong?" he said as I realized that I made him feel uncomfortable.

"I'm so sorry!" I apologize as I look away and glances at the bowl. "It's just… you look very familiar. Have we met before?"

"I think, we haven't. I have never seen you before," he replied as he sat down on a wooden chair.

He is staring at his lap and smiled.

"I thought I would die back there. I really owe you my life."

"I never thought that someone would save me from danger. I really thought you'd abandon me just like the people I know. I am forever in your debt," he said with a serene smile.

"It's just the right thing to do. I know how it feels when you have no one. I don't understand it myself but I couldn't bear to watch someone suffering. I couldn't stand it."

I thought of it for a second when droplets of water fell from my eyes.

Why am I crying?

I felt intense grief and sorrow but I have no idea why. It feels like someone wronged me greatly.

"Bad memories?"

I look at him with tears in my eyes. He must have noticed my sudden expression of misery. I forced myself to stop weeping as he continues to gaze at me.

"It's hard to forget those bad memories of our past but we have to. 'Bad memories give us great lessons', well, that's what they say."

I look at him and see his eyes dejected.

"May I ask you something?"

"Yeah, what is it?"

"Where are we?"

"We're at Hayasaka mountain, near Hylos Village."

Why did I even ask?

I don't know any place at all.

"Where?" I muttered.

The name of the mountain sounds familiar though.

"It's a lot easier if you come with me and see it for yourself," he said with a smile. "Right after you regain your strength."

He then stands up and arranges the pile of wood and then halts when he remembered something.

"Oh shit! I almost forgot to introduce myself!" he exclaimed.

"I'm Alby," he introduced with a warm smile. "How about you? What's your name?"

"My name? I'm…"

I froze.

Who am I?

I don't know.

Do I have a name?

I don't know if I have a name.

Who am I?

I closed my eyes and forced my mind to remember something that could tell me my name or something. I tried but I got nothing.

"Izac!" I recalled.

But from when and who?

When did I hear that? Who said that?

It just came out of my mind. I think I've heard this from my dream earlier. Is it one of my missing memories? Or is it just my imagination?

It was said by an unknown voice, it's deep and husky.

Who are you?

What's the meaning of this?

Maybe I'll just…

"…I'm Izac?"

I sound uncertain.

I saw doubt in Alby's eyes. Maybe he finds it weird for someone who sounds like they are not sure about their name.

"Well, nice to meet you, Izac," he beamed. "In the meantime, you stay and rest. If you need anything, just call me. I'll be outside."

Alby then left the hut.

Izac? Was that really me? Was it really my name or someone else's? Why do I keep hearing voices? Who am I?

As time passes by, questions are starting to pile up and I have no idea how to deal with them. I look at the window beside me. It sure looks peaceful here. As I begin to notice the quiet and peaceful ambiance, is Alby living by himself? I see and hear no other people around. Why is he living all by himself?

I wonder.

As the sun sets and the twilight falls, I rise from the bed and decided to go outside. I'm still feeling weak but I wanted to see what the outside looks like. As I stepped out, I saw Alby near the fire, cooking something in the pot. I saw him stirring on whatever is inside of the pot using a ladle. I look beside and found a chopped tree trunk. I sit on it and look at Alby as he focuses on cooking.

It's a chilly night. I then gaze at the fire flickering on the hearth. I was enthralled by the blazing fire. As my eyes got locked on the beautiful combustion of heat, I am slowly losing the sense of my surroundings.

Why do I feel pleased?

The cracking sound produced by the burning wood sounds so soothing. I feel strange. It feels weird but I like it.

As I keep staring at it, a vision suddenly flashed into the lenses of my eyes. It's nearly similar to the vision I saw from that tree back then. But something feels off. I see a destructive fire devouring everything it touches. I see burning houses that are slowly turning into ashes. I hear never-ending cries. I see destruction. I see despair. As the ferocious fire continues to devour everything it touches, a figure immerges. Something came out from the fire. It isn't burning. It isn't harmed by the blazing heat.

What is that?

It's walking towards me. I am holding my breath in fright as I realize that it isn't a thing. It's a—

"You shouldn't be here. Just stay in bed and rest. I'll just bring you your dinner."

I suddenly lost track of the vision when Alby notices me sitting on the trunk.

"It's… it's okay. I'm all good now."

"Are you sure?" Alby ensured with concern in his eyes.

"Really, I'm okay now."

"If you say so."

That vision, was that real?

It looks real but I'm not sure. As Alby returned from cooking, unbearable cries were heard. It's getting louder and louder. The cries are making me lose my mind.

Ugh! It's driving me crazy.

I cower in fear and covered my ears but the voices, the cries, are still ringing. I let out a grunt of misery. I can't take this anymore. It's making me crazy.

Please stop! Someone, make it stop!

As the clamor died away, I realized I was no longer on the mountain top with Alby. I felt as if I were in another world. Slowly, I opened my eyes to see the destructive fire devouring everything—houses, trees, and people. Then, from a distance, a figure appeared inside a burning house. It's stepping out of a burning house as if the heat is nothing. It's walking towards me. I'm not sure what it is, but it's approaching me. I notice red glaring eyes staring at me. I covered my ears and closed my eyes, but I still feel its presence. It is displaying a presence of despair and chaos to me. I take a look around and notice two feet in front of me. I became terrified. I can feel the presence of death directly in front of me. Its heinous atrocity terrified me. I felt helpless as I witnessed the devil's incarnation. It may be small in size, but its terrifying aura can paralyze even the most valiant hero.

The mere presence of it caused me to feel fear and dismay. Despite its horrifying appearance, I can't take my eyes off it. I, too, am unable to move. It slowly inclines its head as I keep my gaze fixed on it. When our gazes met, I felt nothing but fear. Its eyes have the appearance of a demon staring at me. I began to shiver in fear. I'm heaving heavily in terror as it flashed me a grin, a grin that will frighten me and haunt me in my dreams for the rest of my life. This being in front of me appears to be a monster to me. I was startled to see the being reach out its hand to me. It appears to want me to follow it. When I looked at its hand, I noticed blood. I scream in terror as blood drips from its hands.

Did it kill someone? What does it want from me?

The being groaned and its reaching hand became a fist as I continued to stare in horror. It raises its hand and appears to be about to hit me. In terror, I wailed and closed my eyes. I felt a gentle tap on my right shoulder instead of a punch. I became perplexed and opened my eyes. There, I noticed Alby, who was concerned about me.

"Hey, it's me, it's only me. What happened? Are you okay?"

Perplexed as I was. I have no idea what just happened but I'm pretty sure it wasn't a dream.

"Hey, what happened?" Alby's voice calmed me down.

I glance at him but then look away.

"Come on, you can tell me. I'll listen."

He lends his hand to assist me to sit back on the trunk. I don't know if maybe I should tell him or not.

What if he'll not believe me? What if he'll laugh at me? What if he'll say I'm crazy?

I just don't know.

"Well, I will not force you to tell but remember this, if you need someone to talk to, I will be here for you."

I felt relief. I want to tell him everything but I don't think now is a good time.

"Thank you, Alby."

He gave me a blank expression and then he suddenly showed me a smile.

"But are you really sure you're alright now?" he asked once again.

"Maybe?"

"Just don't overdo yourself, alright?"

He then went back to cooking and tasted the food. I saw a satisfied expression after he tasted whatever he is cooking.

"Hey, what are you cooking?"

He looks at me excitedly and answered, "I'm making stew."

I have no idea what it is but I think it's delicious.

"Oh, I see."

I received an expression of wonder written on Alby's face. I have limited knowledge about life. I only know common things.

"Is this your first time having stew?"

"…yeah, I think so?" I replied.

He made a blank expression again. He looks down and puts the ladle back in the pot. He stood up and went to me. He put his hands on my shoulder and took a deep breath.

"WHY YOU DIDN'T SAY SO?"

He looks mad and partly hurt

"Huh?"

It is the only thing I'd mumbled.

"I should have put more effort into this. You should have told me so that I could make this extra special."

I'm confused.

"No, no, it's okay. I'm okay just eating anything. I'm not picky."

Alby groaned.

"Now, I want you to sit at the table and wait for me. I'll prepare everything. I promise to make this special because it is your first time."

He looks excited. As I waited for him to finish the preparation, I remembered the vision again. It's still bothering me and I am pretty sure it will haunt me in my dreams.

"Here you go." Alby placed a bowl of stew in front of me, erasing my thought of that vision, as he sat across. "You can take your time."

He looks excited.

My nose is drawn to the aroma of the stew. It has a pleasant and delectable aroma. This appears to be promising. I scoop the stew with my wooden spoon. It looks delicious, and the smell alone has me drooling. I took my first taste slowly, and it surprised me.

"So, how was it?" Alby asked.

He looks nervous.

"Are you a god or something? Because this is super delicious."

Alby's face lit up in joy. I immediately dig in and continued to consume everything.

"I am confident about my cooking skills but hearing someone saying that it's actually good is refreshing," he bragged.

He certainly deserved all of the praise and compliments. I keep noticing this chewy and tender chunk of vegetables as I chew my food.

I wonder what it is.

"Hey, Alby! What is this chewy vegetable? It tastes different."

Alby stopped eating and gave me a confused look.

"Do you mean the venison?"

"Venison?"

"Yeah, it's meat. Deer meat."

"Deer?"

"You know, those brown animals that eat grass and have big antlers on its head."

"Oh, so that's a deer," I replied as I finally pictured it out.

"They can be eaten?" I exclaimed in realization.

Alby nodded, continuing to eat his portion. He appears to be amused by my naiveté. I can't say I blame him. I'm practically clueless about what this world has to offer.

"How fascinating," I mumbled in astonishment. "Can we cook other animals too?"

"Yeah."

"Is that so? Um? How about that beast from back then, can we also eat that?" I inquired in curiosity.

"I ain't sure but maybe?" Alby sounds uncertain.

"How about birds?" I continued.

"Yeah, we can eat them too. Chicken, ducks… you name it all."

Alby entertained all of my questions as if he were a teacher teaching his student the fundamentals.

"So, in general, we can cook and eat any animal?" I surmised.

"Yes, as long as it was caught alive, edible, and not poisonous."

It was a new experience for me. I had no idea we could cook them and have them taste this good.

But, in that context, does that imply that we can eat almost anything that moves?

I'm curious.

"You're impeccably naive, Izac." Alby chuckled. "You're not used to this, aren't you?"

"I guess you're right," I chortled from his observation. "It's just I have a lot of things that I had never experienced. Having a meal with someone is also new to me. And learning that we can eat things like this is already a bonus," I let out a chuckle. "I'm learning a lot."

This was the first night that I never felt alone.

But how long will it last?