Secret Message
"…please protect it until I return!"
"I will. And I promise that I will find you, Izac!"
Gasp!
Another weird dream.
It is an algid and peaceful morning here in the forest. Bushes are rustling in response to the breeze of wind. Sunshine gently touches my skin as I felt the warmth it gives. Despite meandering towards a destination I am not certain of, having this kind of morning where the first thing my eyes see is the beautiful trees and the soothing sound of nature, is priceless.
I sigh in relief as I have an assurance that I'll be safe for now from the snares of corrupt beings.
This is the life I ever wanted. A life with no suffering, completely alone and free. I took one deep breath as I savor the freedom I ever wanted.
Thinking about freedom reminded me of Euro's dream of traveling to the south. Euro wanted to be free and travel all over the world but fate dictates that he'll never experience that. And that is why I decided to change it. I manage to save them and I hope that they're fine now. If ever I have the chance to see them again, I would show them my gratitude for letting me perceive the world differently from what I know.
My old friends died because it was too late when I realize it but now, I know who I must protect.
Protect those who are righteous and pure.
Those people who considered me as their friend, people I met before I met Euro, they died in vain. I once loathe them after they left me alone in this nightmare. I once hated them because they didn't keep their promises of staying with me. All I did was hate them because of the regret I felt for not doing anything for them. They made me feel like I am not alone in this world yet I didn't value it because of fear. I regret not fighting for the one I care about.
I don't have the right to hate those people. I am the one who must be hated.
I am useless.
I am worthless.
I am not a good friend.
I am sorry.
I always blamed them for feeling the pain yet I haven't considered my actions. They died because I didn't do anything. They left me because I let them.
If only I could turn back the time to make things right. If only I have that kind of power.
You all died because of me.
I hope you can forgive me.
With all of this regret and pain, a familiar voice resounded within my mind which brought me back to reality. It was the voice of someone familiar, someone I knew, someone I failed to protect.
"Then, let me be that nobody."
It caused me a great wonder on who might that be. I felt great ease in my heart which puzzled me greatly.
Who is this person?
I want to know! I want to know who you are!
I feel like it is someone I knew. It was the same voice I heard right after coming back to life.
I want to know who you are.
I am thirsty, hungry, and weak.
I don't know where I am. I've been walking for weeks after the day I came back to life. I stopped and slept under a tree last night after seeing brilliance from a distance. I think it's the place where that glowing tree told me to go. Going north led me into this place.
I stood up and resumed walking. I followed the road that was made out of hardened rock. It is something I have never seen in my whole life.
What is this stuff?
How did they make this?
As I got closer to the place with massive rock-like structures, I saw a sign above an arc. It looks like it's welcoming everyone who'll enter. I can understand the texts on the sign.
As far as I could remember, I've learned how to speak and read the human language a very long time ago. I can learn different dialects and languages in an instant by reading people's minds.
I can read the mind of anyone. It might sound awesome but it's the scariest thing I can do. The human mind is a complex organ. It requires high mental stability to read it. It's a dangerous and deadly ability if I'm not careful. The last time I read someone's mind, it nearly killed me. The worst part was, the person died.
It happened after 'those' people took me away from that merchant who first found me on the mountain. I discovered this ability by accident and because of that, I killed the first person that triggered it. This ability was acquired when that person locked up my first and only friend at that time in the basement and had no means of freeing her. I was desperate to free my friend and wanted to know where the key was hidden and that triggered the awakening of my mind-reading ability. That person that died because of the skill was my first master. My friend also died because the key was never been found.
After gaining the skill, I was able to fully learn the language they all used to speak. I can even read because of that. I wasn't able to fully understand what my friend was speaking about before she was locked up. I also had no idea what the merchant was saying to me right after our first meeting. Despite not understanding the words they say, I can somewhat decipher some of their words like when they asked me what my name was because they sometimes use hand gestures for me to understand. It was also the reason why I do not know the merchant's name. The first time I met my first friend, she kept talking nonstop though she already knows that I couldn't understand her completely. All I know is she was friendly towards me.
However, I collapsed and was unconscious for three days because of the awakening of that ability. That was the first time I fully and finally understand the words of my friend and it was the first time a promise was broken.
"Don't worry, I will always be here for you."
These were her last words before she was locked up and die due to starvation. I wasn't aware at that time that she promised me that and now I am fully aware of it. I was already having terrible nightmares at that time after she was taken away by the master. My condition worsen after I woke up three days later. I was expecting her to be on my side after understanding her words but she wasn't there. She wasn't there because she had already passed on. After all, nobody remembered that she was locked up in the basement, I was the only one who knows.
I was so selfish at that time because I ended up hating her for leaving me. I keep recalling every story she told me back when I can't understand a thing she says. She was telling me everything she wanted to do in life if she was set free. It stings my heart every time I remember those hopes and dreams of every friend who told me their wishes that are no longer possible.
I tried recalling the words back then of the merchant but I can no longer remember it because my second life has a nine-year duration. That means, I became a slave for almost nine years. At that time I was still with Euro, it was nine years ago when that merchant first found me.
My mind-reading ability is a dangerous ability that forced me to seal it deep within me. I will never use it again.
I look at the sign and read it, "Welcome to Morr Empire!"
Upon entering, I received glares and disgusted stares. I think it's because of what I'm wearing. The glowing tree told me that I'll be wearing the clothes I wore from my recent life. As far as I could remember, these aren't the clothes I wore from my past life.
And come to think of it, I'm not wearing the cloak Euro gave to me. How come?
Oh, yeah. I remember now. Euro was from the second life and this would be my sixth. I wonder how many years have passed since the day I saved Euro and the girls?
It's a good thing I was able to retrieve that memory or else I would have started from scratch again. The second life was nothing special nor an important memory. But without it, I'll never meet Euro and discover a clue. A clue that might help me find what I'm looking for. A clue about the location of the Glowing Tree.
"A body of water that holds the gate where all the answers are found."
I've been thinking, what body of water does it mean?
I've been staring and looking at ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams that I walk past. I even stare and bath at it just to see if something might happen but there was none.
I have a hunch that it's something else.
As I ignored all the stares of disgust of all the people around who saw me, the rain begins to pour down.
I gaze upon the sky, and muttered, "Just thinking solely about water resulted in a rain."
I need to address this problem as soon as possible before anything bad happens.
I look for shelter but I think it's a bad idea to go near these people to take shelter. I stroll around, trying to find a place to stay.
I found a shed.
I crouch down and waited for the rain to stop. I can immediately stop the rain with a flick of a finger but I don't feel like doing it. I leaned my head at the wall with my eyes shut. I lowered and covered my head with my arms and legs and tried to sleep.
Despite having the ability to control the weather and do other stuff that is not normal for an ordinary human, I still feel cold, heat, and pain.
An hour later, the rain stops pouring. A little girl approaches me while riding a two-wheeled pedaling vehicle. I looked at her. She gave me a heartwarming and innocent smile that moved me.
I smiled back at her knowing that she is not there to make fun of me. I know because I can see her life force.
Acquiring such an ability able me to know who to trust. I manage to acquire this ability unintentionally in my second life right before saving Euro and the girls. Seeing the aurae of people helps me perceive their nature. Being in the forest alone also gave me a great time to learn new things that may be able to help me look for my missing fragments.
The little girl then grabs something on her bike and handed it to me.
"I thought you might be hungry so I brought you an apple, bread, water, and some clothes that you can wear," the little girl said as she handed them to me.
"Thank you," I replied as I accepted the food and clothes, a little hesitant.
"You should change first or else you'll catch a cold," she told me.
I immediately went to the back of the shed and changed my dirty and wet clothes with warm and dry clothes the little girl handed me.
"Is the size okay?"
"It fits perfectly. Thank you!"
I thought of giving her a gift. I thought of giving her a beautiful flower as payback for her kindness because that's how this world works. I used my ability to grow the most beautiful flower I've ever seen, the Glowing Tree's flower.
Within a blink of an eye, a flower bud sprouted and bloomed beautifully just like the Glowing Tree's flower.
I returned to her and give her the gorgeous flower.
"Wow! What a beautiful flower. I've never seen a flower as beautiful as this!" she exclaimed in amazement. "Is this for me?"
"Yes. I'm sorry if I could only give you a flower," I said.
"It's more than enough, big brother!"
I was shocked by what she used to address me. I've never been called a brother before. I was moved by what she said. I never dreamed of hearing those words. It touched me.
"It's so pretty! I've never seen such a pretty flower that glows. Its petals look like they have tiny stars glued on it."
I then placed the flower on her hair.
"You look pretty!" I complimented.
The little girl giggles.
"I'm Aurelia Marice. I'm 8 years old. How about you?" she introduced.
"I'm Izac."
"I want to stay for a bit longer but I got to leave now. My mom might be worried," she said.
"Oh, okay. Thanks, Aurelia for being kind to me."
"Bye, Izac! I hope we meet again," she said as she rides her bike and left.
I was left alone again under this shed. It's near afternoon when I continue wandering the streets.
I have no idea where I am. All I know is, Morr Empire is what this place is called. I should have asked Aurelia for some information.
But even if I did, what questions should I ask?
Not to mention, she's still a little girl. She might not be able to answer well all of my questions.
Sigh!
I keep wandering, trying to look for something that might help me. As I roam around, I found a park and went in there.
I look at the gate of the park and saw a sign.
"City Plaza!" I mumbled. "Plaza?"
I cautiously look around whether there are people in my surroundings. I don't want to be near anybody. As I secure that there were no people around, I entered the plaza.
It was an empty area.
I amble around as I discover something peculiar from a distance. I found a glass table at the center of the plaza. I was flabbergasted because a part of the table's surface was installed slightly elevated than the other.
"Why is there a table in the middle of a plaza?"
I then touch the surface of the table.
Whoa! What a fine texture!
A few moments later, the upper part of the table started to blink a blue light and later on glows brightly.
What is happening?
Why is it glowing?
Did I break it?
"Good Day. Hi, I'm T12. How may I help you today," the table greeted.
"How did something with no life speak?" I uttered in consternation.
"Sorry, it seems that I do not understand your query. Could you please rephrase it?" T12 asked.
"Um… what kind of creature are you?"
"I am an advanced artificial intelligence or AI that was built to answer any questions you have. I can answer any questions based on my logical programming and code. I can also be a search engine if you want to browse the Internet. I am one of the 12 advanced AI installed all around the city which has a mission to help every people to solve the things that trouble them or with their problems. We were developed by the greatest software engineer, Natasha Raynold," T12 elucidated.
This talking glass table is amazing.
"What kind of power or magic are you using?"
"I am powered by electrical energy," T12 answered.
"Do you wish to continue using my service or you are already satisfied with the answer you've got?" T12 inquired.
I was startled by what it stated all of a sudden. I need this table to help me.
"I still need you T12, don't go just yet," I begged.
"Okay, what do you want to know more?"
"I don't know. I have no idea what am I gonna do. I have a lot of questions in my mind. I don't know who I am. I don't even know if I can still endure this. I just… I just don't know what to do."
I have no idea what question I should ask. This table might be the answer to my problems yet I still not able to utter these things that keep bothering me.
"Have you tried seeking help?"
First, I laughed with bitterness.
Help?
Ask for help?
Upon entering this place, I saw disgust and glares from people around me. How could I ask for help?
"Help? I don't think someone would help me. When I first got here, people stared at me and I can feel that they are disgusted. Nobody would help me. I only have myself."
I have no hope of finding a person that is willing to help me.
"Yes, they might not help you. But not all humans are the same. Indeed, there would be people who would never give a hand to you but there are also people who will open their doors for you. You just need to find them but remember, never abuse their generosity."
As I listened to its words, I remembered Aurelia which made a slight change in my perception.
"T12, you are really a helpful artifi… whatever you are called. Thank you! But, I still don't know what to do or where to go."
"I doubt that people here would help you. There is a huge probability, about 87.3%, that citizens of the Morr Empire wouldn't help you at all based on moral and ethical ratings."
The accuracy.
"T12, is there someone you know who can help me?"
T12 went silent for a moment as it analyzed my question.
"Please state what kind of help do you seek?"
What kind of help? What is T12 referring to?
"Um… I'm looking for something."
T12 went silent again.
"If you lost something, you can always call the Lost and Found—"
"No! It's not like that! I'm actually looking for a place."
T12 went silent again.
"Can you state the name of the place you're looking for?"
I have no idea.
"Um… the thing is, I do not know what the place is called."
"Can you describe the place? I have software that can identify anything based on the description given. May you describe the place you are looking for?"
This table can really answer my problems. I must use it to its full extent.
"I do not know T12. I've never been into this place."
"If that's the case, I cannot answer your question. Do you have any more queries?"
Describe the place?
How can I describe a place that I've never seen or knew?
All I have is…
With that, I remembered the clue Euro told me.
"T12, I really do not know what I'm really looking for. But a friend of mine told me something about the place."
I felt blue recalling the memory.
"My friend risk his life retrieving this clue for me. He discovered this clue on a piece of paper hidden by my ex-master. The writings stated: A body of water that holds the gate where all the answers are found. Flowing continuously and endlessly. A massive river, friend nor foe. Water of life, known for calmness and destruction. Enthralling beauty, depth deeper than a mountain, endless horizon. Warm and shallow, cold and deep. Celestial Entity, Mother of Earth, Tree of Life, Primordial wisdom, Child of the Creator, Mother of the Chosen, all will be answered."
"Perhaps, you can help me now with that?"
T12 suddenly stop responding and I think it lost its power. I might have broken it.
I waited for a couple of minutes more for a response when T12 came back.
"T12 what happened?" I asked.
"Terms accepted. Initializing confirmation."
Huh?
What is T12 saying?
A sudden flash of green light scanned my whole body. I absolutely have no idea what's happening.
"Subject confirmed. Initiating data transfer."
With that, swirling dots appeared on the surface of the table.
"Transfer complete."
Everything doesn't make any sense.
"Radio communication interference initiated!"
After I heard those words, I heard complaints around me.
"Hey, what's happening? What's gotten into you?"
I waited for T12's response. It took a while before I finally got a reply.
"Project Reminiscence activated," T12 said as an unusual symbol appeared on its surface.
It looks like a letter 'P' and 'R' combined.
Is T12 broken?
What is T12 saying?
It's making me anxious. Should I leave now while nobody knows that I broke T12?
I thought T12 can give me clues but I thought wrong.
I was completely disappointed not until I heard T12 saying, "Welcome back, Izac!"