Memory

I had this dream. Well, I say dream, but it is more akin to a memory than a dream. I was lying in a field of hydrangeas, soaking in the warmth of the mid-afternoon sun.

"Hello," I heard a voice say. This person's voice was beautiful, soft and warm like the sun. I opened my eyes and saw the most beautiful girl ever. Her eyes were a soft blue hue. Her hair a river of gold and skin pale almost ghost-like.

"W-who…?" I stuttered.

The girl smiled and I felt my heart tighten.

"…"

Her mouth moved and she said something. But I don't remember what she said. What is it that she said?

"Hey, Haruki. Are you awake?"

"…"

"Hmm. Are you asleep?"

"…"

"I wonder…"

I don't know why I didn't open my eyes yet. Maybe I just want to tease Elisabeth a bit. She gets on my bed and leans closer to me. My heart races as I feel her breath on my skin. She gets ever so closer. I slowly open my eyes but to my surprise, I don't see anyone. Was I imagining her here?

"So, you were awake," she says.

"Elisabeth?" I say. I can hear her voice, but I can't see her. "Where are you?"

"You like my little trick?" she says, appearing from thin air.

"Is this your magic?"

She walks to me and leans closer to my ear. "Don't ask about my magic," she whispers. She moves away from my ear and stares into my eyes with void-like pupils. "Do you understand?"

I nod my head. Elisabeth is sweet, however, there are times when she can be frightening. Reminds me of L… It happened again. I attempt to recall something but it disappears from my mind and tongue the moment I do.

"Good." She presses her hands together and says, "I know. Let's go on a date."

"A date?"

"Yes, a date." She gets up from my bed and walks to the door. "It's been a while since I've had some fun," she giggles.

Time passes as I wait for Elisabeth in front of the church. It's just a date but my heart is racing. The last time I was on a date, I… I… What did I do? Wait, date? Was I ever on a date before?

"Haruki!!" I hear her shout from a distance.

"Elis…" I become speechless. She's beautiful. The well-tailored red dress compliments her vampire-like skin. My heart tightens as she stares at me.

"Are you ok?"

"No, I'm fine. I was just entranced."

"Hmm, is that so." She grabs me by the arm and says, "Let's go. Every second counts."

This is the second day of my being in the Holy City. At first, I thought the city would be filled with religious fanatics, considering my prior run-ins with Illuminati members. However, the people are living normally. There are anti-religious factions, worshippers of different religions and citizens who do not care for religion at all. It's like every other city. "Pretty diverse."

"Yes, we are," she replies.

A cold chill runs down my spine. I look at Louisa, who's tightened her grip around my arm. "Was I not supposed to say that?"

She looks at me and laughs. "You look like a puppy that did something bad. No," she says shaking her head, "You didn't say anything bad. I was just reminiscing."

I stop and stare down at the ground. She walks for a bit before she turns around and notices that I stopped.

"What's wrong, Haruki?" she asks me.

I walk to her. Our bodies nearly one. "There is no distance between us. We are near yet so far."

"What do you…?"

"No, let me finish. I want to know you. I want to experience what you've experienced. Will you tell me… your story?"

"My… story?"

She backs away slightly. Did I go too far? "No, forget what I just…"

"Ok."

I look at her, surprised. She stares into my eyes with determination. "Are you sure?"

"My past is something you want to know about, right? If that is all, I'll tell you. However…"

"However?"

"I cannot tell you right now. I'll need to prepare myself first."

Is her past really so dark that she needs preparation? "Ok," I say. "Take all the time you need."

"Thank you, Haruki," she says and hugs me.

Our date continues until the day's end.

"This city really is beautiful. The streets are clean, the citizens are law-abiding. It all seems so… perfect," I say.

"Yes, it is too perfect," she responds.

"Too perfect? How is this too perfect? You created a city safer than any other. And because you are powerful, no one would dare to attack this city."

"Haruki, there are some people in this world who are more powerful than I am. And if these people attack this town, I'm afraid I won't have enough strength to protect it."

"If you don't have enough strength, then use mine. I am the strongest. With my help, we will be unstoppable."

She smiles. "I guess you're…"

An ear-deafening roar echoes throughout the town. The citizens all faint from the magical pressure. "This scent… It can't be…"

"What is it, Haruki?"

I look up into the sky. "It's a dragon," I say.

"How is that possible? I thought dragons never leave Ragnarök. How is a dragon here?"

"This scent is from a young dragon. About ten years of age."

"Ten years?"

"Yes, sometimes a young dragon will appear in Ragnarök that wants to illegally leave the realm to cause a ruckus in other realms. It rarely happens, though. The only way to stop them from causing a ruckus is by beating them into submission. Usually, a strike force will be detached to retrieve the dragon. However, this dragon appeared too close to live humans. It can kill thousands before the strike team retrieves it." I turn to Elisabeth and say, "Let me handle this."

She shakes her head, "No, I believe those two are enough."

"Those two?" I ask her.

"Listen."

I look at the outer walls of the city. Standing, atop the walls, I see two small boys—"Emihiko and Yukio?"

"Let's go Yukio," he says.

"Mmm."

The battle between the two boys and the dragon lasted a few minutes. The boys completely dominated the battle, despite the dragon having powerful spatial magic. Yukio's control over ice magic and Emihiko's wind magic make them a powerful duo. I've never seen such perfect teamwork before.

After their battle, Elisabeth and I make our way to Yukio and Emihiko. "Yukio and Emihiko are my strongest fighters," says Elisabeth. "Together, they are unbeatable."

"We are not deserving of such flattery, Lady Elisabeth," says Emihiko, smug. Yukio knocks him over the head and bows in front of Elisabeth as if to offer his thanks for the compliments.

"No need for any thanks, Yukio."

"Hey, Yukio!! Why'd you have to go and hit me!?"

Elisabeth laughs. "You brothers are so close, aren't you?"

"As if!!" he shouts.

"Now, let's see." Elisabeth walks towards the dragon's head and places her hand on his head.

"What are you doing?" I ask her.

"Well, aren't you curious? If you have to know, I guess you could say I'm returning a gift from an acquaintance."

"A gift? What do you mean?"

"Just a little joke. Nothing you have to stress yourself about."

"Elisabeth!" She looks at me with fright-filled eyes. "This dragon is still young. He has a bright future ahead of him. As long as you don't harm this young one, I will play your words off as a joke. Do you understand?"

 "I understand, Haruki."

I don't know why, but I was suddenly filled with a rage I hadn't felt in years. The last time I felt this angry was when I… No, wait, when was the last time I felt this angry? I grab hold of my head. It starts pounding. "Aarrgghh… AAHHH…"

"Hey, Haruki… Are you…"

Elisabeth's voice becomes faint. What is happening to me? It feels like a battle is raging on in my head. Two names appear in my mind: Selina and Niklaus. Who are they?

*************************

"Haruki… are you awake?"

I open my eyes. It's that small girl again. "Is this a dream?" I ask her.

"A dream?" She shakes her head. "I won't tell you, 'cause I want you to figure it out."

"I'm a five-year-old right now, so my guess is still that this is a dream." She crosses her arms to form an X. "Then what is this? Where am I?"

"Hmm, can the strongest being not even figure out where they are?"

Is she… mocking me? "And what if the strongest being can't figure out where he is? It would be great if you helped me out instead of just sitting there looking pretty."

"Aww, you called me pretty. Are you perhaps in love with me? Sorry, but I'm already taken."

"I never called you pretty!! Sigh, Why are you smiling?"

"Because, you're finally getting closer to me, darling… I… mon… ind… me…"

What? What did she say? The mon? What is that?

**************************

"Haru…"

Hmm, this voice.

"Haruki…"

It sounds familiar.

"Haruki, are you awake?"

"Louisa?"

"Louisa? No, it's Elisabeth. Do you remember me?"

"Elisabeth?" Ah, right. After the twins defeated the dragon, I fainted. Why did I call out for Louisa? Do I still care for her? No, impossible. She tried to kill me. She deserves a life worse than death. Yes, let's not forget why you came here with… with… "Niklaus? Selina? Where are Niklaus and Selina?" I ask her.

"Niklaus? Selina? Who are they, Haruki?" she asks me.

"They are my… They are my… What are they of mine? Who was I talking about? What happened after I fainted?"

"A group of three dragons came to retrieve the younger dragon," she says. "They apologized for the dragon's behaviour and thanked us for not harming it."

So, she didn't harm him. Good.

"Are you ok, Haruki? You were sleep talking."

"Sleep talking? What did I say?"

"Something about not calling someone pretty. I couldn't quite make out the rest."

"Not calling someone pretty, you say." I chuckle at the sheer stupidity of a conversation following such a discussion. But then it hit me. Like a gust of wind blowing away the fog hazing my mind. I remember now. Selina. Niklaus. I came here with both of them. But why did I forget? No, more importantly, where are they right now?

"Haruki? You look pale."

This woman… She did this. It's her magic—I know it. But if she altered my memories for two days, then she's more dangerous than I thought. "No," I say, smiling, "I'm good. Just tired, is all." I must tread carefully. Without information, I might just be on the receiving end of a one-sided battle.