Don't forget

Antares was a small village near the pole; therefore, it was frigid most of the time. It was claimed that the mythical war in Fenoira was the cause of Lumpus's division into various minor states. In addition, Antares was colder than the mist island, which was typically shrouded in fog, because it was close to the polar area. Being from the Land of Fire, Alaric and Hermes struggled a little to adapt to the constant cold. Snow fell in Fenoira, but it only lasted a month, and they spent the majority of their time inside the warm castle. However, residing in a tiny cabin with multiple blankets was enough to keep them warm but not comfortable. Upon arrival in the kingdom of Antares, Alaric and Hermes were greeted by a strange-looking guy with an enlarged stomach that was effectively concealed by the layers of clothing, giving the impression that he was pregnant. It was his brother Rufus that Amalia's father was referring about. Amalia's father, Ralf, introduced Alaric and Hermes to Rufus, and since they had nowhere to go, Rufus offered them jobs building ships with him. They even assisted Hermes and Alaric in finding a suitable residence.

Since that time, Alaric has resumed using Mikael as his assumed name. In Antares' alleyways, they had both made their identities widely known, and everything was proceeding as they had anticipated. After four years, they were beginning to feel at home in Antares. Since it had been years, Alaric had started to forget things. He almost lost sight of the reason he had come to Antares in the first place because he was so at ease in his new life. He gave all of his affection to Amalia, whom he had met on the voyage, and cherished her like his own daughter. His mental picture of what his daughter must have looked like slowly gave way to Amalia. All he could recall was the name of his daughter, Aura. Alaric was progressively adopting Mikael and displacing Alaric, and Hermes had no idea what was going on with his pal. In a year or two, Hermes feared, Alaric would forget everything. Even though Hermes forced him to see the doctors and healers, it had no effect.

"The condition of your friend Mikael is deteriorating, Mr. Hermes. The fact that he is separated from his family, as well as the horrific events that occurred with both of you, have made him unwell. This ailment is referred to be "personality overpowering". His mind is convincing him that Amalia is his daughter because he left his daughter Aura when she was just a baby, and he is gradually beginning to imagine that he has a family here. I'm concerned that if things continue as they are, he will forget everything and grow accustomed to his current way of life. It would be best if you returned home with him quickly."

Alaric was living his finest life as Mikael, and Hermes had not seen him this content in a long time. On the other hand, Alaric was forgetting everything, including his family, whom he had sworn to protect, and his daughter, for whom this journey had begun.

"What did the healer say, Uncle Hermes?" As soon as Hermes exited the healer's cabin, Amalia questioned. She had requested to accompany Alaric and Hermes since she was concerned. "Uncle Mikael is Okay, right?" After the healer had examined Mikael, Hermes had left to speak with him as Mikael and Amalia waited outside.

"It was just a little fever." Amalia looked at Alaric, who had been waiting in the cart out of tiredness, and exhaled a sigh of relief.

"Let's head home. Mother had made porridge for everyone."

"Let's leave."

Hermes observed Amalia on their trip home making sure Alaric drank water to stay hydrated and talking to her made Alaric feel light. Since they first met her on the cruise, she had constantly been near them, and they enjoyed her upbeat company. They had moved in for the past four years not far from Rufus's house, where Amalia now resided. As a result of the regular visits, it was natural that Alaric thought of Amalia as his own daughter.

"Mother, we have returned." As soon as they arrived at their house, she shouted and leaped from the cart to sprint for the door.

"It's good timing that the porridge is ready; take a seat, please; Rufus and Amalia's father will be here shortly." Amalia assisted her mother in setting the plates on the table. After washing their hands, Alaric and Hermes sat down at the wooden table. A short while later, Ralf and Rufus both showed in with some side dishes. It felt like one huge joyful family, just like it appeared to be. Amalia was a kind girl who always went out of her way to help others. She was also a talker, making her easy to get along with. She ladled the porridge into each bowl and served it with roasted squid.

"Maybe it would be better if Alaric stayed in the role of Mikael, and who knows whether they are still looking for the king, perhaps they had forgotten him as well,". Hermes' internal monologue was so loud that he was unable to hear what anyone else was saying. "Aura will have forgotten him, and Ezekiel must have ascended to the throne. Alaric has never appeared this content and pleased, so perhaps he is content with this small family." Alaric and Amalia were conversing as if they were father and daughter, and he was gazing at her with such love. Perhaps this was Alaric's fate, and he should not return.

What did the healer say, Mikael? Rufus enquired.

"Just a regular fever; he is doing fine." Hermes replied when Alaric looked at him.

"I believe it would be best for you to relax for a day. What do you say?" said Ralf. "Myself and Hermes will cover your shift."

"No, no, I'm really fine,"

"You should take some time to recover, Uncle Mikael, because Father rarely agrees to work more shifts." Everyone laughed in response to Amalia's remark. Alaric agreed and nodded his head. It nearly had the feel of a lovely dream because the atmosphere was happier and lighter. And Hermes wished for the dream to continue. He wished to remain here and live his life as a normal human, rather than the assassin he is or was. Instead of wanting it for Alaric, he wanted it for himself. Rufus, Ralf, and Hermes left for work after lunch, and Mikael returned to the cottage he and Hermes shared.

Mikael was aimlessly pacing around his cramped space, searching in vain for the comfort he so desperately needed. He couldn't put his finger on what was going through his head constantly. All he could see was a hazy image; his thoughts were rushing rapidly in a direction he couldn't remember. He had a daughter and a wife, but where were they and was the rest of his family, or was he just imagining things? No, Hermes always called him Alaric when they were alone, so he was aware of his name. In his imagination, he could see his wife Diona. But why did he travel to Antares? What had enticed him to leave his family? It was almost evening when he finally got out of bed while still being unable to fall asleep. "Why am I restless when I spent the entire day sitting down?" The sky was ablaze with orange hues, and it was about time Hermes returned from work.

Knock.

"Hermes, I need you to do something." Alaric got up from his seat, convinced it was Hermes, but as he did so, a little head peered through the door as it creaked open.

"Hello, Uncle! Mom sent some meals your way because you were ill, and Uncle Hermes would be back shortly." Amalia entered with a bowl in hand. Alaric was standing speechless as she set the bowl on the small table that was situated between the two beds. "Uncle Mikael, are you all, right?" She softly asked.

"Oh, absolutely, I'm fine, I assure you." To avoid the embarrassment, he looked around. "And I appreciate the meal," He laughed apprehensively.

"Well, uncle, I had a question for you." Alaric observed her and watched as she asked whatever questions she felt like asking. "You never told us about your family or that of Uncle Hermes." For a brief moment, Alaric didn't reply. "I didn't mean it that way; I was just wondering." Amalia fiddled around with her hands.

"You see, I don't truly recall all that much. I do have a family; I don't know where they are, but they are someplace." Amalia gave him a strange look as if he were a crazy person who had lost sight of his own family. "I am aware of your likely perceptions of myself, but I am unaware of my own. The image is becoming fuzzy." He once more tried to recall his family as he sat on his bed. "I recall a lovely lady becoming my wife. She was so pretty; I remember stalking her for a whole month until she married me."

"You were a stalker." At this, Amalia and Alaric both erupted in laughter.

"But from what I can recall, the days were lovely, and then I think back to having a daughter. She was so small and sleeping, just like her mother, and she held my finger in her tiny hand." Alaric's eyes began to well up with tears as soon as his daughter crossed his mind. " She must now be at least your age, if not little older or younger". He put his palms over his face. "I'm not sure," He wiped his face a little too harshly while sobbing faintly.

"It's all right, Uncle, but where are they?"

"I have no idea and no memory of it." With tears streaming from his eyes and an unidentified anguish running down his face, he turned to face Amalia. He was crying, but he didn't know why—was it because he was gone, or was there another reason? Even after straining his memory, he was unable to recall. Streams of tears were continuously flowing from Alaric's eyes, causing him to tremble. Amalia raced to his side and gave him a back rub when she became alarmed in try to calm him down.

"Uncle, take a deep breath and drink some water." She was about to pour him a glass of water when the door burst open and Hermes stepped inside, a look of fear on his face.

"What happened? His cries could be heard from outside the door."

"I merely inquired about his family. I apologize, uncle Hermes." Amalia bowed her head, feeling guilty that her uncle Mikael was crying.

"I'll take care of it," Hermes said, "it's okay, it's not your fault, and you should go home." Amalia nodded and moved gently and slowly beyond the door, which she closed lightly. She returned back home with a confused expression, what happened to uncle Mikael's family? She kept thinking on her way back home. Inside she saw her father and uncle Rufus are already home and seated.

"How is Mikael doing? Did you provide the meal to them?" Amalia's mother enquired.

"Uncle Hermes is with him. I delivered the meal."

"All right, come seat down." Amalia sat next to her mother while she served dinner. But her thoughts were continuously returning to the earlier incident. Has Hermes kept them in the dark about anything the doctor said?

Hermes, on the other hand, was attempting to comfort the crying man. Alaric was mumbling something about his wife and daughter being in danger as he spoke these words. "Alaric, everything is OK, your family is fine." Alaric immediately turned to face Hermes once he finished speaking, his eyes filled with hope. "Yes, they're OK,"

"How—how do you know?"

"Because you made certain of it before leaving."

"I did?"

"Yes, and they are secure. They are all."

"And my daughter, who was still so little and innocent, was cursed." Hermes noticed Alaric was having a panic attack. The healer had explained that it was common following a string of traumatic experiences. Although he had indicated Alaric would act normally, in an instant, he would exhibit panic or confusion. He was slowly losing control as the desire to save his daughter consumed him internally. It was risky since he was unable to distinguish between what was real and what was his imagination. Hermes knew he had to act, and the only thing he could think of was to return him to his daughter at home before he forgets anything else. But in order to proceed the plan, he had to find an ally and reveal everything to them.

"Alaric, don't you remember we came here to save your daughter?"

'Save her,'

"Yes, Josen's realm, your own kingdom, is where you began this odyssey."

"My." Alaric's internal scene began to take shape as he mentally connected the dots and built up a number of hazy mental images. He was thinking back to those times when he had left everything in his dear brother's capable hands and spent time with his wife and daughter. He recalls the warlock, the curse, and his time in Fenoira. He recalled planning a journey to the island, where the warlock was rumored to reside.

"Yes, and we must carry on with our journey. It's past time for us to forge an alliance."

"Yes, I do recall."

Whatever uncertainty Hermes had this morning is now dispelled. This was neither his nor Alaric's place. However much they may enjoy it, this is not their life. Alaric also had a pressing need to get back home as quickly as possible to his own family and house. Why might he believe otherwise? Hermes pondered. He was completely incorrect in believing that he should leave everything behind.

Alaric wiped his tears and straightened himself, "Hermes, I'm forgetting things that I shouldn't forget. Help me, please, don't let me forget my family. I've lost everything; if recollection of them is all I have left, then I don't want to lose it. My mind is playing tricks on me; I don't want to forget anything."

"We will go back home."