Memories…?

[Trigger Warning] 

"The name's Dorven. Beware of your decision, Aki… one wrong move, and you'll regret it."

The man finally revealed his name, his tone dripping with menace.

Suddenly, a huge explosion echoed from outside.

"Looks like they finally unleashed a powerful attack." 

He said, smiling evilly as he glanced out the window.

"Aki...?"

Siana's voice trembled as she noticed me, tears streaming down her face, her body trembling in pain from her wounds. I saw a horrible scene in front of me—Siana had been tortured by him.

"I know you have a lot of questions in your mind right now..." 

Dorven laughed as he said it, a sinister smile spreading across his face as he glared at me.

"What is this?! Why!?" 

I shouted at him, desperate for answers.

Dorven stared at me and smiled. 

"ITS FUN!" 

He started to laugh, the sound echoing through the room as he spread his arms wide.

"As part of my plan to steal this ring from the beginning, I watched you from afar this morning. I knew you weren't a normal citizen the moment you stepped into this town..."

Dorven said, still smiling at me.

Seeing him hurt the people in town just to steal this ring angered me.

"YOU BASTARD!" 

I shouted.

After witnessing Dorven's behavior with the horrible scene of Siana being tortured by him, my anger surged uncontrollably. Both of my arms transformed, encased in black and red gauntlets.

The man smiled, pleased to see me unleashing the power of the EmoCrysta: Anger.

"AKI DON'T!" 

Siana suddenly shouted, her voice filled with desperation as she tried to warn me.

As I heard Siana shout at me, I stopped immediately, remembering how Dorven used the ring to steal my power. 

A sudden flashback came to mind from before we met Skyler, as we were walking and Leroy mentioned the EmoCrysta:

"Hey, brother? If only an EmoCrysta user can use the ring to gain power… will they have it forever?" 

Siana asked Leroy curiously.

"Hehe, that's a good question…" 

Leroy smiled as he responded.

"Well, no, the power doesn't last forever, but the user can use it to steal another EmoCrysta's power too. There's a book that says this ring was made by someone who wanted to steal all of the EmoCrysta's power during the "War Between the Legendary Heroes" 20 years ago. That's why it's still very dangerous today."

Leroy explained.

"WHAT!? Really? Wow… I can't believe this ring is powerful. What will happen if a person loses all of their EmoCrysta power then?" 

Siana questioned with a slight worry on her face.

"... The EmoCrysta is attached to their heart to keep it functioning, so without its power, it can lead to… Death." 

Leroy said with a serious face.

After the flashback… 

"Tsk– You Ruined It!" 

Dorven snarled, his face twisted with fury. He kicked Siana hard, and she cried out in pain, crumpling.

"SIANA!" 

I shouted, my heart pounding as I saw her suffering. The anger surged through me, but I knew I had to control it. Leroy's earlier explanation had shed light on Dorven's true identity as an EmoCrysta user.

If I let Dorven provoke me into using my EmoCrysta power recklessly, it could be the end for both of us.

Desperation filled me as I struggled to find a way to save her without falling into Dorven's trap.

As I saw him doing it, my anger rose uncontrollably as I watched her suffer, but I couldn't reveal the emotion because it would release the EmoCrysta power. The sight of Siana in pain was unbearable, yet I had to stay calm.

Dorven noticed my reaction and smiled evilly, hidden excitement gleaming in his eyes. He laughed as he turned toward me, clearly enjoying the torment.

"Hey, Aki… let's see if you can handle this kind of situation." 

He taunted, pulling out a knife and holding it menacingly close to Siana.

Siana's face turned pale with fear, small tears streaming down her cheeks as she trembled, terrified of being tortured again. The sight tore at my heart, but I knew I had to stay composed to protect her and avoid falling into Dorven's trap.

I wanted to use my power, but I knew it was a risk. Dorven was torturing Siana to provoke my anger, to make me lose control.

"Aki… don't let it ou—" 

Siana's plea was cut off as Dorven sliced into her flesh, slowly and deliberately, his knife carving a path of pain. Her screams echoed in the room, each cry was like a dagger to my heart.

As he continued to torture her, I felt my resolve waver. The sight of Siana suffering was too much. I couldn't just stand here and do nothing. 

My fists clenched, and I felt the power of the EmoCrysta surging within me, begging to be unleashed.

With quick thinking, I decided to rush towards him, determined to control my EmoCrysta power without succumbing to anger.

In a flash, I used my dagger to attack him. Suddenly, multiple shadow hands emerged from the ground, reaching for me. I tried to dodge them, but without the power of my EmoCrysta, I couldn't match his speed. 

The shadow hands were relentless, grasping at me from all directions, making it impossible to get close to Dorven. I fought desperately, knowing that if I didn't succeed, Siana would continue to suffer.

"It's no use, Aki… you're too weak without your power." 

Dorven said with a smirk on his face.

I used all my strength to free myself without EmoCrysta's power, but I still couldn't match his level.

"Hehe… how sad to watch a friend of yours suffer right in front of you." 

Dorven smiled as he taunted me.

"Hey Aki, isn't it time to give up and release the power?" 

He said with a smile and laughing as he slowly walked up, his face getting closer to mine.

"I will not let you have it." 

I said my eyes glaring at him with anger hidden just beneath the surface.

Dorven closed his eyes and looked away with a sigh, disappointment evident.

"...you want me to go over the line, huh?" 

Dorven said, his voice tinged with rising anger. Unexpectedly, he grabbed the knife and slashed her, leaving a fresh wound.

She screamed in pain, her tears falling even more heavily as he tortured her again.

Seeing her suffer made me want to break my bones just to free myself and save her, but I knew that would only make me weaker without my strength.

"COME ON, AKI! Do you still think you can fight against me!? Just give up already!" 

Dorven shouted, his patience worn thin by my resistance.

I ignored him, focusing all my strength on breaking free.

In the sudden silence, Dorven moved the knife closer to Siana's neck, ready to slash it. Panic surged through me at his actions.

"This is your last chance. If you keep holding on to your power, you know what will happen to this beautiful neck here." 

Dorven threatened, his voice cold and menacing.

In my mind, I was frantically searching for a way to save Siana. Is there nothing I can do? Why does it have to be her? I blamed myself for not being strong enough, my frustration mounting with every passing second.

"3...2..." 

Dorven started counting down slowly, the knife inching closer to her neck. I could already see a thin line of blood starting to seep from where the blade grazed her skin. 

Siana's eyes widened with fear, and my heart pounded wildly as desperation consumed me.

Suddenly, her tear eyes met mine, filled with a sorrowful acceptance of her fate. With a trembling voice, she said,

"Aki… I'm… sorry."

"1—" 

Dorven's countdown neared its end.

...

"STOP!" 

My voice echoed through the room as I shouted at him. The desperation in my cry pierced the tension, halting his cruel actions for a moment.

The knife nearly ended her life, but Dorven stopped just in time.

I, myself, finally chose to release the EmoCrysta power with my anger. My whole body started to glow with a black and red aura, gauntlets materializing on both my arms. 

The shadow hands disintegrated and faded away under the force of the EmoCrysta's power.

Dorven's eyes lit up with excitement. Without wasting any time, he dashed toward me in a flash and grabbed my face. The ring on his finger began to glow, slowly consuming my EmoCrysta power.

"HAHAHA! FINALLY! THE POWER!!" 

He shouted with maniacal glee.

I started to scream in pain, my whole body feeling the unbearable overload of power, the agony more intense than anything I had ever experienced. 

Siana shouted my name, her voice filled with immense worry as she watched me slowly dying from it.

Dorven continued to laugh triumphantly, his victory seemingly assured. My vision began to blur and fade away. 

At that moment, my mind was consumed with nothing but hate and anger, my eyes glaring at Dorven with a burning desire to kill him.

As I was about to die from the unbearable pain, the word "KILL" continued to echo through my mind until...

"Aki… Aki… AKI!"

A familiar young voice rang in my ears, calling my name again and again.

"Where... am I?"

Gradually, a vision began to form before my eyes. I found myself in a place resembling a modern city, with a playground in view.

I saw a blurry figure of a little girl in front of me, trying to wake me up. As I fully regained my vision, I realized it was the same little girl who had attacked me in the cave. 

This time, her face was clear before me—no longer hidden by her hands as she cried back in the cave. She appeared gentle and playful, her innocence shining through.

"Sigh... finally, you woke up! You're always so sleepy!"

The little girl said in a playful tone.

Confusion clouded my mind as I pondered why I was in this unfamiliar place and how I got there. Attempting to voice my questions, I found my voice transformed into that of a child's—a sudden and unexpected change.

"Does my voice... sound young?" 

I wondered aloud, noticing the difference in tone. 

"And the words that I just said... it's not what I wanted to say."

Despite my confusion, my body seemed to move of its own accord, as if replaying a memory.

"It's getting late, you know? Everyone has already gone home!" 

The little girl before me pouted, crossing her arms defiantly.

Feeling a twinge of guilt, my younger self apologized meekly.

"Is this... a memory?" 

I questioned silently, trying to make sense of the strange situation.

The little girl forgave me with a sigh, but she didn't let me off the hook so easily.

"You haven't answered my question yet!" 

She reminded me and moved closer.

As the memory of me replayed, I apologized for forgetting her question before nodding off.

"You know? Like what's your dream?" 

She asked again.

"Oh, hmm… I… don't know." 

My younger self awkwardly replied.

"Really? You don't know?" 

The little girl seemed confused by my uncertain response, her curiosity piqued.

"W-what about yours then…?" 

My younger self attempted to steer the conversation in a different direction, curious about her dreams.

"My dream? Hmm…" 

The little girl responded, her voice trailing off as she walked away, her gaze fixated on the sky as if lost in deep contemplation.

"Well, I like to help people! Like helping Papa and Mama! So maybe… I want to become a HERO!" 

Her declaration was accompanied by a radiant smile, brimming with sincerity.

"A… hero?" 

I echoed, puzzled by her unexpected aspiration.

"Yeah! Like… Beruciel The Hero! Hahaha!" 

She chuckled gleefully, her laughter filling the air as she proudly shared her dream.

"Hey Aki! Maybe you can become one too! If you want to!" 

The little girl ran towards me, her excitement contagious as she shared her suggestion.

"R-really?" 

I stammered nervously, taken aback by her proposition.

"Yeah! Hehehe." 

She giggled, her bright smile reflecting her genuine enthusiasm.

My original self was struck by the name Beruciel. Though still confused, it felt like pieces of my memories were slowly falling back into place.

As she spoke those words, a wave of emotion washed over me, and tears began to blur my vision. 

"Huh? Why am I… crying?"

It was a strange sensation, crying without feeling sadness, but I couldn't deny the overwhelming surge of emotion welling up inside me.

Meanwhile…

Dorven's laughter echoed through the room, mingling with his triumphant exclamations as he reveled in the newfound power coursing through him. 

His joy quickly morphed into seething rage as he mentioned someone who had wrought havoc upon his life.

Meanwhile, Siana watched helplessly as my body lay motionless on the ground, tears streaming down her face. 

"Aki!" 

She cried out, her voice filled with desperation. 

"Please… wake up… Aki." 

She pleaded, her words choked with emotion, and felt hopeless.

As Siana's cries echoed through the room, Dorven's twisted grin widened, relishing in her desperation. Slowly, deliberately, he advanced towards her, each step sending a shiver down her spine.

But despite her terror, Siana summoned every ounce of strength she had, desperately attempting to free herself from the constraints that bound her to the chair. 

Yet, her efforts were futile, her struggles only serving to highlight her vulnerability.

Dorven's laughter filled the air as he towered over her, his eyes gleaming with malice. 

"It seems I've already gotten what I wanted." 

He sneered with his voice dripping with cruelty. 

"Now, it's time to finish you off for good."

Panic surged through Siana as she collapsed to the ground, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Please, someone... help us."

She pleaded in her mind, trembling with fear.

But Dorven showed no mercy, his laughter echoing through the room as he raised his knife high above his head, ready to strike the final blow. 

"Your time ends here, princess." 

He taunted with his voice dripping with menace.

With tears streaming down her face, Siana's desperate cries for help echoed in her mind, her heart filled with anguish as she begged for someone, anyone, to come to her rescue.

Suddenly a turn of events, a huge aura coming through Dorven and Siana's direction, making him stop the strike.

Dorven's frustration and annoyance filled the air as he demanded to know who had interfered. 

With a sharp turn of his head, his eyes widened in disbelief as he beheld the sight before him—my body, standing motionless where it had fallen, defying death itself.

"WHAT!? How are you still alive!? I consumed your entire power!" 

Dorven's voice wavered with shock and confusion as he struggled to comprehend what he was witnessing.

Silent and imposing, I stood before him, surrounded by a swirling aura of black and red, my eyes concealed from view.

Despite his initial disbelief, Dorven couldn't help but be impressed by my resilience, his laughter mingling with an undercurrent of unease.

Initially filled with relief and joy, Siana's mood shifted as she couldn't shake off a creeping sense of unease, her instincts warned her that something was unsettling about my looming presence.

In a sudden surge of intensity, my eyes snapped open, locking onto Dorven with a chilling focus that sent a shiver down his spine, making him acutely aware of the gravity of the situation.

Undeterred, Dorven attempted to regain control of the situation with his confidence wavered.

"Hehehe, I think this ring is still not finished consuming your whole power yet..." 

He chuckled, summoning shadowy tendrils to assail me.

"I'll give you the final blow so that we finish this earl–" 

He began, his voice brimming with certainty before his expression shifted to one of shock.

"What? Where did he–" 

Dorven's words were cut short as he felt a formidable aura looming behind him, prompting him to whirl around in alarm.

In a flash, a hand seized his head, driving him forcefully into the ground with enough force to crack the church floor, eliciting a pained cry and staining his face with blood.

As Siana witnessed the brutal strike, her eyes widened in astonishment, realizing that it was I who had launched the attack, my expression resolute and unyielding.