Riddle

One Hundred Five:

'Gates of Hidden Memories'

As we proceed inside the portal, a closed Crystal Gate immediately presented before us, and from there a being gradually took shape until it took on a physical form. As I look at it, I see a genderless being.

'Welcome to the Gates of Hidden Memories.'

"Who are you?" I curiously asked.

'I am the guardian of the entire Gates of Hidden Memories.' The being answered without lifting his/her mouth open.

…

"Telepathy." It was Wren who speaks.

"Is he or a she?"

"A genderless being."

"Same as you." Wren simply nodded. "Then, that being is a Spirit too?"

"Yes, indeed."

"Do you know this being?"

"No. This is my first time seeing that being."

"Then, why here?" I curiously asked as I look at it and to my surprised this being suddenly stares right through my eyes.

'Because the Origin gave me this spot to protect the Gates of Hidden Memories.' The being surprisingly answered my question as it keeps staring at me.

"What?! You can see me?"

'Indeed, my Lady.'

'It seems this being is clearly seeing us.' Wren answered through telepathy.

"That is impossible! That being can't see us."

'I see and talk through beyond. I am boundless being created from the Origin the reason why I can see you and you Spirit Wren.'

'I see.' Wren answered and smiled at me.

"What?"

"This being is a real thing."

I shake my head from what he/she commented. "Anyway, why are you talking to us? Shouldn't you only talk to Almos and not me?"

'Because you also enter here and whoever goes here, I shall face them all as what the Origin gave me as a command. No exception.'

…

"Wait? You're a guardian too?" I surprisingly asked. "Dione, I thought that you––"

"Almos, I'll be your guide through your journey inside your hidden memories but this being…" She looks at it.

'Samet.' The being speaks its name.

"Is that your name?" Dione asked.

'Yes, Goddess Dione.'

"Oh, so you knew me."

'Yes, my Goddess.'

"Alright!" She turned her gaze back at me. "Samet will be the one to let us enter the Gates of Hidden Memories and that was the only thing this being will do for us."

"Alright, then, can we enter now?" I asked.

'No.'

"What? Why?"

'To enter the gate, you shall pass my test first.' Samet answered.

…

"A test?" I surprisingly answered then look back at Wren.

"No idea so don't ask." He answered straight without letting me to speak out my question.

I sighed. "Why do I need to take that test? I don't own those memories behind that gate."

'Whoever came here and wants to enter the gate shall take the test.'

"If I don't agree, what will happen?"

'You cannot enter.'

"No!"

"Samet is serious about it, Lady Jeanne. And you won't be able to change it."

"But I need enter that gate." I insisted.

"Then, you'll be force to take Samet's test."

…

"Do I really need to take this test?" I seriously asked. "Because, as far as I know, this is my hidden memories so why do I need to take this test?"

'This isn't you that are hidden in here. It was someone from the past that you will just journey to uncover the truth.' Samet answered.

"Samet was right, Almos. You cannot enter here unless you pass this being's test." Dione agreed.

"So, you knew about this test?"

"Yes."

"Then, why you didn't tell me before going here?"

"Because you will learn it once you enter the crystal portal. Besides, if I tell you sooner, is there anything else that can be changed?" Dione answered in question.

I harshly breathe after learning that this journey won't be that easy and she was right, it won't change a thing. "Alright, let me take this test now." I decided.

…

"Okay, what test do I need to pass?"

"Are you serious about this, Lady Jeanne?" Wren asked curiously.

"Why so curious? Isn't it the only way for me to enter that gate? You said it yourself, I'll be force to take this being's test, right?"

"Indeed, I said it but there is a much easy way for you to travel without entering any gates from the hidden memories. It is because you are a Questor. You can travel anywhere in time and space and no one can stop you."

'Spirit Wren was right, my Lady. Why do you need to trouble yourself out here if you can just go on your own?'

"That is because I do not know where do I start." I honestly answered. "And going with Almos' journey will be my only guide to begin with. So, let me take that test to finally let us begin to uncover our past."

…

"What do I need to do to take this test of yours?" I asked seriously as I look at this being.

'All you have to do is answer my one riddle question.' Samet answered.

"That's it?"

'Indeed, Angel Almos.'

I take a deep breath before I answered. "Go on, I'll answer your riddle."

…

'If you are ready to take my test then, I shall now proceed.' Samet answered.

'Yes. I am ready.' Almos and Jeanne answered in unison.

…

'It is storage not a place. Keep everything safe yet can be lost or be erase. Can be accurate or inaccurate that holds the key without a key of the past, present and future. What is it that you want to hold yet cannot hold?' Samet asked Almos that made him to think harder.

…

'The developer and the destroyer, a part of our lives which we live and progress, to gradually remember and gradually forgotten as it existed. What is it?' Samet asked Jeanne that made her to think harder.

…

A two different riddles presented to Almos and Jeanne. Will they be able to answer the riddle given to both of them or will they not? And will not be able to journey to Almos' hidden memories? The answer will be found on the second part of the story.

…

The end of the beginning

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