First Real Voice

Writhing with a severe headache, he clutched his temples with one hand while the other unconsciously gripped the tablecloth, creating deep wrinkles in the fabric.

"Finally, I've regained consciousness." said the man in a deep, powerful tone.

"I'm hearing those familiar, disturbing voices in my head again. Am I losing my mind?" he wondered. Yet this experience felt notably different from the previous ones.

"No, you're definitely not crazy. I'm real, just as real as you are." said the voice confidently.

The man scanned the room in confusion and unease while Zeta continued eating his meal calmly, as if nothing extraordinary was happening.

"Are you really inside my head?" he asked, his voice carrying both curiosity and concern.

"I wouldn't say I'm exactly inside your head. But we share the same body. I can perceive every emotion and sensation of yours as if they were my own."

"Then who are you?" he asked, as if already anticipating the answer.

"My name is Geminga, as the man before you just mentioned." the voice responded confidently.

"Wait a minute... So you're really the person they used to create my brain?"

"I don't think there's any other logical explanation for why we're sharing the same body right now."

"What about your memory, is it also—" the man couldn't finish his sentence before Geminga's powerful voice echoed in his mind.

"You were going to ask if my memory was erased too, weren't you? Yes, it was. But now isn't the time to discuss these things. First, eat something. We're both exhausted from hunger."

"You've taken this situation much more calmly than I expected. After your reaction yesterday, I honestly didn't expect you to be so understanding." said Zeta, wiping his mouth with a napkin after finishing his meal. "Now I can explain your mission: You need to go to Hatrugar and retrieve Cintara's Crown."

"Where is Hatrugar?"

"It's located on the border of Lotiana. A city shrouded in mist, and dangerous."

"Dangerous?"

"Hatrugar is more of a survival zone than a city. A half-ruined metropolis—a place where advanced technology and ancient magic remnants intertwine. High-rise buildings lost in the mist, decaying streets, and creatures living in the shadows. It's a dangerous city where no one trusts anyone, home to all sorts, from ghost engineers to magic merchants."

"I see... But why do I need to go there and bring back a crown?"

"This is quite a sensitive political matter, my friend."

"So you're asking me to go to this place and steal a crown?"

"If it were that simple, I wouldn't be bothering the most valuable person in Nivara right after he wake up. You're the only one who can find the crown's location."

With a deep sigh, he said, "Tell me from the beginning."

"This crown contains the remnants of Cintara's magical powers—the most powerful sorcerer in the entire universe. According to legend, the crown belonged to her and even caused her death. After Cintara's death, the crown passed to one of her daughters, then to her daughter. Centuries later, it was stolen from Cintara's living granddaughter, Eridani Beid. If it's not returned soon, we fear Eridani will lose her life."

"Why would she die?"

"One of the spells contained in the crown grants immortality. The wearer becomes immortal, but the aging process continues. When the crown is removed, the person's true age suddenly manifests, usually resulting in death from sudden aging. In our case, we're relatively fortunate—Eridani is only one hundred and twenty-seven years old." Nodding toward the magnificent castle in the city center, he continued. "Right now, she's there, trying to hold onto life under the care of the kingdom's most skilled doctors. But she's very old, and no one knows how long she can last."

"Can't immortality be granted through another spell?"

"Every person blessed with immortality has met a tragic fate. It will continue to be so. This is actually a curse. No spell except Cintara's Crown can save her."

"How was the crown stolen?"

"Two weeks ago, a diplomat from Hatrugar came for a political meeting with royal guards. Somehow they managed to remove the crown from Eridani's head—though no one understands how. The crown normally locks onto its owner's head with a magical bond, making it physically impossible to remove. They must have used a special spell or technological device."

"Didn't she have any protection? After all, she must be an important figure."

"She is the Queen of Gradia. Of course, she was protected by the highest level of security measures, in a specially designed secure room. That's where the main problem begins. All security systems were disabled, the guards were neutralized. The thief simply vanished."

"Is there no information about the identity of the person who stole the crown?"

"Unfortunately, their name is unknown. They came with a fake identity. We suspect they might be there since they came from Hatrugar."

"I understand. Where should I start?"

"I'm not the detective, you are. But if I were to give advice, I'd suggest you start by investigating the 'Mist Thieves'. '" said Zeta, checking his watch as he rose from the table. "When you finish your meal, go to the plaza entrance. Someone will be waiting for you there. They'll recognize you by your uniform."

"What's this uniform and badge business? Everyone acts like they know me."

"Actually, they don't know you—they know your uniform. You hold one of the highest ranks within the royalty. Understanding the royal hierarchy might take some time, but you'll learn eventually. The badge is just a special key for accessing the secret base."

"Wait a minute! How will I get to Hatrugar? Let's say I find the crown, but how will I catch someone who managed to evade the queen's guards? What if a conflict breaks out between us?"

Countless questions spun through his mind. Being good at mathematical calculations alone wouldn't give him any advantage in a physical confrontation.

"You have fighting skills, don't worry. You can protect yourself." said Zeta and left the room.

"The only thing left in my memory is standard procedures. If I really am a detective as he says, I might be rusty, but let's do what he says. However, I have one condition for helping you." said Geminga firmly.

"Condition? What do you mean?"

"If I'm going to help you, you'll ask the questions I determine. It's very important for me to learn who I am."

"Wait a second. What about me? I have a lot to learn too. They're definitely hiding more information from me. I don't think Zeta will answer more than one question. He'll want to keep us under his control longer. The more questions we have, the more we'll have to work for him. I'm sorry, but I'll ask my own questions."

"Then I won't help you. You can fend for yourself."

"What do you think you are, a little child?" he snapped, then fell into thought. "Okay, the first question will be mine, the next question yours."

"We don't know how long these missions will take. The sooner I learn, the better it is for me AND you. As I said, if you ask my questions first, I'll help you."

"You can put yourself back into my brain if you want. I'll handle this on my own."

"Let me know if you change your mind." said Geminga and fell silent.

He hadn't eaten since he woke up. Before him were interesting foods resembling the bread Zeta had eaten, with an exotic purple sauce poured over them. Following Zeta's example, he poured the sauce over the bread and tasted it. The bread was still warm, and when combined with the sauce, it created a sweet-like flavor. It was a unique taste he had never experienced before. The sauce wasn't overly sweet, perfectly balancing the food's taste.

After finishing his meal, he stood up and went outside. The two young guards were still faithfully waiting at the door.

"Take me to the plaza entrance." he said firmly. The two guards respectfully saluted and began walking ahead.