Hall of Memories (1)

"We couldn't just use a normal ship or something?" Sosuke muttered, eyeing the hulking machine in front of him.

It loomed like a relic from the past—only sleeker now, retooled and humming with quiet menace. A portal enhancer, designed to amplify Sosuke's abilities across continents.

"We've made major upgrades since last time," Virgil said, placing his gloved hands on the control panel. "Less drain, cleaner activation. Should feel like slicing butter."

"You kept working on this while I was gone?" Sosuke raised a brow.

Virgil didn't answer. Gabriel did, arms folded across his chest. "I had faith you'd come back."

Sosuke stepped forward and raised his hand toward the portal's center. "You better be right. My magic's not what it used to be."

The moment he focused, mana flowed from his palm in a smooth, controlled surge. The machine shuddered once—and bloomed open. A vortex of violet light spun into existence, crackling like a living storm.

"Feels… easier," Sosuke muttered, half-impressed.

Virgil shielded his eyes as the energy surged. "Still more unstable than expected."

"Then we best move quickly." Gabriel clapped a hand on Virgil's shoulder and stepped into the light without hesitation, hair rippling in the mana wind.

"How long has he been making portals?" Clyde asked, squinting at the machine.

"I was wondering the same thing," Elowen said, voice flat.

The team moved up the steps in pairs. Isabelle bumped into Sosuke from behind.

"You ready?" she asked, arms crossed but eyes locked on him.

He spun, a little startled. "Didn't know you'd be joining us."

"I'm supposed to follow you, remember?" she said, brushing past him. "Not like I want to."

"You sound like you're starting to enjoy it." Sosuke smirked.

Virgil didn't wait for more banter—he gave Sosuke a hard shove forward and sent him through the portal.

⸻

The world beyond cracked open in a shimmer of light.

They landed on a wide, elevated wooden platform suspended above a sea of green. Vines wrapped the support beams like veins, and tree canopies stretched high above, swaying with strange birds and creatures Sosuke had never seen—foxes with butterfly wings, six-legged deer, translucent serpents sunbathing on bark. The air was thick with pollen, magic, and birdsong that sounded oddly melodic, almost… composed.

Nature here didn't just grow—it watched.

"Wow…" Gabriel breathed.

"You've never been here?" Sosuke asked, stepping beside him.

Gabriel shook his head, running a hand through his wind-swept hair. "Not many have. No one's seen the Grand Wizard in centuries. Honestly, I thought he was a myth—or senile."

"Strange hearing that from you," Sosuke said, half-laughing.

"Hm? Why's that?"

But before he could answer, something shifted.

The animals all stopped. Then, one by one, turned and sprinted toward a towering stone gate up ahead, half-swallowed by moss and root. Wind billowed outward from the gate in rhythmic pulses.

Sosuke narrowed his eyes. "What's happening?"

Gabriel's hair danced in the wind, a glimmer of realization in his eyes. "I think I know…"

The massive gates groaned, then burst open.

"HELLO EVERYONE!!"

A single figure stood in the entrance, arms spread wide. His hair was pure white but styled with flair—swooped, layered, immaculately gelled. He wore a layered coat of velvet and fur, boots made from dragon-hide (probably), and round sunglasses that shimmered gold in the sun. He looked no older than thirty but moved like someone who had long since stopped caring about time. His tall stature added a layer of intimidation.

"That would be him," Gabriel muttered. "Known for being… eccentric."

Gabriel stepped forward with measured politeness. "It's an honor to finally meet you, Grand Wizard."

The man didn't respond—he scanned Gabriel from top to toe, nodding in approval.

"Excellent coat. Sharp boots. We're going to get along famously." Then, in a blur too fast to see, he was beside Sosuke. "You! Oh, I love the gold trim—very chic. But the real star—those violet eyes. Enchanting." He leaned in closer, inspecting Sosuke's face like a canvas. "You're the one, aren't you? Estrella."

Sosuke blinked. "Uh…"

Gabriel stared, unsure whether to be offended or fascinated.

"G-Grand Wizard, we came to—"

"No, no, no! None of that. Call me Ouro. Archmage of the Calamity Times. Slayer of Dull Fashion."

He grinned wide, a strange gleam in his eye.

Sosuke glanced nervously at Gabriel, who only sighed.

Reid brushed past Sosuke, tapping him on the shoulder with a grin. "I think I like this guy."

Before he could get far, Ouro's hand shot out and grabbed Reid by the collar. He lifted him effortlessly, like plucking a feather off the ground.

"And where do you think you're going?" Ouro asked, eyes wide with mock horror. "Trying to crash the opening act? Tsk. Impatient and unfashionable—a dreadful combo."

He gave Reid a once-over, lips curling. "You altered your uniform, didn't you? It's a disaster." Then he dropped Reid with zero ceremony. "Follow me!" Ouro twirled his finger and turned in a dramatic spin, already walking.

Sosuke jogged up to his side. "Sir—why did you call me here? It's an honor, really, but… why me?"

Ouro beamed. "A fabulous question, young Estrella! May I call you Sosuke? I will anyway. 'Sosuke'—such a simple name for someone so… storied."

Before Sosuke could respond, Ouro extended an arm toward a building nestled among the towering trees. Its walls were carved from white marble veined with gold, and it shimmered faintly, as if reality bent around it. Floating platforms orbited the upper floors, and glowing runes pulsed along the sides like a heartbeat.

"I spent four years perfecting this masterpiece," Ouro declared, striking a pose. "My sanctuary. My citadel. The epicenter of elegance. I've rested here for centuries."

Sosuke tilted his head. "Oh wow, that's actually—"

"To your right," Ouro interrupted, pirouetting into another pose, "we have the River of Elegance—enchanted to reflect only your best angles. To the left, behold: the Hall of Memories. A building that lets you speak with the departed, temporarily. Quite useful—if you enjoy drama."

He straightened and spun on his heel. "Where shall we begin, Sosuke?"

"I want to see the Ha—"

"Hall of Memories it is!" Ouro was already striding toward it, his coat billowing like a cape. "This architectural marvel was built by the Archmage of Connection—rest her fabulous soul. A dear friend."

He paused just outside the great arched doorway, expression turning momentarily solemn. "May her threads never fray."

Sosuke followed quickly. "Please… just tell me why I'm here."

"Hm?" Ouro turned, then clapped his hands. "Right! Serious matters. I wish to speak to Sosuke alone." He gave a pointed look to the others. "You're all free to explore—but do not touch my house. Or my cloaks. Or the peacocks."

He refocused on Sosuke, his voice softening. "We have much to discuss."

"Like what?" Sosuke asked, frustrated. "You still haven't told me anything."

Ouro's expression shifted. The playfulness remained—but beneath it, something ancient stirred. "You are a rare case, Sosuke. A thread tangled in time. There are truths about your past—truths even you haven't been allowed to see. I'll be the one to reveal them."

He reached the doors and waved a hand. They creaked open slowly, bathed in pale golden light.

"There's much to explain."

⸻

Outside, tension simmered.

"I don't get why he gets all the attention," Clyde snapped. "I'm just as much a prodigy. I trained just as hard."

Arthur glanced over, calm as ever. "Sosuke's no ordinary fighter. You've got skill, Clyde—there's no doubt. But Sosuke's in a different league."

Clyde scowled. "Since when are you his fanboy?"

"I'm not. I just respect strength—and he's earned that."

Clyde kicked a rock off the path, sending it skittering into the grass. "Strength? He's reckless. A vigilante who thought he could play hero and go solo. That's not courage—it's arrogance."

"He did what he thought was right," Arthur replied.

"Well, he failed. And now everyone's treating him like royalty." Clyde's hands clenched into fists. "There have to be consequences. Someone has to make him face them."

Arthur stepped forward, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "He's not your enemy, let it go."

"Let it go? That's the worst thing you can say." Clyde turned sharply and stormed off, heading toward the distant house. "He will face me."

Arthur sighed. "You can't fix arrogance with more arrogance."

Lyra watched Clyde go, then folded her arms. "He's a lost cause. Always has been."

Arthur shook his head. "No… he's just got a warped sense of justice. Can't help it."

Lyra glanced at him. "Still, he's not wrong. Sosuke hasn't really faced what he's done. Maybe he should."

Arthur looked ahead, eyes distant. "He's seen more pain than most. That's punishment enough."

Lyra's voice was quiet. "That's fair."

Reid crouched in front of a small, chubby creature with cotton-white fur, button-black eyes, and a lopsided pair of translucent wings. Its ears were long and droopy, and it waddled on stubby feet like it had never known stress a day in its life.

"C'mere, little buddy," Reid whispered, inching his hand forward.

Instead of fleeing, the creature leaned in and nuzzled his palm, letting out a faint purring chirp.

Reid's jaw dropped. "Oh—my—god."

"What are you doing?" Lyra's voice cut through.

Reid scooped up the fuzzball, eyes wide. "Do you think we can keep it?"

Lyra crossed her arms. "There's literal floating islands and enchanted rivers here, and this is what gets you excited?"

"This is destiny." Reid clutched the creature like a baby. "If I have to steal it—I will."

Lyra sighed. "You're ridiculous."

⸻

The ceiling stretched endlessly upward, vanishing into stars. Towering crystal shelves floated without support, filled with books that shimmered like stained glass. Faint whispers echoed between aisles, as if the walls were eavesdropping. The air buzzed with something ancient—timeless.

Ouro led Sosuke through the maze, arms gesturing wildly with every step. "Welcome to my incomplete masterpiece. This is merely the library wing—I slapped it together one sleepless century when I needed space for my lesser obsessions."

"Lesser obsessions?" Sosuke muttered, scanning the endless rows.

He pulled a book off the shelf. It was warm to the touch, its cover marked with a constantly shifting sigil.

"What are these?"

"Oh, you know," Ouro said with a lazy spin, "historical accounts, breakthroughs in mana theory, rare core techniques I jotted down during naps. The usual. There's a special section I must show you later. Positively scandalous. You'll love it."

Sosuke blinked. "Right… sounds great." He flipped a page. "Wait—you mentioned forms of magic? There are books on that everywhere. What makes these special?"

Ouro's smile turned sly. He plucked a book with a glowing spine and flipped it open. "Because the magic you think you know is child's play. Even Arcane—the so-called 'impossible' art—is basic compared to these."

He snapped the book shut and held the cover toward Sosuke. Light Magic – The Purity Principle.

"Light magic?" Sosuke raised a brow. "I mean… sure, makes sense with dark magic existing too. But how many forms are there? And why doesn't anyone talk about them?"

"People did talk. Until they realized they couldn't replicate a single spell." Ouro sighed, dramatically. "After the Calamity, most magic was rediscovered by trial-and-error mages fumbling in the dark. The real arts—the ones crafted by Archmages—those were forged, not found."

Sosuke frowned, intrigued. "So you're saying most people can't match your level of power. Why?"

"When the Calamity struck 1023 years ago," Ouro began, pacing like a stage actor, "an eruption of mana from Earth's core reshaped the entire planet. Literally—landmasses moved, oceans boiled, skies cracked open. Reality fractured."

Sosuke's eyes narrowed. "That kind of destruction… how did people survive?"

"Barely," Ouro said. "Entire nations vanished overnight. Billions gone. The old world crumbled—and in its place, magic bloomed. But no one knew what to do with it."

Sosuke followed him to a massive door lined with shimmering runes. "So the gods we know came after that?"

Ouro's smile dimmed. "They were born from it."

"What?!" Sosuke stepped back. "The gods were… human?"

"Oh yes," Ouro said, tone airy again. "Humans who climbed too high, too fast. Achieved the impossible. They crossed into higher planes—became beings of power. And those who stayed? Mankind struck them down. Out of fear."

"We killed them?" Sosuke said, stunned.

"One by one." Ouro shrugged. "Some had children first. Their blood is thin, scattered. There could be thousands of descendants today—some walking around with divinity in their veins and no idea."

Sosuke shook his head. "This is insane."

"Isn't it delicious?" Ouro grinned, turning toward the door. "Now then… ready?"

With a flick of his fingers, the runes pulsed and the heavy door began to creak open.

⸻

Sosuke stepped inside.

The room was enormous—and silent. The floor was smooth crystal, gleaming like water. Pillars of light rose into the sky, refracting colors that didn't belong to the visible spectrum. No books. No furniture. Just… space. Echoing, ethereal space.

"This is it?" Sosuke asked. "Where are the memories?"

"All around you," Ouro said, arms outstretched. "Every memory from every soul on earth—stored in this sanctuary. All waiting."

"But it's so… empty."

"Ah! That's because you must seek them." Ouro leaned closer. "Shall I leave you alone? Let you listen in peace?"

"What? Wait—I don't even know how it works, I—!"

Ouro put a finger to his lips. "Shh. You'll figure it out, clever boy."

In a swirl of crimson mist, he vanished.

Sosuke spun around. "Hey! Wait—!"

The doors slammed shut behind him.

Silence returned. Only the faint hum of ancient energy remained.