Memory 1 / 8

[ Memory: December 24- 1725 years after the great war ended: ] 

Dune's eyes slowly opened, his head pounding as he blinked a few times, trying to make sense of his surroundings. He was back in the classroom. 

The bright light from the windows made his head ache even more. Dune was average looking, he had black messy hair and a scar over his left eye. 

He rubbed his eyes, still disoriented, and glanced over at his friend Atlas sitting next to him.

Atlas was a little taller than Dune, with long, messy black hair. He had a handsome, confident look, his eyes bright with curiosity as he glanced at Dune, just as confused. 

"What's up?" Dune muttered, still half-dazed from the strange dream.

Atlas raised an eyebrow. "What's up with you?"

"I just had a stupid dream," Dune mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

Atlas leaned back in his chair, looking amused. "Oh? What was it about?"

"I don't know. It's kinda blurry, but... the ocean was falling from the sky. It was huge. And it was coming right at me. Dude I'm scared of water, it freaked me out."

Atlas chuckled a little. "Dumbass I told you to sleep earlier. That's why you're missing a class and having weird dreams."

Dune sighed, glancing around at the rest of the class. Teacher Amanda was standing at the front, her voice low and hoarse, starting the lesson.

1725 years ago, a great war between thousands of different creatures and races ended with the gods' victory. Since then, they have watched over us from above the clouds," Teacher Amanda said, her voice echoing through the room. 

"They gave us humans a second chance to make up for our past mistakes. But if we fail, we will end up like the Seraphims."

Dune and Atlas exchanged a glance at the mention of angels.

Atlas sighed. "Seraphims… the last one, Archangel Raphael, was seen 80 years ago. They didn't even let him speak before they killed him."

Dune scoffed. "Yeah, if the gods really do exist, they must really hate angels. They wiped out an entire race. Even after the war, they kept hunting them down."

Atlas shook his head. "Can you blame them, though? Seraphims had the scariest abilities and creatures. They were terrifying."

Dune frowned. "I don't get it. How are we supposed to believe in gods when no one's seen them for 1700 years? We're supposed to worship them just because they say we should?"

Amanda then spoke of Zet, the strongest human who had defied the gods. And Zeus, strongest god in the history who fought Zet for years. 

 "For hundreds of years, Zet controlled two worlds, his strength was unmatched. But then, he vanished, leaving behind a legacy of myth and legend."

The students were enthralled by the story of ancient heroes and epic battles. They knew well the divide between mortals and gods.

Atlas smirked. "You think it's all fake?"

"I don't know. Until I see a god with my own eyes, I won't believe any of it."

Atlas let out a deep breath. "Yeah, me neither. Also i don't want my first Neba core to be some useless thing like a beaver or chicken. I'd rather go outside and search for them myself."

The two friends chuckled, their minds drifting away from the lesson as they stared out the window, imagining the world beyond the city's walls.

Teacher Amanda suddenly looked toward Dune with a curious expression. It seemed like Amanda had a question for him.

"Agh here she goes" 

"Dune," she began, her voice calm but sharp. "Tell me, what's the difference between Zeten and Neba? You seem to know everything and not care about the lesson."

Atlas chuckled as all eyes turned toward Dune. Dune hesitated for a moment before answering, his tone steady and confident.

Zet created Zeten while Zeus created Neba. 

"Neba and Zeten are the same powers, but they belong to different holders," he began, his voice carrying through the room. 

"Zeten is a curse, and Neba is a blessing. Those born with Zeten often lose control of their power, they turn into a monsters and destroy everything around them. which is why the officials decided to destroy them the moment they're born."

"Luckily for us, all Zeten humans have one thing in common: a cross-shaped tattoo on their chest. That way, we can easily identify them and eliminate them on the spot."

"The real problem with Zetens," he added, "is that they don't advance like humans. They advance like animals."

The room was silent for a moment as his words sank in. Some students nodded, as if they understood, while others looked confused.

Amanda raised an eyebrow. "Hmm. It seems someone's been reading scrolls. Not like you, Dune." She smirked slightly. 

"Then tell me, why is that? How do monsters and animals advance and get stronger, and how do humans?"

"It's simple. We all have Cores when we're born. Every Neba user is born with a green core. As we grow, we choose a creature that fits us, kill it, take its core, and use its powers and abilities for ourselves. 

After mastering that, we need to keep upgrading, so we take 7 trials, that help us advance. We go through trials of the past, and in return, after going through one trial, we gain another core, which is stronger and a different color than the last."

"It starts with a green core, then progresses through yellow, orange, red, blue, and finally purple."

Each new core allows us to store more power, one more 'animal' in our chest, one more colour. 

But Zetens?" Dune shook his head slightly, his expression darkening. "They don't follow the same path. They don't gain new cores. They just… change the color of their own core."

A few students shifted uncomfortably in their seats, sensing where this was going.

"That's the problem with Zetens. Some of them are born with cores that aren't even green…. They are red, blue, or even purple from the start. That makes them really strong right out of the gate. They mostly don't need to train or grow stronger through trials like us. They just, advance."

Amanda nodded and then the class finally ended, the bell rang loudly, Dune and Atlas stood up, stretching their arms as they walked out together.

"So, what are you planning for the ceremony?" Atlas asked, his voice casual but curious.

Dune sighed, looking down at the ground. "What am I planning? It's not like I have a choice. They'll probably give me a beaver core or something useless and send me off to work in the mains all day and night."

Atlas groaned. "Yeah, that sucks. But still, I don't buy this whole 'we're being protected' thing. I don't think outside world is as dangerous as king Aramir makes it sound. They should give us the choice to go outside and fight for our own Neba. I want to see outside world by myself."

Dune nodded. "We'll get out of here someday. We have to."

The two friends walked through the busy streets of Fein, one of the largest cities on continent Sanatria, the noise of the market all around them. 

The city wasn't too big, but it wasn't small either. It was protected by tall 100-meter walls and an invisible barrier, keeping whatever dangers lay beyond out of sight. 

Fein was alive with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but to Dune and Atlas, it felt like a cage. The outside world, full of unknowns, called to them. They both dreamed of breaking free and seeing what was really out there. But for now, they were stuck. 

"Guess I'll see you later, also i will come by tomorrow… your mom's concealing spell is weakening" Atlas pointed a finger to his chest and said, waving as he turned down a side street.

"Yeah, take care," Dune replied, nodding.

As Atlas disappeared into the crowd, Dune walked in the opposite direction, heading toward his home.

"Guns are taking over! New weapons for those who don't have powers... Finally, we can stand against Neba and Zetens!" 

Dune paused to read one of the posters in the street, his brow furrowing. *"Guns?"* he thought, a bit confused. *"That's new... I wonder what they do."*

As he continued walking, someone suddenly bumped into him. "What the—" Dune started to protest, but before he could, he locked eyes with the person who had collided with him. 

The stranger wore a dark hoodie, but what caught Dune off guard were the glowing purple eyes peering out from beneath the hood, an eerie growl escaping from the guy's throat.

When he suddenly spoke, Dune froze, his words caught in his throat. 

"It's interesting isn't it? How An ant can carry so much weight on its back, yet a single drop of water can steal its strength and doom him forever." The stranger quickly walked away, vanishing into the crowd.

*What the hell was that?* Dune thought, still standing there, his mind racing with confusion.

"And what's an ant? … I've never heard of it" 

Dune walked a little further until he reached a small shop filled with handmade objects and other unique items. The shop always had an eclectic mix of things, from intricate carvings to odd trinkets.

"Hey, Gerard, it's me," Dune greeted the old man behind the counter. Gerard was a tall, strong man with a brown beard, a hat, and a rugged appearance.

"Ah, it's the one-eyed wonder," Gerard grinned. "What brings you here today, Dune?"

Dune chuckled. "Today's my sister's birthday. 

And tomorrow's 25th December, it's your 16th birthday, right Dune?" Gerard chuckled. 

*how did he know?* But Anyway," Dune continued, "I need a gift for her. Something cute. A doll, maybe?"

Gerard chuckled. "A doll, huh? Alright, I think I've got just the thing."

At that moment, a little girl with dark red hair and fully black outfit came running out from behind the counter. She looked to be about six years old and clung to Gerard's leg, looking up at Dune with wide, curious eyes.

"Let me go, parasite!" Gerard said with an uncomfortable face, trying to shake her off. The girl just giggled and held on tighter, refusing to budge.

Dune couldn't help but smile. "So, who's this?" Gerard sighed. "Listen, Dune, how about I give you the doll for free if you take her to the Amelia Mansion… I'm really busy and i can't do it myself.. will ya?"

Dune paused, surprised. "For free? For real? Wait, Amelia Mansion? What the hell...?"

He looked at the girl again, his mind racing. *Amelia... one of the richest clans in our continent Sanatria... They also own the famous Bloodrose Academy in the capital Rendely!*

Gerard leaned in, lowering his voice. 

"I don't even know, boy. All I know is her name's Ana Amelia, it's even on her jacket. I think they lost her or she ran away, and now she won't leave me alone. Help me out, Dune. Take her to her family, and I'll give you that doll for your sister."

Dune's eyes softened as he looked at the little girl, still clinging to Gerard's leg. "alright, Gerard. I've got you. Come here, you!" He crouched down to the girl. "Ana, right? Let's go see your parents."

Dune and Ana walked together, the quiet of the street broken only by the soft patter of their footsteps. Suddenly, Ana looked up at him with wide eyes. 

"How did you get the scar?" she asked innocently. 

Dune paused for a moment, caught off guard by the question. *How did I get the scar?* His hand instinctively went to his right eye. 

"Uh, well," he began, trying to keep it simple, "once, me and my brother were playing a game, and I accidentally fell. Got the scar then."

Ana's eyes grew even bigger. "Did it hurt?"

"Yeah, it did," Dune replied, trying to brush it off.

"Did you cry?" she asked, tilting her head.

"No, I didn't," Dune said quickly, feeling a little awkward.

Ana paused, then asked in her sweet, naive voice, "i have one more question Mister!

"Mister? Yeah, that works better," Dune smiled proudly as they walked together.

 "Why are your eyes different colors? One's black and one is white.." she asked curiously.

Dune hesitated. "I already told you didn't i? It's because of the incident in my childhood. But i don't mind it that much" 

 Dune smiled. "It looks uni-"

 "ugly'" the girl interrupted.

 "What? I'm not ugly... Kid, didn't your parents teach you to respect your elders?" 

"My mom said we shouldn't let people look down on us, we're upper class compared to others in the city," the girl defended.

"Your mom is stupid,"

Ana's eyes flashed with anger.

"No, she's not. She's the smartest and most beautiful ever!" 

"Well, if she's so smart, how did she manage to lose you?"

 "Because of my ab... because of nothing," the girl stopped herself abruptly.

"What?" Dune pressed gently.

"Nothing," she repeated sadly.

 Dune sighed, *am i really fighting with a kid? .. what is wrong with me.*

"Okay then why did you ran?"

Dune wasn't sure why he even asked, but it was too late now. Ana's face shifted, her expression becoming sad and serious.

"My mom and dad said we're leaving Fein soon... because some dangerous things are going to happen here." She spoke in a quiet, almost hesitant whisper. "But... even so, I don't want to leave my friends. Especially Lucy. I just wanted to see her one last time, and I..." 

Her voice faltered, and before Dune could respond, tears welled up in her eyes. She sniffled and began to cry softly.

Dune made an uncomfortable face, his hand instinctively moving to cover his face. *Great. A crying kid.* 

He was never good at handling emotions, especially not from someone so young. He glanced around, feeling awkward and out of place. *dangerous things are going to happen in Fein? What is this girl talking about?*

"Alright, calm down," Dune muttered, his voice softer than usual. "We're almost there, okay?"

He tried his best to sound reassuring, but the truth was, he had no idea how to handle a crying child. Still, he kept walking, glancing down at Ana, hoping she'd settle down soon.

Minutes later, they reached a grand mansion at the centre of city, Amelia Mansion, Ana's home. 

"This is your house, right?" Dune asked, looking up at the towering gates.

Ana smiled brightly, her eyes lighting up. "Yes, this is it! Thank you, Dune!"

Just then, a tall figure emerged from the mansion's gates, guards followed behind. His striking red hair and noble attire marked him as someone important. 

He looked at Dune with an appraising gaze, his strong presence making it clear he was no ordinary man.

"Ana go inside, your mom's waiting for you" 

"Yes dad" 

He then looked at Dune, "I don't know how to repay you for this kindness," the man said, his voice smooth but commanding. "I am Richard Amelia."

He bowed slightly. Dune merely nodded, maintaining his calm demeanor. "Dune. Just Dune."

"Just Dune?" Richard seemed surprised. "Not from a noble clan or family?"

Dune didn't reply, his gaze steady and uninterested in titles. Richard smiled faintly, then continued.

"I would offer you money as a payment, but I have something more valuable, information." 

Dune's eyes narrowed, and in his mind, he groaned. *Give me the money, old man. That's what I need.*

But Richard's tone shifted, more serious now.

"Leave Fein, leave the city as soon as you can. Soon, Fein will fall into a chaos, and no one will survive. You have very little time left young man."

With those words, he turned and walked back into the mansion, the gates closing behind him with a soft clang.

Dune stood there for a moment, speechless, processing the ominous warning.

[ End of first Memory ]