Memories

Sometimes, I find myself trapped in thoughts of the past, wondering if everyone, like me, recalls over and over the mistakes we once made. How, if only we had done things differently, everything would be so much better. But no matter how much I think about all the ways I could have done things better, about how I ruined everything, even if I find thousands of solutions, it's all useless. After all, it's just a thought...

While I was lost in my thoughts, a hammer struck my side, and I could feel several of my ribs breaking. Redirecting the impact, I steadied myself to keep from losing my balance, and after spitting out blood, I swung this damned sword I carried in my right hand, slicing in two the man who had attacked me. I channeled the sword's energy and began regenerating my side. At that moment, I realized once again that I was now a monster. I had become a creature devoid of any trace of mercy, with nothing left but the thought of finding the one responsible for my curse. The only thing keeping me sane is that place and remembering her face, but... it's too late... she's no longer here.

Even so, how wonderful it would be if my hands were not as stained with blood as they are now, and if I could return to that flower field with my sister.

Sigh.

Once again, I find myself trapped in the past. If only I had more time... could I perhaps go back?

I'm... so tired... I'll just close my eyes for a moment and remember that flower field.

As I listened to the wails in the background, I closed my eyes for a moment, recalling that day.

The sun woke me up in the morning, and soon after, a shout reached my ears.

—Airoku! —It was my sister calling me.

She looked so beautiful in my memory: her bright red hair resembled a sunset full of energy, reaching just above her shoulders. Her eyes, sharp yet kind, gazed at me with tenderness. She had such a strong figure that I often wondered if I would look like her when I grew up. She was the greatest pillar of my life, understanding me better than anyone in the world.

But now, she is only a memory that I have replayed over and over—so beautiful, yet so painful.

—I'm awake! I'm on my way, Murka! —I replied with a shout.

—Airoku, Mom and Dad are busy working in the village, so we can sneak away and visit our secret place, —Murka said, covering her mouth with a mischievous smile.

—Really?! —I answered excitedly.

I started jumping from side to side with excitement while Murka puffed out her chest and held her head high.

—That's right, but first, we have to finish all the chores at home, buy a few things, and then we can go together. Just leave everything to this amazing big sister, —Murka said.

I looked at her with shining eyes and thought, I wish I could be as capable and brave as my sister.

—Now, let's go, Airoku. We need to make the most of our time so we can go and return before Mom and Dad get back.

I quickly nodded my head up and down.

I accompanied my sister to complete all the chores we had for the day. Even though some tasks were a bit tedious, I didn't mind because I was with my sister, and being by her side made everything enjoyable. So much so that, before I knew it, we had finished everything, and in an instant, it was time to go to our secret place. Together, we ventured into the forest.

—Airoku, remember: never enter the forest alone. You don't know what kind of dangers could be lurking here. We wouldn't want you to run into a man-eater and get swallowed in one bite. So, if I'm not with you, this great sister of yours to protect you, you'll be in grave danger, —Murka said, making hand gestures like a terrifying monster.

—I'm not a little kid anymore, sister. I can take care of myself too.

—Ohhhh, really, my little Airoku? Then today, I'll show you a new secret place. But first, let's go to our trusted secret spot.

After walking for a while as we talked, we arrived at a small flower field: a perfect circle formed by the trees, filled with flowers of different colors that gave the sensation of a spiral of various shades, with a small pillar of light reaching the center through the hole between the trees. At the end of the field, there was a small waterfall.

"I never get tired of looking at this beautiful landscape," I said, amazed by the beauty of the place.

"I'm still curious about where the hole the waterfall flows into leads. It almost feels like it could swallow me, like it's calling me to enter and discover what's behind the waterfall... but you know, curiosity killed the wolf."

"I'm pretty sure that's not how the saying goes, sister," I replied, confused.

"I'm absolutely sure it is, and you shouldn't contradict your great older sister," Murka said while splashing water at me.

We spent most of our time playing in the waterfall, rolling through the flower field, and lying down, telling stories about how Murka was courted by many men. I laughed at her stories, and then, finally, Murka spoke in a more serious tone.

"Well, it's getting late. Before we go home, let's quickly go to the..."

Murka paused and then changed her voice to a playful tone.

"Ta-da, ta-da, ta-daaa! The new secret place!" she exclaimed while striking a weird pose. I just clapped while laughing.

"Now let's go, Airoku, without further delay, to the new secret place!"

"Aye, sir!"

We crossed the forest again and, after walking for a while, we reached what looked like a crack in the mountain. We squeezed through with difficulty, and although it was a bit dark inside, I followed Murka's steps. After a short while of walking, I saw light at the end of the tunnel, and when we reached the source of the light, it was a cavern with a large hole in the ceiling, letting sunlight in, reflecting off multiple crystals on the walls, creating a stunning effect. In the center of the cavern, I could see what looked like a temple with two statues guarding the entrance.

"WHOOOAAH!" I exclaimed, astonished by how magnificent the statues looked. They had the appearance of armored knights without helmets, looking like young men with their eyes closed. After recovering from the surprise of the place, I turned to look at Murka, who was watching me proudly.

"I know, I know, I'm amazing at finding places."

"How did you find this, sister?" I asked.

"A magician never reveals their secrets, little sister."

"Humph..." I pouted while smiling.

"Now, let's go, little sister. We don't want to be late getting home and have Mom and Dad already back."

At that moment, I didn't know... but I should have stopped her. I should have told her it was already late, that we shouldn't go inside, that she had already shown me the place, and it would be best to go back... but there's no point in wishing I had.

We entered the temple and began looking at more statues. Some represented female knights, while others looked like scholars holding tablets filled with writings we couldn't understand. We kept moving forward until we reached a large hall with a massive sword embedded diagonally in an altar.

"I don't think a normal person could wield that sword easily," I said.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, little sister. It's just decoration. Besides, we shouldn't touch anything here, okay? I just wanted to show you the place so you could see how amazing I am as a big sister."

"Makes sense. I don't know why, but I feel a little uneasy surrounded by all these statues... but I have to admit, the sword looks really cool."

"Exactly. Now let's go, little sister. It's getting reall—wait... I don't think that statue was here last time I came," Murka said, squinting her eyes.

Meanwhile, I approached to get a better look at the sword.

"Ohhh, the tablet this statue is holding—I can actually read it! Let's see what it says," my sister exclaimed happily.

As I listened to my sister murmur while reading, I slowly approached the sword and placed my hands on the hilt. With great difficulty, due to its massive size, I tried to pull it out.

"AIROKU, STOP!" my sister screamed in panic.

At that moment, the sword came loose... and the nightmare began.

One after another, the statues began moving rigidly—something that shouldn't be possible since they were supposed to be mere sculptures.

My sister ran toward me.

I started trembling uncontrollably as I heard voices in my head, feeling as if it was about to split in two. I didn't understand what the voices were saying, but something inside me urged me to use the sword.

"Calm down... now, please, whatever you do, don't use the sword... I don't understand what's happening because I didn't finish reading the tablet, but... we made a mistake touching that sword. I don't know why it came loose now when nothing happened the first time I was here, and I couldn't pull it out... unless my little sister has super strength," my sister said with a joking tone and a nervous laugh, trying to calm me down.

"Now, Airoku, we have to get out of here. Please, let go of the sword, and let's run out quickly."

I was terrified. The statues were getting closer and closer, while I felt as if they were dissecting my mind, and no matter how much I wanted to, I couldn't let go of the sword.

Suddenly, a statue struck my sister, sending her flying across the room.

I didn't know what to do. I was in shock. Even with the pain I felt, I couldn't react. The statue slowly approached, and when it was just inches away from me, I could see its completely indifferent expression, devoid of any emotion. Something that, paradoxically, filled me with even more terror.

I shut my eyes in fear and, with a voice broken by sobs, said:

"Sister... help me... please..."

The statue's fist was heading straight for me. Just as it was about to hit me, I heard a loud crash and felt like my ears were about to burst.

"Did it hit me...? Am I not alive anymore...? If so, why do my ears hurt?"

I slowly opened my eyes. The sword was no longer in my hand, the headache and voices had disappeared, and in front of me was my sister, holding the sword, her back to me. She slowly turned her head and, with a smile on her face, said:

"Don't worry, little sister. This great big sister will protect you."

At that moment, three more statues lunged at us, faster than the previous one. Suddenly, my sister vanished from my sight. I only saw a blur and, after that, the three statues were gone.

My sister smiled at me even more brightly as she said:

"No one will touch my little sister as long as I'm here."

I broke into tears, certain that my sister would protect me... but I was wrong.

Her arm was broken. I knew it by the unnatural direction it was bent. The blow she took earlier had fractured her arm, and it shattered my heart to imagine the pain she must have been feeling, holding that sword and still smiling to reassure me.

As I cried, my sister kept fighting. She dodged the statues' punches and kicks with almost feline agility. She blocked ranged attacks with the sword and counterattacked with a single arm, moving as if she were dancing. I was mesmerized. But more and more statues kept coming. She took a hit that cut her face and left her blind in one eye. Then she jumped and shielded me from a blow that was about to land.

I could hear my sister gasping, trying to catch her breath before launching herself at the next statue. She looked at me and, with determination, said:—Don't worry, I promise I'll get you out of here.

After that, she threw herself at the statues again, using their own attacks against them so they would destroy each other. She dodged and took down the next one. I saw her hurl the sword to destroy distant statues and then call it back to her hand. But even so, it wasn't enough. She kept taking blows, over and over. I watched as she crashed into the temple walls, making everything tremble, only to get back up again, coughing up blood but holding the sword with the same firmness as before.

Again and again, as more statues kept coming. After what felt like days, I saw my sister step in front of me and finally fall to her knees. She gently touched my cheek and, with a smile, whispered into my ear:—Forgive me for making you do this, my dear little sister... I love you... But I don't think I can protect you anymore... So please... end me with this sword... Would you... please?