Chapter 17:Either A Blessing Or A Curse

Chapter 17:

Either a Blessing or a Curse

Errin stood at the precipice of his own existence, the weight of infinite lifetimes pressing against his soul. The figure before him had offered a choice—return to the valley and forget, or step forward and remember everything.

But which was the blessing? And which was the curse?

His heart ached at the thought of the valley—the quiet streams, the laughter of children, the warmth of the sun-drenched fields. It had been a world untouched by the burdens of his past, a place where he had lived not as a warrior or a scholar, but simply as Errin.

But was that truly him? Or had he merely been hiding?

He turned his gaze upward. The endless stars pulsed, each one a fragment of himself. He had once wielded great power, shaped civilizations, loved, fought, lost. The knowledge of countless worlds lay just beyond his reach, waiting to be reclaimed.

To remember it all would mean embracing the vast, terrifying truth of who he truly was. It would mean shouldering the weight of gods and kings, of wars and wisdom lost to time.

But it would also mean losing the valley.

Losing her.

His fists clenched. "If I return, will I ever remember again?"

The figure hesitated. "Perhaps. But only in dreams. And even then, they will fade like mist at dawn."

Errin exhaled slowly. To live in peace, untouched by the burdens of eternity—was that not the true gift?

Or was ignorance its own prison?

His voice was quiet when he spoke again. "And if I choose to remember?"

The figure's form flickered, their presence stretching beyond human understanding. "Then you will awaken to your true self. You will reclaim what was lost. But know this, Errin—there is no return from that path. Once you remember, you can never forget again."

A blessing. A curse.

A choice.

Errin closed his eyes.

For the first time, he truly understood the weight of his decision. The valley had been a sanctuary, but also a cage. His past lives had been burdens, but also truths.

He had spent lifetimes running from himself.

It was time to decide.

And so, with a steady breath, he opened his eyes—

And stepped forward.