Memory Rewind

The light bursting from within the ice struck Aren's face directly.

For a split second, his vision turned white—

And the world… stopped.

Aren (whispers):

"…Did I… activate something?"

Tomo (panic tone):

"Bro! Brainwave spike detected! The Spiral Seal just triggered! A memory stream is entering your mind!"

The frozen world around Aren began to dissolve—

Like he was slipping into another dimension.

---

Flashback Realm — Unknown Time Layer

Aren found himself standing in the middle of a long-forgotten battlefield.

Shattered weapons scattered everywhere…

Blood-stained snow…

And the desperate scream of a girl echoed across the ruins.

A girl with white hair, glowing eyes…

Clutching a trident-like weapon, standing alone in the blizzard.

There was no light in her gaze—only pain.

Unknown Girl (screaming):

"Time lies! I never forgot! You're all liars!"

Aren stood frozen, stunned.

Aren (tense):

"Who is she...? Why does this pain feel so… real?"

Tomo's voice glitched into his head.

Tomo (distorted):

"Bro… I think that's Eira. But not our Eira. Maybe a past self… or a fragmented memory caught in a time distortion."

Suddenly, the girl—possibly Eira—collapsed.

A Spiral symbol glowed beneath her, and time energy swirled around her broken form.

Eira (crying):

"I should have forgotten… but I couldn't…"

---

Back to Present — Frozen Land

Aren jolted back to reality.

He was gasping for air.

The Spiral mark on his hand pulsed brighter than ever.

Aika (concerned):

"Are you alright?"

Aren (quietly):

"I saw her, Aika… I saw Eira. Not how she is now… but how she used to be.

There was pain in her eyes… and a truth someone tried to bury."

Suddenly, a voice echoed through the icy winds—

Echo.

Echo (from afar):

"What you saw… was only one layer.

The Spiral remembers every pain,

But people… they forget."

Aren:

"You show me memories, Echo…

But what are you really hiding?"

Echo (softly):

"I was once like you, Aren.

But the path you're walking… demands memory as its toll."

Just then, Aika staggered.

A strange white glow flickered in her eyes.

Aika (dazed):

"Who… am I…?"

Tomo (shouting):

"No! It's the Spiral Seal's side effect—her memories are freezing!"

Aren rushed to her side and grabbed her hand, tightening his grip.

Aren (firmly):

"Even if I have to trade my memories… I'll bring yours back, Aika."

The scene zoomed out—

Beneath the ice, the Spiral Seal was now fully awakened.

And glowing next to it…

A broken hourglass, leaking time like blood from a wound.

---

Narration (final line):

"When time devours memories…

Only the moments etched in the heart can survive."