Chapter 19: The Night of Memories

The city did not sleep that night.

Or rather, it slept... but without dreaming.

The mental veil that had long kept the population in a state of forgetfulness began to tear.

Thousands of people woke up with fragments of memories they believed lost forever.

Kelvin walked through the streets at dawn, his steps echoing against the quiet walls.

He felt a new energy in the air.

— Look at this, Lila whispered beside him.

They passed a group of passersby.

Each seemed to struggle against an inner storm, with confused, painful expressions.

— They're remembering... Echo murmured.

— Yes, said Orane, and with the memories comes fear. The fear of facing what they were forced to forget.

In an apartment, a man suddenly stood up, trembling.

He relived the white room.

The syringes.

The screams.

The Shadows.

He screamed.

Outside, in the dark alleys, the Shadows themselves seemed to change.

They no longer sought only to erase.

They began to feed on the awakened emotions.

A Shadow approached a young woman in tears.

— "I am the fear you refuse," it said, the pain you hide. Let me in.

Kelvin understood that the battle was far from over.

The Shadows were transforming, growing stronger as the memories returned.

— It's a vicious cycle, Echo explained. The more they remember, the more they suffer. And the stronger the Shadows become.

— We need to find something else for them to feed on, said Lila.

— A different kind of light, replied Orane.

The group returned to the Sanctuary.

Kelvin stared at the Inverted Eye.

— This time, we're going to create a mental refuge. A place where people can face their memories without falling into fear.

— A sanctuary for souls, Lila smiled.

— Yes, a place of healing.

On this long, sleepless night, the entire city was swept by whispers, fragments, screams.

But also by acts of solidarity, outstretched hands, gentle words.

The Night of Memories had begun.