A Remaining Podeshire 1

Chapter 10 (Part 4)

     Finally, there is light. Oliver swiftly opens his eyes, escaping the horrific experience in his head. The first thing he sees is a deer licking his cheek and a rabbit lying on his stomach. He immediately realizes that he's lying on the ground.

     Once Oliver regained consciousness and raised his head, the animals around him got startled and sprinted away. Remembering his dream, Oliver panicked and stood up, burying his hand in his chest. He began puffing loudly and deeply.

"Just a dream... just a dream..." he murmured while panting.

     Oliver grasps for air uncontrollably. Sweat begins dripping from his forehead despite the cold weather. He then wipes the sweat off his head while panting.

     After taking a few deep breaths, Oliver looked around the area to reassure himself that he was safe. He gazed up at the dark, grey sky, which had stopped raining. Sighing in relief, he returned to a nearby tree to rest.

     Soon, Oliver returns to the same tree. He climbs up and sits on a branch, immediately picking a random, ripe red apple hanging nearby. After finishing his small meal, he takes another nap.

     It felt like only a second had passed. But Oliver already felt energized as he opened his eyes, expecting to see the thick leaves of the tree surrounding him. Instead, he found himself alone in the dark place once again.

"...Not again," Oliver groaned. He then yelled out, "Hello...? I know this is a dream!" His voice echoed into the dark.

     Oliver maintained his position. He bent his legs further and wrapped his arms around them. He looked around frantically, scanning his surroundings from left to right and up to down, hoping he wouldn't see hallucinations.

Suddenly, Oliver heard a voice from behind. "...Son?"

Oliver quickly looked back and replied nervously. "H-huh...?" Turning his head, he saw his biological father, Albert, leaning at him with a smile.

"Do you want to learn your power now?" Albert asked with a warm smile.

     Oliver reassures himself that he's not experiencing déjà vu, nostalgia, hallucinations, or nightmares. He swivels his head in every direction, attempting to spot his younger self, but he sees no one. Oliver is all alone with a vision of his father.

Despite knowing that his father was long gone and he might all be a dream or hallucination, Oliver still answered, "I've learned how to use it already."

"Your brother is keen to see you master it," Albert replied.

"Well, I've already mastered it," Oliver said. "I know this is... absurd... and... I know nothing here is real... but... I still choose to talk to you. Even if it's only a dream."

"I can imagine you and your siblings running around in the grassland, using your magical abilities," Albert added wistfully.

     Oliver sighs. He then stands up and walks away with his arms crossed. Oliver then halts and exhales through his mouth deeply.

"I'm all alone," Oliver said quietly. "That's why I chose to speak to someone in my dream... like you." He looked back at Albert and asked curiously, "You're not real, are you?"

     Albert didn't reply. Instead, Albert maintained the same position and silently mouthed words without making a sound. Oliver sighed in frustration and sadness as he turned his face away from his father.

"I'm nothing..." Oliver murmured.

     As Oliver looks in the direction he's facing, he sees figures beginning to appear. Albert appears, approaching a younger version of himself from a distant memory. Oliver crosses his arms and watches an old memory of their conversation silently.

"Da-dah!" Young Oliver exclaimed in happiness.

"Hi!" Albert knelt and patted his son on the head.

"Where... were... you?" Young Oliver asked.

Albert glanced at the floor before answering, "I was at war."

"Wo-ar?" Young Oliver repeated as he tilted his head.

"It's war, Oli," Albert giggled while brushing Oliver's hair using his hand.

"Da-dah, what is this thing... that... hmm... comes out of... mine... hand?" Young Oliver asked, demonstrating the glittering effect emanating from his palms.

"That, my child, is our elemental powers," Albert responded, wrapping his arm around his son. "Cherish it, be proud of it. It's what makes us who we are."

     Meanwhile, Oliver, listening nearby, overheard the conversation between his father and his younger self. As his father's words reached his ears, they paved the way for more heartwarming memories to flood rather than the nightmarish ones. Gleesome memories began to surround him and lighten the darkness.

As he recalled every blissful memory, Oliver began to explore his surroundings. "Wow," he whispered to himself.

"Mum, what is love?" Young Oliver asked.

"...Love is an expression—a way to show sincere affection. It should never be faked or insincere—it must come from the heart," Margaret answered.

     Oliver turns around and unexpectedly sees memories that worsen his well-being. He sees his younger self experiencing neglect, abuse, and hatred from the Fuers. He also sees the day he was forced to walk across the aisle for an arranged marriage. Then, he sees Cal swearing to catch him again. Though there are no audible dialogues in these dismaying memories, Oliver can feel the pain biting through his chest.

     Oliver tries to forget those painful memories, but they remain in his eyes. Frightened, he hurries and turns around, bumping into another memory. He sees himself outside of the church with Sophia. Oliver then carefully watches and listens to an old conversation containing bittersweet and motivating words.

"Let me ask you a question first."

"Hm?"

"When did you start desiring to... master your powers?"

"When I was... uhmm... adopted, I think."

"That was like... fifteen years ago."

"I know. It took me so long."

"But you still manage to master your elemental powers! You've done one thing you wanted to do. Now! You'll accomplish another thing you want to do next week because we'll be halting our marriage in front of the crowds. Tell everyone that love is... something... not to be forced."

"Y-yeah... yeah! You're correct."

"And... remember... one at a time, Oli. One at a time."

     Oliver then lets out a sharp gasp. Slowly, he rejoices. He can sense pure happiness rushing in his body. He takes a deep breath and looks down at his hands, feeling a sudden rush of pure joy in his palms.