「✦ Reflection of Memories ✦」

Chapter 15: Temple of Twins

Well, I suppose saying "We're in the light" is wrong. It's nighttime and the moon isn't visible so technically there's no light. But he wasn't stupid enough to argue.

He ran his hand through his hair. "I don't know. Like I told you before, I was just taken here without a warning."

I almost started laughing. "Let me tell you something, little man. Warnings don't exist here. You're just plucked from whatever you were doing and thrown in. So basically, you have to stay alert at all times. I don't even know when was the last time I slept properly."

He crossed his arms. "Fine. Introductions first, though. What's your name? How do I know you're not trying to kill me?" 

I raised my hands in surrender. "Me, a mere child who's forced themselves to complete a mission for their dead sister? No, I don't think so."

I dropped my hands to my side and held my right hand out for greeting. "Hello. My name is Isla Windsor. And I am on a journey to find the secrets of force rebirth for my deceased sister."

He didn't shake my hand, but rather stared at me like I was a demon-possessed zombie. "There are so many things wrong with this. I'm Casimir-"

"Casimir? As in 'Destroyer of Peace' in French and Dutch? Man, how'd your parents come up with that name?" I stared at him. 

"My parents told me it meant 'Bringer of Peace'..." He muttered. Then, he shook his head and looked back up at me. "No need for conspiracies about my name. Let me tell you something. Whatever nonsense you just told me is not real. Rebirth? You really believe in those things?"

I stood up. "Well, there isn't exactly a choice to believe it or not." I spread my arms. "You're here, so you're here. You've got to deal with it!" I said brightly.

He stood up and turned to walk away. "I refuse. Goodbye, Isla. Whatever you want to do, you're on your own."

I couldn't stop my laugh. "Casimir, I've been 'on my own' for the whole time until you showed up against my will. Now, I've got to deal with another person besides all those weird magical entitles appearing out of nowhere to challenge me to whatever. Do you really think I wanted you to come? Besides, I quite literally just saved your butt back there."

He continued to walk away. 

"Well, you do you then. I'll leave you here, then." I did have a lot to do. With this new information, I think maybe I'll finally be able to track down Emilia. 

I wandered away from the spot, and tried to locate where we were and what time it was. When was the last time I had actually decided  to get sleep instead of being yeeted somewhere and thrown unconscious? I really don't remember.

The place was just...hills. Hills and hills. The grass was a healthy green color, as if someone sprayed it with water every day but never bothered to cut the grass. What year was this? Did lawn mowers exist? I walked through the field, the grass slightly tickling my legs, and trying to guess what was in that book. I remembered, of course, what was written on it before when I read it, but perhaps Emilia recorded something else down? One way or another, it's important that the book doesn't fall under the wrong hands. 

I looked up at the clouds and wondered if I should relax for a little bit. I mean, it's needed, sort of, but I can't risk getting injured in a time like this - especially with Casimir around, who doesn't know anything, and refuses to do anything. 

I wonder why Casimir was sent here. Was he supposed to help me? Or was he searching for something as well? He looked like he was hiding something. As I treked through the grass, I lost track of time. I could see the slightest tint of orange in the black sky - sunrise will hit soon. We can't lose much time, now that I know that Emilia, for the fact, is not dead, and in trouble.