Ruins of Memory: Twilight Light

ACT 3: DOUBTS

Tick, tock, tick, tock. The clock ticks down in time. Alas, the clock continues to spin. Time acts on no one's will. Not even itself. The essence of time is that it goes on, and on, time and time again. That's why, my dear, you need to continue forward.

... The gentle words of his conscience spoke to him like comfort. Reassurance, comfort,  and affirmation. He headed towards the Northern Sun's border... Well, imaginary border. A virtual border that was created with the God of Secrets, Wealth, Luck Prosperity, Taboo, Curses and the Forbidden descent, seperating the Northern Sun with its association with the Southern Sun.

That is also where The Prism radiates the strongest... So he had a hunch that he could perhaps "reach the other side". Because he had already hypothesized the same as the other side. How there are two sides to this world... To maintain the status quo, the equilibrium.

... Words repeated again. That hypothesis stuck in his head as if connected with another. It hurts. But he has to keep going... for that faint flicker he's reaching for.

The hypothesized "aura" that the Northern Sun's border emits becomes stronger and has more presence. Like illumination on the soul, and ignition of the body, the prismatic power that came from the power of a "god" is in close proximity... And yet, it feels like this was his goal.

*Woooooshhh...*
The wind blows gently, rustling through the trees... Cold. Freezing even.
He reached out to the border, seemingly calling out to it, for an answer...
*Wooosh!*
Strong winds blows as if it was a reply. He was taken aback by the abrupt response...

...It seems like this was not his destination after all. Of course, he knew it wouldn't have been that simple. If that was so... He wouldn't even be here.

"...Tch."

A grunt of slight disappointment. It seemed like he just wanted it all to end as fast as possible. Deep down, he knew that it was only a very slight chance that here out of all places would be where this ends.

But alas, this tragic masquerade continues on, as he stood there before the wind, blowing and caressing his hair as he thinks deeply.

Nothing seemed to cross his mind. He thought of wandering aimlessly... but that would've taken too much time.

...Tick, tock, tick, tock. The clock counts down to this tragic story's end—

—Or at least, that's what it was said.

From before the border, he looked to the direction of the Rainbow Market, and up the Spring Mountain. Something seemed to have clicked. Another destination, mayhaps?

... A cherry blossom passed by the wind. He headed for the mountain, cloaked in a plethora of cherry blossoms, a haven, a paradise for the flowers... And yet, even that, the scenery that people would imagine would soon be crushed. A tragic masquerade of flowers, the story of death and the ominous air under the cherry blossoms... No, not cherry blossoms. Wisterias. Spider Lilies. That which repels death, and that which represents death.

... How tragic. Or so he thought.

The seed of doubt planted the moment he entered this world, and why he's the only one who remembers the "Emperor", makes it feel like he's not even supposed to be here. No, he's not supposed to even exist. Based on company policies, he would be considered an anomaly, and no, not the ones to be contained, but ones to be killed and exterminated.

... Is he the cause to everything?

He asked himself as he recalled the scenery beyond the barrier.

—Empty.

No, not empty. There's something there. He can't feel it, or see it. It is just a gut feeling, a hunch.

Regret. He regretted going on this journey a little. It made things more complicated than before as he started noticing the intricate details of the web of Fate that someone has weaved. A confusing, yet organized and beautiful web.

Well, he already went to one, might as well go on the others... His conscience guided as he once again departed from the shining border.

Walking up the spine of the mountain, the green trees slowly turning pink before seemingly blooming into a wave of cherry blossoms. Wisterias dangled beneath the facade and the occasional red spider lilies found growing and blooming, despite it only being summer.

For the first time in a while, instead of unease, he felt like he was in peace. Of course, he couldn't stay here forever... He knew where he will be headed. The peak.

Quite the goal, is it not? ...Wherever the goal is, you'll reach it, as long as you continue forward.

Under the layer of cherry blossom leaves, he wandered aimlessly. The wisteria hanging from the branches as he pushed it aside for his path. Why did he decide to go to these mountains? What compelled him to? ...Oh, right. It feels as if there is an aura there, a border, perhaps. There is no way to confirm it, unless we find out.

Or so he thought.

To say the truth, it was nothing of that sort. There was no aura, no border, whatsoever. It was Fate. The golden thread that hangs our necks, and leading us. Of course, this universe's Fate is already set in stone, weaved and made into a plethora of choices that lead into a single end. Perhaps you could say... The Chariot had already led this universe to its end.

A few hours have passed. The peak is oh so close to his reach, as he hiked up the mountains, panting as he puffed up. Of course, it would be tiring.

"... How much time has passed...?"

The sun is now rising, once again. The Rainbow Market ends and is being cleaned up.
He stared back at the nation, before continuing on...
Tick, tock, tick, tock. Another hour has passed, as he finally sets foot on the peak of the mountain.

***There was nothing. But a tree stump.***

Although... He could feel something, just very faintly. He sighed and sat down on the stump, raising his shirt to wipe off the sweat of his face, before looking behind.

"... That feeling, again..."

〇〇. Reach out.

"..."

He set down his shirt, as he extended his arm towards the direction his gut is telling him to.
An abrupt stop as his arm stopped with... A barrier.

No, not a barrier. Someone... Someone is holding him. His hand. It feels so warm, and oh so familiar... Nostalgia, and a sense of fulfillment. He missed him, he missed that faint flicker in his head which reminded him of his goal here in the first place. The embrace of this "imaginary" hand just amplified it.

...Memories. Recalled memories. A sudden surge of emotions pouring in like the waves, as it all comes back to him. Tears. Small tears shed from his eyes as he stared into the void.

Memories. Happy times, sad times. Mourning, grieving, and bliss, and happiness. Oh, how nostalgic. Oh, how touching... Oh, how tragic. Oh, how emotional... The story that they shared with eachother, where is it now?

"*sniff...*"
"I miss you... My love. I miss you so much..."

"**Karasake...**"
~ ACT 3: DOUBTS ~
         END