ɪɴꜰɪɴɪᴛᴇ ᴠᴀʟᴏʀ: ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴇʀᴏ'ꜱ ᴛᴀʟᴇ

ꜱᴇᴠᴇɴ - ᴜɴʀᴀᴠᴇʟɪɴɢ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ꜰᴏʀɢᴏᴛᴛᴇɴ ᴍᴇᴍᴏʀɪᴇꜱ

Izuku's POV

It has been a week since I regained consciousness, but I remember nothing of my past. They tell me I am the first prince of this kingdom, though I cannot recall a single detail of my former life. During a fierce battle, I sustained a serious head injury that has left me with this maddening memory loss.

They moved me to a grand chamber, insisting it is mine, but it feels as foreign as everything else. The walls that should be familiar seem distant, like the remnants of a forgotten dream.

I haven’t told anyone, but each night, I am plagued by nightmares. In these dreams, figures my age loom over me with cruel smiles, their faces blurred and twisted in a way that sends shivers down my spine. Their mocking laughter echoes in my mind long after I wake. Yet, amidst the jeers and sinister grins, there are others—figures who stand beside me, shielding me from the darkness. They offer solace when the others try to belittle or harm me.

I don’t recognize any of them. Their faces, their voices—none of it makes sense. Each time I try to grasp at the fleeting fragments of memory, an intense headache pounds through my skull, driving me further into confusion.

Despite the terrifying visions, there is a strange comfort in the presence of those who protect me. I cannot explain why, but I feel a deep sense of trust towards them, as if they are the key to something I have lost. Though their identities remain a mystery, their kindness cuts through the fog of my forgotten past, offering a faint glimmer of hope.

Flashes of memories flicker at the edges of my mind like distant stars, just beyond my reach. I sense that the blurred faces in my nightmares hold the answers to my questions. Yet, the more I try to remember, the worse the pain becomes, as if my mind itself is fighting to keep the truth hidden.

Still, a fire of determination burns within me. I refuse to remain a prisoner of this blank slate. I must know what happened to me, who these people in my dreams are, and why their shadows continue to haunt me.

“Who are they? What actually happened to me?”

Third Person's POV

As Leo wrestled with the mysteries clouding his mind, the door to his chamber opened, and his mother, the Empress, stepped inside.

"Leo!" she exclaimed, relief evident in her voice. "Oh, my son, you’re awake. Let’s get you freshened up, and then we’ll have breakfast together with the family. Alright?"

She motioned for the maids, who entered swiftly, their graceful movements contrasting with the turmoil swirling within him. They began preparing his bath and selecting regal attire, their hands moving with practiced precision.

Watching them, Leo felt a strange mix of gratitude and discomfort. Their attentiveness was familiar, but it clashed with the uncertainty he felt about himself and his place in this life.

Summoning a faint smile, he looked at his mother. "It’s alright, Mother. I can manage on my own."

He tried to sound confident, but the Empress, ever perceptive, saw the hesitation in his eyes. She paused, studying him for a moment before offering a gentle nod.

"Very well, my dear," she said softly. "You may freshen up by yourself. But I’ll have one of the maids stay close, just in case you need anything. You’re still recovering, and we want to ensure you’re safe and comfortable."

One of the maids quietly positioned herself nearby, a silent guardian amidst the uncertainty that clung to Leo. Though part of him longed for solitude, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude for his mother’s understanding, her gentle way of offering care without making him feel caged.