Realms of Destiny: Shadows of Caligo

Chaos Spreading ii

Back in the mundane world, Zarah, Kyler, and Cassian lived unaware of Ren's existence. The spell cast by Kepler had wiped all memories of their time with her, leaving only vague feelings of something missing. They carried on duties as expected, collecting intel on the mist and taking time for combat training. But no matter how much distance there was from Ren and the fleeting moments they had met her. Something still felt lost in their souls; it was distant but familiar. Yet a suppression lingered, disabling them from talking about their missing memory.

However, as weeks passed, they began to experience peculiar sensations. Zarah would occasionally catch herself daydreaming about someone she couldn't quite remember, a figure with red hair and piercing eyes. Kyler found himself drawn to places and objects that seemed oddly familiar, though he couldn't recall why. On the other hand, Cassian experienced flashes of emotions that felt out of place, like a lingering sadness and an inexplicable determination. It started with small things that they quickly ignored.

However, it grew Zarah, Kyler, and Cassian's sensations grew more intense as the weeks passed. Each time they encountered the mist, their feelings became more substantial and tangible. It was like the mist was a conduit, bridging the gap between their subconscious minds and Ren's presence. The visions unknowingly strengthened their erased memory whenever they came into contact with the fog.

Zarah's daydreams became more vivid, often leaving her with a sense of longing and familiarity. She could almost see the red-haired figure's face, but it always remained just out of reach. The mist seemed to amplify these daydreams, making them feel more natural, almost like memories she couldn't grasp.

Kyler found himself inexplicably drawn to places where the mist was thickest. Objects that had once seemed mundane now held a mysterious allure as if they were fragments of a past he couldn't remember. He began sketching these places and objects, hoping they would lead to answers.

Cassian's emotional flashes became harder to ignore. Every encounter with the mist brought emotions that didn't feel like his own. Sadness, determination, and fear surged through him with such intensity that he often had to step away to compose himself. He realised that these emotions were tied to someone else's experiences, someone deeply connected to the mist.

One evening, the trio gathered in the house library, and when they did, Cassian decided to bring up his flashbacks. Soon, the three realised they must have meaning; as all three had come to trust these peculiar sensations, they soon saw them as clues rather than distractions.

"Do you ever feel like there's something you're missing?" Zarah asked, her voice filled with frustration. "Every time I see the mist, I'm on the brink of remembering something crucial."

Kyler nodded. "It's not just you. I've been drawn to places and objects that seem oddly familiar, but I can't figure out why. The mist makes it stronger, lasting up to a day after."

Cassian looked thoughtful. "I've been having these intense emotions that don't seem to belong to me. The mist amplifies them, pushing me to feel things I don't understand."

"Is it a person you guys see?" Kyler asked the three in curiosity.

"You see her too?" Zarah announced wide-eyed.

"No, no, not exactly. I keep finding the items of significance to be female?" He explained with a furrowed brow. As he did, Cassian's eyes lit up, having an idea.

"Ky, you say it's objects for you, right?"

"Yeah, they are weird, but I also draw places."

"Go collect them; I will write down everything I can remember. Zarah, you do the same but tell no one what you're doing. We don't know who we can trust." They all agreed and walked out of the library.

Soon, all three arrived back. They began to piece together their experiences, realising that the mist was more than a natural phenomenon. It connected to their lost memories and someone they couldn't quite remember. The more they talked, the clearer it became.

"What if the mist is trying to tell us something?" Zarah suggested. "What if it's connected to the person we're all trying to remember?"

Kyler's eyes widened. "You mean the red-haired figure you keep seeing in your daydreams?"

Zarah nodded. "Yes. And I think you're both feeling it in different ways."

Cassian agreed. "It's like the mist is a bridge, linking us to something or someone important. We need to find out who it is."

Determined to uncover the truth, the trio decided to follow the mist. They began to explore areas where the fog was thickest, hoping it would lead them to answers. As they delved deeper, their sensations grew stronger, guiding them like a compass.

One misty evening, while exploring an ancient forest, they stumbled upon a clearing with particularly dense fog. The air was thick with moisture, and visibility was low, but the trio felt an undeniable pull towards the centre of the clearing.

"There's something here," Kyler whispered, his heart pounding.

Zarah's daydreams became more apparent as they moved closer, and Cassian's emotional flashes intensified. They knew they were on the right track.

The forest was dense with foliage, making it hard to walk too far before almost hitting a head on a branch or having to move some grass from your path.

"Where are we, Kyler?"

" I think we are in Nikeri lands."

The fog got thicker until it was unsafe to move any further.

"We are going to have to wait for her." Cassian huffed as another emotional fash flooded him. The other  two agreed, and they also became inundated with visions. Looking at each other, they knew this was getting intense but had no choice but to wait. The mist cleared just enough for the three to continue walking.

Arriving in the heart of the clearing, the mist swirled around a large, ancient tree. Etched on it were ancient Greek texts and transcripts that called them to action. The trio approached it cautiously, feeling a sense of familiarity and anticipation. Without a word, the three touched the tree, a surge of energy pulsed through them, and suddenly, memories began to flood back. The feeling of restored memory felt like they were whole again. However, it had brought their situation back into sharp focus.

With their memories restored, the trio felt a renewed sense of purpose. They understood the significance of the mist and their connection to Ren. They knew they had to find her and bring her back for their sake and the balance of the realms. But one question echoed their mind: why did Kelper feel it was necessary for them to erase their memories? It would be something they would ask once they had found Ren. For now, they would become fugitives of Arcane and focus on finding Ren.