Chapter 5

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"But I am very homesick for arms that have never held me." - Keng


The letters on the page swam in front of your eyes, taunting you with their unfamiliar shapes and curves. You had been struggling for weeks to grasp this new alphabet, determined to finally be able to read your own clock. But even with your best efforts, the words seemed to blur together and refuse to settle in your mind. The numbers had been easier, only ten characters to memorize and then mix and match. You'd made that your priority so that you could finally read your damned clock.

You weren't sure how long it took most people to learn a new alphabet, but you felt disappointed in yourself for not mastering it instantly as unrealistic as that expectation was. Thankfully, the people around you were patient and helpful, offering tips and tricks to aid in your learning. Viktor, in particular, had taken it upon himself to quiz you at random with words he had written down, keeping you on your toes and pushing you to improve. Despite all this support, you couldn't shake off the lingering embarrassment of still struggling to read. But you knew your alphabet perfectly - it was just a matter of patience and practice. To make matters worse, you were also putting pressure on yourself to decipher the meaning behind your visions - a task that seemed impossible no matter how hard you tried. It had been two weeks since your last one with Sky, yet every morning you woke up shaky and out of breath, grasping at fading memories for any shred of insight.

You had grown accustomed to the persistent pull of the Gemstones, effectively blocking out their incessant humming. Though you caught yourself one too many times unable to stop staring at the light blue glow, you were sure it was nothing to worry about. It was fine, you were definitely, totally fine. You could do this... probably.

You had inquired about your original clothes, desperate for any connection to your past life. With a heavy heart, you were informed that they had been sent for testing, the last remaining traces of a life left behind. You were told that experts were analyzing every thread and fibre, searching for any clues or potential DNA that could lead to answers. The anticipation was unbearable as you waited for news of their findings. These simple garments, just a T-shirt and jeans, held so much significance to you. They were a reminder of a time before everything changed, a piece of home in an unfamiliar - yet strangely familiar - place. But now, it seemed that they may hold the key to unlocking the mystery of your identity. You longed to be reunited with them and prayed for some sort of closure through their return.

A week had passed, and the results finally arrived. You anxiously awaited the news, hoping for some answers about your true origins. Their findings were inconclusive, with only one abnormality - certain materials in the fabric could not be identified. It was as if they were remnants of particles from a foreign world, a clue that confirmed your suspicion of being an outsider.

But the mystery deepened as questions lingered - which world did you come from? How did you end up here? As you pondered these thoughts, desperate for an answer, Viktor approached. To your relief, he simply checked on you without any mention of pop quizzes. You were in no frame of mind for testing.

"Perhaps you should take a break, I don't think glaring at the paper will make it provide you the knowledge you seek." A teasing smile canted on the corner of his mouth.

"You never know," you said with a tired grin, "some pretty crazy things have happened since I got here."

"The force of such a glower could eventually light that paper on fire, if you feel inclined to test that theory." A mischievous glint danced in his eyes as he chuckled at your pouting expression. You crossed your arms over your chest, feeling indignant at his teasing words.

"I resent that accusation," you huffed, trying to maintain a cool affect. Despite your efforts, your mouth couldn't help but quiver at the edges as you fought back a smile.

Muj Milacek | Viktor Arcane x Reader | RevisedWhere stories live. Discover now