Into The Unown

The Locked Memories - part 3

Gary was back at the library.

"I found it!" Luke chirped. He was perched atop the library's winding staircase, somewhere near what Gary assumed was the second floor. "Xenny! I found—AH!"

Luke had looked back too quickly and lost his balance, toppling backward. Gary instinctively reached out, a reflex more than anything, trying to catch him.

"Luke! Watch out!" Xenos called at the same time.

But Luke caught himself mid-fall, levitating gently with his aura until he landed with ease. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he sprinted toward Xenos, holding out a book like a trophy.

"Perdeta and the Memories of the Locked Door," he beamed. "I finally found it!"

Xenos took the book from his hands. With a single swipe of her sleeve, she brushed off the dust—the bright red fabric of her blouse now dulled to grey at the cuff. There was a smile on her face. Gary felt uneasy. It was strange seeing her smile. She looked... healthier than before. Her skin had lost its ghostly pallor, gaining a pale red flush, and her clothes no longer hung off her like rags—they fit her.

"I can't wait to read it," she said, immediately dropping down beside the growing pile of books.

Luke watched her fondly as she flipped through the pages. "Why do you like this book so much?"

"Because it reminds me of... me," she replied. "Perdeta has an illness she knows will consume her, but she still chooses to live her life fully."

Luke's gaze shifted to her back, where faint marks of an old seal etched across her skin. His mind drifted to the night the great lords of Van Black had gathered to decide the fate of the Van Black children.

Eiran and Luke had each taken one ward—on the condition their powers be sealed. Luke had sent Uton away with Park, expecting Eiran to do the same and banish her to a prison disguised as a castle. He hadn't. That defiance had been the source of Luke's bitterness months ago.

Now, seeing the seal for himself, guilt crept beneath his skin.

"You've survived this long with your illness," he said. "Maybe it's regressed?"

"I wasn't born with my powers, Luke. I was the first Van Black daughter born without Calapris, and that left me with the illness. My mother gave hers to me—and died from the same thing. It runs in our blood, especially the women. And once we lose our Calapris... we die. It's only a matter of time."

"You won't," he said softly. "I'll find a way."

Xenos didn't look convinced. But she still smiled. "Don't make promises you can't keep."

The atmosphere thickened with unspoken things.

Then Luke added, trying to lift the mood, "We've found nearly every book in the nameless series. Only one remains."

Xenos nodded. "Let's find it soon."

When the scene shifted, Gary found himself once again at the round table.

The room was empty like it had been before. Outside the windows that graced the gigantic hall, drops of rains hailed from the sky, covering the room in shades of grey, only illuminated by the torch light at the center of the round table.

Eiran sat at the head of the table, reviewing documents with a gaze that betrayed focus and interest. He kept sighing as the turned the pages, looking bored with each word he had to read.

Gary didn't know why, but he felt an urge to find Ash.

Then the door burst open.

"One of these days, you'll break the doors," Eiran muttered. "And when you do, the Kingdom of Johto will send me a hefty bill."

Luke didn't respond, he stormed toward the table.

Eiran, sensing the urgency in his stride, threw his papers aside. "What's the matter?"

"We need to talk about Xenos." Luke settled across from his.

Eiran's expression darkened. "What about her?" His voice was cautious.

"The seal," Luke said. "You have to break it."

Eiran pursed his lips before leaning back slightly. He fetched his papers again, nonchalantly reading them. "You ask of too great a thing."

"She's dying," Luke snapped. "You know that, don't you? The illness would get worse. And it will consume her in a few years if nothing is done."

Eiran remained silent.

"If you won't break the seal," Luke continued, "then at least let me take her to my home. My mother's old textbooks mention disorders and aura based cures. Give her to me."

"She won't die," Eiran said. "I'll find a way."

Luke's steps faltered. "Find a—" he paused, then studied Eiran's face. "Eiran... don't tell me that you—"

"We're done here," Eiran said quickly, standing up.

"No, we're not," Luke said, his voice rising, slamming both hands on the table. "Why are you so keen to her in this Arceus forbidden place where your courtmen look at her with fear and disgust? Are you so terrified of what her family is that you would rather let her die than get a cure?!"

"That is not why—" Eiran spoke, only to hold himself steady. "There shall not be two wards of Van Black at any establishment... that is my—"

Luke stopped, "You... you love her." When Eiran didn't refuse, he continued, "This isn't love, Eiran. This is obsession. Arceus, Eiran, she has one foot in the grave. If you truly love her, you'll know what's best for her. Unfortunately, that, isn't you."

Eiran said nothing. The fire crackled between them, casting long shadows on the marble floor.

"You can't have it both ways," Luke said. "You can't say you love and then sentence her to die in silence."

Eiran lowered himself back into the chair. His hand trembled towards the stack of documents, but he didn't read.

When his eyes met Luke's again, he gave a nod. "Do what you must,"

"Thank you, brother." Luke said as he left, leaving him alone in the dark.