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Chapter 2 - Chapter Two: The Beginning

Chapter Two: The Beginning

The waiter came to collect payment, and Chloe took out three bronze-colored coins. On each coin was an engraving of four people fighting a giant monster, with a strange-looking sun above them in the sky. Rion didn't pay much attention to the details, but his eyes paused for a moment on the sun—it felt oddly familiar, though he couldn't recall why.

Suddenly, Chloe raised her finger, as if struck by an idea. She pulled out three different coins: bronze, silver, and gold. She placed the bronze one on the table, then drew the number "ten" with her finger and pointed to the silver one. Then she did the same: ten silvers = one gold.

Rion understood. The currency here followed a clear decimal system. He nodded slowly.

Then she began drawing again. She drew two people fighting, pointed to one and then to herself. Then she pointed to the other and to him. Rion grasped the message: she was offering to let him stay with her, to help him until he found his way.

He didn't hesitate. He nodded in agreement.

She smiled and pulled him outside.

They walked toward an unknown destination. Chloe's steps were confident, and Rion followed silently, his eyes fixed on the strange device hanging at her waist. She noticed his gaze and pointed to the sky.

He stared for a long time—until he saw it: an island floating in the sky, barely visible, like a castle suspended in the air. Its towers pierced the clouds, and its surface shimmered under the sun.

Chloe sat on the ground and began drawing in the dirt: a hand giving the device to someone. Rion looked at the sketch and understood—the device came from that island.

But why? And how? Who distributed these devices?

Chloe continued explaining through gestures. Rion began to piece things together: the island grants this device to those who accomplish great deeds—slaying a beast, liberating a city, or completing a rare quest. The island watches everything, and when it deems someone worthy, it sends the device. Most importantly: each device is bound to its owner. It cannot be stolen—it's useless to anyone else.

The explanation ended, and Chloe pulled him along again—to a new destination.

This time, it was a weapons shop. A medium-sized stone building filled with dozens of swords, spears, and bows hanging on walls or arranged on wooden racks.

She looked at him and pointed to a weapon, then to him. He understood—it was time to choose one.

But Rion felt unsure. He didn't know how to fight. He gestured to her, trying to say that.

She pointed to herself and then to a weapon. "I'll teach you."

He approached one of the walls, and his eyes locked onto a particular sword: a brown leather hilt wrapped with a golden band, and a gleaming blade that shimmered with a mysterious light.

He reached out, and the moment he touched the sword…

Pain exploded in his head.

It wasn't just physical pain. It was as if his soul had been ripped from its place, and he began to see…

A ruined land, a blood-red sky, monsters tearing the earth apart, and screams echoing from all directions.

Amid the destruction… a girl. Holding a sword. Her features were strikingly similar to his—long golden hair, eyes the same shade as his. She wore a strange outfit: a white high-collared blouse, black corset, tight pants, black gloves, a long open skirt, and high boots—an odd yet elegant Victorian style.

She fought fiercely. She turned and looked at him briefly… then everything vanished.

He returned to the present.

The sword was still in his hand, but he was gasping, heart pounding as if it might burst. Still, he didn't hesitate. This sword—somehow—it was connected to his memories, even if he didn't yet understand how.

He chose it.

He left the shop with Chloe, spending the rest of the day exploring the city. As evening approached, she led him to her home.

It was a small stone house with a wooden roof and a chimney that smelled of burning wood. Chloe's family welcomed him warmly: the mother, an older version of Chloe with a stern face and firm eyes; the father, a quiet man with black hair, a simple mustache, and a lean frame; and the younger brother, around seven years old, playful, curious, and constantly running around.

Rion sat with them after Chloe shared his story. The father gave him a warm smile and said:

"Consider this house your home."

The young boy cheered:

"A new friend!"

Rion didn't understand the words, so Chloe handed him a picture book made for children. He stared at it for a moment, then smiled wryly:

Do they think I'm a child?—but he thanked her.

The mother said gently:

"There's a spare room at the end of the hall… take it."

Rion bowed in gratitude, then spent some time with the boy, teaching him a few words, laughing together. After dinner, he entered his new room.

It was simple: a bed, a small desk, and an oil lamp.

He removed his sword, placed it beside the bed, then sat and stared at the table.

What are my goals now? What should I do?

He sighed softly, barely audible:

My sister… my memories… who am I?

Maybe my memories hold the answer. Maybe, with time, I'll find my path.

He lay down on the bed. He didn't sleep right away. His mind kept spinning with questions…

Until sleep overtook him, pulling him into a new world of dreams.

And tomorrow… everything would begin again.

End of Chapter.

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