Heka's mind raced with curiosity. What could Marchio possibly want with such ordinary objects? Yet, he knew better than to question. It was not his place to understand the purpose, only to obey. Yet he would witness what Marchio would do.
Without another word, Marchio tossed a piece of paper toward Heka. It fluttered through the air and landed softly in his outstretched hand.
The paper was unlike anything Heka had ever seen in the human realm. Its surface shimmered with a golden-brown hue, delicate yet resilient. It was thinner than the finest tissue. It was almost translucent, yet surprisingly elastic and resistant to tearing.
Heka turned the paper over carefully, marveling at its unique texture. He thought it might resist fire, perhaps even water, much like the broad, waxy leaves of the taro plant.
This was no ordinary parchment. It was a precious artifact, a treasure in its own right. Hence, he vowed silently to keep it safe. He knew it might be his only guide through the trials ahead.
"Don't try to run away or trick me. If you dare to do it, you will accept the consequences by yourself." Marchio's voice cut through his reverie, sharp and unforgiving.
The warning was clear and chilling. Heka had suspected all along that Marchio would never let him leave this realm alive.
Nevertheless, his fear was not for himself. It was far deeper and more painful. He was terrified of losing someone else, someone precious, again.
"Don't ask me to sacrifice someone else. Because I am willing to sacrifice myself instead." Heka said firmly. His voice was trembling with a mixture of fear and resolve.
He had to say it. If he remained silent. If he allowed the possibility of another's life being taken because of him, the guilt would consume him entirely.
Marchio's response was simple. "Okay."
But Heka could not bring himself to trust those words. How could he? Words were easy to say, but actions were what truly mattered.
Heka challenged, his eyes searching for Marchio's for any sign of sincerity. "How can I trust you if you don't take anything of my life?"
The immortal's expression darkened, a flicker of anger flashing in his eyes. The presumption of a mere human questioning an immortal was audacious.
Yet, beneath the anger, Marchio understood the root of Heka's fear. The desperate needed for assurance that no more innocent lives would be lost.
Suddenly, a blur of motion caught Heka off guard. The little dragon, swift and fierce, darted toward him with lightning speed.
Before he could react, it coiled tightly around his neck. Its scale was cool but unyielding, constricting his breath.
"It is an immortal realm, not the human realm. Don't equate the Immortal realm with your human realm." Marchio said coldly. His voice echoed with authority.
The dragon's grip loosened just enough for Heka to draw a ragged breath. His chest heaved as the air filled his lungs again, but the remainder of his vulnerability lingered.
Marchio called sharply. "Jino, come here!!!"
The little dragon uncoiled and flew back to Marchio's waiting arms. Its eyes gleamed with a strange intelligence. The creature's presence was both a comfort and a warning. A symbol of the power Marchio wielded and the peril Heka faced.
As Heka stood there, clutching the golden-brown parchment and the simple items Marchio had demanded, a heavy silence settled between them. The weight of what was to come pressed down on him like a physical force.
Heka felt it deeply, the little dragon was Marchio's favorite. The way it moved, the fierce loyalty it showed. And how it reacted instantly to Marchio's emotions all spoke volumes.
When Heka had inadvertently angered Marchio, the dragon had immediately lunged at him, a swift. A sharp reminder of the power Marchio wielded and the consequences of crossing him.
Yet beneath the surface of Marchio's sternness, Heka sensed something more complex. The dragon's fierce protectiveness was a reflection of Marchio's own feelings. Perhaps a rare glimpse of care hidden beneath his immortal exterior.
Marchio's voice took on a serious tone as he explained the nature of the reversed time illusion. "For reversed time illusion is the illusion of reality. Everything in the illusion is real. But you have to remember that it's just an illusion. If you reject reality, you will always be trapped in illusions and will never be back. It means that you will disappear, both from the human realm and the Immortal realm. I can't get you out even though I've brought you."
The weight of Marchio's words settled heavily on Heka's shoulders. The illusion was a double-edged sword. An opportunity to relive moments with his parents, but also a potential prison from which there was no escape.
It was now Heka's decision to make. He had to live with the consequences. But at least he would not have to sacrifice anyone else to meet his parents again.
"Well, I get it." He said quietly. Determined, he accepted the harsh truth.
Marchio interrupted. "No. You shouldn't get stuck in. Because you have to do something for me first. It's better if you complete the task. Then, you can meet your parents."
For all Marchio's rudeness and cold demeanor, Heka detected a flicker of genuine concern.
Perhaps Marchio feared that Heka might lose himself in the illusion, trapped forever in a world that was not real. Despite everything, there was a weird kindness in that fear.
Heka nodded, deciding it was better to agree. "Okay. Then how can I get back to Kiervant Sky and return to the human realm?"
The thought of staying in Kiervant Sky for too long unsettled him, even though the place felt strangely comfortable. His heart longed for home, for the familiar world he had left behind.
From behind Marchio, a soft rustling sound emerged. A wing unfurled, and Marchio plucked a single feather from it. The feather floated gently toward Heka, its surface shimmering with a soft glow.
"Use it and keep it well." Marchio instructed.
"Thank you." Heka said firmly.
Heka took the feather carefully, marveling at its texture. It was the same golden-brown color as the special paper Marchio had given him earlier. The feather was soft and delicate, yet it radiated a quiet strength.
In that moment, Heka realized the paper must have been made from the same fur as the feather, a rare and precious material, imbued with the power of the immortal realm.
Now, all that remained was for Heka to return to the human realm and fulfill Marchio's demands. Though the tasks were many and daunting, Heka felt a surge of hope. The chance to see his parents again. Even if only once was worth every hardship.
He would not waste this opportunity. He would carry out every request with determination and faith, trusting that Marchio's words were true.
For the first time in a long while, Heka felt a fragile but growing belief. Perhaps on this weird and perilous journey, he could find redemption and peace.