The Flowing Memories of the Forgotten One
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The night in the Infinite Wilderness was eerily silent. Altaïr stood on the edge of a small lake, its surface as calm as glass, reflecting the faint light of a cloud-covered night sky. The wind blew gently, creating small ripples on the water's surface.
Altaïr looked down, staring at his own, unfamiliar reflection in the water.
Altaïr: "Even though I look handsome… this won't get me anywhere."
His hands clenched tightly. His once blank gaze slowly hardened, filled with a newfound determination.
Altaïr: "I must train to become strong. And I must also find out about myself—who I really am… and why there's a faded message next to my name."
Suddenly, his eyes caught something moving in the water.
Altaïr: "W-wait… there's a fish here."
A faint smile appeared on his face. He quickly searched the lake for materials and found a straight piece of wood and a sharp stone. Patiently, he scraped the stone against the end of the stick until the splinters fell off. Soon, a simple wooden spear was ready.
Altaïr: "Good… this is enough. Now, fish… wait. Tonight, you will be in my belly."
He spent four hours standing still, enduring hunger and cold. As night fell, Altair sat on the ground staring at the pile of thirty-five fish he had caught.
Altaïr: "Hm… thirty-five fish. Not bad. This is enough to last me about two weeks. But I can't continue living like this. I need to find a village, earn some money, and buy equipment—a sword, perhaps—to survive. It's time to explore."
After six hours of walking, Altair came across a cold campsite. He decided to continue north until he found a path. Before continuing, he grilled a fish to refuel.
Altaïr: "This fish looks delicious. Enjoy your meal."
A few hours later, he arrived at a village called Voaris. However, without money, Altair felt helpless. He decided to head west through a small forest. At that moment, the sound of sobbing broke the silence.
"Sob… sob…"
Altair approached and saw a girl standing on the edge of a steep cliff.
Altair: "Hey! Watch out, it's dangerous! If you fall—come here! Don't stand there!"
Mysterious Girl: "It's okay… I feel comfortable here."
Altair: (Hesitates for a moment) "I-it seems… something heavy is weighing on you, doesn't it?"
Mysterious Girl: "What do you know about my life?" (Her voice sounded cold and resigned).
Altair: "Maybe I don't know anything about your life. But I also don't know who I am or why I'm here. I just woke up two days ago with no memories. I've told my side. Now… it's your turn."
The girl was silent for a long time, before her voice finally broke.
Mysterious Girl: "I'm just a girl who's always failed. I was kicked out of my family for not achieving as well as my siblings. I was the weakest, always bullied… and here I am, trying to end it. But I can't."
Altaïr: "I think you're strong."
Mysterious Girl: "W-what? Strong? Why do you say that?"
Altaïr: "You're strong because you're still holding on. And when you try to end it but can't, do you know why? Because there's a part of you that won't give up. And that part is the source of your strength. That means… you still want to live. After all… we're still teenagers like me."
The girl was stunned, her eyes welling up with tears as she stared at Altair.
Lyra: "Strong? Don't be ridiculous… my whole life people have told me I'm a failure."
Altaïr: "They only see what you can't do. But I see what you've been through."
Lyra: (Looks down, tears falling to the ground) "Why are you telling me this? You don't even remember who you are."
Altair: "Maybe because I'm also looking for a reason to live. And seeing you… makes me feel like I can be of use to at least one person tonight."
Lyra: "...My name is Lyra."