Chapter 8: Memories Carved into the Heart of the Mountain's Stones (2)

  "Year 4287: Acquired Steam Magic..."

  "Year 5694: Will anyone ever read these words? Will anyone know I existed? I'm truly alone..."

  "Year 6589: Reached Level 30... and saw another strange dream. A courtroom. Accusatory fingers pointed at me... Faces twisted in rage, eyes burning with hatred... Who am I?"

  "Year 7363: Shadow Magic..."

  "Year 7932: Heat Magic..."

  "Year 7959: Cold Magic..."

  "Year 8643: Lightning Magic..."

  "Year 10379: Gravity Magic..."

  "Year 12657: Decay Magic..."

  "Year 15078: Mystery layers upon mystery, and like a fool, I keep chasing the truth. Where did my core originate? What happened in my past life? What became of my family? No answers... unless I glean more from these evolutionary dreams! This is the only path to the truth..."

  "Year 23609: Reached Level 33... and dreamed again. I sat on a chair beside a white hospital bed where a small boy smiled at me, chattering about childish adventures. Though I smiled back, my mind wandered—until he suddenly asked:

  'Nai, are you even listening? What’s on your mind? If you’re just gonna stare, why visit at all?'

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  I laughed. 'Sorry, I was distracted.'

  The boy raised an eyebrow. 'By what? Don’t tell me you’ve got a crush?'

  'Don’t be ridiculous! Heh... I brought my one and only little brother a special gift! Behold, esteemed audience!' I opened my bag with a flourish. 'The latest edition of your favorite game—Magic Throne!'

  His eyes lit up as he clutched the box. I pretended to hold a microphone: 'Mr. Nova, care to share your thoughts on this tenth-birthday gift with our loyal viewers?'

  After a playful pause, he grinned. 'I thank God for giving me the world’s best brother. Thanks, Nai—I’ll treasure this! Wanna play now?'

  'Gladly! But... I don’t know the rules.'

  'No problem! Look—it’s set on a map of a magical world called Farlance, and—'

  'Farlance? "Land of Secrets"?'

  'Yes! Now let me explain, or will you keep interrupting?' I hugged him, kissing his soft cheek—then woke abruptly. But I’d reclaimed our names: Nai and Nova. Perhaps my greatest breakthrough yet..."

  "Year 38698: Constant hallucinations now... whispers, distorted visions... My mind fractures. My eyes see horrors. I’m terrified of spiraling into madness... So utterly alone..."

  "Year 45908: These delusions inspired new magic: Illusion Magic, Dream Magic, Fantasy Magic, Memory Magic... Brother... perhaps these can save me from insanity..."

  "Year 57063: I’ve uncovered a profound secret—one that could revolutionize magic itself. Magic is born of imagination, so I’ve begun crafting abstract spells... Maybe I can transmute memories into reality... Maybe..."

  "Year 69403: Spatial Magic..."

  "Year 87950: Time Magic..."

  "Year 96078: Reached Level 40... and dreamed again. I left Nova’s hospital room and encountered a man in a black suit, a brown hat atop his curled hair, gripping a gray suitcase. He smiled:

  'Boy, where’s the ICU? Care to guide me?'

  Though unnerved by his odd attire, I pointed the way. 'Why dress like that? Visitors usually wear simpler clothes...'

  He chuckled. 'Visit? Oh, I’m not here for that.'

  'Then why?!'

  Adjusting his hat, he smirked. 'Isn’t it obvious? I’m here for work.'

  'Work? Are you a doctor?'

  'No. My job is... quite the opposite.'

  A cold sweat drenched me. I swallowed hard and showed him the path—then woke, haunted by unanswered questions..."