Shadow of Memory

by Hussain Ibrahim

  Part 2: Hearts of Ice

  Chapter 1: A Life of Poverty

  My home is a small one and very dear to my heart. Every day I wake up, I thank whoever helped us to get it. Houses are hard to come by in this day and age. The rich and powerful are living their lives to their fullest while we sit here and try to survive our everyday lives. Usually in stories, there's always a breadwinner and his family who stay behind, but not here. Here the people help each other, creating a very peaceful and friendly community. Although there are struggles, the people never refuse to help another in need. That's why I'd rather live this way rather than any other.

  I live with my Grandfather, who grew up in this community as I am right now. According to him, nothing has changed. The whole neighborhood respects him since he was the one of the people who created this peaceful community. No currency required. No demand for things in return. As long as people are alive and well, they're happy to assist others. The bond between a man and his neighbor can be acquainted with the love of brothers, if not better. That is why I feel our life is better than that of the rich. Money isn't important here.

  People outside the neighborhood don't understand this concept. They try to look for logical inconsistencies and major flaws with the community. Although it isn't perfect, I feel that our neighborhood is better off without a major reliance on currency. We might need money for outside supplies, but we always pitch in, and if it's only trade within the neighborhood, we try to give those who need it. If the town needed a coin, the volunteers trade from the whole town to get the supplies we need. It just seemed right. If the producer of the item needed it more than someone else, no grudge is held. It would best stay that way.

  The Empire never did like this little community of ours. They felt that it didn't follow the norms of the Empire, but why should we? If we want to live this way, no one should tell us otherwise. We're not threatening anyone or causing harm, so they leave us alone, but they're waiting for the moment they do for them to immediately “Bring Order” to the place, which means that they will send soldiers to watch what we do at all times. My Grandfather thinks nothing of it. He knows that each and every person here has a role, and everyone knows the dangers of even the tiniest bit of violence. Even if there are fights, we do our best to cover it up.

  No matter how many times we cover up fights, I still feel like they will notice. No matter how peaceful our exchanges outside the neighborhood, they stare at us with suspicion. The idea of them attacking this peaceful place scares me. Just because we are different, doesn't mean we're gonna start a war. We are with the empire, but sometimes it feels like they're not with us.

  I have to consider all of this before my departure to the capital. It's an easy thing to do, remembering every detail of what makes this neighborhood an ally rather than an enemy. Coming to terms with the empire requires a sharp mind, and that I don't have. However, my grandfather insists that I am the one who does it. He sees potential never seen before. A nice gesture and all, but I still don't believe him.

  As I get ready to depart, my grandfather gives me some advice: “Don't let emotion drive your actions. It can be its influence, but you must make sure that your actions don't have consequences. Take care, my child, and stay strong. Know that I am proud of what you're doing right now.” I nod and leave the area with many goodbyes surrounding me. For my friends. For my town. For my Grandfather.

  Chapter 2: A Howl in the Wind

  I head out onto the road. The cold stone brick road runs underneath me. The bag was given to me taking its toll on my body. My feet tiring from exhaustion. That's what I expect will happen on the road. Too many things to consider. To keep myself sane, I look at my surroundings. Thankfully, there's beauty all around me. A ladybug lands on a blade of grass. A bird lands on a branch starting to build his nest. Ants grab food and take it back to the hill. Creatures sustaining life all around me.

  As I walk, I see mountains along the horizon. Titans of dirt with a cloak of snow. I'm heading into the capital region, cold as it can be. As I approach the mountains, I can feel a chill throughout my whole body. I feel my throat freezing up. As I breathe, I can see my own breath leaving my lungs. Snow begins to surround me as I enter the region. Animals hide in their shelters for warmth and try to survive the day. Hopefully, they do.

  Night sets in as I set up camp in a cave. Although not very big and hard to find, at least, it doesn't house a bear or wolf. Not that I see. I create a fire to keep myself warm and warm up some food and water. As I eat and drink, I can hear howling in the distance. I think nothing of it since the sound was very far away. When I finish, I keep the fire for warmth and rest knowing that if it was hard to find, I'm sure it is safe. Then I hear a sound.

  As I wake up, I hear a sound once more. The howling of a wolf. The howling keeps getting closer and closer. I can hear footsteps from outside of the cave. It isn't just footsteps of one wolf, but many. Fear grips me as I go back to sleep, crying. I hear the footsteps approach me. I can feel their breath down my neck. I close my eyes harder waiting for their attack. I decide to face my death and face them. I turn around and find only one wolf lying down right next to me. He looked at me with such curious and friendly eyes. I found this hard to believe as wolves rarely leave anything alive.

  My fear of him then went away on a whim. He slept by my side till morning. I decided to keep him as my companion. His name is Aspen, and he is my wolf.

  Chapter 3: A Familiar Face

  I pack up in the cave, with Aspen waiting by my side. As I pack, I look in my pocket to find a sort of glass shard, but this one is different. It is almost completely enveloped in darkness and has a strange aura about it. It is strange yet familiar. I decide to keep it as a lucky charm, but if anything happens, it will be the first to go.

  I head out to the road with Aspen and continue our journey along the frozen path. As we walk on the road, we find a man sitting on the side, shivering. This bearded man wore torn up clothes with pieces of broken glass and blood all him. I immediately decide to help. I head to his general direction and ask the man if he needs any assistance, he declines. In the confusion, I ask why he's refusing my help. He remains quiet. I then finally ask if he would like to join us on our journey till we can find a place he can stay, he then finally agreed.

  As we walk along, I try to start up some small talk. I kept referring to him as the Wounded Stranger, because of my naivety. I then finally asked for his name to prevent any awkward situations soon ahead. He shook his head and said that Wounded Stranger is fine enough. I shrugged and continued with my attempts at small talk. Although he is right next to him, Aspen doesn't seem to acknowledge the man, odd considering that he's covered in blood which might attract wolves, but who am I to know such things.

  I asked the man what happened, but he kept telling me that it's a long story, but whatever it was, it didn't have much of an effect on him since he seemed to have healed quickly. A strange person indeed, that man. Now that he wasn't wounded anymore, obviously I couldn't call him Wounded Stranger anymore, so I just called him the Stranger instead.

  Chapter 4: Seeing the unseen

  We had decided to stop and rest for the night. Aspen decided to rest for the night. However, the Stranger and I decided to sit around the fire and have a chat. He saw the shard and asked me where I got it. I told him that I didn't know. He looked down for a moment then he began to speak: “This shard hasn't been seen for centuries. It requires a mind capable of using it.” I was confused throughout. What's so important about this shard? How does he know of it? Is this a trick? He decided to explain.

  “This shard is the Shard of Memory. It can control memories of people, manipulate minds, and supplies the user with knowledge never before discovered. I was taught of the ways of using it, and, if you'd like, I'll teach them to you.” “Who taught you these skills?” “An old friend...” He looked into the distance as if remembering a very distant past. I told him that I accept. “Good, we start at dawn.”

&nbs
p; At dawn, I woke up tired, while he was filled with energy and yet still looks as if he's older than my grandfather. The first lesson was to see what's around us in a different way. “When you look around you, you will notice things you haven't noticed before, such as reflections from objects and floating glass shards barely visible to you. These are time reflections. They show multiple ages where some events occur. The larger the reflection, the more significant the event is. The floating glass shards record time all around you, creating memories for the shard itself to store.”

  When I looked around, I couldn't believe my eyes. I never noticed that every single object around me had a glass like reflection, which was faint but still visible. The glass shards floated by like snow flakes in a calm winter breeze. This is magic at the very least. Then he told me to break the shard. “Where you go, I cannot follow. You'll be in a realm filled with glass shards, those represent memories. Your mind is now like a library, categorizing each memory into a certain pile.”

  I broke the shard only for the living world around me to shatter and become a black void. The floor made of black glass-like marble. The shards that surround me bear memories I know and some that I don't. I immediately turn to the last memory of my beloved grandpa and his final words before I left. I shatter the glass and I am thrust into the memory, but it doesn't feel the same. I leave this realm and come back to the living world through restoring the shard. He looked at me with remorse and said: “That's the lesson for today. Let's head back on the road.” We left without either of us saying a word.

  Chapter 5: The Fever

  We trod on the road quietly. I start to observe the reflections in the area. People being hunted, captured, and killed. That's all I see all around. Misery. I look at Aspen and think of how lucky he is, not having to look at such things. Always happy by my side. All this is then interrupted by a suspicious sound of large footsteps. My mentor predicted that it might be a bear... he was right. It didn't seem to try to harm us in any way. Then in a sudden, it jumped at us. I don't remember what happened then. All of it seemed like a blur in my mind. All I remember is the sound of glass shattering.

  When I came to, I saw the bear knocked out along with shards on the floor and the Stranger over my head. He immediately told me to get up and that we need to go. He was in a hurry, but I don't know why. When we went back on the road, the stranger began to explain. “You weren't conscious when we fought the bear, weren't you? That's because you're not used to using the shard for combat. You need to be able to control yourself mentally or else the shard will take control over you in the battle. Shards of Memory have battle tactics and strategies hidden within, but mission objectives aren't its specialty. Its top priority is to protect the holder, nothing more. When we encountered the bear, I was able to push the bear away from attacks, rendering it unconscious.”

  I couldn't believe this. The shard is has a defense mechanism with lots of fighting experience. So I asked: “Can I use the experience and tactics while conscious?” “Yes, but you need more experience with the shard to open your mind to that much history. Within a few more days, you'll be ready to try. For now, try to master the abilities of the mind as well as memories you hold.”

  As I sleep that night, I begin to hear voices in my head. It's as though they are talking to each other. I can only hear glimpses. They sound extremely similar to each other. This is all I can make out: “... Her emotions are erupting...” “...Control her...” “...She will be consumed by it...” “...It's under control...” When I came to, I saw the stranger already up coming from behind me. He asks me if I'm ready. I nod and head out with him and Aspen.

  Chapter 6: The Rage

  As we traveled, we finally reached the capital. The diplomats greet us and guide us to the palace. Strange, they don't seem to acknowledge the stranger, or should I say, my mentor. They just tell me that the council will be held tomorrow and guide me to a fancy room. My mentor tells me that he'll find a place and that he'll meet me tomorrow. They allowed Aspen to stay with me, which is nice, but I must stay on my guard.

  Finally, I am ready to try and open my mind to more memories. History begins to rush through my mind and years of experience are instilled upon me. However, not many skills can be mastered at once, since it takes a heavy toll on the mind. I keep it simple and decide to choose combat and communication. They will suit me the most during this mission.

  The next day passes by and I meet my Mentor. He congratulates me on the mastery of skills. I ask how he knows, and he points out my changed stance. The mark of a good and true diplomat. We step forward in front of the council and I tell them: “People of the Empire, my fellow brothers, what circumstances have splintered our relations for so long? Our Empire was famed for its Unity, as it should be, but my town feels like a stranger to you. It offers whatever it can to support your cause, but it is regarded as radical and different. Our relations between people are strong since we all are brothers, but why have these relations be a threat to the nation. When used properly, it can bring about peace unto our lands until the end of time, and all citizens will hail those who got them out of poverty. It's not the perfect system, but try to make it work. Also, always know, that our town will support you to the end.

  My mentor was ready to start clapping until something shocked me. A man in the middle stood and started laughing hysterically. He said: “Oh, We don't hate your town. Far from it. It gives us hope. It is you we despise. Ever since the events at the nearby Empire, and its uprising, we made sure to find those that are related to the culprits in this empire. Ever heard of Galterius Theobald? He carries the same last name as you. He toppled that Empire and brought its leader shame. He did it without killing a single soul except that buffoon of a leader. You might bring about the same result.”

  Once they mentioned that “Galterius”s name, my Mentor turned around, unable to face the council. Does he know him? Was he involved in that revolution? I don't know, but now they started speaking ill of my name, so I made sure to listen. “Listen witch. As soon as you left, we sent soldiers to massacre the village in case of any relatives. You are the only one left. This goes to show how powerful our empire is. Soldier! Kill that wolf and feed him to the others.”

  I screamed for my Mentor, he didn't respond. The council questioned me: “Who are you talking to? There's only us, you, the wolf, and the soldiers. Are you going mad?” Then I heard a gunshot and a whimper. God help these men, for I shall mutilate their corpses till nothing is left. No one shall live after what has been done.

  Chapter 7: The Phantom Pain

  I am Galterius Theobald. I led the Theobaldian Empire for many years. Today, I am but a Phantom at my descendant's side. Of course, she wouldn't recognize me. However, her Grandfather, my son, might have told her of my tales. Enough of that for now. Right now, I witness the fury of the devil within her. The shard might be angelic, but it contains many hellish qualities. The fury was about to be contained, but the fools triggered it by shooting the companion she loved. Now they face the consequences.

  I behold as her eyes become dark and small shards leave off their sides. As she speaks, it's as though she is roaring at them. With each sentence, the people are filled with dread. However, I saw something that the shard hasn't shown off this early to a user before. It wrapped her in a coat of shards to shield her. A barrage of shards appear from behind her, tearing their flesh and bones. They scream in terror, wanting to be put out of their misery. They know that she won't stop. They had created the beast they wanted to destroy.

  When I wielded the shard, this was the breaking point that caused me to be merciful. However, not all people are the same. When I finally heard the shards stop shooting, no one could identify the bodies. Organs are all over the place. The shards disintegrate off of her body and eyes and she looks at me. That look with disgust and hatred. She knows what I will do. Not the journey against the tyrant. The gruesome events after. She used those upcoming memories to conjure up what happened here.

  T
he only ones who remember those events anymore have passed away. I kept the shard from recording the event. Must have been him. The guardian of all. Although his tactics have some sense, they don't work for all cases. In this case, he broke her. Turned her into a killing machine.

  I face her and she tells me: “Galterius. That's who you are, huh? Grandfather told me about you. The good parts. However, he kept from me the events after. I understand why you will do those things, but they can never be forgiven. I will lead this empire and combine it with the Theobaldian Empire. This will be my tribute to your golden days, as well as fixing your mistakes. However, why are you here?” “I am a projection. I suffered great injury and was forced to linger inside the shard till I was healed. This will still take lots of time, so I have a lot of wandering to do inside this thing. You are mentally linked with this shard, so you can see me. However, I am its original user, and since I didn't die, its guardians still support me instead of you. Doesn't mean I won't teach you all you need to know.” “No, this family is cursed. This shard is cursed. All of this started with you. All of it ends with me. Keep this thing away from me and my sons and daughters, and know that I will be watching.”