> Chapter 2 <
The Returne (2)
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Memories are just like records. It could either be maintained for a long time or fade over time.
It was one of the reasons why those such technology and tools created by humans exist to contain such precious moments in mankind's history.
But, to Aira who had reached beyond what a mortal human could comprehend, she was like a bookkeeper who could open any book in the halls of memories and recall the moments as if watching a video itself.
In the ancient ruins of Sumar. A land that no one dared to step into because of its high density of mana that seemed to reject most creatures.
Except for people that hold the title of the [Progenitor] in this world.
Sitting cross-legged on a large boulder that had been thrown long ago, Aira listened silently to the low howls of the wind as it rustled the leaves of the ancient plants that surrounded her. Her eyes were closed, and her hair swayed softly in the breeze as she recalled the memories she had not touched for a long time. Despite the vacancy of the ruins that surrounded her, she found a sense of peace in this familiar place, as if she were being welcomed home by the land itself.
As she dives into her consciousness. Like watching from the first perspective of someone's else life, she watched as she took her first baby step, walking to her mother's embrace, vividly feeling her warmth while receiving the soft gaze of her father's gaze and the excited look of her two older brothers.
To the days she grew up with the teasing and pranks from her family while being educated to be able to uphold their family's dignity. To the pleasant, bad, and embarrassing memories and the friends, she made and lost.
To the beginning of that abnormal phenomenon that took the world by storm. The day the sky turned red and dimensional cracks appeared from all over the world while countries disappeared overnight without any warning. And in the midst of the confusion and fear, wars raged in the interest of governments, dragging everyone into the whirlpool of World War III.
She watched as her parents and brothers became very busy in order for their family to survive in the crisis, watching them turn their hearts cold and ruthless as they use many things to the point they silently took measures on taking down their opponents as legally they could for her family to rise above the chaos.
Her two brothers who lost their mischievousness were sent to the frontlines, fighting head toes with foreign invaders while she, before the trial awaits her turn to also bring honor to the family.
As every piece of her memories flooded her mind, Aira was almost overwhelmed by a wave of forgotten emotions. The complexity of her feelings during those eighteen years came rushing back like a tsunami, vividly replaying in her mind as if it were yesterday. Lost in her thoughts, she couldn't help but feel a bit dazed by the intensity of it all.
'So, I used to be like that.'
Slowly opening her silver eyes, Aira raised her head and looked at the cloudless sky with an expression no longer looking so dull.
Her calm emotions wavered as she struggled to describe the indescribable feelings that surged within her. It felt as if the Aira from before the trial had been reborn and was now perched on this tall rock, experiencing a new world for the first time.
"Amazing," She muttered, unable to make sense of this feeling that feel alien as if another 'herself' barged in and enthusiastically jumped up and down when the novel plots she had read before flashed vividly in her mind, "It's like I really become an OP Protagonist that returned to Earth..." Pausing in her words, she squinted her eyes with a slightly tilted head.
"Strange," She muttered.
As these thoughts raced through her mind, a part of her current personality tried to suppress them as if it was wary of being influenced by this sudden mindset but it somehow stubbornly stayed as if refusing to be buried.
'I'm useful!' Her mind on that part seemed to be telling her, making her lightly shake her head.
Breathing the essence to smooth the fluctuating thoughts, she composed herself and focused on her priorities.
"I should be wondering about the others..." She muttered, faintly nodding to her words, "I wonder what is everyone doing?"
There wasn't a need for an answer as it was clear that they must be busy considering the position they are all in.
"Right... I should get going too."
Grabbing the sheathed short sword that lay beside her, she stood up and patted the dust off her rear.
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'Let's see... Should I head to where my parents stayed at?' Aira thought.
From what she remembers, the borders where her brothers are before the trial would take too long unlike her parents who worked in their huge lands just an hour and a half away from where she woke up.
'Did Mama and Papa pass their trial?' Aira thought, knitting her brows.
She didn't doubt those bonehead brothers of hers would pass their trials but what about her parents? They're clearly intelligent but their strength is... She doesn't fully have a grasp on that part but, what if they haven't woken up and someone else occupied the lands they had worked hard upon?
Aira faintly narrowed her eyes, her thumb moved on the handle of her sheathed sword, 'I don't mind having a 'talk' with them.'
Let's see if there are people nearby.
She was about to jump down to start her journey when she sensed a chilling yet familiar essence, stopping her right in her track. Eyes widening, she quickly looked over the direction it came from. It wasn't her hallucination—this feeling. Aira had a look of loss.
The familiar sensation created an illusion that it was here. In this world. Impossible. Aira thought. How could it be here?
Aira's hands trembled.
What if... Just what if?
Lips pursed, her eyes narrowed. Whether it was false or not. She needs to find who that was. More than that, wasn't that direction where her parents stayed?
Holding the sheathed sword tight in her hand, her figure blurred forward the moment she took a step in that direction.
Who could that be?
Aira wasn't sure.
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Arriving. What Aira saw was an enormous eerily-looking fog that seemed to have hit an invisible wall. Stopping its advancement as it hovers, slowly moving around as if alive.
For any sane person who doesn't know what this thing is, it is normal not to recklessly walk into it.
Fortunately, she is very familiar with what this could mean. So, without hesitation, she walked right into the fog. Greeting an eerily gray color that blinds her sight from her surrounding.
[IDENTIFYING...]
Aira slowed down her steps as her skin tingled from the soft sensation of the domain protocol that harmlessly scanned her own essence.
[YOU HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED]
[AUTHORIZED TO ENTER DOMAIN]
'This place is...'
As she passed through the barrier, she came to a sudden stop. Before her stood a signboard, supported by two towering dark red pillars. The elegant handwriting on the sign was all too familiar - it was undoubtedly the work of her second eldest brother.
[YOU HAVE ENTERED THE DOMAIN OF HAROLD DALISAY GIYERA]
Considering he was the most suitable to become the next head of their family, it is not that surprising he becomes the domain owner. However, why does it look like nobody is here?
"Kuya! Are you here?" Aira shouted eagerly.
As her voice echoed through the empty street, Aira strode forward. She took in the sight of the well-designed two-story buildings that stood at a distance from one another, connected by a neat concrete road. It was almost as if she had been transported back to a time when everything was peaceful and uneventful, if not for the conspicuous lack of human presence.
Aira longed to see her family, even if just her brother, but an uneasy feeling seemed to gnaw at her insides. She couldn't shake the eerie sensation that something was off about this place, and she couldn't help but wonder did something happen? Where are the people?
Despite her growing doubts, Aira continued on her path, focused on the task at hand to reunite with anyone from her family once again. With each step, she quickened her pace, eager to discover what lay ahead.
"Kuya?" Aira called out, trying to probe with her essence for any sign of her family's presence. Or anyone. However, much to her disappointment, there was no response, no trace of them to be found.
Yet, as she continued to scan the area, she detected something odd-a zone where her essence was abruptly cut off as if hitting an invisible wall of fire. Aira stopped in her tracks, her senses turning on high alert.
Who or what could be blocking her essence?
Aira narrowed her eyes, 'If so, who was that earlier? Did it come from that place?'
Looking at the biggest building in the center of this domain. Within the spotless white walls with its black gate wide open. The mansion stood there as if the surrounding nature had embraced it. Vibrant white, red, and purple lilies bloomed mesmerizingly in its garden where there is a statue of an unsmiling man with broad shoulders in the center, holding a long sword downward where it stands, looking ahead with a beautifully sculpted facial.
The architect of the mansion also changed from what she remembered. More significant and grander with added space within.
Looks like they had renovated the estate. Aira thought.
Walking through the gate, she could feel where the essence that fuels the life in this area much more vividly.
She stopped in front of the statue whose face was familiar.
"To think there will be the day I would see a statue of you, Kuya Harold," Aira couldn't help but said. Slightly amused as she eyed the statue that was clearly sculpted with great care.
She idly wondered if that upright brother of hers actually sculpted himself or someone else.
'Hehe, I'm gonna tease him if he actually did this,' Aira thought with her lips curling up as she walked around it briefly thinking how she would throw his words back then when he said he would become someone who others will admire to the point of making a statue of him.
Pushing the double door of the mansion. She was greeted by a sight that made her raise her brows. Surprised as her mouth opened, gaping slightly at the sight that she didn't think she would see.
The mansion was as marvelous with familiar and new artifacts on display just as she remembered.
However, the portrait that hangs above the Y-shaped stairs, was different. They weren't there anymore as what appeared in the photo was Harold beside a beautiful blonde-haired woman whose eyes matched his silver eyes while two teenagers; A boy and a girl with black hair and blue eyes stand happily in front of them.
Family.
They looked so happy that it brought a ghostly smile to her face.
'You finally met someone,' Aira thought, thinking of that clean freak brother who couldn't handle hugging someone without a frown on that cold face of his.