* Syuna < ✯ > *

No…no I got your name. I was just expecting…more?

* Mean < :( > *

Well it’s not my fault, is it? You had this whole set-up of your mysterious name being like dangerous to listen upon, but then I finally hear it and nothing happens?

* Untrue < ! > *

Untrue? I don’t remember anything from that information, Syuna! There was only…only a small noise, I guess but nothing that interesting!

* See < ! > *

Other than disappointment, Gus did experience one other thing from the reveal of Syuna’s name. It was another noise. One similar to that of glass shattering in the far distance, as if something had broken. But it quickly went away. To Gus, it was just a new auditory surprise, and did not accomplish or reveal anything else to Gus. So he was quick to disregard it as one of Syuna’s mysterious quirks.

* You < ! > *

Syuna’s voice was filled with annoyance, ready to say another word. But instead of saying another word, it paused for a few more seconds before beginning again in a new tone.

* Be < _ > *

*Unafraid < , > *

* Child < . > *

The quick shift in tones from Syuna surprised Gus initially, but then he felt an unexpected wave of nostalgia and relaxation from her words of ease. It was a mysterious feeling to him, one both so familiar and distant to his fragmented mind. Yet he didn’t mind it. Maybe it was the soft feminine voice she talked to him with, or maybe it was the maternal aura her words gave him, but somehow, Gus felt that things will be alright now, no matter what happens to him now.

* I < _ > *

Syuna began.

* Shall < _ > *

* Protect < .> *

While simple to say, the words came off as sincere and full of confidence, as if Syuna cared deeply for Gus despite them never meeting. Such an action was almost enough for Gus to lower his guard, but yet, he still had one more question.

Thank you…but why are you helping me?

A long pause came from Syuna, leaving Gus in silence. Just as he began to worry he might have offended Syuna, a response finally came.

* Mother < . > *

Mother…of me?

* Yes < :) > *

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Then who am I?

* My < _ > *

* Son < , > *

Another long pause.

* Gus < . > *

Gus… I am Gus.

A name. How wonderful a word that was to Gus. Losing all remembrance of who he was, the significance of having something to cling on to as an identity made Gus want to cry tears of happiness. That is, if he could.

Um…Syuna?

* Mother < ! > *

I’m not sure about calling you that, for some reason it feels too personal to call you that when I hardly know anything about you.

* Sadness < :( > *

Taken aback by the grand voice’s disappointment, Gus could not help but think about how strange his situation was. Surely no others experience what he does, right? But then again, how would he know? Gus doesn’t really remember much from his salvaged memories he obtained from reciting that last desire. From what he could tell, his human remains were that of only simple intelligence that allowed him to communicate and think, like a common sense that guided him. Though what is this common sense? Is it truly common if Gus doesn’t remember what a human should think like? The more Gus thought, the more he decided that giving up on understanding was the way to go, or else he risked insanity.

Let's start simple. First, Syuna? How would I go about escaping this abyss?

* Open < 👁> *

What?

* Eyes < ! > *

What’s that?

* Sigh < . > *

Turns out teaching someone without memories would prove to be a very grueling task. Syuna had a lot of work cut out for her if she wished to teach this new soul the basics of living.

Uh-oh. This may...take longer than I might like.

And it truly was. After what felt like ages to the newborn Gus, who still has no proper perception of time, Syuna finally finished her lessons on the basics of how to work a Golem body and what it was through the use of singular words. Gus was just about ready to let the dark abyss take hold of him once again after what may have been the second week, but decided against that when he remembered how horrifying the abyss had been to him.

Gus eventually got the gist that he had become a being that resembled a human that is formed from earth and stone and that it was Syuna who gave him sentience.

Wait but I thought I was once human, I can still remember some details about being one although it’s not really clear.

* Once < - > *

* Yet < , > *

* Molded < . > *

Vague words. All Syuna said were strange words that to Gus could be as useless as his past memories for the current situation. How odd of a being Syuna must be, if even just its words are so full of mystery.

If only…if only I could at least see you. Maybe then could I understand you.

And then there was light. As if responding to his will, Gus’s vision quickly expanded as a flash of light consumed the abyss he was once residing in. He had finally escaped that dreaded world.

FREEDOM!

Finally the bright flash of light was gone, and with it came color.

Gus the Golem had awoken. A newborn to this world, he would have no way of knowing that from this point on, Earth would never be the same. All that absorbed his attention was one singular view. In a trance, Gus stared at the ceiling, finding that he was placed right underneath its opening. From where he was lying on the floor, he was able to catch a glimpse of the outside and the scenery it contained.

You're so beautiful…

And what a sight it was. The night sky lit up with stars, all surrounding one being. A star so powerful and overwhelming, that everything else in the dark sky bows down towards it. A star as bright as the sun with its domineering size and blue flames that danced in harmony. Just by staring at it, he felt both safe and secure by its aura. There was simply no need for an introduction, as Gus could immediately tell who this regal blue sun was.

Syuna, just what are you?