—Isn't it similar to the pattern riddles we found in the library?

I smiled, recognizing the brilliance in their observation.

—Exactly. Reinhardt, do you remember how we deciphered those patterns?

Reinhardt nodded, already moving to examine the runes from different angles.

—The key was in the activation sequence. It wasn't the pattern itself, but the order in which they light up...

We worked in sync, each contributing our unique strengths to the challenge. Cassie, with her sharp intuition, identified patterns we overlooked. Reinhardt applied his methodical logic to decipher the correct sequence, while I coordinated our efforts and tested different combinations.

After several frustrated attempts, we finally found the correct sequence. The runes glowed intensely for a moment before completely fading, and the feeling of disorientation that had been affecting us vanished.

However, our victory was ephemeral. The smoke, which until then had been passive, began to transform into mist. It became thicker, darker, and a metallic smell filled the air. Before we could react, the fog completely enveloped us.

—Stay together!

I ordered in a grave voice. However, there was no response.

—Guys?

When I turned around, no one was there. My friends, who had been with me just a moment ago, had vanished without a trace.

I let out a deep sigh and followed the direction where they had disappeared. Although I still couldn't hear any sound around me, it would have been impossible for them to have gone far enough in that short period without me noticing.

I carefully examined the ground while walking through the mist-filled corridor. I seemed to hear things that weren't audible and see things that weren't visible, as if I were having hallucinations. Not knowing what might await me, I became more cautious and continued walking.

Suddenly, a soft feminine voice called me from behind.

—Noah.

My heart raced upon hearing that familiar voice. I stopped walking and slowly, very slowly, turned around.

Golden hair that shone intensely as if squeezed from honey and eyes as blue as the sea. The woman I tried to forget several times in recent days, but in the end couldn't.

—Alessia?

I murmured, incredulous.

Alessia was there, just as I remembered her.

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—I missed you, Noah.

She told me, looking at me and smiling brightly, like a ray of sunshine.

—Alessia...

Her name escaped my lips before I could contain myself. My deceased wife was there, as beautiful as the day I lost her, with that gentle smile I had loved so much.

She wore the same sumptuous red dress that now perfectly fit her figure.

I clenched my teeth so hard they hurt.

I knew it was an illusion as soon as I saw her. If Alessia were really alive and appeared before me, she wouldn't look the same as 10 years ago.

However, I couldn't take my eyes off her as she approached with a smile. It was an illusion showing someone deeply missed in my heart. Although I already knew the obvious fact that it was a trap that made one truly wander through the mist without reaching the artifact.

—Noah. I missed you.

Her smile always shone as brightly as the sun. And this illusion of Alessia also gently took my hand with the same smile as before.

That smile reminded me of the happiest moments we shared together. As well as the most painful memories.

I felt my heart being torn apart. Every fiber of my being yearned to get closer to her, touch her, embrace her one more time.

I delayed in removing her hand from me. Then, the illusion of Alessia briefly frowned as if she couldn't understand and called me again lovingly with a radiant smile.

—Didn't you miss me, Noah? I missed you so much. I'm so happy to see you like this.

I remained silent as if I hadn't heard her words. I knew that talking to an illusion would only entangle me more in it.

I tried to ignore her and turned my back. I knew I didn't have time to worry about these illusions.

However, despite turning my back, Alessia somehow changed her position and appeared in front of me.

My body shuddered when I heard her begin to sob.

Being ignored, her large transparent eyes filled with tears. Soon, she began to shed tears with a sad and disconsolate face.

—Noah, look at me, please. I'm the Alessia you remember.

I felt the paralysis of electrifying terror. Had I heard correctly?

—You're not real.

I said with trembling lips, although each word felt like a sharp sword piercing my heart.

—Alessia is dead.

Her figure came closer, her expression turning pained.

—Why do you reject me? Wasn't it enough that I died because of you?

Her words hit me like a whip, touching my deepest remorse.

Alessia opened her arms toward me.

—Embrace me like before, my love. You haven't forgotten me until now.

I closed my eyes tightly, while silent tears rolled down my cheeks. My mind fought against my heart in a devastating battle.

Memories of when I was with Alessia passed through my mind. Back then, we were completely in love, thinking of each other, and I could do anything for her.

I sighed with resignation.

—That's right. I can't forget you.

—See? you still love me.

—Don't fool yourself.

I looked at the illusion of Alessia with clouded eyes.

—Just because I haven't forgotten you doesn't mean I still love you.

I was lying.

—What...?

Upon hearing my words, her face expressed great shock, as if her world had crumbled. Her eyes began to fill with deep sadness.

—You don't feel anything for me anymore? That's impossible. Think about all the time we spent together, Noah. There's no way you can forget it!

The illusory Alessia approached me with teary eyes, grabbing my hand tightly. Her voice trembled with desperation.

It was a truly cruel illusion.

—I loved you, Alessia.

I finally said, my voice sounding unrecognizable, hoarse from an indescribable emptiness.

—I will always love you. But you're not real, and I have a mission to fulfill. There are people who need me now.

I opened my eyes to look at the illusion of my wife one last time. With a melancholic smile, I whispered:

—Goodbye. This time, I let you go by choice.

When I caught my breath, my heart quickly calmed down and I regained my composure. Then I could see the situation objectively.

Sometimes, letting go was the only way to move forward. I realized you can't fly if you don't release the chains that bind you.

Alessia's figure began to fade, and with it, the dense fog that surrounded me. I blinked several times, my vision slowly adjusting while the last mists of the illusion vanished from my mind.