Julian’s memories, Veero’s POV
“This is our family’s sword,” said the King.
I was in the treasury of the kingdom of Rosalia, but how did I get here? Wasn’t I in some fields outside the Capital of Liliana?
“And this.” The king pointed to a base with a hole in its center. “Is the stand for the imperial sceptre.”
“Imperial sceptre?” I hadn’t said those words. I looked around but couldn’t find anyone. That’s when my hand extended down and reached for the sword on the stand.
The king pulled me back. “You can’t touch it. This sword is broken and cannot function properly. Touch it and you will be incinerated.”
“Then what do I need to do?”
This voice, this hand, these movements, they reminded me of myself. Had I entered a memory?
“What has been the mission of the Rosali since our inception?” The king’s eyes were grave.
“To conquer the Lilies.”
The king nodded. “In the kingdom of Liliana there is a dungeon where you will find the other half of this sword. Next, you’ll need to find the treasury of the Lilies and reclaim the sceptre. Once you place the sceptre into its stand with the sword of Rosalia you’ll be able to rule over both kingdoms with impunity.”
“But if I’ve already conquered them in this scenario, why would I need more strength?” asked Julian.
“That’s an answer I too wish to know but can’t. Those words were left by Julian I, the founder of our kingdom, but no more information was left behind. Trust in your ancestors. That’s all I can say,” said the King.
“But—”
A hole in the wall opened. A cold breeze flowed out of its black void. An old man with a sagging face, black robes, and a monocle appeared. It was the vampire.
Wasn’t I hiding under dirt and rocks? Then didn’t I enter a memory? But now, where was I? Did Derick enter the treasury in the past? Regardless, I had to say something.
Stolen story; please report.
“Stop him,” I yelled. But neither did the king nor Julian seem to register my words or notice the intruder. Derick took slow steps. He admired the jewels stored in glass displays and attempted to grab the gold stored in crates, but his fingers passed through them.
He finally stopped in front of me and reached out. I tried to attack him with magic or make Julian move, but nothing worked.
#
A black void surrounded me.
“Who are you?” asked a voice behind.
I didn’t move but the world did, and I came to face Derick. I didn’t answer his question. I tried to form a flame bolt, but nothing happened.
From under Derick’s feet, floorboards materialized and formed a bridge hanging in the void.
Where is this? Is what I wanted to ask but I couldn’t move my mouth.
“Who are you?” Repeated Derick. Yet, again, I couldn’t answer. The floorboards continued to extend in my direction, and he walked forward. Each step of his made my head ache and my heart grow uneasy.
“Where am I? What’s going on?” I asked the system in panic.
You are in Julian’s mind. You are under the influence of a skill.
All that was good, but it didn’t help me in the slightest. “Tell me how to stop it.”
…
…
It really had to become mute now of all times.
But, if I were in Julian’s mind, couldn’t I use the Mental Dam skill? I relaxed and expunged all of Julian out of me. The floorboards on which Derick walked disappeared and he stopped moving.
Derrick frowned. “I don’t know who you are, but you aren’t Julian. Leave this space else we’ll be stuck here together forever.”
He no doubt had interests in this body. Regardless as to why this was the case, I couldn’t let it happen. I preferred to remain what I already was. And if it meant being stuck in here with Derick forever, then so be it, I wouldn’t give up.
From the previous incident, I determined that you are in Julian’s deepest recesses of his mind. The emptiness is caused by your blocking of Julian’s memories. It is empty because Julian’s memories aren’t accessible. You, as a foreign entity without the appropriate magic, can't move.
The system found its tongue.
Floorboards started to appear once again, and I destroyed them all the same. “Then how much for the skill?” I asked.
Memory Manipulation 5pts; you currently do not have the required amount of skill points therefore the skill Memory Manipulation cannot be purchased.
“Then what am I supposed to do?” I asked the system with a thought.
If you open the Mental Dam skill and integrate Julian’s memories with your own, you’ll be able to move about and defend yourself in this space.
“But then I won’t be myself anymore! I’ve already changed enough, I’ve never wanted to be king or gain power, but now I can’t deny it’s there, hidden below my desire to revive Rose.” I told the system. Why did it push me to become Julian? Even with the Mental Dam skill I was force-fed his miserable memories. And now it wanted me to accept them all, to become him. But I was not him! I did not want to be him. What I wanted was Rose… Rose. I want Rose.
I want Rose!