Chapter 250: Those Memories inside my Other Half.

Chapter 250: Those Memories inside my Other Half.

Huh?

Fuck!

My vision cleared up, the fog in front of me disappearing to unveil a girl sitting alone in her room. Tears were flowing down her face as she cursed, profanity firing from her mouth like a machine gun. She picked up a pillow and began bashing her bed with it in a state of absolute fury, reminding me of those gang members in Shaturein who had clubbed those monsters to death.

Well, I might call her a girl, but it was a bit hard to tell just by her appearance. Her voice was definitely that of an adolescent girl, albeit a very harpy-like one, full of tortured sounds. But her body was like black smoke just a shadow of a slim girl. However, as I continued watching her begin wrecking her room, I noticed some things flowing around as she did so strands of her shadowy hair.

They were long. They went down to her back, unlike my own shoulder length locks. While I do like having longer hair, I have found out that I liked it better at this length. It was easier to style and the stray strands didnt accidentally obstruct my vision when I was fighting. Making them even shorter would be better for fighting, but medium hair struck a perfect balance of cute, styling potential, and practicality. Right up my alley.

Still, seeing all that black hair flowing around did make me nostalgic. Noticing that, I began considering the truth of this place. The strange fog, the shadowy figure, the intense feeling of loss this place was similar to when I remembered my vow to not cry before I made it as an idol. If that was the case, then this has to be a dream, no, a flashback of my long lost memories of Earth.

W-Wait, hold on, wasnt I just in a fight?! Oh shit, right, w-wasnt I burning up like a cooked lizard just a moment ago?! Why the hell am I dreaming about this right now?!

I remembered my fight with the geisenlarg king and how I entered the finale phase of [Symphonie des Feuergottes]. I kinda wanted to smile at how damn overpowered its effect was, but then I remembered that the side effects of the spell had the potential to kill me if I wasn't treated.

Sure, if you isolated the individual debuffs of [Exhaustion (Moderate)], [Arcane Corruption (Minor)], and [Mana Stress (Minor)], then they probably wouldnt pose too much trouble for me. Its when they apply all at the same time itll get dicey. That happened once when I tried to escape the Belzac garms back when I was still a Rank F, and it nearly killed me.

With my current stats, I could probably outlast the tick damage of [Arcane Corruption] and I had enough regeneration to outheal the damage even if [Mana Stress] prevented me from using mana. Nevertheless, it is when another issue presents itself that this combination becomes deadly.

For example, when my internal temperature was too much for my body to handle.

Holy crap, I felt like I was being cooked alive! Is this the afterlife? Fucking no, what the hell am I thinking here?! Like, Oh no, Im dead! As if! Not if I'm remembering the end of the fight correctly, at least.

As this was a dream, I didnt have my parallel minds with me. However, digging deeper through my memories, I did remember my body cooling down. Also, I think I saw snow. Since it was snowing, it probably was Tasianna who saved me in the end. I must have fallen asleep afterward.

Tasianna! You truly are the best friend ever! Im sorry for being a reckless leader! I keep getting myself into tricky situations and you and the others always have to bail me out when I go over the top! Ill make it up to you when I wake up!

Thank goodness, I let out a sigh of relief at the situation. If this was only a dream and my body was safe in reality, then it was all good. Yup, negative thoughts away with you!

I turned back to the rampaging girl and I couldnt help but frown and cringe at what she did. The whole room was demolished. Pencils, books, and other items from her desk were thrown around the room. Some were broken. Posters of well-known K-Pop idols had been ripped off the walls and thrown into bins, all crumbled.

Oi, stop it! Some of them are even autographed, you bitch!

I scratched my head in irritation. I honestly couldnt believe what I was seeing here. Was this really a part of my memories? Was I really like this on Earth? Well, honestly, as hard as this pill was to swallow, something was telling me all of this was true. I even had that memory from when I found out how terrible a friend I was back on Earth.

It was then that I remembered Aurenas words again the more my soul repaired itself, the more memories I would regain. I might have lost a good chunk of them before I reincarnated, but since the memory wipe was incomplete, I was regaining them slowly.

I ignored that idiotic girl before me and looked at myself. As with my meetings with Aurena, my body in this dreamworld was a reflection of my soul. And, as your soul took on the image of your corporeal vessel, in other words, your body, my soul had developed quite a few dragonewt features like my scales and tail.

However, apparently, there have been some additional changes since the last time I saw my soul-self. I now had claws on my fingers and toes, two horns were on my head, and quite a number of additional scales have closed up the cracks I used to have on my soul. It seemed like I had recovered quite a bit.

Hmm, I wouldnt be too surprised if my soul suddenly transforms into a dragon one day at this rate. Well Hey, wait! What are you oh shit! Hey, dont!

The shadow picked up a beautiful violin from the corner, holding it up at its neck. She raised it over her head, looked at the wall in front of her and began taking aim.

No, no, stop! That violin is

Kabrack!

Argk!

The wooden instrument shattered into two pieces, with one of the halves ricocheting off the wall and hitting the shadow girls shins, causing her to drop to the floor and cry out in pain. She held onto her injured leg and began crying even fiercer, but I didnt give the slightest care, more concerned with the broken instrument.

I tried picking it up, but as my hands simply passed through them, I remembered that this was all just a dream. A memory. Still, seeing my broken violin laying on the ground ruined caused my chest to tighten. I began to remember. The person who gave me my first violin was my Mama.

Since my family was made up of two successful musicians, it wasn't too uncommon for my parents and I to simply play our instruments together and have fun. This was our quality family time. Of course, we would also enjoy going out to watch operas and musicals for the funsies, but it wasnt as if those were the only things we did. We were still a normal family, albeit with enough money that you could say that I was raised with a silver spoon.

In any case, my family taught me how to play the violin and piano since they wanted me to learn them. And the first violin I received was the one Mama used to use when she was still a professional violinist. She stopped once I was born, and this violin was like a symbol. Handing over the torch, you know, since she thought I would follow in either hers or Papas footsteps.

It meant a lot to me. There was a ton of sentimentality inside it.

And my past self had just broken it.

You!

I snapped my head around and walked over to her and began shouting my mind out.

Are you a fucking idiot?! That was Mamas! Did you really forget about it, you damn moron?! Throw your fucking tantrum all your want, but that piece of that violin ricocheting at you? Yeah, you fucking deserved that! Karma, bitch!

I knew my words wouldnt reach her. I mean, this was just a memory, even if it was a very distasteful one that made me furious to heavens high. But, if this kid here is allowed to act like a spoiled, ungrateful brat, then I'm allowed to act like an annoyed, furious brat! I just couldnt believe I did something like that, no, it had to just be a mistake, right?

Fuck you! Verdammt nochmal! Arrrrrgh!

I scratched my head in irritation again, even stomping my feet at how obnoxious this dream was. Why did I have to remember such a crap thing? I love my Mama, I would never, ever do something this idiotic to a present like this. Why would I? It didnt make sense!

Its all so unfair Its just so unfair I hate everything Everything is so unfair I heard the girl begin to whimper. Tears continued flowing without stopping as she lay on the ground so pitifully.

Why are you crying?

I made a promise, to never cry until I became an idol to stop my parents from worrying. I technically did break it after my group left the Belzac forest, but I did have an emotional breakdown at that point.

However, promises to me were sacred. I mean, if I began breaking one promise, who's to say that I wont do it with another whenever I find it convenient? I didnt exactly learn this from my parents, but it's just something that I chose to do after watching shows and reading books. It also made sure that I took my promise to not cry seriously, just so I can put more effort into training to become an idol.

So why was this shadow crying? I didnt remember breaking mythat oath.

But maybe that was the reason why it took so long for this memory to resurface. Aurena did mention that she could bring back my memories, but that it would negatively impact me. She advised me to slowly take them in one at a time.

And my goodness, shes right This one memory has been a total disaster.

I hate my life.

Holy shit, dont say that, you damn idiot! Were gonna die soon enough and youll learn how fucked up it is to say that! Fucking cherish your life! My goodness, i hAtE mY liFe, you damn brat!

And, dont think youre so innocent with the creation of Hestia. It is cause I have some of your memories that I became Hestia! Have you forgotten? Aurena told us that our memories were meant to be erased. Yes, you would have died, but I would have never been able to become the current me without you. It is cause I remembered our promise that I got ourselves this far! I became an idol cause of you!

No She shook her head. Aurena said she would have kept our ambition to become an idol. That persona would have done the same. They would have become an idol, too.

You dont know that, I completely rebuked her argument. You cant see into other timelines. You cant presume what if situations, you can only look at whats present and make your opinion then. And in this timeline, Hestia was born because I remembered our parents and our vow to not cry. To not make them worry. To make them proud of this dysfunctional and failure of a daughter. Dont make light of yourself.

I couldnt remember my original name, but I knew myself well enough to kinda guess what my shadow was thinking about. Yes, Hestia and this shadow might be other personalities at the end of the day, but the both of us knew how to deprecate ourselves. Honestly, now that I thought about it, maybe this was the reason why I had the [Parallel Thoughts] skill.

I had a major case of dissociative soul personality disorder.

Remember this We made it. We made our ambition and dream come true! We finally became idols who can make others smile. To give others hope! I then remembered Eshes last words to me. Be strong. It was a short message, but I understood well enough what she wanted me to do. She understood what an idol had to do.

So Ill make sure we make it through this together, you hear me? I am you, and you are me. I am the fire inside your soul ready to blow up, to fly through the skies into the infinite vastness of the stars! These memories you hold, allow me to be the strength for you to stand up and to become one once again, I told her. Yes, I am Hestia now. Our body is Hestia now. But that doesnt mean I cant be you, too. Those memories, whether happy or not, I want to experience them all.

What? she expressed her doubt, however, it seemed to have betrayed her momentary hope for my words. I could see her tears dry up and her eyes two black eyes appear on her face. Youre selfish. Youre ignorant. You have no idea what I did. What a little bitch I was! I am not a person deserving of our parents love. You are. You are my ideal, the person I wanted to be. If you remember, youll only suffer. Youll make me continue suffering.

And how about you stop doubting yourself and accept it already. We are the same. Accept me as your other-self. We are the same. My feats are yours, I kept persuading her. If I forget about you, how am I supposed to explain it to them when we finally meet them again?

What?

Aurenas deal with us I help her with her Quest and she allows me to meet Papa and Mama again. When that happens, I want to know our original name. Dont you want to see them again? I know I do.

She kept silent, unable to answer, but I could already guess what she wanted. After all, the shadow around her face disappeared.

It was exactly like mine.

Holy hell, I look pretty stunning with black hair. Maybe I should try it and get Yorshka to teach me how to dye my hair. Ill look pretty Asian again.

Go. Leave me.

The white apartment suddenly became darker and darker. She separated herself from me and slowly walked into that darkness, leaving me hanging in the middle, the point the latter were congregating towards.

I will remember. I promise you that. And when that happens, lets watch them together.

And then, everything became black and I lost control of everything. The dream has ended.

Light.

This was not the RV. This was not Griffonpeak. This was not Artorias.

This place is

Riekwelst.

A knock against the door echoed inside this large room, fit to accommodate even a duke. The lone grey-haired young man turned away from the window, turning his attention to the door.

Come in. I am awake.

The large doors opened at his command, revealing an entourage of butlers and maids, bringing in a tray full of food and a line of suits. They set everything into their correct places before lining in front of the young man, bowing before him deeply like servants serving a noble master.

May the light shine upon the hero of the bright sun of the human world. Hero Light, we are ready to serve you.

The young man nodded. He seated himself and began eating his meal quietly while the servants prepared his outfit for today.

Will the church be participating?

Yes, Hero Light. The Cardinal and several saints and champions shall be there with you to celebrate and also announce your acquisition of the [Hero] title. Hero Takuma and saint candidate Aiko shall be attending as well.

Have you heard anything about my party member Ryuji?

Yes. A letter has arrived that he returned to the Empire and that he is now en route after disembarking from the post. Here, the letter in question.

So they read it, huh? Being careful even among allies just like father.

The young man asked his questions and the head butler of this group answered everything impeccably.

Three weeks. They kept me here for three weeks. At least I got the opportunity to get to know most of the influential nobles. Know thy enemy.

After his breakfast was over, the maids began washing him in the bathroom before dressing the young man up in a white-golden suit, fitting for either a high-ranking church of Aurena member or a noble of the Empire of Folschreck. Once he was finished, he left his room, only to meet a woman dressed in a white robe of the church of Aurena.

Lord Light, may the Goddesss light bless you on this fine day. I hope your night has been peaceful and your morning bright.

Saintess Fleindia, may the light bless your path and banish the shadows. I have been well. This is our first meeting since three weeks ago. I hope time has helped your heart mend after the death of Champion Cleionvall.

Time heals all wounds. He has fought valiantly against that assassin. I am saddened that his death was because of me, but this must have been part of the Goddesss plan. He must have had the honor to finally meet her Holiness. Light guide his soul to the plains of souls, the saintess gave a prayer.

She then continued, However, I should also be gracious to you for saving my life, Hero Light. If it werent for you and your allies, I would have died. Thank you very much.

When Ryuji comes back, hell complain about how he missed out on all the action. But, who would have guessed that demonkin assassins would be brazen enough to attack champions and saints.

But most importantly, they managed to kill quite a few of them, even if it meant suicide.

But that was all just an afterthought for the young man. These events have resulted in him attaining one of his goals to gain the respect of the nobles of the Empire of Folschreck. It was a fortunate opportunity for him to accelerate his plans.

After all, this young man who had lost the color in his hair had an ambition worthy of another of Peolyncas otherworldly guests. To influence Peolyncas history just like the Revolution Queen did, eyes filled with ambitions gaze forth.

This was Franz Light Akabanes ambition.

Let us begin.