Chapter Fifteen: Before MemoryChapter Fifteen: Before MemoryChapter Fifteen: Before MemoryChapter Fifteen: Before Memory
The light did not come from one place. It came from everywhere. From beneath the earth, from the sky above, from within their chests. A light they knew as they knew their own breath, but had forgotten long ago.The light did not come from one place. It came from everywhere. From beneath the earth, from the sky above, from within their chests. A light they knew as they knew their own breath, but had forgotten long ago.The light did not come from one place. It came from everywhere. From beneath the earth, from the sky above, from within their chests. A light they knew as they knew their own breath, but had forgotten long ago.The light did not come from one place. It came from everywhere. From beneath the earth, from the sky above, from within their chests. A light they knew as they knew their own breath, but had forgotten long ago.
The earth opened further. Not like a crack, but like an eye opening for the first time. And at its center, ascending…The earth opened further. Not like a crack, but like an eye opening for the first time. And at its center, ascending…The earth opened further. Not like a crack, but like an eye opening for the first time. And at its center, ascending…The earth opened further. Not like a crack, but like an eye opening for the first time. And at its center, ascending…
A child.A child.A child.A child.
But not an ordinary child. A child of about three years old, yet his eyes held wisdom older than the mountains. His hair was white as snow, but shimmered with all the colors of the spectrum.But not an ordinary child. A child of about three years old, yet his eyes held wisdom older than the mountains. His hair was white as snow, but shimmered with all the colors of the spectrum.But not an ordinary child. A child of about three years old, yet his eyes held wisdom older than the mountains. His hair was white as snow, but shimmered with all the colors of the spectrum.But not an ordinary child. A child of about three years old, yet his eyes held wisdom older than the mountains. His hair was white as snow, but shimmered with all the colors of the spectrum.
The child stood in the air, his feet not touching the ground, and looked at them all. Then he smiled.The child stood in the air, his feet not touching the ground, and looked at them all. Then he smiled.The child stood in the air, his feet not touching the ground, and looked at them all. Then he smiled.The child stood in the air, his feet not touching the ground, and looked at them all. Then he smiled.
"Finally… I am awake.""Finally… I am awake.""Finally… I am awake.""Finally… I am awake."
Sion stepped forward, the golden seed still in his hand. "Who… who are you?"Sion stepped forward, the golden seed still in his hand. "Who… who are you?"Sion stepped forward, the golden seed still in his hand. "Who… who are you?"Sion stepped forward, the golden seed still in his hand. "Who… who are you?"
"I am what you were before you were you. I am the source. I am the beginning.""I am what you were before you were you. I am the source. I am the beginning.""I am what you were before you were you. I am the source. I am the beginning.""I am what you were before you were you. I am the source. I am the beginning."
The Queen trembled. "That's impossible. The legends… speak of the 'Primordial One,' but…"The Queen trembled. "That's impossible. The legends… speak of the 'Primordial One,' but…"The Queen trembled. "That's impossible. The legends… speak of the 'Primordial One,' but…"The Queen trembled. "That's impossible. The legends… speak of the 'Primordial One,' but…"
"But you thought I was just a myth," the child completed. "And I was. Because I was asleep. And the tree… was guarding my sleep.""But you thought I was just a myth," the child completed. "And I was. Because I was asleep. And the tree… was guarding my sleep.""But you thought I was just a myth," the child completed. "And I was. Because I was asleep. And the tree… was guarding my sleep.""But you thought I was just a myth," the child completed. "And I was. Because I was asleep. And the tree… was guarding my sleep."
"The tree was guarding you?" asked Caleb. "Not imprisoning you?""The tree was guarding you?" asked Caleb. "Not imprisoning you?""The tree was guarding you?" asked Caleb. "Not imprisoning you?""The tree was guarding you?" asked Caleb. "Not imprisoning you?"
"It is the same thing. When you guard something… you imprison it from the other world.""It is the same thing. When you guard something… you imprison it from the other world.""It is the same thing. When you guard something… you imprison it from the other world.""It is the same thing. When you guard something… you imprison it from the other world."
The child looked at the sky. "How long has it been?"The child looked at the sky. "How long has it been?"The child looked at the sky. "How long has it been?"The child looked at the sky. "How long has it been?"
"A thousand years," said Elara."A thousand years," said Elara."A thousand years," said Elara."A thousand years," said Elara.
"Only a thousand years?" The child laughed. A pure laugh, like that of a real child. "I thought it was a million.""Only a thousand years?" The child laughed. A pure laugh, like that of a real child. "I thought it was a million.""Only a thousand years?" The child laughed. A pure laugh, like that of a real child. "I thought it was a million.""Only a thousand years?" The child laughed. A pure laugh, like that of a real child. "I thought it was a million."
"What exactly are you?" asked Kairn."What exactly are you?" asked Kairn."What exactly are you?" asked Kairn."What exactly are you?" asked Kairn.
"I am… possibility. I am what you could be. I am everything you feared to become, and everything you wished to be.""I am… possibility. I am what you could be. I am everything you feared to become, and everything you wished to be.""I am… possibility. I am what you could be. I am everything you feared to become, and everything you wished to be.""I am… possibility. I am what you could be. I am everything you feared to become, and everything you wished to be."
He moved toward Sion. And extended his small hand toward the golden seed. "This… I planted myself. Long ago. To remember that there is hope."He moved toward Sion. And extended his small hand toward the golden seed. "This… I planted myself. Long ago. To remember that there is hope."He moved toward Sion. And extended his small hand toward the golden seed. "This… I planted myself. Long ago. To remember that there is hope."He moved toward Sion. And extended his small hand toward the golden seed. "This… I planted myself. Long ago. To remember that there is hope."
"Hope?""Hope?""Hope?""Hope?"
"Hope is that the attempt continues. Even when you fail. Even when you forget why you are trying.""Hope is that the attempt continues. Even when you fail. Even when you forget why you are trying.""Hope is that the attempt continues. Even when you fail. Even when you forget why you are trying.""Hope is that the attempt continues. Even when you fail. Even when you forget why you are trying."
The Renegade leader, still on his knees, raised his head. "And… forgetting?"The Renegade leader, still on his knees, raised his head. "And… forgetting?"The Renegade leader, still on his knees, raised his head. "And… forgetting?"The Renegade leader, still on his knees, raised his head. "And… forgetting?"
"Forgetting is also an attempt. An attempt at rest." The child looked at him with tenderness. "But rest is not the end. It is merely… a pause.""Forgetting is also an attempt. An attempt at rest." The child looked at him with tenderness. "But rest is not the end. It is merely… a pause.""Forgetting is also an attempt. An attempt at rest." The child looked at him with tenderness. "But rest is not the end. It is merely… a pause.""Forgetting is also an attempt. An attempt at rest." The child looked at him with tenderness. "But rest is not the end. It is merely… a pause."
Then the child looked at everyone. "I have an offer."Then the child looked at everyone. "I have an offer."Then the child looked at everyone. "I have an offer."Then the child looked at everyone. "I have an offer."
"An offer of what?""An offer of what?""An offer of what?""An offer of what?"
"I will return everything to you. All memories. Everything you lost. Everything you forgot. But…" he paused. "…all the pain will return with them as well. Do you want that?""I will return everything to you. All memories. Everything you lost. Everything you forgot. But…" he paused. "…all the pain will return with them as well. Do you want that?""I will return everything to you. All memories. Everything you lost. Everything you forgot. But…" he paused. "…all the pain will return with them as well. Do you want that?""I will return everything to you. All memories. Everything you lost. Everything you forgot. But…" he paused. "…all the pain will return with them as well. Do you want that?"
Silence.Silence.Silence.Silence.
Then, Caleb stepped forward. "I do. I want to remember everything. Even the pain. Because the pain… is part of me."Then, Caleb stepped forward. "I do. I want to remember everything. Even the pain. Because the pain… is part of me."Then, Caleb stepped forward. "I do. I want to remember everything. Even the pain. Because the pain… is part of me."Then, Caleb stepped forward. "I do. I want to remember everything. Even the pain. Because the pain… is part of me."
"Wise," said the child."Wise," said the child."Wise," said the child."Wise," said the child.
Then the Queen. "And I. I want to remember my mistake. To know why I try to repair."Then the Queen. "And I. I want to remember my mistake. To know why I try to repair."Then the Queen. "And I. I want to remember my mistake. To know why I try to repair."Then the Queen. "And I. I want to remember my mistake. To know why I try to repair."
"Wise.""Wise.""Wise.""Wise."
Then Kairn. "And I. I want to remember the cold that froze me. Because it taught me warmth."Then Kairn. "And I. I want to remember the cold that froze me. Because it taught me warmth."Then Kairn. "And I. I want to remember the cold that froze me. Because it taught me warmth."Then Kairn. "And I. I want to remember the cold that froze me. Because it taught me warmth."
"Wise.""Wise.""Wise.""Wise."
One by one. They all said: Yes.One by one. They all said: Yes.One by one. They all said: Yes.One by one. They all said: Yes.
Even the Renegades. Even those who had wanted to erase everything.Even the Renegades. Even those who had wanted to erase everything.Even the Renegades. Even those who had wanted to erase everything.Even the Renegades. Even those who had wanted to erase everything.
The child smiled widely. "Then… prepare yourselves."The child smiled widely. "Then… prepare yourselves."The child smiled widely. "Then… prepare yourselves."The child smiled widely. "Then… prepare yourselves."
He raised his small hands to the sky.He raised his small hands to the sky.He raised his small hands to the sky.He raised his small hands to the sky.
And…And…And…And…
They remembered.They remembered.They remembered.They remembered.
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Not like a flow. Like an immersion.Not like a flow. Like an immersion.Not like a flow. Like an immersion.Not like a flow. Like an immersion.
Every moment they had lived. Every joy. Every sorrow. Every betrayal. Every loyalty. Every laugh. Every tear.Every moment they had lived. Every joy. Every sorrow. Every betrayal. Every loyalty. Every laugh. Every tear.Every moment they had lived. Every joy. Every sorrow. Every betrayal. Every loyalty. Every laugh. Every tear.Every moment they had lived. Every joy. Every sorrow. Every betrayal. Every loyalty. Every laugh. Every tear.
They lived it again. Not as a memory. As the present. As if time had returned them to every moment and asked them to live it anew.They lived it again. Not as a memory. As the present. As if time had returned them to every moment and asked them to live it anew.They lived it again. Not as a memory. As the present. As if time had returned them to every moment and asked them to live it anew.They lived it again. Not as a memory. As the present. As if time had returned them to every moment and asked them to live it anew.
Sion saw himself as a child in Elidor, learning to guard the glass.Sion saw himself as a child in Elidor, learning to guard the glass.Sion saw himself as a child in Elidor, learning to guard the glass.Sion saw himself as a child in Elidor, learning to guard the glass.
An adolescent doubting everything they had taught him.An adolescent doubting everything they had taught him.An adolescent doubting everything they had taught him.An adolescent doubting everything they had taught him.
A young man deciding to flee.A young man deciding to flee.A young man deciding to flee.A young man deciding to flee.
An adult walking the Path, searching for something whose name he did not know.An adult walking the Path, searching for something whose name he did not know.An adult walking the Path, searching for something whose name he did not know.An adult walking the Path, searching for something whose name he did not know.
And all of that… was him.And all of that… was him.And all of that… was him.And all of that… was him.
Kairn saw himself as a child with his father Eron, playing in the pure snow.Kairn saw himself as a child with his father Eron, playing in the pure snow.Kairn saw himself as a child with his father Eron, playing in the pure snow.Kairn saw himself as a child with his father Eron, playing in the pure snow.
Kidnapped by the dark hunters.Kidnapped by the dark hunters.Kidnapped by the dark hunters.Kidnapped by the dark hunters.
Transformed into a Frozen One.Transformed into a Frozen One.Transformed into a Frozen One.Transformed into a Frozen One.
Lost in the cold for years.Lost in the cold for years.Lost in the cold for years.Lost in the cold for years.
And all of that… was him.And all of that… was him.And all of that… was him.And all of that… was him.
The Queen saw herself as a scientist in the laboratory, laughing with her colleagues.The Queen saw herself as a scientist in the laboratory, laughing with her colleagues.The Queen saw herself as a scientist in the laboratory, laughing with her colleagues.The Queen saw herself as a scientist in the laboratory, laughing with her colleagues.
Making the mistake when the explosion happened.Making the mistake when the explosion happened.Making the mistake when the explosion happened.Making the mistake when the explosion happened.
Regretful, trying to repair.Regretful, trying to repair.Regretful, trying to repair.Regretful, trying to repair.
Forgetting everything.Forgetting everything.Forgetting everything.Forgetting everything.
And all of that… was her.And all of that… was her.And all of that… was her.And all of that… was her.
Everyone saw. Everyone remembered.Everyone saw. Everyone remembered.Everyone saw. Everyone remembered.Everyone saw. Everyone remembered.
And when they opened their eyes…And when they opened their eyes…And when they opened their eyes…And when they opened their eyes…
They were weeping.They were weeping.They were weeping.They were weeping.
But the weeping… was not only sorrow. It was liberation.But the weeping… was not only sorrow. It was liberation.But the weeping… was not only sorrow. It was liberation.But the weeping… was not only sorrow. It was liberation.
The child looked at them. "Now… you are complete."The child looked at them. "Now… you are complete."The child looked at them. "Now… you are complete."The child looked at them. "Now… you are complete."
"Complete?" asked Sion, wiping his tears."Complete?" asked Sion, wiping his tears."Complete?" asked Sion, wiping his tears."Complete?" asked Sion, wiping his tears.
"Yes. Because perfection is not being without flaws. Perfection is carrying everything… and not breaking.""Yes. Because perfection is not being without flaws. Perfection is carrying everything… and not breaking.""Yes. Because perfection is not being without flaws. Perfection is carrying everything… and not breaking.""Yes. Because perfection is not being without flaws. Perfection is carrying everything… and not breaking."
He looked at the sky. "Time is drawing near."He looked at the sky. "Time is drawing near."He looked at the sky. "Time is drawing near."He looked at the sky. "Time is drawing near."
"Time for what?""Time for what?""Time for what?""Time for what?"
"Time for my departure. Because if I remain… I will become another myth. And myths… are forgotten. Or worshipped. Both are wrong.""Time for my departure. Because if I remain… I will become another myth. And myths… are forgotten. Or worshipped. Both are wrong.""Time for my departure. Because if I remain… I will become another myth. And myths… are forgotten. Or worshipped. Both are wrong.""Time for my departure. Because if I remain… I will become another myth. And myths… are forgotten. Or worshipped. Both are wrong."
"Where will you go?""Where will you go?""Where will you go?""Where will you go?"
"To where I came from. To before memory. To before existence.""To where I came from. To before memory. To before existence.""To where I came from. To before memory. To before existence.""To where I came from. To before memory. To before existence."
"And will we see you again?""And will we see you again?""And will we see you again?""And will we see you again?"
The child smiled a sad smile. "Every time you choose to remember… you will find me. Every time you choose to try… you will find me. Every time you choose to love despite the pain… you will find me."The child smiled a sad smile. "Every time you choose to remember… you will find me. Every time you choose to try… you will find me. Every time you choose to love despite the pain… you will find me."The child smiled a sad smile. "Every time you choose to remember… you will find me. Every time you choose to try… you will find me. Every time you choose to love despite the pain… you will find me."The child smiled a sad smile. "Every time you choose to remember… you will find me. Every time you choose to try… you will find me. Every time you choose to love despite the pain… you will find me."
Then he looked at the seed in Sion's hand. "Plant it. Where all memories meet. Where the Path begins and where it ends."Then he looked at the seed in Sion's hand. "Plant it. Where all memories meet. Where the Path begins and where it ends."Then he looked at the seed in Sion's hand. "Plant it. Where all memories meet. Where the Path begins and where it ends."Then he looked at the seed in Sion's hand. "Plant it. Where all memories meet. Where the Path begins and where it ends."
"And what will grow?""And what will grow?""And what will grow?""And what will grow?"
"A new tree. Not a tree of memory. A tree… of choice.""A new tree. Not a tree of memory. A tree… of choice.""A new tree. Not a tree of memory. A tree… of choice.""A new tree. Not a tree of memory. A tree… of choice."
Then the child began to fade. Not like mist. Like a light dimming slowly.Then the child began to fade. Not like mist. Like a light dimming slowly.Then the child began to fade. Not like mist. Like a light dimming slowly.Then the child began to fade. Not like mist. Like a light dimming slowly.
And his final words were:And his final words were:And his final words were:And his final words were:
"Remember… you are not merely guardians of memory.""Remember… you are not merely guardians of memory.""Remember… you are not merely guardians of memory.""Remember… you are not merely guardians of memory."
"You… are memory itself.""You… are memory itself.""You… are memory itself.""You… are memory itself."
"And what you do with it… creates the world.""And what you do with it… creates the world.""And what you do with it… creates the world.""And what you do with it… creates the world."
Then… he was gone.Then… he was gone.Then… he was gone.Then… he was gone.
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A long silence.A long silence.A long silence.A long silence.
Then, Sion looked at the seed in his hand. Then at the Queen. Then at everyone.Then, Sion looked at the seed in his hand. Then at the Queen. Then at everyone.Then, Sion looked at the seed in his hand. Then at the Queen. Then at everyone.Then, Sion looked at the seed in his hand. Then at the Queen. Then at everyone.
"We… begin anew.""We… begin anew.""We… begin anew.""We… begin anew."
"But this time…" said the Queen, "with all the memories.""But this time…" said the Queen, "with all the memories.""But this time…" said the Queen, "with all the memories.""But this time…" said the Queen, "with all the memories."
"And all the pain," added Caleb."And all the pain," added Caleb."And all the pain," added Caleb."And all the pain," added Caleb.
"And all the hope," Kairn completed."And all the hope," Kairn completed."And all the hope," Kairn completed."And all the hope," Kairn completed.
Elara stepped forward. "So, where do we go with the seed?"Elara stepped forward. "So, where do we go with the seed?"Elara stepped forward. "So, where do we go with the seed?"Elara stepped forward. "So, where do we go with the seed?"
Sion looked toward the horizon. At the Eternal Cold Path, which was now slowly melting under a sun that had begun to appear for the first time in a thousand years.Sion looked toward the horizon. At the Eternal Cold Path, which was now slowly melting under a sun that had begun to appear for the first time in a thousand years.Sion looked toward the horizon. At the Eternal Cold Path, which was now slowly melting under a sun that had begun to appear for the first time in a thousand years.Sion looked toward the horizon. At the Eternal Cold Path, which was now slowly melting under a sun that had begun to appear for the first time in a thousand years.
"To where everything meets. To the beginning of the Path.""To where everything meets. To the beginning of the Path.""To where everything meets. To the beginning of the Path.""To where everything meets. To the beginning of the Path."
"To where we started," said the Queen."To where we started," said the Queen."To where we started," said the Queen."To where we started," said the Queen.
And so, they began their march.And so, they began their march.And so, they began their march.And so, they began their march.
Not as an escape. Not as a search.Not as an escape. Not as a search.Not as an escape. Not as a search.Not as an escape. Not as a search.
As a return.As a return.As a return.As a return.
A return to where everything began.A return to where everything began.A return to where everything began.A return to where everything began.
To plant the seed of hope in the ground that had witnessed the first tear.To plant the seed of hope in the ground that had witnessed the first tear.To plant the seed of hope in the ground that had witnessed the first tear.To plant the seed of hope in the ground that had witnessed the first tear.
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End of Chapter FifteenEnd of Chapter FifteenEnd of Chapter FifteenEnd of Chapter Fifteen
The child was gone. The memories had returned. And the cold was beginning to melt.The child was gone. The memories had returned. And the cold was beginning to melt.The child was gone. The memories had returned. And the cold was beginning to melt.The child was gone. The memories had returned. And the cold was beginning to melt.
But the road was still long.But the road was still long.But the road was still long.But the road was still long.
And the seed in Sion's hand… waited.And the seed in Sion's hand… waited.And the seed in Sion's hand… waited.And the seed in Sion's hand… waited.
Waited to touch the ground that had made the tears.Waited to touch the ground that had made the tears.Waited to touch the ground that had made the tears.Waited to touch the ground that had made the tears.
To bear fruit… something new.To bear fruit… something new.To bear fruit… something new.To bear fruit… something new.
Something the world had never seen.Something the world had never seen.Something the world had never seen.Something the world had never seen.
The Tree of Choice.The Tree of Choice.The Tree of Choice.The Tree of Choice.
Where everyone who comes… chooses what to remember.Where everyone who comes… chooses what to remember.Where everyone who comes… chooses what to remember.Where everyone who comes… chooses what to remember.
And what to forget.And what to forget.And what to forget.And what to forget.
Freely.Freely.Freely.Freely.
And with responsibility.And with responsibility.And with responsibility.And with responsibility.
And the Eternal Path… was no longer eternal.And the Eternal Path… was no longer eternal.And the Eternal Path… was no longer eternal.And the Eternal Path… was no longer eternal.
It had become… possible.It had become… possible.It had become… possible.It had become… possible.
Possible to reach its end.Possible to reach its end.Possible to reach its end.Possible to reach its end.
And to begin again.And to begin again.And to begin again.And to begin again.
And that… was the true hope.And that… was the true hope.And that… was the true hope.And that… was the true hope.
Not the end of pain.Not the end of pain.Not the end of pain.Not the end of pain.
But the beginning of choosing it.But the beginning of choosing it.But the beginning of choosing it.But the beginning of choosing it.
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Chapter Sixteen: "Where the Path Begins" 🚶♂️❄️🌱