Memories Part 1

"Already?" I asked, "You said three days."

Queen Zara nodded, her expression unchanged, "We did, but it was necessary to keep some matters... discreet."

"From your own people? Why the secrecy?" Zaine pressed, a sharpness to her words, "Why now, in the middle of the night?"

The Queen responded with a firm voice, "Once you regain your memory, we will need time to process what you have to tell us, what it means for us all."

Zaine's eyes narrowed. I could feel her mind working, calculating the angles.

"You're hiding something," I said to the Queen, my tone edged with suspicion.

A fleeting smile crossed Queen Zara's lips, "We are preparing for all possibilities, Darx. Although your concerns are understandable. However, once again, I assure you that we are on the same side."

Zhoron and Aelbrecht stood silent, their presence like looming shadows. Zaine's gaze flicked between them and back to the Queen.

"And you expect us to trust you?" Zaine said, her voice low and dangerous.

Queen Zara's eyes met Zaine's, unwavering, "I expect you to see the wisdom in our actions. If you stop to consider it for a second, you'll also understand that it will be beneficial for both of you to have a few days to process whatever the Demon Queen remembers before having to deal with everything else."

A moment of silence held between us, thick and heavy.

"Very well," Zaine replied, "Let's get this over with."

Queen Zara nodded, gesturing to the blonde woman, "Ariane will guide you through the process."

"Ariane?" I asked, glancing at her, "Who is she?"

Zhoron stepped forward, "Ariane became a C-Rank adventurer four years ago and is now a member of the Dark Dragons. While she may not be the most skilled in combat, she possesses a rare skill. She can see the memories of others."

Ariane's eyes darted to the floor. Her hands clenched together, and a flush spread across her cheeks.

"An incredible skill, particularly for interrogating criminals." Zhoron continued, oblivious to her discomfort

Her gaze lifted, meeting mine with a flicker of determination, "Hello," Ariane said, her voice soft but warm, "I-I'm Ariane."

She turned to Zaine, hesitance visible in every movement. "I—I hope to help you."

I looked at the shy woman standing before us, "Can you really recover Zaine's lost memory?" I asked, my voice edged with both hope and skepticism.

"In—in theory, yes." Ariane's words stumbled out, yet there was an earnestness in her eyes, "I've done it many times before."

Zaine studied her; the room was quiet except for the crackling torches. Her expression softened, curiosity mingling with wariness. "And how do you plan to do it?"

Ariane hesitated, a slight tremor in her voice, "With my skill, I can touch your head and enter your mind. It allows me to witness someone's most significant memories."

Zaine and I exchanged a look, both surprised by the simplicity and audacity of her answer.

"So, you see the memories and tell us what you saw?" Zaine asked, her voice suspicious yet intrigued.

Ariane shook her head, her blonde hair moving like a curtain around her face, "Not—Not exactly. I can materialize you within your own memories. You would be witnessing them yourself."

Zaine stiffened, her eyes widening with something between awe and disbelief, "Like... watching my own life unfold?"

"Yes," Ariane replied, her confidence growing, "Like a ghost, observing without being able to interact with anything."

Hearing that, both Zaine, Sunshine, and I were in shock at what she said. I felt the weight of the revelation settle in, a mixture of hope and unease.

"That's... impressive," I finally said, my voice tinged with respect.

"T-Thank you!" Ariane replied, looking somewhat embarrassed.

Ariane's eyes flitted nervously between us, and she continued, "One more thing. While you are inside your memories, you will be ****."

"So, you could leave me defenseless," Zaine said; her voice was a sharp edge.

"Uh?" Ariane's face flushed, "I-Is the only way... I-I understand how it sounds, but—"

Zaine met my eyes. Without telling me anything, I know what she's thinking. She doesn't want to be defenseless, especially knowing this could be a trap. However, after I smiled slightly, she calmed down. Zaine knows I would never let anything happen to her and would protect her with my life if necessary.

Zhoron cleared his throat, "Everything is ready," He said, gesturing to a grouping of chairs.

Two were positioned at the front, and a third sat behind them. They looked comfortable and luxurious.

Sunshine's curiosity piqued, "Why three chairs?"

Ariane looked relieved to answer a simpler question, "The back chair is for me. The two in front are for Zaine... and Darx."

I blinked, surprised, "Me? I'll see her memories, too?"

Ariane nodded, looking confused at my shock, "I—I thought you wanted to."

Zaine and I exchanged a glance, reflecting the shock we were both feeling.

Zaine spoke, "We need a moment to talk. Alone."

"Of course," Queen Zara replied.

We moved away to the corner of the throne room, Sunshine trailing behind us, glancing back at the others with suspicion.

"I can you believe it..." I said, my voice low, "I'll see your memories too. Still, it's dangerous. We'll be ****. ****."

"I'm not worried about that anymore," Zaine replied, her tone unexpectedly calm, "My instincts tell me that this is not a trap and that they also really want to know what I will discover in my memories."

"Then why do you look so nervous?" I asked, confusion edging my voice.

She glanced at Sunshine, then back at me, a rare uncertainty in her eyes, "I'm not sure I want you to see them."

I blinked, genuinely perplexed, "Why?"

"I'm so close to regaining my memories, yet..." Zaine took a breath, her voice dropping to a whisper, "Now, I'm scared of what I'll remember. After so many years, what if I've done terrible things? Things I can't even imagine right now?"

"Zaine," I said, but she cut me off, her words tumbling out in a rush.

"What if I was evil? What if she really deserved to be betrayed and dethroned?"

Silence settled around us, her fears echoing in my mind. I thought of everything we'd been through, the unknowns that lay ahead.

"It's true I don't know what to expect," I finally said, my voice steady, "Maybe I will see things I don't want to. But I'm prepared for that. I won't judge you."

Her eyes met mine.

"I want to know the truth," I continued, "And I know you do too."

Zaine held my gaze, the tension between us slowly unraveling.

Sunshine made a small noise, drawing our attention, "I wanted to see too!" She pouted playfully, "Bet there's lots of sex and stuff."

Now that I think about it, that could also happen... Who knows what I'll see in her memoirs... she has been alive for hundreds of years, after all...

Zaine and I stared at each other for a second before I looked away. There was an awkward atmosphere.

"Relax," Sunshine said, giving Zaine a playful shove, "I'll kick their ass if they try anything while you're out cold."

Zaine smiled. She squeezed my hand, and I felt her resolve solidify like a palpable **** between us.

"I'm ready if you are," I said.

"I am," Zaine replied.

We returned to the others. Ariane watched us approach, her face a mixture of nervousness and confusion. Queen Zara's expression was unreadable, but I thought I saw a hint of satisfaction in her eyes.

"We're ready," Zaine said, her voice strong and clear.

Ariane nodded, her hands flexing nervously, "Then please, take your seats."

Zaine and I settled into the chairs, their richness a stark contrast to the anxiety I felt. Ariane moved, sitting behind us, then after a few seconds, placing her hand on each of our heads. The Queen sat on her throne with Zhoron at her side. Aelbrecht stood still beneath the throne platform, staring at me. Meanwhile, Sunshine stood to the side, her stance casual but alert, ready for anything.

"Are you ready?" Ariane asked.

"Yes," Zaine replied.

Seconds later, I saw a white light that enveloped everything, beginning to envelop me, forcing me to close my eyes and cover my face with my hands. The light was intense, but it suddenly disappeared. I felt a little dizzy and disoriented, but almost immediately, I heard a little girl's laughter. When I opened my eyes, I was in an unfamiliar place.

I felt a surge of panic for a moment as I realized I was in a completely unfamiliar place, far from the throne room where I had just been. Now, I found myself in a vast garden filled with vibrant flowers and lush greenery. As I turned around, I noticed that the garden was indeed immense, but what caught my attention even more was the colossal building looming before me. It was a massive castle, at least twice the size of the one in Riledo.

"W-Where... Am I?" I murmured.

I looked down at myself, shocked to see my skin pale and translucent. My body seemed almost ghostly, a whitish blur. And I was naked. I felt a strange mix of confusion and disbelief.

What is this? I wondered. Is this what Ariane meant? Am I really inside Zaine's memories? I turned, scanning the garden for any sign of Zaine. But she was nowhere in sight. Then the laughter rang out again, bright and carefree. It came from beyond a thick wall of bushes beside me.

I moved toward the sound, walking around the wall, my steps tentative on the lush grass until I emerged on the other side.

There she was. Zaine. She stood still, her tall form also naked and half-transparent, watching a little girl play.

"Zaine," I called out, relief and confusion mingling in my voice.

Zaine didn't turn. Her focus was entirely on the child, who ran in circles trying to catch a butterfly, her laughter echoing through the garden. The girl had purple hair, just like Zaine.

"Zaine," I said again, moving closer.

This time, she acknowledged me with a slow, distant nod. But her gaze returned immediately to the girl, an intensity in her eyes. The girl had the same eyes, the same horns, the same hair. It is, without a doubt...

I opened my mouth to speak, but Zaine's voice broke the silence, a mixture of awe and realization, "It's me," Zaine whispered, "It's actually me. As a child."

We stood there, stunned by what we were seeing. The girl continued to play, oblivious to our presence. Zaine took a tentative step forward, her movements slow and almost hesitant.

"I... can't believe it," She said, her voice barely above a whisper.

She reached out, her hand trembling slightly as it moved toward the girl's shoulder. However, her hand passed through like smoke, leaving no trace. Zaine pulled back, her expression a mix of amazement and shock.

"We're really in your memories," I said, echoing Ariane's explanation, "Just like she said. They can't see us, and we can't interact with nothing."

Zaine's eyes were wide, still fixed on the girl, "This is... incredible," She breathed, "I never imagined..."

We watched in silence as the young Zaine continued her joyful chase.

"I remember this place now," Zaine said, her voice barely a whisper, "I remember this garden... I used to play here a lot."

I moved to stand beside her, watching the joy on the child's face as she chased the butterfly. There was something haunting in the way Zaine looked, the way she clung to this memory with a fierce longing.

"Is this... your home?" I asked, the strangeness of the situation settling around us.

Zaine nodded, a small, almost wistful smile playing on her lips, "It was. A long time ago."

We stood in silence, absorbing the scene. Then, suddenly, the child stopped running and turned, her eyes lighting up. Two more girls appeared from the far side of the garden, their laughter mingling with hers. One had long red hair and green eyes; the other had neck-length black hair and a pair of small blue horns. Even from a distance, I could see the closeness between them.

Zaine's expression shifted, recognition dawning like a slow sunrise, "Those two... They were my friends."

The black-haired girl was the first to reach them, pulling the young Zaine into a giggling embrace. The other trailed behind, a shy smile on her lips.

"Lila... and Kira," Zaine said, wonder in her voice, "I had forgotten them."

I watched her, the depth of her memories unfolding in a way that was both beautiful and painful. She seemed lost in the past.

"Important memories," I said, recalling Ariane's words, "This must be one of those."

Zaine looked at me.

Lila's voice rang out, full of excitement, "Zaine, did you hear? A new boy came to the castle today!"

The young Zaine's eyes widened with curiosity, "A boy? Really? Did you see him?"

Kira shook her head, her expression teasing, "Not yet. But I heard his parents are researchers. They'll live here, so that means he is, too."

I glanced at Zaine beside me, but her focus remained on the children.

Lila giggled, "I wonder if he's cute!"

The young Zaine was already on her feet, pulling the others up with her, "I'm curious. Let's go see him!"

The girls took off, a burst of energy and laughter, their voices fading as they disappeared around the corner of the castle.

Beside me, Zaine seemed to snap back to herself, a touch of confusion in her eyes, "A new boy..." She murmured, almost to herself.

I turned to her, "Do you remember who he was?"

She shook her head, "No. Not yet."

The castle was enormous. As we followed the girls' path, I marveled at the sheer scale of everything. The walls were pristine, adorned with ornate tapestries, and polished to a gleaming shine. The richness of it all was overwhelming, a tapestry of golds and reds that seemed to pulse with life.

Demons moved through the halls, adding to the surreal scene. There were devils and succubi, their appearances striking and varied. Imps scurried about, some carrying scrolls while others lugged heavy books. A creature resembling a large, winged fox darted past, its gaze curious and mischievous. Another, like a massive bear with ebony fur, lumbered by more slowly, a gentle giant among the bustling activity.

I looked to Zaine, who looked as impressed as I was. But we couldn't stop to take it all in. The sound of the girls' laughter was growing faint, echoing from deeper within the castle. We pushed forward, focused on keeping up with them.

The halls twisted and turned, leading us past rooms filled with strange, glowing artifacts and open spaces that felt both ancient and alive. Every corner held something new and astonishing.

We turned a corner, and there they were, the three girls peeking around a massive set of doors. Their excitement was palpable.

The young Zaine was first to speak, her voice hushed with anticipation, "Do you see him?"

Lila nodded her head, disappointment written all over her face, "Y-Yeah... but he is not what I expected..."

Kira huffed, crossing her arms, "I told you this was a waste of time."

Before they could pull away, the doors swung open. The girls froze, wide-eyed, like they'd been caught in a forbidden act.

A man with dark hair and a scholarly air stepped out, followed by two women. One had blonde hair, and the other had long black hair. Trailing behind them was a young boy, about the same age as the girls.

The blonde-haired woman smiled at the kids, amusement in her voice, "I see we have visitors. What are you three up to?"

The young Zaine recovered quickly, her composure elegant, "Just strolling around the castle."

"Is that so?" The black-haired woman replied, her voice warm but measured, "Well, let me introduce ourselves. I'm Elise, and this is my husband, Ziah. We'll be living here from now on."

The man, Ziah, bowed his head respectfully, "We are honored to be here. Serving the Demon King is a privilege beyond measure."

Elise nodded, her eyes keen and respectful, "We come from the southern region. We are deeply grateful to your brother, the Demon King, for allowing us to continue our research here."

Young Zaine held her head high, a dignified nod acknowledging their presence, "Welcome to the castle. My brother and I expect great things from you two."

Ziah and Elise smiled at her.

Elise's eyes moved to the boy, "This is our son. He's the same age as you three. If you ever need anything, he is here to assist you, lady Zaine. To obey your wishes."

The boy shifted awkwardly, his pale skin even more noticeable in the dim light of the hall. His eyes were sunken, and he wore an uneasy smile that seemed out of place.

"Um," He said, his voice timid and unsure, "Like... like my parents said, I'm here to obey you."

Kira's laughter was abrupt and sharp, "Him? He doesn't look very capable."

Lila joined in with a giggle, "Not at all!"

Zaine, her expression more curious than amused, took a step forward, "What's your name?" She asked, her voice inquisitive.

The boy hesitated, his gaze flitting between the adults and the girls, "I-It's... Dagrol."

I stared, disbelief freezing me in place. T-That name... i-it... it can't be... is he...?

Elise and Ziah shared a knowing look, then Elise spoke again, addressing the girls, "We'll leave you children to get acquainted."

With a nod from Ziah, they turned and walked away, their figures quickly disappearing down the corridor. The young Zaine, Lila, and Kira surrounded Dagrol, their curiosity unrestrained.

"Are you really going to do whatever we want?" Lila's eyes sparkled with mischief.

"You better not get the idea that we'll be your friends, understand?" Kira spoke.

Dagrol looked overwhelmed, his gaze darting between the eager faces, "I... I don't know..." He stammered, "My parents said I should help you, so..."

Zaine, who had been standing next to me, suddenly seemed to remember something, a flicker of recognition crossing her face.

"The boy," She said, a hint of realization in her voice, "I think now I remember this moment."

I barely heard her. My mind was spinning, trying to understand the impossible. I couldn't look away from the scene unfolding, the name repeating in my head like a haunting refrain.

Zaine turned to me, noticing my shock for the first time, "Darx," She said, concern lacing her voice, "What's wrong?"

It took a moment to find my voice, and when I did, it was filled with confusion and disbelief, "I've heard that boy's name before. I... I can't believe who he is."

Zaine watched me, her eyes widening.

Zaine's voice trembled, "Who is he, Darx?"

The words felt heavy as they left my lips, "Dagrol... Dagrol is the name of the demon that had you locked up. The demon I met when I rescued you."

Her eyes went wide, "What?"