Project Schemer - Salvatore Trilogy: Crescendo

Arc 1 - Chapter 4: Belonging

"I think I will leave."

"Do you really want to leave? You can't defend yourself without Tomoe, without your blades, you can't really do anything."

"But I won't stand still and let Tomoe do all the work."

The Labyrinth is large and without the map, it is easy to get lost. As I walked on the cold hard ground, the shadow of the wall of the Labyrinth covered everything and blocked the light. The world is a little less heated compared to what is going on out there, the wind howling through the corridors of the labyrinth, the world losing its color, the color drained from the Labyrinth and leaving nothing but white walls. Tomoe's blade cuts through everything and memories are not an exception, as the master of manipulating water, that is just the beginning of his power. I guess someone practiced when I was gone, but right now, memories, dreams and illusions, that is what he can do. It is no longer just water.

"But I am the owner of my own mind, for no one else, because of that power. Shatter."

The Labyrinth slowly shatters and reveals before me is Tomoe, but his clothing is different, no longer the white ritual clothing, Tomoe in front of me is cladded in an armor with water blades floating around him and in his hand is a weapon that somehow resembles a spear. And that is the moment when memories returned to me once again, that one time when our battles were different, the battle against corruption, this is... our outfit used for acting...

"Hey there my little soldier."

"Your Highness, I am awaiting your command."

"Funny, no matter how many times we do that, I always feel like the first time we act. This feels so awkward."

"Don't be, this is our most famous play. So, this is the end of my memories of Altoris ?"

"Not really, we still have that thing."

The tower appears after the destruction of the Labyrinth. The memories of Altoris still want to exist, they still thrive, to exist, because that is their nature, for it is the nature of Altoris to thrive, to exist even in a snowstorm. Well, they are thriving but I have enough of parasites in my mind for my lifetime. This time, I want to be able to think on my own. I won't forget, but everything needs moderation. And it's time to seal this memory again.

"So, a twin tower."

"I really want to go with you."

"I know... but this time we need to fight. Can you fight for yourself... fight for me ?"

"It is hard to say no when you use that face and expression. I think I should be able to fight like how I fought five hundred years ago."

An instrument only exists in my mind. I never wanted to use it because of my role and I want to play the role of an innocent ruler. That is the part of that play; an innocent ruler and an innocent soldier. That is our role, even that is our role in that house when they want to control the spirit and then cleanse the land, but they don't know the truth, no one knows the truth. The innocent soldier and the so-called ceramic doll that called itself a ruler are nothing more but actors, ever since they were created, they acted, they exchange their words, those words that can't be heard by any creatures. And those actors are us. We acted and made Fukuhara believe they got their grip. Maybe Aika saw through our act, but who will believe the words of Cassandra?

"Brought back a lot of memories."

"We are good partners, aren't we? We tricked everyone, every spirit and god. Even the audience."

"Maybe our only exception is Tomoe."

"But do you want to trick him ?"

"How dare you ? I am an instrument, but I am capable of emotion. Don't you dare make him cry."

"Well, let's ascend."

I don't need to go fast, just slow at a pace and slowly get all of my memories back. This is it. This is the end of the old journey, the original goal, to find my memories to fill this hole in my mind. The twin towers, not something ugly but a way to keep our memories in place. Now, the only work left is to ascend the tower and take everything back. Harmony was nothing but a part of the play. It is the truth that the old member of my team and Sousuke gave him a new body, nothing more than that... Memories flooded into my head, about the primordial horror of this world, memories of victory, memories of kindness and the worst part, memories of hatred and betrayal slowly emerged from the dark staircase.

"I would be paralyzed, I should be."

"You can do whatever you want, master, our memories are returning, so let's finish this quickly. I yearn for my old form."

"So the condition of this tower, to keep the secret of Arborine safe, I understand all of that now. My memories are returning so that should explain everything."

It was the greatest risk, WORLD almost learned the secret, but sadly, they didn't have enough patience, so that was risky, but at least we learned about Von Einsemberg and his power. Von exists in ethereal form and Einsemberg is a doll, but it is more than that. Their relationship is not so different from Tomoe and I but I can sense it is a little bit more extreme. We don't know about Einsemberg. But we know about Von, and he has the same presence as the primordial evil, he is not evil or he is neither the devil, his presence is evil itself, the purest defination of evil.

"So it is the primordial and his doll ? Didn't you banish them five hundred years ago ?"

"I know, but it is so similar. I guess I have to take you out of the storage."

"Just like the old times?"

"Just like that, my dear."

The qilyn already wanted an end to that family. Her voice reached me and I could hear all that even through the small sound formed by a drop of water. The qilyn is described to be kind and merciful, but to that family, she wanted to wipe their name from the record long ago, because their crusade tainted her name as a cruel god. And that is the moment I have all the permission that I need, I can finally set my plan in motion, everything was prepared and we only need an event, a small ember that became the flame that set everything into the fire that we wanted.

"Master, do you need..."

"I appreciate the thought, Lament but there is no need for that. I will walk on my own two feet, reap what I sowed and show them what I can truly do."

This is the dream and this is our dream, our tower and our memories. This is the moment we take back everything that those creatures dare to steal from us. This is the memory of yore and woes and this time, there is no need to forget anything, I hope Tomoe can embrace everything in the past and we can finally choose our route and there is no reason to doubt. This time, we will prevent any tragedy. No more hesitating, no more waiting for a flame. This time, not even the original Qilyn can sway us from our goal. And this time, I won't let anyone I care fall, not even Chihoyo and Siorre.

"Are you there, Tomoe ?"

"Just waiting for you at the door. Guess by the aura, Harmony returned to Lament ?"

"It took him quite a while but we're back."

"Same to me.

"You mean, Blessing of the realm ?"

"I always question where it is, but I know you keep everything we have."

"So, it's time to face what is on the top."

The top of the tower was guarded by a guardian, but with this kind of corruption, it is hard to say, the guardian can become a dangerous creature. And the best thing we can do is to get ready for the battle that we can't avoid. The scenery from the top of the tower could be changed, but let keep it white and pristine... nothing really pristine anymore. To be honest, anything that is lost will be lost when we let it go. I always look into the mirror to see my reflection, but also the reflection of my own mind, pure and white but hollow and empty. I can only feel myself completed when I stand by his side.

We reached the top of the tower and nothing changed. The guardian and everything around was barren. The world is nothing more but a plain white world. Maybe this is my mind right now, the most original state, so we can create a new song, a new art. It will be sad to forget about Altoris for a while, but right now, I need my mind to be stable to end this incident. Who knows what will happen when he gets his hand on this world?

"Mas....Master...."

"I am sorry, you must be very lonely. I can't understand why you did this at the beginning, but thank you for protecting my memories."

"I did a good job, right ?"

"Yes, you did a good job my knight, you can let go now. Even when everything is corrupted, you still remain pristine."

"Because... you... trusted.... me."

"Then you should rest, everything will be taken care of. You've worked for far too long and now, I am here, I will sing one final song for you."

Saying goodbye was never easy, but strange, the moment the melody ended, I couldn't feel sadness or sorrow like something had been taken from me. Tomoe and I were standing on the top of the tower as we watched everything slowly disappear, and as the light slowly swallowed everything, I shed my tears, maybe joy or maybe sorrow. I don't know. Maybe this is his gift, so I don't feel sadness, but for now, the memories of Altoris, I need to let go so I can march toward a new future. A future right by my side.