Ænectheiss
The new name I bore a few centuries ago to remember guilt. A mental crucifix that reminds of what I could have achieved but didn't, What I could've had but don't.
Ænectheiss. It means "Vow" and "Guilt"
To remind me of someone whose name I'd long forgotten. Antithetical isn't it? A reminder for someone who was already forgotten.
I, too wonder why I keep the name even after 2 centuries of wandering, recording and forgetting.
Like writing on a pane of glass during the foggy rain months. I keep writing and writing and writing but nothing sticks and stays.
I've met many a person say that it's just the matter of perspective, the different point of view that would go on to make a weight in your mind.
Maybe I've been alive for too long. Too rigid, Too prideful in the ways I've molded into myself after all these years being alive.
I wonder, What would have they done if they were still here.
Would they have changed themselves to suit the current mold of life? Would they have given it their all to go all this way after all this time.
The only thing that lasted all this time with me is this... Physical memory. Etched with marks that made it near impossible to see through what is inside.
But few bits and pieces can be seen through whenever light hits an exact spot. A flower, a forget-me-not, shines through with it's sky blue petals.
"You know, It's awful of you to... Leave me with just this and without anything to use to remember your name."
After a brief lull of melancholy. A knock rang out. "Sir? It's time. The preparations are done."
Silence lingered for a while before I answered. "Alright."
—
"Hurry up! It's starting soon, You took so long we'll be late!"
"Sorry."
"Just hurry up!"
The pair ran off to the fields just outside the town, Spotting a gathering collecting in the middle of the fields.
Panting. Æne asked someone that was there, "Has it started?"
"Ah, Sir Æne, no, it hasn't yet, The Rites Keep is running a little late." Surprised, answered the person. "They should be here any time now." She added before getting cut off by a loud voice.
"I'm sorry everyone, I just got notified that the Rites Keep got caught ill just now. We might have to postpone it until further notice."
Murmurs and groans could be heard all around.
"You should go Æne." as they shoved me forward, hoping I'd volunteer to take over.
"Why?"
"Haven't you been practicing the Rites?"
"Wait, Sir Æne can perform the Rites?"
"Practicing, and it's not the Midday Rites that I've practiced. It's the Blooming Rites for the Night that I've been practicing." Æne clarified with a hint of exasperation present in his voice.
"Even then Sir Æne, I recommend that you do it. It's even better if it's in the night, Many people who would have missed it could attend."
"See Æne? Just do it! It's not like something terrible will happen."