The Flowing Memories of the Forgotten One
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That night, after a long and exhausting journey, Altair and Lyra finally found a small inn to stay in—just a place to rest for a day, enough to recover before continuing their travels.
Altair stepped up to the reception desk.
Altair: "Excuse me… do you still have two small, inexpensive rooms available?"
The receptionist glanced at the list before looking up with a polite smile.
Receptionist: "I'm very sorry, sir. There's only one room left."
Altair hesitated for a moment. But before he could say anything, Lyra stepped closer and gently took his hand.
Lyra: "It's okay. We're only staying for one night."
Altair turned to her, slightly surprised, then finally nodded.
Altair: "Uh… alright. One room, then."
---
The room was small—containing only a single bed, a wooden chair, a simple table, and a narrow window facing the night sky. After the door closed, Altair sat down on the chair, his gaze distant. His thoughts drifted, trapped in the echoes of Caelis's words that still lingered in his mind.
---
Flashback
Caelis: "My only purpose is to assist you to the best of my ability… and to serve you."
He then took out a small object and handed it to Altair.
Caelis: "With this, you may summon me anytime and anywhere."
End flashback
---
Altair placed the object on the table, staring at it briefly before turning away.
Altair: "Hey… Lyra…"
Sensing the change in atmosphere, Lyra slowly turned to him.
Lyra: "Yes, Altair?"
Altair tried to hide his unease behind his voice.
Altair: "Do you… not mind sleeping with me? We've only known each other for a few days."
Lyra smiled softly, her voice gentle yet full of trust.
Lyra: "It's okay. I trust completely that you wouldn't do anything bad to me."
Altair fell silent for a moment.
Altair: "Why… can you trust me so easily? After knowing my past… aren't you afraid to be close to someone from two thousand years ago?"
Lyra shook her head gently.
Lyra: "I'm not afraid. Because Altair is still Altair—no matter if you lived two thousand years ago or not. If we were destined to meet, then I'll stay by your side and help you however I can."
Altair lowered his head, staring at the floor.
Altair: "I see… but I feel like I won't be able to protect you. I even left my family behind…"
Lyra stepped closer and gently wrapped her arms around his head, pulling him into her embrace.
Lyra: "Hey… hey… that wasn't your fault. Everything happened so suddenly. You were still just a child when you were pulled into the time rift. Don't blame yourself, Altair."
Tears began to fall from Altair's eyes.
Altair: "B-but…"
Lyra: "Shh… it's okay. Let the past remain in the past. You never know what will happen in the future—wasn't that what you told me when you saved me?"
Altair slowly calmed down. His breathing steadied, his thoughts clearing.
Altair: "Yeah… I won't blame myself anymore. Sorry for troubling you… to the point that I forgot my own words."
Lyra smiled warmly.
Lyra: "You don't need to apologize. You saved me back then—this is just my way of repaying you."
Altair lifted his face slightly.
Altair: "Would you listen to my request?"
Lyra: "I'd be happy to."
Altair gathered his resolve.
Altair: "Will you come with me and help me find the fragments of my memories… and are you ready?"
Lyra paused for a moment. Then her eyes sparkled, and a bright smile appeared on her face.
Lyra: "Yes, I'm ready. I'll help you… and I'll also teach you about this world."
That night, they made another promise—once again—that they would not leave each other, and that they would always support one another, no matter what happened.
---
Altair: "Sleep on the bed. I'll take the floor."
Lyra: "But I'd feel bad… you'll get cold."
Altair: "It's fine. Besides, you paid for the room tonight."
Lyra: "N-no! If you don't sleep on the bed, then I'll sleep on the floor too."
Altair let out a soft sigh.
Altair: "Huff… alright."
In the end, they decided to sleep together on the bed—keeping an awkward distance, yet fully aware of each other's presence.
Altair (inner monologue):
How did I end up in a situation like this… I don't think I'll be able to sleep… a-and why does she have to wear her nightwear like that…
Altair's face turned red as he shut his eyes, trying to calm his racing heart.
---
In the morning, Altair woke up first. Sunlight slipped through the narrow window, brushing gently against Lyra's sleeping face. Carefully, he covered her with the blanket, as if afraid to disturb the fragile peace.
He sat on the edge of the bed, watching her in silence.
Not long after, Lyra opened her eyes.
Lyra: "Good morning…"
Altair smiled softly.
Altair: "Good morning, Lyra."
In that morning light, Altair no longer saw Lyra merely as a travel companion—but as a presence that arrived in the darkest time of his life, bringing warmth that even time itself could not fade.
For the first time in two thousand years of wandering through lost memories, his heart was no longer alone.
And in that quiet morning, Altair felt grateful—not only to the gods, but to fate—for leading him to a small light…
fragile,
yet enough
to illuminate the path ahead.