An Amnesiac's tale

[bumbleebumblebee]

As the young redhead girl blinked her eyes open, she found herself immersed in an endless expanse of golden sand stretching out in every direction. The scorching sun beat down upon her, its intense rays washing over her pale skin. Confusion enveloped her mind, like a swirling sandstorm obscuring her memories. She tried to recall her name, her past, but found only a void.

Her vibrant red hair, now tangled and windswept, served as a stark contrast against the barren landscape. Clad in tattered clothes, her fingers traced the intricate patterns and name etched onto a weathered pendant that hung around her neck. Its significance eluded her, yet she clung to it as a fragile anchor in this unfamiliar world.

The young girl's eyes scanned the horizon, searching for any signs of life or civilization. But all she could see were endless dunes, undulating like waves frozen in time. The silence was eerie, broken only by the occasional whisper of the wind, carrying with it tales of forgotten secrets.

She stood up, feeling the grains of sand slide between her toes as she moved. Each step felt uncertain, as if she were tiptoeing through the realm of the forgotten. With each stride, she longed for a glimpse of familiarity, a hint of recognition to guide her.

As she ventured further into the desert, the girl's mind teemed with questions. Who was she? Where did she come from? And most importantly, why was she here? The questions echoed in her mind like a haunting refrain, driving her forward, searching for answers amidst the vast emptiness.

The sun continued its relentless assault on her senses, as if testing her resilience. Beads of sweat dripped down her brow, mirroring the beads of uncertainty that trickled through her thoughts. Yet, she pressed on, driven by an inner fire, an unyielding determination to unravel the mystery that shrouded her existence.

Her footsteps left behind fleeting imprints on the shifting sands, a testament to her presence in this desolate realm. The heat distorted the air, conjuring mirages that teased her senses, blurring the line between reality and illusion. But she refused to succumb to the mirage's allure, choosing instead to focus on the flickering memories at the edge of her consciousness.

As nightfall cast its inky veil upon the desert, the temperature dropped, and a sky ablaze with stars unfurled overhead. The girl found solace in the celestial canopy, a blanket of light illuminating the path she must tread. She closed her eyes and whispered to the heavens, beseeching the constellations for guidance, hoping they held the key to her forgotten past.

In the solitude of the desert, the girl became a silent observer of the world around her. She learned to decipher the secrets hidden within the shifting sand dunes, the whispers carried by the wind, and the ancient songs sung by the night. Each moment held a story, waiting to be unraveled.

Days passed, and still, the girl wandered, her resolve unyielding. Every sunrise breathed renewed hope into her quest, every sunset carried the weight of unanswered questions. Yet, she refused to surrender to despair, for she knew that buried within her was a resilience capable of weathering even the harshest storms.

The desert became her mentor, teaching her patience and resilience. It taught her to embrace the unknown, to find beauty in the simplest of things, and to trust in her instincts even when the path ahead seemed obscured.

Finally did she stumble upon the Final Frontier, with dehydration and hunger gnawing away at her mind. With trepid steps did she approach, leading to her first known encounters with mankind. She met several helpful giants, a FigWin, a keeper of sacred rocks. She acquainted herself with one named Gaia, a Rahl, and an Arcelia. Each of which gave her the first gentle push she needed to begin doing something.

"I don't have my memories anymore, so I'll forge new ones."

[bumbleebumblebee]

---

Where do we begin...

---

"Ten years... It feels like a lifetime has passed since I first opened my eyes in that desolate desert, a world of solitude stretching out before me. So much has unfolded in the wake of that awakening, shaping me into the person I am today. Yet, as I reflect on my journey, I can't help but notice how the faces of those I once knew in my youth have faded into memories, just as lost as the memories of my childhood.

Rahl and Gaia, two giants who left indelible marks on my path. Rahl, the one who guided me to Silvanus, forever altering the course of my destiny. And Gaia, a presence I haven't encountered in years, our last encounter marked by a bitter altercation born from my struggle to grasp the power that comes with death. But fear not, I will delve into that part of my story in due time.

Among the many individuals who crossed my path, there was a bat-kin who foolishly sought to barter my soul for companionship, a fleeting acquaintance driven by illogical desires. And then there was Ael, who became the embodiment of everything to me — my love, my obsession. Such emotions may seem nonsensical to some, but they resonate deep within my being, defying all reason. In hindsight, it's humorous, but I wouldn't give up Ael for anything. I've no regrets.

Silvanus, the one whom Rahl introduced me to, became my mentor, guiding me on the art of creation. Under his tutelage, I learned to create, and how to make coin. It was through him that my starving ceased, and my feasting began. My poverty vanished, and the work became a hobby. I enjoyed creation, and one method stood out to me: painting. He showed me ways to paint runes into my work, which spread to my painting mundane pictures and other novelties. Which lead to Ael, asking me, to give her a tattoo. I went above and beyond, I imbued a piece of her life story into her flesh, and discovered a means to improve mortal coils in the process. Funny how one little suggestion, one minor event in your life, can change the entire course of anothers.

For a time...countless nights were consumed by ceaseless toil and the embrace of my beloved. In hindsight, those fervent endeavors and laborious nights have blurred into a tapestry of memories. Through my craft, I birthed myriad creations — both enchanting and cursed. Yet, it was not until my encounter with Jegnal, a fateful encounter that ended with my own demise, that my creations truly breathed with life. It was through accepting my true self, embracing my strengths and weaknesses, my love and obsession, that my art transcended mere imagination and became tangible reality. Jegnal killed me, and without that death, I would've never flourished. It's almost ironic that one with the blood of the gods inspired me to abandon them.

What were those silly words, distant friend, "I prefer to have my soul intact and learn all that I can without asking for help through a higher power."

Ascending the ranks, I climbed the ladder of success within the company, assuming a leadership role only to abandon it in pursuit of my own ideals. Umbra, a companion who joined Silvanus and me during those early days, proved to be a loyal friend. Though our interactions were primarily confined to the realms of work, the shared commitment and countless collaborative endeavors forged a bond between us. Silvanus, my mentor, imparted invaluable wisdom upon me, shaping my understanding of the world. Our ideals may diverge, and fate may one day position us as adversaries on the battlefield, but he remains one of the few mortals who have earned my respect. I do hope that day never comes, but I know what that man will do for coin.

Leaving the arid expanse of the desert behind, I established a new haven amidst the swamplands. It was there that I gathered the forsaken orphans of war, breathing new life into their scarred souls and infusing them with my artistry. My wife insists that I bestowed upon them a second chance at life, but I know what I've done— products of war, likely to be used as instruments of conflict. While I cannot fathom Ael's companions understanding or condoning our pursuits, I recognize the necessity of my actions in my relentless pursuit of freedom. To liberate myself from the clutches of Meranthe, from the confines of Eternia, and to exist eternally with my obsession — a destiny that beckons me ever forward.

We have promised these children, heaven, after the sins they must commit. I do hope we haven't lied to them, my love."

---

You don't think I've forgotten, have you?

---

"No, Djinn. I haven't forgotten about you. You played a crucial role, in all this. But, it's difficult to figure out where you belong in this tale of mine, considering it was you that granted my wish. My anxieties, my fears, my "insanity". You quelled them, every so slightly. Enough for me to work, enough for me to focus. She is mine, and should she die, should she betray me, I will know in an instant. I will know where to look, should she never return home. I will know what she thinks, when she is at my side. I will know when another tries to take what is mine, and while strength may not be something I can call my own, I know the obsessions of many...

...how to attain their aid, should my obsession leave my grasp.

Thanks to you, dear Djinn, my wicked wish has made me a little....less...mad.

And I promise we'll have that talk, one of these days, but this child army isn't going to raise itself."

[bumbleebumblebee]

The more I learn, the more I hate.

"Of the many children I operated on, only five were given the gift of becoming something more. Of those five, one has vanished, and another has betrayed he sect on account of the very obsession I cursed her with. Two oft find themselves having fits of anger that cloud their judgement. There is but one who doesn't seem to be doomed, or damned. But...its only a matter of time before your obsession hurts you in the end, Shinmon.

Such is the nature of Dreams."

Do you know the nature of Dreams?

"Dreams are alluring mirages that beckon us with their captivating beauty, but little do we realize the price we must pay to chase after them.

And yet, I find myself irresistibly drawn to weaving these  aspirations, knowing full well the tribulations that lie in their wake. It is the very essence of the Dream that ignites an inferno of longing within us, fueling the passion to embark on a relentless pursuit. Yet, lurking in the shadows, the malevolent specters of suffering and Misfortune loom ever closer.

Even if we manage to seize our cherished Dreams, there will always be another soul, another dreamer, who will rise to claim their desires, perhaps at the expense of our own.

But do not mistake my admiration for naivety. No, I am well aware of the relentless competition for dreams, the ceaseless tug-of-war between ambition and desperation. It is the clash of wills that shapes the narrative of our existence, an eternal struggle between the dreamer and the pursued.

And it is precisely in this turmoil that I find my purpose. I weave dreams not only for their allure but to navigate the turbulent waters of fate, to harness the very currents of desire and forge a path amidst the chaos. My art lies not just in creating dreams but in discerning the intricate tapestry of human aspiration, intertwining their destinies in a dance of grand design.
For in this ever-shifting tapestry of dreams, I find the true essence of life's grand spectacle. The symphony of triumph and despair, the harmonious clash of ambitions, and the resolute resilience in the face of inevitable failure - all coalescing to paint the masterpiece of human existence. It is a swirling maelstrom of emotions, a captivating drama fueled by the thirst for the unattainable.

Each object I forge, imbued with the passion and desire of its wielder, makes the Dream a Reality."

Right?

"Wrong. What nonsense. I only care for Dreams that I can devour, to weave them into my Dream World, a place where I can escape. A place where I can play god.

I did it, you know? I stole divinity. The spirit, the guardian, the former god of Floor 24 rests within my blade. I did it out of pettiness, because they took from me, I think. I did it because they hurt Ael, I think. I did it to serve as a reminder that one cannot truly be God inside of a fabrication, I think. I did it to avoid becoming content with playing pretend, I think.

I did it for their power, I think.

Why did I fight a god that was little different from me?

Within my Dream Realm, I am all powerful, I can create anything, with creativity being my only limitation.

Yet, to bind myself to this realm would be akin to shackling myself into a prison. A prison where all of my Dreams can come true without struggle; a prison where I am damned to be alone.

For Infinity sure is quiet, in here."

Mind Eater.

"Your realm was inspiring, but I found Minds to be dreadfully droll. After hearing the thoughts of many, I much prefer Dreams and passions, as...

Most magi are stupid. I cant fathom why your preferred delicacy is the taste of dumb. Perhaps I'm being too literal again...

Suppose I'll try to remember and ask next I visit. Well, if I ever leave.

Playing pretend when Reality is crushing does have it's perks, I suppose."

...should anyone find Kieran's ramblings at this point, they're likely echoes within a certain Dream World.