The golden key in Arin's hand pulsed with warmth. It wasn't just an object—it was a guide.
"Find the fragments of her past."
The Guardian's words echoed in his mind as he stood before Evelyn, her silver hair illuminated by the golden chains binding her. Her blank expression remained unchanged.
She didn't see him.
Didn't remember him.
Arin's grip tightened.
"Evelyn… I'll bring you back."
---
[New Quest: Unlock Evelyn's First Memory]
The key trembled.
A golden pathway appeared before him, leading toward the ruins of a crumbling tower at the edge of the Forgotten Kingdom.
Arin didn't hesitate.
He stepped forward.
---
The Tower of Lost Time
The air grew heavier as he approached. This place was ancient. The stone walls were cracked, vines creeping through every gap. It felt… wrong.
The key in his hand pulsed again.
A golden door materialized before him.
Locked.
But Arin knew what to do.
He raised the key—
CLICK!
The door swung open, revealing—
A flood of light.
Arin's vision blurred.
And suddenly—
He wasn't in the ruined tower anymore.
---
[Memory Fragment Unlocked!]
A garden.
A sea of white lilies stretched endlessly under a golden sunset.
At the center of it all—
Evelyn.
But she wasn't trapped.
She wasn't lost.
She was smiling.
And beside her—
Him.
Arin froze.
This wasn't just a memory.
This was the past.
He watched as a younger version of himself sat beside Evelyn, laughing as she playfully flicked a flower petal at him.
"You always take things so seriously, Arin," she teased.
"And you never take things seriously enough," his past self countered, smirking.
Evelyn chuckled, shaking her head. "That's why we're perfect together."
Arin's chest tightened.
"This memory…"
"I had forgotten."
The scene shifted.
Evelyn's smile faded.
"Arin… promise me something."
His past self turned to her, confused.
"What is it?"
Evelyn hesitated, then reached out, intertwining her fingers with his.
"No matter what happens… even if I disappear… will you find me again?"
Past Arin blinked, surprised by her serious tone.
But then, he smiled.
"You won't disappear, Evelyn."
She shook her head. "Just promise me."
"…I promise."
The memory shattered.
---
[First Memory Restored!]
Arin gasped as he was thrown back into reality.
The ruined tower stood around him once more. The golden door had vanished.
And in his hand—
The golden key had changed.
It was now engraved with a single word.
"Promise."
Arin turned back toward Evelyn.
She was still bound. Still lost.
But—
For the first time—
Her fingers trembled.
As if a part of her had felt something.
"It's working," Arin whispered.
But one memory wasn't enough.
He needed more.
And he wouldn't stop until she remembered everything.
TO BE CONTINUED…