To Those Who Remember

"Hey! What, are you out of your mind?! Don't even think about going there!" she exclaims, frowning as she grabs my shoulder. "I don't know what's gotten into you lately, but this is enough already."

I took a step back. This won' do. I have to think of a way to make her agree

With desperate eyes, I pleaded. "Lylia please. I just… I have to know." My hands were shaking as I placed it onto hers.

She hesitates for a moment, her expression softening. Finally, she lets out a sigh "Iris… No – whoever you are, I'm trying so hard to fool myself, but I can't anymore.

I just want to keep you safe, as promised, but…" she took a deep breath. "But you're not the same and I can't ignore it. Please don't do anything reckless."

I frowned. "Lylia- "

"Promise me you'll stay safe."

"Wait does this mean?"

She nods. "Yes, I'll tell you the location"

I wrap my arms around Lylia, pulling her into a tight hug. For a moment, the weight of everything lifts and all that remains is the warmth of her embrace. I felt her stiffen slightly at first, but then she relaxes.

"Thank you, Lylia" I whispered.

Lylia chuckles lightly, her voice slightly shaky as she speaks. "This is the first time Iris has ever hugged me… and the first time she's ever been so free." She pulls back just enough to look at me. "I should be the one thanking you. I don't know what happened, but… if she's fine with it, then I will as well."

I saw a mixture of confusion and understanding in her eyes. She might not fully understand everything, but she's willing to stand by me. And in that moment, I realized that I don't need to explain everything. I was understood.

***

I found myself in the dense, dark forest. My breath comes in short, controlled exhales as I run through the hanging branches. The deeper I go, the more I get the feeling that I'm being watched.

[Turn left]

?!? Just in time voice!

[Up ahead, there's a clearing]

"Alright! I could see it now"

[You're getting closer]

"AGHHH!!!"

I stopped, turn my head at the direction of the sound.

[Are you sure you want to go toward that?]

I hesitated. "I…I can't just ignore it, right? I have to help!"

As I went to the source of the voice, I found a sight that makes my stomach twist in knots. A priest is surrounded by twisted, malice-filled creatures, their eyes oozing with blood. My heart races as I think of a way to help.

"Okay I've got this" I whispered to myself. "I may be a low tier, but I'm… I'M IRIS!!"

The creatures turn to face me and for a moment, I feel a surge of foolish bravery.

"Hey!" I yelled, waving my arms to stall. "Over here! You want a piece of this?" I swayed like a drunkard – and that was my biggest regret. The creatures hissed and lunged forward. My heart drops as I scramble backwards

SHIT RUN IRIS

However, my feet seem to have forgotten how to move. The priest watches, dumbfounded, as I run with the creatures tailing behind. "I'm really going to diee"

[Well, you did say you were Iris. Running away suits you than going supernova]

"Shut up!" I snap back "Not helping! You stupid thought!"

As I continue to sprint, I felt a jolt of energy and in that moment, everything became silent.

What's that?

A faint string, shimmering in the air, pulses with soft light and my instincts push me to follow it.

"Wait, what?" I mutter. "Is this…is this some kind of skill?"

But before I could process it any further, the string leads me straight through the clearing, and what I saw was unexpected.

Exian.

Great. Of course it leads me to him.

Exian's eyes widened slightly when he saw me. He steps forward. "I didn't expect you to be here" he says, his voice unexpectedly gentle. "Are you alright? You're not hurt, are you?"

I stand there, flustered by his change of demeanor, and after a moment of hesitation, I straighten up. "Of course I am! Even if I'm a low tier" I said, my voice slightly louder. "I'm still able to protect myself! Plus, I'm not just gonna stand by and do nothing"

He remains silent. Then, he steps closer looking almost…regretful. His voice is quiet almost to himself. "I…I'm sorry"

Wait what-

His apology was something I didn't expect. His tone was rather odd, as if he's apologizing on behalf of someone and he doesn't even realize it himself.

I paused, not sure how to react. "Uh…what's that supposed to mean- "

The creatures I've been running from finally catch up. Exian's gaze narrows as he speaks. "I didn't know you'd bring 'companions'"

"Hey! It all happened because I'm trying to help a priest. Just be grateful that the Silverflower didn't lose a 'dedicated follower' "

He steps in front of me, blocking my path. "Thank you and do stay behind."

Exian moves with precision, his actions almost too swift to follow. With a flick of his wrist, energy pulses, radiating with cosmic power. The creatures flinch, momentarily recoiling from the force. I can feel the tension and my heart was pounding as I watch Exian effortlessly fend them off.

[ Iris, can you see it?]

See what?

[ He looks calm but his movements we're urgent]

And what are you trying to point out?

[ He knows how dangerous the situation is turning into. That creatures are not low-tiers]

"Stay back" he commands again.

My thoughts race. I'm still a low-tier but.

I can't just stand by

Suddenly, Exian's eyes falls on me. "I told you to stay back"

Before I could respond, one of the creatures lunges, its claws scraping against the air, and I instinctively move to block it, barely dodging in time. Exian's gaze harden at the sight. He steps forward in one fluid motion. He raises a hand, and the air crackles with energy. Then, he releases a surge of cosmic force that sends the creature stumbling back.

"You need to learn to trust me" he says, his voice almost gentle now. "Stay focused."

The air thickens as one of the creatures – larger and more menacing than the others – raises its claws, dark energy swirling around it.

"Dark matter?" Exian was taken aback as the creature releases a blast.

He moves quickly, his arms raised in a protective gesture. A barrier of cosmic energy materializes around us both. But it's fragile due to the dark matter. Exian grits his teeth as he struggles to keep the barrier.

"Get back!" he commands, his voice was strained.

Before I could move, he pushed me away, his body absorbing the full impact of the dark power.

"EXIAN!"