Haruto's mind raced as the silver-haired man led him through the forest. The trees around them were massive, their bark glowing faintly with an otherworldly blue light, and the air carried a thick, mystical energy that made Haruto feel both unsettled and strangely invigorated. Every step seemed to carry the weight of something important, yet he still couldn't grasp what was happening.
They finally emerged from the forest into a clearing, and Haruto stopped in his tracks. What lay before him was nothing short of breathtaking.
A massive, towering structure stood before him. It was a city, but unlike any city he'd ever seen. The buildings were built with materials that shimmered like glass, casting reflective, almost liquid surfaces. Floating platforms hovered above, connected by intricate bridges of light. The sky above was still the same shade of violet, but now Haruto could see strange, large airships drifting through the clouds, their sails billowing in the wind.
"This... this is Yurelia?" Haruto whispered, awestruck by the sheer beauty and complexity of the place.
The silver-haired man nodded, his expression solemn. "This is the Capital, a city of magic and might. But it is also a city on the brink of collapse. The forces that once protected it are no more, and in your absence, darkness has crept into every corner of this world."
Haruto swallowed. "But… you said I was a hero. How could I have been gone so long?"
The man's gaze darkened, his lips tightening. "You were betrayed, Haruto. Those you called your allies turned against you. They erased your memory and cast you aside, not just from this city, but from time itself. The magic that bound you to this world was severed, and you were forgotten. But now, the time has come for you to return."
"I don't remember any of that," Haruto muttered, glancing around in confusion. The city was alive with activity, people in strange clothing walking the streets, talking in a language he almost understood but not quite. "I don't remember being anyone important."
"You will," the man said firmly. "Your memories will return, piece by piece. But first, we must make sure you are ready to face what lies ahead."