What? There's such a thing?
Klein's eyes widened, feeling the awe of high-level Beyonder powers for the first time.
Of course, his limited knowledge of such powers meant the true impact was somewhat lost on him. Had he known more, he'd likely be even more stunned.
Azik was taken aback as well. Rubbing his brow as if recalling something, he asked hesitantly, "Do you mean a historical projection? But… my memories tell me historical projections lack self-awareness…"
"Not a historical projection... a Shadow of Time." Alaric corrected, scratching his head. "I don't know the specifics, though. It's something my teacher gave me for protection, and that's how it works."
Though puzzled, Azik, with his fragmented memories, assumed it might be an ability he was unaware of. He looked at Alaric cautiously. "If it's meant for your protection, is it wise to use it on me?"
While he desperately wanted to recover his memories, he didn't want to harm others in the process.
"No worries. I'll just write to my teacher for another one. We're close... he'll probably just scold me a bit." Alaric said with a carefree grin, painting a picture of a doting mentor and loyal student.
Your teacher must have the patience of a saint not to have throttled you… Klein thought, not doubting Alaric's words. He was starting to understand why Alaric was so naive... clearly, he'd been spoiled.
Though I'm not one to talk… Klein fell silent, recalling his efforts to secure Alaric's informant status with the Nighthawks. Whether out of care for a fellow transmigrator or their growing friendship, he, too, felt compelled to look after this guileless soul. Azik likely felt the same.
Perhaps Lucifer Zoroast feels this way too!
Hearing Alaric's offer, Azik didn't decline further.
However, the Hoy Riverbank was too public, and recovering memories might cause a scene. To avoid attention, the trio left Hoy University and took a trackless carriage to an abandoned factory.
"Mr. Azik, please give me your hand. I'll use you as the medium for the Time Stone." Alaric said, his expression unusually serious. "Two things to note: first, the Time Stone can't choose who it summons, so I don't know who'll appear... only that they'll be someone close to you. I've only ever summoned my teacher, so prepare yourself."
"Second, the summoned figure lasts only ten minutes, so ask your questions quickly."
These were, of course, fabrications to ease his later maneuvers.
"Understood." Azik said, extending his right hand, visibly tense.
Klein watched, a mix of curiosity and nervousness, as Alaric grasped Azik's hand. With his other hand, Alaric produced a translucent gem etched with runes Klein had never seen.
The gem glowed, then shattered like an illusion.
A figure appeared beside Azik... a girl with soft black hair and features three or four parts similar to his, clearly a blood relative.
As her form solidified, the girl opened her eyes, looking around in confusion. When she saw Azik, she broke into a smile and called out, "Father!"
Mr. Azik's daughter?
Klein's mind raced with guesses. Then he saw Azik freeze, as if struck by a memory. He stared at the girl, murmuring a name, before sinking to one knee in evident pain.
"Father, what's wrong?" The girl, clearly concerned, rushed to him, looking at Azik with worry before turning to Klein and Alaric. "Gentlemen, are you my father's friends? He seems ill... can you take him to a doctor?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine!" Azik shook his head, gripping the girl's hand tightly yet carefully, his fingers trembling.
"Mr. Azik…" Klein, concerned, sensed through his spiritual intuition that Azik was in a precarious yet oddly safe state.
"Father, are you sure you're alright? You're shaking... are you cold?" The girl, unconvinced, remained worried.
"I… I'm just overwhelmed." Azik said, his face etched with pain and sorrow. Memories flooded back... his past, this girl, her death.
He'd lost her long, long ago.
The realization tore at him, but more than the pain, Azik refused to forget her existence, the joy they'd shared.
Calling her name again, he embraced her as she looked at him in confusion. He recalled a time when she was small enough to sit on his shoulders, when he'd played the fool to make her laugh, like any doting father.
"I missed you so much… I'm so sorry for forgetting you, so sorry…" Azik mumbled, lost in the instincts of a father reunited with his lost child.
The girl fell silent, listening. After a few minutes, she pulled free, as if understanding something. Looking at Azik, she said, "Father, I'm already gone, aren't I?"
Azik's body shook. He turned away, unable to answer.
Alaric, silent until now, spoke up. "In this era, you are indeed gone. This is the future, and you're from the past."
"I see. That's incredible!" The girl's face lit up with wonder. She then gently cupped Azik's face, pressing her forehead to his. "Don't be sad, Father. I hate seeing you like this."
"Even though I'm gone, I want you to live a new life. It'd be nice if you didn't forget me, though." She smiled, rubbing her cheek against his. "So don't cry, Father. You're a dependable, mature adult... you can't be sobbing."
Azik realized then that tears were streaming down his face.
The girl looked up at Klein and Alaric, smiling. "You two must be Father's friends, right?"
***
Every 100 Power Stones and 5 Reviews will earn you a Bonus Chapter.
And if you want to read up to 50 chapters ahead, don't hesitate to visit our patron: pat reon . com / XElenea (remove space)