Deep within a forest lay a flowerbed. Countless blossoms bloomed there, their petals swaying gently under the night wind. Yet for all their beauty, something even more striking rested among them—a girl, her long silver hair streaked faintly with shadowy gray, spilling across the flowers like silk threads. Her porcelain skin caught the pale moonlight, while her youthful face, serene in slumber, carried a fragile innocence that made her seem almost otherworldly. The flowers bent toward her, their petals brushing her skin as if offering shelter from the cold.
For a long time she did not move, her body still as carved stone. Then, at last, her fingers twitched, and her eyelids began to flutter.
The first thing she felt was the cold—night wind brushing across her bare skin. A shiver ran through her, forcing a shaky breath past her lips. Slowly, her eyes opened to reveal irises of gentle gold mixed with amber, and above her stretched a sky scattered with countless stars.
Her lips parted as a faint murmur escaped. "What beautiful scenery…"
She lay there, transfixed. The stars looked close enough to touch, shimmering more brightly than anything she could remember seeing before. The sweet scent of flowers filled her nose, calming despite the chill. Her body relaxed among the blossoms, as though their fragrance was lulling her into peace.
This place felt almost like a dream. But dreams never lasted.
"Wait… where am I?" The thought struck her suddenly, sharp as lightning. Her chest tightened as panic spread through her veins.
She tried to rise, but her limbs felt heavy, disconnected. Her arms trembled with each attempt, her legs barely responded. Why won't my body listen? Am I sick? Injured?
After several struggles, she finally managed to sit upright, breathing hard as though she had run for miles. Around her stretched a dense forest. Tall trees loomed like silent sentinels, their shadows pressing close. The air shimmered faintly in the darkness, lit only by the moon and stars above.
"Hello? Anyone there? Can you help me?" Her voice rang out, thin and desperate. "I can barely move my body right now!"
Only silence answered. The forest offered nothing but the whisper of wind through leaves.
Her lips trembled. "So… I'm alone in a place I don't know? This is bad… very bad…"
A sudden howl echoed from deep within the forest. Her heart lurched, her entire body going rigid. She whipped her head toward the sound, eyes wide with terror.
"W-Waaah! What was that? Is it coming here? Will it eat me?"
Her breathing quickened as she imagined glowing eyes watching from the shadows. She forced herself to stand, legs shaking violently beneath her. Her arms wrapped tight around herself as another cold breeze passed.
"Why is it so cold here…" she muttered, teeth beginning to chatter.
If something attacks me now, I can't even run. What am I supposed to do?
Her gaze caught a faint glimmer nearby—a small pond reflecting the starlight. She hesitated, then slowly stepped toward it, each movement unsteady and precarious.
Don't fall… just a little more…
At last she reached the water's edge. The rippling surface revealed her reflection: fair skin, long silver hair with its dark streak, and delicate features touched by moonlight. Her golden-amber eyes looked back at her with quiet clarity.
She leaned closer, eyes widening in surprise. "What a beautiful face…"
Is this really me? Do I truly look like this?
The reflection stirred something strange in her chest—a flicker of recognition that felt just out of reach. I've seen this face before… I know I have. The thought hovered tantalizingly close, then slipped away, leaving her frustrated.
Her gaze shifted lower, and she froze completely. Her cheeks burned crimson.
"Wha—why am I… naked?" she stammered.
She staggered back from the pond, arms crossing tightly over her chest. Her mind spun as words spilled out in a panicked rush. "No wonder it's so cold… I'm not wearing anything at all."
She crouched among the flowers, glancing around frantically for cover, but the flowerbed offered nothing. Her arms pressed tighter against herself.
"This is so embarrassing…" she whispered, her voice breaking with helplessness.
What kind of situation is this? Dropped in the middle of nowhere, completely naked… did I anger the gods or something?
Then, when she least expected it, a feminine voice drifted from behind her.
"I finally found you. To think you would end up in this forest this time."
The voice made her freeze in place, fear mixing with embarrassment. Slowly, she turned her head, eyes wide and searching. Her heart pounded so hard she could feel it in her throat.
Who… who said that? I'm not alone?
"What? Who's there? Anyone there?" she called out, her tone unsteady. She twisted left and right, but saw no one. The shadows between the trees seemed deeper now, as if something hid just beyond her sight.
"Don't be afraid. I mean you no harm. You don't need to worry."
Her breath caught. She spun in place again, voice thin and shaking. "Where are you? Show yourself!"
"I'm always beside you. But you probably won't be able to see me."
Her brows furrowed in confusion. "And why is that?"
"Because what you hear right now is only a voice transmission."
Her lip quivered. "…So you're not really here?"
"In one sense, yes."
Her suspicion sharpened, though her body continued trembling. "Then why are you here? What's your purpose? Are you the one who left me like this?" Her arms hugged tighter around herself, her blush deepening with both shame and fear.
"I know what you're worried about. But believe me, I will never hurt you. I'm here to help you."
She bit her lip. "Help me? What can you even do? I don't know who you are, I don't even know what's happening right now…" Her voice trailed off, wavering with uncertainty.
Why am I talking to a voice I can't even see?
"Then let me ask you one thing."
Her eyes narrowed warily. "…What is it?"
"Who are you?"
Her mouth opened immediately. "What a stupid question. Of course I am—"
The words died in her throat. Nothing came. Her mind went completely blank.
Her hands trembled as her chest tightened with growing dread. "Wait… who am I? Why can't I remember anything? What happened to me?"
Her voice cracked, rising with panic. Her breathing quickened, chest heaving as terror gripped her.
No… no, this can't be happening. How can I not know? Everyone knows who they are. Everyone…
"Calm down," the voice urged gently. "There's no need to panic."
"No need to panic?!" she shouted, tears stinging her eyes. "I can't even remember who I am!"
"That is precisely why you shouldn't panic. Because my purpose is to help you find yourself again."
Her voice shook with desperate hope. "Help me…? Why would you do that? Why would anyone do that for me?"
"Because it's a promise I made to someone."
The voice carried a trace of sorrow, quiet yet heavy with old pain.
Her eyes sharpened with sudden understanding. "…From your tone… that someone should be me, right?"
A quiet chuckle followed, tinged with both fondness and exasperation. "Tch. Sharp as always, even with your memory lost."
Her shoulders tensed. "So tell me—who are you? And why did I end up like this? If you know me, then tell me everything!"
"Set that aside for now. You'll freeze to death if I don't do something first."
Before she could argue, violet light gathered around her body, shimmering threads of energy weaving together to form fabric. A pale sleeveless tunic materialized, draping elegantly to her thighs and tied with a sash at her waist. Dark fitted trousers formed beneath, followed by boots that laced neatly along her calves. Finally, a light mantle settled over her shoulders, its hood falling gently down her back. The clothes were simple yet carried a quiet grace, as though crafted by someone who knew her preferences well.
She gasped, touching the fabric in disbelief. The material was soft and warm, immediately cutting the chill. "What… what was that just now? And… these clothes, they're beautiful."
"It's magic," the voice said softly. "And of course they are. I made them."
Her breathing steadied as warmth returned to her body. The relief was overwhelming—no longer exposed, no longer helpless against the cold.
"…So, will you tell me now?"
"First of all, my name is Noxy."
She blinked. The name sounded foreign yet oddly familiar, stirring something deep in her chest. "…That's not your full name, is it?"
"Of course not. But it's the name you always used to call me back then. So call me that again."
Her arms folded across her chest. "…Fine. Then who am I? And why am I here like this?"
"I can't say much, not because I don't want to, but because I'm bound by the spell you used. What I can tell you is that your name is Evie. And you ended up like this because you used a forbidden spell."
Her eyes widened in shock. "Forbidden spell? Why would I use something so dangerous? I don't even remember how to use magic!"
"Because you chose to. And because there was no other choice."
Her lips pressed into a thin line, frustration building. "…So if I ask more, you won't answer, will you?"
"Unfortunately, no. I'm bound as much as you are."
Her head dropped slightly, shoulders sagging with defeat. "…So my name is Evie. I know that's just a nickname… but it's enough for now."
"Ugh, it's annoying talking to someone so clever," the voice muttered with faint humor.
Evie let out a short, tired laugh despite herself. The sound surprised her—when had she last felt like laughing? "So, you'll help me recover my memories, right?"
"Of course. It's my promise—and my responsibility."
Her laughter faded into cautious hesitation. "…I can't fully trust you yet. But right now, I don't have anyone else."
"That's fine. I wouldn't trust someone I just met either. Keep being cautious—it suits you."
Her body sagged with sudden exhaustion, the events finally catching up with her. Her legs trembled as she lowered herself back into the flowerbed, the flowers cushioning her gently.
"Then… can you watch over me while I sleep? It's still so dark, and I'm scared…"
"You can rest. No one will find this flowerbed anyway. I've made sure of that."
Her eyes closed slowly, the tension finally leaving her shoulders. "…Thank you."
Evie curled up among the flowers, their calm fragrance wrapping around her like a lullaby. Fear still lingered at the edges of her mind, but Noxy's steady presence dulled its sharp edges. Her breathing steadied, and before long, she drifted into peaceful sleep.
---
Far beyond the skies stood a palace of impossible grandeur. Its towering columns gleamed as though carved from captured starlight, each one inlaid with constellations that pulsed faintly like living things. Vaulted ceilings arched higher than mountains, their surfaces adorned with cosmic patterns that shifted with each passing moment—nebulas swirling into new formations, galaxies slowly rotating in their eternal dance.
Golden bridges stretched across vast open spaces, linking halls so immense they seemed built for beings far greater than mortals. Soft light pooled along marble floors that reflected the cosmic ceiling above, creating the illusion of walking among stars. The very air seemed to hum with power, as though the palace itself was alive and breathing with the rhythm of creation.
Yet for all its breathtaking beauty, silence reigned absolute. Once, countless voices might have filled these chambers with laughter and conversation, but now only emptiness remained.
Only one figure occupied this vast domain, seated upon the highest throne in the central hall. She leaned against the throne's armrest, her long hair flowing like strands of midnight touched with silver. Her eyes held depths that seemed to contain all the knowledge of the universe—ancient, weary, yet burning with unwavering determination. A faint aura clung to her form, as though the palace's starlight bent naturally to her presence.
Before her floated a translucent panel of light, and upon its surface appeared the image of a sleeping girl nestled in a bed of flowers.
"This time it's different," she murmured, her voice carrying softly across the vast emptiness. Her fingers tightened slightly against the armrest, betraying emotions hidden beneath her composed exterior.
Her gaze lingered on the girl's peaceful face, drinking in every detail as though afraid it might vanish. "Is it because this is the last cycle? She seems to hold more of her true self than any of the others before her. If that's the case… perhaps we can finally bring her back completely this time."
The figure closed her eyes, her voice falling to a whisper that echoed in the empty halls. "Do you know how long I've waited, Evie? How many times I've watched you wake in unfamiliar places, your memories stolen, only to fade away before I could reach you?"
She leaned forward, resting her chin against her hand as though speaking to the image could somehow bridge the impossible distance between them. "Each cycle takes something from you… and from me as well. I've seen you become a wandering merchant who helped every stranger she met. A scholar who dedicated her life to healing others. A simple village girl who saved her town from disaster, never knowing her own power."
Her voice grew softer, filled with a mixture of pride and heartbreak. "And in every life, you chose to help others, even when you had nothing. Even when you were weak and powerless, you never stopped trying to save people. That beautiful, stubborn heart of yours—it never changes, no matter how many times you're reborn."
A tear slipped down her cheek, glowing faintly with residual magic before dissolving into stardust. "I've watched countless worlds rise and fall, stood in silence while destinies rewrote themselves, all because you chose to carry that burden alone. And still, in every incarnation, you find reasons to smile when you should despair. You fight when others would surrender."
Her expression softened with fondness and exasperation. "That infuriating stubbornness of yours… it's driven me to madness more times than I can count. And it's exactly why I've never stopped believing in you."
A faint smile curved her lips—fragile yet filled with hope that had endured across eons. "We will finally meet again soon, my dear sister. This time, I won't let you face everything alone. This time, I'll be strong enough to stand beside you when the real battle begins."
Her gaze drifted upward to the shifting constellations etched into the cosmic dome above. Ancient words formed in her mind, a prophecy spoken long ago when the universe was young. She spoke them aloud, her tone reverent and filled with quiet determination.
"The silver-haired daughter of endings shall wake when hope seems lost. Though her name be forgotten and her power sealed, her gift shall linger in every leaf, every breeze, every flame that dares to burn against the darkness. And when she returns to herself at last, her light will rise again to herald the dawn of a new age."
The words faded into silence, leaving only the soft pulse of starlight and the image of a sleeping girl who would soon face a destiny she couldn't yet remember.
Noxy's smile widened slightly, determination blazing in her ancient eyes. "Sleep well, sister. Tomorrow, your true journey begins."