"Oh, the Eternal Blood Moon...
"Protect us from poverty, Shield us from Disease....
"Bless us with Strength, Bless us with Virtile young boys, Bless us with Chaste young girls....
"Oh, the merciful Eternal Blood Moon....
"Forgive our insolence, forgive our arrogance, forgive our naivety....
"Oh, Eternal Blood Moon, When will the—"
I stirred in my sleep. The familier chant echoing in my dream. I dont remember where I heard it from, but it sounded quite similar to a nursery rhyme my father used to sing me...
My heart rate picked up.
A loud screeching noise almost made my ears go deaf.
I saw a large crimson moon hanging in the sky for a brief moment, for just a split second.
Before i woke up from my sleep, as if yanked by strings, I sat up on my bed, without even bothering to check the time, I jumped out of bed and rushed towards the window.
Yanking the curtains to the side, I glanced up at the silver, full moon in the sky.
I sighed in relief.
"Its not time yet..."
The two crimson stars in my eyes that was wide from fear, calmed down and retracted back to its normal size, as I confirmed that the moon was still normal.
I made my way back to the bed and was just about to sit down, before an annoyingly loud voice from downstairs called out.
"Ryzen!!!! What's all the ruckus up there?!"
Oops. Looks i have woken up my roommate by being too loud...
Well, i did make quite the mess suddenly waking up and rushing to check the moon. This isn't the first time I have had such dreams, where waking up seemed to make my body move by itself.
My life has always been strange like that.
"Sorry! I just had that dream again!"
I called out in apology, before cuddling back into bed with a gentle sigh. I knew I could be a burden sometimes, but it has always been like this ever since i lost my memories of my childhood.
Before my thoughts could wander down this rabbit hole again, I quickly was reminded of my schedule was tomorrow. Usually, I never had much to do, besides training my sword and Resonance skills.
However, now, I had something new to look forward to in the morning.
Sharp, rapid knocks on the door snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Ryzen! Open the damn door!"
I crept my way towards the bedroom door and opened it.
There stood my roomate — and also my only remaining, non biological family. Naturally, it was a male. An old male. Most of his hair was gone and grey, and he had a full beard. Though old, his body was still tall and muscular, clearly signs of someone that was highly competent and strong during his prime.
During stories he was, anyway.
His name was Joseph, the man who took me in as a child and the one I, unfortunately, have to share the rent and bills with.
"Yes, father? What is it?" Even now, I still addressed him as my father. Call him anything else besides that and he will flip.
"I thought I told you to take those meds tonight."
I narrowed my eyes at the demanding look in his eyes.
"And I thought I told you those meds wouldnt work. Just like the rest of them you brought me."
Joseph crossed his arms and pushed his way inside, from the look on his face, I can tell he wasn't happy with my retort.
We have had this argument many times before. It wasn't the first time I have defied him, refusing to take those pills he brought to help deal with my nightmares.
They never worked. And the more I took them, the more I felt myself becoming numb, like my life was slowly deteriorating away. Medicine at this day and age was simply not advanced enough to cure whatever nightmares im having.
"I told you, there is no cure for this." I repeated, continuing. "It has something to do with my missing memories from childhood. I will figure this out myself."
Joseph practically rolled his eyes, in a grumpy mood from having woken up in the middle of the night because of my shenanigans.
"You keep on saying that, but how much progress has exactly been made towards that goal?" He took a step forward, planting a firm hand on my shoulder. "I care about you, Ryzen. And about myself. I can't keep waking up in the middle of the night just because of you're stupid fucking nightmares."
"Just take the pills. Maybe that will help in someway, shape or form. Try them, atleast."
I took a step back.
"So, this is about you not getting enough sleep because of me?"
Joseph shook his head.
"No, Ryzen. Its not. Im just.... worried."
"Are you?" I inquired sharply. "Well, you dont need to worry too much. I'll be going tomorrow morning, anyway. Satisfied? You'll get the sleep you want after that, right?"
I took a deep look at the old man's face. The furrowed eyebrows, the softening of his eyes, the way his hand slowly went limp to his side.
He must be regretting confronting me about this. Perhaps my words have even upsetted him to a certain degree.
"Im sorry," He said simply after some moments of silence. With a sigh, he turned around and left, closing the door behind him.
I was left with a bitter feeling on my tongue.
I never intended on arguing with him, but it was building. I had been holding it in. I had a feeling that these Nightmares were related to my missing memories from my childhood, and the only way to put an end to them, is by recovering my lost memories. Then maybe, I'll see the truth of these bits and pieces the Nightmares show me...
I was hoping for that.
After standing there in silence for a few minutes, I walked towards the window, yanked the curtains again and checked the moon.
Once confirming that there wasnt even the faintest bit of red on the silver moon, I went back to bed and slept through the night without any other Nightmares plaguing me.
Tomorrow morning, I had to get ready and pack for my new life.
New life at the most prestigious university in the city for Resonators.
The University of GoldiBack.
....
The morning sunlight shined through the curtains, as i slowly rose from my sleep. A yawn escaped my lips, once I fully sat up on the bed.
It was 7 in the morning. I had woken up quite early for once.
Getting out of bed, I adjusted my sleepwear that was crumpled and wrinkled from a goodnights sleep. Looking myself in the mirror, I attempted to tame my sleep hair.
Doing my usual morning routine, this time with some pace, as i still needed to pack my stuff that i wasnt able to last night, I quickly got ready. Then, exited my small bedroom and made my way downstairs.
The wooden stairs created with each step, by the time I was in the living room area, my eyes widened, the crimson stars in them illuminating, as I saw most of my luggage already packed and ready.
"Father..."
Something in my heart twisted.
But the smell coming from the kitchen immediately made me forget about it.
"Father! Yo–you're in the kitchen?!"
The response which came back was immediate. Cheerful and oblivious.
"Yes! I wanted to cook up something nice for you, since you're leaving today!"
Oh, no...
This was bad!
A faint crimson colour began emitting from my body, as i used my Resonance ability to enhance my physical capabilities temporarily.
With its help, I jumped forward with absurd speed and managed to make my way to the kitchen, where I found the old geezer by the stove, cooking some bullshit—even though, it was on fire!
"Ahhh!"
I grabbed him and pushed him to the side just in the nick of time.
Bang!!
The kitchen exploded.
Coughing in the smoke, I de-activated my Resonance ability and looked down at Joseph, who was waving to get the smoke out of his eyes.
"Uh.... there goes breakfast. All that progress..."
He managed to mutter.
This was why I never allow him in the kitchen. He could never cook. Even im better than him at it and thats saying something.
Even still....
I smiled down at him.
"You packed everything for me?"
Joseph blinked and stared up at me, almost like the old man was expecting a scolding. But at my smile, he seemed to ease up.
"Yeah... I did."
Now that im thinking correctly, I have come to the realisation that Joseph would be quite lonely once im gone. Who would he have to scold in the mornings? Who would he have to eat dinner and breakfast with? Who else would he have to train with?
Perhaps he has been moody this week because I was leaving.
Or maybe im being too arrogant believing im so special for him. After all, i was just some clueless orphan he found on the streets.
"Thank you."
I finally said it.
I really meant it.
"I'll come visit every once in while."
Joseph made a face at the last comment.
"Like I need you to visit. I will be fine by myself. This is just an apology for last night."
"Was it?" I grinned.
"Yes, it is."
I shrugged.
"Sure. Whatever you say."
I got up and started making my way back to the living room.
"Apology accepted."
Eventually, we both were in the living room, eating our breakfast. This time, I made some very simple pancakes with leftovers we had. Luckily, the damage to the stove wasnt serious enough and we managed to fix it together.
Joseph may not know how to cook, but he was quite the handyman.
He wouldn't ever call a repair man for renovation, or anything related to it. He would just handle it himself, whether it be the job of an electrician or plumber. He knows his stuff.
Thats one of the things which made my life quite easy growing up, even helped me learn a few things from him.
As we sat by the table and ate, I couldnt help but speak up.
"So..."
But he cut me off.
"You're starting a new chapter in your life now, boy."
I blinked, but then nodded my head, as he continued.
"Dont mess it up. Whatever you're setting out to do in that university, make sure to achieve it. Dont embarrass my family name, Ryzen Olisey."
That was just his way of showing concern. I smiled and nodded my head again.
"Dont worry, i wont." With a grin, I then added. "In fact, I'll just be bringing more attention to it. Bringing the family name back to the glory it once had."
Joseph raised an eyebrow.
"Confident, aren't you, boy? I hope you could back it up."
"I will," My reply came without any hesitation.
I was quite confident in my talent and skill. After all, there hasn't been a single person in the world with a Resonance Ability like mine.
"But dont get cocky," Joseph reminded. "There is probably surprises waiting for you there, as well. And who knows...?"
He paused, pointing directly towards my eyes.
"There could be someone like you there, as well."
At the possibility, my pulse spiked. Was it from excitement? Fear? Curiosity? I didnt know.... but it certainly felt good.
Joseph finished his plate and got up.
"Lets go. Pack everything into the carriage."
I could only watch as he exited the living room. With a sigh, my thoughts racing, I finished my food and got up as well.
Washing the plates, I immediately started loading my luggage into the back of the carriage.
Joseph had his own personal one from back during his mercenary days.
It was quite convenient.
Once finished, I got on into the back of the carriage, with my luggage and gave the signal to drive.
"Lets go."
I heard Joseph say and my heart couldn't stop thumping.
Staring down at the invitation letter, I narrowed my eyes.
"My journey to finding out who I am begins here."