The Flowing Memories of the Forgotten One
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Altair woke up in an endless wilderness—the most desolate place the world had ever seen.
Altaïr: Ugh… where am I? What is this place?
He tried to stand, but his body felt weak. His steps were unsteady, and he nearly fell.
Altaïr: Huff… I have to slow down.
Altaïr looked around. The trees towered as if they were swallowing the sky, with no end in sight. A thin mist hung in the air, adding to the desolate and unfamiliar atmosphere. As his gaze fell to his own body, he noticed something lying on the ground—a small card.
He picked it up.
On it was a name, still clearly legible, while the rest of the writing had faded, no longer recognizable.
Altaïr.
Altaïr: Altair… yes. A unique name.
He paused for a moment, trying to dig something out of his mind—but came up empty.
Altair: I don't know where I am, and I have no memories… except this language.
It was a strange feeling. Even though all his memories were gone, the words still flowed smoothly from his lips. The language of this world felt so natural, as if it had long been a part of him.
The wilderness remained silent, as if waiting for his first step.
Altaïr took a deep breath.
Altaïr: Huff… I need to find a water source. Maybe a river.
He began exploring his surroundings. Time passed imperceptibly—an hour, two hours, until three full hours. But there was no sign of water. Only trees and a seemingly endless silence.
Suddenly, he heard a sound.
Altaïr: What is that…? Altair: Oh—haha, it's my own stomach.
Altaïr rubbed his rumbling stomach.
Altaïr: I'm getting quite hungry after walking for three hours.
His gaze fell on a tree with fruit hanging from its high branches.
Altaïr: Ah, there it is. There's a fruit-bearing tree. I'll try climbing it.
But the trunk is slippery. After only a few steps, he loses his balance and—
Bang!
Altaïr falls to the ground.
Altaïr: Ouch… the tree is too slippery.
He pauses for a moment, then glances around. An idea strikes him.
Altaïr: What if I just throw rocks?
He picks up some small stones and throws them at the fruit. After a few tries, four out of ten fruits fall to the ground.
Altaïr: Success! Finally… some food.
In the boundless wilderness, for the first time since waking up, Altair feels like he's won a small battle for survival.
Altaïr: Huff… so tired. Maybe I'll rest here.
He ends the day by falling asleep under a tree, not far from the fruit he's managed to knock down.
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The Next Day
Altaïr: I think I'll have to find a lake to bathe in. I don't want to meet anyone else while smelling like this.
Altaïr explored the forest again, this time heading north. On the way, he found a horse-mounted vehicle—but both were destroyed. Several boxes were scattered around it.
Altaïr: Ah… there are some boxes here. Altair: Maybe there's a map, so I can find a lake or river nearby.
He opened one of the small boxes and found a large scroll of maps, along with some coins. Not knowing what currency they were or how much they were worth, he took only the items he felt were important.
Altaïr: I'll take these. Thank you… and sorry to whoever it belongs to. Altair: I really need them now.
The wilderness was silent again, but this time Altair was no longer completely lost.
He unfolded the map.
Altaïr: Hmmm, here it is. I think this is a lake. It's not too far away.
He started toward it.
After an hour and a half, he arrived.
Altair: Finally, I'm going to take a bath now.
After bathing, he sat near the water.
Altair: Oh yeah, I don't know what I look like.
He used the water as a mirror. He was quite surprised when he saw his reflection.
Altair: I'm quite handsome, aren't I... with long silver hair and blue eyes?