Chapter 3 - Fragments of Memory

Arke's mind reeled, his vision blurring as the Xeridian landscape dissolved into a familiar yet forgotten world. He stood in a cramped office, surrounded by dusty files and flickering fluorescent lights.

"Adam! Where's the report I asked you to do?" a shrill voice pierced the air.

Arke's eyes snapped towards the speaker, his former identity resurfacing like a ghost. A woman, his wife, glared at him, disdain etched on her face.

"How could this be my husband...how stupid he is..." she muttered, shaking her head.

A hand grasped her elbow, pulling her away. "Leave him be, come on, dear. Let's have some fun." A smirking stranger drew her close, and Arke's gut twisted with a mix of anger and confusion.

The scene shattered, replaced by a chaotic newsroom. "Hey, looks like America and Russia have declared war! World War 3!" someone shouted. Arke's gaze darted towards the window as a missile streaked across the sky, exploding in a nuclear fireball.

The world around him dissolved again, and Arke found himself kneeling beside an elderly woman. "Son...survive..." she whispered, her eyes pleading.

A rage-filled cry tore from Arke's throat as he clutched the rifle, its familiar weight stirring the embers of his past. He gazed down at the woman, his wife, her eyes wide with fear.

"Traitor," Arke spat, his voice icy and detached. "You betrayed your country, and me.”

His wife's eyes flashed with guilt, but Arke's expression remained stone-like. “forgive me, Adam," she pleaded, her voice trembling.

Arke's grip tightened, his fingers digging deeper into her skin. "You lied to me, deceived me," he said, his tone flat and menacing.

His wife's gaze darted to the stranger beside her, and Arke's eyes followed, his anger boiling over. "You replaced me, with him?" he stated, his voice still devoid of emotion.

The wife's eyes widened in terror as Arke's hand closed around the rifle. "Don't," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Arke's expression didn't change, but a hint of pain flickered in his eyes. "My mother died, alone, while you were busy betraying me," he said, his voice still cold, but laced with venom.

Arke's mind reeled, pulled back into the vortex of his past. He stood in a sterile facility, surrounded by humming machinery and the faint scent of disinfectant.

A middle-aged scientist, dressed in a crisp white lab coat, stood before him, flanked by a bespectacled woman with a clipboard.

"Adam, the world as we know it is collapsing," the scientist said, urgency etched on his face. "Global leaders are abandoning the planet, leaving it to its fate. But we have one last chance to preserve humanity.”

The woman stepped forward, her eyes locking onto Arke's. "Project Elysium proposes cryogenic stasis, preserving mankind's essence. You, Adam, will be the key to humanity's survival. When the time comes, you'll guide those who remain, ensuring our species' continuation.”

Arke's gaze narrowed. "How?"

The scientist's eyes gleamed with determination. "We'll freeze your consciousness, sending you forward in time. When the world is habitable again, you'll awaken, guiding the survivors in rebuilding society.”

The woman's voice took on a solemn tone. "You'll be the beacon of hope in a desolate future, Adam. Will you help us preserve humanity?"

Arke's gaze narrowed, his mind racing. "I'm in," he said, his voice firm.

The scene shattered, and Arke's eyes snapped open. He lay on a sun-kissed beach, waves lapping gently at his feet.

Echo's concerned face hovered above him, her turquoise eyes scanning his. "Hey...are you alright?" she asked, her voice soft.

Arke blinked, disoriented. "What...happened?" he stammered.

Echo's grip on his shoulder tightened, her eyes filled with concern. "You passed out before even catching the fish with Abba. I had to jump off the finny and grab you when you fell into the sea.”

Arke looked down, his voice laced with gratitude. "Thanks...sorry for the trouble."

Echo's smile softened her features. "No worries, you need rest. Why don't you stay at my place? I've got room.”

Arke hesitated, his eyes clouding. "I don't want to trouble you...I'm already imposing."

Echo's grip on his shoulder gentled. "You're not imposing, Arke. Let me help.”

Just as Arke opened his mouth to respond, a searing pain pierced his temple. A distant voice crackled in his mind.

"...Kota Kinabalu...evacuation protocols engaged...Adam, report in…"

Arke's vision blurred, and he swayed. Echo's arms wrapped around him, holding him steady.

"Arke, what's wrong?" she asked, alarm lacing her voice.

Arke's eyes refocused, his voice barely audible. "I...don't know." His memories swirled in fragments, elusive and unclear. As he stood, Echo's supporting arms remained wrapped around him. Kael approached, concern etched on his face.

"Hey, you okay? You look like you need a rest...maybe it's just the drink catching up, eh?" Kael attempted a reassuring smile.

Echo shot her father a stern glance. "Abba, stop. He's not well.”

Kael's expression turned serious. "Sorry, kid. Didn't mean to make light.”

Echo guided Arke forward. "Come on, you need to rest. Let's get you settled.”

Arke nodded weakly, his thoughts still reeling. Echo's gentle tug led him toward her home, Kael following closely behind.

As they entered Echo's home, Eiravyn's concerned voice greeted them. "Arke, are you alright?”

Villagers gathered outside, sharing stories of Arke's finny mishap. "Saw him fall off, poor guy's still getting used to it, eh?" one villager chuckled.

Arke forced a smile, attempting to downplay the incident. "Yeah...that finny's too fast for my eyes…"

Echo's smile warmed his heart as she guided him to her room. The ocean view through the window calmed his mind.

As Echo helped him onto the soft, plant-fiber bed, Arke felt a sense of relief. Echo sat beside him, her brow furrowed with concern.

"Let me see," she whispered, reaching for his forehead.

Arke flinched, his voice barely above a whisper. "Please don't...it's not pretty.”

Echo's gentle fingers silenced him, her touch soothing. “Hush..."

As her fingers brushed his forehead, her expression changed. "Must be incredibly painful...how could they treat you like that? Why?”

Arke's eyes dropped, unable to explain. He took a deep breath.

"A fragment...maybe there's a reason I'm here."

Echo's gaze locked onto his, understanding and empathy reflected in her eyes.

"Well, then...I don't mean to pry, but that's all in the past, right? You're starting anew, aren't?" Echo asked, her voice infused with reassurance.

Arke nodded, his eyes drifting shut. “Yeah..."

As Echo stood up, a gentle hum filled the air. The melody stirred something deep within Arke.

"That melody...it's so familiar," Arke said, his eyes snapping open. "Where did you learn it?”

Echo's smile held a hint of nostalgia. "My late Savi taught me. She'd hum it to soothe me when I was sick.”

Arke's gaze locked onto Echo's. “Savi?"

Echo's eyes sparkled. "My grandmother. She was wise, kind...and loved music."

Arke's curiosity piqued, "Tell me more.”

Echo's smile grew. "She was beautiful, inside and out." With a gentle touch, Echo's forehead met Arke’s.

Visions flooded Arke's mind: Echo as a little girl, her grandmother radiant and youthful, defying age.

"She's stunning...just like you," Arke said, awestruck.

Echo beamed, striking a playful pose. "Got her looks, didn't I?”

Arke's exhaustion reclaimed him, and he drifted off.

Later, nighttime enveloped the room. Arke stirred, searching for Echo. He found her sleeping beside him.

With a gentle smile, Arke covered Echo with a blanket and quietly descended downstairs.

Kael sat on the couch, conversing with Eiravyn. "Looks like the young one's awake, eh, Ama?" Kael said, his eyes twinkling.

Eiravyn smiled warmly. "You're looking healthy now. Hungry?”

Arke's stomach growled in response, and they shared a hearty supper.

"Aside from food, what's the hour?" Arke asked.

Kael chuckled. "Umm, quarter past the Moon of Eldrid.

Arke's confusion was evident.

Kael gestured toward the window. "See for yourself.”

Arke stepped outside, gazing up at the night sky. The moon shone brightly, surrounded by ethereal ring-like clouds.

"Those clouds...they're mesmerizing," Arke breathed.

Eiravyn joined him, pointing to the moon. "The Eldrid Moon marks our time. We measure hours by its phases."

Arke pondered the village's peculiar blend of past and future. "This world seems...different," he said to Kael.

Kael's eyes sparkled. "My daughter's always yearned to explore beyond our village. Are you planning to venture out?”

Arke gazed outside, a thrill of adventure stirring. "Yes, but I should get accustomed to life here first.”

Kael smiled. "Wise decision. Rest well, and—“

"I'm not comfortable sleeping in Echo's room," Arke interrupted. "May I rest in the living room?”

Kael's eyebrows shot up. "You want your own space, eh?" Eiravyn suggested, "The old barn behind our house could work. We keep our khazel there."

Arke's curiosity piqued. “Khazel?"

Kael led him to the barn, revealing a majestic, horse-tall bird with vibrant feathers. Arke's unease was palpable.

"Don't worry," Kael reassured. "Khazel are herbivores, friendly and gentle. I've raised this one since it was young.”

Arke's lingering doubts dissipated as Kael's warmth put him at ease. Grateful for Echo's family's kindness, Arke decided to stay in the barn.

"Thanks, this will do," Arke said, settling onto a sack of hay.

Kael smiled. "My wife and I sometimes sleep here too. It's surprisingly comfortable."

Arke bowed his head in appreciation. "Thank you.”

Kael's eyes widened in surprise. "Huh? Is this how you show respect?”

Arke explained, "Where I'm from, bowing is a sign of humility.”

Kael's expression softened. He grasped Arke's shoulder, his voice gentle. "Well, here, we show humility like this..." Kael enveloped Arke in a warm hug.

The sudden embrace unleashed a floodgate of emotions. Memories Arke thought were lost forever resurfaced: the warmth of a mother's hug, a sense of safety and love.

Tears streamed down Arke's face as he crumpled, overwhelmed. Kael held him, offering comfort.

"I can feel it, Arke. You've been through so much. It's tough," Kael whispered, his voice filled with empathy.

On the other side of the door, Echo and Eiravyn exchanged concerned glances. Muffled sobs carried through the night air, Arke's anguish echoing under the starry sky. Echo's eyes welled up with tears, her heart aching for the stranger who had captivated her family. Eiravyn's gentle touch on her shoulder offered comfort.

As they listened, Arke's cries gradually subsided, replaced by ragged breaths. The night air seemed to vibrate with the weight of his memories. In the darkness, fragments of Arke's past coalesced: whispers of a loving voice, the warmth of a gentle touch, and the ache of loss. Tears still streaming down his face, Arke's eyes locked onto the moon.

The Eldrid Moon, now a silver crescent in the sky, cast an ethereal glow. Its light seemed to weave a fragile thread between Arke's shattered memories and the kindness of Echo's family. As the night wore on, Arke's tears slowed, his breathing steadying. In the silence, Echo and Eiravyn shared a knowing glance. Their guest, once a stranger, had become a thread in the intricate tapestry of their lives.