Remember Me

Luna’s words echoed through the room, casting an unbearable weight over everyone present. "The last 24 hours…" The phrase lingered in the air, unspoken but deeply felt. No one wanted to accept the truth, yet the peaceful resolve in Luna’s eyes left no room for denial.

Haru bowed his head slightly, closing his eyes tightly. His entire body tensed. How were they supposed to spend these last 24 hours? How could a person knowingly cherish the time left with someone they loved, knowing they would soon lose them forever?

But Luna was different.

She saw this moment not as a burden, but as a gift.

Hour 1

Haru and Luna climbed to the highest point in Solace, gazing at the vast sky above. They watched the stars together. At one point, Haru reached out his hand as if he could pluck a star from the sky and place it in Luna’s palm.

Luna giggled. "That would be impressive if you could actually do it."

Haru gave her a wistful smile. "If you had given me more time, I would’ve tried."

Hour 6

As morning arrived, they walked through the streets of Solace together. Haru found himself noticing the smallest details, how Luna dug the tip of her shoe into the dirt as she walked, how she tilted her head slightly when the wind brushed through her hair…

He wanted to etch every single moment into his memory.

Luna suddenly stopped. "Haru… I’ve lived a happy life."

Haru turned to her, his heart tightening. "Luna…"

She lifted a finger to his lips, silencing him. "Don’t remember me as someone sad. Please. Let’s make good memories."

Haru’s eyes filled with tears, but he nodded. "I promise."

Hour 18

Haru and Luna gathered with everyone for one last meal.

Travis, Mat, Rika, Seraphis, Nihilos, Riven… They all did their best to keep the atmosphere light. Travis cracked jokes, Mat scowled in mock irritation, Nihilos and Seraphis exchanged playful jabs.

But Haru knew the truth hidden beneath it all. Everyone did.

Luna smiled, spoke, and laughed to ease them, to comfort them. But with every passing second, the countdown in their hearts grew louder.

Hour 23:50

Only minutes remained.

Haru and Luna sat side by side in the quietest corner of Solace. The night wrapped around them like a soft blanket, but this time, it brought no comfort. Silence had never felt so heavy.

Luna rested her head on Haru’s shoulder. Her breath was warm but growing fainter. "Tell me something, Haru."

Haru lifted his gaze to the stars. "What do you want me to say?"

She let out a soft, bittersweet laugh. "Tell me something that will make me believe you’ll never forget me."

Haru’s throat tightened. "How could I ever forget you, Luna? You… you’re a part of me. Without you, how—"

Luna turned to him, her eyes locking onto his for the last time. A silent farewell lingered within them, vast and unspoken.

Haru took her hands in his.

And then…

Luna’s fingers slowly began to fade into transparency. Haru’s eyes widened in horror, his breath faltering.

"Luna!" he choked, gripping her tighter. But no matter how desperately he tried to hold onto her, she slipped through his grasp like water.

Luna smiled faintly, tears welling in her eyes, though her voice remained steady. "Don’t be sad, Haru. This is just a new beginning."

But for Haru, it was an end.

As Luna’s body continued to fade, her warmth dissipated. Haru tried to hold onto her scent, her touch, her presence, but it was all slipping away.

"Luna, don’t go!" he cried, his voice breaking, but his plea dissolved into the empty night.

Luna’s final tears glistened as they vanished into the wind.

And all that remained was a whisper.

"Thank you… Haru…"

Haru fell to his knees, his heart shattering, his breath caught in his throat.

And for the first time in his life, he screamed into the sky with raw, unbearable pain.

But this time, no one answered him.

As Haru left Solace, the eyes of those he left behind followed him, unable to look away. He walked in silence, yet each step deepened the weight pressing down on him. Rika, Seraphis, Nihilos, Riven, Travis, and Mat, all of them tried to understand what was happening. But none of them could break through the cold determination etched into Haru’s face. He had made his decision, and nothing could change it now.

When he reached Ordo’s chamber, the doors slid open soundlessly. Haru stepped inside, standing before the man who had been waiting for him.

"So, you’ve come," Ordo said, exhaling deeply. "I didn’t expect you to return so soon, Haruma."

Haru spoke without hesitation, his voice steady. "Is there anything I can do to save the system?"

Ordo was silent for a moment, studying his old friend. There was both understanding and sorrow in his eyes.

"There is," he admitted at last. "But it will require an irreversible sacrifice from you."

Haru inhaled deeply, his resolve unwavering. "Tell me what needs to be done."

Resting his hand on the desk before him, Ordo continued. "Orbis is tied to a specific energy source. But due to imbalances, that source can no longer renew itself. The system has weakened, and the disruption is pulling it toward collapse. To restore stability, you must bind yourself to it."

Haru tried to grasp the meaning of his words. "Bind myself…? What do you mean?"

Ordo took a slow breath before answering. "Orbis’s core will accept you. Your energy will merge with the very essence of the system, restoring its balance. But there is a cost, Haruma."

Haru’s chest tightened. "If I do this… what will happen to me?"

Ordo’s voice was heavy with grief. "You will become Orbis’s new guardian. But you will no longer exist as a conscious being. Your thoughts, your soul, your identity will dissolve into the system itself. Orbis will continue to turn, but no one will remember who you were."

Haru lowered his gaze, the weight of the truth settling over him. His thoughts echoed endlessly in his mind. This was not death, but it was no different. To save Orbis, he would disappear just like Luna had. But unlike her, there would be nothing left of him. No one would remember his name. No one would grieve for him. No trace of his existence would remain.

But…

If he didn’t do this, everyone left in Solace would be erased. The Voidwalkers would be condemned to oblivion. They had fought so hard to change the system, but this was the reality. Orbis was built to sustain order. Destroying it would mean wiping out everything.

And Luna… she would never forgive him for letting that happen.

Haru clenched his fists and lifted his head. "I’ll do it."

Ordo closed his eyes. "Then I will take you to the core."

Silently, another decision had been made. All that remained was to see it through.