Chapter 0:

Prologue: And Still, I Remain - Part I

When Lilies Dream of Fire


I have reached an age that many consider a turning point in life. Or so people would like to say.

In the merciless heat of summer, most confined themselves to their homes or libraries, preparing for final exams, their fates steered by a society where wealth and power reigned supreme.

— But not me.

I spent my precious time walking alone along a dirt path that led to a secluded part of the woods, where thorny bushes and sharp red vines twisted together, a place where sunlight scarcely penetrated. The air was thick with the steady, droning cries of cicadas, echoing through the trees like a relentless summer chorus.

— Well, that was not always the case...

I remember my first visit to this strange area. I was very cautious. The rustle of fleeing hares in the bushes, the sudden flutter of birds overhead, and the faint scent of unfamiliar flowers along the narrow trail constantly kept my senses sharp.

But it wasn't this strange path that I came to cherish. Further ahead stood two trees, their branches curving towards each other to form a perfect archway, a gate.

To a vast sea of beige and green.

There, golden wheat and grass swayed gently in the wind. In the very centre stood a solitary tree, while its distant peers scattered around it, as if encircling and protecting their queen.

The grass beneath me was sparse, and each step dipped heavily into its soft cushion, leaving behind a deep impression. Eventually, I approached the lone tree, offering it a gentle smile as I sank into its comforting shade. Looking up at the azure sky, a wave of relief washed over me.

Relief from the burdens of everyday life.
Relief from my parents’ endless expectations.
Relief from a rigid, predetermined future.
Relief from the identity I had been forced to wear.

You could say this sanctuary had become a second home to me.

"..."

I often dreamed of mythical encounters, elves, faeries, or hidden portals to other worlds. Perhaps it was all the fantasy novels I had devoured that fueled such imaginings, but deep down, I longed to escape the birdcage of reality. Surely life was meant to be more than eating, sleeping, mating, working, and eventually dying?

Else, wouldn’t that just make existence... a meaningless waste...?

"..."

A few months later…

I had graduated, weighed down by a mountain of regrets. No girlfriend, no friends, no graduation trip, no outstanding exam results—though I had given it my all. No supernatural occurrences, either, the fantastical things I had once imagined… just nothing.

In truth, there was no one to blame but myself. Perhaps I had been lost in my own fantasies, deluded. Or maybe my desire for everything to be perfect, fixed, or set in stone had led to this outcome.

And yet, I couldn’t help but wonder, if my circumstances had been more favourable, could I have achieved more? Perhaps I could have changed some things… but then again, not everything was within my control. That lingering uncertainty haunted me throughout my entire university life.

It felt as though life were a loop, repeating again and again, with no respite.

"..."

However, one thing remained unchanged. 

My secret haven, hidden from the eyes of those who did not dare enter. Whenever I had the chance, I would retreat there, sitting ever so comfortably.

But as with all things, nothing lasts forever.

And just a few years later, the local council had decided to transform the area around the park and woods, making it more accessible to the public by adding new entrances into the vast field where I had spent countless days, mesmerised by its beauty. As more people began to arrive, the quiet magic that had lingered for so long started to fade. 

Still, I clung to what little remained.

"..."

Once again, I graduated, found a job, and stepped into the harsh world of reality, something I had desperately tried to escape before. Visits to my refuge, where golden meadows and emerald grass once carried away all my burdens, became increasingly rare. Eventually, I could make the journey only once every season. As time slipped away, I no longer had the freedom or chance to return.

The world continued on regardless. In time, I met my spouse, and together we moved far away, leaving behind the quiet refuge that once offered me solace. Children came and grew, while the years carved lines into my face. One by one, my family became distant memories, fading into the past. And now, only I remained, an ageing, fragile soul, leaning on a cane with what little time left.

"..."

From the edge of my balcony, I looked up into the pale blue sky, though its brilliance had long since dulled with the fading of my eyesight. A deep sigh escaped my lips as I wondered, after all this time…

Was I happy?
Was I truly satisfied?

I had attained everything most people would spend their lives chasing. And yet… a hollow ache lingered in my chest.

Something had always felt missing.

But what was it...?

"!"

The sudden vibration on the dining table disrupted the silence of my mind. It was my miniature AI assistant robot. Despite being no larger than a mug, it had more than enough capability to support an old man like me living alone. From projecting news through a holographic display to handling daily tasks like ordering food and medicine, and even managing my finances, all tailored to my habits and lifestyle.

It was no surprise that AI had advanced this far since its rapid rise in 2023. Its growth had been exponential. And now, with just a decade remaining before the turn of the next century, I couldn’t help but wonder, where would this technological marvel take us next?

Even so, there were times when I felt the technology boom had arrived too quickly. The once slower, simpler world, where people treasured small moments and valued genuine conversation over hollow virtual exchanges, vanished overnight.

Technology promised ease, but in return, it brought noise and complication.

Sometimes, ignorance might be the closest thing to peace.

— And yet, here I was, relying on technology.

"Ai, show me alerts, please."

I commanded the robot to reveal the source of the earlier vibration. A soft hum followed, and a hologram screen flickered to life, casting a faint glow in front of me.

"Displaying alerts. This message has been recommended to you, based on your previous map history."

"..."

My cane slipped from my hand and clattered to the floor. The message on the screen stirred something deep within me, something I had long buried.

Tears began to flow down my brittle cheeks, like a long-dry riverbed suddenly awakened, as memories surged through me in a flood.

A faint smile broke through the ache.

— Oh... how could I have forgotten?

Sen Kumo
icon-reaction-1
Kowa-sensei
icon-reaction-1
stupidwriter
icon-reaction-4
Ashley
icon-reaction-4
MAN726
icon-reaction-1
Mai
icon-reaction-3
frostwolfx
icon-reaction-5
Author: