THE MAGNITUD OF MEMORIES

Memories are like little paintings that live in the deepest parts of memory.

The camera opens on an ancient sanctuary, covered by the whisper of the wind. A massive turquoise-blue statue rises in the center, rusted by centuries of rain and air, but still majestic. Around it, eight smaller statues circle it in silence, with fresh flowers at their feet.

Sounds... are the song the air offers us.

Thousands of petals dance in the wind, floating through the rays of light that escape through the cracks in the clouds.

And memories... are the sweetest flavors of our life.

In the center, a pond full of fish; the colorful fish swim among golden reflections, mirroring the glints of the sky.

They are the scents that draw us in, the textures that connect us to what we once were.

Hundreds of birds take flight, filling the air with life.

But above all... memories are the spark that still burns in our hearts, even when all else has gone out.

Among the colossal trees of the Macktrel Forest, a figure glides calmly. A girl in a white dress walks among roots as large as mountains, while the gloom envelops her. The trees rise up to ten kilometers high, forming an impenetrable canopy. The air vibrates with murmurs, with echoes.

Her pace is serene. Her voice, a murmur that cuts through the stillness of the forest. She hums a soft melody, full of nostalgia and tenderness, as if her heart remembers something her mind has already forgotten.

Do not fear the darkness, for it too yearns for the light.

She caresses the flowers along the path with her left hand. At each touch, the flowers open slowly, as if waking from a long dream.

Do not fear the silence, it holds the voices you once loved.

Eyes and silhouettes of beasts move within the gloom. Forest creatures that watch, but do not dare to approach.

Do not fear if the path grows dim, as long as your soul still holds a glow.

With each verse, the stones beneath her feet light up with a faint golden shine, as if responding to her voice. The air vibrates. The forest seems to listen.

For in every shadow lives a memory, and in every memory... a piece of love.

Suddenly, the forest dissolves into brightness. The girl emerges from the trees, blinded by the glare of the sun. She covers her eyes with her hand. Her smile is serene, as if she has found the end of a long journey.

Before her stands the Sanctuary of the Warrior of Light. The main statue holds a sword pointing to the sky, while in its other arm, it cradles a small creature. A golden halo with ten points floats behind its head like a celestial crown.

Although you fear me, I will always admire you and protect you until the end.

The sanctuary is imposing. The statue holds an enormous sword pointing to the sky. It has no face: it wears armor and a veil that falls to its feet. In its other arm, it holds a small creature, and behind its head floats a crown with ten golden points.

“Long journeys await you, long memories you will awaken, and with each of them, a pain that will make you stronger.”

She picks up a small bucket and fills it with water, walking toward the feet of the central statue. The girl kneels before the statue. She touches the water delicately and sprinkles it over the flowers.

She looks up and contemplates the eight statues surrounding the central one. Each one is bowed in a sign of respect. She takes a bucket, fills it with water, and walks slowly, purifying the stone plaques one by one.

On each plaque, a name is engraved, almost erased by time: Thal, Elyra, Kovan, Miriel, Darn, Lius, Saira, and Enen. The eight warriors who once fought alongside the goddess. She approaches each one to sprinkle water on their statues, to water the flowers that have grown at their feet.

Her song continues, but now her voice trembles with a hint of sadness:

“When memories steal your tears, when they take your taste, your sight, and your voice... when hearing, smell, and touch fade, a flame will still remain in your heart. It will guide you in the darkness of nothingness.”

She finishes her song and sighs. She leaves the bucket aside, sits next to the statue, and closes her eyes.

“Just remember my words. I will always be here to protect your heart…”

Silence envelops her. And sleep comes, soft and deep.

Dream

Darkness receives her. She floats in a void where neither floor nor sky exists, only her... her body, glowing faintly like a star. She gets up and moves forward, guided by a weak red glow in the distance. Voices murmur in the shadows; formless figures twist around her.

She takes a step. Another. Nothing makes sense. Nothing seems real.

The red light shines with greater intensity. She walks toward it. The shadows move around her, whispering senseless words, yet full of pain.

When she arrives, she sees a dark door covered in red symbols. A liquid of the same color flows from beneath it as if it were bleeding. The ground vibrates. The voices become screams.

She hesitates. But she does not retreat. She extends her hand. And as soon as she touches it, all the red turns to gold, and the door disappears.

On the other side, the world is burning.

The sky is red. The earth, ash. A rain of blood falls slowly.

In front of her, a goddess in fractured armor supports herself on her sword. Around her, the eight warriors lie lifeless.

The girl remains motionless, mute. The goddess looks up and murmurs:

“Darkness is devastating... you are darkness, everything inside you is.

But even so, you are still here.

Remember... as long as that spark lives in your heart, darkness will never consume you completely.”

The goddess raises her sword with difficulty and points it at the girl's heart.

Remember… as long as that spark lives in your heart, darkness will never consume you completely.”

...pointing at the girl's heart. A golden flash envelops her.

Suddenly, everything falls apart. The sky splits, and a gigantic shadow emerges behind her. It has no shape, only smoke and two red eyes floating in the nothingness.

A voice resonates from above, distant:

“Get up… wake up… arise…”

The shadow approaches. Its arm extends directly toward her heart.

She screams.

And wakes up.

Awakening

The sun blinds her. Her breathing is heavy.

"You were screaming..." says a familiar voice. "Are you okay?"

She opens her eyes. Her friend, with long dark hair and a warm gaze, watches her with concern.

"Yes... it was just a bad dream," she replies, her voice trembling.

"You scared me. I couldn't find you anywhere. I thought something had happened to you." The friend offers her hand and helps her up.

"Thanks," she murmurs, dusting off her dress.

"It's late. We have to get back to the academy before we get punished again," her friend says, smiling.

They begin to walk. The wind plays with their hair as the forest begins to sing again.

Before leaving, the girl stops and looks at the sky.

"Hey... do you think memories have the magnitude to change the world?"

Her friend laughs and answers as she walks: "What kind of question is that? I think this forest is making you think too much."

She smiles, looking toward the statue in the distance. "Maybe... but I do."

She runs to catch up with her.

The camera pulls away. The wind blows hard. A tear falls from the stone face of the central statue.

And an ancient, soft, and deep voice whispers among the echoes of the forest:

“The story is just beginning… we will meet soon.”