rekindle our bond.

Remembrance was a coin flip for them. On certain days, it was painful to see. Those moments are long gone… Others, they held them to their face in comfort. To be one of the few persons in existence to remember things no one else knows… it was their purpose now. Those memories would never be forgotten.

They would sometimes help the others; a small orb, containing a reflection of their previous existence, primarily of a memory they held dear. That “sometimes” was very sparse, for they didn't have that innate desire to help everyone… after all, they couldn't help themselves once.

Anamnesis gazed at the fractals that housed their memories on the cracks of their Abstraction; mirrors that reflect their complicated and long past. The cracks seem to replay their darkest moments filled with despair, resentment, and uncertainty. But there was one that glowed a beautiful white hue, an individual they left in their endeavors to find themselves.

Anamnesis looked at the crack, touching the crevice of stone until the light bubbled out into a sphere. The image of a young cloaked child and a short woman played within, holding their hands against a once beautiful watercolor world that bled red…

“Roscoe…” The Edeia held the bubble closer with a gentle grip.

— —

(The sound of gentle rain permeated the forest, as the two people inside the memory walked across the forest floor piled with rustling leaves. The trees possessed a whimsical light blue for tree trunks, and a soft pink hue for leaves. It was akin to a watercolor book, as the boy pulled the woman’s hand towards a clearing.)

“And, here we are. I have wanted to show you since doctrine day, miss.” The cloaked boy unfurled his hood, looking up at her with a warm smile.

The woman looked around and frowned, pushing her glasses up. “Roscoe, there's nothing here. Did you seriously bring me out here so you could stay up past your bedtime?” The woman squinted at the cloaked boy.

Roscoe flinched, saddening his face as he looked away from her gaze. “N-no… I… I know I gotta sleep soon… please mam, I promise you'll like it… please…?”

…

“Eh… alright. What did you want to show me Roscoe?” She sat down in the illuminated grass, tying her hair back to uncover her face.

“I… I thank you so much for helping me and my people, Ms. ███████. Without you, we wouldn't have been able to live another day. And…” The boy pulls out a small wooden box. “I want you to have this. I made it for my mum, but…” His voice chokes up, “I miss her so much. But when I look at you… you remind me of her.”

The cloaked boy looked down and pulled a lever on the side of the wooden box, as it opened the top of the chest. Two little wooden figures popped out, depicting a small child and mother. One seems crudely repainted with grayish and yellow paint.

The woman took a long look at the figures. She gripped the grayish one, holding it between her fingers… before covering her face, sobbing. An exasperated gasp came from her mouth, as her smeared tears trickled down her palms. It hurt so much, yet she didn't understand why it did. Moving on always sets her dead in her tracks.

“Gah… You don't even know me… and yet you grow so attached to me for only a month… I-I… don't understand.” The blond haired woman hugged Roscoe, handing him back the small figurine.

“Keep that. I can never replace your mother. But, thank you for the sentiment, kid. She'd want you to keep it so you can remember her… and me.”

The rain began to pour harder, drenching the two in the moonlight. “Come on, you gotta head home kid. I'll meet you there later.”

“Okay miss.” The cloaked boy ran off along with his box into the forest.

It was just her now. The clouded forest towered above her, drenching her in their presence. She looked up to the sky, her glasses fogged with rain droplets.

“My time has run its course.” She pulled out a small prism inside her pocket, before tossing it in front of her. The prism contorts, interacting with the Ideated individual’s magic to create a portal.

She looked around once more, checking to see if no one was within the vicinity. A small note was pulled from her pocket, before dropped on the foliage in her place.

She hesitates, stepping her foot inside the gateway to infinity. It was as if she saw a new life here for herself. The thought did stir in her mind; raising the heir of the throne to protect the good yokai people of this realm… a short breath came from her.

“... if you're still there, I'm sorry Roscoe. As much as you turned my worldview upside down… I have a duty to fulfill. I must find myself before I can stay any longer.” Her fist clenches.

“But… I promise to come back. When… that's the more difficult question. Hopefully… it's soon.”

“Goodbye, Roscoe.”

— —

The orb had stopped projecting its memory, as Anamnesis finally let it go. But… perhaps it was time to return.

With ease, the cracks of her Abstraction spanned wide, opening to a beautiful world they once held dear. It felt just like before… the soft colors of the sky similar to pastels and watercolors. No more was the sky tainted a squeamish red.

A breath of nervousness wavered in the air for the Edeia of Anamnesis, as they walked deeper into their old friend’s realm, and their Abstraction vanished behind them. In the distance was the sound of bells, the flight of banners and whimsical banter. But a force stopped them from approaching. What if… Roscoe wouldn't remember them? What if he resented them for leaving him without a parental figure? Anamnesis began to hesitate, as they walked away from the kingdom and into the deeper parts of the forest.

It's just like how they first met. The sun trickled between the conglomerate of leaves in the canopy, sprinkling sun drops that illuminate Anamnesis’ golden features. The Edeia looked up at the branches, picturing a small, cloaked boy that swung like an acrobat as they walked the lonesome path to a clearing.

A distant memory came to them, as Anamnesis sat on the lush green beneath them in the clearing.

“Is… is it really you?”

The voice came from behind them, as a cloaked man walked towards the familiar figure. “Ms…. ███████?”

“I am not the individual you speak of. It is Anamnesis.” Anamnesis exhales sharply.

“I see. Though it isn't without saying that you remind me of her.”

“I have changed into what I wanted to truly fulfill with my heart.”

“Then I am happy to see you once again.” Roscoe straightened his cloak to give a light grin, “though, I did wish you'd stayed to at least see my coronation day, miss.” His false disdain retreated to a warm smile towards the familiar face.

“I know, but unfortunately that time has now passed.” They stood up to finally face the familiar. “I do not expect you to forgive me for abandoning you. But I do wish to say that I am proud of you for what you have become.”

For a moment, silence swept over them until the cloaked man came to hug their old friend back. A warm feeling overtook the air as they embraced.

“I am proud of you too… Anamnesis.”