—Isn't it similar to the pattern riddles we found in the library?
I smiled, recognizing the brilliance in their observation.
—Exactly. Reinhardt, do you rember how we deciphered those patterns?
Reinhardt nodded, already moving to examine the runes from different angles.
—The key was in the activation sequence. It wasn't the pattern itself, but the order in which they light up...
We worked in sync, each contributing our unique strengths to the challenge. Cassie, with her sharp intuition, identified patterns we overlooked. Reinhardt applied his thodical logic to decipher the correct sequence, while I coordinated our efforts and tested different combinations.
After several frustrated attempts, we finally found the correct sequence. The runes glowed intensely for a mont before completely fading, and the feeling of disorientation that had been affecting us vanished.
However, our victory was epheral. The smoke, which until then had been passive, began to transform into mist. It beca thicker, darker, and a tallic sll filled the air. Before we could react, the fog completely enveloped us.
—Stay together!
I ordered in a grave voice. However, there was no response.
—Guys?
When I turned around, no one was there. My friends, who had been with just a mont ago, had vanished without a trace.
I let out a deep sigh and followed the direction where they had disappeared. Although I still couldn't hear any sound around , it would have been impossible for them to have gone far enough in that short period without noticing.
I carefully examined the ground while walking through the mist-filled corridor. I seed to hear things that weren't audible and see things that weren't visible, as if I were having hallucinations. Not knowing what might await , I beca more cautious and continued walking.
Suddenly, a soft feminine voice called from behind.
—Noah.
My heart raced upon hearing that familiar voice. I stopped walking and slowly, very slowly, turned around.
Golden hair that shone intensely as if squeezed from honey and eyes as blue as the sea. The woman I tried to forget several tis in recent days, but in the end couldn't.
—Alessia?
I murmured, incredulous.
Alessia was there, just as I rembered her.
—I missed you, Noah.
She told , looking at and smiling brightly, like a ray of sunshine.
—Alessia...
Her na escaped my lips before I could contain myself. My deceased wife was there, as beautiful as the day I lost her, with that gentle smile I had loved so much.
She wore the sa sumptuous red dress that now perfectly fit her figure.
I clenched my teeth so hard they hurt.
I knew it was an illusion as soon as I saw her. If Alessia were really alive and appeared before , she wouldn't look the sa as 10 years ago.
However, I couldn't take my eyes off her as she approached with a smile. It was an illusion showing soone deeply missed in my heart. Although I already knew the obvious fact that it was a trap that made one truly wander through the mist without reaching the artifact.
—Noah. I missed you.
Her smile always shone as brightly as the sun. And this illusion of Alessia also gently took my hand with the sa smile as before.
That smile reminded of the happiest monts we shared together. As well as the most painful mories.
I felt my heart being torn apart. Every fiber of my being yearned to get closer to her, touch her, embrace her one more ti.
I delayed in removing her hand from . Then, the illusion of Alessia briefly frowned as if she couldn't understand and called again lovingly with a radiant smile.
—Didn't you miss , Noah? I missed you so much. I'm so happy to see you like this.
I remained silent as if I hadn't heard her words. I knew that talking to an illusion would only entangle more in it.
I tried to ignore her and turned my back. I knew I didn't have ti to worry about these illusions.
However, despite turning my back, Alessia sohow changed her position and appeared in front of .
My body shuddered when I heard her begin to sob.
Being ignored, her large transparent eyes filled with tears. Soon, she began to shed tears with a sad and disconsolate face.
—Noah, look at , please. I'm the Alessia you rember.
I felt the paralysis of electrifying terror. Had I heard correctly?
—You're not real.
I said with trembling lips, although each word felt like a sharp sword piercing my heart.
—Alessia is dead.
Her figure ca closer, her expression turning pained.
—Why do you reject ? Wasn't it enough that I died because of you?
Her words hit like a whip, touching my deepest remorse.
Alessia opened her arms toward .
—Embrace like before, my love. You haven't forgotten until now.
I closed my eyes tightly, while silent tears rolled down my cheeks. My mind fought against my heart in a devastating battle.
mories of when I was with Alessia passed through my mind. Back then, we were completely in love, thinking of each other, and I could do anything for her.
I sighed with resignation.
—That's right. I can't forget you.
—See? you still love .
—Don't fool yourself.
I looked at the illusion of Alessia with clouded eyes.
—Just because I haven't forgotten you doesn't an I still love you.
I was lying.
—What...?
Upon hearing my words, her face expressed great shock, as if her world had crumbled. Her eyes began to fill with deep sadness.
—You don't feel anything for anymore? That's impossible. Think about all the ti we spent together, Noah. There's no way you can forget it!
The illusory Alessia approached with teary eyes, grabbing my hand tightly. Her voice trembled with desperation.
It was a truly cruel illusion.
—I loved you, Alessia.
I finally said, my voice sounding unrecognizable, hoarse from an indescribable emptiness.
—I will always love you. But you're not real, and I have a mission to fulfill. There are people who need now.
I opened my eyes to look at the illusion of my wife one last ti. With a lancholic smile, I whispered:
—Goodbye. This ti, I let you go by choice.
When I caught my breath, my heart quickly cald down and I regained my composure. Then I could see the situation objectively.
Sotis, letting go was the only way to move forward. I realized you can't fly if you don't release the chains that bind you.
Alessia's figure began to fade, and with it, the dense fog that surrounded . I blinked several tis, my vision slowly adjusting while the last mists of the illusion vanished from my mind.
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