Chapter 139: The World Between Worlds
The darkness enveloped us as we passed through the doorway, its silence deep and consuming. For a moment, I could see nothing—only an endless void stretching in every direction. Then, gradually, a faint light began to emerge, shimmering in the distance like a distant star, drawing us forward.
Kijin and Raijuu flanked me, their forms barely visible in the dim glow. The object in my hand pulsed steadily, its rhythm guiding us toward the faint light ahead. It was as if the object held a memory of this place, guiding us through a path it knew but I had yet to understand.
"Chat, I can't even describe where we are," I murmured, feeling a strange reverence. "This… this isn't just another room or chamber. It's like we've crossed into another world."
The chat was flooded with awe and excitement.
: It's like you've stepped into the Forgotten's realm. This is unbelievable!
: I can't believe we're seeing this. Whatever lies ahead, just be careful, Tsukasa.
: This is literally beyond anything. You're carrying a legacy into the unknown.
The light grew closer, revealing a vast space that felt both boundless and confined. Strange structures, twisted and ancient, appeared on either side, their surfaces inscribed with runes that glowed faintly, as though whispering secrets too ancient for words. The air felt heavy, filled with the presence of countless voices, each one an echo of a forgotten story.
Ahead of us, the light solidified, forming a figure that stood in the center of the void. Cloaked in shadows, the figure's face was obscured, but its presence was undeniable, radiating an aura of power and age beyond comprehension.
I held my breath as the figure turned toward us, and a voice, soft yet commanding, filled the air.
"Bearer of memory, you have entered the realm of the Forgotten. Why have you come?"
The voice was layered, echoing with countless tones and emotions. It was as if every soul that had ever walked this place spoke through this one figure, each adding its own note to the symphony of voices.
"I came to carry your story," I replied, my voice steady despite the overwhelming presence before me. "To ensure that the Forgotten are remembered, that your legacy endures."
The figure's head tilted slightly, and I felt its gaze settle on me, piercing and unyielding. The chat was filled with a mix of awe and apprehension, their messages a chorus of support.
: This feels like a trial. Tsukasa, be strong.
: You're carrying their history. This is your moment.
: Whatever happens, we're here with you. The Forgotten deserve to be known.
The figure extended a hand, and with it, images filled the void around us—scenes of ancient battles, of cities consumed by darkness, of people who wielded powers that defied comprehension. Each image was a fragment of the Forgotten's story, a piece of their legacy that had been hidden away.
"The memory you carry is a burden, a weight that many could not bear. Yet you have chosen this path willingly. Do you understand the cost?"
I felt the weight of the question settle over me, each word resonating with a sense of finality. This wasn't just about remembering the past; it was about becoming a vessel for a history erased from existence, a voice for those silenced by time.
"I understand," I replied, my voice unwavering. "I'm prepared to bear that burden, whatever it may bring."
The figure's form shifted, its shadows twisting as it seemed to consider my response. For a moment, the air was filled with silence, a silence that felt as ancient as the void itself.
Then, slowly, the figure raised its other hand, revealing a small, glowing crystal—its surface inscribed with runes similar to those on the object I held. The crystal pulsed with a soft, steady light, and I felt its energy reach out, connecting with the object in my hand.
"This is the heart of our memory,"
the figure intoned, its voice filled with a mixture of sorrow and pride.
"A fragment of our essence, preserved in the darkness. Take it, and with it, carry our story to the world beyond."
The crystal floated toward me, its light growing brighter with each pulse. I reached out, feeling its warmth in my hand, and a surge of energy filled me—a flood of memories, emotions, and voices, each one a piece of the Forgotten's legacy.
The chat was silent, their awe palpable as they witnessed the exchange.
: You're holding their heart… This is beyond anything we could've imagined.
: This isn't just a dungeon anymore. It's a bridge to a world that's been lost.
: Tsukasa, this is the most incredible thing I've ever seen. You're their last hope.
I looked down at the crystal, feeling its energy settle within me, merging with the object I had carried all this way. The two pieces resonated, their combined power filling me with a sense of purpose, a clarity I had never known.
The figure's voice softened, its form flickering as though it were fading. >
"Go forth, bearer of memory. Let our story be told, let our voices echo through time. And may our legacy live on through you."
The figure dissolved into light, its final words lingering in the air as the void around us began to shift, the darkness lifting to reveal the passage from which we had come. The way back was open, but the weight of the journey, of the memories entrusted to me, felt heavier than ever.
Kijin and Raijuu stepped forward, their gazes calm and steady, as though sensing the significance of the moment. Together, we turned back toward the passage, each step filled with a sense of resolve.
As we crossed the threshold, the darkness receded, and we were back in the familiar stone corridors of the Forbidden Floors. The light from the crystal and the object in my hand had dimmed, their glow now a soft, steady rhythm that pulsed in sync with my heartbeat.
The chat was alive with emotion, their messages flooding the screen.
: Tsukasa, thank you. You carried their legacy. You gave them a voice.
: This is beyond anything I ever expected from a dungeon stream. You're a part of history now.
: You honored the Forgotten. Their story will live on because of you.
I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the Forgotten's memory settle within me, a burden that was both humbling and empowering. This wasn't just another dungeon. It was a testament, a final resting place for a people who had been erased from history.
"We did it, everyone," I whispered, my voice filled with gratitude. "Their story is safe, and their voices… they'll be heard."
As we made our way back through the Forbidden Floors, the path felt lighter, the darkness less oppressive. The Forgotten had left their mark, a memory that would live on, and I was honored to carry it forward.