The rain dripped through my mind, cold and sharp. But somehow, the fear faded, swallowed by a strange sense of relief.He helped me to my feet, his hands firm but gentle. His eyes found mine as he said, "I will help you. Wait here. Tomorrow, when the sun rises, meet me at the end of the village. Okay?"
I could only nod, lost in the overwhelming storm inside me.
He smiled faintly and said, "We'll find the place where the rain of memories falls."
He turned to leave, but I called out, "How can I trust you?"
He didn't even hesitate."I'm not asking you to believe me today," he said. "But I will prove to you, every day, that you can."
And then he walked away, swallowed by the rain.
I stood there, heart heavy and trembling.For the first time, it felt real:I wasn't going to find my past alone.There was someone... someone who wanted to help me.Even if he was still a stranger.
I lay down under the broken roof of an abandoned house, staring up at the grey sky as the rain whispered its secrets."It's time," I whispered back.
I woke with a jolt.The village was already buzzing with life — merchants shouting, children laughing, the smell of fresh bread and wet earth filling the air.
I stretched slowly, feeling the pull of sleep still in my bones. The sun's rays brushed against my face, warm and gentle.
Without hesitating, I made my way through the village streets, weaving through the crowd.The edge of the village waited for me — and maybe, just maybe, so did my future.
But doubt gnawed at me.Leaving this place behind… trusting someone I barely knew… it felt strange, almost impossible.And yet, my feet kept moving.
At the end of the village, the road opened into a dense, shadowy forest. Merchants and travelers passed by, but I knew the stories — thieves, human traffickers... danger.
I waited.Minutes turned into what felt like hours.
He wasn't coming.Maybe he had lied after all.
No, no... I forced the doubt away.He said he would prove it.
Still... my body moved before my mind caught up.I stood, ready to turn away.
What am I waiting here for? I thought bitterly.
But just as I was about to leave, a figure appeared through the misty road ahead.It was him.
He looked different — sharper, more determined.
Stopping in front of me, he asked, "Are you ready?"
Before I could answer, he pressed a sack into my hands."These are your things."
I blinked at him, confused."I don't have anything," I said. "Only myself."
He laughed — an easy, almost boyish laugh."Believe me, you'll be glad you have this... especially when trouble comes."
I opened the sack carefully.
Inside...A sword.Some armor pieces.
I stared at it all, stunned.Why would he give me this?
Before I could ask, he said, "Stay here. I still need to talk to someone."
I watched him leave, still holding the strange sack in my hands.
When he returned, his face was brighter."We're lucky," he said. "A merchant is heading to the village we need. He's willing to bring us along."
I followed him wordlessly to a rough, wooden carriage stacked high with jars of cream.It wasn't comfortable, but it was a way forward.
We climbed aboard, settling between the crates.
Just as the merchant cracked his whip and the horses stirred, a voice tore through the air.
"Eloula!"
I turned sharply.My sister was running toward me, tears streaming down her face."Don't go!" she cried, reaching out.
I felt my heart crack.
"I'm not leaving you," I said softly. "I'm just… finding my own path."
She stopped, her hands trembling.Then she straightened, voice stronger than before."I'll wait for you!" she shouted, waving.
I smiled sadly and waved back."If you wait," I whispered to the wind, "wait with pride. Not fear."
And then, without looking back again, I disappeared into the forest.
The carriage rattled and shook beneath us, every bump making my heart jump.The road ahead was unknown — dangerous.
Beside me, he sat quietly, watching the trees blur past.
After a long silence, I asked, "Why do we need to find a Village?"
He glanced at me and answered, "The road is dangerous. We'll first reach a hidden village. From there, we cross an old forest. Then we'll find the large village where the Map of Memories is hidden. Only then... can we find the Rain of the past."
It sounded like a story.A story where the ending was still unwritten.
"I can't fight," I said suddenly, feeling small. "I'm just a girl."
He chuckled under his breath, shaking his head."You're lying," he said easily."I saw you. That day, when you protected your sister. You moved like a fighter."
I blinked at him, surprised.Maybe… maybe a part of me remembered how to fight, even if my mind didn't.
I just nodded, not knowing what else to say.
He leaned back, closing his eyes as if the conversation was over.
But curiosity burned inside me."Raiden," I whispered, testing the name. "How old are you? Where are you from? And… what were you thinking when you found me?"
He opened one eye, smiling lazily."I'm twenty-one," he said. "And when I saw you that day, soaked by rain and still standing strong... I was impressed. You looked so helpless, yet you didn't scream for help. You fought."
My chest tightened.I looked down at my hands — hands that somehow remembered strength, even when my heart forgot.
"I feel like..." I said slowly, "moving on my own has something to do with my forgetfulness."
He thought for a moment, then nodded."Yeah. That could be it."
Silence fell again.But I couldn't help myself — my eyes traced his face, the wild mess of his dark hair, the serious set of his mouth.
I know you, a small voice whispered inside me.But he didn't know me.
How could that be?
Suddenly, Raiden smirked, eyes still closed."Are you gonna keep staring at me?"
Flushing, I quickly looked away, pretending to close my eyes too.
Just then, the carriage jolted to a stop.The merchant's voice rang out.
"We've arrived."