Henry stared at his reflection, his breathing still ragged, his mind reeling from the onslaught of memories that weren't originally his but now felt like they were.
Henry Myers. Son of Felicity Myers. Seventeen years old. No friends. No connections. And no social life.
He could see it all now… every lonely meal eaten in silence, every attempt by Felicity to reach out met with cold indifference, every birthday that passed without celebration because the boy didn't want one.
The real Henry had been… empty. A walking void who looked at the world with detached curiosity at best and complete apathy at worst.
"Why?" Henry whispered to his reflection. "Why were you like that?"
But the memories didn't provide answers. Just images. Feelings. The crushing weight of existing without purpose.
And beneath it all, something else. Something darker that he couldn't quite grasp. A shadow lurking at the edges of those memories, whispering things he couldn't make out.
"Weak."
There it was again. That voice. Cold. Contemptuous.
Henry shook his head, trying to clear it. "No. Focus. You need to get your story straight."
He splashed cold water on his face, the shock helping to ground him. Then he gripped the sink again and looked at himself seriously.
"Okay. Think. Felicity knows something's different about you. She noticed you're more talkative. More… alive." He paused. "If you suddenly claim to have your memories back, she'll expect the old Henry. The quiet one. The ghost."
His mind raced through possibilities.
"But if you keep pretending to have memory loss, you can justify acting different. New personality, fresh start, blame it on the amnesia." He nodded to himself. "Yeah. That could work... I hope."
It felt dirty, lying to someone who clearly cared so much. But what choice did he have? Go to her and say:
"Hi Mom, I'm actually a dead guy from another world who hijacked your son's body after he died in a pit. Hope that's cool."
Yeah, that would go over great.
Henry took a deep breath, steadying himself. He could do this. He'd survived the hurdles of his past life, suffered years of being an orphan, hustled his way through poverty. He could handle one grieving mother.
One incredibly powerful, mind-reading, grieving mother.
"…I'm so screwed," he sighed.
But there was no time to spiral. He'd been in here too long already. Felicity would get suspicious.
Henry straightened his clothes, wiped his face dry, and put on his best "I'm totally fine" smile.
Then he opened the door.
Felicity was standing by the window, her back to him, gazing out at the sprawling cityscape of Iris City. The golden afternoon light caught her white hair, making it shimmer like snow in sunlight.
She didn't turn around immediately, but her voice was soft when she spoke. "Are you alright?"
Henry hesitated, then walked over to stand beside her. "Yeah. Sorry about that. It was just… overwhelming."
Felicity glanced at him, her sapphire eyes searching his face. "I shouldn't have tried to access your memories. That was reckless of me." she said with an apologetic expression.
"No, it's okay," Henry said quickly. "You were trying to help. I appreciate it."
Felicity studied him for a moment longer, then turned back to the window. "Did you remember anything?" she asked.
Henry's heart skipped a beat. "I have to lie… But still make it believable," he concluded within himself.
"Flashes," he said carefully. "Nothing concrete. Just… feelings and subtle images." He paused, as if trying to recall. "I saw your face too. But it was all jumbled. Like puzzle pieces that don't fit together yet."
It wasn't entirely a lie. The memories were indeed jumbled. He just had a lot more of them than he was letting on.
Felicity nodded slowly. "That's normal. The brain protects itself from trauma by fragmenting memories," she explained. "Give it time. They'll come back."
"Yeah," Henry said quietly. "I hope so."
They stood in silence for a moment, both staring out at the city. From this height, Iris City looked like something out of a dream… sleek skyscrapers, hover cars gliding through designated lanes, holographic billboards projecting advertisements for everything from weapons to health serums.
"It's beautiful," Henry said softly.
Felicity smiled faintly. "It is. Though Arcadia City is even more impressive," she said smugly. "You'll see soon enough."
Henry raised a brow. "Arcadia City?" he asked… even though he already knew the answer. It was just a way to keep up his act.
"Your home," Felicity said. "It's the city where we live." She glanced at him. "And it's… special."
Henry raised a brow. "Special how?" he asked again.
Felicity's smile widened slightly, a hint of pride slipping through. "You'll see when we get there."
Before Henry could ask more, the door slid open and Jane entered, Xavier close behind.
"Felicity," Jane said with a smile. "We've finished the report. Everything's ready for your review."
Felicity turned, her demeanor shifting subtly. The warmth in her eyes remained, but there was an added sharpness now… a queen stepping back into her role.
"Thank you, Jane," Felicity said. "I'll look it over on the way home." Then she glanced at Henry. "Are you ready to leave?"
Henry blinked. "Leave?" he asked. "Like, right now?"
"Yes. There's no reason to stay here any longer. The sooner we get you home, the better." Felicity's tone was gentle but firm.
Jane chuckled, walking forward. "Maybe the boy just wants to spend more time with his godmother," she said.
Felicity laughed softly. "I'm sure he does. But I fear you might spoil him too much if he stays here," she chuckled.
"Oh, like you wouldn't do the same," Jane snickered, then she turned her gaze to Henry. "Be a good boy, okay? And make sure to give mummy lots of trouble… she needs it."
Henry nodded eagerly for some reason, smiling like a toddler. "Of course, aunt Jane. I will," he replied.
Felicity giggled. "Turning my own kid against me, huh?" she said to Jane. "Well played."
Jane smirked mischievously. "I didn't complain when you stole Alicia as your little minion, did I?" she chuckled. "Besides, you should be grateful you still have another ray of sunshine under your wing."
Felicity laughed out this time. "We both know she isn't exactly a ray of sunshine anymore," she sighed. "But as for Alicia, I believe she serves a new master now."
Henry didn't know what to make of the woman's conversation. They were good friends… that much was obvious. But one thing caught his attention, and it was the same name Jane had mentioned earlier in the ship.
"Who the hell is Alicia?" he thought.
Felicity and Jane went on with their banters and gists, while Henry and Xavier just watched helplessly.
Eventually, the woman decided to conclude their chat and call it a day.
"You have a safe ride home, Felicity," Jane muttered as she escorted Felicity and Henry out of the building.
"I will," Felicity replied with a smile. "Thank you, Jane… for saving my son. I am forever in your debt."
Jane shrugged. "Oh, it's nothing," she said casually. "I would do anything for Henry. He's like a son to me." Then she turned to Henry. "Bye, darling. Get well soon. Alicia and I will pay you a visit soon, I promise."
Henry gave a simple nod, walking closely beside Felicity, who seemed to not want to let him out of her sight.
After a few more exchanges, they finally left the guild. And as they did, Henry had one thought.
"Seriously, who is Alicia?"
...…
The trip to Arcadia City was surreal.
They traveled in a sleek, private aircraft… far more advanced than anything Henry had seen in his previous life. The interior was spacious, with comfortable seats, holographic displays, and large windows that offered a breathtaking view of the world below.
Henry sat by the window, watching as Iris City shrank into the distance, replaced by sprawling forests, mountain ranges, and eventually, another massive urban center on the horizon.
Arcadia City.
Even from a distance, it was unlike anything Henry had ever seen.
The entire city seemed to glow. Not with artificial light, but with a crystalline shimmer that made it look like it was carved from ice. Towering spires reached toward the sky, their surfaces reflecting the sunlight in dazzling patterns. The streets below were lined with trees whose leaves sparkled like frost, and even the buildings themselves had an ethereal, frozen quality to them.
It was like a Winter Heaven.
"Whoa," Henry breathed.
Felicity, sitting across from him, smiled. "Beautiful, isn't it?," she said softly, looking out the window. "It wasn't an easy task… building it. But I'm proud of what we've accomplished so far."
Henry blinked. "You… built this city?"