Magic and Memories

The air was stagnant and awkward, even the breeze left the room when these two arrived. I can only assume this staring contest is supposed to happen, after the Major demanded me to answer her questions she sure isn't asking any. Clearly she is the most patient person in the room. So I decide to break the silence since these two wont.

Letting out a deep sigh to calm my nerves I say "I can speak, but slowly, my voice is still recovering."

"Good enough for me." said the Major, snapping her reply right after I finished speaking.

"First of all, I have to ask, is that a hyrax?" she says while pointing to Magenta with hey eyes lit up with joy.

The dignified sounding Major just turned into another person as she picked up Magenta and started to inspect her. Her mouth started moving so fast I could barely understand anything she said.

Her dignified and firm tone is now light and whimsical. "Where did you find a Hyrax, she is so cute and fluffy. These are one of the rarest animals in the world. I have only ever seen one when I was a child. This one has an odd color around her eyes though. Usually they have black around them. They're shrouded in mystery. Apparently they share some sort of connection with the Shadow Walkers, Oh, she is so adorable." Rubbing her face against Magenta's fur she murmured some words I can't make out.

Just as I was about to say something the Lieutenant covered his mouth with his hand and said, "Ahem" also clearing his throat.

Clearly speaking louder to catch his superiors attention. "I am terribly sorry for the behavior of Major West. She can be quite, fierce, when animals are involved." he said as he put emphasis on the word sorry.

Realizing what she has done, the Major sets Magenta down and her cheeks begin to turn red. Magenta scurries off to the window to be at a safe distance. She clearly didn't like the Major's 'fierceness'.

"Right, I do apologize. Back to the matter at hand." the Major said back to her dignified tone.

"Can you tell us what you remember?" she said.

"Look, like I told the Doctor, I can't remember much." I said choosing my words carefully. I don't

know if these two are enemies yet. I wont say anything about the lightning and the voice I heard before I passed out.

"I understand why you may be hesitant, Seven. That is your name correct, or rather, slave number seven." she said as she fastened her hat back on.

I'm sure they heard the sound of me swallowing and can see the beads of sweat forming on my forehead.

Relaxing her posture the Major said, "You can rest assured you are safe Seven. The dark elf Shavana was captured, she will not be committing any more crimes. We are here to finish our report and get

you registered. Nothing more, nothing less."

Taking in her words and letting them sink in, I look down at my arms and legs. My heart fills with relief and anger. No one else has to suffer because of Shavana, but I wont be able to get revenge either.

Gathering myself I reply to the Major, "I'm glad she was caught. What about Vero, and the others. Did you guys save them as well?"

"Unfortunately, Vero the Vile eluded us. As for the other slaves, after they were rehabilitated, they were all registered and given citizenship in Threas." she said with a more solemn tone as she started tapping her sword handle again.

Changing the topic completely as if she didn't want to talk about her failure to catch Vero."Listen Seven, we know you were summoned here. So I'll ask again, what do you remember. Please, tell us everything.

I feel like I can trust these two. So I told them my story, How I was a failed summon and made a slave. My memories of this past year. I told them everything up until I passed out. Of course, leaving out the part where I'm sure something spoke to my mind before the lightning hit.

After I told them about how I did not remember anything that happened when the lightning struck, the Major spoke.

"Thank you for sharing your story with us. I'm sure you have some questions, so feel free to ask us anything." she said as she looked down and re positioned her sword.

"How was I found? Did you guys find me?" I asked the Major.

"Yes, I led the raid on Shavana's compound. We have been tracking her for a while. She moved around a lot, we knew she had to have a home base but we were never able to find it. Catching a break in her case we located her. It just so happened that that wild storm helped mask us as we prepared to launch the assault. After that enormous lightning bolt hit, we launched our assault. After we captured Shavana, Lieutenant Dormen found you among all of the rubble attached to a rack. After we freed you we gave you the best first aid we could and rushed you to the nearest hospital."

"I see, I guess I got lucky." I said.

"I would say so", she interjected. "Every thing within 10 meters of you was destroyed by the bolt. The only thing left was yourself, and part of what used to be a tree." she said with a curious tone, but didn't push her curiousness any farther.

I couldn't help but think, what a coincidence. They planned to capture Shavana the same day she was going to have me killed.

After thinking for a little while I asked my next question.

"Is there a way for me to get home?"

After a long pause the Major finally replied.

"No, I'm terribly sorry, but we do not have the means to send someone back to the world that they came from. That is the main reason we were after Shavana in the first place. Summoning anything from a different area of existence is a forbidden act of magic here in Threas."

"Why," I said "Why is it forbidden?"

The Major's expression turned somber as she told me. "I'm sure you have realized by now. I bet you can remember pieces of your previous life. Something may happen and stir up those memories. You retain those fragments in your new memories, but eventually, your new memories start to overwrite your previous ones. It's a drawback to the magic used to do the Summoning. Our country, Threas, forbid it centuries ago."

I knew something was strange all along, when I was first summoned I couldn't even remember my name. Certain things would happen to trigger my old memories but as time went on fewer and fewer things were triggering my old memories. I remember the things that came back, but nothing else. Everything the Major said is true, all of it.

I am sad I wont be able to remember my old life, but there is one word that has been said multiple times now, magic.

"So, you say I was summoned with magic, I can assume this world has magic then?" I asked to take my mind off of my memories.

"That is correct," she says as she points her index finger towards me and says with poise, "Lumina Orbis." An orb of light started to form around the tip of her finger. It was bright, but the light didn't hurt my eyes.

"You can do almost anything with magic." she said as the little orb of light started to dissipate.

"But enough of that, I think we have everything we need. All that's left is to get you registered." she says as she look at Lieutenant Dormen.

"Right, I'll begin the process now." he said as he stood up.

"Notitia Oculis" said the Lieutenant as his eyes lit up with a faint green glow.

"I'll begin by documenting your attributes," he said as his manly voice became more fixed and robotic. He is looking me up and down. "183 centimeters long, weight is sixty-two kilograms, age is eighteen years, dark brown hair, and green eyes. Identifying features, multiple elongated scars along the back, arms, and legs. For your registration to be complete, what is your full name?" he asked.

"This isn't embarrassing at all is it." I replied. "My name is Seven."

Major West interrupted saying with sincerity "You are no longer a slave, Seven, so if you want to call yourself something different you can."

"I appreciate the gesture Major, but, I want to remember who I was when I got summoned here. Besides, I've been Seven for so long I'm used to it." I said cracking a slight smile.

"Very well," she said smiling back. "Seven it is."

"Seven confirmed, registration complete." he said as the dim green glow in his eyes started to vanish.

"You will receive your identification before you are released from the hospital." he said as she stood up to open the door for the Major.

"We will also be stopping by before you are released to go over some programs to help you start your life." Said the Major as she stood up.

"I hope you get better soon, Seven." I could hear the sympathy and respect in her voice.

"Thanks Major, for everything. I would shake your hand but, under the circumstances." I said with a slight laugh.

Letting out a light chuckle herself breaking out of her usual dignified demeanor she said as she put her hand on my bandaged arm. "I am sure you will be fine if you can make jokes after what happened to you, We will see you soon, Seven."

"Get well soon, Seven, see ya later" said the lieutenant as he motioned a salute from his hat.

"Thank you both again, I guess I'll see you once I'm all healed." I said.

"Oh, and you better take care of that hyrax!" The major said as she walked out of the room.

After they left I heard the patter of little paws walking across the floor. Magenta jumped up on my bed and laid down letting out a long breath of relief.

"Yeah I know, I like them though. Especially the Major." I said as I closed my eyes to think about everything that happened today.

I hope it doesn't take long for me to finish healing. I'm ready to explore this world.