Chapter 1: Memories

The story, which had already begun 30 years ago when Sam and his sister June ran away from Skyview Point and crossed the Steaming Bridge, ended before he was 25. These memories Sam had kept from his family and friends were left private in his mind. Sometimes, they appear and return without him noticing, reminding him of the mystery and magical nature. The demons. He shivered at the thought. Don't forget about getting chased by demons; don't forget those.

There were enjoyable moments, horrid moments, and depresso moments. The Talismans are genuinely the reality in the myths of imagination. He smiled while having his afternoon tea. Magical stuff they were. And suddenly, he thought of the hermit who always seemed to be in leaves. Ozin, my old friend, it's been so long, I wonder where you went after the –

And as if the thought was his cue, the doorbell rang mischievously.

Sam's heart thumped in his chest. Could it be? He unsteadily got to his feet, and his wife and kids went to the theatre. I couldn't be back already. He thought nervously as he gripped the handle with sweaty fingers and opened the door.

Click. Sam's gasp followed the sound. 

June was standing by the door.

'June!' exclaimed Sam in relief. 'It's been so long!'

'What's good, buddy boy!' June smiled at him, and he ran over to embrace her. Sam saw a short figure standing behind his sister's back. His smile turned into awe. On this lovely warm afternoon occasion in Kristiansand, 31 years after the tsunami wiped out the entirety of Denmosgäkfjord and its residencies and killed more than 2000 people, standing stubble by the sidewalk behind Juno and Sam was the Alphish hermit whom Sam hadn't seen, in a long time.

The name's Ozin. Ozin Greensage of the Alpine Mountains.

'Ozin!' Sam let out a squeal of pure joy like a child. He put his other arm and squeezed both of them hard, and tears of happiness spilt out of his brown hazel eyes.

'My, you like when I met you first, so easily starts crying.' Ozin smiled; his smile was more like a monkey's than a man's. His mouth slowly widened and began to form a grin. His mouth stretched so wide it seemed like he purposefully did it, showing dull, white, widely gaped teeth and tiny emerald eyes resembling marbles staring into Sam's big, brown eyes. 'Now help me with this stuff.' said Ozin. One of his hands was holding a sizeable Alphish-style suitcase. June and Sam promptly helped him carry it in. It wasn't his fault - the bag was nearly as big as the hermit; he had been huffing and puffing from the realm of Alpine hidden in the mountains.

Sam invited them to sit down for tea - Alpine rolls and Swiss cheese, and seemingly Ozin had brought his tea - the Alpine Smotherly plant (which took Sam nearly two months to get used to), a traditional Alphish festive drink that is used in rituals and the Mountain Festival or just in any regular parties. The tea is prevalent for its deliberately strong scent of smoke (any human would start sneezing and end up in tears before they even get to drink); the taste, well, not especially tasty by human standards, is so bitter that it beats the Momordica charantia by no competition, but adding a bit of sugar or some honey makes it taste just like any other teas. It could also be used as a smoke.

He also brought some extra Chwärz and goat for Sam to spend making Alpine Rolls. Swiss cheese is also pretty good, but the crispy Chwärz dough is particular to humankind. 

And while they ate, they shared stories.

'Remember when we first met in Bern?' Sam smiled, 'That was 30 years ago, and I was still 5.'

'Good god, I remember that,' the hermit said, 'the good thing and magical gifts that Alpinos have are non-ageing and unforgettable.' Ozin made another grin. Yes. he thought. Most of the time, non-ageing and unforgettable are good, but when was that exception… (come down and play with us, Ozin)? Unimportant details. His brain suggested impatiently, clearly not wanting to think it through. 'Continue with the memories, lar.' said Ozin.

Sam's brain suddenly started to simulate memories. When they left their hometown because of the disaster, they went to the hermit, someone –

(did he die?)

Sam knew who sacrificed himself to free June and Ozin from the grasp of the demon; it was June's best friend—Benjamin Faley -

But that was too dark, and Sam had to close his eyes to prevent the bloody messages from entering his mind.

'Are you alright, Sammy?' June frowned, passing him a glass of water, but he just shook his head and put his face into his hands, face white as snow. Seeing this, Ozin calmly and swiftly took out a jar of seaweed and passed it to Sam, who took a few strips and pressed it under his nose. He inhaled deeply, and soon, his breathing loosened. The colour of his cheeks returned to normal. 'Psychological asthma,' explained Ozin, 'result of direct eye contact with a demon; you were lucky it wasn't a ghost you looked at. They are worse, way worse.'

'I'm fine.' replied Sam, 'it's just memories, you know.' Then he starts to feel the fracture in his arm burning.

'You can rest if you want,' said June. She held his hand and squeezed, 'So much has happened since then. You suffered so much in the Mist; we are sorry we didn't think you'd still be so, you know, sensitive.'

'I won't need to. I feel like it's better just to remember it all.' Sam said.

''E's right, better off doin' 'at cus remember what Herbological Mitch says-' Ozin laughed

'Okay, okay, we get it.' They all laughed, and Sam felt that unease go away.

''Aight, now we're settled,' said Ozin as he tapped the table with his fingers, 'who would like to start us off?'

'Jeg har lyst til å,' June smiled. Not all that pleasant, 'I'd like to save the exciting parts for Sammy.'

'C'mon, June. You know what I have been through. Ozin can go next.'

'Sikker, noble holy god.' said Ozin, and they started laughing again.

'Who wants some booze?' said Sam as he went to the fridge.

'I'll have some,' said June.

The room became silent. June sat up straight and stared into the fizzing liquid. She began: 'We left our hometown 30 years ago, and there were still a few parts that weren't so clear to the point when we met Ozin, but the most vivid part I remembered was the reason. The reason why all of this happened. It was because of the flood. We were in Skendåsgurg one morning. Sam and I were at Skyview Point when we heard a loud rumble in the distance, so we waited, and then I saw it: the destruction of it all that will haunt me for the rest of my life.'