A Message from the Past

Elias woke up the next day feeling refreshed. After washing up, he approached the table beside his bed. It was a white, polished antique wooden table, crafted from Frostwood trees. A single sheet of paper lay on it.

"Huh, paper exists in this world too," Elias muttered, picking up the note left by Argus.

 "Let's see what the old man has to say."

The paper held neat, flowing handwriting.

"To the one who slumbered beneath eternal frost,

If you're reading this, it means you've met one of my messengers. After a long wait, I can finally meet you in person, freely and without interruption. I apologize for not coming myself.

For hundreds of years, I've awaited your awakening. But from the bottom of my heart, I apologize for not being by your side when you woke, to care for you.

Human greed and lust for power kept me from you.

However, I'm overjoyed to learn you've awoken healthy and safe, even building a family. Though I deeply regret not being there for your wife. Forgive me for my inaction in saving her life."

A tear welled up in the corner of Elias's eye. He imagined the moment his loved one, the only person who accepted him unconditionally, lay weak and finally left him forever, a lifeless shell. Taking a deep breath, he continued reading.

"I apologize for only watching and protecting you from afar all this time. Their greed threatened your safety and that of your family.

Please, don't harbor anger or resentment towards me.

If our previous world prevented us from meeting, greeting each other, and fulfilling our longing, this world won't. They can't reach or stop me from protecting you.

Here, I can act freely, uninhibited by anyone from our past world. I'm not just a disembodied soul here, but a real being with a physical form far exceeding human imagination.

I yearn to meet you in person, to pour out all my longing for you, the master who granted me life.

"Oh... I never expected it to be you..." Elias muttered with a smile, realizing who wrote the note.

Though you've taken on a new identity, I'll never forget who you are. Every drop of blood, sweat, and sacrifice you poured into giving me life will never be forgotten. Without you, whatever and whoever I am now wouldn't exist.

With utmost respect, I beg you to accept me once more as your loyal and devoted servant.

After reading this letter, please meet my messenger. He will escort you directly to me.

There's much I yearn to tell you and discuss.

With deepest respect,

Prometheus, Your Loyal and Devoted Servant.

"Hm... Prometheus... It's been a long time," Elias murmured softly.

"So he's in this world too. Or maybe..." Elias pondered, furrowing his brow.

"But how did he get here?" he wondered.

"Ah, what matters is he's here. I'm not alone anymore... and in a real physical form, huh?" Elias said with a smile.

TAP... "Seems you've finished reading the note."

Elias gasped, startled by the sudden tap on his shoulder.

"Oh, Argus, you scared the life out of me..." Elias said, turning around. His surprise deepened when he saw Argus standing in the room.

"Argus... answer my question," Elias demanded.

"Yes, my lord," Argus replied, bowing respectfully.

"Don't call me that. Use Elias, like yesterday," Elias interrupted.

"No, my lord... If you are the one who devoted his life to give life to our father, you are his master, and therefore ours as well." Argus insisted.

"Alright, alright, but only call me that when we're alone. Same goes for Prometheus," Elias said, patting Argus on the shoulder.

"May I ask your question, my lord?" Argus inquired, remaining bowed.

"Stop bowing so respectfully, it makes me uncomfortable," Elias said with a smile.

"Yesterday you appeared out of nowhere, helped me, then left despite the harsh weather. Now you're suddenly here, even though the door was locked tight..." Elias said, frowning.

Argus offered a sheepish smile. "Forgive me, my lord, if I startled and confused you."

"Actually, I never left last night..." he added, still smiling.

Elias furrowed his brow, glancing between the door and the corners of the room. "So, you were here the whole time?"

"Neither outside nor inside, my lord," Argus replied cryptically.

Elias's frustration grew. "That doesn't make any sense. Please explain clearly so I don't misunderstand."

"My apologies, my lord," Argus said with a shy smile.

"It's difficult to explain my abilities. But trust me, you'll understand soon enough. Now, come with me. My father has been waiting impatiently for your arrival, and he truly needs you."

"Alright, alright," Elias conceded with a smile.

"Just promise to explain things clearly from now on, okay? No more riddles."

"Of course, my lord," Argus said apologetically. "I apologize for that, my lord. It seems my nature makes it hard for me to be straightforward."

He then walked towards the corner of the room that functioned as a library.

Elias watched as Argus effortlessly pulled a bookshelf towards him. A clicking sound, like a lock opening, echoed in the room.

SCRAPE... A low grinding noise filled the air as a section of the wall behind the bookshelf slowly slid open, revealing a long, dark hallway. Torch lights embedded in the walls flickered to life, illuminating the corridor ahead.

The hallway stretched out before them, surprisingly wide – almost the size of a main road, Elias estimated. Towering stone walls lined the sides, supported by massive pillars that reached towards a high ceiling. It resembled something out of an ancient, forgotten city.

"Wow, a secret passage!" Elias exclaimed, surprised and intrigued.

Argus chuckled softly. "Forgive me, my lord. The entrance is intentionally hidden with a secret mechanism. This passage is the quickest and safest way to our residence."

Elias nodded. "Makes sense. I just didn't expect it."

"This entire room, including the entrance mechanism to this passage, was designed by our father," Argus explained with a hint of pride.

"Only he and those he trusts can activate it. Naturally, that includes you."

"Shame I didn't know that earlier," Elias said with a sigh.

"Try placing your right palm on the indentation shaped like a hand on the wall to the right of the entrance, my lord," Argus instructed.

Elias approached the wall and examined the hand-shaped imprint. He pressed his palm against it, but nothing happened.

"Seems like you might be wrong about that, Argus," he said, looking back at the old man.

"Apply a little more pressure, my lord," Argus advised.

Elias pressed his palm slowly and firmly against the indentation.

CLIK... A mechanical whirring sound filled the air as the stone wall behind the bookshelf shifted back into place, sealing the passage shut without a trace.

Elias stared, awestruck. The secret door had vanished, leaving behind a smooth, ordinary-looking wall.

"Just press the handprint once and hold it until it clicks back into place," Argus explained. "That will reopen the secret entrance."

Elias rejoined Argus, staring down the seemingly endless hallway. "Alright, Argus, how long will it take to reach your place through this corridor?"

Argus simply smiled, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"Why the smile?" Elias asked, noticing his companion's reaction.

"This hallway looks incredibly long. It doesn't match the map I saw of the area above ground. I explored the forest for miles before arriving here, and the map only showed a small section."

"Well..." Argus started, but Elias cut him off.

"Hold on, let me guess," Elias said, a grin spreading across his face.

"Considering all the mysteries and strange things I've encountered, from the island's environment to the room I live in, and now this secret passage, reaching your place probably involves some unbelievable method, right?"

Argus's smile widened. "Unfortunately, my lord, this time we truly have to walk."

He clapped his hands together. "But don't worry, the journey won't be boring. You must be curious about this world. Feel free to ask anything you want to know. I'll answer to the best of my ability, in a way you can understand."

Elias clenched his fist, excitement bubbling within him. "Alright then, Argus. Let's go! I'm curious about this whole hallway. How long is it?"

They began walking down the seemingly endless hallway, Argus enthusiastically explaining the history and secrets of their world.

Elias listened intently, a part of him surprised by what he was learning, the other part already suspecting the truth based on the clues.

Even though Elias had already devoured all the information about this world from the books in his room, he maintained a serious expression out of respect for Argus, intently listening to every word.

"Ahem..." A clearing of the throat came from Argus.

"Oh, I apologize, my lord," Argus stammered, a touch of embarrassment coloring his cheeks.

"If my story is boring you." He glanced at Elias, who appeared focused yet somewhat stoic.

"No, no, Argus, it's fascinating," Elias reassured him apologetically.

"It's just that I'd already learned everything from the library in that room."

"Ah, right, I forgot," Argus admitted with a sudden realization.

"Our father did stock it with quite a lot of information."

"Then is there anything else you'd like to know?" Argus inquired.