Fragments of Memory

The cool evening breeze whispered through the trees on the outskirts of the Free World, rustling leaves that danced in the moonlight. Beneath the largest tree, Jin lay still, his back against the trunk, his eyes closed in a semblance of rest. But within him, his mind churned with fragments of memory, dream, and something deeper.

A flicker of black.

The image came like a flash BLACK st,,,,,—a man cloaked in darkness, standing amidst the cold, sterile glow of a factory. The figure turned, and though blurred, Jin knew it was Rex. His friend's eyes, shrouded in shadows, stared through the fog of the vision, cold and unyielding. The factory stretched endlessly behind him, its machinery thrumming with ominous intent. A strange noise hummed in Jin's ears, a sound halfway between a mechanical whir and a heartbeat. The vision swirled, disjointed, and then faded, leaving only silence.

Jin's eyes snapped open.

The moon hung high in the sky, its pale light casting long shadows over the grass. In front of him, a familiar figure crouched low, his expression as unreadable as ever.

"You had a dream," Seiji said, though it was more of a statement than a question.

Jin nodded, rubbing his temple. "If you can call it that. It felt… real."

Seiji leaned back against the tree, his arms crossing over his chest. His piercing gaze lingered on Jin, assessing him. "More like it was real, you mean?"

Jin looked at him sharply. "What are you implying?"

Seiji shrugged, but the casual movement did little to mask the intensity in his voice. "Your mental abilities are advancing. Whether you realize it or not, your connection to the world—both this one and the New World—is growing stronger. You're seeing things others can't."

Jin exhaled, his hands clenching into fists. "It was Rex. I'm sure of it. He's in the New World, but… it wasn't clear. Just fragments."

Seiji stood, brushing dirt off his robes. "The time will come," he said, his voice carrying a rare edge of solemnity. "For now, you've done well here. You deserve a moment's rest." He smirked faintly, the Seiji Jin knew returning to the surface. "The king invites you to dinner. Try not to ruin the mood."

As night fell, the city that had spent the day rebuilding now turned its attention to the king's address. Lights flickered to life across the streets, their glow reflecting off the newly repaired buildings. Crowds gathered outside the palace, filling the wide square with a sea of eager faces. Men, women, and children of all walks of life stood shoulder to shoulder, their expressions a mixture of weariness and hope.

The palace gates opened, revealing King Aegon, his figure silhouetted against the light spilling from within. He ascended the steps to a high platform overlooking the crowd, his robes trailing behind him. A hush fell over the gathering as the king raised his hand, his presence commanding attention.

Aegon's voice rang out, steady and strong, cutting through the silence. "My people," he began, his tone carrying the weight of a ruler who had seen too much. "Tonight, we stand amidst the ruins of what was. Our city, our home, has been scarred by chaos and destruction. We have lost much—friends, family, and the sense of safety we once held dear."

He paused, his eyes scanning the crowd. "But though we mourn, we must also remember this: we are still standing. Together, we have weathered the storm, and together, we will rebuild. The Free World is more than its walls and buildings—it is us. It is the bond we share, the strength we find in one another."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd, but Aegon raised his voice, his words striking deeper. "The world outside these walls knows only hatred. It breeds anger, sows division, and feeds on fear. But we—we—can be different. We can show the world that love, compassion, and unity are not weaknesses, but the greatest strengths of all."

The crowd grew still, hanging on his every word.

"I promise you this," Aegon continued, his voice unwavering. "As your king, I will dedicate my life to building a future where such destruction will never touch us again. I will fight for a world where no child grows up in fear, where no family is torn apart by hatred. Together, we will create a legacy of hope."

The applause began softly, a few claps breaking the silence, before swelling into a roar. The crowd erupted, their cheers echoing through the square and into the night. Aegon stepped back, his face unreadable but his posture resolute. Behind him, Jin and Seiji stood quietly, observing the scene from the shadows of the high platform.

As the speech concluded, the Sentinels stationed at the palace gates began distributing supplies to the departing crowd. Crates of food and bags of essentials were handed out, the glow of lanterns illuminating the organized chaos. Citizens, still weary from the day's hardships, left with full hands and lighter hearts.

Meanwhile, the interior of the palace was a stark contrast to the bustling square. The king's dining hall was a haven of calm, its long table adorned with dishes of roasted meats, fresh bread, and fine wine. The air was warm, the flickering candlelight casting soft shadows across the room.

Jin entered quietly, his expression as stoic as ever, followed closely by Seiji. At the head of the table, King Aegon sat with a faint smile, gesturing for them to join. Rebekah, though still pale, was seated beside him, her presence a testament to her strength.

"You did well today, Jin," Aegon said as Jin took his seat. "The city owes you more than it can ever repay."

Jin's response was brief, his tone clipped. "The city owes me nothing."

Seiji chuckled, pouring himself a glass of wine. "He's always like this. Don't take it personally."

The tension eased as the group began to eat, the weight of the day slowly lifting. Laughter and conversation filled the room, a rare moment of peace in a world still healing. Jin, though quieter than the rest, allowed himself a moment to reflect. For now, the battle was over. But deep down, he knew the shadows of the New World were still waiting.