Giving answers, and finding them

-[Scheherazade] POV

....what?

I stood their, mind blank, as the person who I just introduced myself to seemingly became unconcious all of a sudden.

"Uh, mister, did you hear me?"

After a few seconds of silence, I realized he is just ignoring me.

I pouted in annoyance, stamped my feet on the ground, and tried to get his attention, but this mister is still ignoring me.

It's time I take more... drastic measures.

I picked up my walking stick, walked closer to him, and started poking him.

Tap, tap, tap, tap...

I continued poking him in hopes of him to stop ignoring me, and it proved to be the correct choice because after a few seconds of poking, this person finally decided to grace me with his attention.

He looked up at me with an empty gaze, and after a few moments, he finally spoke, with a voice void of emotion.

"...What is it that you wish, child?"

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-[Ill Ilah] POV

This is too troublesome.

As I retreated back into myself, I wonder if she'll ever leave if I ignored her outright.

After reading that description of her, I really wanted to stand up and move far away from her, but unfortunately my laziness is too strong of an infulence on my will. What kind of [Will] am I?

It'll be too good to be true if she actually just left.

Are you watching me now Solomon? Laughing at me for being in this plight?

After a few moments of trying to get my attention, she stopped, let out a sigh, and walked away.

...Is she finally leaving? Oh what joy!

For the first time in a long, long while, I felt happiness! It seems that Solomon has decided to leave me-and she came back with her stick.

....It was too good to be true.

She began poking me at my armor, more specifically one spot on my chest. I barely endured the torture for a few seconds until I gave up out of irritation, and finally acknowledged her presence.

"...What is it that you want, child?"

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-[Scheherazade] POV

I actually didn't think he would respond to be honest, and I coughed into my hand once and more, and began asking questions.

"May I know what your name is?"

"My name... shall not be known."

He responded slowly, with no emotion in the slightest. I asked again.

"Why can't I know your name?"

"Because I deemed it so."

My face deadpanned at the answer.

"Why are you here?"

"Because I am here."

My eyes closed. My questions are being answered, just not in the way I wanted it to be answered. Truly frustrating.

I then opened my eyes.

"Can you please answer my question directly?"

He looked straight at my eyes, or I think he did, I couldn't tell with the way the inside of the helmet showed nothing.

"...If it is not what I deem it to be a secret."

I took a deep breath, hoping I would get an answer I want.

"...Were you the one who was watching me, ever since the I was born?"

Then, there was silence. Amidst the raindrops tapping against the trees, leaves shuffling, the Rukh looked at each one of us back and forth, as if watching a show.

The person in question stared at me, and a few seconds later slowly looked to the side at the Rukh, and the Rukh stared back at him. After what seems to be a silent conversation between them did he slowly looked back at me, and said, "...it is indeed I."

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[Ill Ilah] POV

Back when I was still living on Earth, I was never a social kind of person, even more so now since I've merged with [Ill Ilah]'s, so I don't really know how it came to be when she blabbered about her life.

"... and then I met these bandits, those misguided children, I had to help them find peace somehow..."-

Listening to her talk about her life, I thought to myself, why am I allowing myself to bother listening to her rant about her life? Should I just knock her out and send her outside, removing her memories? I mean I can, but that will be a hassle.

I sighed mentally.

Should I induldge in her fantasies and guide her like a parent-like guardian she thought me to be? It'll be bothersome, I admit, but since she's a Magi and soon to be Great Priestess of the Reim Empire, I could use her for my own plans...

I looked to the left, she was sitting down on a root a couple feet to my left, the Rukh going on about their buisness. She swinged her legs back and forth, laughing innocently childish.

Even if she's a mature Magi for her age, she is still a child.

Too troublesome.

I don't even have the energy to control her, let alone manipulate her. Plus, I doubt Solomon would let me do that to a Magi.

Solomon, why must you torment me in this way? Leave me to my lonesome self, please.

As I was considering my options, Scheherazade then talked about something that peaked my interest.

"-there was that one time where I met a traveling group who played music. They had drums and-"

Music.

One of my greatest needs next to reading books, being lazy and never being bothered.

To think I, a godlike being, forgot about something so great, even after all these years of being lazy and sleeping. I'm getting older each day.

Ah, I already am old.

Could I recreate my old music here? It'll be another hassle, but a worthy one nonetheless.

I sent my thoughts toward the Rukh, and they obeyed, starting to fly up one by one, circling around the pond.

"-And then I-hmm? What is happening?" she asked perplexedly.

"Their making music. Music I once listened to a long, time ago."

And then I listened.

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-[Scheherazade] POV

When I entered the forest, I expected to find answers, but not this.

I stared in wonder as the Rukh began dancing over the pond in front of us, and started to 'sing'.

Not singing. More like producing sounds.

The Rukh where bobbing up and down, creating such beautiful sounds, and yet...there was a feeling of loneliness and nostalgia amidst the muffled sound of rain. The light the Rukh were giving out was dull as well, its light barely a reflection off the pond.

The music and the environment gives off a dark and gloomy, yet, calming presence.

As I was enjoying listening to the music, I turned towards to mister, and I was suddently taken aback. His presence, which was once nothing at all, seems to radiate a feeling. To anyone else it would seem like he was casually listening to it, but to me, he seemed... sad, and nostalgic. As if remembering an old precious memory, cast away by time.

This music that we're both listening to seemed to have effects on us, and as it continued, I wondered. What memory was he reminiscing over? If that memory was a long time ago, then he must be old.

And if this music was such a precious moment, I...

Will brand it into my memory. I'll remember it, the music, the feeling, this particular moment in time, forever.

...

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[Ill Ilah] POV

After the music ended, I kept thinking.

As I grew older, will I forget the precious memories I once had? Reading books, watching anime, listening to music, and....spending time with other people. Will time wash them away, those invaluable memories?

If I forget, then what?

If I will soon forget, then I will engrave it permanently! I'll write the precious books I once read! I'll catalogue the music I once loved into my library of a mind! And...

I'll record each and every precious moment of my life. The happy ones, the sad ones, the ones filled with laughter, and yes, the ones filled with regret.

They're treasures that must be cherished and kept, because that is what makes me an individual. Otherwise, I'll end up becoming a mindless, emotionless entity like the [Ill Ilah] from before.

This time, I'll make sure to remember those moments, even when I will once again be sleeping alone in the dreams of sublime silence.

To think I, [Ill Ilah], have come to find a true revelation from a 10 year old Magi chosen by Solomon.

Speaking of the Magi...

I looked to my right, and saw her leaning against the sakura tree, all curled up, smiling.

Looking at her, I felt a small wave of gratitude wash over me. To think I even had the thought to manipulate such a kind soul. Heh, age and my memories as [Ill Ilah] has made me logical, yet dulled and degenerated me.

I created a blanket and pillow out of Magoi, and draped it over her entire body, placing the pillow under her head; she snuggled into them happily.

Just for this one moment, I'll be kind to her.

Just for this memory...

And maybe, just maybe...I'll be kind to her the next time we meet again.

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-3rd POV

Unbeknownst to him, the Rukh were looking upon the scene of him draping a blanket over the sleeping Scheherazade.

And...

They exude what seems to be a feeling of joy and relief.

...