ⁿᵒᵗ 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙍𝙏𝙇𝙀𝙎𝙎,

Every now and then, I catch him staring at me. When I ask what’s wrong, he says, “I’m not sure. I think I’m forgetting something. Don’t know what.”

Yves Klein, Monochrome red, 1959

❝ well, that’s too bad…i was planning on helping you. ❞ ❝ it was like a terrible dream and i couldn’t wake up. ❞ ❝ what’s going on? i thought i told you to take the day off. ❞ ❝ you must promise to take care of yourself and try not to do anything beyond your abilities. ❞ ❝ if you were to get proper instruction, i bet you could be a very skilled swordsman. ❞ ❝ a sword wields no strength unless the hand that holds it has courage. ❞ ❝ your heart and mine were as one, however briefly. ❞ ❝ i wonder, are happier people louder, or generally quieter? ❞ ❝ shadow and light are two sides of the same coin. one cannot exist without the other. ❞ ❝ i guess you’re not completely stupid after all! ❞ ❝ see? i…i’m fine now. ❞ ❝ i want to thank you for being so kind to someone like me…someone you don’t even know. ❞ ❝ you’re the type to worry about everything, i can tell. ❞ ❝ for now, put this place out of your thoughts and leave things to me. ❞ ❝ the history of light and shadow will be written in blood. ❞ ❝ a fake is a fake…and no matter how much you dress it up, the real thing always wins. ❞ ❝ go and do not falter. ❞ ❝ we should ask for help. it’s better than suffering for the sake of pride. ❞ ❝ how sad, to be right in front of someone and not be noticed at all. ❞ ❝ it is time for you to choose: surrender or die. ❞ ❝ …you were imprisoned? i am sorry. ❞ ❝ you humans are obedient to a fault, aren’t you? ❞ ❝ you have talent with a blade. ❞ ❝ do not concern yourself with me. ❞ ❝ you remember my name? what an honor for me. ❞ ❝ what are these monsters…i’ve never seen anything like them. ❞ ❝ it will seem lonely here while you are gone. ❞ ❝ i don’t want to leave all those people just to save ourselves. ❞ ❝ sorry to always be putting you through this. ❞ ❝ i don’t care how long you wait here, i’m not letting you in. ❞ ❝ i feel…uneasy about what may lie in wait. ❞ ❝ oooh! aren’t you scary? ❞ ❝ nightmares are everywhere these days, it seems. ❞ ❝ i guess i have to do everything for you… ❞ ❝ you’ll have to help yourself for a change. ❞ ❝ are you sure you want to be doing that? snarling and glaring at me? ❞ ❝ fortunately, it looks like the injury isn’t too serious. ❞ ❝ tell me, have you noticed how strange this wood seems lately? ❞ ❝ you’re not going to mention this to my dad, are you? ❞ ❝ can you at least promise me this? no matter what happens on your journey, don’t try to do anything…out of your league. ❞ ❝ whether or not you accomplish your final task and survive is up to you. ❞ ❝ sorry, but as romantic as this is, i’m not going to stay here with you. i’m getting out!   ❞ ❝ be careful. the darkness hunts you. ❞ ❝ if this were a battlefield, you’d be dead. ❞ ❝ hey…do you smell anything funny? ❞ ❝ i wonder, is it better to worry aloud, or to keep silent? ❞ ❝ only a little farther, so hang in there. ❞ ❝ just as there is light to drive away darkness, so, too, is there benevolence to banish evil. ❞ ❝ ugh…i really want to take a bath. ❞ ❝ it’s getting cold…hurry up! ❞ ❝ we are safe as long as we remain in here. be at ease. ❞ ❝ i feel so much more at ease here. ❞ ❝ i believe i understand now just who and what you are. ❞ ❝ the going’s a lot harder from here on out. ❞ ❝ you connecting the dots? that means that if we get attacked by them, then we’ll be… ❞ ❝ don’t think of me as a burden. ❞ ❝ whenever i thought i couldn’t go on, i would think of you. ❞ ❝ you should’ve listened to me from the beginning. ❞ ❝ just because it’s daylight doesn’t mean it’s safe. ❞ ❝ i can see the knowledge grieves you. it must be an awful memory. ❞ ❝ i will never in all my life forget your kindness. ❞ ❝ what hope there is in our kingdom is frail and dying. ❞ ❝ you’re the spitting image of your mother…right down to her strong will. ❞ ❝ i was thinking maybe i could knock it down by throwing rocks at it… ❞ ❝ you go finish up your chores before the sun goes down. ❞ ❝ if you see them causing any trouble, could you teach them a lesson for me? ❞ ❝ this is a lovely sunset, is it not? ❞ ❝ well, you’ve come all the way here, honey, so why don’t you relax a bit? ❞ ❝ you look so stern…with that look on your face, you’ll frighten people.   ❞ ❝ not just for me, but for all of our people…lend me your power. ❞ ❝ i’m sorry for dragging you all over the place with me. ❞ ❝ it is in times like these that we must come to one another’s aid. ❞ ❝ if only i had your courage and strength, i, too, would fight to restore the peace… ❞ ❝ if you ever need something, stop by, i’ll be waiting for you. ❞ ❝ of course, i have also heard of your adventures! ❞ ❝ what a coincidence, meeting you in a place like this. ❞ ❝ you know we could be assembling something truly terrible here…it could be something that we’ll ultimately have to destroy… ❞ ❝ could you be…the one they call the hero? ❞ ❝ are you doing that on purpose to make me mad? ❞ ❝ i’ll stay with you until you’re better. no matter how long it takes. ❞ ❝ you have great eyes. they’re proud and wild…like a feral beast. ❞ ❝ you’ve got your own things to worry about, so you just make sure you do what needs doing right now, ok? ❞ ❝ could it really be so easy? is this all there is to it? ❞ ❝ i am not the man i once was. ❞ ❝ i’ve taken all that you had to give…though i did not want it. ❞ ❝ i must tell you, i’m a bit puzzled as to why you look like that. ❞ ❝ aren’t you a trooper? well…just don’t push yourself too hard. ❞ ❝ please. just come home safely. ❞ ❝ this may sound horribly elitist…but people who do not know the city simply do not know fear. ❞ ❝ and here i was, thinking this place was empty of men of valor… ❞ ❝ city air does not suit my skin… ❞ ❝ no matter how much you may desire otherwise, you will never be more than a shadow in their world. ❞ ❝ your power is a false one. ❞ ❝ hey, don’t misunderstand me…i meant that as a compliment. ❞ ❝ this world…all worlds…can be cruel. ❞ ❝ now, don’t resent me for all i’ve put you through. ❞ ❝ why don’t you think about what you’ve done for a change? ❞ ❝ i apologize. such a task should not fall to you. ❞ ❝ if they don’t come back, let’s leave them. ❞ ❝ maybe i’ll just go home… ❞ ❝ it has been a while since we took a walk in the forest, huh? yes, and how our world has changed… ❞ ❝ you truly are a mysterious person…no matter where some kind of incident occurs, your name always seems to come up. ❞ ❝ i have so little confidence…what can i do? ❞ ❝ looks like you’re not welcome here. ❞ ❝ if you go into this place without a plan, you’ll get lost…and that’ll only lead to disaster, trust me. ❞ ❝ what brings you to a dangerous place like this? ❞ ❝ there seems to be no end to the mayhem that’s befallen us. ❞ ❝ i fear this is the last time i will see you alive. ❞ ❝ that temple is nothing but a nest of darkness now. ❞ ❝ we need a beast right now, to keep the true ones at bay. ❞ ❝ i don’t want to learn about swords or anything, but could you teach me how to ride a horse sometime? ❞ ❝ you still live…how astonishing. ❞ ❝ no wonder some call you “hero”. ❞ ❝ don’t come anywhere near me! ❞ ❝ a carefree youth, a life of luxury…how does that teach duty? ❞ ❝ when i grow up, i’m gonna be just like you. ❞ ❝ i’m so fraught with worry, i’ve exhausted myself. ❞ ❝ come on, i just want to look at it a little. ❞ ❝ it looks…kind of cheap. ❞ ❝ don’t come anywhere near me! ❞ ❝ my head, it aches…i cannot remember anything. ❞ ❝ if you’re unarmed, you’re done for! ❞ ❝ i heard that you might pay a visit. i am farsighted in all things. ❞ ❝ nighttime walks are so nice, aren’t they? ❞ ❝ listen, i like you, so i think i’ll get you out of here. ❞ ❝ i’m sorry, but would you leave me be? ❞ ❝ wake up, it’s morning already. ❞ ❝ but…your injuries! ❞ ❝ um, if you don’t mind me asking, what’s your name? ❞ ❝ i can’t turn a blind eye to a pretty girl in need. ❞ ❝ those who do not know the danger of wielding power will, before long, be ruled by it. ❞ ❝ look at him…posing like he’s all important. ❞ ❝ this must seem like just an average country town, but to me, it’s paradise. ❞ ❝ you look a bit like a monster yourself. ❞ ❝ hey…did the monsters leave? ❞ ❝ isn’t this a ladies-first situation? what’s going on here? ❞ ❝ you’re not a bad person, are you? i can tell. ❞ ❝ looks ike you can actually be useful when you concentrate! ❞ ❝ come on! how many times do i have to tell you? ❞ ❝ it really doesn’t matter to me what you do. ❞ ❝ see…that’s what i was warning you about. ❞ ❝ maybe i should just lay low for a while. ❞ ❝ you are strong…for a human. ❞ ❝ unless you cheat or use some dirty tricks, you have no chance. and if you do cheat…you will pay dearly. ❞ ❝ you saved me, didn’t you? you can do anything. ❞ ❝ don’t think you can just run off and save your friends, because you can’t. ❞ ❝ can’t…run…any…farther. that’s…far enough…right? ❞ ❝ i’m sure i don’t need to worry about you…but you be careful all the same. ❞ ❝ do you ever feel a strange sadness as dusk falls? ❞ ❝ these dark times are the result of my deeds, yet it is you who have reaped the penalty. ❞ ❝ do you now understand what i am? ❞ ❝ did you honestly mean to take an ancient and withered power like this and turn it against me? ❞ ❝ please be careful…these woods have changed. ❞ ❝ you can handle this by yourself, can’t you? ❞ ❝ what was that noise?! ❞ ❝ shadow has been moved by light, it seems. ❞ ❝ ha. such conceit! ❞ ❝ so you choose. and so you shall feel my wrath! ❞ ❝ your people have long amused me. ❞ ❝ an impressive-looking blade…but nothing more. ❞ ❝ you are a foolish traitor. ❞ ❝ look, i can’t tell you all the details now, but it’ll be easy, trust me… ❞ ❝ you may not be able to come back here, but…do you still want to go? ❞ ❝ you still have not discovered your true power… ❞ ❝ that’ll depend on your actions, because you can never trust words. ❞ ❝ you really have no chance but to do what i say. ❞ ❝ i’ve heard a rumor about you. ❞ ❝ i will risk everything to deny you! ❞ ❝ he who wields such power would make a suitable king for this world, don’t you think? ❞ ❝ come back safe. take care of yourself. ❞ ❝ sorry to get you over here in such a hurry. ❞ ❝ it is getting late…we should head back. ❞ ❝ don’t worry, you have what it takes to beat them. ❞ ❝ you’ll come with me…right? ❞ ❝ did you really win? without cheating? ❞ ❝ you must be tired from doing all the important stuff you do. ❞ ❝ get off your high horse. ❞ ❝ the howls of the beasts…they’ve faded into silence… ❞ ❝ i thought i felt a presence…but what a surprise to find you. ❞ ❝ you have a strong will and sharp eyes. ❞ ❝ now that we’ve found each other, let’s stick together for a bit, hmm? ❞ ❝ just being powerful is nothing special. ❞ ❝ i must apologize. i need to cool off a tad. ❞ ❝ no matter how long it takes for you to come back, we’ll be waiting for you. ❞ ❝ you were always there…you were always beside me… ❞ ❝ do not waste my time. leave immediately. ❞ ❝ let’s be square, though: you can’t ever tell anyone. ❞ ❝ you got to teach me how to use a sword! ❞ ❝ gee, you really are amazing. ❞ ❝ so you’re ____. i’ve been dying to meet you. ❞ ❝ i follow the strongest side! …that is all i have ever known. ❞ ❝ my dad…he always has to stick his nose in everything. ❞ ❝ you should look upon it all with your own eyes. ❞ ❝ i have a favor to ask of you. ❞ ❝ i did that using only a fraction of my ancestor’s magic? ❞ ❝ you think you are tough, do you? let us find out. ❞ ❝ it ain’t like you to quit in the middle of a job… ❞ ❝ you have a lot on your plate these days. ❞ ❝ what’s so fun about swinging a sword around, anyway? i hate it…it’s scary. ❞ ❝ i still don’t understand that logic. ❞ ❝ they have been searching far and wide for you. why is this? ❞ ❝ admit it. you’ve used this weapon before. ❞ ❝ no…it’s better not to even think such unlucky thoughts… ❞ ❝ did you go to the trouble of finding it for me? ❞ ❝ whoa, wait! are you going somewhere? ❞ ❝ i believe i understand now just who and what you are. ❞ ❝ all the people were pure and gentle… ❞ ❝ you don’t have to look so sad. ❞ ❝ listen…things have been a little rough around here lately, so you should watch your step, OK? ❞ ❝ you must use your courage to seek power…and find it you must. ❞ ❝ your hair looks soft and fluffy. ❞ ❝ you may not think i look like much, but i can be quite helpful. ❞ ❝ don’t you dare ignore me! ❞ ❝ only then will you become the hero for whom this world despairs. ❞ ❝ did you think i’d disappeared? ❞ ❝ those grounds have been defiled, draped in shadow and seeded with evil. ❞ ❝ why don’t you go back, take a little time, and give it some thought. ❞ ❝ sorry about my face…the swelling won’t go down ❞ ❝ some call our realm a world of shadows, but that makes it sound so unpleasant. ❞ ❝ light and shadow can’t mix, as we all know. ❞ ❝ until now it’s been like…a nightmare. ❞ ❝ you’ve got a sight stronger in the short time you’ve been gone. ❞ ❝ your words are kind, and your heart is true. ❞ ❝ say something! am i so beautiful you’ve no words left? ❞ ❝ your heart and mine were as one, however briefly. ❞ ❝ this village is full of idiots. ❞ ❝ work is tanking just as hard as my personal life these days. ❞ ❝ ugh…aren’t you awake yet? ❞ ❝ this scent has been burning in my nostrils…it is the scent of evil. ❞ ❝ when it rains misfortune, it pours. ❞ ❝ i wish some shiny prince would just show up and fix it all. ah, well. ❞ ❝ not to be rude, but i didn’t exactly do it for you. ❞ ❝ what’s the matter? did you think i was gonna take it easy on you? ❞ ❝ whoa, it is you! you are safe and sound! ❞ ❝ aw, i was just starting to have fun! ❞ ❝ why, i’m so skilled, they call my hands “the golden mitts”. ❞ ❝ uhh, was i unconscious? ❞ ❝ can i ask you one last selfish favor? ❞ ❝ you seemed familiar, but then your clothes seem kinda different, so i got thrown off for a second. ❞ ❝ when i found you, i thought i could use you ❞ ❝ what a world! you always have to be on guard, eh? ❞ ❝ if you don’t have any money, then you’re just a bother! a bother! ❞ ❝ my thanks to you. from the bottom of my heart. ❞ ❝ well, good luck, mr important hero! ❞ ❝ it’s your eyes. all see it, a lust for power burning in your pupils… ❞ ❝ some call our realm a world of shadows, but that makes it sound unpleasant. ❞ ❝ right now, all we can do is try to endure. ❞ ❝ i’m truly grateful for what you have done. someday, perhaps, i can repay this debt. ❞ ❝ if you like it here, you can live here for as long as you like. ❞ ❝ there’s no accounting for the foolishness of a man. ❞ ❝ way to spoil everything by telling your dad. nice job. ❞ ❝ you remember my name? what an honor for me… ❞ ❝ are you sure you aren’t forgetting anything important? ❞ ❝ welcome to my castle. ❞ ❝ if there is anything you desire, then i shall desire it, too. ❞ ❝ you really are the chosen one…a true hero! ❞ ❝ perhaps…i am in your way? ❞ ❝ who knew that something so dangerous would come in handy? ❞ ❝ what’s so great about a world of light anyway? ❞ ❝ isn’t this just ridiculously good weather? sure is peaceful… ❞ ❝ the guardian deities of my world are on our side, too. ❞ ❝ the rest is up to you. ❞

You really do remember me this time? I’m so flattered! But you’re too late!