The sun had risen, its light gleaming off my surface. Yes, me, the great and venerable rock—now named Silex. Yeah, it literally means "rock" or "pebble." I think it's Latin. Not that it matters; this world forgot that ancient language long ago.
After guiding Kai to the cathedral, I gained a bit of insight.
"Kai's really nice. Are all celebrities like that?
Nah. Definitely not. Take some of the unhinged ones back on Earth—Kai's just built different, I guess."
Sunny, on the other hand, was as rude as ever. Even to his oh-so-dear son. That's me, by the way.
Sunbathing on Kai's shoulder had been nice. Really nice. But of course, Sunny decided to stash me back into the soul sea. Just like that. One moment I had the warm, murderous sun on my back, and the next I was floating in endless void beneath a lonesome black star.
Being a Memory sucks.
…
…
It's boring. So damn boring. Every second stretches on like chewed gum. Nothing—absolutely nothing—happens.
I wonder what Sunny's up to.
"Maybe I should try to feel my blood moss core. Maybe I can get stronger. Then I'll show that pretty boy who's more handsome and beautiful. Heheh," I said to no one. I knew I wasn't alone in Sunny's soul sea. There was Saint… and all the enemies he's slain, now wrapped in his shadow. Death was mercy to them, I guess.
Turning my attention inward, stray thoughts cluttered my mind:
"What will I eat today?"
"Wait. Does being a rock mean I can't eat chicken tikka masala? Noooo!"
"Hmm, can a rock have se—yeah, no. Rather not think about that."
"La-da-dee, la-da-da, woohoo."
After a few minutes of mind-numbingly sorting through my own chaos, I found a kind of clarity. My rocky body became sensitive, hyper-aware—I could feel every inch of my rough skin. And in my core, there was warmth. A fuzzy warmth. Like fur. Or maybe moss?
I focused on it. It reacted violently.
The moss expanded, surging through every crack in my body. A copper-colored coat bloomed around me like a cocoon—rusty and ancient. For a few seconds, I was wrapped in it. Then it withdrew, vanishing back into my core. My stone skin felt… tougher. Stronger. Only by a little, but it was something.
As the process ended, that familiar sensation returned.
I was being summoned.
My rock-flesh shimmered, turning into light and drifting through the veil of worlds, pulled back into reality. When I reformed, I stood before Sunny. And next to him was a tall and painfully attractive woman.
Hazel eyes. Brown hair in a simple braid. Lean muscle rolling under sun-kissed olive skin, all mostly hidden by archaic bronze armor and a white chiton beneath.
Effie. That was her name, if memory served.
"Huh? What's that little thing? Is that your son, Sunny?" she teased with a snort.
"No. He's a Memory that, through my profound grace, evolved into something more. Basically a living memory—with a soul and all," Sunny replied in his usual dramatic flair.
"Oh really?" She grinned. "You got a name, little pebble?"
"Y-Yep. Mr. Kai gave me one. It's Silex, miss," I stammered out with my artificial voice—identical to Sunny's, just a bit more panicked.
Yes. A weakness was revealed.
And what weakness, you ask?
Well… as any young, healthy rock would—
I love me a muscle mommy.
And a goth one. But I suppose fate has determined this one's the mommy I get. Hehe.
"Aww, shy much, Silex?" she smirked. "And that voice—never thought there'd be two dufuses talking like that." Her laughter was loud, echoing.
"Yeah yeah, shut up, Effie…" Sunny grumbled. "Silex? When did you get named? Huh. Well, I guess it works. Better than calling you 'rock.' Still think 'Rocky' would've been easier to remember, though. Anyway…"
He sighed, irritation barely restrained.
"You see that gorilla over there? She's staying with us for a while. After that, we're heading out on an adventure. Got it, buddy?"
"Yeah, of course, boss!" I chirped. "I'm cool with whatever you say. Especially if this pretty lady's staying. No complaints from me!"