chapter 26: whispers of the forgotten
ren moved deeper into the forest, each step deliberate, each breath sharper than the last. it was no longer about where he was going — it was about what he might *feel*. he hoped something in the earth or air would jolt his memory, some echo in the trees that might scream his forgotten name back at him.
he stopped when he reached a narrow creek, the water flowing steady and cold. bending down, he splashed his face. the sting grounded him, but nothing came back. no memory. just the same cold void.
behind him, leaves rustled.
"maya," he said, not turning around. "i said i wanted to be alone."
but it wasn't her voice that answered.
"you always did."
ren spun around.
a man stood there. his face was hidden beneath a wide hood, body draped in a dark gray coat that fluttered despite the windless air. his presence was wrong — like a shadow stitched into reality.
"who are you?" ren asked.
the man stepped forward. "you don't remember me, do you?"
"should i?"
the man tilted his head. "you should. i'm part of the reason you're like this."
the air grew colder.
ren's fists clenched. "so it was you."
"not only me," the man said. "you have more enemies than you remember. and fewer allies than you think."
ren gritted his teeth. "what did you do to me?"
the man smiled faintly. "nothing. i just watched."
"then who was it?"
"you'll remember in time. or maybe you won't. maybe you'll go mad trying to."
"i won't," ren said. "i've survived worse."
"have you?" the man stepped closer. "tell me — what's the worst thing you remember surviving?"
ren's mouth opened… but no answer came.
the man laughed softly. "exactly."
the silence hit harder than any blade.
ren lunged — but the man vanished like mist. only a whisper remained:
**"find the others… before they find you."**
ren stumbled forward, breathing hard. the forest returned to stillness, but now it felt hollow — like something sacred had been defiled.
he turned and ran back to maya's house. he didn't stop. didn't think. only once he reached the edge of the clearing did he collapse to his knees.
maya rushed out. "ren?!"
he looked up, face pale. "someone… was there."
"who?"
"i don't know. but they knew me."
maya helped him up. "what did they say?"
ren stared past her, voice hollow. "they said… i have more enemies. and fewer allies."
maya didn't speak. she just held him steady.
inside, ren's thoughts spun out of control. a storm behind glass. his pride screamed for action. for control. for answers.
and in the distance — deep beyond the trees — a second figure watched them now.
smiling.
waiting.
as the game began.