SHATTERED REALM: FORGOTTEN ECHOES-Chapter 188: This is Farewell.

That evening, Aramith wrote a letter to Kesha. Whether she received it or not, he was going to move on with the next step.

He let an hour pass after the letter was sent, then called Mozrael.

"We're going to visit someone."

Mozrael was still unsure about this. "Is it safe?" After revealing your identity like that, should we really be going out so freely?

"You don't have to come, but I prefer that you do."

These words made it difficult for her to object.

Forcing someone to do something mostly came with aversion, but giving them the choice and making it so there could be some benefit in doing so mostly led to acceptance.

Reluctantly, Mozrael nodded.

When they stepped out of their room, about half of Forsaken Peak was still awake.

They stared at Aramith and Mozrael as they descended the stairs, quickly averting their gaze when it seemed Aramith was about to look at them.

They were embarrassed now that they knew how powerful he was.

He'd singlehandedly carried the whole team, yet none of them could express their gratitude.

Sylvia was also there with Lynnor, but she didn't approach them.

Lynnor, as usual, was drinking.

Eight bottles on the floor, four on the table, and one in her hand.

She glared at them openly, then shook her head as she took another swig.

Once outside, Aramith turned to Mozrael. "If you feel uncomfortable in any way when we're there, just tell me, and we'll leave."

Mozrael nodded, then quietly, they moved to the lodging of Glacial Dominion Academy.

At the gates, a tutor met them and led them to a large room.

Mozrael could already feel the discomfort as they waited. Scales rippled across her forearm, and a cold sensation flooded her head.

Aramith glanced at her, but said nothing.

After a moment of waiting, the doors swung open, and someone stepped in—Kesha.

But they didn't look at her much. It was the girl in the wheelchair that Aramith and Mozrael focused on.

She wore a flowing white dress, her golden hair curling to her sides, and her golden eyes staring straight at them.

She looked younger than them, and her facial features were more on the cute side, and the soft smile playing on her lips was the most genuine, friendly expression Mozrael had ever seen.

From that first encounter alone, Mozrael felt like she would do anything to protect her if harm came her way.

Kesha's expression was cold—even colder than the ice she so easily controlled.

There wasn't any hint of joy, anger, or sorrow, but Lia knew the extent her rage had reached as she stood there.

"Kesha, Lia," it's been a while, Aramith spoke.

Lia was the first to react, beaming excitedly.

"You remember me!" She exclaimed, pure joy overflowing from every pore in her body.

Mozrael felt a sudden burn in her chest when Lia exclaimed. Something about her felt familiar, yet she couldn't figure it out.

Aramith nodded coolly, then looked at Kesha.

"I apologize for the words I said to you at the end of our duel."

Kesha didn't reply.

Her fingers curled slowly, ice misting along her nails.

Lia turned to Mozrael, but her gaze was a little off. Kesha, noticing this, quickly tapped her in a distinct pattern, redirecting her gaze without anyone noticing.

"I can't believe it's been so—"

"She doesn't remember you," Aramith cut in.

Lia's heart sank as a heavy weight pressed on her chest.

She tried to shake it off, but her hand trembled slightly. Kesha pressed her shoulder lightly.

Mozrael was confused. I don't remember her.

She turned to Aramith, who raised a palm to her before turning back to Lia and Kesha.

"As I said in my letter, I came here to talk, not for a reunion."

Lia's heart plummeted further. If you remember, then why?

She looked down, rubbing her hands uncomfortably. "I'm listening."

"I am a pawn Father has been using and is still using. The same goes for you. The difference is that I've stopped pretending otherwise."

Lia's brows knitted in thought. Father? Using us?

"I have vowed to find answers, but you could end up standing in my way, Lia."

"Hey!" Kesha was about to move, but Lia quickly grabbed her hand.

"I agreed to come here. Let him finish."

Kesha stopped, though her body itched terribly.

Mozrael didn't understand everything that was going on, but she knew Aramith was being unfair.

"I will become more powerful than Henndar," Aramith added.

Lia raised her head, confused. Kesha also looked at him, not believing what she'd just heard.

Henndar? Why call him like that when he's your father?

Lia was starting to see just how much Aramith had changed.

"Until I achieve that, you'll have to stay out of my way."

Lia froze, lips parted in shock.

Kesha couldn't believe how heartless he was. What happened to you? You were never like that.

Looking at the way the words had an effect on Lia, Mozrael couldn't help but feel sad for her.

She felt anger towards Aramith, yet she couldn't understand why. She's a stranger, so why do I feel this way for her?

Lia finally managed to close her lips, then she faced down. "I...understand," she managed to say, though her voice didn't sound convinced.

"Mozrael?"

Mozrael was thrown off guard at the mention of her name. How does she know?

"You don't remember..." Lia muttered, then raised her head to Mozrael.

"Can I hug you?" Lia requested.

Mozrael looked at Aramith, then carefully stepped to Lia.

Mozrael hesitated a little too long.

Then she stepped forward.

Her movements were stiff, uncertain, like she wasn't sure where her hands were supposed to go.

When she wrapped her arms around Lia, it felt awkward—too careful, and too restrained, but Lia didn't mind.

The moment Mozrael's arms closed around her, Lia leaned in fully, pressing her face against Mozrael's shoulder as if she'd been waiting for permission to fall apart.

A soft sound escaped her lips.

Then another.

Warm tears soaked into Mozrael's clothes, one after another, until the fabric clung lightly to her skin. Lia's shoulders trembled, her grip tightening as she cried silently, desperately, like she was afraid to make too much noise.

"I missed you so much, you have no idea.

I've waited for so long, but it's okay."

Mozrael froze at first.

She didn't understand why her chest hurt.

She didn't understand why her arms slowly tightened on their own.

Or why her throat burned as if she were the one about to cry.

She raised one hand hesitantly and rested it on Lia's back.

It felt... right.

Like something she'd done before.

Kesha watched them quietly.

When her gaze shifted to Mozrael's face, something softened in her eyes.

Confusion clouded Mozrael's expression—genuine, painful confusion. She was comforting someone she didn't remember, yet every instinct in her body screamed that this mattered.

That she mattered.

Kesha looked away. She felt sorry for Mozrael. This isn't fair.

After a while, Lia's grip loosened.

She drew in a shaky breath and pulled back, wiping her eyes quickly with her sleeve, forcing a smile that didn't quite hold together.

"I'm okay now," she said, turning toward Aramith.

Her voice was steady, but her hands were not.

Kesha's hand came down gently on Lia's shoulder, fingers firm and supporting. Lia leaned into the touch without thinking, just slightly.

Kesha raised her hand a little, turning it so Lia's cheek rested in it.

Aramith said nothing.

Lia looked at him anyway, smiling faintly, as if hoping that would be enough.

It wasn't.

But she didn't say anything else.

When Aramith was about to speak again, Lia raised. A hand stopped him.

She turned to Kesha. "I should stop hiding this."

Kesha hesitated before nodding. "Okay," but she frowned at Aramith.

Lia turned to Aramith. "How do I look?" she asked him.

Aramith observed her a little, then carefully spoke in all honesty, "You're beautiful." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Lia smiled a little. "I'll believe you, because I don't know."

She looked down again. "When you told me everything, I couldn't see your face. Were you sad or angry?"

"None of those fit my facial expression," he replied quickly.

Lia nodded, then, after a moment, let out a breath. "I have something to tell you. Since this is goodbye,e as you said." She looked up at him with her blind eyes, tears rimming them.

"I...The words were difficult to say. "I—" but she froze.

I'm blind.

"I can't..." she said to herself. Will you care and worry about me again if you find out I've been blind this whole time?

Lia tapped Kesha's hand in a pattern, and she stepped up.

"You should leave," Kesha said immediately.

Those words were her request, but when she heard Aramith and Mozrael turn to leave, a lump settled in her throat..

At least I could have held your hand...What expression do you have on your face as you're leaving?

She closed her eyes and faced down again, letting tears drop.

Suddenly, she felt someone hold her. Aramith?

"I...I'll try to remember you," Mozrael spoke.

Mozrael... Lia realized.

She was grateful that Mozrael was being thoughtful, but at the same time, knowing Aramith was so close, leaving her was a different kind of pain.