Losing loved ones like your parents is akin to losing your freedom and home—it creates a profound sense of emptiness and isolation. Kaidrix felt as though his heart was dying, and he was overwhelmed by a deep loneliness that sapped all joy and life from him. This night was particularly agonizing, as the grief from losing his mother had haunted him for years. Now, with his father also gone and his fate unknown, Kaidrix was consumed by a constant, paralyzing fear for the worst. He could only cling to a fragile hope for his father's survival.
Scared and alone, Kaidrix gazed at the night sky, reflecting on happier times spent with his parents. He remembered the small, cherished moments with his father—his gentle touch, his concern, and the lessons he had imparted: how to fight, survive in the wilderness, and cook. As he recalled these memories, two lines of warm tears traced down his cheeks, eventually dropping to the ground and soaking into the mud. The tears left marks on the earth, symbols of his deep grief and the hollow void left in his heart.
Life is a tapestry woven from both happiness and sadness. While many yearn for a life of smooth, uninterrupted bliss, such an existence is often confined to fictional tales. In reality, life is challenging and harsh for everyone. Some people may face more difficulties than others, but hardship is universal. The creator, in their wisdom, makes no exceptions—those who endure more suffering often possess hidden strengths, whether it be exceptional talent, greater intellect, wealth, or favorable circumstances.
Hardship tests every aspect of our being. Life is a series of trials, each one evaluating us mentally, physically, and emotionally. The decisions we make shape our future, and our responses to these trials reveal new paths—some leading to regret, others to success. The future remains an enigma, uncertain and unknowable until we confront it ourselves.
Kaidrix sat in silence, tears streaming down his cheeks as he gazed up at the sky. The weight of his grief felt almost tangible, and he was lost in his sorrow. It was then that he became aware of a presence beside him. Lumina stood quietly nearby, her figure emerging from the darkness. This was the first time Kaidrix saw her so close, and her delicate features struck him deeply. Her eyes, dark blue pupils set against aqua blue irises, seemed to glow with an otherworldly light in the dim surroundings. Her hands were clasped together on her waist, and her entire demeanor exuded a gentle grace.
For the first time in his life, Kaidrix felt an unfamiliar flutter in his chest, his heart pounding in his throat. He found himself at a loss for words, unable to speak to this stranger who now felt so close. After a moment of tense silence, Lumina spoke in a trembling voice, "Do you… do you not remember me?"
Kaidrix looked at her, bewildered, and asked with a dry throat, "Have we met before?" Lumina's face fell with a hint of sadness. "How could you not remember me?" she said softly. "We almost grew up together. My father and I visited you and your Mother almost every day until her final day. We were so close. How could you not remember me? You never came to visit me after your Mother passed away. You never—" Her voice broke, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Kaidrix, equally confused, responded, "My father never mentioned this to me. I don't remember anything before that incident. I was just a child then." Lumina's eyes were still tearful as she replied, "You were seven kaidrix, not an infant. How could you forget me?" Kaidrix, trying to calm the situation, said softly, "I truly don't remember. I don't recall any of it."
Lumina stared at him with a mixture of sadness and longing. "It's hard to accept that you've forgotten," she said, her voice trembling. "After your mother died, you were the last person who was close to me. I waited for you for years, hoping you would come to visit. I tried to reach out, but your father never allowed it. I missed you so much. Everything we had together feels like it's been erased." Her voice broke as she spoke, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Kaidrix, seeing her distress, took a deep breath and said, "I understand that this is painful. I wish I could remember, but the truth is, I don't. I know it's not what you want to hear, and I'm sorry for the pain it causes. I can't change what happened, but I can be here now, and I want to make things right between us."
Lumina's tears continued to fall, but she looked at Kaidrix with a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "At least you're here now," she said softly. "It's a start, even if it's not the same as before."
Kaidrix took Lumina's hand gently but with a firm grip, drawing it close to his chest. "You're my fiancée now," he said with sincerity. "We're going to marry soon, and I promise to be with you from now on. There's no need for such sadness." He looked into her eyes, his voice filled with determination and warmth. "I'm here, and I want us to move forward together. Let's cherish what we have now and build something new."
Seeing someone you hold dear become distant and like a stranger, with all shared memories and time together seemingly erased, is an excruciating and heart-wrenching experience. It's more painful than losing someone to death. When a loved one passes away, you grieve knowing that they accepted you and cherished your shared moments. However, when someone forgets everything and becomes a different person, the grief is compounded by uncertainty. You're left wondering whether the person you once knew will ever return or what kind of person they will become. It's a profound sorrow to know that they are alive, but not the same as before.
Lumina spoke through her tears, "After your mother died, you were the closest person to me—closer than even my own father. I waited for years for you to show up, but you never did. I tried to visit you, but your father wouldn't allow it. I missed you terribly. Everything we had together is now just a distant memory." She began to cry openly.
Kaidrix responded gently, "You should take comfort in the fact that I'm still alive and with you, especially given our current predicament. But the truth is, I can't remember anything from that time. I can't change what happened or recover those lost memories. I asked my father about it, and he said he didn't know much. There's no grave for my mother; he promised to take me to her resting place when I was ready, which only deepened my grief. I've always felt like I was to blame for her death. My father hinted that I have to find out by myself what happened that day."
Suddenly, his uncle's voice echoed around them. "Your father did the right thing, Kaidrix," he said solemnly. "Do not press us for details about this matter; we only know what you know. I asked your father many questions, but he said he couldn't reveal more, fearing it might cause you further pain. Now that you don't recall the events before your mother's death, it deeply concerns me. The trauma you endured could have left a lasting mark on your soul. Such events, especially when they cause memory loss and emotional scars, can have profound effects on one's spiritual and mental state. Your soul might bear the remnants of that trauma, affecting how you experience and react to the world around you."
After hearing this, Lumina's grief deepened, but she composed herself with great effort. She observed Kaidrix with a mixture of sadness and hope, longing for him to return to the person he once was before the trauma. Her silence spoke volumes, and she remained composed, her eyes reflecting a quiet determination to support him through his struggles.
"My son," his uncle began, his voice heavy with concern, "our journey has become even more difficult now. We'll need to remain on this planet for an extended period. While the injury isn't impossible to heal, the necessary resources are either unavailable or extremely difficult to obtain here on Earth. This injury will hinder Kaidrix's growth and complicate our journey. It may force us to reconsider our plan to return to Centaur or seek alternative routes."
He paused, casting a somber glance around. "The enemy has spared no effort to thwart us. Sister, what a tremendous price you have paid," he murmured, his voice filled with frustration and sorrow. With those words, he turned and walked away, leaving them in a quiet, reflective stillness.
Lumina explained to Kaidrix, "To recover from a soul injury, we need an icicle crystal. These crystals can only be found in extremely cold environments, like Antarctica. The conditions there are crucial—the temperature must drop to at least minus one hundred degrees. The colder and more pressurized the environment, the better. Over thousands of years, such harsh conditions can form the icicle crystals we need."
Kaidrix felt overwhelmed and confused by everything. Seeing his distress, Lumina approached him with gentle compassion. "Kaidrix, you need to rest," she said softly. "Tomorrow will be even more tiring and busy. You'll need all your strength and clarity." She gently pinched the back of his neck to help him fall asleep and then guided him to his bed. As she watched him settle in, she knew that getting him to sleep would be challenging given all that had transpired over the past two days.
The next day, Kaidrix woke up still feeling the weight of his sadness but surprisingly well-rested and brimming with energy. His demeanor was calm and collected. When his uncle arrived, he noted with a hint of relief, "It seems Lumina's method worked. You look much better today." He continued, "We need to move. We are still being searched for on this planet."
For now, we appear to be safe," his uncle explained. "This planet has unique properties and powerful beings that can suppress the cultivation of those with malicious intentions, effectively rendering them as ordinary humans. It seems that other races are also hiding from the natives, adding to the planet's mystery. However, we still need to move to a more remote area, and we must travel on foot or use the transport system on this planet to erase suspicion. Even though their cultivation is suppressed, they may still have other ways to detect us. and there is a chance that suppression doesn't work on the body, We want to avoid drawing any attention.
There is a secure area on Earth: the South Pole," his uncle began. "It is extremely cold, but we believe we can manage. There are two poles, the North and the South, and I have chosen the South Pole. Over the years, we've heard that this place is incredibly harsh and difficult to survive in. Food is scarce, sunlight is rare, and the temperatures are freezing. However, this harsh environment makes it ideal for us right now.
Kaidrix nodded in understanding. "I have studied this planet. I am an engineer and alchemist and am well-versed in its knowledge through the internet. I know a lot about the cosmos and this world," his uncle said. "I am aware of your studies and your job; it will certainly be helpful. Lumina, too, has studied medicine and is a skilled doctor. Our family background and knowledge give us an edge, but as cultivators, our minds and bodies are more advanced than those of ordinary people. Despite this, we must not underestimate the cosmos and its complexities. It's a marvelous creation."
His uncle gazed at the blue sky, a soft sigh escaping his lips. "Let's move forward.