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"I won't lose, no matter what!"
"Why?! Why are these things happening to me?!"
"Mother! MOTHEEEEERRRRR…!"
"Mermen?"
"Yes… I will bring you a safer place."
The voice of Aquarius echoed from the three Memory Orbs I held with my hands. More than memories, it was like a record of his thoughts, his words, and his life. I couldn't particularly sense his soul on it, but there was something very close to that, his mind, his memories, fragmented, but they were still there.
But… what is a soul? I've always wondered what it was since I discovered it existed when I was reincarnated. What makes us aware of having a soul? What is the soul to us? What is the composition of a Soul?
A soul is where the deepest memories are stored, where our emotions are stored, and also where our sense of self remains. Yet… at the same time, it is a condensation of our true selves, beings made out of Soul Energy, a power that composes souls.
Could a souls till be called a soul if it is stripped of the soul energy it holds and only the memories remains? As long as it has a sense of self… Maybe Aquarius… lives within these orbs.
Maybe… could there be a possibility to… revive him, somehow?
Though his soul might had died when he did but… could these memories count as his life as well, I wonder?
It makes me rather confused, to be honest.
However, right now, I feel like if I ever try to do anything, it might result in something bad. I don't want to try out anything for now, as I am… honestly quite afraid.
I am sure there must some more clues somewhere else in this Dream Dungeon. Now that the Bridge to the Temple at the end have opened, we're finally able to confront Aquarius…
Or well, what remains of him.
I don't want to sound soft but… After seeing him grow since he was a little dragon, I've developed a sense of kinship. Maybe it reminded me of my own life, and my own struggles as well, of my own growth.
Even if my growth was much faster and accelerated than his, I have still spent years in this world now, I've gone through my fair amount of troubles, which have made me grow even more than I thought I would, seeing how I was already an adult.
"Are you there, Aquarius?" I asked.
The three orbs suddenly stopped glowing.
Was it a signal?
"Can you hear me?"
FLASH!
Suddenly, they shone brightly again.
"R-Really?"
However, the orbs suddenly turned off.
"…Maybe it is just my imagination?"
I looked ridiculous by trying to talk with some inert orbs. Maybe I am acting too na?ve, hoping for a miracle.
With my current powers, I can't really revive him with just this. I need something more. Even if a tiny, small piece. If only a small fragment of his soul remained…
Perhaps his body, which had been turned into something else, could hold that hope.
"Daddy? Is the fuud ready?"
"I'm hungy…"
Suddenly, Benladra and Kate appeared behind me, pulling my robes.
"Ah, right. It should be almost ready." I said with a smile, quickly storing back the Memory Orbs for now. "Let's enjoy some good food before we step into the next and last challenge."
"Alright!" Benladra seemed pumped up.
"Nn!" Kate nodded.
As I was finishing cooking, I spoke with the System.
"Is there a way?"
[I can sense some possibilities. There's… something.]
"So it's possible?"
[Maybe… Hahh, I wish I could help you more, but I cannot… simply revive something out of just memories. Even with all of your powers and magic, it's not possible.]
"It's fine."
[Are you sad?]
"…Perhaps."
[I can feel that there's something special about this Dream Dungeon, a greater purpose. Let's see the end of it together then, Drake.]
"Yeah, I can feel it as well."
[Ahh, that food looks good. I wish I could eat…]
"Can't you taste things through me?"
[Not really…]
"Hmm… What about your memories so far?"
[I am getting back some more but… There's another area within the mainframe that seems clogged… with glitches.]
"I should get there with Kate soon, once we're over here. We'll take the time to get that done. She has recovered from the last time already and seems much stronger. Your daughter has developed many unique abilities."
[My daughter… I guess she truly is, huh? And her abilities… it feels as if she's making them to heal me. Does she knows?]
"I can tell she knows. I've told her before her real mother was something like a Spirit named System that lives inside my soul."
[Oh, maybe I was busy when you told her that…]
"Yeah, you're not attentive of everything all the time, I appreciate you leave some privacy like this… Nonetheless, she said she wanted to heal her mom and see her smile one day."
The System suddenly fell silent, as her voice was slightly emotional once she finally whispered to me once more.
[I see… Kate…]
I guess she might be smiling right now.
"Anyways, dinner's ready. Everyone let's eat something good for the soul before going in!" I said, quickly using many cooking spirits and Benladann and Miranda's help to distribute several plates of food all over a long table.
Ding!
[You have made [Seafood Curry Accompanied with Soft White Rice (A+)] x7!]
[You have made [Giant Kraken Takoyaki Accompanied with Homemade Mayonnaise (B+++)] x8!]
[You have made [Grilled Tyrant Fish Filet Accompanied with French Fries And Tart Sauce (A+)] x6!]
[You have made [Seafood Curry Filled Steamed Buns (B+)] x30!]
[You have made [Seafood Paella With Smoked Salmon (A)]x 10!]
[You have made [Dungeon Minotaur Spicy Cheeseburger (A+)] x5!]
[You have made [Exquisite Black Wyvern Beef (A+)] x6!]
[You have made [Golden Cow Ribs Seasoned With Sweet Sauce (A+)] x5!]
[You have made [Dreamy Strawberry Cheesecake (B+) x5!]
[You have made [Sunlight Lemon Pie (B+)] x5!]
[You've created several delicious meals! You earned Cooking Divinity Proficiency!]
[You gained some Divine Power!]
Everyone's faces were filled with happiness as they saw a large amount of delicious dishes.
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