A place was shown.
It transcended all forms of description. Words weren't sufficient enough to encompass the nature of this expanse.
Before the concepts of colour, shape, size, and other forms of imagery existed, this realm already did. Dwelling out of such bounds, it remained.
In this place that had no explanation, a young man stood.
He had black hair and his likeness was that of an adult male. He had blue eyes, and his face was something to behold. His tall stature and his well-balanced physique would make him a catch anywhere.
However, this young man appeared troubled.
Why wouldn't he be?
He was in a place that even he could not explain. He could not explain where he was, and neither could he comprehend how he got there. Confusion, mixed with a bit of fright, enveloped him like a blanket.
Thus, he stood still, waiting for answers,
"Where am I?"
No one responded.
"What am I?"
Answers did not come.
"Who… am I?"
He received silence once again.
In this state of confusion, completely overwhelmed by everything he couldn't understand, he seemed to be doomed to an eternity of madness.
However…
"W-who's there?"
… Salvation arrived.
A woman appeared at a distance, instantly drawing his attention.
Her silky white hair and violet eyes resonated within him, and her smile sent shivers travelling through his body.
Her body was as elegant as her face—pure and unsullied—and she stood beautifully still, watching him keenly.
"W-who… are you…?" He asked.
Something told him he knew the woman. He could feel something inside him long for her, and he could feel many twisted knots unravelling. However, he still couldn't recognize her, or what she meant to him.
Then, she started to move.
Slowly, she walked towards him.
With each step she took, a longing—no, an unbearable thirst—assailed him.
More than anything, he wished she would come quickly. He wished to hold her and tell her words… even though he didn't know what to say.
"W-who… are you…?" Was all he could say, until she finally stood right in front of him.
Now mere inches apart, he craved her even more. One more step forward and their bodies would clash, but he could not move. He could not touch her.
He could only watch.
"W-who are—"
"You know who I am." The woman's voice teased his ears, and her hand caressed his cheek.
The sweet sensation of her words offered him comfort, but her touch made him desire more. This desperation drove him further into insanity.
It was a feeling he could not explain.
The woman had told him that he knew who she was. If that was indeed true, then…
"W-who am I?"
A most precious expression filled her face as she smiled so beautifully at him. It caused something in his chest to race and race and jump with excitement.
He wanted it to end, yet he wanted more of it.
"Lewis Griffith. You are Lewis Griffith." Her sweet voice echoed in his ears, and suddenly, memories surged up in his head.
He felt the sensation of countless images overlapping and sticking into his head. However, something about everything felt incomplete.
"You are Jared Leonard."
More memories emerged from deep inside him. Memories of his new life kept popping into his head until there was no longer any hidden memory.
They all returned.
"Now, tell me… do you know who I am?"
At this point, Jared—also identified as Lewis—nodded. A smile formed on his trembling lips and his hair slightly moved in a wavy line as he nodded.
"Who am I?"
He felt something hot stream from both his eyes. They flowed down his cheeks, dropping from his jaw. His face felt hot, and he felt like his heart would burst.
After so many centuries, he was finally seeing her again.
"Emilia… it's really you."
Her long white hair flowed, as though being brushed by the wind, revealing her pointy Elf ears.
"Yes, Lewis. It's me."
Standing face to face with her, after so many years, there seemed to be nothing left for him to say. Or rather, there seemed to be so many things to say that his mind was too muddled, leaving him with no words to express himself.
He had never felt so frustrated.
"Emilia… I'm…" After trying so hard to initiate a conversation, but failing woefully, Lewis could only arrive at one conclusion.
"... I'm sorry."
More tears fell from his eyes as he stared into her deep violet eyes. It oozed with so much compassion and love that it broke his heart and healed it, over and over again, the more he looked.
"I… I made a mistake, and… I shouldn't have… I should have returned. I should have come back for you… for our child. I should have… I didn't… I couldn't… you…"
"Shhh…"
Suddenly, her finger touched his trembling lips, and he found himself growing silent, sombre, and calm.
"I understand."
No, how could she accept his apology so easily? Lewis could not comprehend this… this level of forgiveness.
He knew who Emilia was. He loved how pure she had been, even when she had been alive. But, how could she hold such a degree of affection now?
"B-but it's my fault you died… and our child… its all my fault, and I—"
"How long have you had to carry these thoughts?"
Her question hit him like a sledgehammer.
"Did you blame yourself for everything, even in death? Do you consider yourself irredeemable? Undeserving of forgiveness?"
Lewis wanted to speak, but he truly did not know what words to utter. What could he tell her? What could he say?
"I… I…"
"Your heart's desires were heard when your soul was brought here. There was one person whom you loved more than anything—that one person was sent to welcome you and return you to yourself…" Violet's smile widened as she drew even closer to him.
"That person is me. Aether has sent me here for a reason, Lewis. And that is because you love me more than anyone or anything else."
His eyes widened instantly. He'd never realized it, but her words rang true in the depths of his thoughts.
"And that is enough for me. That is why I understand. Because… I also love you more than anyone or anything else."
More tears streamed down his eyes, and Lewis could not stop them this time. His entire being melted in Emilia's presence, and he felt like he would drown in the rush of emotions he felt.
"That is why you need to stop blaming yourself, Lewis. Do you understand?"
Her eyes were moist.
It seemed like she was in pain, just by watching him.
That broke him more than anything. There was no way he could cause Emilia pain—not again!
"I understand. Thank you… for forgiving me." He smiled.
"Of course. I love you, Lewis."
"And I lo—" He halted mid-statement.
A rush of guilt coursed through Lewis, and he suddenly remembered everything that had led up to this moment.
It was regrettable, but…
'I can't say those words. Not anymore.'
"I understand." Emilia's voice echoed in his ears, her smile encouraging him.
And then, before he knew it… he too was smiling.
"Thank you, Emilia."
For a moment, they stared at each other. It seemed like an eternity was encapsulated in a single moment, but neither of them let go of the other's gaze.
Until finally…
"I have so many questions," Lewis whispered.
After spending an ideal amount of time here, he could no longer resist the dozens of gnawing questions that plagued his curious mind.
"Where are we? What is going on here? And finally… WHO ARE YOU?"
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A/N]
Dear readers, please look up Chuunibyou Challenge!! on Webnovel, or simply use the link below. I promise, you'll love it.
https://www.webnovel.com/book/chuunibyou-challenge!!_25760893305800205
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