So this guy's name is Grimmor. What does he have to do with me?

  The half-human placed some documents on the table in front of him. Grimmor ate calmly, taking his time between bites. No one said a word. The atmosphere felt tense, like everyone was waiting for him to speak first. I glanced at the others, wondering why no one dared to break the silence. He must be dangerous.

  Grimmor sipped his drink and spoke firmly without lifting his eyes from the papers.

  “These last cycles have been productive. Nethria has grown enough that we can start thinking about expanding.”

  The half-human smiled enthusiastically. “I see where this is going. We’re finally expanding beyond these lands.”

  Grimmor continued examining the document carefully. “That’s right. We’ll build a port. We’ll hire the best shipbuilders to craft the finest vessels around.” He looked up, though not at anyone in particular. “And with that, we’ll go farther than anyone ever has.”

  I still couldn’t figure out why I was there. Did I work for this guy? Everything felt confusing, so I kept quiet to gather more information.

  The half-human let out a nervous chuckle. “Wow... that’s ambitious. I know the accounts are doing well, but I’ve seen the numbers, sir. We’ll need more resources than we have now.”

  Grimmor gave him a hard look. The half-human stiffened immediately.

  “Do you think I’m stupid? That I don’t understand the numbers?”

  The half-human quickly waved his hands. “Not at all, sir. It’s just... it’d be easier for me to manage the finances if I knew how we’re going to pull it off.”

  Grimmor set the document down on the table. “We’ll have a new investor for this. Someone who believes in what we’re building here.”

  The half-human lightly struck his palm with his fist, a gesture of realization. “Ah, I get it now. Exciting! I’ve never sailed before. I wonder what it feels like.”

  Grimmor nodded. “Tomorrow morning, you’ll meet with the investor. You and him,” his gaze shifted toward me and the half-human, “will handle the finances directly. That’s all. Dismissed.”

  But what about my order? I can’t leave without eating...

  The half-human bowed slightly and left. I followed him down the stairs.

  “Hey, Darius, got any plans? If not, come eat with me. I’m starving.”

  I shook my head. “Actually, I already ordered something.”

  “Perfect. Let’s find a table and eat then.”

  Damn it... I don’t even remember this half-human’s name. If I ask now, it’ll look suspicious.

  We sat at an empty table. As we did, I saw the waitress heading upstairs with my order. I waved to catch her attention.

  “Hey! We’re down here.”

  She noticed and smiled, changing direction.

  “I didn’t see you down here. Oh, hi Loran!”

  Perfect. The waitress just told me his name.

  “How’s it going? Bring me whatever Darius ordered, and a pitcher of beer.”

  “Sure thing, Loran. By the way, how’s Nayris, Darius? We haven’t seen her much since she had the baby. I imagine things have changed a lot for you as new parents.”

  I was mid-sip when I heard that. I spat out my beer instantly, soaking Loran.

  “By the gods!”

  Loran calmly wiped his face. “Wow, wasn’t expecting a beer shower this early.”

  “Damn, sorry Loran. I just choked. I don’t know what happened...”

  The waitress chuckled softly. “I’ll grab a cloth for you, Loran. Be right back.”

  Loran shrugged. “I like beer, Darius, but not like this.”

  The waitress returned with the cloth and handed it to him. As she left, she flashed me a smile.

  “Say hi to Nayris and Rylann for me. Tell her to visit when she can.”

  I swallowed hard. “Uh... sure. I’ll let her know.”

  Loran noticed my discomfort. “Hey, what’s up with you today? Something happen with Nayris?”

  “Mm... no. I don’t think so. I’ve just got a lot on my mind.”

  Loran frowned. “Alright. If you don’t want to talk, that’s fine. Just make sure you’re ready for tomorrow. It’s the start of something big. Imagine it—sailing to new lands. Exciting, right?”

  I nodded, but I wasn’t really listening. My thoughts were stuck on Nayris and the fact that, apparently, I had a son.

  ???

  After we finished eating, Loran said his goodbyes energetically.

  “See you tomorrow at the market, Darius. Say hi to Nayris and Rylann!”

  I nodded and wandered through the village. The place bustled with life but felt calm. I passed through streets full of shops—pottery, clothes, blacksmiths—until I saw a sign that read "Herbalist."

  I paused, staring at it with a strange feeling. I didn’t know why, but the shop pulled me in.

  I peeked inside cautiously. Different herbal scents filled the air. The place seemed empty.

  “Well, look who decided to show up.”

  A woman’s voice behind me startled me. I turned around immediately to find the source.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  I saw a woman who was hard to ignore. She had a striking beauty. Her chest plate and skirt were adorned with vibrant colors. Her long, dark hair was tied into a neat braid. But what caught my attention the most were her eyes—a sharp, intense green that occasionally seemed to narrow like a serpent’s.

  She walked slowly around me with a sly smile.

  “I’m guessing you still don’t remember me, huh?”

  I didn’t look away. Something about her felt familiar, but I couldn’t place it.

  “To be honest, I don’t. Sorry.”

  She laughed lightly. “Why are you apologizing? You’ve only just arrived in this era... A skill like that takes effort. I’m Lythara, though you’d know that if your memory was intact.”

  I frowned, more confused than ever. “Skill? You caught me off guard. I don’t understand… Lythara.”

  “Poor little human,” she said with a teasing grin. “Come, let’s go into my shop.”

  Lythara turned and walked into the small shop. I followed her, wearing an expression that must have clearly shown how lost I felt. There was something about her—something that seemed to hold the answers I needed.

  As she stepped behind the counter, she began searching through a shelf. I stood there, watching her every movement.

  “Who are you? And how do you know me?”

  Lythara didn’t stop searching. “There isn’t a naga who doesn’t know you. But I’m the one who knows you best, little devil,” she replied, her tone carrying a strange, almost intimate weight that made me feel exposed.

  “Nagas…” I repeated, trying to recall something—anything. “Look, I’ll be honest. If you really know more about me than I do, I need answers. I woke up in a house with a woman and a child who, apparently, is my son. I walked through the streets, but I don’t remember anything. Everything you’re saying just confuses me more. If you can help me, please do it.”

  Lythara finally found what she was looking for but didn’t say anything. She just gave me a mysterious smile.

  When I saw the potion in her hand, I couldn’t help but focus on it. Lythara leaned on the counter, her smile still lingering.

  “I don’t know if this will help…” she said, twirling the potion between her fingers.

  Then, without warning, she began loosening her skirt. I instinctively leaned back, feeling agitated.

  “What are you doing? Hey, wait!” I said, my voice rising in nervousness.

  But as soon as the skirt dropped to the floor, Lythara’s skin began to shift. From the waist down, her body transformed into greenish scales that extended into a large, serpentine tail. She towered over me, her presence suddenly intimidating. I instinctively took a step back, falling into a defensive stance.

  “What the hell?! You’re a snake!” I blurted out without thinking.

  Lythara glared at me. “I’m a naga, idiot. Not a snake.”

  The sharpness in her tone told me I had stepped out of line. I lowered my guard slightly, though the tension still lingered.

  “Sorry… your transformation caught me off guard.”

  She crossed her arms, letting out a low growl. “I see it didn’t help to show you this… Enough talk. You’re not here by chance, Darius. I can help you recover your memory. I’m the only one who can right now.”

  Her words made me hesitate. There was something piercing about her gaze that unsettled me, but at the same time, I felt she was telling the truth.

  “I’m a little suspicious… but somehow, I feel like I can trust you,” I admitted, narrowing my eyes as I studied her more closely.

  “Good,” she said with a faint smile. “Drink the potion I left on the counter. In the previous era, when my ancestor helped you, you almost killed her in the process. This will make sure you don’t do the same to me.”

  I widened my eyes in surprise. Carefully, I grabbed the potion, uncorked it, and immediately, the strong scent of herbs hit me. I wrinkled my nose but drank it all in one go without hesitation.

  “Ugh… this tastes… different from anything I’ve had before. Now what?”

  Lythara gestured with her head. “Come around the counter. Follow me.”

  I followed as she locked the door behind us. We walked toward a room at the back. It looked like a small laboratory, filled with pipettes, plants, and strange items. In the center was a single examination table.

  “Lie down there.”

  I complied, stretching out on my back and feeling the cold surface beneath me.

  “How does this work?” I asked, watching as she prepared something at the table.

  “From here on, you must follow my voice. I’ll cast a spell to bring your memory back.”

  I took a deep breath and nodded silently. Before closing my eyes, I let the calm wash over me.

  Lythara raised her hands to chest level, palms facing up. She began murmuring words I couldn’t understand. As she did, she traced symbols in the air with her fingers.

  Above me, the air trembled. A small spirit began to form in front of Lythara, floating gently over me. It was bright, almost translucent, with a humanoid shape but no legs or distinct features. Light radiated from its form with every movement. I stared at it, mesmerized.

  “Close your eyes, Darius. And follow my instructions.”

  I obeyed. As soon as I closed them, I felt the spirit press gently against my forehead. I flinched—it was an unfamiliar sensation, but I forced myself to stay calm. Something inside my mind began to stir, as if someone was exploring my thoughts.

  “Don’t fight it,” Lythara said softly. “Let the spirit do its work.”

  I made an effort to relax. The strange sensation gradually turned into pain, intensifying bit by bit. It spread through my head, drawing out groans I couldn’t suppress.

  “It’s normal,” she assured me. “Breathe. Relax.”

  At that moment, images began flashing through my mind. Blurred fragments, but they felt real. My heart pounded as I tried to decipher whether they were memories or something else.

  The pain grew, but then suddenly faded, like a lock had been turned inside my head. Memories flooded in, every moment from all the eras I had lived through returning at once. It was overwhelming. The pain was insignificant compared to the avalanche of images and emotions.

  My breathing became erratic. Chaos magic stirred within me, threatening to burst out. I could feel it surging, but somehow, Lythara held it back with ease. The potion… it must have been her doing.

  Suddenly, I shot upright on the table, gasping. I opened my eyes wide, trembling, but no words came. My mind spun as I tried to process it all. I sat in silence, struggling to contain the chaos now flooding my being.

  Lythara finished the spell, calmly lowering her hands.

  “It’s done,” she said softly, though her voice barely registered.

  My eyes locked onto hers, and frustration erupted without restraint.

  “Why the hell didn’t you help me recover my memory sooner, Lythara?!” I growled, glaring at her. “I spent two years here with no memories! Damn it… I even started a family. How could I do that to Selene?”

  The words caught in my throat. I lowered my gaze, gripping my head, feeling the crushing weight of everything I had forgotten.

  I sat there, staring at nothing, silently regretting it all.

  Lythara remained calm, letting me vent my frustration. When I finished, she slowly raised her hand, revealing a golden bracelet I hadn’t noticed before. The metal was engraved with ancient symbols, and a faint glow traced along its edges.

  “I couldn’t help you before, Darius. This bracelet activated this morning, the moment you regained consciousness.”

  I frowned, still agitated. “What does that have to do with any of this?”

  Lythara ran her fingers gently over the bracelet, keeping her eyes fixed on me.

  “My ancestor, Kaerith, forged it when he helped you in the previous era. He cast a special spell on it. The bracelet would only activate when you became aware of who you are—when you realized you had truly arrived in this era. As long as you were lost, unaware of your identity or purpose, I couldn’t intervene.”

  The weight of her words hit me hard.

  “So… from the moment I arrived until now…?”

  Lythara nodded. “For those two years, your spirit was disconnected. You were alive, but your true consciousness was asleep. Only when you woke up this morning did the bracelet respond.”

  “That explains why I felt so… empty,” I murmured, recalling the confusion I felt earlier that day. “It’s like I was living someone else’s life without knowing it.”

  “That’s exactly what happened,” Lythara said gently. “Until the spell activated, any attempt to help you could have had severe consequences. It was too risky.”

  I ran a hand over my face, feeling the frustration surge again, but not as intensely this time.

  “Kaerith… he always had these strange plans, didn’t he?”

  Lythara offered a faint smile. “Kaerith trusted that you’d find your way back. You just needed time.”

  I stepped closer, examining the bracelet. The glow seemed to respond subtly to my presence.

  “And now what?” I asked, my brow furrowed.

  Lythara let her hand drop, the bracelet disappearing beneath her sleeve. “Now that you’re whole again, I can guide you. You’ve recovered your memories, Darius. That’s what matters most.”

  I exhaled deeply, feeling the weight of it all pressing down on me.

  “Alright… but this still doesn’t solve how I fix what I left behind.”

  “You can’t change the past, but you can decide what to do with the present,” she said, her tone calm but firm.

  I nodded slowly. “I guess you’re right.”

  “Come on, Darius. There’s still a lot to do,” Lythara said, her smile returning to the one she wore when we first met.