Chapter 4 – A Map to the Future or a Return to the Past
Eliana's Diary
Adrian stared at the diary in his hands, his fingers trembling slightly as they held the aged leather cover. It was dark, cracked in some places from time, yet it seemed to pulse with a faint warmth—like a heartbeat, as if the object were alive.
He took a deep breath, bracing himself, and slowly, reverently opened it.
The first page… was blank.
He blinked, confused.
Then, suddenly, delicate golden lines began to emerge, faintly glowing and dancing in the air above the diary. They moved with purpose, as if guided by invisible hands, sketching an intricate, ever-shifting map in the air. The lines twisted and spiraled, forming shapes, symbols, and paths—a mysterious design that hovered just above the page.
Adrian's eyes widened in awe.
— "A... map?"
He instinctively reached out to touch it, but before his fingers could meet the light, new words appeared on the once-blank page, inscribed in radiant gold:
"This is your first step.
If you cannot claim this inheritance, the rest will make no sense.
The secret of this world lies in the truths beyond the walls of this city."
Adrian held his breath. The words pulsed with a weight that ached in his chest. It was more than just a message—it was a challenge, a prophecy, a warning.
He swallowed hard, the diary glowing faintly in his hands. There was something else... a different energy. Softer. Sadder. As if someone were whispering a farewell directly into his soul.
More words appeared beneath the first message. The tone had changed. It felt personal—intimate.
"If one day you are about to die,
If you fail to reach this inheritance,
The diary will take you to the safest place within your mind.
Your memories will vanish, and you will treat it all as if it were just a dream.
This is our final protection for our most precious treasure: you, son.
We would rather see you live an ordinary life, as long as you are safe. That is enough for us."
Adrian clutched the diary tighter. His eyes filled with tears, blurring the golden glow of the letters. He could feel the love pouring through the pages. Love that wrapped around him like a warm embrace from a past still lingering in the corners of his heart.
— "Dad… Mom… Even now, you're still trying to protect me…"
The sorrow lingered, but something else began to shine through: determination.
He stood up, holding the diary close to his chest. The floating map still glimmered before him, showing the path ahead.
With a steady voice and a resolute heart, he declared:
— "I'll find this inheritance. I want to see the world. I want to protect everyone at the orphanage."