Outside of the ruins

16th of Shar 358

The moment we open the scroll, we are transported to a new place. We were in a field of yellowing grass and were near a cave that had collapsed in on itself. I feel like the cave is where we just were and that we won't be going back to that place soon. I felt relieved, like we are closer to completing what we went there for, but I am still unsure why I feel this way. The scribe squats near the cave with a look of confusion on their face. The scroll was in a language that looked really old, and the scroll itself felt very old—almost as old as time itself. But it also felt new at the same time. It was very strange. The others were trying to figure out where we were and asked the scribe, but it seems like they have lost their memory.

The elf asked if they could try to read the scroll, and I gave them the scroll. They summarized the story for us: it was a story about a writer in which everything they wrote was or would be true. They were treated as a deific figure. Then another deific figure, in fear that this writer would write their demise, killed the writer's daughter. In outrage, he wrote the end of his own world. It seemed to be a lesson on giving people too much power, but also a true tale. The elf thinks that the story is about the scribe.

We then introduced ourselves, seeing as we weren't in any immediate danger. The elf is known as Hornet, the masked man as Fathom, and the starry figure as Hymn. Hornet asks for the scribe's name, but the scribe is unsure. Hornet suggests giving them a name. The scribe asks us after we've finished introducing ourselves if we know where lost memories go. I didn't have an answer for that; that is something I never thought to learn. The scarf seems to shift at their touch, and the mimic, which looks like it is the scarf now, seems to listen to what the scribe tells it to do. Scribe also happens to be their title.

After this, Hornet decided to climb up a tree to see if they could see anything. They did not see much, but they did see something up north. They could tell we were very far west. Hymn notes that Hornet had lost one of their daggers and offers them some of theirs. They toss the knives up to them, and the knives seem to disappear in midair on their way to Hornet. Hornet takes this as a prank. The others suggested we try to make a map, and I offered my paper as a way to draw one up, and Hornet showed that they are able to manifest ink with their hand, allowing them to write on seemingly anything, including air. I've never seen magic like that before, if it is magic! Perhaps the others gained some sort of ability from the strand, as I did.

I felt a weight on my shoulder that I hadn't felt for as long as we were in the ruins. It was Erafinyr. She was the one who took the daggers, and I scolded her. She asks me where I was, and I said I am not entirely sure, but the last I remember is arriving in Zetsubou. She says that was a while ago and seems very confused. She said she'll talk to me about it later and makes herself invisible. She makes herself invisible in crowds of people she doesn't know or trust; it is understandable that she doesn't trust these people, she only just met. I gave the daggers back to Hornet and apologized on her behalf, though they seemed confused as to why I was apologizing.

Today felt like it went on forever. We have set up camp just outside the forest, on our way to see if we can find any civilization. The tree leaves are golden; they remind me of home. I am still unsure why I am here and why everyone else is here, but I know that I will at least travel with this group until I find a lead on where Memory may be. Maybe the scribe will have an answer when they get their memory back. Or maybe one of the others may have seen him on their travels? I am unsure. I can’t help but wonder, what does Erafinyr mean by Zetsubou being a while ago? It feels like I was just there yesterday. I feel very tired, but I finally feel calm enough to rest. Good night, journal.

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