Chapter 5:

Zayne will catch me if I am anywhere near the Creatio Protocore.

And the more I learn of Zayne, the greater the mystery enshrouding him.

Those scars etched into his flesh... Someone has stabbed him.

Yet no one else lives in this Tower. How could he have been wounded?

He is also blessed by Astra. Who could be powerful enough to injure him?

My curiosity extends beyond our current relationship. In other words...

I will never be given an answer.

The every next day I visit the library at midnight. Jas takes me to the same shelf that has Philos: Floral Inquiry.

MC: “Is Zayne always reading book?”

MC: (Everything... is connected to the jasmine.)

I open the book and study the text, paying special attention to pages with notes left by Zayne.

MC: ““Once again, jasmine appears...” How is it related to all of this?”

I read his note out loud, and responding to my voice, the pages begin to glow.

MC: “What... is happening?!”

**********

When my vision returns, I find myself in a sea of white flowers. The sun’s golden rays shine on this field of jasmines.

Except the flowers aren’t in bloom. They are all flower buds.

Nearby, a familiar figure, its watcher I presume, observes this field.

MC: “Zayne? Why are you here? Where we are?”

**********

Zayne turns to look at me, confusion in his expression.

??: “Have we met before?”

MC: “...?”

??: “Who are you?”

As I approach him, I realize his body is but a mirage. Sunlight passes through his robes.

His appearance is that of Zayne’s, but he lacks the Foreseer’s frigid character.

??: “Through what means did you enter this place?”

MC: “I was just reading a...”

MC: “Am I... in the book?”

??: “You stand in an illusion crafted by words and words alone.”

MC: “Then... what are you?”

A corner of his mouth curls up.

??: “A lowly wraith.”

The sight of Zayne’s face smiling was the last thing I thought I’d see in this life.

Then again, I’ve met Jas. I have slowly come except these bizarre events.

MC: “Were you the one... to plant these jasmine?”

Apparition: “They are more than mere flowers.”

MC: “Are they phantasms?”

As I ask him, I touch one of the buds.

An image appears in my mind: Zayne lowering his head to kiss the jasmine.

MC: (What...?)

Apparition: “My memories.”

Apparition: “Or perhaps it would be better to say they are the jasmines in my memories.”

I touch another one. This time I see Zayne in an unfamiliar garb but still lowering his head to kiss the flower.

MC: “Why does the Zayne in these memories... appear to be from another era?”

Apparition: “Each ơn is my life of another time.”

MC: “Is your destiny and the jasmine interwined?”

Apparition: “All I can recall is my end with that moment.”

MC: “...You know what I saw.”

Apparition: “Again and again and again like a cycle... I do not remember what happens after.”

Apparition: “Therefore, these buds can never blossom.”

Apparition: “Tis why I bring each one here.”

I stare at the seemingly endless ocean of flower buds.

If each one represents a memory without an end, then how many are there?

I recall Zayne’s note: “Once again, jasmine appears...”

MC: “Isn’t the Foreseer able to see the fate of everyone in the world?”

Apparition: “He cannot see his own.”

The wraith, seemingly moments away from dissipating into sunlight, looks into the distance.

Apparition: “Such is Astra’s will.”

**********

I leave the library and slowly climb the staircase. My thoughts still linger on the book’s illusion.

I reach the top of the Tower. And there, Zayne stands in the moon’s immaculate glow, thinking deeply while gazing at the jasmine.

I understand its significance to him now. He’s pinning his desire to remember onto the flower bud.

Zayne: “You are not forbidden from entering the library, but you cannot venture there as you please.”

MC: “...Zayne, have you ever considered leaving the Tower?”

Zayne looks at me, his emotions inexplicable.

Zayne: “What text did you find to make you ask such a thing?”

MC: “Maybe... These jasmines represent the outside—“

Zayne lifts his hand, and I am abruptly pulled toward him.

His hand grasps my throat, his wintery gaze meeting mine.

Zayne: “Your insolence reveals itself. Allow me to remind of your place.”

Fear spreads throughout my very being.

All of a sudden, the Creatio Protocore on his scepter releases an eerie, indigo light.

Frowning, Zayne relaxed his grip and pushes me away.

Zayne: “Stand back.”

MC: “Zayne...?”

Zayne: “Stay away from me.”

Before I can do anything, a myriad of brambles sprout and slither with serpentine precision toward Zayne.

MC: “What are these things?”

Seemingly alive, the brambles ensnare Zayne’s entire body and dig into his limbs and torso.

It’s exactly like our first meeting, when he was bound to the throne.

MC: “These... Are they preventing you from leaving?”

His gaze is as cold as winter’s sting.

Zayne: “The Foreseer cannot set foot outside the Tower of Thorns.”

One of the brambles rushes for me. It scrapes my arm, a line of blood red as proof.

Zayne lifts his finger. Ice appears and shields me from the brambles.

Zayne: “A few swipes is all it needs to take your life.”

I remember the Creatio Protocore glowed when I talked about being outside the Tower.

MC: “...Is this because I suggested you leave this place?”

MC: “Your wounds... Are they from the brambles?”

Zayne: “He is warning us.”

MC: “...Astra?”

I realize only Astra could “perpetually freeze” him.

The Creatio Protocore... Is His method to keep an eye on the Foreseer?

Not only does Astra punish any attempt to leave the Tower, but even the mere thought of it is also intolerable.

MC: “You’re attempted to leave the Tower, yes? That is why Astra punished you.”

Zayne: “I have no recollections of such.”

MC: “I’m sorry. I was unaware... I assumed you didn’t want to leave.”

Zayne: “You’ve begged enough for forgiveness.”

Zayne: “Destiny’s guiding hand may have brought you here, but it is time to abandon your curiously.”

The brambles seem to have calmed down and disappear into smoke.

If not for my wounded arm, I would’ve assumed I was dreaming.

Zayne: “There will be a solar eclipse tomorrow. I must wait at the Tower’s pinnacle for the prophecy.”

Zayne: “Unless I tell you, you are prohibited from entering.”

——————————

“Astra gifted one of His eye to the Foreseer. By walking the winding path of time did the Foreseer understand its passing. This is the power of a god.”

—Philos: Tome of the Foreseer

——————————

The moon masks the sun, and only a golden ring remains. A beam of light strikes the Creatio Protocore.

Light reflects off it, forming chaos and patterns of disorder, which is brought into the hands of the Foreseer.

Ancient symbols gradually appear as he pieces together a puzzle.

Astra’s will has presented itself, and the Foreseer’s indifferent facade reveals a hint of indignation as he too imprisoned by the prophecy.

Astra has spoken. Those who defy fate are sinners and shall be punished by Him.