THE LAST MEMORY

THE MEMORY RETRIEVAL

CHAPTER 10

Kael closed his eyes, focusing on the memory that Arcturus wanted him to retrieve. Lyra watched anxiously, unsure of what to expect.

As Kael's eyes remained closed, his face began to contort in concentration. His breathing slowed, and his body relaxed, sinking deeper into the memory.

Suddenly, Kael's eyes snapped open, and he gasped for air. "I saw it," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I saw the memory of the ancient ones."

Arcturus leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Tell me," he said. "What did you see?"

Kael's eyes seemed to glaze over, and he began to speak in a monotone voice. "I saw a world unlike any I have ever known," he said. "A world of ancient magic and powerful beings. I saw the ancient ones, beings of great wisdom and power. They possessed knowledge that could change the course of history."

Arcturus's eyes were wide with wonder. "And did you see the key to ultimate power?" he asked.

Kael nodded. "Yes," he said. "I saw it. It's a symbol, a symbol that holds the key to unlocking the secrets of the ancient ones."

Arcturus's face lit up with excitement. "Tell me the symbol," he said. "Tell me everything."

Kael hesitated, and Lyra could sense his reluctance. But he knew that he had to comply, or risk losing the memory that Arcturus had taken from him.

"The symbol is a combination of ancient runes," Kael said. "It's a complex symbol, one that requires great knowledge and power to decipher."

Arcturus nodded, his eyes shining with excitement. "I think we can handle it," he said. "Thank you, Kael. You've done well."

As Arcturus turned to leave, Lyra noticed that Kael's eyes seemed to flicker with something like defiance. She wondered what he was planning, and whether he would be able to outsmart Arcturus.

"Now, about the memory that belongs to me," Kael said, his voice firm.

Arcturus smiled. "Ah, yes. The memory that belongs to you. I'll return it to you, as promised."

But as Arcturus handed Kael a small, glowing orb, Lyra couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Was this really the memory that Arcturus had taken from Kael? Or was it something more?