"Z.W.E.I!" I call out to my wounded comrade as his mysterious attacker, a man wielding a rapier and wearing a hat, begins to flee into the dark forest. If only I hadn't gone to that pond to rinse myself off, that wouldn't have happened. My orb was glowing brightly, showing me the battle that would leave my dear friend wounded badly, but still, I was unable to stop it. Had I arrived only a minute later, though, the situation would be different. Worse, even.
"Viola! Get outta here!" he commands me as my eyes land on his attacker, who does not return the gaze. He must not see me, and soon Z.W.E.I. steps between the two of us.
"This will benefit the both of us," I find myself mumbling after peering into my orb once again.
With his back to mine, he becomes distracted by my entranced tone as his words slip out without much thought. "This guy? Really?"
"His name is Raphael."
"Raphael?" he repeats, and I can hear his attacker stopping in his tracks. I have the feeling he still feels threatened, maybe even more than he had felt before his name was announced.
"How do you know my name?"
"In the moon, I see everything," I whisper as I continue watching the future.
"She sees everything," Z.W.E.I. relays.
"Amy, at last! I've found you!" I am the only one to hear these words.
He turns to face me, shooting a grateful smile in my direction. For once, I am happy to have helped someone. I feel more complete. This man standing before Z.W.E.I. has handed me my memories, and although I do not have them in reality, I will not let go of that feeling. I have helped him find his beloved Amy, and in return, he has made me whole again, if I ever was.
"Don't step any closer!" Z.W.E.I. warns Raphael. "She has no intention of harming you if you leave her alone."
It isn't that simple, I see. Raphael is more fearsome than helpful. Although I've managed to help him, and he helped me in return, he can't settle for happiness without receiving something else in return, something other than finding his love. He needs to take something from me. I cry out in embarrassment and fear of the strange man as he pins me against a wall, tearing away at my clothing. My stockings come down as he feels me up against my will. It is at this moment when I slowly start to remember. But what is it that I remember? Feeling violated, I try to fight him off, and that's where I can no longer see into the future.
If this is the price I must pay to regain my life, then so be it.
The stars will shine when the moment comes, and I will finally be at peace with myself.
The crunching of the leaves stops, followed by the man's words, "Very well then."
"Z.W.E.I," I whisper to him after a long series of glimpses into the future. "We need him, but keep a close eye on him."
He turns around, and I am able to barely make out the features of his attacker from quite a distance away. Just as I have foreseen. "We don't need him, Viola."
"Tell him we will help him find Amy. He will help me regain my lost memories."
"Tell him yourself."
"I'm not talking to him for what he intends to do."
Z.W.E.I. rolls his eyes, but doesn't question me. He turns back around to face Raphael. "She says you'll find someone named Amy if you stay with us," he lets out in a sigh. I turn back around, glaring intimidatingly at the man who will make me both whole and empty. He gives no response.
Will I have anything to gain? I hope the price will be worth it.
"Amy, you say?" he repeats the girl's name, sounding hopeful and yet, still skeptical.
"Without me, he will never find her."
"She's your only hope of finding her," he relays the message in his own words.
"Then I guess I have no choice but to follow you."