Chapter 5- The Shard of Memories

"I am Meril, Princess Meril Inugami of the kingdom Jefiah. You are Prince Trey of the kingdom Undecka. Welcome home to the 5th Dimension."

"Where?"

"Trey, you don't remember anything do you? Well, I do have something that can help you bring back all the memories that you lost. But there is a problem…" Meril began to look extremely distressed.

"Hmm? What's wrong?" Trey still seemed to be extremely confused.

"Well, there are 3 domains in this land. There is my kingdom of Jefial, your kingdom of Undecka, and the Dark Domain. Our kingdomss live in harmony, however, the Dark Domain lies beyond the broders of man. Only creatures of darkness live there, except for evil humans that have been exiled into the darkness." Meril then fell deeper into distress. She turned away and looked out a window.

"Uhhh…. What is it that lies in the Dark Domain."

"Well, it used to be here in my palace, but there was a siege of a castle a couple weeks ago. A fortune teller fortold of your return to power. Word got out to the empire and into the Dark Domain. A witch knew she had to prevent your return so she sent a siege to the palace and stole the Shard of Memories. It containes your memory, which held information that only you and your father had known. However, your father went to retrieve it. He didn't return. No one knows what happened to him." Meril closed her eyes as tears slid down her face.

"Why didn't he just use the knowledge that he had instead of mine? Wouldn't that be better than running off into the Dark Domain? And if he disappeared, how come no one went to find him?" Trey began to yell.

"Hmmm…. Well, there is a law to prevent entry into the forbidden lands without permission from loyalty. Your father used Furyoku from the Spiritual Guardian to form a strong, unbreakable barrier between them and us."

"Then how did they get pass the barrier and into your palace?"

"We don't know, but we believe that the leader of the witches, Zeru, has corrupted the center of power. There is only one way in which we can reinforce the barrier and retrieve the Shard of Memories: we must go to the Dark Domain and retrieve the Dark Stone, the Shard of Memories, and your father. So, what do you say?"

"Well, I really want to find out the truth so lets go…"

A Week Later…

Trey and Meril traveled alone. They went far into the Dark Domain. Meril believed that in the center of the Dark Domain lies the Dark Stone.

"So, how far do we have to go to get to the shrine?"

"Not too far I think. If we follow this road, we should…. Hey look!" Meril ran quickly towards a large shadow that was leaning against a tree.

"Meril, what is it?" Trey followed, also unawaare what the shadow was.

"Hello, Princess Meril. Have you come searching for me? And I see the prophecy has come to pass. I thank you for bringing my son." There stood a man. He was tall and dignified. His dark hair streamed down and reached his shoulders.

"Your highness, Sir Urachima."

"Princess Meril, you have done a great job. I must tell your father of this heroic act, but first, I believe that you are here to find this." Sir Urachima pulled out a necklace from his pocket. The chain was made of pure silver. A blue crystal dangled at the end. The crystal was encased it a small ring of pure gold.

"Oh, sire, how did you retrieve the Memory Shard? Didn't the witch Zeru take it?"

"Yes, but I managed to get it back. The details are not important at this moment. What is, however, is the return of my son's memory. Trey, do you remember who I am?"

"Ummm…. I… I don't think so."

"Well, here, take this. It contains your memory. It won't alter your personality or present memories, but will fuse with them: becoming one." King Urachima handed Trey the Shard of Memories. Trey stared at the stone that sat in his palm. It glowed and a light swirled inside the stone. Although there was no light, the stone reflected a glow like a star in the distant sky. Trey placed the Shard of Memories around his neck. The stone then shined with an unbearable shine. Meril and Sir Urachima covered their eyes. The light ceased to shine.

"Hello father, it's nice to be back."