Chapter 18: Shadows of the Past

The days drifted by like leaves on a slow-moving river. Deno found himself haunted by fragmented memories of his real mother. Each night, as he drifted into sleep, he was transported back to a time when he was just a small child, perhaps five years of age. His dreams were vivid and disorienting. He saw his mother, her face a blur of love and fear, hiding him in some secret place.

The sounds of gunfire and the clash of swords filled the air, a cacophony of violence and desperation. A man in a hood appeared, casting a spell. He spoke of control, but something went wrong, and the dream always ended with Deno waking in a cold sweat, his heart pounding in his chest.

He began to wonder if the memory loss he experienced was due to that spell. Was his past hidden from him by some malevolent force?

These thoughts consumed him, driving him to immerse himself in books of all sorts—magic, physics, psychology, and various other subjects. His days became a blur of study and training. For twelve hours, he devoured knowledge, and for three hours, he honed his physical and magical skills.

It became his daily schedule, a routine that grounded him in a world that often felt like it was slipping away.From his studies in magic, secret arts, and even electromagnetic wave theory, he concluded that the memories he possessed of a 31-year-old life came from outside this planet—perhaps from a parallel universe. The realization was both fascinating and terrifying, adding another layer of complexity to his already convoluted existence.

One day, Deno was out with his older brother, Ethan. Despite being only two years older, Ethan had already started a successful startup, a venture that thrived, thanks in part to Deno's occasional assistance.

As they walked through the bustling streets, the familiar noise of the city faded into the background. Suddenly, they felt a presence behind them. Ethan turned around to see a man with a gun standing menacingly close. Ethan touched Deno's arm, signaling him to prepare for a fight.

"Move with me," the man ordered, his voice cold and commanding.

Initially, they followed, but as the distance between them closed, Ethan struck. With three swift jabs and a hook, he disarmed and knocked the man out, showcasing his prowess as a boxer.

Both brothers thought the assailant might be a common thief or kidnapper and considered calling the police.

But then, from an alleyway, they heard the sound of slow clapping. A man with one side of his head covered in shadow stepped into the light."Well done, Ethan," the man said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "My name is Lambert."At the sight of Lambert, a sudden flashback overwhelmed Deno. He fell to the ground, clutching his head as memories and pain collided in a tumultuous wave.

Lambert's men, towering figures each at least 7.5 feet in height and built like tanks, approached Deno to take him away.

"Deno, we must go!" Lambert ordered, his voice a whip crack in the still air.

Ethan, seeing his brother's distress, tried to intervene. He launched a barrage of punches at the nearest man, but his efforts were futile. The man stood unhurt, his strength and resilience beyond that of a normal human.

"Deno, get up!" Ethan shouted, desperation creeping into his voice.Deno, struggling with the splitting pain in his head, fought back. Even in his weakened state, he moved with a fluidity and precision that made it difficult for Lambert's men to get a hold of him.

But Lambert, growing impatient, barked new orders."If you can't take him, take Ethan!"

The men turned their attention to Ethan. Despite his best efforts to defend himself, they overpowered him.

Lambert watched impassively as they dragged Ethan away.

"Deno!" Ethan's voice was a desperate plea, a final cry before he was swallowed by the shadows.

Lambert turned to Deno, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "If you want to see your brother again, come and find me." With that, he disappeared into a teleportation array, leaving Deno alone, his brother's fate hanging in the balance

The Streets of Memory

The streets seemed darker as Deno stumbled home, his mind a maelstrom of fear and determination. The familiar path he had walked so many times felt alien, the buildings towering over him like silent sentinels. He replayed the encounter over and over in his mind, analyzing every detail, every word Lambert had spoken.

Deno's thoughts wandered back to his childhood memories—the fragmented dreams of his mother, the spell that had gone wrong. Could it all be connected? He felt a pang of guilt for not being able to protect Ethan, for not seeing the danger sooner. The weight of responsibility pressed down on him, but so did a fierce resolve. He would find his brother. He had to.

Immersed in Knowledge

Back home, Deno buried himself in books with renewed fervor. He needed answers, and knowledge was his best weapon. He delved into ancient texts on magic and parallel universes, seeking any clue that could help him understand Lambert's motives and the nature of the spell that had caused his memory loss.

The hours slipped away as he poured over pages, his mind absorbing information at an astonishing rate. He found solace in the quiet rustle of pages, the steady rhythm of learning a stark contrast to the chaos of his thoughts. He discovered theories of multiverse connections, spells of control and memory alteration, and the dark arts that could bind and manipulate souls. Each new piece of information was a step closer to finding Ethan, a piece of the puzzle that was his life.

Confrontation and Strategy

As days turned into nights, Deno's plan began to take shape. He knew he couldn't do it alone. He needed allies, people he could trust.

He reached out to Percy, Amy, and Annabeth, explaining the situation in hushed tones, his voice steady despite the turmoil within."We need to find Ethan,"

he said, his eyes meeting theirs with a determination that brooked no argument. "Lambert is dangerous, and I can't do this alone."

Percy nodded, his face set in a grim expression. "We'll help you, Deno. We'll find him."

Amy and Annabeth exchanged a glance, their silent communication a testament to their bond.

"Count us in," Amy said, her voice resolute.Together, they devised a plan.

They would track Lambert, using every resource at their disposal. Deno's knowledge of magic, combined with Annabeth's strategic mind and Percy's innate bravery, would be their greatest assets.

The Search Begins

The search for Lambert led them through dark alleys and forgotten corners of the city. They followed leads and deciphered clues, each step bringing them closer to their goal.

The journey was fraught with danger, but their determination never wavered.Deno's dreams continued to haunt him, each night revealing more fragments of his past.

He saw his mother's face more clearly now, her eyes filled with a desperate love. He heard her voice, soft and soothing, a lullaby that was both a comfort and a sorrow.

The spell, the hooded man, the chaos—it all began to make a twisted sort of sense.One night, as they gathered around a map, plotting their next move,

Deno shared his dreams with the group. "I think the spell that erased my memories was meant to control me," he said, his voice steady despite the fear that gnawed at him. "But it went wrong. It didn't just take my memories—it fractured them, sent pieces of my past to another universe."

Annabeth frowned, her mind working through the implications. "If that's true, then Lambert's interest in you is more than just revenge or power. He needs you to complete something, maybe even to stabilize his own magic."

Percy leaned forward, his eyes intent. "Then we need to find him before he finds a way to use you."