Chapter 310 - What’s left behind
Scarlett sat in silence for a while, staring at the spot where Arlene had vanished, even as the edges of the Memory crept closer, devouring more and more of the porch. Only when the encroaching borders neared her did she finally shift her attention to the cluster of quest notifications hovering nearby, their glowing presence stark against the dimming world. With a sharp flick of her hand, she dismissed them, her gaze narrowing as the messages dissolved into the air.
Under normal circumstances, she might have welcomed the influx of skill points. But now, there wasn’t much joy. Rather, their appearance felt more like an eyesore — an uncaring reminder that all of this still adhered to the same rigid, game-like framework, detached and meticulously orchestrated in ways she still didn’t fully understand.
Her eyes returned to the darkness ahead, her expression hardening.
…She didn’t like it. It felt almost mocking, as if reducing Arlene’s choices and actions to mere beats in a story.
Time slipped by as Scarlett remained seated, unmoving, until the Memory’s edge loomed just a few paces from her feet. With little choice, she stood at last, turning towards the chair where Arlene had sat not too long ago. Resting on its seat was a grey, leather-bound book, its cover unmarked and its surface slightly worn.
Arlene had left it behind.
Scarlett stepped forward, picking up the book. She’d often seen Arlene reading it whenever time allowed, yet the woman had never shared what was inside, even when asked. Running her fingers along the edges of the cover, she hesitated, then cast a glance at the Memory’s boundary. She wanted to know exactly what lay within these pages, but this wasn’t the time or place.
Lowering her arm, she turned her gaze towards the house behind her — the last fragment of reality in a world rapidly dissolving. Beside the door, perched on its usual stool, was a small, red-tinted wooden casket adorned with intricate gold latticework. It had always been there, in the same place, every time she visited.
[Locked Jewellery Casket]
{A woman’s jewellery casket. There appears to be no way of opening it}
Scarlett didn’t know how many hours she had spent in Freymeadow. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, over the past several months. The lessons and experiences Arlene had shared weren’t something she could put a price on. And then there were the gifts: the [Eternal Flameweaver’s Athame (Divine)], the [Foxfire Charm (Unique)], Arlene’s aid against the Anomalous One — more than what Scarlett had originally come here for. But it had grown into something far more meaningful.
Even so, there was still something Scarlett needed.