Chapter 14: Fear’s Embrace
I opened my eyes and saw a silhouette standing in front of me. It glowed faintly, its body radiating a soft, white light. No face. No features. Just a figure in emptiness.
[ Come closer, mortal, so I can see your deepest fear, one even you don't know.]
I hesitated but felt a strange pull, as if the light itself were dragging me forward. As I approached.
*What is my biggest fear?*
Not knowing who I am is problematic enough. Not having memories, wasn't that already terrifying? How could I fear something deeper, something I couldn't even remember?
The figure reached out and touched me. Its glowing hand was cold but not unpleasant. Then it stepped back, as if recoiling from something.
[ Well then, It was obvious. Your greatest fear is death.]
I froze. Death?
The figure tilted its head, glowing brighter. [ Your fear of death stems from your unyielding desire to live and survive. But that was expected. After all, stripping away your memories, taking almost everything from you, and a desire to know truth is a strong enough motivation to keep clinging to life, isn't it? ]
My chest tightened as its words sank in. *What is it talking about? Is this their plan? Was this the reason they took our memories?* To leave us stranded in confusion and desperation? To make sure we all shared the same fears and desires?
[ You're on the right track, Dune, ] the figure said, its voice creeping into my thoughts.