Chapter 4:

  Memories

  Regressor. Those who return to a point in time upon their respective timelines. Some stories say that it creates a whole new reality. Others that it just goes back in time. Every story is different, and I didn't know which one it was for Elizabeth.

  To be honest, I was afraid to even ask. I could see she lived many lives from the way she spoke and acted. My heart was pained even thinking about it. I could only think that I, who have never met her before in this life, must have loved her immensely in my past lives. It was the only way I could expin how my heart felt when I was around her.

  "Elizabeth..." I spoke up tentatively.

  "Yes?" She turned her head towards me inquisitively, "What is it?"

  We were in the back of a sleek bck limo, sitting next to each other and hand in hand. It wasn't a rge limo, but one that allowed us privacy from the driver, who was a young woman that didn't say much. The only thing I knew about her is that her name was Maya.

  She wore sungsses to cover her eyes and a two-piece bck suit. Her red hair was cut short and she had tanned skin. Other than that, she seemed to just be Elizabeth's driver, or possible bodyguard.

  "Are you...really a Falcrest?" It was a silly question, because of course she was.

  I had seen her on the news and in magazines. She was really famous. However, because of how I was remembering things, it was a bit difficult to get a grasp on it. I lived in this world, but my dreams were overriding a lot. I felt like I had lived in a world where she never existed, and now...she suddenly did, yet always was.

  "Before that..." Elizabeth spoke gently, reaching into her bag nearby and pulling out a pill bottle, "Please, take these. You have that look on your face again."

  "...Sorry," I felt sheepish, smiling sillily, "Thank you."

  She waved her hand dismissively, as if to tell me not to think too much on it. Unscrewing the cap of a water bottle she had on hand, she waited for me to put the pills in my mouth before handing the water to me. I drank gratefully, feeling the pills go down my throat.

  "There, your head should become a lot clearer now," Her smile was serene and made my heart feel at ease, "To answer your question, yes. I am a part of the Falcrest Family."

  The Falcrest Family was a conglomerate family that goes back several generations. They had risen to be among the wealthiest families in the world and their conglomerate, Falcrest Corp., was listed among the top 10 in the United States. However, this changed when the gates began to appear and new technology was discovered.

  Falcrest Corp. soon went through an upheaval that changed its entire franchise. Renaming themselves to Aegis Unlimited, they devoted their resources to discovering ways to utilize the power that came from gates, known as Aether or Mana. This was also true for monster cores, minerals found inside of gates, and other materials that could be used to improve our daily lives.

  This focus quickly saw the rise of the Falcrest Family to the number one spot in the country as far as conglomerates go. The vast diversity of their company made them almost unparalleled. However, the corporate world was a constant struggle to stay on top. Always looking for the next opportunity.

  "Aegis, huh?" I mumbled, looking out of the window of the car at nothing in particur, "The biggest guild and company in the U.S...Hmm."

  "...Lucas?" Elizabeth called my name softly, concern in her tone, "Is there a problem?"

  I felt her hand squeeze mine, as if she was afraid. Gncing over, I could see the worry in her eyes. It was evident upon her face as she bit her lower lip. Something in me reacted when I saw that, and it wasn't until my hand reached for her face and pried her lip from being bit did I notice it.

  "Ah! I, uhm..." Retracting my hand quickly, I could still feel the softness of her lips upon my thumb, my face felt like it was burning up as I tried to look anywhere but at her, "N-No...there's no problem. I'm just...taking it all in. It still feels so surreal."

  There was a moment of silence that was close to becoming awkward. I wondered if I had done something unnecessary or perhaps said something wrong, but as I heard Elizabeth speak, my heart fluttered from her words. Finally looking at her, I felt my breath catch in my throat.

  She was lost in thought, her thumb lightly touching her lips with a slight smile.

  "Heh...You always did say I had a bad habit of biting my lip," She stated with loving nostalgia, "Seems like after all this time, I still haven't broken it."

  "Is that so?" I asked softly, feeling bad for not remembering.

  "Mhm," She nodded, lowering her fingers from her lips as she looked at me with clear eyes, "You would always make me stop, just like you did now."

  My face grew even warmer, and I looked away sheepishly.

  "W-Well, I-" I smiled awkwardly, unsure what to say, but before I could continue, my words were lost as Elizabeth traced a finger under my chin and lifted it so I looked at her.

  "Lucas, my dear," She stated, her words drenched heavily in honey, and eyes glinting with obsession, "Do not feel bad for not remembering. As I said, take your time. I'm going nowhere, not again. This time, you shall be mine and I'll make sure to keep you safe."

  There was a conviction to her words and her yandere nature appeared with vigor upon her face. Seeing such a visage before me, I wasn't afraid, though my heart still beat rapidly in my chest. This woman loved me, and I was beginning to think there was no escape, though did I want to?

  Cupping my chin, she pulled my face close to hers, that obsession burning bright in her eyes.

  "You're not thinking of running, are you?" She asked menacingly, though there was a strange gentleness in it, "We wouldn't want that, now would we?"

  "Elizabeth..." I spoke with an incredulous look upon my face, raising my eyebrow, "Really?"

  "What?" She questioned seriously, narrowing her eyes at me, "Do you think I don't know you well enough to know what you're thinking?"

  "Heh, that's not it," I ughed lightly with a slight smile, "I just...don't feel afraid of you, yet you're trying to act so menacing. It's...kind of cute."

  Instantly, all her menacing facade dropped as her eyes widened and a bright blush crossed face.

  "Y-You...Hmph!" Letting go of my chin, she crossed her arms and pouted, turning her face away from me defiantly, "I was just trying to have some fun..."

  Seeing this stunning woman, who has appeared so regal in my memories, suddenly pout and act demurely was amusing to the point I couldn't help but ugh. She became even more flustered then, asking what was so funny, but I couldn't get the words to tell her. Eventually, she rexed and just let me ugh, as if she was just enjoying listening to me.

  "Honestly..." She muttered fondly, and before I knew it, I felt my head against something soft.

  She had pulled me into her embrace, my head resting against her chest. With her arms wrapped around me, I felt myself rex into her firm yet tender embrace.

  "Lucas..." She whispered lovingly, "I truly won't let you go, and I mean it when I say you can't run. You're mine."

  Her words would be terrifying to almost anyone else, but for me, I felt calmed by her words. The soft fragrance of a lic entered my nostrils with a clean scent of freshness. Rexing my body against her, I smiled and listened to her heartbeat.

  "If it's you..." I whispered, closing my eyes as I felt her hand begin to caress the back of my head, "I don't think I mind. If you truly will have me. I may not be who I was, but-"

  "Shush now," She told me sternly, yet with a loving gentleness, "You are you. It doesn't matter when or where. You will always be my Lucas."

  -----

  Elizbeth had Maya drop me off at home. I departed from them both with a strange mencholy. I felt empty now that I was left alone. My memories were a bit more coherent. I recalled this world, but not much of my dreams.

  I knew I had seen her in them, and they were most likely memories, but they were no longer colliding with those I had of the life I've lived so far. It wasn't nearly as confusing. Even so, as I flopped back onto my bed, I got lost to my thoughts.

  Elizabeth Falcrest, an individual from my dreams, or so I thought. When I woke today, memories began flooding me and now I knew I've seen her before. Magazines and the news reports on dungeons. She was not only an heir to the Falcrest Family, but a Pyer.

  Not just any Pyer. She was the Pyer. The hottest topic among Pyer's in the United States, and even the world. Her clear rates were incredible and she was one of the main reasons her family had grown to such heights. I couldn't help but think this was thanks to all her knowledge as a regressor, but that wasn't my business.

  What mattered is that someone like her was interested in me. It made me wonder just what I did before that drew her attention. I may never know, as my memories of those dreams were slowly fading, as dreams often do the longer you're awake. I may recall them overtime, but they were simply dreams now. Distant like a foggy horizon.

  Now, my view was set upon the dazzling sight of Elizabeth who cleared the clouds above me to let the light in. She was someone I had no thought of ever meeting, but now...she had just taken me out for breakfast and dropped me off.

  "That...was our first date..." I mumbled to myself, feeling my face and heart warm up at the thought.

  Turning over on my bed, I smiled happily. I still couldn't believe this was happening to me, and I had no idea where to go from here. Just where would I find myself next?

  -----