20 Memories

"It's already been one week... You think he'll do anything?" the guard asked.

"You're joking, right? We've been monitoring him during all periods of the day and over this course of time, this boy hasn't done a single thing other than sleeping. I mean come on. He's a cripple after all. He insulted some nobles out of spite and now his fate is determined. Maybe he's just trying to get as much rest as possible since the days to come are grim."

The first guard looked over to the door before him. Past that door was where Karma was kept.

"It's somewhat pitiful, you know. Being a cripple that is. Even us mid-tiers have to bow our heads to those above us. I can't imagine what he's faced."

"Hey, don't be acting strange now. Thinking such thoughts will only make your future bleak. As pitiful as it may be, we don't have the right to dwell on such matters. All it will do is make life harder. In the end, our job is simply to follow our master's wishes."

Meanwhile, Karma continued to rest with a simple plan in mind.

"The world of white…"

It was a place Karma had visited mid-battle when he was fighting Rin. Although Karma wasn't aware of why or how he had gone to that place, he knew that the world of white was separate from reality. And during his time in this world, Karma also realized that the world of white was the source to some power. How did he know this? There's no particular reason behind it. It was simply instinct.

Throughout this week, Karma had been thinking of multiple methods he could use to escape. For instance, maybe he could've started a riot and use the chaos to his advantage. Or maybe, he could somehow rally the other prisoners and together, kill the nobles. However, neither would work as the room he resided in was separate from everyone else. And thus, his only option was either to sit around waiting for auction day or return to the world of white.

"Alright," Karma said as he took a deep breath. "Let's do this."

He loosened up his arms and legs. As he did this, he took in slow, deep breaths. After relaxing his body and mind, he closed his eyes shut and remained stationary. Soon enough, 10 minutes passed by. Feeling ready, he opened his eyes and found himself no longer in his own world.

"I'm back…" Karma said with a nervous smile. "It worked!"

"Yes it did," a voice behind Karma said.

Karma turned himself around, facing the voice. "It's you…"

"Yup! It sure is!"

Karma showed a light smile and proceeded to say, "I'll be blunt. I need power. As I am right now, I'm powerless. Back then, with my fight against Rin, you helped me stand on my feet again. Because you helped me, I'm still alive. But, I need more than tha-"

"Then I'll answer bluntly. Karma, what do you desire? To fight, to survive, or to win?"

Karma looked at his other self blankly for a moment. "Even if I became one of the strongest people in this world, living just to fight other strong opponents would be pointless. A fight without reason is meaningless. To survive… to live a life just to live is also meaningless. I live to one day reach my happy end, not to rot away without ever accomplishing anything. The answer to your question is simple. I want to win! No… I need to win!"

"I see… This power that you seek. The power to win. It's not something I can give you."

"But why!? Am I undeserving!? Am I not good enough!? Is my answer not sufficient!?"

"I've told you this before, haven't I? I am a projection of yourself. How can I give you powers when I am you? And either way, you don't need that kind of power anyways."

"But I do!"

Karma's younger self placed his fist onto Karma's chest. "Don't misunderstand. The reason I said you don't need it is because you already have it. It's inside of you. A dormant power that could very well change the constructs of the world itself."

"I don't understand. I'm a cripple meaning I was born without power!"

"Yes, you're correct. You were born without power, but that doesn't mean you remain as one."

Karma's other self softened his expression, making eye contact with Karma. He then said to Karma, "I hoped this day wouldn't come but it was inevitable… You don't remember do you?"

"Remember what!?"

The question was ignored.

"Of course you wouldn't… After all, the only way you could remain sane was by forgetting everything. All the pain and suffering that occurred on that day was something that an adult, let alone a child could endure."

"What are you talking about!?"

"But I remember it all. Because I am a being made up of the memories of your past. Karma, just how much do you remember from your childhood? From what age can you recall in the first place? I'll answer that for you. You can only remember the days you spent in the orphanage. From your perspective, that's where your life began: the orphanage. But what was before that? Think back, can you remember?"

No...

The answer to the question was undeniably no.

Why is it blank? Karma asked himself.

His other self was right. His memories didn't start from his childhood but rather the day he came to the orphanage.

That day, his face was one of a dead man. Karma remembered feeling an enormous amount of sadness, but he wasn't able to recall why he felt so.

Just then, his other self said, "What do you think this place is Karma? A world of white? Is that what you had called it…? That's only touching the surface. The reason nothing exists in this place is because your past memories are locked up deep within you. Do you what that means? This place isn't a world of white, it is a portion of yourself... And I am the key to that self that you do not yet know off. Karma I want you to answer me seriously. Even if you don't understand now, you will, depending on your answer. Karma… do you truly desire the power to win? Even if it means giving up the person you are now?"

The words struck deep inside Karma's soul. He was quick to understand the meaning of those words. Who he is now is defined by the memories he held but if he regains his missing memories and fills the gap in his heart, what would happen to him? It's simple. The Karma he was currently could very well cease to exist and instead a new Karma with different desires would be born.

But…

It didn't matter. Without risk or sacrifice, nothing would change. Karma is a cripple. A person with no powers. Without power, one does not have value nor status. So now, given the question of whether he still wants this power even with its dangers, Karma firmly said, "I do. I still desire the power to win."

A long silence followed this response. Finally, Karma's other self said, "I see…" followed by a flash of light. The surroundings became distorted and slowly the white background was being filled with color. In blinding speeds, waves of information entered Karma's head. A little girl around his age. A small town of low tiers. A great war bringing about chaos. And in the middle of it all, stood himself with piercing eyes ready to bring about destruction.

By the end of it all, Karma collapsed onto the ground. His throat felt dry and it was unbearable to breathe.

[Passive Skill Awakened]

Name: Emperor's Eye