The Diary of Azure
Entry #1
Year: ???
Memory - a process of mind that serves to retain and store information. I find it quite ironic that, whether it be from the information completely missing, or a sheer inability to recall it, that my first memories are ones of confusion and bloodshed. With my hands soaked in crimson, I found myself releasing a dagger plunged into the chest of someone I’ve yet to identify. A tragedy, isn’t it? To kill someone without knowing why. I heard a shout, a bell, and the sound of dozens of armored footsteps. Any explanation of mine wouldn’t have saved me from a public hanging, so I took the only logical action - I fled. To where - I didn’t know. All I know is that I am alive, at least for the current moment. There are people out for me, that is undeniable, but whether the cat or mouse succeeds in this game, that is up for fate to decide.
Signed, a person lacking a name.
Entry #2
Year: 1371
After some thorough information-gathering, I’ve found that the current year is 1371. Apparently, the jurisdiction I am under is that of the Vollachian Empire. The look the bartender gave me when I asked these questions was… interesting to say the least. I can’t blame him, though. I’ve yet to run into any guards, but it doesn’t take a genius to notice the murmuring of the townsfolk about the ‘assassination,’ or the posters found on every wall in the damn city. ‘King Drizen II has been assassinated!’ lines the walls and mouths of the city alike. It seems as though my identity hasn’t been outed, as the posters only depict a vague description of me. I suppose these surreptitious abilities of mine to which I’m unsure of why I even have paid off. I should probably get a spare change of clothes, although from what information I’ve gathered, one gold coin, three silver coins, and a dozen or so copper coins don’t go too far. I might test if my pickpocketing abilities live up to those of my stealth. While a mind may forget things, ink and paper will not.
Signed, a person looking for a name.
Entry #3
Year: 1371
I see my life as a lonely thread ready to be severed at any moment. One misstep during battle, one wrong turn on a street, or possibly even one slip of a word during conversation. These are all things that can result in that thread being mercilessly slashed. In this instance, it happened to be attempting to exit this city through the main gate. After a few days of hiding, I decided to put some distance between me and the city. I fancied myself clever when I tried to blend in with a crowd exiting the gates. It was only when I had moved closer that I realized they were individually inspecting everyone before they were permitted to exit. I contemplated exiting the crowd and searching for another way out, but I reasoned that doing so would definitely catch attention, as I was no more than twenty-five feet from the group of guards at the gate. I decided to roll the dice and go through with it. My result - two ones and a six. As my turn arrived, I was approached by two guards. They were both clad in sturdy, shining armor. A crest of the city adorned the armor on their chests, and both of their faces were hidden behind a mask of steel.
“Name, status, documents,” one guard said in a firm tone. “I.. uh..” I didn’t have a name, status, or any documents on me. “Qian Xiuying, Traveler,” I said hastily. “What kind of name is that,” the second guard said, amused. “He’s probably one of those vermin from the Northern Regions” he voiced, on the verge of bursting with laughter. The second guard calmed himself before continuing, “Traveler Qian Xiuying,” he read of the paper where he had just written my name, “where are your documents?” At this point, both of the guards had settled down and were once again serious.“ They uh.. I lost them,” I squeaked out. Both of the guards glanced at each other with caution, before guard one asked “Sir, can you please remove your hood?”
I reluctantly did as they said, and removed my hood. I was naïve to assume that all of the information they had was listed on the poster. “Messy black hair, pointy ears, and…” the guard paused, “icy blue-” the knife was already plunged between the helmet and chest plate before he could finish his sentence. He dropped to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust as he did so. Guard two, after recovering from an initial state of shock, drew his blade. He charged at me, with his blade raised above his right shoulder. As he closed in, he attempted to slash from the upper right to lower left of my frame. I sidestepped to the left and-
and ---
I was simply not there anymore. The sun once shining brightly in the midday was now a deep orange as shades of red, orange, pink, and violet smeared together on the horizon. I found myself on a dirt path surrounded on both sides by dense forest.. The path was wide and straight, and showed signs of heavy usage, something you would expect of horses and carriages. My clothes were ragged and appeared singed at arbitrary places. Without anything left to observe, I decided to walk towards the way I was facing when I first came to my senses, as going back to the capitol was not a great idea. Eventually, exhausted and thirsty, I caught the first glimpse of a village, which I now know as Sterwyke, as the sun barely started to peak of the horizon. Worn out, I stumbled into an inn/tavern named ‘The White Raven’. I refreshed myself with a drink and was luckily able to afford a room for one night. I sit here now writing this, about to collapse into the bed that allures me with its comfort. I guess I can rest easy knowing I’m safe for now, but the gap in my memory unsettles me. It feels like the memories are there, but it’s just as though I cannot access them. In any case, I’ll think about it with a fresh mind when I awaken.
Signed, a person who almost has a name.
Entry #4
Year: 1371
It happened again. When I awoke from my rest, I found myself in a crowded tavern. I was staring directly at a young man, with long brown hair dressed in a knightly uniform, who was surrounded in an aura of pride and confidence. His back was turned to me as he made small talk with the bartender. I noticed my right hand was shaking with tension. I looked down and saw the glint of a small dagger in my clenched hand. Confused, I loosened my grip and put it back. I reluctantly sat myself a few seats over from him and ordered myself a drink. It tasted odd, but I was too thirsty to care what it tasted like. I occasionally glanced at him through my peripheral vision, but he doesn’t seem to notice me. I looked around the tavern a few times - there are some oddballs here. A blue dragon, a midget girl wearing a classy outfit and a black hat, and a sketchy lookin’ dude with a clown getup all caught my eye. I’m starting to get drowsy, though, so I think I’ll take a quick nap before I head out of this place. I have a lot of things to figure out, and I doubt it will be easy, but I will get down to the bottom of it nonetheless. After plenty of thought., I’ve decided a name for myself. A color of a cloudless sky and the vastness of a wide ocean, and one of my eyes.
Signed, a person who found his name,
Azure.
Entry #5
Year: 1780?
Four hundred years of revenge, four hundred years of sorrow, and ultimately - four hundred years of loss. Within those four hundred years, something changed within me. Too many times have I lost time following my awakening. Shredded deer, a birch tree, followed by random bouts of ungodly symptoms. These are only but a few things I have experienced upon returning to my senses. Coincidentally, it had never been in the knowledge of any of my… “companions?” As defunct and irritating they are, I wouldn’t be alive without them. As I stated, I have never been found out. The thing within me is careful. Although we differ in goals, we both know that we cannot survive without each other. We are dependent on one another. Whatever it may be, I pray that I have a chance to say my goodbyes before I grow attached to what I’m slowly starting to consider my friends. I’ve tried to remove myself from them in hopes of alleviating the process, but I can’t bring myself to intentionally hurt them to achieve this. I will keep my thoughts away from pen and paper from now on, but I cannot bring myself to destroy this ‘diary’ of mine. If you’re reading this, I do not ask for sympathy or pity, as a similar ‘letter’ may have asked of. I only ask that you set this diary aflame and forget anything you had to do with me. For the sake of you and I, please follow through with this one request.
Signed,
Azure.