Gowther

Besides the endless darkness, Gowther had strange dreams.

At first, it was just a voice. Someone's gentle, tender voice — calling to him, saying something unintelligible, yet those sounds stirred a strange, long-forgotten warmth inside him.

Then he saw a blurry silhouette standing nearby. He couldn't make out the face, but he felt — this person wasn't dangerous. Quite the opposite. Something… familiar radiated from them.

And then he woke up in an unfamiliar place. It was light and peaceful around him, and something inside him ached strangely.

— Gowther! the voice became clearer, and so did your silhouette.

He finally could fully see the girl standing beside him.

— You've come again, Gowther stated, breaking the silence.

— Of course I came! I promised I would keep coming here, you beamed and sat down beside him on the stone floor.

— Promised? he tilted his head.

— Yes, you nodded. — What's wrong with you? You're so distracted today…

He kept looking at you, trying to understand what was happening. Where was he? Who were you? What promise?

With every moment he looked at you, something he couldn't comprehend awakened inside him.

— Gowther!?

Unexpected moisture on his cheeks startled the boy. He touched his face — wet.

— What?

"I'm crying? But why? Could it be… because of her?"

— How strange… he said, looking at his wet fingers.

— What's strange about being able to cry? you asked.

— I can't cry, he replied, confusion in his voice. — Just as I can't feel any emotions… But yet…

He fell silent, unable to explain.