Fate's Pawn: Five Jewels

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The very air around me vibrated in response to the enchanting tune. My voice intertwined with the gem's ethereal melody, creating a harmony that resonated through the room. The darkness seemed to recede, and soft, multicolored lights flickered into existence, casting a kaleidoscope of hues onto the walls, and painting a vision I couldn't turn away from.

As I continued to sing, the gem started to pulsate, its colors intensifying with each note. A warm energy coursed through my body, filling me with a sense of euphoria. I felt a connection forming, an unspoken language between me and the gem, and what it was for.

Powers bubbled inside me, things I wasn't sure how to control or even use, but the sense that it would all come to me. This form was stronger than any other I'd had before.

The room erupted in a dazzling display of light and sound. The walls were adorned with intricate patterns that seemed alive, shifting and swirling in time with the music.

I watched in awe as the gem levitated from its pedestal, hovering in mid-air before me as if it was proud of what it had created.

A map was sprawled across the length of the wall in its delicate details it was clear what the gem was trying to lead me to.

A chain of islands was displayed in stunning detail. Each was highlighted a different color from the gem, but the closest one glowed a welcoming golden hue.

That was where I needed to start.

But what was I starting? What was this strange journey this jewel was trying to send me on? And why me?

"Well, well, what have you found here?"

A man stepped behind me. He might have a new pair of wire frame glasses perched on his nose, but that familiar smirk belonged to no one else.

"Eros..."

He quirked a brow. "Excuse me," he mumbled. He moved past me and reached out, his finger tips brushed across the smooth jewel and he froze. His eyes widened and he stared at me. "Holly?"

"Eros!" I flung myself into his arms hugging him tightly and he clung back, squishing me against his hard chest.

"Holly, I don't know what's going on. My head is filled with someone else's life and none of this makes sense. What is that?" He pointed at the gem.

"I'm not sure. When I came to this room, it called to me."

He let me go and took a step back, staring hard at the mysterious jewel. Eros put a finger to his forehead. "Let me think."

How had he suddenly understood who I was? Before he'd touched the gem, there had been zero recollection, I'd seen it in his eyes. I had been a stranger to him.

Eros pulled his finger away. "I think I understand, at least some of these things." He put his hand to his chest. "This man's name is Adrian, and yet I retain my memories, or rather, my memories have been unlocked. Somehow this crystal of yours is the reason why." He turned and pointed to the wall where the map was displayed. "And this looks like you have quite the adventure on your hands."

I laughed. "Adventure? I think I've had more than enough of those for one lifetime."

His lips twitched. "It's a good thing that we're in another lifetime now, isn't it?" He frowned. "Since I've been born into this, I can't turn back into my true form, at least not at this time."

"Go back, what about this map makes you think this is some sort of adventure, Eros?"

"Adrian," he corrected. "Until you've managed to wake everyone's memories, it's probably best if you stick to the names they would expect you to use."

Wake everyone else? "Wait, I can... bring them back?" My voice quivered. It was hard to accept that this could be the truth. No, it had to be some cruel jest that fate had set up to torture me.

"Should be able to." He tapped the land mass that glowed gold. "This chain of islands is known to this guy. This island," he paused and pointed at a black lined island in the back of all the others, "has a legend about memories. This is where all the lost memories in the world go, and if my guess is correct, this is how you can wake everyone else up." He gestured to the jewel that slowly rotated in place. "It's where this game from if stories are to be believed."

My heart raced at the possibility of restoring my mates' memories and reuniting with them. "What do we need to do? How do we get there?"

"We have to go through each of the islands in turn, they are all connected, and do you see this wall around the islands?" He pointed at a dark area that surrounded each. "They are stopping you from just visiting the last one. Each will need to be traveled, they're all connected to each other."

My eyes swam with unshed tears. This couldn't be reality. All of my hopes and dreams had burned through me in an instant as hope shook my soul. "I can get everyone back, Eros?"

He gave me a half-grin before leaning forward and kissing my cheek. "We can," he agreed.

A heavy thump happened behind us and I twisted around to see what was going on. An obsidian crystal orb rolled slowly into the wall. I looked up to see who had dropped it and fought a wince.

Out of all the times for Max to find me, this had to be the worst.

"What's going on here?" Max questioned. His eyes darted from me to Eros and back.

Eros gave me a faint smile before mouthing sorry before he turned. "Sorry, I was so taken by her beauty that I couldn't help myself. I think I might even be regretting letting her go, despite how obviously well you're taking care of her."

"Can't blame you," Max agreed with a wry smile. "I'm always captivated by her."

This was probably the worst time to do it, but I had no choice. I rushed to Max's side and grabbed his arm to focus his attention. "Max, there's something I want to do, and only you can make it come true for me." I hated using his feelings against him, but I didn't have a choice.

"What is it?" he wrapped an arm around my shoulders and tugged me against his warmth. "Anything for your smile, Coral."

I pointed to the first island. "Take me there, in fact, let me travel all the through all the islands. Do that, and I'll be ready."

"Oh? For what?"

I was truly an awful person in every life, and this one was not going to be any different. "To marry you."

His eyes lit up, and I knew my ride was secured. The guilt that gnawed at my stomach would have to be appeased somehow, but for now my future looked bright.

If that island truly was where memories came from, I'd bring them all back.