"The Paradox of Record"
Chapter 6—Memories of Another Body
From his room, Fray stared at the pages of the book that hovered and flipped by themselves. Each letter and image seemed alive, telling the story of the past—the life of the body he now inhabited.
"Elizabeth…" he whispered to himself, the name echoing from the memories of this family. She wasn't his sister in his real life, but in this body, she was the sister. The thought pierced him like a sharp blade—frightening, yet necessary to accept.
Outside, soft footsteps approached. Elizabeth, unaware of the contemplation her "brother" was immersed in, entered the room.
"Fray… you've been in your room for a long time. Have you eaten?" she asked, worry clear in her eyes. Her voice carried warmth—but beneath it, there was concern, knowing her brother seemed distant.
Fray took a deep breath, forcing the weight in his chest to fade. "I already ate, Elizabeth. Don't worry."
Yet despite his words, he knew it wasn't just food he needed to think about. Every action of Elizabeth, every smile and question, was a reminder that he was living someone else's life—a life with responsibilities.
Elizabeth sat beside the bed. "You know, Fray… I feel like the atmosphere is strange. Like you're hiding something from me."
Fray froze. What he was hiding went deeper than anyone could imagine—his true identity, the memories of another world, and powers beyond anyone's comprehension. Revealing it could hurt or frighten her.
"It's unusual, but… I just need some time," he replied calmly, forcing his voice to stay steady despite the nervousness.
Elizabeth smiled, though it was clear she wasn't fully convinced. "Okay… but don't hide for too long. You know we worry."
As he walked out of the room, Fray remembered the images from the book. This body had a life, a family—and a sister. He could not afford to be careless. He had to protect everyone, even under his own guise.
Stepping into the kitchen, he saw the dining table. His "parents" were there, quiet but observant, their eyes filled with concern yet trust.
"Fray… we just want to know if you're okay," his father said, his voice tinged with worry.
"I'm fine, Father. I'm sorry for worrying you," he replied politely. But inside, he pondered how to maintain the mask—the body had to remain safe.
While eating, Fray's mind repeatedly drifted to the memories from the book. Moments he could never forget: missions, dangers, and the limits of his power. At the same time, he had this new world—a world with a family and Elizabeth.
After eating, Elizabeth approached him, holding a small gift. "For you… though I'm not sure if you'll like it."
Fray looked at the small item—a simple wooden bracelet with a carved symbol. The symbol seemed to echo a memory of siblinghood, a token of love and care from the family.
"Thank you, Elizabeth," he said, feeling an unfamiliar warmth in his chest. "This… means a lot to me."
Yet as he looked at the bracelet, tension rose within him. Every moment that passed, every smile from Elizabeth, reminded him that he was living in someone else's life. His actions had consequences—not only in the world of Beta Military but in this world.
"Fray… are you okay?" Elizabeth asked again, worry evident in her tone.
He nodded, though his heart felt heavy. "Yes… I'm okay. Don't worry."
Then he walked out of the house toward the yard, taking a deep breath to try to separate the two worlds: his true self, and the body he now inhabited.
Outside, the sun's light hit his eyes. The sunlight seemed ordinary, yet inside, his emotions were a storm. This world was full of possibilities—but one wrong step could destroy the life of this family.
"I can't abandon them… even though this isn't my body," he whispered to himself. "I have to be careful. I have to protect everyone—especially Elizabeth."
The memory from the book resurfaced—a warning and guidance. "Your power is a responsibility. Do not abuse it… but use it wisely."
He exhaled deeply, making a decision. He still wasn't ready to reveal his true identity, but one thing was clear: he would not walk through this world without guidance.
That night, as the wind rustled outside, a promise formed in his heart: to protect this world, even if every step was filled with danger.
To be continued...