Trying to push the eerie vision from his mind, Ray focused on his surroundings.
The Memory Store was larger inside than it looked from the outside, but there were no windows, making the air feel heavy, almost claustrophobic. The walls were lined with weapons of all kinds - sleek daggers, wickedly curved scimitars, broad cleavers that looked more like butcher's tools than swords. Some blades gleamed unnaturally, their edges reflecting light that wasn't there, while others had a dull, worn appearance, as if they had seen countless battles.
Armor sets stood on wooden frames in the middle of the room, each vastly different from the next. Some were heavy and plated, like those of ancient knights, their surfaces engraved with strange patterns. Others were light and flexible, made of overlapping dark plates or layered cloth reinforced with faintly shimmering metal threads. There were even some that barely looked like armor at all - robes that carried an unsettling aura, or gauntlets with clawed fingers that looked like they had been made from the bones of some monstrous creature.
Ray had just started browsing when a voice pulled his attention away.
"Hello, how can I help you today?"
The man who had spoken stepped into view. He was a head shorter than Ray but wide, with a thick gut pressing against the fabric of his shirt. His arms were thick too, but not in the way of a warrior - his was the bulk of a man who enjoyed his meals and didn't care to cut back. Despite that, there was an energy to him, a sharp glint in his small, watchful eyes.
Ray gave a slight nod. "Just looking for now."
"Take your time." The man stepped back, giving Ray space but keeping an eye on him.
Ray ignored him and moved along the rows of memories. He stopped in front of a serrated short sword, its jagged edges blackened as if burned. Something told him it was a nasty thing to get cut by, but when he looked closer, it didn't seem as special as the first look made it seem.
He moved on, passing by an axe with a curved blade that shimmered faintly, then a spear made of some deep green metal, its tip carved into an intricate spiral. Nothing that really caught his attention.
Then he felt it.
A subtle pull in his chest, faint but unmistakable.
His head turned, following the sensation. It led him to something off to the side, almost tucked away - a mask.
A pale, smooth mask covering the lower half of the face, appearing as if carved from polished bone. Compared to the more elaborate pieces in the store, it looked almost out of place.
The shopkeeper, who had been watching Ray with mild interest, raised a brow. "That thing?"
Ray stepped closer, the pull growing stronger.
"Haven't thought about it in a while," the man continued, scratching the side of his thick neck. "No one ever wanted it. Honestly, not sure why it's still here."
Ray didn't hesitate. "How much?"
The man shrugged. "One Awakened shard."
Ray fished a shard from his pouch and placed it in the man's outstretched hand.
As soon as the payment was made, the man stepped forward, reaching out. Ray felt a tingling sensation as the memory transferred - an almost weightless touch, like something settling just beneath his skin.
[You have received a memory: Featureless Mask]
"There. Hope it's worth something," the shopkeeper said, pocketing the shard.
Ray barely heard him. The pull was gone now, but his mind was already moving on.
He continued browsing, letting his gaze sweep over the remaining displays. Most of what was left wasn't worth considering, but then he spotted something - a set of dark, practical-looking clothes.
At first glance, they barely looked like armor. The fabric was reinforced but flexible, more like something a scout or assassin would wear rather than a knight. It didn't shine or stand out, and that was what Ray liked about it.
"How much?"
The man's lips curled into a grin. "That one's in the mid-range. Seven shards."
Ray counted out the payment and handed it over. The moment the last shard was in the shopkeeper's palm, he stepped forward again, pressing a hand to Ray's arm. Another transfer, another faint tingling sensation.
[You have received a memory: Second Skin]
"Well," the man said, slipping the shards into his pocket. "Pleasure doing business with you. Come back anytime."
Ray just nodded, adjusting the strap of his pouch. Without another word, he turned and headed for the exit, making his way toward his room. Only glancing one last time to a corner of the room. There was an armor stand, which was slightly covered, 'Sadly, you don't seem to be there for me.'
As soon as Ray had bought the mask memory, he felt a different pulse from across the room, this one not being like the first. It was something he knew, the feeling this memory gave off, was the same as Ray had felt before on two people, Nephis and Sunny.
The only thing on his mind then was, 'who might this piece go to'. He didn't go too close, he wasn't in the mood, for any possible extra visions his Flaw could cook up for him.
Still, Ray was content with his purchases and went towards his assigned room. On the way he noticed some guards here and there. The castle in general seemed to be very closely guarded and controlled. Which honestly wasn't that much of a surprise to him, whatever cost one shard a week had to offer some kind of peace.
One had to remember that it was not a given, that Sleepers were able to kill awakened beast at all, Ray was more like the weird one out. His combat training, the memories he had, and his Aspect made it possible.
Finally reaching his room, Ray took out the key he was handed and unlocked the door. He really didn't want to be out on the floors for much longer, meeting the king or his lieutenants was definitely not on his current schedule. Though, to be honest, to meet the king just like that would be even weirder, that guy, Gunlaug, was rarely ever seen, when it wasn't something official. He basically ruled this land through his five lieutenants.
From Effie's stories, they should be more or less on her level, or possibly even a bit stronger. Of course, that was only the case for most of them, as there was one lieutenant who was responsible for the utility aspect wielders, having one herself. The others though, one was known as a true veteran, being here even longer than the king himself, then there was the executioner, known as the right-hand man of the king. Where he went followed death.
Besides them, there were two more, a man, responsible for the hunters, from what he heard, an archer. The last one, was also the person Ray knew the least about, besides the king, the only informations he could gather, were that it was a woman, and that she seems to have a very weird aura of beauty. Something, not really human.
Entering his room, Ray closed the door and locked it behind him. He looked inside the room, seeing a normal bed, a desk, a drawer and a small window. All in all, not bad, when one remembered, that they were in a nightmare creature infested place, deeply hidden in the Dream Realm.
Sitting down on the bed, and feeling the texture, Ray was glad he made the decision.
Finally, he had a bed, once again.
He laid down, with one hand behind his head. The next moment, Ray summoned the mask in his free hand and looked at the runes. He didn't think, he had to enter his soul sea every time, to look at his memories.
Seeing, that he also was still in his [Sentinel's Embrace], he unsummoned it, and in its stead called forth his new [Second Skin].
Now clad in a more casual outfit, Ray summoned the runes for the mask, while investigating the mask itself.
[Featureless Mask]
Memory Rank: Dormant
Memory Tier: First Tier
Memory Type: Armor
Memory description: A pale, smooth mask covering the lower half of the face, appearing as if carved from polished bone. It lacks any distinct markings, features, or signs of craftsmanship, as though it was never meant to have an identity. When worn, the air around the wearer subtly wavers, making their face appear… uncertain.
Memory Enchantment:
- [Déjà vu] – You will remind others of someone, but no one will ever be able to remember who.
Seeing the runes now, for the first time, even Ray was a bit shocked.
This mask… it was useless.
That was at least how it seemed to most. For Ray, the connection was still there, and it appeared even stronger now, that the mask belonged to him.
Honestly, Ray really wanted to find out what was so special about the mask, but there was nothing he could do right now. It showed nothing, and the only thing, Ray was able to think off, was to inject some essence into it, but he was a sleeper. Besides using his Aspect Ability, he could not use any Essence freely, aside from active memory enchantments.
He had no choice for now, only when they came out from this hell place, could he investigate it more. Right now, it was useless and would probably just wait for him in his soul sea.