Never free, never me

Memory 75: Realizing something is seriously wrong with Sion

Memory goes here. Read from the last diamond.

What he learns?
- He was doing an enormous amount of work for Sion and they were both exhausted, so much to the point that Sion could barely be angry at him for making a mess.
- Sion just fazed out on him, just like he did in Aather once he got that horrible skill.
- He forced Sion to sleep because he was seriously started to worry him.
- Sion was still trying to tease him the whole time to distract him. 8(

What this means in Aather?

Sion. 8( He knew most of this from seeing Sion go through it in Aather, but it still uber sucks.

Memory 73: First friend

Memory goes here.

What he learns?
- This memory takes over from when Asruld (Sion) stabbed the demon (him) in the eye. It didn't kill the demon. In fact, the demon was able to heal it without a problem.
- The demon's power is massive, enough to even analyze Asruld.
- Asruld can manifest dark swords out of nowhere. Can Sion still do this?
- Worshipper? He didn't know what that meant then either. That's the person who made Asruld?
- The demon originally wanted to die but changed his mind because he wanted to learn more about Asruld.
- Asruld was afraid that because the demon was stronger, that meant his life had no meaning.
- The demon said he would never let Asruld die because Asruld was his first friend. He knew he couldn't rewrite Asruld's existence so he would have to grant him his power for Asruld to break free.
- Asruld CUT HIM IN HALF!!!
- This was when the demon asked Asruld to devour him and his power so that Asruld could live on.
- !!!!!

What this means in Aather?
Well, it sure sheds some light on exactly why the demon let Asruld consume him, which was still kind of fuzzy from his original memory of this event. It also lets him know that if the demon is truly part of him, his true power is insane, which scares him a lot since he's still not sure how well he controls Alpha. This memory also hints a bit more about the curse that has been placed upon the hero, who is inside Sion, and whose fate Sion must share. Very distressing. But a big thing is the memory introduces a reason, although Ryner has no idea what that reason means and has never remembered anything like it before. It gives him something to pursue as a means to save Sion.

Oh yeah, remembering getting cut in half is SO NOT FUN. The demon is still friggin' crazy!

Memory 71: Taking out Nelpha assassins

Memory goes here from Part 8 until Part 10.

What he learns?
- Ferris is always worried about the Dango Shop, like usual. He misses listening to her complain about such things though. 8(
- Six assassins from Nelpha tried to attack Toale's place and he and Ferris had to intercept them. What a pain.
- Ferris was quick to distract him with lewd teasing when the assassins called him a monster for his Alpha Stigma.
- He decided not to kill the assassins once they neutralized them and instead let them go since he knew their professional pride would't allow another attempt after they failed so badly. This confused Ferris of course.
- Being around royalty is so bothersome.

What this means in Aather?
Mostly, it makes him miss bickering with Ferris and it makes him worry about how Toale is fairing back in Nelpha since his jerk prince brother wants to kill him.

Memory 69: Killing people to save Miilk

( I'm just going to copy the section here since it's hard to find in the chapter. )

What he learns?
- Someone had beaten Miilk to the point of near-death when they were in the institute together.
- He had snapped and killed again with his Alpha Stigma.
- Miilk had told him it wasn't bad if he killed her.
- She told him it was okay if he was a monster and he managed to quell his AS.
- They called him 837.
- The soldiers spared Miilk so they could use her to research him.

What this means?
Well, his memory of fighting against AS mitigates this some, but it's still pretty awful. And Ryner hates remembering murders. This is especially hard because it shows that Miilk survived because of him but for the worst reason. :(

Memory 67: Stopping crystallization

Memory starts at 13:20 and lasts until Ryner attacks with Izuchi.

What he learns?
- Liir attacked Ferris with his Relic magic! D:
- Liir tried to activate his Alpha Stigma using some special stone, but he was able to fight against it by remembering Ferris and the people he has to live for.
- He was able to stave off Alpha!
- This is not the first time someone has tried to activate his Alpha Stigma that way...

What this means in Aather?

Well, he knows Ferris is all right because he's already remembered the rest of this memory, where he saved Tiir and the other Gods' Eyes children. He's antsy to know that someone has forcibly activated his Alpha Stigma before... but it is a HUGE relief to know that he can fight off Alpha when he really focuses on it. He knows that's probably because of the way Alpha was being triggered here, instead of it being an emotional reaction. But it's still better than nothing. It gives him hope in Three's block having some actual impact on Alpha. Also, this memory serves as a reminder of the people he's living for. Overall, this is a pretty timely memory.

Memory 65: Sion blackmailing him as a student

Memory goes here, starting at 3:50 and ending with the end of the scene.

What he learns?
- Magic training sucks. :(
- He used to be really good at downplaying his abilities so he wouldn't get noticed and he'd be kept away from fighting, where he could endanger others.
- Sion saw through him, of course.
- Sion is always an ASS! A manipulative ass at that. :/
- Kiefer is so mean to him. :(
- Their introduction was Sion was blackmailing him into joining him since Ryner wasn't used to people at the institute knowing about his eyes. Sion told him about this once before but it still sucks. :/

What this means in Aather?

Not much but he'll probably rag on Sion about it.

Memory 63: Dream of Parents

Memory goes here until 1:37

What he learns?
- This memory is pretty blurry so it's hard to tell if it's a memory or just a dream.
- It's almost like his parents really did care for him... So why was he abandoned? Did they change their minds?
- His mother was going to kill him and herself.
- His father promises to protect them all.

What this means in Aather?

It's hard to say since this memory really comes across as a fever dream so its validity is questionable. it works this way in canon too since Ryner has a block on that part of his life, even in Aather, due to what Lieral putting the Demon within him. I think either way it will make Ryner wonder whether it's real or not.

Memory 61: 1 Million Dango Promise

Memory goes here.

What he learns?
- Dango can apparently be used to bargain for his life. :|a But Sion will always win because he's a king. :/
- Sion was angry that he didn't come talk to him before running away. :(
- Sion was too embarrassed to have this conversation face to face. |D
- What did he make Ferris promise not to tell? What is Sion talking about? Unsuuuure?
- Killing Sion is always the solution to everything.

What this means in Aather?
Ryner is super unsure about what's going on with this promise, especially with Sion's prelude of Ryner saying he doesn't want to burden anyone. And it would have to be enormous to promise Ferris such an extravagant gift. Feelings. :(

Memory 59: Childhood training

Memory goes here

What he learns?
- Pia? Someone he used to train with when he was six. She was REALLY GOOD.
- Peria. Another kid he used to train with.
- Sob. He has always known violent women.
- Germer has bad luck with men... Possibly all the violencing.
- It's totally cool to get beat up by strong women. Guys should deal with it. :|b
- Bride. :/
- He slept for ridiculously long periods when he was a kid too. Probably when he started.

What this means in Aather?

Mostly, it just makes him EVEN MORE submissive to women. And affirms his belief that women will always kick his ass. orz

Memory 57: Kiefer's Betrayal

Anime version: Memory goes here starting at 3:40 and ending when Kiefer runs away.
Book version: Memory goes here through "And suddenly walked away."



What he learns?
- When he was younger, he, Sion, Kiefer and some other students were preparing for some type of military attack.
- Kiefer was upset with him about something.
- Kiefer wanted him to abandon Sion and run away with him, but he thought she was joking.
- She said she liked him, just like she did when he traded places with her in the cell. Only this was before she really understood him.
- This must be when Kiefer betrayed them and got everyone killed...

What this means in Aather?

Just awkward feelings about being liked. Especially being liked by someone who is not Ferris or Sion. And awkward feelings about not knowing what to say to Kiefer at the time. Plus, the apprehension of what happened following this memory.