The Ruler's Eye
That was the title people gave to Catherine. Since she was young, she possessed an extraordinary insight and a divine ability to foresee the future.
Catherine's power operates through two different paths.
The first path is the past: when she touches a person, she sees their past—memories, emotions, everything about them. No ability surpasses the Ruler's Eye.
The second path is the future: she can see a person's life for a limited period of time, and this vision varies depending on how well she understands the person sitting before her. She combines what she knows of their past with the simple course of their life in the present and future, and only then does she gain complete knowledge of that person.
She can also see a random future of anything through dreams. Under normal circumstances, she may see only one vision per month, but if the matter is dangerous, she may witness several different visions at separate times.
Returning to the present moment—
A knock echoed at the door.
"— You may enter."
"— Welcome back, Mr. Grise. Is there something that made you return here? I expected you to be busy."
"— Don't trouble yourself, boy. I'm free today. I'm only here to introduce you to a special guest. Lady Catherine, please come in."
A stunningly beautiful woman entered. Her appearance was beyond description; with her black hair tinged with violet and her elegant black attire, it was clear she was someone of great importance.
"— Greetings, boy. My name is Catherine. I came to check on you and see if you are doing well."
"— Thank you very much. I'm truly fine. I apologize for worrying everyone. I am sincerely sorry."
That was what I said outwardly, but inside I felt that something was off. I felt uneasy, a sense of anxiety for some reason. Despite her showing no hostile intent, I decided to go along with the situation until I understood what was happening.
"— Don't worry. Just relax. We'll only have a simple conversation, if you don't mind."
"— Not at all. I would like to get to know Mr. Grise's guest as well. It's the least I can do to return your kindness, since you came to check on me."
Just as I expected, she had certainly come at Mr. Grise's request to examine me, just like the others. Yet she felt different. I felt as though I were in a cage full of snakes.
No… that's probably just my imagination. It must be the result of sitting for too long without moving, or from overthinking. I'll wait and see how things turn out.
"— That's kind of you. Can you tell me who you are, and how you ended up here? Your condition is quite unique—and concerning as well. Mr. Grise told me everything about you, but I'd prefer to hear it from you personally. What happened to you for you to end up in the Tomb of Monsters?"
"— Miss Catherine, I truly don't remember how I came to that place. I don't even remember my own name. I don't know who I am or where I came from, so I sincerely apologize—I can't answer your questions."
There it is… her true fangs showing.
"— Don't worry. I'm certain that with time, you'll come to understand yourself and your true nature. But may I ask you about your tattoo?"
Catherine spoke.
"— Well, it's a tattoo of an hourglass filled with cracks and fractures. Mr. Grise told me everything about tattoos earlier, so I don't really know much about it. But may I ask—what is your true purpose in visiting?"
Both Grise and I stared at the boy in astonishment. He, in turn, looked back at us with a sharp gaze whose meaning we could not comprehend.
"— Why would you say that? The lady merely came to visit and take a look at you based on what I told her."
Grise spoke.
"— Wait, Grise. I'll take it from here."
"Listen, boy. It truly seems that you are not a fool. So we'll be honest with you. My name is Catherine of the Enlightened Order. Since ancient times, this order has inherited the power of the Ruler's Eye. I am the one hundred and twentieth heir to this ability.
Some believe that my title is the Ruler's Eye, but that is merely the name of my power. I am Catherine, bearer of the Ruler's Eye tattoo, and the current leader of the Enlightened Order."
I looked at her with excitement and smiled.
"So you're not just a remarkable person—you're someone extremely dangerous and important."
"That's correct. You could say that. I am here to ensure the safety of this continent from an unknown threat. I had a strange dream about you. I didn't see your face, nor was your name mentioned, but the traits in that dream matched you perfectly."
Man… I woke up just a short while ago, and now I'm standing before one of the most important figures on the entire continent. I placed my right hand over my eye and smiled like a madman.
"Would you kindly tell me about your dream, my lady?"
Shock.
She told me her dream, and it matched exactly what I had told Mr. Grise.
I spoke in a trembling voice.
"So it seems there's something about myself that I don't know… No, I truly know nothing at all."
"Lady Catherine, is that the only reason for your visit?"
"No. I'm here to use my technique on you. Explaining it would take too long, so let's proceed quickly. We can discuss the details later.
Can you extend the arm with the tattoo toward me?"
"Alright. I suppose that's fine."
I thought it would be something ordinary, but for some reason, the atmosphere around Catherine changed. The pressure shifted, and something heavy—yet comforting at the same time—crushed me with force. That contradictory sensation left me in a state of confusion and astonishment.
Inside Catherine's subconscious…
Alright, I should be able to see the boy's memories, but… why can't I see anything?
This is truly strange. Even if he has lost his memories, his body should still retain them somewhere. But this emptiness around me is unsettling—as if the boy has no past at all!
No… that's impossible. The Ruler's Eye has never failed before. The only recorded instance where this ability was nullified was when I tried to see my own future.
What is this?!
There's a strange voice whispering… that voice again. But I don't hear it the same way as before. It's driving me insane. This boy's mind is like an endless labyrinth.
Then, in a single moment, all the darkness gathered into one entity—something darker than darkness itself, an entity with no physical form. The voice grew louder and louder, while the shadow watched silently, like a hungry lion waiting for its prey.
"There is no present for one who has no past.
The Ruler's Eye will never rise above time.
I am neither a guardian, nor a villain…
I am… the inevitable fate."
A piercing scream—
"— Lady Catherine?!"
Grise shouted.
What happened to her? She only touched his arm for a single second. How could she lose consciousness like that? She's not weak at all—she's a key figure of the entire continent.
"— Mr. Grise, what happened? I didn't do anything to her—"
My words were cut short as Catherine began to awaken.
"— Lady Catherine, are you alright?"
Grise asked.
"— I apologize to everyone… it seems I am no longer as strong as I once was, but…"
We noticed the terror, anxiety, and extreme exhaustion on her face. Despite all that pain, she continued speaking.
"— Boy… do not search for your memories. All your attempts will lead to nothing."
Catherine said, coughing heavily from exhaustion.
"— Why?!"
I asked, shocked—only to receive an answer that never crossed my mind, one that struck me like lightning crashing upon mountains…
"You, boy, have no past…
No present…
And no future…"
In other words—
You do not exist.