Private

The likely, unspeakable answer was obvious. But only now, while writing this account, can I finally grieve. That second time I went back to the castle, I might have still had hope in my heart. With the camera, I took pictures all around the house, trying to find clues. The temporal gem — the single artifact I had recovered from Father’s collection — had shown me the path forward in the scientific world and had guided me in harnessing its forbidden magic. Then, as the engine powering this device that could peer into the past, the gem was my last shot at uncovering the truth — at getting closure.