Lee awoke to a pair of magnificent blue eyes staring into his own. They belonged to the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Was he dreaming?

“That was quick,” the woman said.

“Who are you?” he asked, trying to sit up and then looked around himself. “Where am I?”

“Here,” she said and pressed a small crystal into his palm.

“This is the Keeper. She seems to be a friend. You must find a way to end this undead curse to save her and yourself. She thinks you must open the door to do so. -Lee”

His memories came back and Lee let out a curse. “Hells be damned! I must have died.”

It was apparently a strong curse, judging by the way the Keeper winced.

“Sorry,” he said and then stood. He noticed the club was still in his hand as well. “At least this stayed with me. I guess I’ll try again.”

As he stepped towards the pathway the Keeper called out to him. “Wait!”

“What is it?”

“You didn’t save.”

Lee blinked. “But I did.”

“Yes before,” she said. “But you’ve used that crystal now. If you die again, you will reappear here, but will still know nothing. And if you die again without saving then you’ll reappeared at the place you saved before that.”

Hells again, he though. This will cost me.

Lee left another message.

“You failed to kill the lizard twice already! Be more careful this time. -Lee”

You lose 7% Essence.

Memory Saved.

With a nod of satisfaction he stood. “Hopefully I won’t need that this time, but you’re right. Better to be safe.”

The Keeper smiled. “Good luck.”

* * *

Lee cursed as he came to on the granite floor and read the message from himself.

“You failed to kill the lizard twice already! Be more careful this time. -Lee”

This wasn’t good. He quickly left another message.

“You failed to kill the lizard three times now! Do better. -Lee”

You lose 3% Essence.

Memory Saved.

He respawned again. “What the hells?”

“You failed to kill the lizard four times now! -Lee”

You lose 2% Essence.

Memory Saved.

And yet again. “What?!”

“Five times!?? You’re embarrassing yourself!”

You lose 1% Essence.

Memory Saved.

Lee respawned and yelled with frustration. “What’s wrong with me?”

He prepared to leave one more message. But it didn’t work.

You do not have enough Essence to save your memories.

What?

He checked his totals.

Essence: 1%

He looked up at the Keeper who was now kneeling with him.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I can no longer save,” he said. “I don’t have enough Essence.”

She frowned. “This is not a good predicament to be in.”

“How many times have I died now?”

She held up five fingers, and then pondering added another. “I think, anyway…”

Lee cursed again. “How could this be happening? I killed it twice before. And I’m stronger now than I was then…presumably.”

“Perhaps it’s gaining strength from you as well,” the Keeper said.

That made sense. Perhaps it gained Essence from him the same way he did it when it killed him. And it had taken him perhaps hundreds of tries to get lucky with a hit before. He wheezed out a sigh. This would be his last attempt. If he failed he’d be clueless when he awoke and even less prepared to head into that forest or anywhere else. And if he died once more after that, he’d be sent right back to the lizard’s den anyway…stuck in that perpetual hell.

“I need to think,” Lee said and stood, pacing.

His gamble had failed, it seemed. He’d wasted all his Essence trying to kill that thing but with no result. Perhaps he should just venture into the forest and take his chances with whatever was out there. But what if he ran into something much stronger than the lizard? Like two lizards. Or three.

At least he knew there was only one of them here.

Why was this so difficult?

What was he missing?

“I need to try again,” he said. “I need to be stronger before I head into that forest.”

The Keeper touched his arm. “Are you certain, Chosen One? I’d hate for you to lose your memories further.”

Lee shrugged. “I don’t have much to lose anyway. I only have memories from waking up here until now. I’ve actually done very much.”

“You’ve gotten to know me,” she said. “I know for you it may seem you haven’t progressed at all, but I’ve been witness to your determination each time. And honestly it’s a great relief when you regain your thoughts and remember who I am.” She smiled and then lowered her eyes bashfully. “It’s perhaps a bit selfish of me, but I feel so much less alone when you return and recall who I am. It’s like being a little bit less...Forgotten.”

Her words caused him to pause. It was true, he still didn’t know much about himself or anyone else, but she was growing to know him. He didn’t stop to think about how him losing his memories might affect her in such a way. It was as if his memories of her, made her feel somehow more alive. And he had to admit, her remembering him each time was comforting as well. Plus he was growing fond of the Keeper’s company in general. Beyond her beauty she seems a peaceful soul and even just to talk with her was soothing. He’d hate to lose his memories of her—even as brief as they were.

“Don’t worry,” he said as he took off for the path once again. “I won’t fail this time. I can’t.”

“You’ve said that twice already,” the Keeper called out to him.

“Have I?”

She nodded and it caused him to chuckle.

“This time I mean it,” he said.

This time I’ve got more than just my own memories to lose.