Chapter 2: A Small Shop House
Lars was trying his best to not panic in this scenario when the marble skinned youth spoke and broke his train of thought. Lars gave off an uninterested look, but deep down he was trying not to panic. Taking a deep breath and gathering his wits, Lars locked eyes with the mysterious youth as he questioned him.
"Tell me please, who are you and what is this place that we are currently in"
The marble skinned youth turned around and beckoned Lars to follow. At the side of the shop was a small coffee table flanked by two club chairs. A soft chime of a music box could be heard in the background. On the table in a small vase was a stalk of tulip that gave off an ethereal feel. The green butterfly Lars was chasing rested on the tulip.
As he took his seat on the comfortable leather, Lars shot a meaningful glance at the marble skinned youth, where deep thought betrayed in his furrowed brow.
"Welcome Lars Cornell, this is the shop of all worlds. We exist everywhere and between. Recently refurbished, at the crossroads of all known information, unbound from time and space, never twice in the same neighborhood!"
It felt as though the marble skinned youth was delivering a sales pitch, as he grinned, threw his arms out and continued.
"I am the shop keeper of this fantastical place!"
"..." Lars.
Lars took a moment to muse over what the shop keeper had said.
The shop keeper had called him Lars Cornell, how did he find out about this name?
This cannot be real, he was soundly asleep under the yew tree, why would he be here of all places? He was reading about astral projection when he suddenly had an out of body experience, so all facts point out that he should be in the astral plane. In this new and unfamiliar environment, the second thing Lars did was to chase a butterfly.
Lars's vision turned dark and he felt like kicking himself for being so foolish.
He recalled that newspapers would report on how kidnappers would lure children into vans with sweets. Only this time no sweets were involved, and he willingly followed the butterfly. In the end could this all be a setup to kidnap his astral body?!
I need to think of a way to get out of this place! That was when Lars recalled the first greeting the shop keeper said when they met.
"How did you know…"
"… That you would come to this shop?"
The shop keeper interrupted Lars, glancing at the butterfly before continuing.
"Sensitive dependence on initial conditions, I am sure that you are somewhat aware of your past life, right?"
Lars sat upright and shot the shop keeper a look of alarm, how did he find out? As far as Lars knew, he had never mentioned any of this to anyone.
"I … I get flashbacks every so often, but I am unable to remember everything. My memories are very messy, and I can only understand bits and pieces of what I can recall." Lars replied in a soft sheepish voice.
"Are you interested in regaining more of your memories then, even if it means giving up the peaceful life that this reincarnation has provided you?"
Lars looked at the shop keeper deep in his own thoughts. There must have been a reason why he was able to chose to reincarnate after his death in his previous life. He took a deep breath and tried his best to remember how he died. A short while later, a numb sensation started to spread, and Lars gave up on trying to recall his cause of death. He has a challenge now, an opportunity to find out more about his past life, if he does not seize it now, when will he find his next door of opportunity?
Lars trembled in agitation, a determined look spread across his face as he answered.
"Yes, what must I do to recover my memories?"
The shop keeper smiled wistfully as he replied Lars.
"The world is a dangerous place, you will need to get a lot stronger before you can even hope to recover your memories. Knowledge that one is unable to protect will only lead to tragedy."
"You will need to build up your knowledge. How about we make a deal? If you are able to learn and comprehend all the knowledge in your clan's library I will teach you a few secrets to aid you in recovering your memory."
Lars nodded, he loved to read, as such it was only a matter of time before he would finish reading everything in his clan's library. Now the shopkeeper has given him another incentive to read more.
"You should also practice your astral projection, the more you do it, the easier it would be for you to have out of body experiences. This would make it easier for you to travel in anima form."
"Zhenqi, essence energy, auras, magic all of this are just examples of the various ways you humans manifest your life force, your anima. Although it is undeniable that your species does have the least talent in it." the shopkeeper chuckled.
"I have rambled on long enough, how about a gift then? A small present for you. All the items and artifacts in this shop, if any is willing to acknowledge you as its master, you may take that one item and leave the store with it. Any item or artifacts who resonates with you will glow, all you need to do is focus your will with the intent that you are looking to acknowledge one"
With a quick snap of his fingers the shopkeeper looked on at Lars.
Lars closed his eyes and sheepishly thought to himself, are there any artifacts here willing to acknowledge me as your master and leave the shop with me? Lars opened his eyes and excitedly looked around the shop.
Slowly but surely items, weapons and artifacts in the shop started to glow brightly, if one were to walk pass the shop you would be forgiven if you thought that someone brought out a miniature sun inside the shop.
"So many? So young and already so terrifying?" A faint spell afflicted the shopkeeper and he almost vomited anima.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Kyr8
Kyr8 I couldn't help it so I wrote a few more chapters.
Tentatively I have it such that I should get a new chapter out every week on Wednesday.
Do give me advice on what parts of the story you like, let me know what you don't like as well as how you feel I should improve on my work.
Appreciate all advice and constructive criticism as this is the first time I decided to work on such a hobby.
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