∎̳̿͟͞ ̳̿͟͞T̳̿͟͞w̳̿͟͞i̳̿͟͞s̳̿͟͞t̳̿͟͞e̳̿͟͞d̳̿͟͞ ̳̿͟͞R̳̿͟͞e̳̿͟͞u̳̿͟͞n̳̿͟͞i̳̿͟͞o̳̿͟͞n̳̿͟͞ ̳̿͟͞I̳̿͟͞ ̳̿͟͞∎̳̿͟͞
🔺− ☞ 🌒 ☜ −🔺
T:7:56
Since you're back..
You have made my day better, thank you. Now I can really smile.
Why can't I see the same from you?
If you keep following my lessons, I'm sure I'll see you really smile.. That's my goal as a teacher.
And remember we have a journey to complete together!
⟹ Today's subject: You.
..
T:8:00
In the complex dance of life, we often extend our care and devotion to others, overlooking the most enduring relationship we possess: the one with ourselves.
Amidst this transient nature of possessions, affections, and even fortunes, the unwavering constant we'll never indeed lose is ourselves.
To truly grasp the fabric of existence, one must unravel the intricate threads of self-appreciation, a delicate balance between recognizing our intrinsic worth and accepting the vulnerabilities that shape us.
Unfortunately, many struggle to embrace self-love.
An example is the story of Nolan:
Lived in the city of ??, born in the XXI (21th) century of 2035.
Nolan, a young guy always on the move, was pretty much a loner.
Life's a maze, and he was stuck walking its loneliest paths.
The whole solo act weighed heavily on him, like a constant shadow.
Everywhere he went, it was like his footsteps echoed with a kind of silent longing.
A nomad in his own life, Nolan had changed cities and schools more times than his underwear.
Trying to make real friends? Tough.
His parents were always moving for work, so making lasting connections was like trying to catch smoke.
He missed out on those simple but golden moments - awkward chats, shared laughs, the stuff that makes friendships stick.
Nolan just couldn't figure out the whole social thing.
Why bother talking? How does it even work? He didn't get the point of hanging out with people.
Then, BAM! Change hit.
A girl in his class, all friendly and open, walked into his life.
She seemed like a ray of hope in his lonely world.
Approaching with an aura of warmth, radiating kindness. ▶ "Hi, you're Nolan, right? I noticed you're new here and thought you might appreciate a friendly face. I'm Lara. If you need anything, anything at all, I'm here for you."
Visibly relieved and surprised by the kindness. ▶ "Thank you, I didn't expect this.. Yes, I'm Nolan. It's really kind of you."
▶ "Think of it as a welcome to our community. I know changing environments can be tough, but I promise you, you'll find friends here. Why don't we start with having lunch together today?"
▶ "Really? Thank you!"
Smiling. ▶ "You don't have to thank me, I hate to see people being left out, you're surely a nice guy who just needs a little help!"
But here's the twist - she wasn't all sunshine and rainbows.
She had her own game, using Nolan for her own reasons.
He was like a puppet, and she held the strings without him knowing.
The deeper they got, the more Nolan felt something was off.
He started doing all these small things for her, losing himself in what he thought was friendship.
The real kicker? This girl, Lara, was using Nolan's soft spot for her to boost her own popularity.
She'd make him do weird stuff, like spill fake crushes to other girls, just to stir the pot.
Nolan was her go-to guy for favors, errands, even gifts, thinking that's what friends do.
▶ "Nolan, my dear, I find myself in a delicate situation... There's this thing I desperately want, but I'm a bit short on cash. Could you be my hero and help me out? It would be our little secret."
Hesitant but unable to resist the emotional pressure. ▶ "Uh, sure Lara... How much do you need?"
The worst part? Lara's boyfriend, Mark, would rough him up, and Nolan took it, thinking it was better than being alone.
With a tone laden with violence, grabbing Nolan by the shirt in a school alley. ▶ "So, the little guy thinks he's special to Lara? Wrong, buddy. She's mine, and you're just a little bug to squash!"
Trying to free himself, frightened. ▶ "I'm not trying to... I don't want to cause trouble..."
Pushing him against the wall, raising his fist. ▶ "Too late for apologies, Nolan.. It's time you learn your place!"
One day, Nolan overheard Lara trashing him to her friends, calling him her "little servant." That was a gut punch.
With icy cruelty, relishing the moment with her friends.
▶ "Oh, Nolan? He's practically my toy. He's so desperate for a crumb of attention that he would do anything I ask him to. He means less than nothing to me; it's just amusing to see how far I can push him."
▶ "But don't you feel bad for him? It's so humiliating!"
▶ "Why should I? He's pathetic. And besides, exploiting his pathetic adoration makes me feel powerful. It's not my fault he's so naïve. It's a game, and I'm winning."
He realized he was just a tool in her game.
That hit him hard.
But it was a wake-up call.
Moving to a new city with his parents, Nolan left Lara and her mind games behind.
It was tough, but he started to see that real happiness comes from within.
He learned the hard way - you gotta love yourself first.
That's where he found real connections, real friends, and even love.
In the end, he found out that what matters most is being true to yourself.
Nolan lived a full life, making real friends, experiencing love, and passed away peacefully at 89. (2124)
˜"°•. ♪ .•°"˜
Their path led them to a larger area of the ruined city, where a once-majestic fountain stands amidst the urban desert in the center.
Its grandeur, now marred by cracks and decay, whispered tales of a bygone era.
Echoes of the past danced upon its worn stones as twilight's rays filtered through the ruins.
Adam, maintaining a serious face, mentally said. ▶ "Let's go along with this game. If he's inclined to talk, we should prolong the conversation!"
▶ "Keeping it flowing, even if he dodges our questions, might just lead him to reveal something about himself or the situation!"
Eve replied equally but concerned. ▶ "It seems very dangerous.."
Despite the apparent desolation, a few tables and chairs were scattered around the fountain; a few half-destroyed shops hinted that this place had once been the center of that human city.
The mysterious individual, still unsettling, stood in the center of that square, awaiting their arrival.
From his appearance, he seemed to be a young man in his twenties with long white hair, standing a few meters away from the fountain and the white portal.
Adam and Eve slowly walked to the figure, unsure what would happen next.
Adam mentally said to his companion. ▶ "Eve, I think we should give it a shot. Try engaging him in conversation; let's test if he can perceive you; after all, he was using the plural!"
The dust filled the air due to the portal's power, creating a strange aura around them.
Understanding Adam's intention, Eve asked with a voice firm and a nervous tension beneath her tone.
▶ "Wh.. Who are you?"
The figure's grey eyes, cold and unyielding, had a penetrating gaze that held a disdainful flicker within.
As he observed, a subtle tightening of the skin around his eyes hinted at a suppressed intensity, conveying an air of superiority in his gaze.
The corners of his lips twitched with a subtle arrogance, forming a sardonic half-smile that betrayed the sense of amusement at their presence.
Inclining his head, he asked ▶ "Are you giving up then?" A full mocking smirk painted on his face, he chuckled. ▶ "It almost seems too easy..."
▶ "Weeell, I don't mind hah." Continued raising the shoulders and hands in the air.
As he spoke, the slight tilt of his head, almost imperceptible yet purposeful, accentuated certain words, creating an unsettling cadence.
The hands punctuated his speech with fluid movements, adding an enigmatic emphasis to his words.
That figure began to approach slowly. His long and slender fingers moved with deliberate precision, occasionally drumming against his thigh in a rhythm known only to him.
Stiffening, Eve communicated to the android. ▶ "Adam, this individual doesn't seem normal to me!"
Strands of his long, white hair swayed gently with the movement, catching stray beams of twilight.
The fabric of his attire, a dark cloak that draped him with an air of mystery, rustled softly with each step, concealing more than it revealed.
The very air seemed to bow to his presence, causing the cloak to billow and dance as if responding to some silent command.
His hair, a cascade of pale strands, followed suit, framing his face with an otherworldly elegance.
▶ "Calm down. If it's too dangerous, we will escape at high speed!"
In the unfolding encounter, his body language exuded a poised confidence, a silent declaration of his perceived superiority.
This meticulous choreography of his every motion contributed to an overarching aura of intrigue, leaving an indelible mark of mystery in the air.
He glanced at the surrounding corpses, smiling, then spoke in a dry voice. ▶ "Now that you've given up, I'll have to take you there." While licking his lips.
The three of them were now standing a few meters apart. They glanced at each other for a few seconds.
Adam begins to feel scared. ▶ How can he see Eve, my artificial intelligence, created within my mind? Eve doesn't exist in the real world.."
▶ "I bet you're curious about how I can see that girl, aren't you?" Said the man, a sly smile playing on his lips.
While saying that, his fingers played with a closed silver locket, an object he wore behind his clothes, around his neck, a peculiar gesture.
Eve, trying to maintain an appearance of composure, replied firmly, ▶ "We are not surrendering.. And we do not intend to fight without reason.. What do you want from us?"
The mysterious individual's devilish smile widened; his grey eyes, cold and calculating, seemed to dance with secrets yet unrevealed.
▶ "Oh, sweety.. I surely can't reveal my identity that easily... " He said it, dragging his thumb from the lips down to the chin with a smile.
▶ But maybe, if your friend here.." The young man gestured towards Adam, ▶ "Will kiss my feet, I might be tempted to reveal a secret or two..." Swaying the head
Sensing the escalating tension but determined to maintain his calm demeanor, Adam spoke with a controlled urgency. ▶ "We're not here to joke around! Who are you, and what do you want?"
Despite the gravity of the situation, the man seemed to revel in the unfolding drama, his every gesture and expression adding layers to the enigma that shrouded him.
The mysterious individual shook his head mockingly. ▶ "Oh, you are so dull and predictable. You're not willing to have some fun, as always.."
With a serious look, this time, he continued. ▶ "Then you'll remain in your state of ignorance!"
Once lively and vibrant, the vastness of the square now became the backdrop for an increasingly sinister confrontation.
The shadows of the surrounding ruins seemed to come alive, dancing menacingly as the sun filtered through the cracks in the crumbling walls, casting eerie patterns on the ground.
▶ "If you don't tell us who you are.. What do you want from us?" Eve asked determinedly again, attempting to penetrate the shroud of mystery enveloping the individual.
His hands, nimble and sinuous, lifted slightly as if orchestrating the beginning of a sinister spectacle.
It was a foreboding, the visual prelude to the unsettling sound that would permeate the air.
His eyes narrowed with malice, while again the devilish smile slowly curved its corners, and laughter resonated, a disconcerting sound that echoed among the remnants of the city like a discordant melody, making some tiny rock fall from the walls, sending shivers down the spines of those who dared to listen.
▶ "Oh, my dear..?" The figure taunted, his eyes, now opened, glinting with hidden intentions.
▶ "My purpose might be the least interesting thing for you right now.. But if you truly want to know, you can always fulfill my request haha."
Tension hung thick in the air, and the square itself seemed poised to recount tales of horrors and secrets etched in its stones.
▶ "E–enough of these games!" Adam's voice boomed, his patience pushed to its limit.
The mysterious figure straightened up. ▶ "You want to know so badly who I am?"
The man's words lingered in the air, an enigma demanding unraveling.
▶ "So what are you waiting for? Aren't you coming to kiss my feet?" His hands gestured theatrically to his feet.
▶ "Is it too difficult to understand that if you want something.. you have to do or give something.. You can't always receive everything as if it were nothing, Adam!"
The figure said this and seemed visibly enraged, raising his hands to the sky in anger, but he calmed down in a few moments.
Adam regarded the mysterious figure with a perplexed expression; uncertainty etched across his features.
He stood silently, unsure how to respond to the bizarre situation.
All the processors were at work, trying to find a pattern, seeking an explanation, and arriving at a solution.
All of this was blocking and making his mind heavier.
The enigmatic man then resumed playing with the silver locket, a sinister amusement evident in his actions.
▶ "You know.. I'm here because of the bounty on your head.." He said it while opening the locket.
Then, bored, he stared at the object between his hands. ▶ "But at the moment, you're utterly useless. You have nothing that can scare me!"
▶ "I simply have to take you with me, so consider it a gift for the moments of life we passed together.." The man ended while putting his locket back.
The android, still grappling with the surreal nature of the situation, remained motionless throughout their conversation.
Silently, he observed the enigmatic figure, attempting to grasp the gravity of the unfolding events.
Growing impatient with Adam's stoic reaction, the man huffed in irritation.
Soon, Adam's composure began to fracture, and Eve, standing nearby, found herself ensnared in the same whirlwind of confusion and tension.
▶ "So what will you do? You need to hurry; I don't have much time.."
As the figure continued to revel in their sinister humor, Adam made a decision.
He slowly approached the individual and knelt.
The figure acknowledged his compliance, saying, ▶ "Well done. I see you're making the right choice.."
With eyes wide open and a mix of disbelief and tension, Eve observed the unfolding scenario.
Adam lowered, placed his hands on the ground, and moved his head towards the man's feet.
But the enigmatic character had other plans and started moving his foot, subtly pulling back before delivering a sudden, forceful kick straight to Adam's face.
Erupting like grey in laughter, he mocked, ▶ "H̴̶̵҉̨̡̛̼͎̫͓̒́̔ͩ͜͟͠͞͞A҉҉̦̣̤͔̟̩̋̿̏ͦ̈́̍͟͠H̴̶̵҉̨̡̛̼͎̫͓̒́̔ͩ͜͟͠͞͞A҉҉̦̣̤͔̟̩̋̿̏ͦ̈́̍͟͠H̴̶̵҉̨̡̛̼͎̫͓̒́̔ͩ͜͟͠͞͞A҉҉̦̣̤͔̟̩̋̿̏ͦ̈́̍͟͠H̴̶̵҉̨̡̛̼͎̫͓̒́̔ͩ͜͟͠͞͞A҉҉̦̣̤͔̟̩̋̿̏ͦ̈́̍͟͠H̴̶̵҉̨̡̛̼͎̫͓̒́̔ͩ͜͟͠͞͞ You really did it!!"
🔺− ☞ 🏥 ☜ −🔺
The kick, while leaving no external damage to the ambiance, possessed enough force to gruesomely detach Adam's head.
The violent impact caused a massive cloud of dust to rise, hurling the head away and leaving a disturbing trail of liquid on the ground.
Adam's head lay about 10 meters (⁓ 32 feet) from where his no longer functional body remained.
Eve's scream of horror echoed through the desolate square, ▶ "NOO, Adam!"
Driven by a mix of shock and desperation, she started running towards Adam, but his body was slowly fading away until it disappeared completely.
As the giant cloud of dust infiltrated the mysterious individual's lungs, beginning to cough.
▶ "All rigght, no/w *cough cough* Wwe are aalone!"
Simultaneously, he waved the hand in front of his face, attempting to prevent the sand from entering his mouth.
With slow and deliberate steps, he approached Adam's severed head.
The android's vitality slowly faded, leaving no time to utter a single word.
Then the man knelt, reaching out and taking Adam's head, still partially covered by a substance that could have been blood and petrol.
With wide eyes and a haunting smile on his face, he stared at Adam's lifeless expression, just a few centimeters from his face, as the figure softly uttered.
▶ "Finally!" Expressing an eerie blend of absolute happiness.
After lifting Adam's head, he got his hands and clothes slightly dirty.
The young man's movements exuded a twisted joy, an unsettling celebration of the macabre act just committed.
Rising to his feet, he held Adam's head by the hair with one hand and walked towards the portal.
On the way, he stepped on Adam's metallic corpse, which was crushed and trampled beneath his feet, resembling sand.
The footprints marked the path, emphasizing the destructive journey.
During the walk, he knelt again to pick up the broken object.
▶ "I will get a refund for this!" He put it in the pocket of his trousers.
Now, close to the portal, he wiped his extremities on the clothes, leaving black stains.
However, his hands were still slightly covered in dust when he gazed at a crumpled paper with a piercing look.
▶ "We will meet a..."
The figure stopped before crossing the portal's threshold, struck by a sudden hesitation.
Then, he brought his hands to his face in despair, causing Adam's head to fall to the ground, lifting a fine cloud of dust that danced in the flickering light.
▶ "What if I've changed too much? If you looked at me and no longer recognize me..."
▶ "A―again..."
The man remained motionless, frozen in a moment of inner torment, slowly descending to his knees.
Every movement seemed charged with palpable despair as if the act of speaking or even breathing could shatter that fragile moment of hope.
▶ "NO!" He said with a trembling head.
The young man continued, stammering. ▶ "I beg you, not this time.."
▶ "I don't want to move; if I move, I'll ruin everything."
Starting to hyperventilate, he continued. ▶ "No―NO― I do#n't want t#o lose my li#fe ag#ain― No!"
Initiatin to punch the ground. ▶ "I―I want you ― But if I move, I'll ruin everything ― I DON'T WANT TO!"
The pulsating force from the portal agitated the hair violently, revealing a visage riddled with unbridled terror.
▶ "Pleasee... I WAN/Th TthO DIEEhEEhEEE!" Screamed the young man, his voice muffled like white by the frantic turmoil surrounding him.
His hands, driven by an uncontrollable surge of anguish, rose involuntarily to his face, their desperate fingers clawing at the delicate canvas of his skin.
▶ "Ii.. h/avveh to erra.sse mhashhelf!" He groaned, the words barely audible under the storm of emotions overwhelming him.
Each frenetic motion left behind a gruesome tapestry of torn flesh, a nightmarish symphony of self-inflicted wounds that released a macabre torrent of scarlet.
The scent of blood permeated the air, staining the atmosphere with an unsettling, visceral essence.
In the wake of this self-inflicted violence, a paradox unfolded—swift healing that defied the laws of nature.
▶ "I want-nt to eliminate this face... But i-I also have to ge-get her back!" He stammered, struggling with the contradiction of his desires.
The wounds closed as abruptly as they appeared, leaving behind a fleeting tableau of crimson as a testament to the brief yet intense torment.
The frenzied actions subsided, giving way to a moment of eerie calm, replaced by a nail-biting contemplation that echoed with the haunting whispers of doubt.
The young man grappled with sensations that transcended the physical realm within this maelstrom of agony.
A cacophony of emotions surged—the desire for release and the haunting specter of wanting to erase oneself from existence.
It was a tumultuous dance with the darkest recesses of the psyche, a twisted waltz where the line between pain and catharsis blurred.
▶ "I want to be free..." Striking his head against the floor numerous times. ▶ "I have to be.."
Like orange, ▶ "I shoul be with you.." The man murmured, his voice wavering in uncertainty.
After a hushed interlude of uncertainty, the figure gradually regained composure, though it remained face down on the ground for minutes.
Crawling toward Adam's lifeless head, with three front teeth missing, stretching the hands, he cradled it tenderly, addressing like white again, with a chilling mixture of despair and cruelty.
▶ "What do you think of mha appearance? What would sshe make of me now.."
Turning above, with the bounty on his chest, he asked, looking at the endless sky, illuminated by a few already seeing stars, with a vacant gaze continued. ▶ "Do you still L.. Remember me?"
Those death eyes, seed like adams, feeling the weight of it, like a macabre trophy.
Then he rose, making the head fall on the ground, a primal bellow escaping his lips; the atmosphere crackled with energy, creating a palpable tension in the air. "A҉҉̦̣̤͔̟̩̋̿̏ͦ̈́̍͟͠Ṡ̷̢̫̞̻͈͋͛̓̅͜͜͜͠͠͠C҉͓̟͇̼͕̻ͭ͌ͩ̒͘͜͡͞͠E҉̰̰͎̆͞N̵҉̾͟͞͡Ṡ̷̢̫̞̻͈͋͛̓̅͜͜͜͠͠͠I҉̡̯̺̜̅́͋̃͢͜O̷̵҉̢̭͚̜̠ͫͣ͐͢͟͢͠͞͝N̵҉̾͟͞͡
And the sky responded to his call.
The clouds started swirling, parting to unveil the raw beauty of twilight, casting an eerie glow and illuminating the desolate scene.
The surge of power within him manifested in the birth of expansive and majestic wings.
As they unfolded, a shockwave of raw might emanated from their emergence, upending tables, crumbling homes, shattering the fountain, and launching Adam's lifeless form into the distance.
A radiant aura enveloped the man, and the wings were moving slightly with the rhythm of the wind.
The very fabric of reality responded to that transformation.
Even the air buzzed with otherworldly energy, and the ground trembled beneath the manifestation of this newfound power.
Amidst the chaos, the right hand, flat, pressed against the face, covering one eye.
Then, it started to laugh like grey once more, dark and chilling, its echoes bouncing off the twisted remains of the shattered square.
▶ "Now, this seems more fitting for our reunion..."
With an almost absurd speed, he appeared at Adam's head, which lay against the ruins of a destroyed house.
Gripping the head by the hair and like green, he asked. ▶ "Doesn't this suit me better?"
A moment of contemplation seized him as he pondered the appropriate words for this long-awaited moment.
▶ "What words should I say to her? HMM.. What would be appropriate?"
▶ "Well, in reality, I have always spoken to her, all the time.."
An epiphany struck him like lightning, and his gaze fixed on the severed head, ▶ "You were often in her company... Can you help me?"
Standing there for a few seconds, with a severe expression on his face, he waited for an answer that could never come.
▶ "Ah.. True, maybe I shouldn't have killed you right away; it's just that I couldn't wait to get her back.. haha!"
▶ "Well, there's not much to do; I'll try to think of a solution.."
The atmosphere shifted as he considered a solution, and the wind gently rustled his wings.
After a moment of contemplative silence, he declared, ▶ "We must have a date, you and I.. Maybe then I'll be ready!"
With a burst of happiness, he dropped Adam's head to the ground.
Immediately, he set about organizing their unusual appointment.
Now fully unfurled, the wings caught the wind, creating a soft rustling sound.
As he moved through the chaos, the ruined landscape responded to his presence as if he were a maestro commanding an otherworldly orchestra.
The debris, a symphony of destruction, seemed to dance to his will.
Dust clouds cascaded from the lifted fragments, swirling like ethereal wisps.
Dislodged from their original positions, chairs tumbled gracefully to the ground, creating a melodic rhythm of clattering echoes.
The remnants of shattered tables and broken structures followed suit, floating weightlessly as if caught in a mesmerizing choreography.
His hands moved with a fluid grace, fingers weaving through the air like conducting an unseen ensemble.
With each deliberate motion, the debris levitated, suspended mid-air, awaiting his command.
A table, fragmented into pieces, reassembled under the guidance of his ethereal hands.
Splintered wood and shattered remnants melded seamlessly, forming a reconstructed centerpiece for their appointment.
Plucked from the chaos, two chairs found their place in this surreal dance.
They spun and twirled gracefully, settling beside the resurrected table with an elegance that defied the destruction that had preceded.
His body moved harmoniously with the elemental forces at his command, a celestial ballet unfolding in the desolation.
Amidst the orchestrated chaos, he laughed with unrestrained delight, his voice echoing with a manic energy.
▶ "Ah, the sweet melody of havoc! It resonates with the rhythm of my ascension, don't you think?" His eyes gleamed with madness as he surveyed the rearranged scene before him.
With a flick of his wrist, he sent a massive piece of debris twirling through the air.
▶ "A dance of destruction and creation, my dear Adam. Quite a spectacular performance, if I can say so myself."
As he continued his ethereal symphony, he glanced at the floating remnants.
▶ "Behold, the fragments of your world, reborn in chaos! I find beauty in the unexpected, in the collision of order and disorder."
Turning his attention to the reassembled table and chairs, he grinned maniacally.
▶ "Now, my unsuspecting audience, prepare for the grand finale! The climax of our reunion awaits, and I assure you, it will be nothing short of... apocalyptic!"
As the final notes of this supernatural composition echoed through the transformed landscape, he stood amidst the reorganized setting – a maestro of destruction turned creator.
Now laden with a peculiar blend of dust and divine energy, the air bore witness to the surreal beauty of his ascension.
🔺− ☞ 🎼 ☜ −🔺