The space they occupied was surreal—a realm unbound by natural laws. Colors danced and shifted in fluid motion, as if the void itself were alive. Vibrant streaks of gold, violet, and blue wove together, only to dissolve into pools of light. There was no horizon, no ground, only the sensation of being suspended within a living, breathing mosaic.
The girl sat motionless, her golden hair glowing faintly in the swirling luminescence. Her piercing blue eyes were fixed on the man in front of her, cold and detached. Despite her stillness, her focus was absolute. She didn't need rest or sustenance here. His words and the images they conjured were her only reality.
Man: "Strange, isn't it? You don't feel hunger. You don't tire. It's as though this place denies all the rules you once knew. My ability makes it possible. Every word I speak, every story I tell—it becomes your world. Not just something you hear but something you live."
Girl: "And yet, you make it feel like a chore."
The man smirked, brushing a hand through his dark hair. His black eyes sparkled with playful confidence, but his tone remained calm and measured.
Man: "Ah, such kindness. Tell me, is it my storytelling or my dashing good looks that bother you?"
Girl: "You think you're handsome? What a joke. I couldn't care less about you or your pathetic attempts at humor. Just keep talking. That's all I need from you."
Man: "So, I'm a tool for your curiosity? No heart, no soul, just a mouth that feeds you answers. I'll take that as a compliment."
Girl: "Take it however you want. Now, stop wasting time."
Man: "Fine, fine." He shrugged, his expression lighthearted despite her icy demeanor. "But let me tell you something about stories. They're more than just words strung together. They're threads that connect people, places, even timelines. A story can outlive its teller, reshape its listener, and sometimes…" His voice grew softer, more contemplative. "Sometimes, a story reaches places you'd never expect. Who knows how many people from the past, present, and even the future are hearing my words? To them, it might feel like a moment in time, but for us, it could be the past—or maybe the future. Who knows? Someone could even be watching this very conversation as if it were a movie."
As his words faded, a faint ripple shimmered in the distance, nearly imperceptible against the swirling colors. Within the fracture, a pair of vivid green eyes emerged—cold, calculating, and serpentine.
The boy watched silently, his gaze unblinking. His expression flickered with something uncharacteristic—shock. The man's words had stirred something within him.
The girl didn't notice the fracture or the eyes. Her focus remained entirely on the man.
Girl: "Keep going. You're not done yet."
Man: "Patience, ma'am," he replied, flashing a smirk. "The truth will come, but it's not always gentle. Let's see if you're ready for it."
The crack trembled slightly, the green eyes narrowing, but the man and girl remained oblivious.
Man: "Now then, let's pick up where we left off. Shall we?"