Talon sat back in his armchair, letting the warmth of the fire lull him into a calm he hadn't felt in ages as he sipped his tea. His muscles relaxed for the first time since… well, since the chaos began. But the heavy weight of the World-Ender's presence lingered, pressing down on him. He took a deep breath, hoping to push it away.
For a while, they simply sat in silence, sipping tea, their gazes locked on the crackling fire as if it held answers to questions Talon hadn't yet asked.
After some time, Noah leaned forward, his expression soft with understanding. "You know… even if I'm just a subconscious reflection, talking about it might help."
For a moment, Talon hesitated. The idea felt pointless—after all, Noah knew everything already, didn't he? But something about the warmth of the room and the silent encouragement in Noah's eyes loosened the tension in Talon's chest, and, as if a hidden floodgate had been released, he started talking.
He spoke of his family, the crushing expectations, and the weight of every stupid mistake he'd made along the way. His voice grew bitter as he talked about how, in a rash decision, he'd shown the world his mythical power, attracting enemies, dragging his family and classmates down in the aftermath. He spoke of the anger, the resentment, and the guilt that festered from seeing lives destroyed because of his ambition. He hadn't realized until now how deeply his choices had cost him—had cost others. Maybe even billions.
Talon shook his head, managing a bitter laugh. "I know it doesn't matter now, that I'll just reset like nothing happened. But that doesn't make it feel any less real." He took a shaky breath. "Without this power… I think it would've eaten me alive."
Noah listened quietly, nodding now and then, his expression soft and unreadable. Talon realized Noah wasn't saying anything because he already knew it all. And yet, having someone listen, even if they were a part of himself, felt like a relief.
Eventually, silence settled between them again, softer and more bearable than before.
"Thanks for letting me rant," Talon said, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Noah returned the smile. "Always here if you need me."
They sat quietly for a moment longer, the fire's warmth wrapping around them, and then Talon stood, stretching as he glanced toward the hallway leading away from the cozy living room.
"I think I'll… take a look around," he said, curiosity sparking in his eyes.
Noah gave him a nod of encouragement. "Good idea. You might find a few things useful."
Talon left the living room and wandered down the hallway, peering through each door he passed. Many were locked, their handles cold and unyielding beneath his grip. Despite his curiosity, he decided to leave them for now. If he had endless time, he could afford to be patient.
Finally, he reached a door at the very end of the hallway. A plaque above it read Insight in simple, elegant lettering. The door was darker, heavier than the others, and it loomed over him as he reached for the handle.
"Huh, wonder what this is…" Talon murmured, pushing it open.
Inside was a small, dimly lit room that looked like an office. A large wooden desk sat in the center, surrounded by rows upon rows of bookshelves. He stepped up to one of the shelves, eyes widening as he scanned the spines. Every single book he'd ever read was there, from his academy-issued textbooks to the novels he'd read for pleasure, even books he barely remembered glancing at.
A smile crossed his face. He tried not getting his hopes up, but if he could access any book he'd ever read, this would definitely be a useful resource.
He turned toward the desk, where a plain blue journal lay open, its cover marked only with the words Volume 1 in bold letters. His fingers hesitated over it, drawn to it but wary of what it held. As he looked at it, something strange happened—a sharp pang of déjà vu washed over him, accompanied by a stabbing ache in his head and a flood of emotions he couldn't place: sadness, regret, something hollow and unfinished.
"Ouch… what the hell was that?" he muttered, pressing a hand to his temple.
Yet, as unsettling as it was, he felt compelled to move closer. The journal almost seemed to call out to him, urging him to sit down and uncover whatever lay within. He took a seat at the desk, a shiver running down his spine as he reached for the journal.
He thought about calling Noah but decided against it for now. Something about this felt personal, meant for him alone.
Flipping to the first page, he read the neatly scrawled text at the top:
---
Journal Entry – Talon Graves
If you can read this, great! My experiment worked.
You may not remember this yet, but I've left these entries here as a guide, a warning, maybe. You'll understand the reasoning for it soon enough. I hope that with each life, you'll take what you learn and build something stronger, something that can withstand the darkness that awaits us.
I have made mistakes, so many mistakes, and I don't want you to walk the same path.
Follow the achievements that I have created. They're more than just goals; they're steps toward what you need to become.
—
"What does that even mean? And who is this?"
Talon blinked, reading the page three times over, his eyes tracing each word as though a hidden message might reveal itself if he stared hard enough. The entry's cryptic language hung heavy in his mind, tugging at some unspoken part of him.
Mistakes. Darkness. Paths not taken. The words sounded as if they were layered with warnings from a stranger who somehow knew him intimately.
Curious, he tried flipping to the next page, but it wouldn't budge. The following pages clung together like they'd been fused, forming an impassable wall of paper. Frustrated, he pressed his fingers along the edges, feeling the strange, almost living resistance in the pages, as if the book itself was saying.
Not yet.
He sat back, a mixture of wonder and irritation stirring in his chest, and glanced down the hallway. After a brief hesitation, he called out, "Hey, Noah! Can you come over real quick?"
A moment later, Noah appeared in the doorway, eyebrows raised. "What's up?"
Talon tapped the journal. "What's this about?" he asked, voice tinged with frustration. "I read the entry, but it doesn't make much sense. And the rest of the pages won't open."
Noah peered at the journal, his expression remaining unreadable. "I don't know," he admitted with a shrug. "I know only as much as you do, or, well, as much as you're able to access." He gestured to the journal, a faint smirk playing at his lips. "Looks like you'll need to wait for it to reveal itself, one piece at a time."
"Weird…" Talon murmured, casting a lingering look at the journal. The words echoed in his mind, he tried solving them, but they just did not make any sense.
The firelight flickered in the dim room, casting shadows across the walls as he carefully set the journal back on the desk, its cover now seeming to watch him with a silent promise. He took a deep breath, the unknown twisting in his chest.
Whatever this was, he'd figure it out.