Jack's eyes scanned the next page of the diary, heart pounding. The hum from the glowing light above the skeleton seemed to grow louder, vibrating through the walls of the hut, as if it knew what was about to be revealed. He drew in a deep breath, hands trembling slightly as he focused on Jon's blood-written words.
"What you're looking at isn't an artifact. It's not even a physical object. It's something far more ancient and powerful. It's a construct of pure energy, known as a System."
Jack blinked. 'A System? What does that even mean?' He continued reading, curiosity, and dread mingling within him.
"A System is pure, concentrated energy designed to bond with a User's soul. Once attached, it merges with the soul, becoming part of their very essence."
Jack's mind raced. 'Merges with the soul? That sounds… dangerous.' He glanced up at the glowing light. 'Is that what you are? Pure energy, waiting for someone to claim you?'
Jon's words pressed on, relentless. "Systems are rare, but not as rare as you might think. In every populated world across the universe, there's usually at least one or two System Users. Some worlds have dozens. These Systems grant immense power and knowledge, but they come at a cost."
Jack leaned back, frowning. 'Immense power? What kind of power are we talking about?' He glanced around the dilapidated hut, feeling the weight of Jon's revelations settle over him like a shroud.
"The majority of Systems are crude, imperfect creations. They bond with the soul, but the process damages it. Over time, this damage accumulates, and when the User dies, their soul doesn't enter the Cycle of Rebirth. It simply… ceases to exist."
Jack's breath caught. 'Reincarnation? So it's real?' He stared at the page, mind reeling. 'Souls, rebirth, Systems… This is insane.'
Jon continued, "Reincarnation is not just a myth or a belief. It's a fundamental truth of existence. When we die, our souls are meant to enter the Cycle of Rebirth, to be born again into a new life. Sometimes, a soul retains vague memories of past lives. That's what causes déjà vu—faint echoes of experiences from another time."
Jack swallowed hard, memories of his own fleeting moments of déjà vu flooding back. 'Was that… me? Another version of me?' He shook his head, trying to focus.
Jon's next words struck like a hammer. "I believe the reason I couldn't use this System is because I already have one bonded to my soul. My System is crude, and while it hasn't destroyed my soul, it's caused minor damage. Not enough to prevent my reincarnation, but enough to keep me from bonding with a second System."
Jack's mind whirled. 'So this… System… needs a pure, undamaged soul to bond with?' He glanced up at the light again. The hum seemed to intensify, the glow flaring briefly. Jack's eyes widened. 'Did… did it just respond to me?'
He whispered aloud, "It needs someone… untainted."
The hum pulsed, vibrating through the hut like a heartbeat. Jack's skin prickled. 'It understands. It's waiting.'
Jon's explanation pressed on. "My System is relatively basic but useful. It functions as a kind of Artificial Intelligence, granting me access to vast amounts of information. It's not flashy, not powerful in the way some Systems are, but it's saved my life more times than I can count."
Jack's brow furrowed. 'An AI? That doesn't sound so bad. But… what about this one?' He glanced back at the diary, eager for answers.
Jon's words continued, more somber now. "To create this diary, I used the last of my Qi, infused into my blood. This was necessary, both to preserve the diary against the ravages of time and to house my System. The energy within this diary will keep my System intact, even after my body and soul have faded."
Jack's eyes widened. 'His… blood? That's why it's brownish-red. He used his own life force.'
Jon's confession deepened. "Removing my System from my soul was not an easy choice. Once a System merges, it becomes a part of you. To separate it is to tear away a piece of your essence. I knew it would likely destroy my soul. My System warned me of the danger. But it also told me… I wouldn't survive much longer anyway. The injuries I sustained would soon claim me. Perhaps my System foresaw a purpose beyond my understanding."
Jack shivered, the weight of those words sinking in. 'He sacrificed everything… so someone else could find this.' He glanced at the light, its glow steady, almost expectant.
"If you've made it this far, then perhaps you're the one who can do what I couldn't. Perhaps you're the one this System has been waiting for. But be warned: the path ahead is not easy. The power you seek comes at a cost."
Jack closed the diary for a moment, staring into the middle distance. 'So this… thing… it's not just energy. It's a challenge. A test. And it's been waiting for someone strong enough to claim it.' He glanced at the skeleton, a chill running down his spine. 'Jon wasn't that person. Am I?'
The hum of the light-filled the silence, a low, almost expectant vibration. Jack could feel it, deep in his bones. The air around him seemed charged, heavy with possibility.
He reopened the diary, eyes scanning the final lines.
"After I finish creating this diary, both my body and soul will become so weak I will not be able to move. I will attempt to cultivate what little Qi is left in the air from my arrival, however, I doubt it will help me in the end."
Jack's grip tightened. 'This was his final act. His last hope.' He looked up at the hovering light. 'And now… it's mine.'