Chapter 13: The Old Man's Answer
The city of Jill had a strange way of making time feel both sluggish and fleeting. Seraphine walked through the cobblestone streets, her boots echoing off the walls of the ancient buildings, while Quintin chatted beside her, his usual easygoing demeanor unable to mask the underlying tension in the air. The encounter with the cold man had left an unsettling impression on them both, but they pressed on.
After all, their journey was far from over.
They wandered for hours, the peaceful streets of Jill slowly becoming less inviting. Seraphine's mind kept returning to the cryptic words of the man—the warnings, the dismissiveness, and that cold look in his eyes. It was as if he had seen the very depths of her soul and found her wanting. But Seraphine knew better than to let his attitude bother her. She had far more pressing matters to attend to.
Their exploration brought them to the edge of the city, where the roads became more overgrown, and the air carried a damp, earthy smell. There, sitting on a bench beside an old fountain, was the old man they had met earlier—the one with the half-moon glasses and the soft smile. He appeared unchanged, but this time there was a subtle urgency about him, as if he had been waiting for them.
"Ah, I see you've come for answers," the old man said as they approached, his voice a gentle rasp.
Seraphine stopped in front of him, her posture alert. "You know we're searching for something. Why did you help us before?"
The old man's wrinkled face softened, and he nodded slowly. "Because I know what it's like to be lost," he replied cryptically. "The Nexus can consume those who wander in search of answers. But those who seek the truth are often the ones who will change this place—whether they wish it or not."
Quintin raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "So you've got answers for us now?"
The old man chuckled, a warm, almost sad sound. "Not the answers you think you want, but perhaps the ones you need."
Seraphine leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "What do you mean by that?"
The old man took a slow breath, the weight of centuries in his eyes. "The Nexus is a prison. It was never meant to be a place of redemption or salvation. It is a reflection of those who enter it, magnifying their fears, their weaknesses, and their desires until they lose themselves to the void." He paused, watching her carefully. "But you… You are different, child. You may be able to break the cycle."
Seraphine clenched her fists at her sides. "What cycle? What are you talking about?"
"The cycle of endless suffering," the old man said, his voice suddenly solemn. "The people trapped in the Nexus live out their fates over and over, never knowing they are bound by their own choices. It is the nature of the place. But you… you have the power to break free."
Seraphine's heart raced. Could it really be that simple? She had thought for so long that the only way out was to escape physically, but now—could the key be a change within herself?
"How?" she whispered, barely able to contain the surge of hope in her chest.
The old man smiled faintly, his eyes growing distant. "That… is something you must discover for yourself. But I will give you this: Beware of the others who walk this path. There are those who would seek to use the Nexus, to twist it to their own desires. They are far more dangerous than you can imagine."
Seraphine's eyes darkened. "Who are they?"
The old man shook his head, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "I cannot say. But you will know them when you see them. They are not like you. They are the true masters of the Nexus."
Before Seraphine could press further, the old man rose slowly, his movements almost mechanical, as if the weight of his age was a physical burden. "I must go now," he said, his voice soft but resolute. "You will find your answers, but be careful where you seek them."
With that, he turned and walked away, vanishing into the crowded streets of Jill.
Seraphine stood in silence, her thoughts racing. The old man's words lingered in her mind, gnawing at her. There was something about him that felt… off. Was he truly trying to help, or was he just another piece in this twisted puzzle? She didn't know, but one thing was certain—she had to keep moving forward.
Quintin watched her, sensing the shift in her mood. "You alright?"
Seraphine nodded, though her expression remained pensive. "I don't know. Something about that man doesn't sit right with me. But I'll figure it out."
As they walked, the weight of their conversation hung in the air. Seraphine couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched—that something was waiting for them just beyond the horizon, lurking in the shadows of Jill.
And as if to confirm her suspicions, the air around them grew cold. They turned a corner and saw him—standing at the end of the street, watching them with the same cold, unblinking gaze.
The man. The one from earlier.
His eyes locked with Seraphine's, and this time, there was no pretense of indifference. His expression was harsh, unforgiving.
"Well, well," he said, his voice colder than ever. "I see you've been busy."
Seraphine's heart skipped a beat. "What do you want?"
The man's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Nothing much. Just thought I'd give you a little warning. Don't trust anyone here. Not even the old man."
Seraphine's gaze narrowed. "What do you know about him?"
The man's eyes flickered with a dark amusement. "Everything." He stepped closer, his presence oppressive. "You're not the first to come here thinking you can break the Nexus. But you'll be the first to fail."
He turned, his coat sweeping behind him as he walked away, leaving Seraphine and Quintin in the eerie stillness of Jill.
Seraphine clenched her fists once more, her determination growing with every word he spoke. He didn't scare her. Nothing could.
She wasn't about to give up—not now, not ever.
End of Chapter 13.