Marlin woke up to a faint light filtering through the heavy curtains. The room was quiet, but the silence carried a strange chill. His dream lingered in his mind—scenes of his old family danced before his eyes, their faces blurred as if shrouded in mist. The warmth he felt in the dream left behind an odd emptiness. Was this his punishment? To forget those he once held dear in his previous world?
He shook his head, trying to dispel those thoughts as he rose from the bed. He glanced at the window covered by dark curtains before making his way to the door. The faint clatter of dishes guided him downstairs.
---
Marlin entered the dining room, where Ryan sat at a large Victorian-style wooden table. White plates adorned with golden edges were carefully placed on the table. Silver candelabras held short, flickering candles, casting a soft, serene glow in the room. On the table were freshly toasted bread, fruit-scented jam, crisp bacon, and steaming cups of tea.
Ryan sat on one of the chairs, wearing a simple shirt and a light jacket, sipping tea in quiet contemplation. He looked up as Marlin entered and gave a small smile. "Good morning."
Marlin took a seat across from him, folding his arms momentarily before reaching for the food. He tried to ignore Ryan's gaze, but his thoughts refused to quiet. "Ryan seems so much older than me... but the truth is, he's only three years ahead." This thought haunted him, as if the burdens of life had aged his brother far beyond his years.
"Marlin?" Ryan's voice broke the silence.
"Yeah?" Marlin looked up.
"Did you sleep well?"
He hesitated briefly before answering, "Yeah... or at least, I tried." He didn't intend to mention his dream or the unease it brought.
Ryan didn't press further. Instead, he said calmly, "Tonight, we have something important to do. I'm going to introduce you to an organization I've been a part of. It's the reason I have the power I need."
Marlin paused mid-bite, staring at his brother. "An organization?"
Ryan nodded. "Yes. This organization has branches in most cities across the continent. Its strength is immense, and its leader... they say he's incredibly powerful—perhaps at the level of the angels, if not closer to the gods."
Marlin's breath caught for a moment. The thought of someone with that kind of power filled him with both curiosity and fear. "Why do you want me to be part of it?"
"Because you need power," Ryan replied confidently. "This world is unforgiving, Marlin. Without strength, you won't be able to protect yourself, let alone face what lies ahead."
Marlin fell silent, unable to deny the truth in Ryan's words. He knew he needed power, but he couldn't ignore the fear of what that might cost. "How do I get this power?"
Ryan smiled faintly, as if the answer were obvious. "Power comes from a spiritual shard... As for the cost, don't worry about it. It's the least I can do to help my little brother."
Despite the warmth in Ryan's words, Marlin felt a pang of guilt. Ryan was offering him everything he could, unaware that the person sitting before him wasn't truly his brother.
---
The hours of the day dragged on, the anxiety eating away at Marlin. When evening arrived, he donned his heavy coat, ready to follow Ryan. The destination was one of the organization's branches in a city called Eidenhall.
"Are you ready?" Ryan asked as he stood by the door, inspecting Marlin's appearance with his sharp gaze.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Marlin replied, attempting to mask his unease.
As they walked through the dimly lit streets of the city, Marlin felt a strange mix of excitement and fear. His steps were hesitant, but he knew that this night could mark the beginning of something far greater than he had ever imagined.