The world warped.
The sky—if it could even be called that—fractured further, its grey expanse splitting into shards of flickering black and white.
The masked being stood motionless, yet its presence was suffocating.
Ancient. Heavy.
A weight Ezra's bones recognized but his mind refused to understand.
"I remember you."
Ezra's grip on his dagger tightened.
"That's great," he muttered, forcing a smirk. "Because I sure as hell don't remember you."
His other self let out a soft, knowing chuckle.
The masked figure didn't react.
It simply watched.
Then—it moved.
No wasted motion. No hesitation.
It was in front of him instantly.
Ezra barely had time to throw himself to the side—
A pulse of force exploded from where he'd been standing, ripping the stone apart in a silent shockwave.
Not magic.
Not a skill.
Just power.
Ezra hit the ground hard, rolling back to his feet. His heart pounded.
His instincts screamed RUN.
But there was nowhere to go.
His other self remained perfectly still, watching, hands folded behind his back.
Like this was all just a formality.
Ezra's mind raced. "What the hell do you want from me?"
The masked figure slowly turned its head.
"To remember."
And then—
It reached out.
A single hand, outstretched.
Ezra felt his chest tighten.
Not just from fear.
But from something else.
A feeling like… déjà vu.
The whisper inside his head stirred violently.
"Do not let it touch you."
Ezra moved.
Too slow.
The hand brushed against his forehead—
And his mind shattered.